For normal people, it's understanding if they get a little paler during the winter months because, of course they will just get tan again in the spring and summer. If you're pale like me, that is NOT the case. People like me are pale all year round no matter what we do! And let's be honest ladies, we call it a "fair complexion," but in reality, it's straight up bordering-on-albino pale. Sorry to break it to ya!
Here are some things you might struggle with if you're as white as rice:
I don't know about all of you, but I get sunburned if I'm outside for even ten minutes. My skin also does not tan at all. I burn, peel, then go back to the same shade of pale I've always been. For me, going outside entails either covering up with layers upon layers so that the blistering, burning sun doesn't touch my delicate and fair skin OR slathering on a pound of sunscreen. And while we're on the subject, let's talk a little about sunscreen... First, if you're as pale as me, you can forget about buying anything under SPF 80. Anything under that won't do you any good, you might as well just be walking around with plain old lotion on. Let's not forget about the smell and consistency of sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen feels as if I've applied some type of oil or grease to my whole body. The smell isn't great, either. Wearing sunscreen smells like wearing a chemical perfume! However, if you want to pay the extra money for organic sunscreen, there are some brands, such as Alba Botanica and Bareminerals, that offer all natural sunscreens that are free of harsh chemicals.
Buying clothes is a whole other exhausting business, too. If I wear white, it washes me out. If I wear black, it makes me look paler than I really am. I stay away from yellows, reds, and bright pinks. Blues are always a good choice for me. A nice pale blue can make anyone look soft and dainty. If I want a more edgy look, I wear a deep purple because it makes my green eyes pop. But it's all about what makes you comfortable. If you like to rock hot pink shirts with black leggings, do it! Everyone has a different style and it is perfectly okay not to care if your clothes make you seem a little paler. A lot of people rock the pale look! And other people might think they look kinda pasty, like me.
Another issue pasty chicks like me have, is that no matter how hard we try, we just cannot tan! Using tanning beds used to scare the hell out of me, (if you've seen the movie Final Destination, you'll understand why) so when I finally got up the courage to use them, I was surprised when I never got tan. I went to tan a couple times a week for about three weeks and after not seeing results, I gave up. Some people might have a different experience, so if you think tanning might work for you then, by all means, give it a shot! There's also the messy business of tanning lotions. I've heard some good things about tanning lotions, but in my experience all they do is turn you orange! Not even kidding. I went through a phase in high school where I thought it was a good look, but seeing pictures from back then makes me question every choice I've ever made. I was ORANGE. But I guess it wouldn't be high school if there wasn't at least one decision you regret. Spray tans are a good alternative, but be careful wearing white as the color might rub off.
Being pale is also a constant struggle of finding the perfect shade of makeup. Foundation is either too yellow or too pink, so I resort to buying two different shades of foundation and mixing them to create the perfect shade for my pale skin. But of course, when I don't wear makeup, people always ask if I'm sick because my shade of paleness is a sickly shade apparently.
If you want to forgo all of this complicated stuff, just stay inside forever! Who really needs the outdoors anyway? Just kidding! I love the outdoors but the outdoors clearly doesn't like me, so looks like I'll be a lobster all summer. *sigh*
