I look all pale and pasty and grey and washed out.

[Perplexing]

What are the best solutions - are we talking facial self tanners? I don't want to go too far the other way and end up orange.

Or should I just be thinking 'more blusher' (but don't want to look like Aunt Sally.)

Your help please!

[WhoNickedMyName]

Guerlain Meteorites will sort you out.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I really recommend a trip to the Bare Minerals counter. I felt like you - pale, pasty, dull but the lady made me over and I was really pleased with the results. Felt quite natural, warm and healthy (ish) without feeling over made up at all.

[DipMeInChocolate]

Bronzing pearls are a cheap option of blusher and you and use sparingly on all your face to brighten it up.

[SundaySimmons]

www.boots.com/en/Olay-Complete-Care-Everyday-Sunshine-Moisturiser-Light-Sunkissed-Glow-50ml_24656/

[Rules]

Maybe it's your hair colour that's not doing it for your skin tone anymore. When your haircolour is right your skin and eyes should look amazing with or without makeup IMO.

[mogontheblock]

SNAP!!! And my word I have tried and tested all the self tanners going...that's the best place to start & the one that I think is better than all of them is xen tan. They do a specific face tanner, though I get the dark tan for body & use on my face too. It goes on dark (I'm very fair) but it washes off in the morning leaving a non-orange, no streak tan that is very natural & lasts a week. Fab fab fab stuff.
As the other ladies say some bronzing pearls (body shop do great ones) are a nice way to add a glow. I have meteorites but I'm not convinced by them personally (contraversial!) gorgeous packaging & a parka violet smell, very glam. But I like you have grey pale washed out skin when i don't use me tan & I have dark circles under my eyes too. Can't recommend xen tan enough x

[BlueStones]

Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Shimmer Radiance is probably the best thing I ever bought (make-up wise). I'm also pasty, but actually been called "rosy" today I got it in Radiant Rose:

uk.rimmellondon.com/products/face/wake-me-instant-radiance-shimmer-touch

[NumTumDeDum]

It could also be the colours you're wearing, have you ever tried to work out your colours House of Colour style?

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Blimey don't fake tan your face in the winter, it always looks really obvious and weird.

What is your hair colour like? Sometimes just defining your eyebrows can lift your whole complexion too.

[Perplexing]

my hair is grey highlighted clearly inneffectively blonde :-(

Thanks for all advice. Maybr bronzing powder better bet than full on tan then?

No not had 'colours done', although might be worth it. I look, and feel, like a grey dishrag atm.

[Ruralninja]

Maybe not a popular view but my top tips would be to get a sunbed, eyelashes tinted, soften hair colour and not wear black near face.

[BlueStones]

Yeah, black against the face is hard to wear, I think.

[ValiaH]

Benetint is good to stop the sallow look withouy looking like you're wearing blusher- its my main go to in yhe makeup bag! And yes to no black near the face.

[pixiegumboot]

nars blusher - orgasm.

[squoosh]

What about Laura Mercier's Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser and a decent blusher like Nars Deep Throat. And don't underestimate the power of lipstick to instantly lift your appearance.

Definitely say no to sunbeds.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Have you had your iron levels checked recently. I am naturally pale and have also probably been anaemic for years. Just started taking iron tablets and I'm already developing some colour in my face, for the first time in about 25 years!

Also, another vote for Benetint.

[Perplexing]

Thanks for further tips. I don't eat meat so iron levels could be a factor. Also excellent blusher suggestions, thank you.

Now oddly enough, black is one of my best colours, I think I tend not to look quite so pale when wearing black as it seems to bring out what (little) colour I do have. I was wearing beige and it made me look really insipid, like an over-exposed photo. I love beige but maybe it's not a good colour for me. My skin is ghostly pale, my hair is (almost) white, my lips are pale. My eyes are pale grey. I look like a pair of eyes floating around in the mist. I feel totally grey. But grey and pink works, no? So need to check out these tints and blushers.

How do you find out what 'your colours' are?

[SundaySimmons]

Definitely a pink lipstick.

[goodasitgets]

For me I use a highlighting cream like lush feeling younger mixed with my moisturiser for a "glow"
Then I use a blusher (pink or coral)
That makes me look alive! I don't tan so fake tan or bronzed just makes me look odd

[squoosh]

I look a 3 day old corpse when I wear beige, beige is the enemy of pale people.

Get some tops, scarves etc. in various colours, hold them up to your face and check out your reflection in natural light. You'll be able to see which colours drain you and which seem to bring you complexion to life.

[SundaySimmons]

By the way, you sound lovely, like a Scandinavian beautiful ice maiden.

[Perplexing]

Aw thanks Sunday - I wish!

Squoosh - I will try the scarves suggestion - thanks.

[BlueStones]

You probably do suit black, then, from your description - I do think black can work well on Scandi-style colouring. I'm more Irish auburny (a different kind of pasty).

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

If you want to try a cheaper blusher first, the little pots of cream blush by Max Factor are good. I use the one that looks Barbie pink in the pot, but it's nowhere near as loud when on.