Pale Skin Foundation For Under £10

If you've read some of my other posts, you'll know that I'm very pale. Not even a Mac NC15 is a match for my ivory skin. I've searched long and hard for a foundation that's something I can wear on a daily basis, at an affordable price. However, I definitely got to a point where I didn't care about the price tag (fellow light-skinned ladies, I know you'll know the struggle). I'm putting this stuff on my face every day, so I could definitely justify it, and my search just didn't seem to find me what I wanted. As my skin is so light you can literally see every single blemish, which means I need really good coverage.

I tried so, so many. L'Oreal, Mac, Estée Lauder, Charlotte Tilbury - the list LITERALLY goes on!

A fellow ivory-kissed friend saw my struggle, and suggested I tried Rimmel's Match Perfection Foundation. I must admit, I was very skeptical at the sound of 'Rimmel' (I'M SORRY). I've usually gone with the notion that make-up wise, splashing the cash just buys you better quality, and after my long, tiring search, I refused to believe that my solution was sitting right under my nose, on a Boots shelf. I've not had a lot of experience with Rimmel products if I'm honest, but the times I had, I can't say I was overly impressed, which definitely egged on my skepticism! 

I was SO wrong...

This stuff is DA BOMB. It costs £7.99 - ya heard right - £7.99. Honestly, that's like the cheapest foundation I've ever bought. Period! It easily blends, provides good coverage, and doesn't at all look cakey. I'd say it offers a soft matte sort-a look, and it definitely lasts a day at the office, too. 

TIP: This stuff is also great for the under eye area when highlighting/contouring, it really brightens your face up!

I'll happily admit it, this bad boy has definitely turned me around, and is now my go-to foundation. I've even got their Lasting Finish Foundation on my shopping list as I've heard it provides an even fuller coverage. Rimmel, you a life-saver, girl!

Like what you read? Follow me on BlogLovin' to keep updated with all my posts

Not on BlogLovin'? Drop me a follow!

A Pale Girls Guides To Fake Tanning

10 Tips For a Better Fake Tan

Living with my pale skin, for ya know, all my life, I've become somewhat of an ambassador for fake tan.

It started to become big when I was hitting my teens, so I grew with it, and oh was I happy it was invented. Knowing how bad it is for me and my ivory skin to even sit in the sun, I never even contemplated it and I just stayed away. I don't see the point in putting my skin through that. Instead I became slightly addicted to fake tan (I'm currently in fake-tan rehab).

Over my many years of using the stuff, and regrettably, probably, most definitely over using it, I've made all the mistakes you can probably make. So, you delightful bunch, I'm kind enough to share them with you, so you don't have to experience them.

1. Exfoliate

Start exfoliating your skin a few days before. Exfoliating is good for your skin anyway, but especially if you're planning on applying fake tan. You need to prepare your skin for what you're going to put on it and the best way to smooth out your skin and ensure all the dead skin cells and na-sty bits are removed is with exfoliating. You can pick up cheap exfoliators, but the one I use is (and have had the best experience with) is St Tropez Body Polish.

2. Moisturise

After you've started removing the crappy bits with the exfoliating, you better start pampering some of the goodness back in to it. Investing in a good moisturiser that builds a barrier to your skin is a great benefit when applying your tan. A good one in particular for this is St Tropez Body Moisturiser. This will prevent the fake tan from sticking to your pores, especially on your face. I apply it to my face lots more than anywhere else before I tan. Take extra care to moisturise the dry areas; your elbows, hands, feet and knees.

3. Fake Tan Mitt

Invest in a good fake tan mitt. Now when I say good, I mean good. Regrettably, this may set you back 4 or 5 pounds, which may seem a little steep for what it is, but trust me it pays off. I have skimmed on them, and it's not worth it. They absorb a lot of the tan, and seem to rub it off in places. The only one I have never had any problems with is the St Tropez one. You can pick it up from Boots or Superdrug and they usually have them on offer. Boots own brand is also a good one, just don't go getting the cheap ones from Home Bargains as they just aren't worth it. Oh yeah, before these were invented, I used to apply fake tan with my hands (seriously). Don't do this EVER. Just don't.

4. Be Generous

If you aren't using a lot of tan when applying it, the chances are it's going to look streaky and there'll be patches. Don't be afraid of the tan. It's not going to bite you. Use a generous amount and be sure to get it in all the places you want and rub it in, in circular motions. I usually rub it all over, then go back over with nothing on the fake tan mitt, checking if there are any gaps or build up. You can usually make them go away just by rubbing over it with the mitt, as it'll still be wet from when you've used it. If this isn't doing the trick, add a little bit more tan.

5. Begin With The Face

Beginning with your face allows a good flow for applying your tan. Work your way down, then do your neck, chest, arms, stomach etc.

6. Let It Dry!

Just like painting your nails, as soon as you've applied it, you all of a sudden just have to have a quick look in that magazine, or check something on your laptop (ah, irony). After all your hard work, you don't want to go ruining it for the sake of letting it dry for 10 minutes. I've even resorted to using a little heater to speed this process along. Ensure your skin is dry before dressing, and try to wear loose clothing if you have to dress immediately after (I usually wear PJ's as the tan will rub off on your clothes).

