Bad First Impressions

Your Hair Isn't Flattering

A lot of guys don’t pay a ton of attention to their hair. They opt for the simple haircut, the messy look or they throw on a hat. But a good hairstyle -- or a bad one -- can often make or break a first impression. Your haircut is one of the aspects of your look that you have the most control over, and it often has the biggest impact out of everything on your overall look. A lot of guys take pride in being able to roll out of bed and be ready for the day five minutes later, but that pretty much just means you’re being lazy. Take some pride in how you look. It’s important to find the right hairstyle for you -- not just for the personal look you’re going for, but some hairstyles are meant for certain head shapes. Thinning hair? There are styles for that too. And, most importantly, just make sure it’s clean. Wash it regularly and, if you need to (and you probably do), pick up some anti-dandruff shampoo.

You've Got Bad Breath

While some people are more prone to getting bad breaththan others, it’s something that you should always be aware of. If you have something pungent for lunch (fish, onions, garlic) consider brushing your teeth (it’s good to keep an emergency brush at work) or at least pop in a piece of gum. Coffee is huge bad-breath culprit, so consider cutting down or just make sure you don’t have a big cup before meeting clients or anyone else for the first time. If you’re striking up a conversation and think your breath might not be the freshest, be wary of the direction you’re facing (try turning away slightly so they don't suffer the full wrath of it).

Your Clothing Doesn't Suit You

While there are times when dressing with comfort in mind is acceptable, you don’t want to make a habit of wearing sweatpants to the corner store -- it’s a slippery slope that way too many guys slide down. You never know when you’re going to meet the girl of your dreams or your future boss. While looks aren’t everything, what you wear does say a lot about you. Clothing with holes and stains isn’t going to be impressing anybody. Pants that don’t fit quite right or “Bikini Inspector” T-shirts aren’t going to leave her breathless after your first meeting. Wearing a smart outfit not only sets a good first impression, it will also make you feel more confident about yourself. And confidence is key during first impressions.

You've Got Bad Skin

People have different skin types. Some are naturally blessed with smooth, beautiful and blemish-free skin, while others, like me, have always struggled with acne (I was told I’d outgrow this crap). While you can’t always avoid that embarrassing pimple, you can do things to drastically reduce the severity and frequency of breakouts. Pimples aren’t pretty -- there are no ifs, ands or buts about it -- so you’ll want to do as much as you can to keep it under control. Wash your face every morning and night, use cold water and experiment with different soaps and products until you find the one that works best for you. Learn to shave properly, use proper aftershaves and always apply generous amounts of sunscreen. You’ll feel a lot more confident asking for her number or sitting down at the job interview if you’ve got clear skin.

You're Lacking In Confidence

“Hey, remember the guy from last night who was slouching over in the corner of the room and and didn’t come over to us and say anything?” -- said no girl, ever. If you want to make a good first impression, you have to make contact. Confidence is tricky for a lot of guys, and it’s not something you acquire overnight. But it is something that you can work on -- and people will notice. Women find confidence sexy and men find it reassuring. Confidence can be expressed in many different ways -- how you stand, how you speak, how you dress and how you treat others. If you need to, think about things that you're good at or big accomplishments in your life to help psych yourself up.