Wearing Ivory to the Wedding

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding

April 13th, 2010 @ 4:34 pm by Mrs. Octopus
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Let me tell you something: I am PALE. How pale? The only makeup I use has names like “lightest ivory” and “alabaster”. Once, when I was wearing a skirt, my friend asked me where I had gotten my tights—she thought I was wearing white stockings (ha ha, NOPE! Just my natural skin tone, girlfriend!). I have never in my life gotten a tan, partially because I am basically incapable and partially because I hide from the sun for fear of burns. I could give the Cullen family a run for their money.

Don’t believe me? Check out this photographic evidence of myself, Mr. O, and Groomsman/Brother Adam, in which it is clear that I am literally a different color than the two of them:

Or this one of Bridesmaid Clara and me (I choose not to explain anything else about this picture):

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Party

When I was younger, I used to be embarrassed about it, but not anymore. I have embraced my ivory complexion. I think it’s pretty, and I am definitely not going to try any kind of real or artificial tanning for the wedding. So, now I’m thinking about what kind of makeup would complement my skin tone best. I’ve been perusing the Internet for pictures of celebrities who, like me, have blonde/reddish hair, blue eyes, and cool (i.e. pink) undertones to their skin. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Kirsten Dunst

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Kirsten

(Source)

Nicole Kidman

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Nicole

(Source)

Lindsay Lohan (who is a train wreck these days, but, if you remember, used to be fierce as hell)

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Lindsay

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Lindsay01

(Both from here.)

Amy Adams

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Amyada

(Source)

Christina Hendricks (who plays Joan on Mad Men and is the object of my most passionate girl crush):

Wearing Ivory to the Wedding : wedding makeup pittsburgh Christi01

(Source)

A lot of these pictures have some things in common, like berry/pink lips and using shades of gray to strongly define the eyes. I think it’s really pretty, and definitely the direction I’m going to go for my makeup.

How are you going to use makeup to play up your skin tone?

Tags: makeup, pittsburgh |

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27 Responses to “Wearing Ivory to the Wedding”

1 2 Last

Bee

Mrs. Star (message) 2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I have a skin tone just like yours (and am actually allergic to UV light…crazy, right?) and wore pinky peachy lipstick and grayish silvery eyeshadow, just like you’re talking about. I loved how it looked!

4/13/10 @ 4:40 pm (reply)

Member

bluestuff (message) 254 posts, Helper bee

I’m super pale, too. After spending my teens and 20s worshiping the sun, I freaked out when I got a sun spot (removed by the dermatologist), so no more sun for me! I’m the one with the 45 SPF block! My fiance is naturally more olive-toned, and that’s ok with me. One actress that I found who also embraces the pale is Heather Graham. She’s my wedding make-up inspiration:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-2i3-C1Saeg/RdStqcMydzI/AAAAAAAABMM/Mw1s3IYkBA4/s400/heather_graham_2112.jpg

4/13/10 @ 4:45 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Taco (message) 950 posts, Busy bee

You’re hilarious about your pale-ness I’m actually cool with my skin color, so the makeup artist is just evening out the blotches here and there.

4/13/10 @ 4:48 pm (reply)

Member

cnuptain (message) 330 posts, Helper bee

I was worried about the same thing! I’m very fair (my parent’s nice way of saying I’m pale) and am proud of my daily use of sunscreen. I’m planning to go with the peach-y shades for makeup and my dress is ivory which works SUPER well with our skin tone.

4/13/10 @ 4:50 pm (reply)

Member

Ms. E (message) 132 posts, Blushing bee

I’m beyond pale too. Love your makeup inspiration. I never thought about using gray tones for my eyes. Thanks for the tip!

4/13/10 @ 4:52 pm (reply)

Member

alivoo01 (message) 2,625 posts, Sugar bee

That’s great you embraced your naturale and will be glowing with pride no matter what!

4/13/10 @ 4:56 pm (reply)

Member

KBSept2011 (message) 23 posts, Newbee

I think we are sisters separated at birth. Every post you write is practically from my mouth! I have also been asked about wearing tights when I have not been wearing any. Tons of fun, but I’ve embraced it too!

