Just as certain men's grooming missteps make us cringe-think frosty guylights and overplucked eyebrows-we (sometimes) make hair, makeup, and skin-care choices guys hate. We polled and they told the top beauty buzzkills to avoid.
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1. FRAGRANCE OVERLOAD
If you're anything like us, you've been misting on (and misting on...) Prada Candy since the day it landed on your vanity. But if your boyfriend is anything like ours, he'll tell you that too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Here are the numbers you need to know: No more than three sprays for an eau de parfum, four for an eau de toilette.
2. CAKED-ON BASE
Painting layers of foundation, tinted moisturizer, concealer, and powder on your face will rub off on your collar...and his. Stick with a lightweight foundation, remove any obvious makeup with a damp sponge, and dab concealer just over blemishes or redness. Men-and their dry-cleaning bills-will thank you.
3. OVERDONE EYELASHES
When poorly done, the Kardashian effect can turn into the spidery effect. We're talking clumpy, flaky, and otherwise arachnid-esque. A few falsies applied to the outer corners make your eyes look wide, innocent, and sexy, without looking like they could walk on their own.
4. DRY SKIN
There may be nothing less sexy than dry legs, rough elbows, and chapped everything. Fake hot, humid, summery skin by slathering on body lotion (we love Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30) as soon as you step out of the shower. He won't be able to keep his hands off you.
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5. A SLOPPY SHAVE
Nothing says "I've given up" as succinctly as leg stubble. Shave at night for the most precise finish (your legs swell as you sleep, so you'll miss hairs if you shave in the morning) and use a new blade. Doing so will also help you avoid those annoying red razor bumps.
6. YELLOW-TINGED TEETH
Who wants to kiss someone with graying or yellowing teeth? For a bright, white, healthy-looking smile, use a treatment like Luster Now! Instant Whitening Toothpaste. True to its name, it works-immediately.
7. STICKY LIP GLOSS
There are lip glosses that moisturize with a subtle sheen, and there are those that are so sticky they could glue together broken glass. Keep your lips kissable with a gloss like Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur-it lasts for hours and isn't the least bit sticky.
8. ORANGEY SELF-TANNER
A subtle bronze glow is gorgeous, but one coat too many and you're Snooki. Play it safe and go for one that's just a shade darker than your natural skin-tone. If you're worried about making a mistake, dilute self-tanner with moisturizer or try a gradual tanning lotion, such as Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer.
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9. STIFF HAIR
No man is going to be able to run his fingers through your hair if it's knotted in a bun, pulled into a twist, or otherwise high-maintenance-looking. Go for a more approachable hairstyle, like easy waves, half up, or a pretty ponytail.
10 SMOKY-EYE OVERLOAD
It starts off innocently enough: It's just you, an eye-shadow palette, and a mirror. But things can get ugly fast when heavy, dark shadows are piled on top of each other. Create a subtle, sexy smoky eye by slightly smudging black eyeliner along the rims of your eyes.
11. BOLD LIPSTICK
That one's too bright, that one's too dark-when it comes to lipstick shades, men are like Goldilocks. And it's hard to blame them when every kiss carries the risk of clown face. Keep lips simple with a neutral pink lipstick, such as Burberry Beauty Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in Nude Rose or L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nurturing and Protective Lipcolour in Fairest Nude.
12. HAIR ADD-INS
Guys like us to keep things pretty simple. Keep accessories on your handbag and jewelry, and leave the feathers, extensions, tinsel, bells, and whistles to Ke$ha and reality-TV celebrities.
13. NEON, DARK, AND PATTERNED MANICURES
If your manicure is black, glittery, glows in the dark, or is any combination thereof, men are intimidated. Or just kind of freaked out. Play it safe with a timeless red like Nars in Dovima or a pale neutral like Essie in Mademoiselle.
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32 New Hair Ideas for 2012
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