If you're someone who has extremely fair skin, there are a whole slew of issues that are very specific to you. And having these issues mean that not only do those around you totally not get it, but they also tend to make fun of you for it. It's especially bad in the summer when your paleness is way more noticeable in the midst of people posting pictures of their tans. For all of my fellow pale people, here are some struggles that you've definitely experienced in your life.
1. Never finding makeup that fits your skin tone.
1.Nothing is ever light enough, which means you get creative with it. Using concealer as a foundation or mixing white costume makeup with the lightest foundation you can find are usually the go-to remedies. On the rare occasion you find your correct shade, it’s usually only from the brands that are $50 or more so you are forced to fork over the cash or suffer.
2. Not being able to wear certain colors because they wash you out or make you look like you’ve had a horrible accident.
Yellow, orange, and red are dangerous if they aren’t the perfect shade, and anything ‘nude’ or ‘neutral’ can only be the colors of your accessories, otherwise it looks like you’ve got a skin condition. (Nude nylons are literally the worst for this exact reason.)
3. Worrying about whether or not your skin is blinding the people around you.
Using the flash on your camera is absolutely not an option, both because it will turn you into one big blur of white light and because those around you won’t be able to see afterward. This is also an issue when surrounded by reflective surfaces while outdoors, like large bodies of water or the glass windows of buildings.
4. Getting questions about which mythical creature you’re related to.
If one more person asks me if I’m a ghost or a vampire I’m gonna lose my mind.
5. Always looking sick.
The bags under your eyes show up so much more when your pale skin is contrasting with the darkness, so most of the time complete strangers come up and ask if you’re feeling well because they genuinely think you’re about to die.
6. Your friends comparing their tans and the objects around you to your skin.
If they’re not having a contest to see who’s the most comparable to you, they’re comparing the whitest objects they can find to see if you’re better or worse off- i.e. Elmer’s liquid glue, sheets of copy paper, florescent lights, that pair of white jeans over there, etc.
7. Getting sunburnt even when it’s cold or cloudy.
Just because the sun isn’t out and it isn’t warm, doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t out in full force. If anything, clouds reflect a lot more UV rays down than you’d expect, and snow is also a great reflective surface. Hence why you should wear sunscreen while skiing.
8. Knowing exactly which sunscreen works the best and has the least amount of sticky residue.
As someone with not only very sensitive skin but also a sun allergy (yes, it’s possible; Google polymorphic light eruptions if you don’t believe me), finding the right sunscreen was a process. But once you’ve found the right one, you become a lifelong user.
9. Aloe vera gel and afterburn lotion are always lying around your house.
It’s not unusual to have three different kinds of aloe gel or spray, which means we’ve got plenty to loan out if someone needs it.
10. Finding shade outside is literally a sport, and anything that requires long amounts of sun exposure is a no-go.
Some people can fall asleep at the beach, or go on a walk in a completely open area. You are not that person. You’ve learned to choose outdoor activities that provide as much shade as possible, like forest hikes or anything during the night. Going to the park comes with the “can we sit by the trees over there?” question, and even then you have to ask those around you to help you put sunscreen on your shoulders, just in case.
