trans specific/very basic makeup tutorials

[LeavesThatAreGreen]

I've been playing around with a lot of makeup I bought on Amazon and I've so far really liked the results but I need to get a lot better at it. I have a kind of feminine face even before HRT, and when I can cover up stubble (which I haven't mastered yet, but almost) I can get a glimpse of what I truly look like on the inside it's really great. That said, I could never leave the house at this point with it on. I end up looking like a dollar store Robert Smith, I have no idea what the heck I'm doing. I get to the point where it looks ridiculously caked on but the stubble still shows through. I mean, I'm getting there, but I have a long way to go.

 

I've found a few tutorials here and there that I've found useful, but most of them assume that you already know the basics, I don't.

[Jani]

Just remember that "less is more".  Keep practicing and you'll see what I mean.  The idea is to have it look natural like there is no makeup on.   I remember my first foray into makeup.  Oh boy, what a mess I was.  It takes time but you'll be fine.

 

Jani

[Raven1981]

As I have learned from Sephora.  Try color correction.  You can get some color correction creams and it works.  Like for instance, if you have some red on your face, go with a green color correction tint.  If you have some dark stubble or dark circles around eyes, then the pink color correction works.  That way with very little color correction tint to netural what your trying to hide, you won't need alot of foundation or concealer.

 

Also, if you have any Sephora stores in your area.  They offer free classes and they are very big in supporting the Trans community.  One class that Sephora offers is the Transgender Bold and Beauty class and it is designed for those who know nothing about makeup and gives you hands in learning, where you do all the work but you have coaches there to help assist you.  They also help with getting your color IQ and what shades you should look at and what type of look are you going for.

 

So if you have any Sephora stores in your area.  Look them up.  They are very inclusive and supportive and helpful to the Trans community.

[LeavesThatAreGreen]

Just now, Raven1981 said:

As I have learned from Sephora.  Try color correction.  You can get some color correction creams and it works.  Like for instance, if you have some red on your face, go with a green color correction tint.  If you have some dark stubble or dark circles around eyes, then the pink color correction works.  That way with very little color correction tint to netural what your trying to hide, you won't need alot of foundation or concealer.

 

Also, if you have any Sephora stores in your area.  They offer free classes and they are very big in supporting the Trans community.  One class that Sephora offers is the Transgender Bold and Beauty class and it is designed for those who know nothing about makeup and gives you hands in learning, where you do all the work but you have coaches there to help assist you.  They also help with getting your color IQ and what shades you should look at and what type of look are you going for.

 

So if you have any Sephora stores in your area.  Look them up.  They are very inclusive and supportive and helpful to the Trans community.

 

Yeah, I've been thinking this, I'm going to order some pink color corrector and medium liquid foundation and a couple other things tomorrow. My most successful attempt thus far was using some pink shadow from a really cheap eye shadow set, but I only had powder foundation and liquid concealer, so it looked incredibly caked on it was ridiculous, so at this point I'm going to try primer > liquid foundation > pink color corrector > loose powder/powder foundation and see where that gets me.

 

Also I give up on liquid lipstick lol, buying that stuff was a bust. Doesn't matter how hard I try I always mess it up.

[Raven1981]

Try lip liner or the lip pencil.  They work great for me.

 

Also side note, if you have not started yet.  Start on laser and or electrolysis.  Laser is hair reduction and good to start with dark hair.  Electrolysis is permanent hair removal.  Both will take forever to get rid of the hair.  But I can say for myself that I don't really have to use that much makeup since like 75% of my hair is gone.  Now I use contour to help take away from how big my nose and chin are.

 

Like how I said, if you have a Sephora store in your area, check them out.  Also check out the Sephora website.

[VickySGV]

I have been to this class (actually escorting one very nervous lady in waiting) and recommend it at Sephora.  They have made make-up donations for a couple of Trans events I know of as well.

