Beauty Clinic: make-up for pale skin
Q. I have pale skin and brown eyes, what make-up should I use to make me look a bit more colourful? A. From your question, we suspect you don't wear make up usually (or not much, anyway). So you would probably feel uncomfortable wearing much more than you are used to. The key with all flattering make-up is to find out what really suits you and what you really need. The goal is to make you look like yourself just prettier, for everyday and for going out. We are just not believers in rainbow shades or butterfly colours, which look great on the counter but are almost impossible to translate into real life in a flattering way, if you aren't a professional make-up artist.
The other factors to consider are time and budget. If you have a maximum of, say, five minutes every morning, stay with the basics: moisturiser, light foundation, concealer if needed, blush, mascara, brow pencil (again if needed), and lipstick.
When you are choosing shades, remember you don't want to change your colouring - simply to enhance it. Foundation and concealer will give an even, smooth finish to your face – remember to let your moisturiser sink in for a few moments before applying your foundation – and then follow your base with blush. This will give you what the wonderful Bobbi Brown (the make- up artist who started her own line of cosmetics for real women some 20 years ago) calls a ‘pop’ of colour.
We suggest you a cream or cream/gel blush rather than powder, which can look a bit heavy or cake-y, too bright or too dark. Dip a ring finger in and just stroke it up your cheekbones, winging away to the temples. Blend it in so it looks really natural. That's the joy of creamy blushers.
Add a coat of mascara (brown/black is usually the best) and some soft rosy lipstick, plus brow pencil if you need. And abracadabra, Cinderella! You will look gorgeous enough to go anywhere.
If you feel you need a few tips on application, and some help with choosing products, we suggest you choose a couple of brands – Bobbi Brown and Liz Earle spring to mind because they are both geared to real women rather than supermodels – and book in for a makeover at a nearby department store. (Yes, Liz Earle now offers make-up - and very fab it is too.) Most consultants will help you for free although some may ask for a small deposit against a purchase. If you don't want to buy, don't! Simply say you will think about it.
So: make-up is fun. Just keep it simple and natural and you will look great.
To find Bobbi Brown at a store near you, click here
Liz Earle Colour is available at branches of John Lewis - for locations click here - or to buy online, click here
PS They have great video tutorials on the Liz Earle site, to help you use the products, so do check these out.