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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Help to make my pale skin look good

26 replies

Nyancat · 22/10/2013 14:52

Hi, looking for some help to make me love my very pale, slightly freckley skin.

I am trying to wean myself off wearing fake tan all the time and grateful for any tips to make my skin look good naturally rather than a bit blotchy and pasty. I have dark hair, green eyes and very pale skin, think lighter than most foundations.

OP posts:

UsedToBeNDP · 22/10/2013 14:54

Your colouring sounds beautiful.

UsedToBeNDP · 22/10/2013 14:56

If you want foundation have you tried some of the brands geared towards very light skins, DaintyDoll etc? Or you could buy a pale foundation and mix it 'down' with a white mixer shade (Illamasqua & MAC do them).

BunnyLebowski · 22/10/2013 14:58

I have pale Irish skin with some freckles, dark hair and blue eyes. ..I ditched the fan tan years ago and haven't looked back.

A really good foundation (I need pink toned and pale - most foundations are too dark and too yellow). Illamasqua Skin Base is the only one I've found that is a true match.

Then some subtle pink blusher and a creamy highlighter ( I use Benefit High Beam - Revlon do a good budge one).

Original poster

Nyancat · 22/10/2013 15:04

Thanks will start hunting down good foundation. How do you get used to feeling of not being dressed without a tan, I'm finding that hard, I feel much thinner and ready to face the world a bit bronzed.

OP posts:

squoosh · 22/10/2013 15:04

Ilmasqua/Nars/Laura Mercier all do foundations pale enough for me and I sound about the same level of paleness as you.

I'm a recovering fake tanner, I've been orange free for about two years now, I look at photos from a few years back and even though I wasn't tangoed I think to myself 'my natural colouring is SO much nicer'.

Looking after your skin and using a primer like Laura Mercier's illuminating one will also help. Then highlighters as mentioned above and some flattering blush and you will glow. You won't look back!

29chapel · 22/10/2013 15:05

I second the use of Highbeam by Benefit - gives a lovely glow.

Missbopeep · 22/10/2013 15:55

Bobbi Brown Porcelain might work for you and they do an Alabaster in one type too I think. Also NARS do one which is really really light - you need to be colour matched- and Laura Mercier has one which is too pale for me which is almost unheard of.

Beeyump · 22/10/2013 16:02

I have the same colouring as you, but with red hair so perhaps even paler!
I use Clinique foundation at the moment in the lightest shade, with a Benefit pore minimising primer underneath. Benefit have just brought out a new blusher which I love for a bit of subtle glow - called Rockateur.

Pale is the way forward!

goodasitgets · 22/10/2013 19:07

I am v pale, green eyes and bright red hair
I use urban decay naked liquid foundation, powder and bare minerals rose radiance blusher
Eyes I go to town with! Lots of black flicked eyeliner, bronzes and golds, sometimes a coral colour
Lips I keep nude or I wear bright red or fluoro pink

SundaySimmons · 22/10/2013 20:44

Laval secret beauty foundation. Great for very pale skin and so cheap!

This is the fair shade

www.amazon.co.uk/Laval-Secret-Beauty-Foundation-Code-600/dp/B005WRL75S

FergusSingsTheBlues · 23/10/2013 04:43

Purple liquid eyeliner is apparently v good for highlighting green eyes.
I also use navy nail polish, makes hands look very white.
I have your colouring and absolutely love it, only drawback being milk bottle legs in summer!

Snowlike · 23/10/2013 05:02

I hate to bring this up again but getting my colours done has done wonders for my very pale skin. My eyes and hair look darker and more intense and my skin appears warmer and healthier.

Scarletohello · 23/10/2013 05:09

Totally agree with getting colours done. I used to wear black all the time and thought I needed lots of make up. Now I have discovered I'm an Autumn, I don't look so washed out and don't need nearly as much slap! :)

Scarletohello · 23/10/2013 05:12

Original poster

Nyancat · 23/10/2013 08:02

I had wondered whether getting my colours done might be good, because I'm struggling to see what looks good against my skin. When I have tan on I can get away with lots of different colours which don't look great against me pale. Thanks for all the help, off today to try and get some new makeup as a start!

OP posts:

FergusSingsTheBlues · 23/10/2013 10:52

Isn't everybody with freckled pale skin autumn, and those with alabaster bluish skin winter?

That's how I read it...basically depends on rosy cheeks....anybody with red hair would be autumn, wouldn't they?

scarlethello what's your colouring?

ElizabethBathory · 23/10/2013 11:11

Have any of you very pale people tried YSL Touche Eclat foundation? I was very surprised at how pale their BR10 shade is - it looked like pink-tinged Tippex on me and I'm very pale, though not as pale as a pale freckly person, iyswim (I'm Mac NC15/Estee Lauder Double Wear Shell if that helps). Anyway, the YSL in BR20 is perfect for me, so BR10 might work for some of you.

LadyBigtoes · 23/10/2013 11:56

I have similar colouring and I love being pale. I use Clarins skin illusion foundation, and have also just bought some Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, which was recommended on here - both of these have shades pale enough for me (many makes don't!) The Bourjois is considerably cheaper.

Eyeshadow colours that work well for me are greenish/khaki or pinky purple/plum colours.

Most of all I recommend Benefit dandelion - expensive but really beautiful blusher - makes pale skin look lovely and fresh and glowing but not covered in obvious blusher, IYSWIM.

In summer, pale feet look lovely with a really striking toenail colour like coral, magenta, orange etc. I do enjoy buffing up my feet in spring and cracking open the colours. Not worrying about being pale is so much easier.

Also use spf and protect your face from the sun of course.

HeartInACage · 30/10/2013 02:08

Laura mercier porcelain ivory is m recommendation. Nc15 is a bit dark for me so ill look at the ysl , thanks!

Aquelven · 30/10/2013 06:29

No, not all of us are Autumns, some of us are Springs.

galwaygirl · 30/10/2013 06:32

I've the same colouring and am off to get my colours done this morning. I'm veering between scepticism and hope but can let you know how it goes!

MaireadnotMermaid · 30/10/2013 19:27

my favourite Irish beauty blog recommends these

Pale foundations for a pale people.

Maraki · 30/10/2013 19:42

I have very pale skin too and I used to have highlighted hair and wear natural makeup with a lot of bronzer. I now realise that I looked even paler and washed out.
I have brown hair and brown eyes. Had my colours done and I came out as a winter. Dyed my hair very dark brown and I always wear either a very bright red lipstick, or a bright or a dark pink lipstick or a deep burgundy one with lots of black eyeliner. Some days I look like snow white!! Love it.

If you think you may have warm colouring, a strong coral, orange, or tomato red lipstick would work. Mac Ruby Woo is strong and suits both warm and cool coloured pale skins. Tip: go easy on the blusher

Good luck with foundation shopping (I use double wear Ecru)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/10/2013 19:43

I like Soap and Glory The Fairest of Them All foundation, plus Benetint.

bubalou · 30/10/2013 19:47

I have very light skin, dark brown hair and blue eyes and am guilty of occasionally using fake take because it makes me feel better.

I use 'bare minerals ready' foundation which is nice and light - think it's number R170. I really like it, it's the best make up I've used in ages.

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