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Original poster

Can anybody recommend anything to stop me from looking as though I'm dead?

29 replies

hiddenhome · 19/05/2015 18:13

I am painfully pale. I look washed out.

I can't wear any eye makeup as I am prone to infections and have a damaged cornea in my right eye. I can't even manage any eyeliner Sad

I wear a bit of protect and perfect foundation for for auld hags to minimise wrinkles, but nothing else. I wear glasses and have tiny, piggy eyes.

Skin is in reasonable condition.

Is there anything that I could use that would add a bit of colour and stop me from looking like a bit of watery pastry?

Any tips or product recommendations?

OP posts:
Petal02 · 19/05/2015 18:31

Either a subtle application of facial self tanner (apply before bed so you've got colour by morning), or a BB cream, followed by blusher/bronzer, and then bright lipstick or lip gloss. Sorted!

burnishedsilver · 19/05/2015 18:36

Any chance you're low on iron?

PetiteBateau · 19/05/2015 18:37

A bit of cream blush?

Kennington · 19/05/2015 19:22

Illuminator, touch of concealer and I second cream blush
Tiny amount of pale bronzer if you really are going to town!

Floisme · 19/05/2015 19:35

I'm not much help with make up I'm afraid but do you know what colours suit you? I'm pale too and I avoid wearing certain colours (in my case black, white and anything too bright) cos they make me look like death warmed up.

Sparkletastic · 19/05/2015 19:38

Clarins facial self tanning drops. Can't remember name! Also Clarins bronzer in 'Light'. I don't work for them but they should give me commission...

Allie82 · 19/05/2015 20:50

Blusher all the way! Natural collection ones are good, or the bourgeois cream ones! X

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/05/2015 20:52

Benefit Dandelion?
Natural Collection pink blusher costs pennies and is similar to Dandelion.
Soap and Glory blusher.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/05/2015 21:21

I've never used blusher. I might end up looking like a clown Grin

I use Calico colour foundation. Should I switch to the next darkest one, so it's not as pale?

I'm healthy enough, no iron issues, just a bit of Irish blood making me pale I think. I have green eyes and mousey hair. I sometimes put a copper colour on the hair to add a bit of interest. I never wear bright colours and avoid dark ones too although I do have a black cardie.

I'll take a look at the recommendations. Thanks.

OP posts:
nilbyname · 19/05/2015 21:30

Can you wart Vaseline on your eyelashes to add definition? Dan on with your pinkie then comb through with an old very clean mascara brush.

Get your eyebrows threaded, then some eyebrow makeup.

A little foundation, then some bronzer, then some cream
Blush. Head over to the bobby brown counter and ask for some help here.

Lips- day to day, Lancôme juicy tubes, then I recommend YSL #6 rouge for the nights out.

Glasses- you got the right frames?

Hair colour, maybe some high or low lights to break up the colour.

nilbyname · 19/05/2015 21:31

Wear not wart

BearPear · 19/05/2015 21:41

No risk of clown-effect with Benefit Dandelion, it's very gentle and you have to build it to get any where near a bold effect. I use it over Bare Minerals foundation (also very forgiving), it gives a touch of flush to the cheek, very subtle. Could you book a session at a make-up counter, one of the brands that isn't too scary?

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/05/2015 22:10

I've been looking at semi-permanent eyeliner to bring out my eyes a bit.

Grin

Might have to though. I evidently need some help.

OP posts:
nilbyname · 19/05/2015 22:13

Bobby brown, Clinique and benefit I can all recommend. The Lancôme counter- well I've had great advice but their make overs were way way too much!

Bobby brown does excellent low fi wearable classic make up. Have a look online at their make up tutorials.

Bakeoffcake · 19/05/2015 22:16

Put on some nice lipstick/gloss and blusher, they will make such a difference.

Also could you look into getting your eyelashes tinted?

I think the vast majority of people look pale without a bit of make up, I only wear the bare minimum- a bi tof concealer, mascara, blusher and lippy,(all very soft colours) but it makes a huge difference. People always ask if I'm ill if I haven't got any on at all.

Bakeoffcake · 19/05/2015 22:18

Oh and the other thing I've starred doing recently is using an eyebrow colour- a light brown colour, it's the Benefit one and it makes your eyes really pop.

Judydreamsofhorses · 19/05/2015 22:25

The Dior Glow Maximiser is a fab illuminator - it costs ££ but lasts forever - and I really like the Clarins drop things that give a very tiny hint of tan when mixed with night moisturiser. Topshop cream blushes are really good and very affordable.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/05/2015 22:49

Thank you for all these Smile

OP posts:
KnitFastDieWarm · 20/05/2015 09:56

fellow pale person here! As in, when I used to model, they would have to mix special foundation for me Blush

I have similar colouring to you - blue eyes and Scottish skin with hair that tends towards the reddish and that's often dyed coppery.

My essentials:

Nip + Fab CC cream in Light - the best I have found, makes you look healthy without looking at all made up. It looks quite dark but blends in perfectly and just makes me look a bit less dead - to the point where even in early, grey-face, vomity pregnancy, people kept telling me I looked glowing

Benefit That Gal primer - Lovely pink floral-scented cream which glides on, doesn't dry the skin, and makes you look rested and fresh

Blusher for pale people is tricky as it's very easy to end up looking like a toddler let loose on mum's makeup bag. Very delicate pinks are good. I've found that Natural Collection Blusher in Pink Cloud is a great substitute for Benefit Dandelion - and costs £1.99 Grin

specialsubject · 20/05/2015 12:25

move to Asia where pale skin is prized. Or recognise that you have a normal if fair complexion. You will note that someone with the same colouring got to be a model.

are you feeling ok?

MargotLovedTom · 20/05/2015 12:36

Barbara Daly Trade Secrets Powder Blush in 'Flirt' is the best rosy blusher ever and costs £5. I put bronzer on first then pink over the top (a tip I read on here!) and it really does give a lovely healthy glow. My bronzer is by Rimmel I think - I don't have the budget for Bobbi Brown and Benefit Wink.

Shonajay · 20/05/2015 15:17

I'm the same. I discovered that preparation was key- exfoliate- I got a clarisonic but you can use a flannel or buy a hot cloth cleanser kit. Moisturiser straight after. My skin looked less grey once I started doing this. Since I've amassed my collection of foundations, ive discovered my holy grail is Kevyn Aucoin Sensual skin enhancer, as you can do full coverage and you literally can't see it. Underneath I use revlon skinlights cream but I think it's been discontinued, or Mac's strobe cream, which brighten my complexion loads. I'm sure there are allergen free things out there so look into that. A tiny bit of highlighter, I use a white powder by nars to set it all but it doesn't go white it's colourless. Eyebrows, fill them in lightly if needed, get them shaped professionally and keep it up yourself. Then a good nude lipstick- my fav is Rimmel colour rush drive me nude. You'll look fab.

IlonaRN · 20/05/2015 19:15

It's not makeup, but if you can afford it, I do recommend having your colours done.
I have seen a huge difference in myself after finding out which colours suited me best - both clothes and makeup.

CheersMedea · 20/05/2015 19:18

Good quality powder brush and some good quality bronzer.