Highlighting and Contouring for Very Pale Cool Toned Skin.

Apr 8, 2013

Kim S.

I know how contouring and highlighting works, but for someone with very, very pale skin which has cool undertones it's just hard to know what products to go for. I see pictorials and before and after pictures of amazing contouring and highlighting all the time but I never seem to be able to get it to look so good.
I'm the lightest shade in all foundations I've ever bought and 90% of those are still slightly too dark/warm.
So I wanna know if any of you are professionals, what you would recommend? Or any super pale girls what do you use?

Apr 8, 2013

Shauna S.

I have the same problem. I'm curious as to what products I should invest in as well.

Apr 8, 2013

Kim S.

Thank you :) next time I'm in town I'll check out the benefit one. I'm in the UK so it's harder for me to get NYX. I'd have to get it online which means obviously I can't test it before I buy it :( if anyone can suggest brands that are also available in the UK that'd be even more helpful. Unless you're so sure it'd be right that I wouldn't need to test it :)

Apr 8, 2013

Sarah A.

I've heard NYCs sunny bronzer is great for pale skin.

Apr 8, 2013

Kelly M.

I highly recommend NYX's blush in Taupe. It's much cooler than any other blush shade I've seen, even cooler than most foundations. With it only being around $5US (minus shipping), it's really worth trying it, even if you can't test it out first. I ordered it online as well because none of my local stores carried that color, and it works perfectly for me. And if it doesn't work for your skin tone, you could always use it as an eyeshadow.

Apr 8, 2013

Aimee M.

This probably sounds really off but have you tried eyeshadow to contour? in class we found Sin by ud is an awesome highlighter and there's a myriad of shade selection so I'd go for an eyeshadow to contour if you're finding it hard to match your shade to bronzers etc.

Apr 8, 2013

Elizabeth A.

As an avid NYX cosmetic junkie I would go with those. Idk if you use MAC,but NYX is the cheaper version. I think that if you purchased it online you would be very satisfied.

Apr 8, 2013

Aoife M.

@Aimee I used to always use my ud virgin eye shadow to highlight but it all ran out sin was a bit too pink to use as a highlighter for my skin :)

Apr 8, 2013

Aimee M.

I see but as Kim is cool toned pinky tones would or should match her just fine? :)

Apr 9, 2013

Pie P.

I really recommend, and I'm a redhead, so no pigment at all really!, the balm champagne highlighter "Mary Lou Manizer". Perfect shimmery highlight, great for putting underneath eyes to hide purple circles with the reflective property of the fine milled shimmer. For contour, and that Diana Ross "mahogany" cheek, I swear by MAC powder blush in strada? Not sure if its still available in that color, but it's the perfect shade of camel to rub under cheekbones,(make sure it's in the hollow UNDER the cheekbones...suck on cheeks, helps you see your cheekbones better!) Also great for the side of the nose, forehead, and chin, just to introduce some shape to our pale canvas! They may be more than you want to spend, but I swear, they will last forever!

Apr 9, 2013

Pie P.

*both available online at their respective sites. I swear by the balm highlighter and use it for everything!! It's a must in my arsenal!

Apr 9, 2013

Alice H.

For a contour shade, I'd recommend the Too Faced Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate, it's a lot lighter than the original Chocolate Soleil! I have fair skin, but not quite porcelain, so I can get away with using the original with a very light hand, but I think the Milk Chocolate is a lot more flattering on my skin. Plus, it smells like chocolate!

Apr 9, 2013

Kim S.

Sounds like the NYX taupe blush is getting the thumbs up from most people so I might try that. It does look like a nice colour to use as an eyeshadow if I don't like it anyway :) thanks everyone. I'm still struggling with ideas for a highlight colour though? Pie P has recommended the balm highlighter which might be good for my cheekbones but I don't really want a shimmery highlighter under my eyes because it will accentuate bags. I will check out the 2 that Aleighnna G recommended, I dunno if they're matte or not, but if anyone else has any ideas keep them coming :) maybe it's just too difficult to highlight pale skin, maybe I should only really contour it? I don't know.
I might just wear fake tan for the rest of my life and then I can highlight and contour like a normal person lol

Apr 9, 2013

Alice H.

Kim for a less shimmer/more subtle highlight, I love Lorac's Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder. I currently have a deluxe trial size in Spotlight (which has lasted me basically forever, I haven't even hit pan on it and I've had it for like 8 months), but that shade might be a little dark/golden for you. They do have a lighter shade though!

May 6, 2013

Pie P.

The shimmery highlight under the eye, the dreaded bag!, can actually reflect and diffuse light,(it has to be super quality, fine milled, iridescent powder!) but it will actually decrease the appearance of bags and red toned, purplish, bags.

May 6, 2013

Pie P.

*Especially