Pale Fire

With all the talk about sun protection, I thought I would address a related theme this week: embracing fair skin.

Before Coco Chanel made a tan chic—working classes couldn’t afford to travel to the Riviera to lie in the sun—pale skin was highly regarded as a sign of privilege and wealth. Many cultures from the Egyptians to the Court of Louis the XIV took great pains to make the complexion look as light and flawless as possible, even going to extremes such as applying a concoction of lead, horse manure, vinegar, and perfume on the skin. That certainly doesn’t make me pine for the "good old days!"

I believe there is beauty in embracing whatever skin tone you are gifted with, be it ebony or porcelain. The question is how to make the most of lighter complexions during the summer months, when "everyone else" seems to be sporting some color.

Here is my recipe to spark the pale fire:

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