When putting together a look for pale skin in an interview situation, I think it's a question of balance. On the one hand you want to look "alive and well" but equally you don't want to look overdone or that you are trying too hard.
Obviously the type of makeup you go for will depend on the kind of job you are going for, and other factors such as your hair colouring, outfit etc. But I would say the overall rule is to ensure that your skin looks glowing and perfected (think good skincare underneath!) but also your features defined.
For interviews or jobs where I am required to wear all or mostly black, I will sometimes be bold and wear a red lip. However I normally play it safe with a soft pink close to my own natural lip colour. Remember you can always play with the eye colours a little to balance out a more understated lip.
Ultimately you want to look professional and well put together, but equally confident that you've chosen the right products and tones for your colouring. Leave extra time to do your makeup and always check how you look before you leave the house in a mirror using good natural light.
Oh and follow my top tips!.....
BASE:
I don't always use a primer, but if I do the one I have been using lately is the Benefit Porefessional Primer. This is great if you intend to be wearing your makeup for a long time such as if you have to travel to get to your interview. This just gives it that extra staying power and helps to avoid slippage later in the day.
My go to foundation for the last few months has been the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation in the shade BR10. I love that it can be worn as an everyday foundation and doesn't feel heavy or cakey on the skin, but equally can be built up for areas where extra coverage is needed. This is a perfect foundation that is mid coverage and ideal for when you want your skin to look enhanced but not overdone. BR10 also looks alot paler on than it does in the bottle and is the only foundation I can use without having to custom mix it with white.
For years I have repurchased the Collection 2000 concealer in Fair. Sometimes I will wear it on it's own to cover my scarring/darkness around the eyes. It's thick and full coverage yet blends seamlessly with any foundation I pair it with. For £4.19 you just can't go wrong!
I also use another gem from Collection 2000 to set my makeup. Their pressed powder in the shade 18 Ivory is finely milled and not at all "powdery". I use this over any areas where I have concealed heavily and through the t-zone.
COMPLEXION:
When you add a base to pale skin more often that not you will knock out any natural flush to the skin. It's really important to use either a light dusting of bronzer as a contour, or a touch of blush on the apples of the cheeks. I very lightly apply the Body Shop Bronzer in shade 2 followed by Bourjois cream blusher in nude velvet to the apples of my cheeks. If you do both softly and build up it will give the face some colour and life without over doing things. Avoid orange/deep brown colours at all costs!
EYES:
A new purchase of mine has been the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara. Firstly it has gold packaging (and what's not to love about that!) I love that it gives a dramatic result but isn't too much and doesn't flake like previous drugstore mascara's I have tried. The brush also allows for a soft application on one side but then a much more fuller coverage on the other, giving you control on how much you want your lashes to be defined.
For those eyes - think soft browns for eye liner and cut crease. I also like cool golden tones and dusty pinks. I love my Pixi palette however it is now discontinued as they change up their makeup lines quite frequently according to the season. It may be worth investing in one of the naked palettes if your budget can stretch.
The Sleek eye palette in Storm is great as it contains shades which can be used as a base, crease and even for brows. A great all rounder and even has a handy mirror too (unless you drop yours like I did mine!)
A cheaper alternative would be the H&M Nudes palette which I picked up for around £3. I apply these as a base for my eyeshadow using a damp eyeshadow brush for extra intensity and staying power.
LIPS:
I find Barry M Lip Paints to have excellent staying power and they are massively underrated amongst bloggers. They pack a punch but are equally long lasting and comfortable to wear on the lips. I love the Seventeen Lip Liner in Valentine to give even better staying power.
A handbag friendly alternative would be one of the Revlon Lip crayons. The shade Elusive is perfect on pale skin and is incredibly easy to wear even on no makeup days. Equally Collection 2000 Lipstick in Satin Bow has always been a firm favourite of mine and I sometimes mix them all up to create a custom shade.
NAILS:
For an interview I tend to play it safe with one of my Barry M polishes as they give a great finish and dry fast too... perfect for the last minute night before preparations! My favourite shades include Lychee, Cappucino and Berry Cosmo.
