Today I went out for the first time in over a decade without my fake tan

[Mollysocks]

I know it’s not an achievement and there are people with actual problems in life but I’ve been teased about my fair skin since I was small to the point where I haven’t been able to go without fake tan since I was about 16 (I’m 30).

As a pre-teen my P.E teacher used to constantly say I was pasty and looked ill and people often made comments such as “ghost legs” “Caspar the friendly ghost” “ooh your legs are blinding me” “Victorian child” “Vampire” “oooh you’re sooooo pale”. Once a man just stopped me in the street and asked “Why are you so pale?” I was constantly being told I should put on a bit of tan on to ‘take the shock off’ and to ‘look healthy’ that in my early 20s I got so addicted to being as dark as possible that I’d slap a few layers on and then I’d think I was still pale and I’d put on several layers more.

On holiday a few years back I was so self conscious on going on the beach with my natural skin that I honestly wasted so much of the holiday reapplying tan and it was so dark I honestly looked like a different race.

Anyway, recently I’ve been looking at women (of all ages) and noticed that I’m not seeing as many tans around. I also did a Pinterest search for pale skin and got inspired by celebs like Anya Taylor Joy, Elle Fanning and Elizabeth Debicki and realised how fabulous they look. I also hate that adverts shout that women should ‘love the skin they’re in’ (but only if you’re tanned etc. - flogs product) so, picturing Elizabeth Debicki in my head I have let my tan fade and today I went out in to the world, pale and tan free. No one said anything, no one looked at me with disgust, the world didn’t end and I felt so happy to be in my own skin.

Maybe it’s because I’m on my 30s now and more confident but I also don’t care if people do not think I look healthy. I am healthy.

Anyway, like I said, it’s a 1st world problem and not important with everything going on in the world right now, but if this maybe helps another woman feel confident to venture out in their natural skin(or natural hair) then it’s been worth this post.

The picture of Elizabeth Debicki that made it possible 😁

Well done you 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Thank you @FairyLightBan 😊

Good on you @Mollysocks

That's absolutely brilliant. It takes guts to change something that has for years given you confidence.

I've recently made quite a drastic change. My hair is naturally very dark, almost black, but since my late teens I've been having it bleached.(I'm 53 now!)I've also always worn it very straight with a centre parting. Well I finally took the plunge
Not only have I gone back to brunette, but I've also had a fringe cut in! It took a while to get used to it but I absolutely love it now! Saves on breaching and hides my forehead lines.

Bleaching...not breaching!!

I was actually nervous! I’m such a sad sack!

Ah perfect! I love dark hair, good on you for taking the plunge and doing it for you. I’m glad you’re happy with it 😀

Thank you :)

You are definitely not sad at all. Shame on the twats who bullied you x

Yes, shame on the people who called you pasty! I teach in a girls' school where there are quite a few students who go very heavy on the fake tan, often at age 14 or so. It's always nice to see when some of them ditch it and look more comfortable with their natural skin.

Good for you!!! I'm mid 60s and pale. Never use fake tan.
Never will.

Well done 👏🏻 Fellow pale one here who ditched fake tan years ago as I just couldn’t keep up with it after moving abroad and having my legs out all summer. So glad, my pale skin suits me far more than the orange patchiness ever did 😂

Congrats! I used to be the same with my clip in hair extensions. They were like a security blanket and even when they weren’t looking their best and I knew they needed replacing I would still rather have them in than not.

one day I had the courage to take them out and I’ve never looked back. I’d was really liberating to realise the world didn’t end when i stopped wearing them and was great for the self love and confidence.

As a pre-teen my P.E teacher used to constantly say I was pasty and looked ill and people often made comments such as “ghost legs” “Caspar the friendly ghost” “ooh your legs are blinding me” “Victorian child” “Vampire” “oooh you’re sooooo pale”. Once a man just stopped me in the street and asked “Why are you so pale

So bloody rude. I'd respond back "that's my skin colour" then a hard stare.

Fellow pale person here.

I really get it OP. I live in a hot country and grew up at the coast and hung around with all the surfers. So you can imagine the comments when I was surrounded by brown berries all the time. I also become very conscious and would cover up most of the time. Yes, I have been to a Waterpark in jeans before.

I was admitted to hospital for severe burns once again, and that time was just the final straw. I did realise there and then that I'm never going to be have the sun kissed look, ever.

Well done in getting out of your comfort zone. Doesnt it feel amazing!

I still cover up, and don't willingly show off the lily whites, but I do think you do have to learn to accept things and beat those bullies 💐

Good on you! Totally understand how daunting it can feel to let go of a "crutch". None of my colleagues (of almost 20 years) have seen me without foundation and mascara - I can't imagine going to work without them.

Well done! It's hard work keeping up with the fake tan. I do it very rarely now but god, trying to make it all even and watch those elbows and inner arms is hard!
That PE teacher is shocking. How long ago was that?

Well done u ... Milk bottle legs or variants repeatedly meant i didn't wear shorts or anything but long skirts in the summer for years.... I could never get fake tan to work!
Think I was also in my 30s before i realised nobody is really that bothered...
I still cover up mainly but now its mainly cos of needing spf50 if i even look out the window on a sunny day...and Im lazy

Well done you

It's clearly a huge issue after being bullied about it during your childhood

My DD is also very pale and always applies fake tan after a few people made comments about her pale skin

I wish she didn't and I wish they'd kept their stupid mouths shut

I just let her get on with it

Her pale skin in beautiful but there's no point me saying anything and making things worse for her and more of an issue

Well done! It might seem trivial to others but it’s a big step for you. I’m pale and find that people are far more conscious of sun damage these days so there are many more of us pale types out in the open!

It's liberating isn't it? I don't wear it. I don't care. I'm happy with my pale skin. Yes I'd like to be a bit slimmer and more toned but my skin suits me.

Well done you OP!! 👏👏👏

Its a huge deal and you should be very proud of yourself.

I love being pale and interesting.

Well done OP...I bet in a few days you won't even think about the tan, and realise just how beautiful your pale skin is 💓 I'm also naturally very pale, but I've always loved it (never tan and never tried to fake it either).

@Ihateboris I've just done similar to you! For years I've had very blond hair in a longish straight bob. Yesterday I had it darkened and lots of face-framing layers added. I was very nervous to go to work today, as I hadn't told anyone what I was planning to do with my hair, but it was fine! 🤣 The darker layers look so good! Really compliments my pale skin and green eyes...makes them 'pop' apparently😍

It's good to take ourselves out of our comfort zone isn't it? 💓

Good on you. I'm pale even with fake tan 🤣
I use a bit of that dove stuff when I can be bothered and would love to be as brave as you!
I married someone who is paler than me (if that's possible) so our kids are ultra pale. Teen DD has stopped her fake tan phase now and looks much nicer. I should do the same.