by Irene Test | Contributing editor for TDM
Quit With the Spray Tans Already: Pale Skin is In for 2011
Pale girls, how many times have you been told, “You should get a tan – it would add so much color to your face”? Yet, you know that “crimson” best describes your overall look after spending an hour in the sun. Who wants to look like a lobster for the sake of beauty? Although spray tanning is an alternative, ending up orange makes you look like a Jersey Shore cast member.
Photo by Alex Ogundiran | Styled by Ugo Mozie | Make-up by THEMAKEUPBOSS | Model: Annie H
Don’t keep apologizing for your lack of color. If you caught part of the recent Fashion Week shows or saw the actresses coming down the red carpet for the Oscars, you might have noticed one thing, aside from the innovative and stylish clothing – few tans or bronzer in sight. Celebrities and designers are now embracing pallor and are even enhancing it through dramatic red lips, darker eye makeup, or less bronzer.
Pale skin was a trend predicted last summer, after models for Donna Karan and Rodarte walked down the runways with less-than-sun-kissed complexions. The look went under the radar for the past 12 months, but orange lipstick, a hit at Fashion Week in fall 2010, became a must-have for spring 2011. Orange lipstick backed by a tan approaches parody, however. Are you trying to imitate Snooki? Instead, a light shade is the perfect canvas for this new and unusual color to pop out.
So, how do you wear the look? To prevent looking like a Twilight cast member, don’t force it. Pale skin is not a must for everyone, so forget bleaching creams or wearing too-light foundation. Yet, because a less-than-glowing complexion is no longer a beauty faux pas (at least for now), those who can pull it off just need to go with their natural skin tones and find a matching foundation. Illamasqua, Makeup Forever, Laura Mercier, and Everday Minerals all have a greater selection of lighter shades. For those on a budget, go with “porcelain” from L’Oreal’s True Match line.
Next, enhance it – but don’t go too overboard. Pair the light foundation with dark lips or eyes – just not both at the same time. Winged eyeliner, seen on models at this year’s L.A.M.B. Fashion Week show, or a similar dramatic look and glossed lips add enough contrast. Or, choosing a ruby red or blood-orange color for your lips gives your visage a classic and somewhat retro look.