Being Irish and having family from northern Italy, its no surprise that I came out with strawberry blonde hair, light eyes and the fairest skin possible. I burn like it is nobody's business in the summer, tans will never look right on me and flash photography? HA. Forget that one. You understand my struggle? Want an inside look at what its like to be super fair skinned? Here ya go.
1. Flash Photography
Everyone thinks flash photography makes them look better; their hair looks shinier, their teeth look whiter, all that jazz. But for people with pale skin, we just disappear into the background. Literally. We don't get along with the flash.
2. You love winter
You love the winter because nobody can say "Oh I was outside and got this nice summer glow." Where's that glow mid December? Yeah, not there. You feel more one with nature because everyone is (almost) just as pale as you are. I always joke with people that if I stood outside in a snowstorm, you would lose me.
3. No matter how hard you try, you always blush
OMG, are you blushing? I knew it! No, its just because I'm so pale. Whenever I do make up I never need blush, just have someone embarrass me real quick and poof, red cheeks. And the worst part is that no matter the conversation, your face could get red at any second and there is no hiding it.
4. Going out in the sun is definitely an adventure
Fair skin and the sun just do not mix at all. Days out in the sun require a big hat, sun glasses to shield those fair eyes, and at least two, if not more bottles of sun block. I got sun poisoning while wearing sun screen. I'll just leave you with that little fun fact.
5. The fairest make up or "natural skin tone" products are a joke
I get the fairest shade of make up possible and it still looks like its about ten shades darker. People always tell me "Why don't you use the lightest shade?" Uh, I do, but thanks. Shout out to Clinique for having the best make up for my fair skin that looks like I'm not even wearing make up at all. Love ya.
6. You almost have to embrace the sunburn
With fair skin, its inevitable that during the summer or any time out in the sun, you have to wear sunscreen because when you don't...you skin will feel like its on fire 24/7. But when its super sunny out, you know how to handle it. And to all those of you out there who think its funny to slap someone's sunburn, you are one rotten person.
7. Aloe is your BFF
Applying aloe onto your skin after being out in the sun is a necessity with fair skin. Its the best feeling ever to put that on a sun burn. People pack a bathing suit and flip flops for vacation but you best believe that someone with fair skin has aloe packed with them somewhere.
8. Whenever you have an itch, you have to be super careful
If I ever have an itch, I have to be beyond careful because my skin is so sensitive. I'll get a giant red mark after I scratch and its very noticeable. For example, I itched my neck ever so gently this morning and someone thought I had been attacked by an animal. No, just an itch, promise.
9. Trying to find colors that don't wash you out is hard
There are certain colors I will not wear just because they wash me out. Whenever I find a color that I think looks good on me, I stock up on it as much as I can. I joke and say I'm not a color person because I never really wear clothes other than black, white or gray. Its so bad. So many cute clothes that I just can't wear...
10. Trying to find make up that is an actual match for your skin tone is ridiculous
Once you find the one make up that actually matches your skin, oh, what joy! Everyone celebrate! Praising the girls at the Clinique counter who take the time to sit down with me and figure out a foundation that matches my skin tone and doesn't make it look like my face and neck are two different colors.
