Does tanned skin equal beauty??

[MummyTo2MonkeysAnd1Bug]

Iv been using fake tan since i was 16 - im now 24 and have decided that enough is enough, its time to love the skin i am in, and that is very pale, but i realised that its actually much better on me seeing as its more natural.

Well i knew i would get a reaction from those around me - a few were positive but most really surprised me!! I was asked if i was ill about 7 times yesterday and when i saw a few friends lastnight i was told in these exact words 'go back to the fake tan, you look so much prettier that way'.....

Shcoked to say the least! And a little dissapointed!!

The comments are probably more to do with people have never seen your 'normal' colour, so seems unfamiliar and maybe a bit odd. Maybe you simply don't look like youself to them?

It's tricky isn't it. I'm really pale, but have just had a holiday in the sun for the first time in years, and there's no denying I like the way i look with a tan. Maybe you need to adapt your clothes and make up a bit? If you're very pale, then maybe the colours you wore before don't work with your new complexion and make you look 'ill', or a bit washed out?

Fake tan is never the same as a natural tan though is it? It doesn't glow the way real tan does

I have resorted to using quite a dark tinted moisturiser and that seems to replicate it quite well, makes my eyes and teeth look whiter anyhoo.

I agree about the colours, it might be that colours you could wear with warmer skin will drain you now. What colour are your eyes/hair?

I'm naturally pale and freckly with blue eys and very dark hair. Self tanner has never looked right on me as I don't 'tan' all over, I catch the sun, if you see what I mean. DH says I just turn into a giant freckle...thanks love! I certainly don't think being tanned is more attractive than pale, I suspect it is just the change that people are getting used to. You will probably need slightly different make up as well, blusher in particular.

I do think pale, blotchy legs are unattractive - I have some myself, mind you, and rarely do anything about it!

You can easily sort yourself out with the right make up and clothes.

Treat yourself to some new stuff, have a look in magazines for people with your colouring and see what 'looks' you really like, and see if you can try and replicate it on yourself.

Deffo stop wasting money and time on fake tan, it's one of the silliest things in the world imo

Well hang on, aren't you going cold turkey at the wrong time of year?

Makes more sense to drop it off September October time, when you would start to go winter colour automatically.

You are then in your winter clothes, not showing acres of skin, and you can sort out your wardrobe/make up next year for the new more natural you.

(And in about 20 years time you are going to be one almighty smug lady if you've actually been successfully avoiding the sun as well)

They're probably just shocked at the difference, if you have been using a lot, and have done it ALL the time.

They're orange idiots! Embrace the pale! Buy a lovely pink blusher too, it stops the 'ill' comments.

If you have been wearing fake tan continuously for the past 8 years (which sounds astonishing), I expect that all your clothes, make-up, hair colour and look go with your fake tan coloured skin. You will seriously need to rethink your colour scheme if you change your skin colour.

I love skin's natural colour - you need to enhance it by eating lots of fruit and vegetables and getting a good healthy glow from lots of outside activity!

I agree with Bonsoir- you may need to adjust your hair colour and definitely your make up- not just the foundation but the colours you choose. I have quite pale skin and for the last couple of years have actively tried to keep it that way in the summer months, as I've decided I prefer it.

Since then, I have gone lighter and cooler with my hair shade (highlights) and have found that I can be bolder with my make up, using proper lipsticks in vibrant reds and pinks, and lovely rosy blushers. I do think the blusher is key to this- you may have used honey shades or even bronzer before so the change will not work. Maybe that is why people have said you look ill, as Iheartkingthistle says. Try using a bit of your lipstick on your finger as the blusher, it works really well.