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The make up that men hate the most

At some point, most of us have turned to our other halves or male friends and asked that all important question: "Do I look good in this?" but rarely do we consult our men folk about the state of our make up.

While there's do denying that make up helps us feel good about ourselves, it also comes in handy when it comes to attracting the opposite sex. Let's face it, when we're slicking on the lippy or making sure our eyelashes are perfectly curled, how our men folk will view the final result is often at the forefront of our minds.

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Eli Ankutse, co-founder of nivenandjoshua, says his number one dislike when it comes to make up misdemeanours is heavy foundation. "As I'm sure most guys will agree, it has to be when excessive or obvious foundation is used - I think less is definitely more here."

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With increasingly sophisticated formulas and wide selections of shades, finding the perfect foundation has never been easier — it might just take a little longer. Don't be afraid to ask for samples - most types of foundation will look drastically different away from the harsh lighting of a shop floor."The most important thing is to make sure you choose a foundation shade in as natural a light as possible - ideally broad daylight," says Chase Aston, The Body Shop's international make up artist. "If you apply two or three shades at one time, wait for a couple of minutes to see how they oxidise."

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When it comes to eye shadow, think about which colours complement your skin tone and hair colour — those in the know may well be predicting this summer will be all about brights and neons, but that doesn't mean these colours will work for you.

"In my opinion, eyes are a woman's most powerful feature so I prefer subtle colours that allow her eyes to be the star of the show," says Eli at Niven and Joshua. "Bold colours do catch your attention, but at times I find too much colour distracting."

Matthew Crowson, founder of male grooming website themodernman, agrees. "Women should play to their strengths and not blindly follow the latest fashion without considering whether it suits them or not."

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Gloopy lipstick or gloss is another no-no — unless you want to leave a trail of lipstick-marked men in your wake. "An elegant, matte lipstick has to be the one for me," says Eli.

"This doesn't mean I think gloss is bad, it's just that I think lipstick lends itself to a more classy finish." Celebrity make up artist Ariane Poole agrees. "Most men dislike that over all 'too made up' look - especially gloopy gloss."

For ultimate staying power, opt for a lip stain. "Lip stains are totally kiss-proof, smudge-proof and waterproof," says Chase at The Body Shop. If you really can't go without the gloss, Chase suggests taking the time to prepare lips correctly in order to keep the colour in one place. "First exfoliate the lips and then smooth a moisturising balm onto the lips. Take a lip-liner pencil in the same shade as your gloss and fill in the whole lip area."

When it comes to highlighting certain areas, steer clear of heavy bronzer and go easy on the glitter — no man wants to end the night covered in fairy dust."I dislike anything that doesn't complement skin type," says Eli. "Using sparkle or glitter can look over the top," agrees Chase Aston. "It also catches the light very easily so can highlight any flaws. It's often better to catch the light in an understated way. The new Nars Laguna Body Illuminator is perfect for this. Smooth over your décolletage then massage into the skin to provide a soft and subtle gleam."

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So in light of the above, when it comes to attracting the opposite sex, are we really better off ditching the slap completely?

Prepare to be amazed: "No make-up has to win hands down." says Eli Ankutse. "Although that said, when make-up is used compliment an overall look, it can look immaculate. But I'd say no make-up has to win hands down. Natural beauty wins every time."

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