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How to Look Good With Pale Skin

Jul 29, 2011 / By Amanda Layman Low

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Pale pink blush and natural, muted eye shadow looks best against light skin.

Photo: Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

There are a million good reasons to keep your pristine, pale skin just the way it is. Whether you're protecting your shell from skin cancer, inspired by the cold vampire-esque look that's so hot right now or you're simply porcelain and proud, you can be beautiful with ivory skin. All you need is a stunning combination of makeup, hair color and clothing to put your best face forward.

Find your basic coloring, warm or cool, by holding up a white towel next to your face and looking in the mirror. What undertones do you see? If you see yellow, peach or red, you're warm-skinned. If you see pink, violet or blue, you're cool-skinned.

Pick out clothes that flatter your complexion. Cool-toned ladies rock hues of pure white, turquoise, bright pink, burgundy and black. Warm-toned women look stunning in ivory, yellow-green, bright orange, red and dark brown. But don't take our word for it: the best color for you should mask imperfections in your skin and make your eyes sparkle.

Wear your most becoming colors closest to your face. If bright red makes your face look splotchy, keep red clothing below the waist --- and wear a shirt or scarf that brings out the best in your skin. And avoid complementary colors close to your face: a green shirt may also bring out those red undertones, so opt for blue or yellow, for example.

Stay within two shades of your natural hair color. Dark brown or black hair can make your skin appear ghostlike or sallow. And although you may think blonder is better, think again: too-pale hair can also make your light skin appear dull, and the whitish tones in platinum can bring out the redness in your face.

Add texture and depth to limp strands by adding a few highlights or lowlights to your natural color. Coloring your hair a single shade runs the risk of looking flat, especially if you're dreaming of a gorgeous honey blonde color to bring out the glow in your cheeks.

Pump up your skin's luminescence by picking blushes, powders and eyeshadows with shimmery tones. If your skin is prone to redness, use a lightweight cream foundation to offset those ruddy spots. One rule of thumb for picking out the perfect blush? Pinch your cheeks, and whatever color they appear will look the best on you.

Keep your porcelain coating looking healthy and fresh by moisturizing daily. An oil-free facial lotion with SPF is essential for maintaining healthy skin, and for avoiding those ruddy tones caused by sun exposure. If you're tired of your pale visage and want a golden glow, opt for a self-tanning lotion rather than a nap in the sun. Self-tanners have come a long way since their days of orange streakiness --- now, they're just like having a real tan, minus the UV rays.