One in ten British men have admitted using their partner's make-up, a survey claimed.

A growing number of males admit to secretly dipping into the make-up bag owned by their female partner to help make them look beautiful.

Tweezers were the most popular item that men borrowed, followed closely by moisturiser while almost almost a third questioned admit to using at least three of their partners' beauty products or gadgets.

The latest research, involving a survey of 2000 people, found almost a third have borrowed their other halves' nail file or buffer.

Just outside the top ten included hair straighteners, fake tan, nail varnish and eyeliner or mascara.

More than a third of men questioned admitted to using these items in secret, despite 31 per cent of women claiming to have caught their partner using them.

The average cost of beauty damage by men to the home equates to ￡249 each per year compared to ￡187 by women.

The survey also highlighted regional differences.

Almost half of women surveyed in the North East caught their partner using their beauty products or gadgets compared to just over a fifth of women in Wales.

Almost a fifth of men questioned in the East Midlands admit to using their other halves' foundation or concealer compared to just 5 per cent of men from the West Midlands.

London men were the most secretive when it comes to borrowing and using their partners’ beauty products as only 42 per cent of those who use female grooming products, admit to openly using these items.

Jacky Brown, from an home insurance company, which commissioned the survey, said: "Whilst it's common knowledge that women enjoy pampering themselves at home and making the effort to look good using an array of beauty gadgets, lotions and potions, little did we know that men also secretly want to jump on the beauty bandwagon."

Top ten beauty products and appliances that men borrow are:

1. Tweezers (39 per cent);

2. Moisturiser (37 per cent);

3. Hair dryer (36 per cent);

4. Nail file / buffer (29 per cent);

5. Hair styling products (22 per cent);

=5. Lip salve / lip gloss (22 per cent);

7. Face mask / facial scrub (15 per cent);

=7. Shaver (15 per cent);

9. Concealer / foundation (10 per cent);

10. Hair removal cream / wax (8 per cent).

(Read by Lee Hannon. Lee Hannon is a multimedia journalist at the China Daily Web site.)

(Agencies)