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Help me get my legs even for summer please??

28 replies

Embark · 05/02/2022 21:57

My legs (skin tone) are awful and in summer I never ever wear shorts and skirts etc. i don’t tan. Ever. I have pale skin so I have blue veins that will show up. The worse part are my knees…. I have horrible knees. Im not that tall so I look like I have 2 sets of knees on each leg… I don’t know why, they are just quite big?? But what makes it worse is they are red, really really stands out. They look permanently bruised or like I have sat on the floor on my knees for hours?! Fake tan never ever works I have tried them ALL. Always patchy. Gradual tan the lesser of the evils but I won’t ever go much darker no matter how often I use it. I exfoliate and I moisturise religiously. Are there any wonder products?? Even if they are designed for my face? My knees are the worse. I have tried products to try to lighten the skin, like for pigmentation type things but have had no joy, although I haven’t tried loads.

Any skin gurus that could help me please??

OP posts:
Lifeslooser · 06/02/2022 07:56

Fake tan is the only answer. You need to learn to do it so it’s not patchy.
Moisturise the knee caps, ankle and the inside of the ankle then fake tan with a mit going up and down the leg (fast…ish)

maffhew · 06/02/2022 08:05

My skin is the same and fake tan rarely develops on my legs. I'm so jealous of people who tan their legs and it comes out even and brown! It's got nothing to do with application as pp says, some of us just have shiny leg skin I think!

I'm currently using Superdrug solait dark tanning water, it's not actually dark and is a nice colour.

It develops enough on my legs to take the edge off then I sally Hansen them if I'm wearing a skirt.

hopeishere · 06/02/2022 08:07

Using a mitt changed my relationship with fake tan. It goes on a million times better.

Embark · 06/02/2022 09:00

Sadly fake tan is NOT the answer. I have tried so many things, I have had professional tans and they also end up exactly how it looks when I do it so it isn’t my application.

@maffhew is it the same as a normal tan?

My knees really are the problem. Despite exfoliating etc they are just so uneven

OP posts:
MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 06/02/2022 09:03

Do you exercise? How’s your diet? I’d look at those two things now, as well as exfoliation / body brushing to improve circulation and a good daily moisturiser after your shower. Cerave is good.

Embark · 06/02/2022 09:18

I’m not overweight and I do exercise, drink plenty of water and eat well. I have used cerave body lotion and it’s ok but not amazing. Currently using ameliorate as I get KP and that keeps it at bay and keeps my skin lovely and soft.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 06/02/2022 09:23

I know you've tried them all but what about leg make up? I used to use the wash off Rimmel one and I've used pricier ones. Use a mitt and go steady. It's, either that or tights. I relay on both.

MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 06/02/2022 09:24

Great that you already exercise. I’d ramp up the strength work and see if that improves skin and muscle tone. Lots of balancing is good too - vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga classes could be good.

IntoTheNight · 06/02/2022 09:27

I have a similar issue with my arms and was told to use toner on them. Worth a shout maybe? I am planning to start soon in time for summer and also need to get back into lifting weights to tone up

Embark · 06/02/2022 09:27

@BusterGonad yes they are the lesser of all evils but then my whole body doesn’t match! I don’t like the feel of the wash on/off ones like Rimmel etc as they don’t ever feel dry? Sally Hansen ok but i think im TOO pale for the palest one? I look like im wearing those old school ‘flesh’ tights.

I don’t have a problem with skin tone @MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler, im in my 30’s so they aren’t sagging or anything, no excess skin, it’s more the tone of the skin, like it needs lightening up to match the rest of my legs. If the whole legs were all the same Casper ghost colour it wouldn’t be as bad…

OP posts:
Embark · 06/02/2022 09:28

Sometimes it feels as though the skin is too ‘thick’ on my knees??

OP posts:
MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler · 06/02/2022 09:29

My thinking is that improved circulation could help?

Embark · 06/02/2022 09:30

@MyNameIsAngelicaSchuyler ok I see.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 06/02/2022 09:31

www.whowhatwear.com/best-leg-makeup/slide2

SheWoreYellow · 06/02/2022 09:33

Are you sure they’re that bad? I’ve never noticed the colour of anyone’s knees. I’m off to look at mine now.

SheWoreYellow · 06/02/2022 09:33

And I presume you’ve tried instant fake tan? I use the Rimmel one, mixed with body lotion so it’s not too dark.

Embark · 06/02/2022 09:36

Yeah they are! I’m very pale so it shows up more! Also because they are darker than the rest of my legs they look really big and chubby on my already slim legs?!

OP posts:
QueenJulian · 06/02/2022 09:59

Have you tried Vita Liberata Body Blur? It’s thinner than the Rimmel leg make up and you can’t really feel it when it’s on. It’s more expensive but feels nice and a little goes a long way.
Also you could see a dermatologist about thickened skin and redness. They can prescribe stuff that’s proven to work rather than you going through the time and expense of trialling over the counter creams etc.

Suzi888 · 06/02/2022 10:13

Exfoliate and moisturise. Perhaps some exercise, there’s not much you do about large knees I don’t think. Could it be arthritis? DM has large knees, always did and had arthritis from an early age.

gunnersgold · 06/02/2022 10:16

You could be describing my legs , I use isle of paradise tanning drops in light and Nivea . I use hand cream on my feet and knees first and just smoosh it all in.. it's a total game changer because it makes short legs look ok. I worse shorts all last summer ! I have a small waist and torso and big boobs so shorts suit me if you ignore my chunky legs . This stuff makes them look ok! Also just size up in shorts for some reason they always come up small!

goldensilver · 06/02/2022 10:16

Get a regular massage. Helps hugely with blood flow which in turn helps skin tone.

Not a lot of beauty/salon type places offer legs only. It would be incorporated into a full body massage though.

Your best bet would be going to a sports massage therapist - I'm sure they'd love to help.

gunnersgold · 06/02/2022 10:17

This is the colour ! 😍

Embark · 06/02/2022 10:28

@gunnersgold nice legs! If mine looked like that I’d have them out always!

Dermatologist is a good idea… but I’d guess expensive.. where do you go about finding one that is genuine??

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gunnersgold · 06/02/2022 10:30

No , they aren't . I'm 5 foot and they are chunky and stinky and wobbly ! It's just the angle and magic tan ! ✅

WellTidy · 06/02/2022 10:36

Fake tan on legs sometimes just doesn’t develop well, or develops really inconsistently on me. And I’ve tried every product, done the exfoliation, used the mitt etc many many times.

Unfortunately I think it’s just the way my legs are. It absorbs loads on my feet, and normally on my calves but not at all on my shins.

I just stick to the wash off ones.