First dates can be a nerve-wracking experience, but a relationship expert claims she’s found the secret to having the perfect first meeting.
Dating guru Nadia Essex, from London, explained venue is key because only serious suitors will take you to a restaurant rather than scrimp on a cheap coffee date.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Nadia offered advice on everything from what to talk about to what to wear to ace a first date.
Nadia, who currently stars on E4’s Celebs Go Dating, said red lipstick will make a man think of sex and lose respect for you, but flashing just a hint of cleavage is entirely acceptable.
Below, Nadia’s guide to the perfect first date…
Less is more: Dating expert Nadia Essex, 34, from Chelsea, London, pictured, says you should never wear red lipstick on a first date because men will only want you for sex
How to meet Mr Right
Nadia, 34, from Chelsea, London, says single women need to dedicate at least one night a month to finding a partner if they’re serious about settling down.
The dating expert advises going out to bars on Thursday or Friday nights because they’re filled with date night couples on Saturdays, and says singles should only be seen with single friends in order to give off the right ‘vibe’.
She said: ‘You need to get a wing-woman and she has to be single because if she’s not single your single vibes and her non single vibes will be giving off mixed messages so you won’t get approached by guys in the bar.
‘Ultimately guys don’t like to be rejected so unless you’re giving them an absolute green light then they won’t come over to you. Guys don’t like big groups of girls.’
Looking for love: Nadia is a dating expert on E4’s Celebs Go Dating, trying to fix the love lives of the rich and famous
Choose the perfect venue
The perfect first date will be a nice dinner – and you definitely shouldn’t be grabbing a coffee or doing lunch, claims Nadia.
‘I have a general rule of thumb; coffee is cheap, lunch is an interview but dinner is romance,’ Nadia said.
‘If you want to date me I am obsessed with romance. I’m obsessed with being romantic, I am obsessed with being romanticised on and about.
‘If you cant be a***d to sit down in front of me for a couple of hours, feed and water me and really take the time to get to know who I am then honey, I don’t wanna go on a date with you. I would never meet for coffee dates. Ever.’
Location, location, location: The relationship expert says she’d never go on a lunch date or a coffee date because dinner dates are the only way to get to know someone
Skip the make-up
Make up should be kept minimum because most men don’t appreciate a full face – and red lipstick is definitely off limits because it makes men think of sex too early on, Nadia warned.
She said: ‘It’s really difficult because then the date becomes really sexualised and there’s a lot of innuendos and all of a sudden he’s just there trying to get you into bed. It’s always nice to keep a nice natural make up with a nude lip.
‘No matter how much you set your make up you’re gonna get foundation on their collar, you’re gonna get sticky lip gloss on their lips – to guys make up is quite annoying. If you can’t do it well it’s a real turn off.’
Dress to impress
For the first date, opt for a simple black dress and stick with the boobs or legs rule, with only a hint of cleavage on show.
Nadia explained: ‘A trusty black dress and a nice pair of heels. It doesn’t have to be expensive, I wear a lot of high street most of my shoes on the show are from Primark.
‘You can make them look expensive by taking care of them and picking and choosing ones that look good.’
She says conversations on dates should be kept lighthearted because you’ll find out about their values later on
Keep conversation light
Traditional rules of polite conversation still apply so politics and religion are off the table. When it comes to dating, women must also take care not to talk about exes – and be prepared to run a mile if their date brings up his former flame.
Nadia said: ‘No ex talk, that’s a big no no. If you talk about your ex he’s not gonna respect you because as far as he’s concerned you have a clean slate and he doesn’t want to know anyone you’ve slept with.
I like to ask really c**p questions like who would win in a fight between a silver back gorilla and a Tyrannosaurus Rex just to get conversation flowing
‘If he talks about his ex he’s probably not over her and chances are he’s still sleeping with her so run a mile because you don’t need that type of baggage in your life.’
Nadia also suggests keeping the conversation lighthearted because you’ll find out all his values and goals later.
‘I’m a big believer in trying to keep the first date really fun and really lighthearted. I like to ask really c**p questions like who would win in a fight between a silver back gorilla and a Tyrannosaurus Rex just to get conversation flowing,’ Nadia explained.
‘Believe it or not his answer to that question will tell you everything you need to know about him because if he answers really quickly then you know he’s the type of person who speaks before he thinks. If he thinks about it and takes his time you know that’s the type of man he is, he’s a thinker.’