Do you use make-up? If so, why and what types?

[Heather Shay]

Do you use make-up? If so, why and what  types?

[KathyLauren]

I did early on, out of necessity.  Regardless of how close you shave, beard shadow shows through.  I just used a bit of foundation, setting powder and blush. 

 

I didn't use much eye makeup.  I started out with a bit of eye liner, but I thought it gave me a "trying too hard" look.  So I mostly didn't use any.

 

With covid and masking, I stopped using makeup altogether.  Why bother when no one can see your face and the mask smears the makeup anyway?

 

When restrictions were lifted, I didn't go back to wearing makeup.  My face feminized quite nicely over the first few years of HRT.  I'll never be pretty, but I look more female than male.  (Or I like to tell myself that anyway.)  With several years of electrolysis, and with what facial hair remains turning white, I don't have much beard shadow, so there is nothing to cover up.

[April Marie]

I admit to wearing make-up. Actually, I'll admit to enjoying wearing make-up. For me, it's been part of learning about myself as a woman and finding a style and look that reflects my personality. 

 

Sometimes, it will just be a bit of mascara and a touch of lipstick. But, most often I wear foundation with setting powder, gel eyeliner, mascara, a little blush on my cheek line and lipstick. I also use an eyebrow pencil to darken my brows a bit.  Infrequently, I will add some eye shadow.

 

Most of my make-up is from Mary Kay although my lipsticks or from various manufacturers and eyeliners are mostly Maybelline. My wife purchases most of her make-up from Mary Kay and so we order together from our local representative. Of course, I don't have much brand experience but I'm happy with the Mary Kay products and find myself transitioning almost entirely to their line of make-up.

[Jani]

I used to but now its just lip gloss every now and then, in a subdued tone.

[Justine76]

It's something I'm just learning but I find I actually enjoy the 'craft' of it in addition to how it makes me look. Even after a fresh shave, I have a mild 5'clock shadow. For me, the primary use of makeup is to get rid of that. I'll start with the orange concealer over facial hair areas and a bit under my eyes. Liquid foundation over that and light concealer used judiciously over that (still dialing that part in). Then just a tad of powder to bring color back in certain places. There are a number of Youtube tutorials on that layering process. 

 

I'll also pencil in my eyebrows a bit since they're blonde and otherwise not very visible. Sometimes I'll get adventurous and give mascara a try but that's a delicate skill and usually I mess it up. I don't particularly like lipstick, but just ordered a 'lip pencil' to experiment with. Hoping for a more subtle effect. 

[Ivy]

I don't use it.  

One of my daughters gave me a little to experiment with, but I haven't.  My youngest tried to put some on me once, but I din't like it.  The light was pretty bad admittedly.

My ex didn't use it, and my daughters didn't use it much either when they were still at home.  (If so it was very subtle)

And I don't often notice it on women my age (mid 70's)  

I shave every day.  But my beard is not heavy, and essentially grey, so it's not real noticeable unless you get close with good light.  I was starting to look into electrolysis, but the pandemic hit, and I just kinda dropped it.

 

Sometimes I do wonder about it though.

[Jet McCartney]

I'm ftm but I still wear makeup on occasion to cover up my rosacea. Just primer and sunscreen usually. Sometimes I'll fill in my eyebrows too

[awkward-yet-sweet]

I didn't use makeup even in my girl form.  And certainly not now in my boy form.  I don't even like sunscreen...it just feels greasy.  I've always disliked putting stuff on myself.  Partly because of the physical feeling, and partly because I don't want to pretend to anybody. 

 

My partners are mostly the same...makeup isn't really a thing for our faith.  But my GF and husband have one particular vanity - covering up gray hair.  IDK if I will feel differently when I start getting some of my own, eventually.

[MirandaB]

If I'm doing something where I interact with people for any length of time I usually do something with my eyes (mascara, brow fill-in and taming). Bigger events I'll do some makeup but always try to be as subtle as I can, plus I think my freckles make me seem younger to people. I know it's too much when my brain suddenly thinks "clown!"

 

 

[Mirrabooka]

I don't use makeup, but I am starting to become interested in it. It always seems like I'm looking for the next step in my journey, even though I'm non-committal. Makeup could be it.

 

A hack that my hairdresser suggested to control frizz was to smear a bit of moisturizer over my hair. To paraphrase from one of my favorite childhood books, "Never apply a lot. Just so much, and no more! Never more than a spot! Or something may happen. You never know what!" 

 

One day I applied more than a spot, and not knowing what to do with it, I wiped the excess over my face. It felt nice and I have kept it up since. 

 

It's a start.

 

 

[KymmieL]

I do have make up but do I use it. nope. it was mostly purchased as Sephoria. Some at wallys. Only thing I use on a regular bases is lip stick or gloss.