4/13/10 @ 4:59 pm (reply)

Guest

The Perfect Palette

way to embrace your complexion girl!

4/13/10 @ 5:00 pm (reply)

Member

fromcharleston (message) 651 posts, Busy bee

I once got a foundation sample from Clinique. The woman was like, You wear shade #1. Do you want me to write that down?

Umm…I think I can remember I am the PALEST! hahahah. I’m with you…embrace it!

4/13/10 @ 5:03 pm (reply)

10.

Member

ogreprincessinpink (message) 109 posts, Blushing bee

I’m just like you… super pale, red/blonde hair, light blue eyes. My FI kids that I’m a vampire like the Cullens, since I’m always cold too He looks more like the werewolves though. I’ve started embracing my skin and LOVE Nicole Kidman. My inspiration right there! If I could tan… I probably would… but I turn a slightly darker ivory or red, so it’s not worth it!

4/13/10 @ 5:06 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

Oh my gosh, I’m so pale that I once went to a makeup-store-that-will-remain-nameless for bridesmaid makeup before my friend’s wedding and they had a hard time finding a good shade for me. Seriously, the girl put foundation on my face, made a frowny face and then had to take it off and pretty much dilute a different color to match. It was hilarious. Way to go in representing pale girls and putting great examples all in one place!

4/13/10 @ 5:09 pm (reply)

12.

Member

MJogan (message) 124 posts, Blushing bee

You’re colored like me!! I come in two colors, Day Glow and Lobster Red! My legs, too, have been mistaken for stockings.

My life changed when I discovered “Mauve.” This is the perfect cross between brown and pink shades. I read a recommendation in a bridal magazine for a shade of (maybeline I think?) lipstick called “Mauvulous” for the fair skinned gals. Since then, I’ve bought blushes, eye shadows and numerous lip shades that contain any hint or allusion to the color “mauve.” It’s the perfect shade for fair skin (in this girls opinion)!

Good luck and PS for ALL THE FAIR SKINNED GIRLS: My FI is an *almost* doc and he said you can’t believe the damage the girls who tan regularly cause in their skin. One of these days, pale will be so in! =)

4/13/10 @ 5:16 pm (reply)

13.

Member

MOHmama (message) 404 posts, Helper bee

I’m so white!! And being Asian, I have black hair which makes it stand out more. I can’t tan at all.

4/13/10 @ 5:48 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Nachos (message) 1,734 posts, Bumble bee

I’m concerned about being in the tropics for a few days before the wedding and becoming darker than my everyday foundation. I actually bought a shade darker to pack just in case!

4/13/10 @ 6:10 pm (reply)

15.

Member

Arachna (message) 1,267 posts, Bumble bee

Heh, add me to the chorus. Though I found that ivory was a terrible terrible color for me because, uh, that’s what my skin color is and therefore I fade into the dress and it’s hard to see where I am. So I’m wearing white so that people can tell I’m dressed.

4/13/10 @ 6:21 pm (reply)

16.

Member

jordynrose (message) 6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

I don’t think you are that pale. I mean you can’t see the blood flowing through your veins. As for me, I hope to be mildly tan when the wedding rolls around, so I will need makeup to play up being olive.

4/13/10 @ 6:23 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Octopus (message) 1,446 posts, Bumble bee

@Mrs. Star: I loved your wedding day makeup!
@cnuptain: My dress is ivory too! The pure white made me look like a zombie bride.
@KBSept2011: Haha, that’s so funny! I was in high school when I got the stockings comment and was mortified.
@fromcharleston: I don’t actually know the shades of any of my makeup either, because I always know to just go for the lightest possible one.
@jordynrose: Haha, that’s nice of you, but believe me, I AM that pale.

4/13/10 @ 6:48 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Lauren

i think pale skin is beautiful!!! overly tan can look fake and not cute sometimes.

p.s. christina hendricks looks JUST like Mrs. Meatball!!!! anyone else see the resemblance??

4/13/10 @ 7:22 pm (reply)

19.