Learning Makeup In Person

[Desi]

Has anyone ever been taught makeup classes in person. I have been watching Youtube, but would love to find someone to teach me in person. Where would you suggest I look for such an arrangement, Box Store, Make Up Artist.... I don't know where to start.

 

 

Desi

[VickySGV]

Real easy answer it to go to a Sephora or Ulta Cosmetics store and have them sell you the stuff and put it on.  At certain times of the year Sephora puts on group classes specifically for Trans people.  Go to their web pages, both help Trans, young girls, cancer patients and a few will go even for much older people too,

[Desi]

@VickySGV  Thanks for the advice for Sephora. That was the kind of thing I was thinking about. I will look into that.

 

Desi

[Carolyn Marie]

I agree with Vicky.  That was the first place I went for makeup, even before I starting dressing in public.  The male sales associate was kind, supportive, and I'm convinced he knew by the look he gave me when I said it was for a girlfriend.  They also helped with advice and product selection, and were always kind and supportive.  I still go for hard to find items or when quality is required.

 

Carolyn Marie

[LaurenA]

I had been thinking of them since they opened up outlets in the local Kohl's department stores.  I guess I'll give it a try.

[Sally Stone]

Lauren, I think a personal makeup class is a great way to start, because the instructor can demonstrate colors and shades that enhance your natural complexion.  Personally, however, I think makeup lessons have their limitations, because ultimately, someone else is making you up.  You can see the results, sure, but do you really get to practice the techniques that achieved the end result?  I'm not so sure.  I think the best way to learn makeup application for yourself, is after a lesson or two, to practice on yourself.  It doesn't come easily, but I think I learned a lot more practicing on myself then I ever did sitting in a makeup chair letting someone else make me up.

 

The other thing I did that made a huge difference was to read a makeup text book and try those techniques out on myself.  The book is called "The Art and Science of Professional Makeup."  You can find it at many online used book stores, including Amazon.

 

 

I know, reading a book is old school, but the topics it covers and the techniques it recommends worked so much better for me than anything else.  I think the book is a worthwhile investment anyone serious about learning how to use makeup.  I still refer to it even after having it all these years.

[LaurenA]

Thanks @Sally Stone.  My biggest problems with makeup are based on that I'll be 73 this month and have a face that could be described as experienced.  Most advice found on the web is for younger people.  Even when you search for "senior makeup skills" the results are all for people 15-20 years younger than me.  The only decent advice I've found is to not do your eyes and use very little makeup.  Unless I get feminine facial surgery (which I plan to) putting on a base sort of looks like plastering a wall.  I would like to see what a professional can do with my face and hopefully learn something.

[VickySGV]

@LaurenAThe suggestion I made about Sephora cuts it for senior make-up as well (I will be 75 in a couple of days, and my profile picture is only 14 months old so we older gals can look very good.) 

[Ivy]

12 hours ago, LaurenA said:

I'll be 73 this month and have a face that could be described as experienced.

Yeah, that's me too.

But at this point I don't really have a desire for it.  Most of the women that I see my age, don't appear to use it.  When I have noticed it, I don't like the effect.

[Sally Stone]

I'm right behind you age wise Lauren.  I'm 65 and over the past couple of years, I have had to alter my makeup routine to account for my aging face.  I still use eye makeup, but I use it very sparingly.  Neutral shades on and around my lids with matt colors around the outside of my eyes.  I still have to hide a beard shadow (sadly), so full-coverage foundation is a necessity for me.  However, I did change to a different formula that seems to work better on me.  Lots of trial and error until I found something I liked, and I have no doubt I'll have to change again at some point.  In any case, I agree that less is more when it comes to makeup.  

[LaurenA]

Stopped by a Sephora today that's embedded in a Kohl's Department Store.  Just looked around at the products.  Lots and lots of different brands.  The layout was too open for me, right across the aisle from the checkout area.  I'm going to go to the one in the mall and check that out.

 

@Sally StoneDo you still use eyeliner?

[Astrid]

4 hours ago, LaurenA said:

Stopped by a Sephora today that's embedded in a Kohl's Department Store.  Just looked around at the products.  Lots and lots of different brands.  The layout was too open for me, right across the aisle from the checkout area. 

 

A couple of tips for Sephora. 

 

They hold Bold Beauty classes from time to time especially for trans and non-binary folks (the one I attended several  years ago was early on a Sunday morning, intentionally held before normal mall opening hours, for privacy).  However, these are relatively infrequent and may not be in a location near you.  You can check this page for details and calendar listings -- keep checking back every now and then to see if a class is near you:

 

https://sephoraaccelerate.com/classes_for_confidence/

 

More conveniently, they have YouTube content you may want to check out, starting here:

 

 

You can also go to

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/sephora/tutorials

 

and then enter "Sephora transgender makeup" in YouTube for specific videos on trans makeup.

 

Good luck and best wishes,

 

Astrid

[Sally Stone]

On 1/6/2023 at 1:52 PM, LaurenA said:

Do you still use eyeliner?

Hi Lauren,

I do use eye liner, but I only line the lower lash line.  I have hooded, deep set eyes and I found that by not lining the upper lash line, my eyes looked larger.  I use a black pencil to draw a sharp line right under my lashes and right under that, I smudge medium brown eye shadow, narrow at the inner corner of my eye and getting progressively wider towards the outside corner.  This combination helps to accentuate my deep set eyes by pulling them forward.  I like the effect.