Gothic beauty tips for pale skin

Her dark hair shimmered in the moonlight – and it struck her admirer that her skin reflected the colour of that pale orb so perfectly as to seem almost bloodless.

Not pale yet, but want the illusion of pallor? Well, all beauty’s an illusion. So here’s to cheating…

Hands up who’s jealous of the damsel described above?(Raises both hands). Women throughout history have gone to extreme lengths to get the much vaunted alabaster-skinned look, from Elizabeth the First and her lead-based slap to Madame de Pompadour and her arsenic skin whitener.

For those of you that don’t want to look like you’ve rolled around in a vat of gravy browning, here are 10 non-deadly ways to achieve a pale pallor. Or, at least, slightly less deadly than arsenic or lead. Or at least non-deadly to you, though hopefully fatal to the common sense of men in the immediate vicinity.

Regular sun block for pale skin

Apply sun block (of the highest SPF you can find) religiously. This is a lifesaver to many a Goth gal as you can apply all of your normal makeup over the top of it (once it’s had time to absorb).

Natural beauty – DIY skin bleach

To make this incredibly simple DIY skin bleach (located in the lovely and charming Gawthpallor site) you will need:

• a couple of lemon slices
• 1 cup of milk
• yoghurt
• flower water (optional)

Soak slices of lemon in milk for a couple of hours. Strain out the lemon and add the yoghurt to thicken. Apply this cream to your face and body for a few hours so that the bleaching action can take effect. It might be wise to test the mixture on an area of skin that isn’t your face first. If you react badly with excess burning or itching, rinse the skin bleach off. Even if you get any redness, at least the whole world won’t be in a position to learn of your mistake.

Alternatively you can cheat and stick some lemon juice in a glass of milk, then rinse your face with it in the morning.

Talcum powder – the pale skin ubercheat

The stuff that once went on babies’ bottoms now goes on your face. Use it instead of your normal face powder to create an ivory sheen. But be sparing – you don’t want to look as if you’ve tripped up in cornflower.

Clothing protects and accentuates pale skin

The more you keep skin out of the sun the less chance it has to tan, nuff said.

Black clothing will contrast more greatly with pale skin than any other colour, so stick to dark colours near areas of exposed skin, like your face.

Pale skin is contrasted by dark hair

With that in mind, you might want to dye your hair a dark shade, too. Dark doesn’t have to mean black – it can be anything from black to cool brown. However, darker hair is by no means essential – there have been plenty of cool blondes and pallorous pre-Raphaelite redheads.

Cleopatra eyes!

Your eye makeup is going to make a big difference to your skin tone. Black eyeliner is probably your best bet. It will make your eyes look bigger and more defined. People will be helplessly drawn into their dark abyssian depths. Hyponotise these people into doing the washing up.

Face lightening creams

Deep breath… this is a tricky one, as contemporary stores carry very little in the way of face lightening creasm. And I’ve never tried one myself. All I can say is research the product for ill effects as well as positive ones first, stick to the instructions religiously and don’t be tempted to overdo it; there will be results in time.

Alternatively you could fly to Japan; they have an entire section of the beauty industry designed to create ivory skin.

Make your own parasol, darling!

‘Parasol’ means ‘for the sun’ in spanish. A parasol is a great way to avoid a tan and look incredibly stylish at the same time.

Learn how to make your own parasol

Cheat with foundations

Your best bet with the wily beast that is foundation is to get one a few shades lighter that your natural complexion and then powder over with talcum powder. It’s initially a little tricky, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

To whiteface or not to whiteface?

Now, onto the issue of totally white foundation, or gothic whiteface. Yes, you can wear it. And you should wear it! But if you’re going to do whiteface take the time to do it properly. It isn’t a look that most people can do on the way to work/school/soirees. And if you can? Then I’ll be your personal slave for a month if you teach me how – and then I’ll run off with all your teaspoons.

Freckle removers

They may look cute on little girls but god are they annoying when you’re trying for a pre-Raphaelite pallor or the smooth skin of a marble statue. [We love freckles! We love them! – the Eds] Here’s a means to get rid of them. You will need:

• 1 dram citric acid
• .1 oz. glycerine

Mix them together. Apply to freckles three or four times a day.

How to get rid of a tan

You come back from a lovely holiday in the Bahamas to find you have the complexion of a coconut (or lobster). The best way of dealing with this problem is to mix:

• 1/2 pint new milk
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. white brandy

Together, boil the whole then skim it. The resulting concoction should be applied to all tanned areas each morning.

Beauty is skin deep. But if you equate pale skin with the type of beauty you’re trying to achieve – who knows? Maybe one of these methods will work for you.