With flawless skin and beautiful hair, why not show off your real self?
As beauty taboos go, it’s not up there with armpit hair (we’re looking at you Julia Roberts) and badly drawn-on brows, but daring to bare on a first date is something many women would never do.
A 2017 Mintel survey of 1,500 women found that 72 per cent viewed make-up as a vital part of online dating, saying they would ‘never’ go on a first date without make-up.
It’s not surprising we feel this way: we’ve been brought up to believe that first dates are all about first impressions and, to make a big one, it’s all too tempting to reach for the bright red lippy and daub on the highlighter.
Maybe what we’re really doing is creating a shield – a suit of armour to hide behind in case the date turns out to be a disaster. Or maybe we’re trying to mask our insecurities with an extra layer of foundation and a pair of false lashes. Sometimes, we’re simply trying to seduce, blowing them away with our perfectly painted faces.
But if you’re looking for a meaningful connection, rather than a one-night fling, there’s something to be said for going bare faced. Even if casual romance is on your mind, what could be more alluring – and confidence boosting – than meeting someone for the first time with your natural beauty, centre stage.
We’ve heard stories about dates complaining when the person they meet isn’t wearing make-up – apparently, some people think it means you ‘couldn’t be bothered’ to make an effort. Really? If that’s the kind of superficial person they are, would you ever want a second date?
If you’re on the right kind of date, the person you’re meeting for the first time will be more interested in your personality, your opinions and your natural glow to even notice how much concealer you have (or haven’t) applied.
A natural impression
Going make-up free on a first date may take a bit of courage if you’re used to a full-face when you meet new people. But everyone feels good when their skin is radiant and blemish free, and their hair is shiny and healthy.
If you’re raring to ‘bare all’ next time you’re on a first date, try these essential products to make a flawless impression:
Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer – provides a naturally radiant, make-up free appearance when used alone.
Elemis Superfood Facial Wash – a nourishing facial wash that revives and refreshes whilst deeply cleansing the skin.
Redken Diamond Oil High Shine Shampoo – with a crystal clear lightweight base, this High Shine Shampoo adds weightless, multi-faceted shine to dull, fine hair.
Decleor Hydra Floral BB Cream 24 Hour Hydration SPF15 – a light coverage moisturiser providing a natural flawless finish to the skin.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask – peel away the years to reveal skin that feels instantly smoother, shine free and more radiant.
Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray – an invisible veil of pure luminous shine, infused with Argan oil to provide instant shine and help protect against the elements.
Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Perfect Primer SPF30 – smooth away fine lines, brighten and prime for flawless skin. Velvety silicones create an instantly smooth surface and a neutral tint helps to balance tone and enhance luminosity and radiance.
Shu Uemura Blow Dry Beautifier BB Serum for Fine Hair – the first BB for hair, this multi-benefit blow-dry perfector is ideal for fine to medium hair.
Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum – with double the brighteners, this clever serum boosts radiance and reverses the visible signs of environmental damage.
Decleor Hydra Floral White Petal Skin Perfecting Concentrate – this pre-skincare concentrate improves skin texture and brightens skin tone; it visibly reduces the appearance of dark spots and reveals a bright and radiant complexion.
