UK Singles Throw Shade on Shades

Anyone who has made a dating profile has done this: they pick pictures that show themselves at their best. And no more than on our sunny holidays do we feel that way. But be warned. That sunny picture with your sun shades on and your face hidden is a huge turnoff for many potential matches. Especially if you’re a multiple time offender. That’s according to a survey by the dating app Badoo. UK singles feel that shades hide your face too much and stop people seeing the real person.

Badoo, which is owned by Bumble, is a long standing dating app, which boasts over 318 million users worldwide. In its survey of UK singles, it uncovered some of the most disliked habits people are guilty of on their profile pages. The biggest issue uncovered was the over prevalence of shades. Two thirds of singles found them off putting. Time to show some restraint with your shades people. 

Singles also said they dislike photos that seemed staged and not truly candid. And certainly don’t use images that obviously utilise some kind of social media filter, 42 per cent said they found them off putting.

So what should you do? Well Badoo has implemented a feature that automatically notices when your pictures are full of sunshades and now prompts users to rectify it. They call it the ‘no shades upgrade’. But apart from that, singles said they like pictures in which they can see your eyes and see your smile. Pictures that give a glimpse into your hobbies and interests are also a big plus and help. 

First impressions, whether we like it or not, are very important in the dating world. The key is to show your best self, while staying authentic. Easier said than done – but dropping the shades is a simple start.