Spooky Skin Season
Image Courtesy: Glamour
Boo! It's your natural skin. Oh yes, it's that time of the year again when it's too cold for you to layout and gets that real, glowing color. For most people, being tan is one's embrace of beauty with minimal makeup or product in general. But if you are naturally pale you most likely struggle with tanning or using products that cover up redness, scars, spots, dark circles, or any type of skin blemish or marking, without looking cakey or feeling the heaviness of the products on your face. Coming from a true pale, Irish woman, here are some tips and recommendations for that light, natural, effortless day to day look during these upcoming chilly months.
Beauty isn't always about a face full of makeup and it doesn't have to be. But, if you're someone who can't stay away from a foundation, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is perfect for a quick coverup without all the mess. With its updated formula and sleek, new (dare we say it) KKW beauty-like design, this moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, while also reducing dryness. On the plus side, if you're someone who also appreciates a more dewy, glossier-like look, this improved formula leaves you with a finished face similar to that. To top it off, the formula includes SPF 30, which is beneficial for the fairer of skin types.
If you're still concerned about any dark marks peeking through such as (but not limited to) dark under circles or acne scars and blemishes, any type of liquid or powder concealer will work just fine. The Bare Minerals Loose Powder Concealer SPF 20 is perfect for a light touch up (even without the moisturizer) to cover acne, redness, dark marks, and is great for keeping oily areas dry (i.e. t-zone and chin).
If that isn't enough for you, before applying the powder, a nice liquid concealer should get the job done. In order to achieve that desired full coverage, it would be best to go with either the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer or the Mac Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer.
On top of this, a little mascara and blush don't hurt. If you're worried about packing on too much pink, the Glossier Cloud Paint Seamless Cheek Color was created for every skin tone. Coming in a wide range of colors, this product will take you from ghostly to glowing in a matter of seconds.
If you're someone who doesn't love to splurge on cosmetic products or just truly don't enjoy having to take it off at the end of the day, there are skincare products that are perfect for brightening and smoothing imperfections for a more cohesive skin tone throughout the face.
For the Prada bags under your eyes, the Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème has been rated highest by consumers for its quick renewal of the skin and minimizing fine lines. The cream is most effective when applied in the AM and the PM, and before applying any powder or liquid concealer.
Of course, the Mario Badescu products have been taking over the skincare industry but coming from a girl who isn't too savvy in the world of skincare herself, there are a couple of products that should still be honored for their speedy smoothness of bumps and breaks. Especially with the cold creeping through, it would be crazy to not mention the Mint Lip Balm (Squeeze Tube). Right off the bat, this balm can shave down even the roughest of lippies. Although it may be cooler weather, cars still get hot sitting in the sun so with the product being a tube, you don't have to worry about a melted mess. Dry skin is the most common issue of the colder months, but if you still struggle with that oily shine, the Drying Lotion is a perfect overnight treatment. This product is intended for incoming pimples, or for the ones that shouldn't be popped. It also doesn't hurt to dab this stuff on your t-zone while you're sleeping or have some downtime.
When it comes to your overall complexion, a toner and face moisturizer is a staple for keeping a consistent skin tone throughout the face. The Olehenriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner works for all skin types whether you struggle with super oily to the driest of skin types. Overall this product is great for purifying the skin even if you're using the minimal makeup options mentioned. For 24-hour hydration without emptying your wallet, the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream will leave you with softer skin and an amount that will stretch you throughout the long winter.
When it comes down to surviving the winter months, all one wants to do still is tan and relax. But when it comes to spray tans, so many questions probably come to mind. I'm so pale, won't I turn orange? Don't I have to set aside the time to sit in this wet stuff for hours? Instead of having to worry about or do any of this, you can obtain a natural color in the comfort of your own home. After countless trials and errors, the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, works the best when considering time, application, and final color. Of course, this process still takes at most 3 hours depending on the desired shade. But in reality, this product doesn't leave you with that wet feeling or strange smell. Because the product leaves you with a drier feeling during the process, you could even wear it while running errands, at work, or in class without worrying about the product smearing off your body. Obviously, the product comes off once you shower, so the only factor to avoid would be water. On top of this, the product is vegan, and you can also purchase the St. Tropez Applicator Mitt to rub the mousse evenly on your body. You'll be caught red, or should I say orange-handed, for fake tanning.
Now don't just go walk out and run up a check on beauty. Try and visit your local Ulta or Sephora and see if they'll let you take some samples home or recommend a product close to what was featured above (if not stocked in that store). When it comes to dealing with pale skin, it's all about making the best of it, whether it be playing with a new color palette, or stepping outside your comfort zone with a product you've never tried before. If you're super busy and feel like you don't have time for this, make that time before bed or when you wake up in the morning to carry out a little self-care for your delicate skin. Self-care isn't always about a routine filled with face masks, creams, gels, and cleansers, but sometimes applying that one product can make all the difference.
Strike Out,
Writer: Joey Flanagan
Editors: Gillian McKendree and Savannah Tindall
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