7 Things Fair Faced Females Should Know About Makeup

Porcelain skin is a truly beautiful thing, but it takes some looking after to keep it in prime condition. Redness, irritation, marks and broken capillaries are more visible on paler skin, so you need to know your way around the makeup counter if you’re a fair-faced femme. Here are the rules for enhancing your alabaster allure, and the products to avoid like a sunbed. 

#1 – You can’t fake a darker skin tone with foundation

You want to protect your face from the sun (good girl), but also crave a golden glow. Using a foundation that’s too dark might seem like the solution but it will NOT make you look like a golden goddess; you’ll just look like you have a dirty face. Instead, try a good quality self tanner specially formulated for the face, or add a few drops of liquid bronzer to your foundation for some added radiance.

I love St Tropez Everyday Face Lotion for a gradually developing glow, and Benefit Cosmetics’ Sun Beam – a radiance boosting liquid bronzer that flatters all skintones.

#2 – Bronzer is generally not your friend

Go easy on the powder bronzer or you’ll look about as natural as Kylie Jenner’s lips. See point #1. If you’re using a powder product, choose a shade that’s not worlds apart from your natural skintone (or else risk the Oompa Loompa effect) and apply with a light touch in a 3 pattern along your temples, cheek and jaw, avoiding the centre of your face.

#3 – But you CAN wear blush without looking like a clown

Don’t avoid blush in the fear you’ll look like you’ve been playing in your mum’s makeup box – it really can look extra pretty against a peaches and cream complexion. Avoid anything too heavy and go for a sheer formulation, and opt for shades of pink over brown or orange.

Sleek Makeup’s long lasting blushes are great, with Flamingo and Pixie Pink my favourite hues for fair maidens.

#4 – You will OWN a bright lip colour

Pale skin looks GORGEOUS with a bright pink, red or coral lip – just make sure you choose a shade that works with your skin’s undertone. Yup, pale skins can have either cool or warm undertones, and knowing which camp you fit in will make choosing lippie, and even hair colour, much easier.

If you’re ‘cool’ like me, you have pink, red or blueish undertones, while warm types have yellow peach or golden undertones. Learn more about your undertone below. 

Why You Should be Looking at Your Skin Tone to Find Your Perfect Hair Colour

#5 – Embrace your freckles!

You might hate them, but believe me, they’re super cute! Here’s how to make the most of them.

Flaunt Your Features: How To Enhance Your Freckles

#6 – Wear SPF every day (well, duh)

This is obviously important for everyone, but especially for pale skins with a tendency to burn easily. A foundation or BB with SPF of at least 30 is a must EVERY DAY, but as a fellow pale face I usually opt for an SPF 50 under my makeup (which may or may not also contain sun protection). You can never be too careful…

I adore La Roche Posay’s Anthelios XL SPF 50+ for ultra light, non-greasy protection.

#7 – You can still strobe

Contouring is trickier on paler skins, but highlighting’s still in, and looks more natural anyway. Silver-based illuminators are generally a safer bet for the porcelain brigade, adding an angelic luminance to cheeks, brows and cupids bows.

For a shimmery, pearlescent finish, try BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfector in Poured Pearl.

#8 – Rethink black

Black liner and shadow can be harsh against fair complexions. Play around with greys and browns for a softer, often more flattering result.

Try Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Granite Ink.