Beyond the Pale

With summer in full swing, almost everyone is obsessed with having a great tan. For a great part of my life I seriously envied people with tanned skin. Every summer holiday I vowed to return with a beautiful caramel complexion. Alas, I started every new year with a reddish glow, peeling skin and freckles. It has only been relatively recent that I accepted my pale skin thanks to so many celebrities that have ensured that fair skin has made a major comeback. Movie stars who are famous for going au naturel include Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow.  Even younger talent such as Emma Stone, Kirstin Dunst and Dakota Fanning are renowned for their porcelain skin,  which just shows paleness equals class and beauty. So, who do you consider fairest of them all?

Florence Welch in January 2012 'Vogue'. Photographed by Mario Testino for 'Vogue'

Nicole Kidman in February 2011 'Harper's Bazaar'. Photographed by Alexi Lubomirski for 'Harper's Bazaar'

Emma Stone in August 2011 issue of "Vanity Fair". Photographed for "Vanity Fair" by Patrick Demarchelier.

Julianne Moore- The face of Talbots. Photographed by Mert & Marcus.

Nicola Roberts in February 2012 'InStyle'. Photographed by Robert Wyatt for 'Instyle'.