 

https://www.sephora.com/happening/classes/OLR-EC__Pyez0ZzP?icid2=2019-06-has-bold-beauty-lp-banner-d-ufe-image

[Lexi C]

Quote

 

I was tring to leave a before and after pic off me,,but not working. Jani and Raven are totally right, esp Raven.. I think like most of us yr afraid of the looks , stares and whatevers, but know this feeling pretty and looking pretty are two diff things...Super models look pretty, but I known my share of models most off then hate themselves because they don't have the self awareness of feeling pretty. Its all a competition  to  them. As for us,  there's not competition we were born pretty inside so enjoy it and feel the freedom of not having to do a half an eight ball and drink water for dinner just so you can fit in... God( in my case the great spirt) made you beautiful..the rest is profit...Be proud, stay strong and kick ass

[LeavesThatAreGreen]

Thanks for the advice everyone! It might be a minute before I feel comfortable doing anything but ordering makeup online lol, but I'm having fun experimenting and I'll definitely look into Sephora. Like I said, I feel like I can actually clean up really well if I just get the makeup thing right, maybe I'm just delusional, but I don't think so, I have kind of soft features, but facial hair is such a crippling problem for me. I shave and a couple hours later there's hair again, not even stubble. Maybe this'll slow down when I get some of this testosterone out of my system.

[Raven1981]

Just now, LeavesThatAreGreen said:

 but facial hair is such a crippling problem for me. I shave and a couple hours later there's hair again, not even stubble. Maybe this'll slow down when I get some of this testosterone out of my system.

 

 

We here all too well know about facial hair.  Some of us get very dysphoric over it.  Usually for MtF, when you start blocking the Testosterone, the facial hair still contuine to grow.  Facial hair usually has a 4 to 6 week cycle.

 

One of the best things to do and to start now and you will hear alot of others talk about it, is to start Laser or electrolysis.  The facial hair just does not really slow down when on HRT.  But if you can start laser or electrolysis, you will be ahead of the game with getting rid of the facial hair and that will slow the hair growth down and also permanently remove the hair.

 

My experience, is that I have always hated facial hair.  Even before transitioning, I hated facial hair and now with electrolysis, my facial hair is almost gone.  I have such light hairs now that when I do need to let it grow out for electrolysis, no one can see the hair still, even at a week of growth, cannot see any hair, but I can feel it after a week

[Kirsten]

Makeup is all practice. And it’s hard to find shades that fit you at first. But once you get your foundation color correct it’s all about having fun. If you’re “clueless” Sephora is a great option. If you have some skills, and have a female friend you can open up to, that’s a much better option. Sephora is great for a look. But it seems like most girls come out of there with pounds of makeup on. I personally like to wear as little makeup as possible. It’s not comfortable and I work outside so it’d be melting off and look like ? by the end of the day. As Jani said, less is more. And that’s not Sephora. 

The darker your beard hair is, the more orange you’ll need to correct it. I have dark brown hair and used an orange matte concealer (NYX was the brand) or a matte lipstick would work as well. And you only need a little. 

As far as making it better, definitely professional hair removal if you can afford it. Laser is like 3-400 for like 5-6 sessions on Groupon. But it’ll all come back eventually cause it isn’t permanent. But it’s a good quick hitter to see some results if you have dark hair. Otherwise it’s electrolysis. 60-80 an hour and hurts like you can’t really understand till you’ve been in that seat. Lol. But it’s worth it. And it’s eventually permanent.  

Good luck to you! I hope this helps. ?

[Lexi C]

dito

[Lucca]

I got some makeup that was serviceable but pretty crappy from Amazon by just blindly guessing what would work for me, but later after I came out to some friends they went shopping with me at Macy's where a very friendly attendant matched with some makeup, did my whole face, and gave me some samples to keep using before I bought anything. Are you out to anyone who could take you yet? It's way less intimidating if you're not going by yourself.

[OpenHearted]

Thank you for this post. It will be very helpful to me I believe.

[Dearhart]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I HIGHLY recommend Wayne Goss on youtube. He's a professional makeup artist, not "just" a youtuber, who uses his own techniques on himself. He's the entire reason I know what I know about foundation, concealer, mascara, and setting powder. (I have yet to wrap my head around eye shadow). Also, as others have said "less is more". My light touch when applying anything comes from being timid (and frugal), but apparently that's what gets me the most compliments whenever I work up the nerve to go out in public with it on. 

[OpenHearted]

Better late than never and it will help me a lot so thank you Dearhart

 

I went to Sephora about a month ago and it was an excellent experience. I have some pictures that I can share if/when I get to know someone as a friend but for now I have valid reasons for not posting them on the forums here.