i've all but stopped wearing make-up because i absolutely don't know what looks good on me. i've tried department store counters, but the associates working there seem to indiscriminately tell me that everything looks good in order to make sales.

i'm ultra-pale (think nordic) with dark brownish-black hair. my eyes are odd, with different shades of dark blue, green, grey, and brown popping out at different times. when i think i can wear, for example, green-toned eyeshadow, i catch my own reflection later on and i think it looks hideous. so i just don't know. the only cosmetics i'm wearing regularly are diorshow mascara, black, and a shimmery pink drugstore highlighter cream. how can i find out what looks good with my skintone and coloring?

i would just play around w. different things you think may be a good idea and see how it works out
like try something and then take a pic of yourself and compare it to another pic of you wearing what you would normally wear and see what you think
i am no expert by any means, but have you tried like a plum color for your eyes, like a liner or something?

__________________
should i choose a noble occupation
if i did i'd only show up late and sick
and they would stare at me with hatred
plus my only natural talent's wasted

I myself am white as a ghost with black hair and greeny/blue eyes, I find the right shade of green really brings out the tones in them, like 'Vert' by Urban Decay. I am a massive fan of gold eye shadow, not too gold but just a little! I saw your woman from Scissor Sisters wearing it and she was really pale so I thought, why not?

On a normal day I go for slightly sparkley eye shadow and eyeliner only on the top eye and lots of mascara, with dolly pink blush but only a little!

this is a long time ago but i like green!

Brown is pretty safe. And you can get awesome looks by using different shades.