[tigerblob]

I never tan and I almost never burn, no matter how much time I spend in the sun. Is this because I have no melanin like the OP, or is there some other explanation?

As for fake stuff, sometimes I wear fake tan, I like it for a change, especially in the summer. But I don't mind my natural skin tone, even though it's really dull and grey! I like makeup, I dye my hair and I wear hair extensions and I don't see a problem with it. I wouldn't tell another person to change their appearance!

[Zapperzy]

Originally Posted by Pythia

I'd be interested to know how many of us 'embrace our Irish hair colour'. Fake tan seems to be a contentious issue but no one seems to think it's a problem to dye one's hair. Or am I missing something? Aren't fake tan and hair dye the same thing in essence? Do people have strong feelings about keeping their hair their natural colour?

For the record, I have natural red hair which I did dye blonde for 1 year but have not dyed it since 2008.

Speaking as someone who is a completely natural redhead I do now but years ago I hated it. Even if I have to put up with the constant ginger jokes (although most are light hearted and not meant to offend) and complete strangers screaming ginger out of moving cars. Sometimes I do wish I had another colour, really pale natural blond would be nice, but lately I actually like my hair colour and wouldn't change it even if I could.

[jellygems]

i have olive skin all year round, I cant stand sitting in the sun roasting to get a tan!

i do like my skin colour tho, suits me

[HardLuckWoman]

When I was younger, I would see my mother out sunning herself and thought it was ok to do. So by the time I was in my teens, the first sunny day, I would be out doing the same. Summer after summer it was the same result, I would go red and sore from the sunburn.

It took me quite a while to realise it was never going to happen. Must have stopped at about 22/23 and slap on factor 50. I didnt like the pain of being sunburnt.

I have hundreds of moles and doctors have warned me to stay out from the sun cause im at risk of skin cancer. Its a pity I wasn't given warnings years ago. I got my first warning at 26.

It just isn't worth it. I even bring sun cream with me in my bag and reapply during the day if im out. Some one once laughed at me for that.

And as for fake tan. I just wouldn't feel comfortable. One day you're pale, and the next your brown. It doesn't just happen over night. I would feel quite silly with it on.

[dearg lady]

I don't dye my hair either. I dyed it when I went through my rebellious teenage phase, it was all sorts of colours then! But now it's natural red, and has been for the last 10 years. I'd also be in the not really liking fake stuff group. But I do alter my appearance in some ways too, it's just not something I'm that bothered about. I wear make up maybe twice a week, less in the sun I straighten my hair maybe once a month, otherwise dry natural. I like to paint my toes, they're almost always painted. I have to keep my finger nails really short, and I hate them painted.
I guess we all have our little things we like to do to make ourselves feel better. The important thing is to not make other feel bad cos they make different choices.

[whoopsadaisydoodles]

Originally Posted by dearg lady

The important thing is to not make other feel bad cos they make different choices.

Says it all really

[dearg lady]

Originally Posted by whoopsadaisydoodles

Says it all really

I can be a bit judgemental myself at times though, have to give myself a mental slap when that happens!