I’ve always found it funny how women put themselves through all sorts of discomfort just so they can impress a guy, when in actual fact, guys want nothing more than to see you look and behave the way you normally would.

Here are five things I’ve noticed women put plenty of effort into, but I assure you, guys don’t really care about, or even notice ...

EYELASHES
Ladies, never in my whole life have I ever heard a guy say: "Hey, check out that girl’s eyelashes, they’re so hot!" It's never happened in the history of the world.

Eyelashes are tied with kneecaps for things guys find attractive, yet women spend a lot of time curling, colouring and extending their lashes. Guys don't care how long your lashes are, or if they are curled, or are the right colour. They only time we pay attention to your eyelashes is when your fake ones are falling out.

If you must, why not just curl them and use some light mascara? Fake lashes, permanent or disposable, are just something we don’t care for.

HANDBAGS
When I see a woman walking down the street, one of the last things I notice about her outfit is her handbag. The actual inventory order is something more like this: clothing, shoes, jewellery and finally, bag.

By the time I get to the bag I would have already summed up her fashion sense and jumped to conclusions about her personality.

The only reason guys look at bags is for further insight into the woman. If she is dressed to the nines and carrying the latest ‘It’ bag, our guess is that she’s a high-maintenance girl; which might deter us somewhat from getting to know her better.

On the flip side, having an expensive bag on your arm doesn't make up for a lazy outfit. It’s the female equivalent of a guy wearing dress shoes with jeans or a blazer over a t-shirt, and screams “Sloppy!” in flashing neon lights.

If you ask me, I’d say a unique and reasonably-priced bag from a budding designer not only shows individuality and taste, it also tells us that you aren't a the type of girl who blindly follows trends.  

MAKEUP
Let me set the record straight. Guys like a little makeup; we just don't like the hours you spend putting it on, and the inevitable contrast of the face you went to bed with compared to the face you wake up next to.

Like your eyelashes, guys think simplicity is key, and a little goes a long way. Too much foundation or powder makes you look like a ghost. Highlight your best features, or do some daring colours once in awhile. But I’d safely say that the best-looking girls just have smidgen of lip gloss on.

BELTS
I get the whole accent-an-outfit idea, but ladies, you have to admit that some of you take it too far. I've seen belts in all kinds of places on the body, and I have no idea where the hips start or waist ends.

Try and understand where I’m coming from – guys use belts for one thing, to keep their pants up. Too much or too big a belt gets us confused and scared.

Why not be adventurous and mix it up a little with either a scarf, ribbon, or even your man’s tie in place of a gaudy belt? It’ll add a touch of cool to your outfit and keep the confusion off our faces.  

SHOES
Most guys love women in high heels for the way they accentuate your derriere and make your legs look never-ending, so I'm not suggesting you stop wearing those.

However, you should also know that most guys don’t notice things like the colour, shape and label of your shoes. We don't care if it's Stuart Weitzman or Payless; if it's a woman in high heels, it looks good to us.

That said, we think women look great in flats too, as long as they are interesting and stylish. Crocs and running shoes are a definite no-no.

So ladies, don’t subject yourself to all sorts of torturous beauty routines and painful fashion trends with the intention of impressing a guy. Sometimes, just being yourself will earn you the most genuine of compliments.

The writer is a man-about-town in Singapore, and likes spicy ice-cream, pig Latin and long walks off short piers. He will regularly be bringing us a guy’s perspective on love and relationships.