Drag Race UK star shares top tips for the perfect dating profile pic – from no group snaps to switching it up
DRAG Race UK star Kitty Scott-Claus has shared their top tips for the perfect online dating profile pic – flaunt it, strike a pose and avoid group photos.
The 33-year-old knows a thing or two about looking their best for the camera - and has seen countless profile pics which don't cut it.
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Mirror selfies aren't recommended, instead Kitty claims the best dating profiles bring a range of vibes including smirks, laughs and pouts.
And it's important to be authentic, rather than trying to be someone you think people want.
But the most important element is to simply ensure that the photos you're using on dating profiles, are current – to avoid awkward moments when meeting in real life.
This applies whether you're on the apps looking for Mr Right, or Mr Right Now, according to Kitty's tips, in collaboration with Grindr.
The star revealed their top tips after a poll of 500 adults who use online dating platforms found 45 per cent struggle to get the perfect shot of themselves.
Kitty Scott-Claus said: "There is quite a bit of pressure to get it right.
'You have even less time to make a first impression on a dating app than you do in real life, so that initial picture is all-important.'
The research also found it takes an average of 10 attempted pictures taken before people decide they're happy enough to upload one.
While 42 per cent admitted they've been actively 'turned off' by a bad online snap, of someone they may otherwise have been interested in.
And 41 per cent have been on a date who turned out to look nothing like their profile snap.
Danni Menzies opens up about catfish hell that haunts her social media and how they're cashing in on pretending to be her.
On average, it takes just 14.6 seconds for daters to decide if they're looking at someone they want to connect with.
And while 34 per cent say their biggest online dating pic ick is no face pictures, 32 per cent dislike 'overly sexual' poses.
While 29 per cent get turned off by obvious use of face filters or heavy editing, according to the OnePoll research.
Tristan Pineiro, a spokesperson from Grindr, said: 'In today's digital dating world, your profile picture is often your first impression – so put your best photo forward.
'While it can be tempting to choose an old photo or heavily filtered image, it's far more effective to show the real you.
'People are looking for genuine connections, and that starts with being upfront about who you are, including how you look.'
Kitty Scott-Claus' top tips for dating snaps
Refresh that throwback. If your profile pic's older than your last situationship, it's time to update. That blurry beach snap from 2015? Cute memory but not a vibe for 2025.
Make it a moment. Strike a pose that tells a story of who you are, give them something to ask about in the DMs. Snap your pics when you're feeling fab - whether that's fresh from a spin class or living your best life at Mighty Hoopla. Your joy is your glow-up.
Confidence is sexy. Embrace every part of you, confidence is sexier than fantasy. Don't try to be someone you think people want; we're here for the most authentic you. Got killer arms? A dazzling smile? Show it off. Modesty is cute, but confidence is the real thirst trap.
No group gaggles. We want a date, not a game of Guess Who. This is your moment to shine, solo.
Switch it up. One blank stare in five mirror selfies? No ma'am it's not cute. The best dating profiles bring a range of vibes: smirks, laughs, pouts – even serious can look sexy.
