Pale with dark brown hair...

[Ilikepepper]

I'm looking for help! I can look literally ill thanks to pale white skin and dark brown hair. I notice it so much in photos it's shocking! Probably ages me too (the dark undereye circles don't help).

Thank you!

You could have some gold and red lowlights put through your hair to break up the dark brown.
Or you could slap on some fake tan , you could even do both!

If you put a photo on we could see how dark your hair is!

Agree, break up your hair colour with highlights and lowlights. Maybe a moisturiser with a bit of self tan in it? A good blusher will help too. I am very pale and a bit of blusher on cheek apples and temples really helps.

I think pale skin and dark brown hair look great - better than pale and blond (complete washout). Do you wear makeup then? You could add some colour to your face/eyes to perk it up some and make it not look so "ill"? Or some highlights (as pp said) to give it some dimension and not look so plain?

Hard to tell though if you're looking for makeup, hair or face suggestions?

I wear makeup sometimes which helps. I'm not sure if I overdo bronzer though and look a bit crazy when it settles at my cheekbones and I just look like I need a scrub. Probably the contrast with my vampire skin. Maybe I need to wear makeup all the time now which is not in my comfort zone.

I like my hair colour. On someone else it'd look great but on my skin tone it doesn't do me favours. I hadn't thought of both blond and red highlights.

Does fake tan age the skin as I've heard it's very dehydrating?

I'm looking for any suggestions as it is making me feel self conscious!!

Oh and thank you for help so far!!

I'm not sure that bronzer's always great with really pale skin, blusher usually looks better IMO. Channel snow white

I'm pale with dark hair. I always think bronzer looks a bit weird on me,would agree with the poster who said to use blusher instead. That for me makes the biggest difference.

OP, you don't NEED to wear makeup if it isn't your thing or fake tan or anything else.

You really need to [cliche alert] find a way to love yourself as you are. I'm quite sure all this "vampire skin", 'I look ghastly' business is mostly from insecurities based on social conditioning of beauty standards.

Your skin is not "vampire skin" unless you think vampire skin is cool, then it so is vampire skin.

Just look neat, brush your hair, do whatever it is that makes YOU comfortable and look in the mirror everyday, smile and say "You look beautiful". Because you ARE.

Changing your external appearance won't change your insecurities about yourself. If only I could see you fully (I dont need to, please don't feel the need/pressure to show yourself), I might be able to help with some practical things YOU will find comfortable but it's difficult to do without seeing you.

You could try some tanning drops such as Tan-Luxe to add to your moisturiser so you can tailor exactly how much you want to warm your complexion.

Think about obvious things such as whether you are drinking enough water or might be somewhat dehydrated, which won’t help you to look or feel glowy. I won’t dwell on sleep since I am guessing that 99% of us could do with a bit more but take what we can get!

It sounds like you quite like your hair colour and it looks lovely so maybe no need to do anything if you can make other tweaks but as suggested by others some warm highlights or balayage might be worth discussing with a good colourist if that’s a path that you are interested in checking out.

In terms of dark circles, that is easily fixed with a good under-eye concealer. If you want to splash out Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon is a beautiful tinted under eye cream that works with or without a light concealer on top but there are certainly cheaper options which are also very effective and perhaps equally so. Chantecaille do a lovely one but it is also somewhat pricey. Bobbi Brown do nice under eye concealers and their lip tints are subtle and warming I find.

Of course self-regard is key to looking and feeling great and I fully agree with that but I have sometimes found that a little pick me up in terms of making a change to my appearance has given me a little boost not because I need to look different but because I am treating myself with care.

Benefit Dandelion - agree re PP to channel Snow White, rather than fake tan or bronzer.

Fake tan or bronzer would look odd. I'm the same colouring and use dandelion for a bit of perk.

What colours are you wearing? I also have pale skin and dark hair (or I would if I didn't dye it red to hide the grey) and I look ill in yellows and some other light colours, they drain me. Dark colours make me look pale, but in a healthier way!

'Channel Snow White' is making me laugh. I just don't want to look like I never got that kiss and am still in the mortuary!

The dandelion looks lovely. So no bronzer? That is quite intimidating but worth a try.

Thank you for the suggestions so far I will investigate them all!!

@PenCreed I definitely haven't found a colour that complements my colouring. Too many blacks, greys, bland really. My eyes are hazel so I feel a total bland image altogether!

Might sound obvious but when did you last have your iron levels checked?

I have very dark hair, pale skin and blue eyes and I think a bright lipstick like, red or deep pink perk me up so much. Have you tried experimenting with different colours?
I posted a picture of myself last year to get some tips as I was feeling quite Morticia like but I wouldn’t change my dark hair for anything.

Channel the not sleeping Snow White
So Irish, Scottish inspiration -dandelion is a very good shout. Bronzer can look muddy on pale skin, blushes much better

Iron fine, I am just really that pale. I have had that said in offline life which is out of kindness I know, but it does make me feel worse/confirms I look unwell!

If I was to do something bold, what other hair colour would suit my pale skin/hazel eyes?

Have a look at getting your colours done
You could be a jewel or clear winter
You pale skin and dark hair could look stunning with pink blusher clear pink or red lip stick
Have a look at a few pin interest boards

I’m similar though with greeny grey eyes. Have a look at your clothing colours definitely. I used to wear a lot of black and grey but it really washes me out. Rich winey reds/maroons and foresty winter greens seem to make me look much more alive! I’m buggered in the summer.

A touch of dark gold in your hair can break up the harshness of the contrast with pale skin nicely if you’re up for colouring.

Also a little touch of Laura Mercier creme blush or similar (I think the colour I use is Oleander) really minimises the corpse chic😱. I also use a very pale concealer stick mixed on my finger with touch éclat and dab it lightly under my eyes too. No need for anything else if your skin is otherwise clear.

I have similar colouring
If I use a bronzer or fake tan on my face it doesn’t help at all but a rosy pink blusher makes me glow

If your a winter- colour analysis don’t usually recommend highlights
Your hair and skin suit high contrast
Forest green emerald green raspberry-jewel colours

I'm dark and pale to, I find that I look best in cold clear colours. I can look ill in the wrong and anyway Morticia is beautiful! she would be if the her face wasn't half covered by my volume buttons

I am same - very dark (almost black) and very pale. Not ill or lacking in iron - just the colour I’ve always been.

I look ill if I don’t wear blusher. Agree with others I’ve found benefit blushers best - dandelion good but for me galifornia suits my colouring best.

I don’t wear lipstick but always do my eyebrows and eyelashes so they stand out against my dark hair.

I stay away from black, tan, yellow next to my face. Suit white and clean colours better as previous poster said.

I would go and get a make up consultation at Space NK. They don’t do high street brands and some of theirs are expensive but they show you how to apply the make up after listening to what you want to achieve. The products you try would then be suitable for your skin and you can see what works for you. They have a wide choice. Purchases then won’t be expensive mistakes. You don’t have to buy everything you try either. However they could help with concealer for your dark circles, a foundation, and blusher. If it’s a bit pricy, get it for a birthday present? My DDs both use Laura Mercier products and they both have pale skin and dark hair.