How do I inject colour into my face (not literally) without aunt Sally vibes 😕

[Fruitcaked]

Hi,

I'm naturally quite pale with dark hair and green eyes. This used to be a nice contrast, but now I'm starting to look a bit dull and ill actually. I need brightening up basically!

Problem is, most colours don't suit me. The only blusher shade I can almost wear is a peach tone. Can't wear anything reddy or pinky at all! Just looks weird and I've tried so many variations!

Eye shadow never seems to suit me, unless it's very neutral and maybe with a bit of shimmer. Same with lipstick. I can only wear nude colours. Can't wear anything bold. Would love to pull off a gorgeous red like Mac Ruby Woo, but no.

I do need some colour now though. Can anyone recommend colours/products that would suit my features?

TIA

Try a tiny amount of self-tanner (diluted with moisturiser, perhaps) - the colour often looks more natural as a blush, I think.

Gradual self tan used as moisturiser once every couple of days gives a little bit of colour to us pale types without looking tanned

I keep recommending AYU make up as it's so good, all designed for a natural look.

Clarins do self tan drops which when mixed with your daily moisturiser every few days do just enough to give a shade of colour without looking like you've been to the Bahamas. It lasts ages as you only need 1 or 2 drops each time.

Maybe Jones Road miracle balm. Very minor pigment to it or you can buy a natural one.

Vita liberata do a really nice tinted product for the face called beauty blur. I'm 51 and it gives me a nice dewy bit of colour without the whole foundation look.

Tiny bit of colour on cheeks and some masacara on upper lashes

Sorted!

I think a little bit of facial fake tanner is good too, I use tan luxe mixed with my moisturiser or St Tropez purity tanning facial mist.

Also, Clinique do a great peach powder blush, Peach Pop, very natural, not sparkley and very smooth application...

https://m.clinique.co.uk/product/1593/29770/makeup/blushers/cheek-poptm?gclid=Cj0KCQiAn4SeBhCwARIsANeF9DLf2Szmk1aeeCxBO-XyFEj-jdhH13ETaKTfuq-oizjUwEkqGdnnXUaAo8uEALwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&shade=PeachhPop

You will probably do best with pastel shades, and either emphasise eyes or lips otherwise you will look very dramatic/contrast-y (unless that's what you want to go for of course). For eyeliner and mascara, go for brown instead of black, and peachy/blush and/or gold makeup. I guess it's more helpful to think of "warming up" instead of using bright or hard colours, which will look too harsh. Think of it as - your hair doing the hard work with the most amount of colour, then you need to complement it instead of compete with it. If there is an item of clothing you feel great in, it's probably because the colour is complementing your personal colour palette, so you could try finding a lipstick or a do-it-all stick (for cheeks and lips, H&M do some) in that colour and trying it.

I’m exactly the same colouring. 1 or 2 tan Luxe drops in moisturiser every other morning.
Cream blusher slightly higher on cheeks and out towards temples, not on ‘apples’ any more. Try Daniel Sandler Petal.
I then use a pinky concealer for dark circles (Maybelline eraser number 5), copper eyeshadow, a little black eye liner along top only and black mascara.

I use a couple of drops of luxe-tan in my moisturiser every couple of days over the winter months. It gives you a bit of colour but not so much that you can't wear a bit of foundation when you're going out.
I then just wear a bit of blusher and mascara during the day and maybe a bit more when I'm going out out. I'm 58 and have also started adding a primer with a bit of glow.

Benefit Dandelion used as a blusher.

Maybe you do look good with a colour eye shadow or lipstick but you're just not used to it....
Give it another chance

Oh and red lipstick does suit me, but only certain ones. My favourite is Rimmel Hollywood red 530, if I wear this I only wear mascara on my eyes but people always comment on my eyes as it somehow contrasts with the green. It’s only £5 so give it a go.

Are you sure you don't suit bright lipsticks? Could it just be a bit of a shock if you don't usually see yourself in them? You've just described my colouring to a tee and a bright (blue toned) red, pink or berry really suits me.
Day to day I use a pink or peach blusher. Something like the benetints under face powder works for me in a less obvious 'Im wearing blusher' way. Along with a tinted lip balm. I don't usually wear eyeshadow daily but if I do smudgy bruise type colours work for me. Dark purpley shades, metallic browns.

I like a cream or a gel blush for a really natural look, and as others have said a few drops of self tanner in your usual moisturiser. There are lots of brands.

I have been focusing recently on getting my skin to look as fresh and bright as possible so I can feel more comfortable and confident without foundation. I use face theory skincare in particular their porebright serum, a little cream blusher and mascara. I also like a lash lift for looking bright but can’t have them due to breastfeeding at the moment.

You sound very similar to me colouring-wise. I have the dark hair/green eyes/pale skin combo. And Ruby Woo is one of my best lipstick colours. I look like death in peach. Maybe it’s just that you’re not used to the depth of colour? Which clothing colours look best on you?

Ooh snap. Second tanning drops (tan luxe) but if you aren’t sure it you want an instant lift Hourglass Dim Light powder dusted over my makeup/tinted moisturiser changes my skin tone from “dug up” to “summer” but without objectively changing the colour of my face… it’s subtle and magic. It’s also very expensive so if you can get to a concession ask them to put some on you.
i also find that bright lipstick looks better when I am wearing light colours or white near my face.

Trinny trinny, trinny. I love her stuff. It makes me look naturally smoothed out, nice tone and not too made up!!

I used to have the James Read selftan drops. They look really natural on me (pale, but sort of a sandy skin tone). I have however stopped using them.

I prefer regular bronzer (just a little bit!) nowadays. Have you tried that? If you like the bronzed look you may very well like a little fake tan as well....

Is there a lip colour (it shoudn't be lighter than your natural lip colour if you are light skinned for that hack to work!) that looks just perfect on you?

If yes: that colour will work as a blush as well.

If you don't find a blush in that colour, you could also try using the lipstick as a blush (works with cream lipsticks IME).

I second posters saying that you may just not be used to deeper colours. Could you try it out with a friend / somebody you trust to be honest?

I'm always interested if anyone has ever done the finger thing for your perfect colour lipstick? Your supposed to squeeze the tip of your middle finger and whatever colour that goes is the colour you should be wearing. Don't squeeze for too long, blue lippy is a tough gig on anyone of our age!

I'm wondering if you're just not used to it as opposed to you not suiting it?

I'm pale and every 3/4 days spray St Tropez face mist all over my face, it makes me look healthy rather than tanned.

Benefit Dandelion! You can put it on your cheeks, nose, chin, hairline, if you like very lightly of course!

Also what colour clothes do you wear? On me certain colours mainly black, yellows, camel and browns drain the colour out of my skin or make it look sallow so I avoid them.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions so far!

I honestly never thought about self tanning drops, but that seems like a popular one! I always quite liked being pale, so would seem a bit strange, but then I probably just don't suit it the same anymore and have definitely got stuck in a rut, style and make up wise.

@TroysMammy I don't really wear much colour either. Black actually does really suit me, but I know it's very much comfort zone. Green and red suit me I think.