According to a British research, compliments beat sex, shopping and even chocolate when it comes to boosting a woman’s mood.

Nearly half of 1,056 British women aged 25 to 45 polled also said they get more of a buzz from getting their hair done than reaching for a chocolate treat.

A third of women said that making an effort with their outfit gives them more of a boost than a steamy session in the bedroom.

And when it comes to shoes, more than one in 10 women say that slipping on their sexiest heels makes them feel better.

However, having a bad hair day or arguing with a partner can make all the difference to women’s moods, making them most likely to lose their sparkle.

The research, commissioned by Appletiser to mark the launch of its “Sparkle on” campaign, found it’s actually the simpler things in life that make women feel happier.

Compliments beat sex, shopping and even chocolate when it comes to boosting a woman's mood

Nearly two-thirds (64%) said that nice weather puts them in a sunny mood, and more than a third said that a compliment (41%) or a nice text message (35%) lifts their mood.

The one stereotype that does ring true, according to the poll, is women’s dedication to ensuring they look good.

But it’s not about vanity as more than a third (35%) said they wear makeup and make an effort with their clothes every day as a way to boost their confidence and feel good in their own skin.

The feel-good-factor that women get from looking good is so powerful that the women questioned rate having their hair done as giving them more of a confidence boost than being promoted at work, completing a gym session, or going on a date.

Dr. Pam Spurr, author and relationship expert, said: “In a world where we all lead busy lives and many things are out of our control, it’s natural for us to focus on those things that we can control – such as how we look.

“But rather than being a tactic for attracting the opposite sex, for women, looking their best is all about feeling confident.

“If we feel that our hair and makeup looks good, or we’re pleased with the outfit we’re wearing, this not only has the power to alter our mood for the day ahead, but can have a long-term positive effect on our self-esteem.”

It’s not just hair and makeup that makes women feel confident about themselves, it seems a change of routine can also have a positive effect.

In a world of endless to-do lists and busy lives, 90% of the women polled said “doing something spontaneous” lifts their mood and helps them to “sparkle”.

Dr. Pam Spurr added: “Women are stretched and pulled in so many different directions – often everyday life doesn’t allow for much change in routine, so it’s no wonder we’re craving spontaneity.

“Changing everyday habits helps us to feel like we’re living life to the full – and that doesn’t have to mean jumping in your car to go on a road trip – it can be as simple as saying <<yes>> to a last minute catch up with friends after work instead of going straight home.”

Gaklle Deschamps, European marketing manager for Appletiser, said: “At Appletiser, our new <<Sparkle on>> campaign is a call to action for every woman in the UK, to remind them that every one of them has the right to sparkle, whether that’s having a gossip with their girlfriends, or going for a work out.”