How to look not completely disgusting in winter

[Cawanaka]

I've got sort of grey green skin. It just needs a bit of sun and it tans easily but in the winter months I look essentially dead. And I have dark circles under my eyes that abate with a bit of a tan. For some reason my hair is great in the summer and horrendous in the winter.

I also just can't do winter clothes. In summer I think I dress well and generally look pretty alright but winter I'm just the worst.

I would love some tips, colours to wear, maybe tactics for not looking so washed out. I don't know really!

I have highlighted mousy brown hair but have no money so have major roots and think I'll just have to put up with it and embrace the mousy brown even though it makes me look even more washed out.

Thanks in advance!

[Letmegetanamechange]

Have you ever tried using fake tan? It's not for everyone (definitely not for me, I can't apply it well at all!) or maybe gradual tanning moisturiser?

Maybe you could get your colours done to work out what colours work best with your complection?

This is all advice should be taking as I am a fat, frumpy scruff at the moment

[Letmegetanamechange]

italics fail

[nottheOP]

I think we have similar colouring. I wear a fairly heavy foundation and plenty of blusher. I tend to only wear stronger colours where possible, beige and light grey just don't really do much for me.

In winter I like fairly colourful (teal, burgundy etc) jumper dresses with tights and boots.

[nottheOP]

I'm also mousey and too tight to colour it. I'm just embracing that I can do it for a while I'm not grey (yet!)

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I would use dove everyday moisturiser with the everyday tan in.

I'm pale (red head) but the pale seems to suit me in the winter. I wear lots of black and gold, purple and red. Strong colours as the lovely nude colours just wash me out.

[Doobigetta]

Try the Clarins fake tan concentrate that you mix with your usual moisturiser.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

What about an illuminating primer? I love the Dior Glow Maximiser, either on its own or under tinted moisturiser or foundation. It's spendy, but I am still on the same tube I bought last October and I use it daily. I also use the Clarins tan drops mentioned above, and while I know not everyone's keen, I always (summer and winter) wear red lipstick. I think it brightens up your face.

[legolegolego]

Are you me?

I use the St Tropez face gradual tan moisturiser just every 2 days to add a tiny glow to my face and disguise the dark circles under eyes. I don't wear makeup during the week generally (apart from mascara) so I like the moisturiser for a bit of a lift.

I've started wearing a lot of burgundy and I've received a few compliments on the colour suiting me so I think it must be good for our colouring. Same as a PP, beige just washes me out once my summer tan has faded.

[Cawanaka]

Thanks for the advice. I have been thinking strong colours are probably the way to go but for some reason am so drawn to softer ones.

Fake tan scares me but I will give it a go!

My hair is the main culprit here and for some reason always looks greasy in summer and never in winter which makes the roots look worse. Am hoping it will hurry up and grow so I can pretend I've had a dip dye and its a style choice.

Tips on cheap places with lovely strong colours?

[legolegolego]

I've been shopping in h&m and New Look lately, they have some nice reds in.

I actually had my hair highlighted for summer but decided to go for the grown out roots look for Autumn. My hairdresser just put a few foils in the front to give it a bit of 'pop' but keeping most of the roots undyed. I quite like it :)

[Cawanaka]

I was just thinking today about having some lights down at the front bit for a pop. How are you finding it? What colour is your hair?

[itmustbeglove]

I came on to suggest the Clarins fake concentrate. It doesn't make you brown, more of a healthy glow.
I'm another one who looks much better in the summer, I put it down to my yellowy sallow skin and the fact I live in a cold house & dress for comfort in the winter.

[BoskyCat]

Benefit Dandelion blusher. It suits anyone pale-skinned – it's subtle but makes you look naturally rosy and glowing. If it's too expensive (it is pricey), look at it in Boots then look for something similar in the cheaper ranges.

I think a good hair colour would work wonders too, I always look washed out when mine isn't coloured. Can you run to some casting creme gloss from superdrug? I get as good results from this (usually chilli chocolate or chocolate brownie) as from anything I've had done in a salon.

