M Challenge: Who Makes the Best Blagger?; Forget the Battle of the Sexes, Who'll Win the War of the Charm Offensive? According to Recent Research by Barclaycard, Men Are More Successful Than Women at Sweet-Talking Their Way into Getting an Airline Upgrade. So We Put the Male versus Female Theory to the Test, Sending JENNY COCKLE and ALISTAIR CLAY Head-to-Head on Four Missions

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Byline: Jenny Cockle and Alistair Clay

BLAG NUMBER ONE: TO COLLECT AS MANY FREEBIES AS POSSIBLE FROM

THE BEAUTY COUNTERS OF TOP LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE SELFRIDGES

Jenny I decide to become a wealthy but allergic woman, looking for a complete new range of skincare products.

As soon as I approach the Clarins counter, a girl pounces on me. I look into her orange face and explain that I suffer from very sensitive skin. "I have to be careful or I end up with a nasty rash," I lie.

She points out a few (expensive) products that would be ideal. "Do you have any samples I could try first?" I ask in a very matter-of-fact way.

"I'm sorry," she replies. "We're having a promotion this week so we're not giving out samples. If you were to buy these two products, though, you'll get a third one free."

I don't fancy spending pounds 60 just to get a free lip balm so I make my excuses and move on.

I use my "highly sensitive skin" routine again at the Lancome counter - this time with a little more success. The friendly sales assistant offers me two teeny-tiny tubes of a de-stressing moisturiser.

"Do you have the cleanser and toner, too?" I enquire. "I'm afraid not, madam," she says, a tad frostily.

At Elizabeth Arden, a woman with startlingly made-up eyes whips out her pad. She's a little over-the-top but maybe I'll get armfuls of …