 

With my wife not using makeup at all. Mine is hidden away.

 

Kymmie

[Lydia_R]

I see myself as athletic and makeup is not a part of that.  I've always been curious about lipstick and I do dress up quite regularly.  I'm certainly much more into clothing than makeup.  I don't own very many clothes either because I have minimalist tendencies.  I have been curious about lipstick and bought it for the first time a couple months ago.  I tried it twice and didn't like the kind I got, and then I tried again a couple days ago.  I got a nice hot pink this time that I'm happy with.  I'll experiment with it slowly and see if there is a keeper there.

[KayC]

If I am leaving the house I will almost always do makeup.  Not over-the-top but enough to feminize my face (eye shadow, mascara), lipstick, and a light cover of a concealer and foundation.

I found my favorite lipsticks are Maybelline.  But the concealer/foundation I 'discovered' in Neutrogena Hydro Boost - Hyaluronic Acid based.  For 'older' gals like me I find it moisturizes and doesn't dry into those annoying fine lines (I have enough of those already). 

 

Hopefully, after facial hair removal I might not feel the need as much.

[MaeBe]

14 hours ago, KayC said:

Hopefully, after facial hair removal I might not feel the need as much.

It’s a huge difference, the laser has done wonders. I still have some stragglers, but I hope a few more sessions to try to zap those. Mostly what’s left are the white/blonde hairs, they still need a shave but they don’t really cause me much dysphoria.

 

I do use makeup, I barely go out without liner and mascara these days. Don’t tend to do a full face, but when I go for a little coverage I use tinted moisturizer and a little concealer under setting powder. Here’s me today, with about as much makeup as I go out with (forgive me the wings, I struggled today…), I went and got my hair done, so I had to look good for the ladies. 

 

 

[Justine76]

6 hours ago, MaeBe said:

the laser has done wonders

Certainly considering this. I’ve seen some reports, albeit anecdotal, of laser treatments causing some mild skin damage; like mild pitting, etc. Any validity to this in anyone’s experience? 

[MaeBe]

12 hours ago, Justine76 said:

laser treatments causing some mild skin damage

Three treatments down and my skin is no worse for wear.

[Sally Stone]

I love makeup.  Firstly, I need it to help feminize my facial features, and I'm fascinated by the way it transforms.  I love trying new techniques and new products.  I think the best thing about using and wearing makeup is that helps me feel more feminine.    

[Timi]

I took Maybelline's quiz https://www.maybelline.com/babelline-makeup-personality-quiz and I'm "Perfectly Practical" when it comes to makeup. 

 

I carry three things in my makeup bag in my purse that I use any or all depending on my mood. 

 

1) Maybelline magic eraser/concealer. Pretty much a liquid foundation/concealer in lipstick-sized package with built-in sponge applicator. It rules. 

 

2) Maybelline mascara primer. It's the subtlest of enhancements, yet makes me feel confident in my eye communication. 

 

3) Subtle lipstick in a natural/nude shade. Very slight enhancement that again, is mostly for how I feel. 

 

-Timi

[MaeBe]

3 hours ago, Sally Stone said:

I love trying new techniques and new products. 

To be fair I’m pretty lost when it comes to makeup technique. I’ve watched videos, but I have no idea what works for or would help my features. So I just bungle along, hoping I don’t look terrible. 

[Ladypcnj]

Hi Mae Be, whenever it comes to makeup, there are so many different bands to choose from. Picking out the right makeup comes with trial and error, until you find one that works for you and blends well with your skin tone, some makeup products can leave the skin feeling oily. It's a good idea to look at the labels on the makeup product to know what the creators put in the makeup, just in case skin allergies. Once you found the makeup brand, you can add it to your shopping list, good luck 

[Birdie]

I like ELF brand cosmetics, I can pick them up at JC Penny. 

 

I wear makeup everyday, but mostly just very light makeup. 

[Ladypcnj]

Yeah, ELF is a good brand, another brand is Revlon ColorStay last 24 hours.

[VickySGV]

I do spoken word acting, and give Trans 101 talks and other public speaking.  I wear make-up for those occasions.  Sephora is easy for me to get to, and has a foundation that does a good job for me and the sales folks there are Trans Friendly.  Their eye shadow pallets are also fun to use. Another source of my foundation is Ulta which carries Dermablend that does a consistent job of my lower face and chin.   I just use good old Revlon lipsticks because I ruin them by leaving my purse in the hot car too often.

[Ladypcnj]

Oh, I can relate to that one Vicky, leaving lipstick in hot weather  I've lost count how many times I had to purchase new purses. 

[Sally Stone]

Hey all,

 

It's been a while, but I blogged a whole series on makeup.  It's an eight-part series where I talk about my techniques.

 

Here is the link to Part 1:  

 

 

Hopefully the blog series is helpful.