Leaves may not be changing color yet, but skin is -- as the hard-earned tans of summer fade away.
For some high school girls, with homecoming lurking just around the corner, this change in complexion is unwelcome; they hit the tanning beds and apply spray-on tans with a vengeance so they'll have a sun-kissed glow in their homecoming dresses.
But spray-on tans can look blotchy and orange; skin cancer is a risk with tanning beds. Maybe it's time to embrace your natural skin color.
Clear Lake High School Senior Erin Rampy, once a homecoming-time "tan-o-holic," says she stopped once she discovered potentially cancerous moles on her back.
"While I wanted to be tan for homecoming, it wasn't worth putting my life in danger," Rampy says.
Rampy's homecoming date, Sam Henderson, thinks a faux glow can look unnatural in the autumn. "Guys really only notice the tan when girls start to look orange," Henderson says.
Professional makeup artist Heather Hughes says when she's working with paler skin tones, she uses softer shades of blush and eye shadow.
"I don't want to create a harsh contrast on the skin," Hughes says.
To create depth, Hughes recommends a dark brown or gray smoky eye (as opposed to black) and cheek contouring.
Regardless of your skin color, you can create a dewy and illuminating look without the sun: "Dab your makeup brush with jojoba oil to get a nice glow without the grease," Hughes says.
For a radiant effect, Hughes also recommends Benefit High Beam, a pink sheer spread for cheeks, under and outside the eye and eyebrow arches.
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