What is least terrible- bare (grey) legs v poorly applied fake tan v tights?

[LauraPashley]

These are my options for a wedding this weekend, I know none of them are ideal, but want to minimize the disaster...

I have a floaty just below the knee dress to wear. I am a very pale skinned person, legs haven't seen the light of day since last summer. It's grim down there. I am fairly good at moisturizing them quite often but that is it.

So my options are:

• bare all, as they are, will obv shave and moisturize
• attempt a fake tan- I am really crap at such things and fear a disaster, also dress is sleeveless so would have to do full body and that I think is an even bigger disaster waiting to happen! Budget wise a spray tan is out of the question sadly, or even time wise, all this don't wash your hands stuff isn't practical with nappies to change etc
• tights- would have to be toe-less - is this just a huge no no no?!!

Please help I am really clueless!!

Fake tan isn't difficult to apply provided you exfoliate first and use a mitt and then buff carefully round your knees/ankles.

But personally I'd get a spray tan - you should be able to get one for around £20. And why would you look muddy on Friday? You'd shower it off first thing if you had it applied the night before.

Or get some of the rimmel instant glow stuff and just rub that into your legs.

Anna Wintour never wears tights and she attends some pretty formal stuff

I was going to suggest tinted moisturiser - if you use leftovers of the same shade as your face it's unlikely to be tango. I use a bit of Nivea tinted moisturiser that I didn't get on with, it evens things out just enough to give me confidence to wear shorts in summer & I've never had a problem with it rubbing off onto clothing or anything else.

But as it's for a wedding, I'd go with really good nude tights - it won't look over-formal in that context. Just remember to take a spare pair if you aren't used to wearing sheer tights (voice of experience).

tights ! 7 dernier !

Another vote for tights from me, M&S, 10 denier illusion or natural tan.

The toe "problem" can be solved with courts. Personally, I don't like toeless tights. If you are wearing peep toes, right nail varnish under 10 denier hosiery with the seam tucked under the toe looks fine IMO. i accept that tights and strappy sandals don't go.

Good luck!

Oh crap ok I think maybe tights are out due to my shoes then?! They are difficult to explain- strappy sandles, but hardly any foot shows as they are all criss cross gold stretchy stuff (nicer than they sound, honest! Prob a bit gladiator-esque but not madly so, they were just m&s!). But foot definitely not enclosed!

£20 would take away my taxi money/drinks sadly! Is the Rimmel one a gradual build up mrscampbellblack? Better than the garnier one?

Thanks all!

The rimmel one is just one you rub in - basically like foundation for your legs. Am sure I've got one that I never use, pm me your address and I can pop it in the post to you. Saves it cluttering up my bathroom cabinet

Other option would be something like the Sally Hansen spray for legs which is sort of like a foundation for legs. If you get the light one it will just even your skintone out without adding much colour. Or try mixing some foundation/ instant tan with some moisturiser and use it on your legs. You can experiment a bit in advance.

The Benefit Jiffy Tan is quite good but quite pricey I think.

I second the rimmel instant tan. Make sure you get the waterproof one though.

If you get the M and S ones, get them in Nude not Natural Tan if you're pale. I wore them in a similar predicament recently and people assumed I was bare legged. They are so sheer and if you get the toeless ones no-one will ever know, I promise. They were so comfortable - size up though, I got large and I'm a size ten and 5'6"

Tights!

Garnier summer moisturiser is also pretty good if you are religious about applying it every day

Aaw thank you mrscampbellblack that is really kind of you!! But I must suck it up and buy my own, this will the summer where I break out of the fug of having young children and try to make myself look respectable again!! Honestly it's like the world has passed me by while I have been too busy being pg/bf/being skint to notice! 5 yrs ago I would have known all of this and have already done extensive product research! Now I'm trying to plan in a time when I might be able to shave my legs before Friday and its already not looking hopeful!
I can get the m&s tights delivered to the store quite near to me for free, then will see if any of the products you guys have mentioned are on offer in boots! I can't believe you can get leg foundation, honestly I feel like someone's granny.

Definitely M and S Nude tights in very low denier - 5, 7, or 10 at max.

I woudl go for stockings, hold up ones maybe, or skin coloured fishnet tights.

interesting to see the tights fightback on this thread

I'm in the world gets my legs just the way they are camp.

I've meant to mess with fake tan for the last 4 weddings I've been to. Somehow it didn't happen. The world hasn't ended.

Gradual tan, or rather moisturiser with a bit of tan, you'd probably just need a couple of applications... or the body shop do a sort of roll on leg shimmer with a bit of colour which I find comes in handy if I decide no tights at the last min, it just takes the blue off!!

Lol at take the blue off, that is what I am after! I bought Rimmel instant tan last night, am very impressed! Shoved it on my legs while bathing dd and thought they looked 100 times better straight away! Now pondering the rest of my body, but could see that going wrong!