Recently Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud ditched her usual fake tan and appeared au naturel, which caused quite a stir. She looked amazing with her pale skin and red hair. And she’s not the only celeb who has decided to ditch the tan. Dita Von Teese, Lily Cole and Gwyneth Paltrow are all proof that you can be beautiful, and successful with pale skin.

‘Pale skin is a chic, classy, beautiful look that’s been gunning for a renaissance,’ says celebrity make-up artist Lee Pycroft. ‘It’s been cherished by the fashion world for several years – think of all those Prada campaigns with Karen Elson – and now it’s taking centre stage.’ My message to women is stop hiding behind the bronzer and just embrace your skin colour,’ she says.

The trend for paleness is also about women wanting to protect their skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Keeping out of the sun means the skin ages more slowly and that means people look better.

Now I’m not really one to comment as I don’t think I have ever left the house without bronzer on, and as bas as I know they are I have been in a sunbed or two. But for the next two weeks, I have vowed to adopt a no tanning policy that even includes no bronzer. So after the next few weeks we will see if tanning can really be a thing of the past for me.

Wanting to try out the pale look for yourself? Here’s how:

Foundation: skin should be flawless. Go for a light-reflective, non-matt base and apply only where needed. Try Rimmel Renew & Lift.

Powder: apply a sheer face powder with a brush not a puff. This allows your natural oils to come through rather than creating a matt finish.

Blush: brunettes, go for a rosy blush along your cheekbones à la Dita Von Teese. Blondes and redheads, choose a soft pale pink or apricot and blend a little taupe just under your cheekbones for definition.

Eyes: soft, smoky eyes and black mascara is all you need.

Lips: deep red lips complement pale-skinned brunettes. Dab red on to your lips with a finger for a more wearable stain. Try Mac lipstick in Mac Red. Blondes and redheads only need a nude gloss.

Body: mix an untinted body-glow cream like Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Body Gloss with a pale liquid foundation. Apply to the décolletage, arms and legs. Alternatively, Mac Face and Body, is great as it hides red blotches and adds a beautiful sheen.