3 weeks to sort out pale legs

[schnauzerfest]

Hi .. special event in 3 weeks! My legs are so pale. What do you recommend?

I have very very pale legs. None of the gradual tans I've ever tried work at all because they just look like an orange layer sitting on top of my actual skin. They also seem to build up in weird places like on my shin bone no matter how much I exfoliate and use mitts or not use mitts. The best I can do is to put a tinted SPF on and not wear white, or mac face and body foundation which just takes the edge off the purply/red bits to make the skintone even.

I think the biggest thing is just getting used to having legs out, so force yourself to wear skirts and shorts for these 3 weeks and you'll be used to it.

HI OP, I'm with you, my legs are white and always have been. Over the years I have tried all sorts and they look/I feel ridiculous with gradual tan, fake tan the palest of the palest shades. I have given up and just embrace white well moisturised legs and yes I get stared at but no longer worry about it.
Occasionally I add a drop of foundation to the body moisturiser to even them out a little.

I had a salon spray tan about 10 years ago , it was nice , all over (except the paper knickers) and importantly, even . But not something I'd bother to repeat .
My legs are pale with the added glamour of blue veins round the back of my knees . My best home results is from scrub, epilate, wait a day or so , moisture then use TanLuxe in some moisturiser lotion.
When I wore tights I was often asked if I was wearing silk stockings as my skin had a shiny look being so dry and fragile.
My Dad's nickname for me was "Lizard Legs". (Ta Dad😁)

I have bad varicose veins so I never get my legs out of thick black tights or trousers. However for a recent summer wedding it was necessary to 'get my legs out' so for about 2 weeks beforehand I exfoliated and moisturised my legs daily, had them waxed just beforehand and bought a pair of M&S 7 denier holdups in a slightly tanned colour. I was very pleased with the effect.

I like the Garnier or dove gradual tan moisturisers, still put them on with a mit. You don't get lines and streaks and it's very subtle. I am very pale and like to just take the brilliant white glow off slightly before putting shorts on, they're pretty cheap too and don't stain things

Another vote for the gradual tan. I think Dove is the best. It's like putting some body lotion on after a shower, takes seconds. For an event, do it for two or three days in a row before the day

If you're naturally pale, use the fair/medium one not the the medium/dark one.

Nivea q10 gradual tan is really good

Easiest I have found is to get a quick salon spray tan - I am too cack handed to do it myself even with the subtle ones there are streaks for me. You can ask for a light shade - and do it a few days before if you are worried about looking orange.

Dove gradual tan is great.
A dark fake tan looks very cheap IMO.
To be able to carry off tan-free legs (fake or otherwise) shows real confidence and class.

I am another one with very pale legs-I have tried all sorts over the years-

Nothing terribly successful.
Even the Dove one seemed to clump on dry areas and looks so so fake and just seems to look orange on me.
I have now accepted my fate.

I now have an even paler DD who is in her 20's and embracing her very, very fair skin.
She was recently told at a wedding where she was a bridesmaid that she looked like a Greek Goddess.

So if the fake tan doesn't work you can go for that 😉

Pale is beautiful. I’d suggest just getting a good exfoliation and moisturising routine going.

Gatineau gradual tan is fabulous. It’s somehow never streaky on my legs. The Nivea Q10 is also decent but Gatineau is best I have ever used

Very sheer tights (10DEN, 5DEN) that match your actual skin colour are good for a smooth, polished look imo.

Yes, you’ll still be pale (trying to go darker with tights is definitely not a good look imo!) but your legs will look incredibly smooth / as if you’ve put a blur filter over them.

Gradual tan lotion works as well imo. Quite simple to apply and natural. But I would recommend to try it a few weeks in advance.

This is the correct answer.

I was once walking along in Central London, minding my own business, when a random man digging up the road berated me for having pale legs. I robustly shouted 'fuck off loser' in his surprised face which was also the correct answer to his comment 😁

Own it OP, there is nothing wrong with pale legs.

My husband is a redhead with vitiligo. I do not consider it a flaw. He is gorgeous and pale as a pearl. He is not broken or unattractive.

Cultural difference in the summer: Asians adore pale skin and spend big money to be pale, while Westerners adore tan and spend big money to avoid being pale 🤣

I use bondi sands gradual tan during the summer , it’s fab .
Just put on as your moisturiser every morning after shower .

Not many women are comfortable with glaringly white legs on show. I know I’m not.

This! I don't bother with fake tan after going to Thailand and seeing the exact same companies selling skin lightening products there as sell us fake tan here - their aim is to make everyone the world over feel insecure about who they are so they can make money

This! I don't bother with fake tan after going to Thailand and seeing the exact same companies selling skin lightening products there as sell us fake tan here - their aim is to make everyone the world over feel insecure about who they are so they can make money

Why is that? Why have you/we been made to feel this way? Who by and for what reason?
I think the answer is in the post above re. the same beauty co.s selling skin lightenernin one country, and in another, tanning products.

I agree sheer tights are a great way to get an even and natural looking skin tone on your legs. Much better than fake tan.

I think S&B could include how to make sure your natural skin is healthy. So a good moisturizer, some wise clothing colour choices and you're all set!

Another for this. It looks natural but make sure you exfoliate in the morning and put it on at night and shower it off again in the morning.

Possibly, but who wants to wear tights in the summer? (And sheer tights surely are the preserve of the er, more mature woman than I’m guessing the OP might be)