Advertisement

Lack of confidence and feeling unattractive: Why many women wait over a MONTH to go bare-faced in front of a new partner

New research reveals many of us don't dare to go without make up in front of our new partners for four weeks and one day

Going bare-faced in front of a new partner can often feel like a daunting prospect.

But it seems most women will wait over a MONTH before they take the plunge and go without make up in front of a new boyfriend.

According to new research, feeling far less attractive, less confident and vulnerable minus the cover-up are the reasons many of us take four weeks and one day to show off our bare-faced chic.

It's not just a lack of confidence that causes us to wait so long before taking the plunge either, as six out of 10 of us want to be 100 per cent a prospective partner is serious enough before revealing our 'true looks.'

In the lead up to baring all, us girls will think nothing of touching up our make up in the middle of the night, or waking up early to ensure we're not spied looking anything less than perfect.

Speaking about the new research, Sarah Sharp, Superdrug spokeswoman, said: "It does take a while for women to feel comfortable with a new partner and make-up can act as a shield for many females.

"The research indicates that for many women wearing make-up isn't just a way of looking attractive, it's much more than that, it's a way to be confident and project an image.

"Many women consider going au natural in front of a new partner quite a serious step, they are exposing themselves completely."

Nine out of 10 women want their new partners to think they're beautiful and well turned out at all times, ensuring their make up is perfectly applied for those crucial first few days.

We'll spend at least 40 minutes getting ready to meet a new boyfriend too; picking out the most complementary outfit and ensuring our tresses are perfectly coiffured.

The study also revealed that six out of 10 women are extremely careful that a new boyfriend never sees them without make up, while a third admit to running to the bathroom immediately after staying over at a partner's house for the first time, just to re-apply their make-up.

The importance women place in their make up routine doesn't end there either, as a third of women are convinced a relationship wouldn't have gone anywhere had they let someone see them without make-up too early on.

Sarah Sharp added: "For women our make-up bag is a key part of our life, giving us the confidence to go out, have fun, be successful and go on dates.

"It's interesting that it's not just boyfriends who women don't want to bare their face to. They don't want their work colleagues to see them with a naked face either.

[The WORST celebrity make up disasters of all time]
[The bestselling beauty products ever revealed]
[How to get that dewy skin look this season]


"We recently held an event in our stores allowing women to come in and get some expert advice on the products in their make-up bags.

"It's vital as we age and trends come and go that our make-up bags keep up, to ensure that the look women are creating is the most flattering one for them.

"We were overwhelmed by women wanting to give their make-up bag a make-over."

Just under half of ladies would worry that a new partner would find them less pretty without make-up, while a fifth think they would be shocked at how different they look.

Looking older and exposing unwanted wrinkles are other reasons why women prefer to reach for the cosmetics bag before meeting a new man.

Interestingly, a third of women are convinced they wouldn't be as successful with the opposite sex if they went out looking natural.

And a third of people who are currently in relationships remain sure they wouldn't have bagged their current boyfriend if they had initially dated him make-up free.

How long did it take you to go make up free in front of your partner? Tell us over on Twitter now.