[Cawanaka]

Maybe I should give a home dye a go? Not dark brown though as that would make me look washed out. I have always coveted a sort of caramel colour.
Don't think Dandelion would work for Me as don't have pale skin. Wish I did! Am very jealous of people with Gorgeous milky complexions.

[MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge]

Fake tan dries your skin though, especially with repeated use. I find skin brighteners and powders work better-spend as much as you can afford, the more expensive ones are more subtle. Gentle regular exfoliation also helps.

Strong colours don't always work, because they can make you look even more sallow.People are always telling me (olive skin, under eye area corpse green) that I would look good in red, but the reality is it makes me look terminally ill once I get my winter colouring.

Richer, more muted colours can be better. Think the sort of thing that rich Euros wear-mossy greens, chestnut brown, mustard yellow, slightly faded or darker reds, oxblood leather type stuff, with small splashes of brighter colour. If I had to sum it up in a word, I'd say 'tawny'.

Like:


(not suggesting leather hotpants, by the way, just these kinds of colours).

It applies to make up too-a good browny pink lipstick is far more flattering than bright red.

[BoskyCat]

Oh sorry I'm a bit confused by your "grey-green" description - is it like olive/Mediterranean skin? I still think a blusher sounds like a good idea, but you could ask a counter person to suggest what would suit you.

[Cawanaka]

Yes sorry it's pretty hard to explain. I think Mediterranean is a bit generous maybe eastern european/Jewish? My DH is Jewish and has similar skin but very dark hair.

I tan very easily and if the sun is even slightly out I have a decent colour. When it hasn't seen the sun in a while it retreats into this weird green grey sort of thing but never white/pale. Quite a dark grey really! And I have terrible dark circles that I've had since I was young. I guess sallow is probably the right word.

That leather hot pants girl is so gorgeous. I want to look like her.

I have a beautiful olive green jumper and a lovely camel one that I love but I think the colour doesnt work with my skin. In theory I think it does but I am noticing a pattern that I essentially look a bit shit by the end of the day whenever I am wearing them.

Maybe cranberry type colours?

Need to sort out my hair as a priority though I know.

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

[legolegolego]

I'm mousy naturally but had it highlighted before the summer (and sun put some blonde streaks in too).

So now the mousy is coming back through which I kind of like when its down, and because my hairdresser put a few foils in the front, it looks lighter when pulled back in a bun. You could maybe find a similar shade to your hair in a box dye, but that's got a warmer tone? So nothing with 'ash' in the description. I find my mousy hair is too grey ish which makes my skin look even more grey. Warmer tones make my skin look warmer.

[BoskyCat]

I think you might be right with cranberry - also tones like burnt orange, forest green - dark but strong colours rather than really bright. You could try one of those websites that takes you through it and tries to work out your colouring and best colours.

[mewkins]

Have you tried bronzer? It always makes me look healthier

[MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge]

Wear the olive and the camel but with a bright scarf next to your face, I think.

[Cawanaka]

Great idea re scarf.

So plan is, gradual tanner stuff, dye hair (brand recommendations?), wear warm but strong colours.

[blushrush]

I understand your pain - in winter I become a vampire :(

I'm not a fan of spray tan but those tinted moisturisers are good! Garnier does a nice one and I think Dove does too.

I also try to wear brighter colours as dark ones wash me out. Doesn't have to be summery yellows - I opt for red, purple and orange in winter so I don't look like the undead whenever I go out :)

Hope that helps

[Pandaremote]

Buy yourself a few scarves to compliment your skin tone as opposed to a whole new wardrobe, they always lift your face and outfit.

[Kennington]

Med/mid eastern heritage, but pasty white, plus anaemic!
Blusher but go easy and light
Highlighter cream on eyes plus cheekbones
Curl eyelashes
Plus a v light light tiny amount of bronzer occasionally too
Combined this has made a huge difference and no one asks if am ill anymore