This One Goes Out to All The Fair Ladies…

Thu, 5 April 2012 11:34AM

This week, I’m taking a stand, Primpers. That’s right. A stand on skin tone. If you’re blessed with smooth, olive, poreless skin that goes golden brown as soon as a warm breeze blows, you might like to look away now, because this is a cheerleading post for all the fair girls out there. Ones like Emma Stone, here, who are doing their bit for us pale-skinned.

 

I have, at times, loathed my skin colour. In the past, I’ve thought it immensely unfair that I was born in one of the most arid countries on earth when, as soon as I set foot in the sun, I: a) turn a fetching tomato tone, b) become a fairground for freckles, or c) all of the above. It might have been kinder if I’d been banished to northern Scotland where my ancestors went about eating haggis and lopping each other’s heads off than having a childhood where I was the only kid in a broad-brimmed hat, pink zinc and a swimming t-shirt on the beach (this was the ‘80s, remember). Not to mention an adulthood that’s seen me become BFFs with my spray tanner and dermatologist.

As I’ve become older, though, I’ve made a sort of peace with my looks. Also, there have been amazing inventions like fake tan, believable-looking bronzer and brilliant SPF products to help me along. However, this weekend, I was taunted by not one but two groups of friends for being: 1) a “Ginger” and, 2) “The Whitest Woman In The World”. Of which, I assure you, I am neither. Not that it would matter. Someone even said they were “intrigued” by my colouring, as it was so funny. In a fit of pique, I got up and left, both times. I mean, honestly!

Now, Primpers, I’m not normally one to make a scene. But enough is enough. It’s 2012. When do we stop making fun of others for how they look? As comedian Tim Minchin says in one of his witty songs, “Only a ginger can call another ginger ‘Ginger’.” Maybe that’s a good place to start. Unless you look a certain way, too, don’t comment on it. Do you agree?

OK. Rant over. Sorry. Back to the beauty stuff. As I mentioned earlier, if you’re fair, there are plenty of products out there to help enhance your natural beauty and we’re really lucky now, because they’re much more natural-looking than they were back in the day. And, being pale myself, I reckon I’ve tried pretty much all of them. So I’ve put together a checklist of some of my favourite buys for fair-skinned girls, which might help you along.

FOUNDATION: My one big splurge is YSL Teint Radiance in Sand, $85, from department stores. It’s amazing. As is Estée Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 1.0, $68, Estée Lauder.

TINTED MOISTURISER: This is usually a toughie, as most TM’s look orange on pale types. But Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Fair to Light, $22.99, from pharmacies, is the bee’s knees. And the new BB creams out there are pretty good, too.

MINERAL MAKEUP: Another product that can end up looking orange on fair skins, try these ones out that won’t: Eles Mineral Sheer Tint in Porcelain, $66.50, at selected salons – call 1800 069 116, and Priori CoffeeBerry Perfecting Minerals Foundation, $70, Adore Beauty – I use Shade 2, but there’s also a lighter option.

BRONZER: Ooh, this is a tricky one, too, as too much can look ridick on lighter complexions. One good option is to use a darker face powder, rather than a bronzer, such as Bourjois Mineral Radiance Pressed Powder in 05 Doré, $28 (which is what I use in winter). Or, look for a matt bronzing powder, such as Dior DiorBronze Matt Sunshine, $78, from department stores, apply a little with a big brush, and blend really, really well. Alternatively, accentuate, rather than adding too much colour, with Napoleon Perdis Mosaic Gleamer, $60, call 1800 814 572 for stockists.

BLUSH: Don’t skip it! It’s super-flattering for fair skin tones. Look for a warm peach or apricot version like The Body Shop Cheek Colour in Tea Rose 05, $22.95, The Body Shop, or splurge on Chanel Les Tissages de Chanel in Tweed Corail, $77, from department stores.

EYE SHADOW: Sometimes, bright tones can look OTT on us, so warm browns, greys, beiges and golds are normally best. The most flattering ones I’ve found are Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner Compact in Naturally Glamorous, $25.95, from pharmacies; MAC Eye Shadow in Saddle, $33, MAC; and, for a little zing, try Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in Me Gold, $28, from selected David Jones.

EYELINER: Unless you’re going for a statement liner look, black can be a little harsh for every day. Instead, try Models Prefer Kohl Pencil in Coffee Brown, $8.99, from Priceline, and Revlon Luxurious Colour Smoky Crayon in Bronze Smoke, $23.95, from pharmacies.

LIP COLOUR: Good news here, girls. Fair skin tones look great when accessorized with bright lipstick or gloss – if you err on the side of warm-based tones, you can wear pretty much any bright shade. It’s the nude colours that are tricky, as they can make us look either washed out, ruddy or, worse, dead. The best options I’ve found for pale girls are Tom Ford Lip Colour in Pink Dusk, $65, from selected David Jones, which I’ve raved about here before, L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Made For Me Naturals in Velvet Rose, $25.95, from pharmacies, and Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey, $35, Clinique (ooh, lovely!). Gloss-wise, give Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour in Rose or Rhubarb, $13.95, Adore Beauty, a go.

So there you have it, Primpers, my shout-out to all the fair ladies, and a little shopping list to help you on your pretty way. Apologies to other skin tones out there, but your pale-skinned sisters do it tough sometimes.

Want me to take on another beauty cause or bugbear? I’d be happy to! You name it and I’ll start researching-slash-campaigning STAT. Maybe I’ll even get a cape.

 

In the meantime, let me know what your beauty go-tos are for your specific skin tone. We all have our little secrets and sharing is caring. Be kind!

Emily x

Posted by: Emily Taylor

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Tags: aveeno, blush, bronzer, chanel, clinique, dior, eles, emma stone, estee lauder, featured, freckles, lanolips, loreal paris, mineral makeup, Models Prefer, napoleon perdis, pale skin, priori, red hair, revlon, shu uemura, the body shop, tinted moisturiser, tom ford, ysl