I along with many others am a British lady with particularly pale skin. This causes major problems whilst trying to find appropriate skin coverage products, as it often results in a rather unpleasant orange look. Even ranges with a vast array of colours such as No7's Beautifully Matte Foundation come up short for me especially in the winter. I found the shades Calico and Cool Vanilla were appropriate in the summer, but this time of year they just don't cut it. I found myself blending for what felt like an age and still ending up with a colour change in my neck, which certainly wasn't working for me. This led me to accumulating a series of pale skin products that I though I would share with you today!
First things first, primer and foundation. I always use a primer, without fail, I find it results in more even coverage and a much better longevity for the other products I wear. My current go to is Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. A relatively standard primer I massage this in, after using moisturiser, with simply my fingers. This is certainly a higher end primer, but I find that it really helps my foundation last all day. A gel like consistency, no colour is added making it perfect for any skin tone. The swatch is the light one below.
After applying primer I then add a layer of concealer before foundation, but I will speak about that a little later as I also apply a second layer after foundation for additional coverage. Back to foundation, the current one I use is a Korean makeup brand names MCC. I have tried a small range of products from MCC and they all work wonderfully, and are packaged beautifully too. Being an Asian makeup company a much wider range of pale shades are offered, my shade being 001. This is the absolute perfect match for me colour wise reducing the lengthy blending process. The swatch is the left one featured above. It has a relatively thick consistency, yet doesn't cake at all. It is very blendable and can be easily built up for a higher level of coverage, as being a BB cream it is a little thin. It has a rather dewy finish, great for the no makeup look, but also sits well under a matte powder which I use.
Next concealers. I pretty much never have a day where I don't use these somewhere on my face. I mainly have small breakouts around my T zone, and like to add a little extra coverage around these ares. For spots I use a dab of Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in the shade Fair. This adds a much higher level of coverage to spots and red areas with good staying power. For such a cheap product is really is a savior and a favourite of mine. I know many beauty gurus rave about it so I won't go on any longer, but it really is a product I love. It is the paler swatch below.
The more yellow toned swatch is of Maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch in Ivory. Personally I certainly don't think this is a pale concealer even thought it is the palest of the range. I really dislike the application method, as it is one of the little click ones and I find I can never get the right amount of product. However I do find this a good under eye base concealer. The more yellow tones counteract the purple under eye tones, and can then be covered foundation resulting in a even skin look.
Finally I top all that off with a lose powder before applying other products like blush. I find this reduces any unwanted sheen from the MCC BB cream and sets the makeup, making it last too. This is an Autography by M&S Loose Powder. Since I last purchased this the packaging changed to a much more desirable one, but oh well, all the better for repurchasing! This really solidifies the makeup and I highly suggest you use one if you've combination or oily skin.
I hope that helped if you struggle like me to find appropriate products!
Cheerio x
