If you have really pale skin, how do you do bare legs?

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I want to get my legs out with summer dresses and skirts (before I'm too old) but am so put off by how white and blotchy I look. They almost look patchy bluish / purplish, as you can see the veins etc....

I've heard stockings, but really with a sun dress and sandals that doesn't work. Make up as well, but won't that sweat off and leave marks everywhere?

So what works to make you feel more confident at leaving the house with bare legs?

I have used fake tans like johnsons holiday skin and feel a little less self conscious. However the only time i felt really good bare-legged was after a full San Tropez spray tan but even that wears off blotchily after a few days, so sorry I don't have the answer - but i would love to know!

I use Sally Hansen airbrush legs light glow. I've tried many fake tans but I've not found anything as good as airbrush legs.

I also use Sally Hansens leg make up which washes off so you are not left with the fake tan streaks.

Out and proud. Fake tan looks weird on me. Mind you I remember first day of a mediterranean holiday when two local old ladies on a bench stopped talking and stared as my incredibly white legs walked past.
Nothing wrong with being fair skinned.

I just embrace the pasty. They get a little less milk bottle like after a while! I have a complete inability to apply fake tan and also I think I would look odd very tan as I am a freckly person.

The world gets them just the way they are (well hopefully minus their winter fur coat, but my shaving is guaranteed a 100%, my glasses steam up in the bath)

Sally Hansen is my savior. My legs are exactly as you described and Sally's is the only thing I trust to make me get them out. It washes off easily with soapy water if you make a mistake and stays put even if you sweat. Love it

I've just gone with it - pasty is the new cool.

I had a spray tan once and ended up looking awful - I've got little spot things which didn't tan and made me look like I had some weird rash thing.

I realised I never pay any attention to anyone else's legs so why assume they give a fuck about mine? Pale, bruised, incompletely epilated - who cares?

When I can be arsed I fake tan occasionally or waft a bit of bronzer over them.

Sally Hansen, although it is quite expensive to use every day.

Exfoliate, moisturise and a bit of fake colour - I like Beyond Bronze by Fake Bake. I'm very pale so I use the lightest one - Shimmer Light. It washes off. My legs are not a thing of great beauty but when it's really hot, who cares?

Au natural here.
I've never worn fake tan, have naturally very pale skin and don't tan ever at all.
I've stopped caring. I haven't been arrested yet

I use the fabulous (and very cheap) St Moriz that you can buy in Superdrug, Bodycare, that type of place. I use the medium and it just gives a bit of colour rather than the deeper colour some other fake tans give - exfoliate and moisturise the day before, then put a little bit more moisturiser on your knees and ankles before you apply with a sponge mitt thing. Honestly, it's brilliant stuff.

Oh, and because it's a coloured mousse you can see exactly where you've applied it.

Did I say it was brilliant stuff

Embrace the pale!

Another vote for embrace the pale. Mine are very white but then my face is very pale and fake tan just looks weird when you are very pale skinned, I'm usually much lighter than even the light shades plus I can't be arsed

At some point fashion will turn against orange and when it does, I'll be ready

So with the Sally Hansen airbrush does it sweat off if you're out walking around in the heat? will it rub off on clothes, furniture etc?

I don't. My legs are so pale they look purple with pin prick type rashes so I just wear long skirts or nude tights (i have big thighs as well so the tights or short things from evans stop them rubbing and getting sore) My legs are also very heavily muscled and just don't look dainty or anything so I just cover them as I hate them

Another pale person here too. I've had a top to toe Fake Bake tan before and it looked really nice. I didn't go for a very dark one, just enough to make me glow. Toe expensive to keep it up though. I never tan, even during a week in hot Spanish sunshine last year, my legs refused to change colour at all. If I want to look a little less pasty I use some Rimmel wash off stuff which looks ok or the St. Moriz stuff mentioned upthread. Otherwise I just go au naturel most of the time. Think Nicole Kidman - she has very pale skin but always looks lovely.

I cover mine too. I wear tights in the summer so never sandles. I've used fake tan a couple of times (long time ago so I can't remember which one) but my thighs are not in proportion with the rest of my legs so I think they are chunky. The 'bare' thighs doesn't work for me. I seem to live in jeans at the moment.

'Sandals'

Pleased to say I don't care any more (being a new mum is so liberating!) I don't have the time or inclination to do anything but the basic maintenance. If there's a bruise on show I'll use concealer but other than that, people have to take me as they find me.

My legs are white too, the last few years I have used rimmels sun shimmer which just washes off at the end of the day. This year I gave loreal gel a go . Beware, just one thin application has made me have mahogany legs!
Im going back to the rimmel one when this has worn off!

By the way, how old is too old for showing legs. What are we supposed to wear in summer when we are old? just checking because I am 57!

Pale skin is beautiful! However, veins are not. Get your veins dealt with and work on your skin (exfoliate and moisturise every day).