Fair Skin Make Up

I recently watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and was completely mesmerised by the beautiful Cate Blanchett from start to finish (bear in mind Brad Pitt is in that movie so, that's really saying something). Her red hair, blue eyes and porcelain skin was absolutely breathtaking. It made me think what make up and colours work best on fair skin and pale eyes. So, here are a few tips and tricks if you want to make pale even more interesting.

Make eyes pop

If you have blue or green eyes a good tip is to use bronzer or even blusher (gasp!) in the crease to add warmth and accentuate eye colour in a very natural way. Adding colour to the crease will add depth and definition to the eyes, resulting in a more flattering eye shape. Take a small, fluffy blending brush, like a MAC 224 for instance, swirl it in whatever blusher or bronzer you are using, apply in wind-shield wiper motions to the crease of the eye and keep buffing until fully blended. Another way to make eyes more striking is to add a warm brown eye liner. A personal favourite is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Whisky. It's very long-lasting and, because it's a reddish brown, it contrasts with my blue eyes and really makes them stand out.

Beware of the bronze

Be very careful of bronzers and, if unsure, avoid them altogether as most bronzers on the market are far too warm for very pale skins and, if over-applied, can look very muddy. If you want to add colour, try using a cream bronzer as a base. The Bourjois Bronzing Primer or the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzer Universel, for example, are great used underneath foundation. Apply on the high points of the face (forehead, cheek, jawline) not forgetting to bring it down slightly on the neck so everything blends in nicely. This will warm up the complexion in the most subtle and natural way possible without leaving a brown streak across your cheeks.

Add a health flush

It's especially important for fair skins to add a pop of colour to the cheeks to avoid looking dead drained. For a natural flush use a cream formula as they blend so easily and the finish is practically undetectable. If bronzer doesn't work for your skin tone, use a warmer blush that has more of a bronze tone (a kind of blush/bronzer hybrid if you will) to kill two birds with one stone. I find it warms and brightens the face in one fell swoop.