Makeup

The Best Foundations for Really, Really Fair Skin (Like, Glow in the Dark)

Does your skin tone fall somewhere between "ghost" and "paper?" Our resident pale-faced expert found the best foundation brands for you

by Allie Flinn | 4 COMMENTS

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Dolce & Gabbana The luxury beauty brand makes some gorgeous (albeit pricy) foundations, but when I think of all the money I've wasted on less expensive foundations that weren't quite the right shade, these are totally worth skipping a couple weeks of Starbucks runs. Ivory 50 in Perfect Finish Powder Foundation, $60, is the lightest powder I have ever seen that isn't a translucent setting powder. Apply it wet for a velvety, semi-full-coverage finish. Buff it in dry and it offers medium coverage, and is relatively neutral (but skews slightly pink). Classic 60 and Natural 70 are also mega-pale shades that would work for pink and yellow undertones, respectively.

Ivory 50 isn't available in the brand's liquid formulas, but Classic 60, Bisque 75 (for yellow undertones) and Beige 78 (for more neutral tones) are buildable, medium coverage options in the brand's Perfect Matte, $67 and Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation, $60.

Cover image via Imaxtree

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What happens when your skin tone is too fair for foundation shades with names like "Alabaster" and "Siberia?" If you have a vampire-like pallor like I do, you know how frustrating it is to think you've found the Holy Grail foundation shade for your fair skin, only to have it turn orangey-pink in natural light.

So I, resident pale-faced expert of the Total Beauty team, went on a quest to find the best foundation brands for the paper-white population. Whether you prefer liquid foundation, powder foundation or tinted moisturizer, there's something for everyone and a little bit of everything here. Don't fight your transparent skin tone -- embrace it. Click through and tell us: Which foundation do you rely on for your fair skin?

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