7. Wash It Off

If you're using a wear off fake tan, then you'll get the results after washing the tan off. Most products say to leave it about 4-5 hours to develop. I usually leave it over night, and wash it off in the morning. This allows it plenty of time to settle. Whilst washing it off, make sure you get water every where you have the tan. Plenty of times I've got out of the shower, forgot about a patch on the back of my leg and I have a water line down it. If you wake up in the morning and sections look darker than others, don't fret! Washing it off removes a lot of the excess and streaks. Remember not to rub yourself dry with a towel, but to pat dry. Washing it off also lightens the colour, massively. So if you're worried you have applied too much, chances are it's going to fade by about half the colour aftter washing anyway.

8. Use Hairspray

If you want to wear the dreaded white after applying tan, or, if you're like me - a bit of a sweaty Betty, it can be a little bit tricky. To avoid rub off, I spray hairspray wherever this may occur, and WALLA! No rub off.

9. Exfoliate - Again

Once your tan is on and going strong, you need to use exfoliator to keep it looking fresh. I know, it sounds crazy right? The tan will eventually start to wear off (cry) but to make sure it wears off equally, you need to exfoliate (albeit, lightly). By doing this, the tan will fade, but fade naturally. If you don't, you run the risk of having patches of rub off - it doesn't look good.

10. Moisturise - Again

To keep your tan fresh, again you need to put the work in. Moisturiser will help keep the tan long lasting, and some even enhance your tan.

Some Extra Tips

• If you're a beginner, it's always a good thing to start off using a wash off tan to get the practice in. This way, if you make a mistake, you can simply wash off and start again

• Try to avoid a lot of white - the hairspray trick can only go so far!

• Invest in an exfoliating glove - this is probably one the best things you can use to get any unwanted patches to leave!

• Shave beforehand - if you shave after you've applied the tan, it strips some of the tan off, so you're left with paler legs than the rest of your body. Be sure to use moisturiser after shaving and to let your legs settle otherwise you'll get little dots where it's gone in to your pores.

Getting That Dark Tan

If you want a really dark tan, then follow the above steps by fake tanning the night before as normal, then repeat the process just before heading out without washing it off. This may be a cause for concern if someone tips a drink on you, but it's a risk you gotta take if you want that extra tan. You can also double up (or triple up!) at the beginning stage. Doing two layers of it will increase the colour after wash off.

Like what you read? Follow me on BlogLovin' to keep updated with all my posts

My Fake Tan Obsession

Having been very light skinned and being ridiculed for it when I was younger, when fake tan hit the high street I thought I'd found my saviour. Being called Casper, milk bottle and Snow White to name a few from the others kids in school, I quickly grew a hate for my ivory skin tone. What my Nana would always tell me was beautiful, I found quite frankly, embarrassing.

I was the skinny, pale kid, who got tested for Anaemia almost every time I went to the Doctors. Including a time I went with my mother - to her appointment. The Doctor took one look at me and said he needed to immediately test for it - again. 

No, I'm not anaemic, I'm just pale. 

I first started using the fake tan wipes. You could get them so cheap in a local pharmacy. People didn't really use fake tan then, but I remember feeling so happy that I could go to a party and not feel embarrassed about my colour. Fake tan slowly started growing, until it began to be a normal sort of thing. I remember my mother bought a bottle of St. Tropez mousse. We literally had it for ages (it was that rare she'd let me use it) and shared it between us - special occasions I was allowed it for!

As I've gotten older, I've learnt to get along with my skin better. It's still very much a working progress but I definitely don't feel the need to tan as much as I used to. I used to tan almost every week. Same routine. Now I usually just tan for occasions.

I got to a point where I'd feel so ugly without it. I still get that from time to time now, but like I said, a working progress.

I don't know if it's a sign of getting older, or if I'm just sick of pandering to other peoples opinions, but I just don't care as much. I'm not going to lie, I don't think I could go 'out out' without any tan on mind. I like dressing up too much and this is definitely part of my routine! 

I remember going to the Beauticians and getting my eyebrows waxed when I was about 12. The lady was talking about my freckles (I'd just been on holidays), I quickly started slating my skin tone and my freckles. She said to me, "a face without freckles, is a sky without stars." It really stuck with me.

I've become sort of a fake tan ambassador over the years. When people try to understand why I'd rather take a bottle of the good stuff on holiday with me than lay in the sun for hours, they just don't seem to get it. My logic is; I'd rather be sticky for a bit whilst the tan dries, than ruin my skin for a pointless sunbathe that's only going to leave me raw and sun burnt. I have a much higher risk of sun damage due to having blue eyes and fair skin. So, to me, this is a no-brainer. 

Coming back from Dominican Republic when I was around 19, got on the plane and a member of the Cabin Crew turns to me and goes, "Oh, you've been hiding from the sun for two weeks, have you?" and let our a massive laugh. It was as I was walking up the aisle of the plane. I was so embarrassed.

The many years of tanning experience I have had has left me with a lot of handy tips for the perfect tan. Check out my guide to a better fake tan here.

I still haven't been able to find a foundation that I like with my skin tone. I've tried quite a lot of different ones, but I find I need more coverage without tan on. Because of how light I am you can see any blemish I have really easily (nightmare)! 

Are there any you can suggest?

A mistake I have made (which I'm trying to conquer now) was to only buy make-up for when I had tan on. Which left me wanting to not go bare even more. I'm now starting to build up my pale collection, just as much as my dark.

What's your take? Are you a fan of the tan or do you prefer au naturel?

Like what you read? Follow me on BlogLovin' to keep updated with all my posts