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'If there is inflammation in your inner ear, then getting steroids into your body as soon as you can is the best way of trying to reduce that.' Otherwise, there is a risk of permanent damage. 'Some people have ear infections more frequently than others,' says Brennan. 'If you are getting them repeatedly, there could be an underlying reason. Go along to your GP, who may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist.' 'Taking good care of the ears is not using cotton buds,' says Almeida. 'Leave the ears to maintain their natural oil.' This can help avoid ear infections, 'because dry skin can easily break, and even a fingernail can cause irritation and infection.' Almeida advocates drying the ears after a shower or swim, 'when the ears are a bit wet, and nobody really likes that sensation – so get a piece of toilet paper or muslin on your little finger and give it a good wipe.' Only go as far in as the finger can go. It is normal for it to come out a bit yellow, she says. 'Beyond that, leave it for nature.' 'Wax in itself is not a bad thing,' says Brennan. 'It is a protective mechanism. It keeps the ears healthy, generally speaking, and it does migrate out by itself. It is one of those phenomena that has a bad reputation, because sometimes it gets stuck.' 'Having wax in the ear doesn't mean that your ear is unhealthy or unhygienic,' adds Jindal. 'Research suggests that wax has an enzyme which can kill bacteria and viruses going into the ear, and it moisturises the skin as well. So wax is actually a more helpful thing than not.' 'Syringing … can cause a lot of problems in the ears,' says Jindal. Almeida explains: 'You can apply too much pressure or too little pressure, hoping that the water is going to pass the wax and flush it out, so it is hit and miss. That's why it is dangerous, because you might have an infection and you don't know about it until it is too late, or you can cause a perforation of the eardrum with the pressure. Microsuction is much more gentle and guided; you can stop at any time.' Brennan notes that there is availability from the NHS for wax removal: 'There are some audiology or ear, nose and throat departments that will offer it. And there are still some GP surgeries that offer it. However, it is certainly not as widespread as it used to be.' Outside the NHS, there is now not much regulation around who can carry out wax removal, so it is worth asking your GP for advice on where to get it done, the experts say. 'Having a hearing aid, you are more likely to be in tune with what is going on in the world,' says Almeida. Hearing aids that are available on the NHS are 'amazing', she says – 'I am very proud to say that.' The technology has improved a great deal, with even AI and 'invisible' models on the market now – although not on the NHS. They are a lot less prone to problems like whistling, says Brennan. Munro says: 'Remember, you need good hearing to be able to communicate well, and hearing aids can address this. If you don't hear well, you're not able to stay socially connected to others. And if you're not socially connected and you can't have good-quality social interactions, this leads to isolation: you get anxious, you get withdrawn, you can be depressed, and that is not good for your health at all. For healthy ageing, you want to be able to remain socially connected.' If your ear feels blocked, olive oil-based ear drops are an option. 'For some people, they work well,' Brennan says. 'But use them in moderation and according to what it says on the packet. Speaking to a GP is a good start because if your ear feels blocked, it may not be wax; it could be an infection, which you're going to want to approach in a different way.' There are times when oil does more harm than good, says Jindal. 'Oil can close the pores of the skin, so the skin stops breathing, and if you already have an existing problem with the skin, then it doesn't go in your favour.' 'Swimming in a pool is OK for most people,' says Jindal. 'If they have ear-related issues, they will benefit from wearing earplugs. There are some over-the-counter earplugs, which are quite cheap. Or they can go to their nearest audiologist and get customised swim plugs made.' For people prone to ear problems, swimming in open water can be more problematic than doing pool lengths, because 'the water is more contaminated rather than regulated'. 'Tinnitus is ringing or buzzing,' says Almeida. 'It is described as a perception of sound, when no external sound is around. Very rarely, it can be caused by changes in blood flow or muscle contractions, but it is ultimately generated by the brain's auditory system. Hearing loss and tinnitus go hand in hand because by lacking hearing, the brain then notices the tinnitus.' It can be related to problems with the jaw, teeth or tense muscles around the neck, Almeida adds. 'The treatment options depend on what we find. If there is a hearing loss, hearing aids are always going to be the first port of call.' A visit to the dentist might also be an idea. Dehydration may be a factor: 'People say, 'When I wake up, the tinnitus is very loud, and the moment I have a glass of water, it's fine.' The ears are filled with liquid, and the whole body dehydrates at nighttime.' Brennan adds that there's some evidence to suggest cognitive behavioural therapy is effective for reducing the impact of tinnitus. 'Your ear controls your hearing and your balance,' says Munro. 'So if something goes wrong with your ear, it might also affect your balance. As we get older, the balance organ in our ear will not work as well as it used to. Your inner ear, where your cochlea is for your hearing and your semicircular canals for your balance, relies on a really good blood supply – but it is where the blood vessels are the smallest in the body, which is why people might end up with a vestibular problem.' If your ears feel blocked or painful when on an aeroplane, 'swallowing something helps, because that creates positive pressure inside the ear', says Jindal. 'Sipping a glass of water or juice, or sucking a sweet, may be helpful. There is a special balloon you can blow up with your nose rather than your mouth, which seems to help. And blowing the nose in general is a good thing.' This article was amended on 25 June 2025 to add the information that 'invisible' and AI-enabled hearing aids are not yet available on the NHS. Also, ear syringing is not banned in the UK as stated in an earlier version, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not recommend it.
