When it comes to shopping on the high street for a pale skin tone this is where you can see a real difference between high-end and high street. Most foundation ranges just don't offer a broad enough spectrum of shades, resulting in both light and dark skin tones generally not being catered for. This can also be a problem with concealers, I know I've struggled to find a brightening under-eye concealer for years because even the lightest concealers are that touch too dark, and of course the same for face powders though opting for a translucent powder is an easy fix/substitute.
But thankfully due to my makeup obsessed ways and determination in finding face products that match my very pale skin I have discovered some great products that should be suitable for even the lightest of skin tones. Below are just a few of my favourites, though I've also made sure to include other product suggestions to suit different needs/wants.
FOUNDATION
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
010 - Light Porcelain - £8.99 Tesco in-store
If you read my blog often you will know this is a fairly new foundation for me, though it's one that has been raved about so much in the past year or so. What sparked my interested other than rave reviews was Rimmel had actually increased the shade range and added an even lighter shade with '010 Light Porcelain'. I will admit most stands I visited didn't stock the newer lighter shade but as I found it in a Tesco store and Tesco Direct do sell it I'm quite certain most Tesco stores will have the newer shades (though it's still worth checking the Rimmel shade in both Boots and Superdrug if you are out shopping). Amazingly this is the lightest foundation I've come across on the high street and if you don't mind the added sparkle it contains it could possible be a winner for very pale skin. However Rimmel do offer the same shade (010) in the Lasting Finish Nude Foundation (£7.99 - Boots here) if you want a non-shimmery medium coverage foundation - I've good things about this one.
Other foundations suitable for porclain complexions
All Max Factor Foundations - Over the years Max Factor foundation have been some of my favourites. Sadly it seems my favourites are the ones that get discontinued but still their lightest shade in all their foundations are perfect for porcelain complexions that are more cool toned and lean towards needing pinky toned foundation. Definitely worth swatching!
All Bourjois Foundations - Not for the super pale but great for warm undertone pale skin tones as all Bourjois foundaions are fairly yellow toned. In summer their lightest shade ' Light Vanilla' is a pretty good match for my skin with my favourites from the range being Bourjois Healthy Mix and 123 Perfect Colour Correcting Cream.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream (light) £8.00 here or in-store - Another new buy for me but one I know I will love on simple makeup days and in summer. Yes, it's not a foundation but if you are after light coverage then this is worth trying out. A great neutral shade here that just evens everything out.
Revlon Age Defying Advantage Makep Foundation (Bare Buff) £13.99 Boots here - I haven't actually tried this one out (in fact I've never tried any foundation from Revlon - shocking I know!) but a friend suggested this when I mentioned I was writing this post. I've looked at swatches and it is surprisingly light and seems a good option if you have dry or ageing skin.
Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Foundation (Light Pink) £12.00 Avon here - This is a foundation range with a lot of shades! In fact when this range launched I got sent them all and didn't have a clue what to do with them all! But it did help me find the most perfect cool toned foundation for pale skin. This as for may have guessed from the shade name is fairly pink toned and is great for soft porcelain complexions and concealing redness.
No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation (Calico) £13.50 Boots here - No7 offer quite a wide range of shades, so thankfully they go quite pale. I do find all the palest shades are quite neutral so they are neither pink or yellow toned, but I like that. This is a great foundation if you have oily skin and want a matte finish. But all the foundations from No7 are worth looking at. P.S Don't be put off by the counter staff! They aren't pushy and actually quite helpful, but will leave you alone if you say you're just looking.
Makeup Revolution The One Foundation (Shade 2) £4.00 here - Another huge foundation range and also one with the lowest price tag! Makeup Revolution have come out with some amazing products and this is one of them. Shade 2 is a lovely light, though fairly runny, foundation that's quite neutral toned and will suit both warm and cool undertones. The range also offers a pure white foundation which may be good to add to foundations you have bought but have found too dark, though I haven't tried it out - yet!. MR are now is many Superdrug stores - you can find the list of stores here.
CONCEALER
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer
Light - £8.49 Boots here
This was a concealer/highlighter I just had to mention as I use it most times I apply my makeup. Lightly yellow toned when swatching this actually diffuses out to a lovely brightening concealer that is perfect for using next to the outer corners of the eyes, along the brow bones and basically anywhere that needs pepping up and lightly concealing at the same time - great for tired skin days. I also like to use this under a more full coverage concealer under the eyes as it just adds a slightly brightened effect.
Barbara Daly Even Smoother Eye Primer
Vanilla - Reduct £1.50 Tesco
This was a product I was in two minds about featuring as the BD line has been discontinued and products are currently being heavily reduced in price to clear them. So this product may or may not be available anymore in your local store! But if it is then seriously this is a run and grab product. Eye primers that are clear or don't change the colour of the eyelids are easy enough to find but if you are wanting a primer to also conceal pigmentation/veins/redness then getting a pale one is important. I was yet to find one, until I tried this one and was amazed I hadn't heard great things about it on blogs upon trying it out. This not only brightens the eyelids but hides any redness/veins on the lids and really just smooths things and of course helps eyeshadow stay put. I will actually be going back to the Tesco I found this in to pick up some back-ups before it's gone forever.
Other concealers for pale skin tones
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (Fair) £4.19 Boots here - I couldn't not mention this concealer could I? This is the most raved about concealer online and rightly so. The lightest shade is suitable for pale skin and is lovely and creamy with good coverage.
No7 Match Made Concealer £7.50 Boots here - This range contains a massive 17 shades, with the lightest two offering options for both warm and cool pale skin tones. I personally love this as I have combination/oily skin and it's ideal for oily blemishes but for that reason anyone with dry skin should strictly avoid it.
Revlon ColorStay Concealer (fair) £6.99 Boots here - Another great light enough concealer here that will cover blemishes and dark circles. Good for combination to normal skin.
POWDER
L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder
Light Skin £6.99 Boots here
There's nothing worse than trying out a new powder over your perfectly made up face only to find that it's made your face look cakey and orange. But thankfully with new lighter powders that can be a thing of the past! This is one of the new good ones that I love to use with a large fluffy powder brush down the T-zone of my face. This actually looks quite a cream shade in the images above but in fact is more neutral than that and a step above a transculent powder, giving you a softer look/finish to the face. This keeps my oily t-zone at bay for most of the day.
Other light face powder recommendations
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Translucent) £3.99 Boots here - This was the first translucent powder I came across and really loved. Even though I now love my Clarins Loose Powder oh so much I still come back to this from time to time and take it on holidays as loose powder in a heavy jar is far from practical. What I love about this powder is that it's so light and finely milled that it doesn't look at all heavy on the skin or adds that over matte look to the skin. Also as it is a translucent shade there's no chance of it changing the shade of your foundation. A must buy if you are looking for a new powder to remove shine or set makeup with.
Bourjois Java Powder £9.99 Boots here - When you think setting powders you instantly think mattifying but if you want a dewy look or you have dry skin but still want to set your makeup then there a very few high street products out there. But thankfully Bourjois have brought back their Java Powder and I personally love it! This really is one to use sparingly on a large powder brush but it can be used over the entire face to give a slightly radiant look. The powder also makes the skin feel silky soft and has that vintage scent to it (though it does die down). This is definitely a unique product but if you're after a setting powder that won't mattify the skin then this is the powder for you!
Woosh, what a post! I do get carried away once I start writing.
Hopefully I've pointed out a few products that have piqued your interest. I'm always on the look out for more so if you do have pale skin then let me know your favourite base products in the comments!
Fee xo.
