Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Makeup Advice?


Hammertime

Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

I don’t know a lot about makeup, but I’d like to start using it more. Are there any essential products recommended for beginners to start with?

 

Also, is there any makeup that isn’t noticeable when worn? It would be nice to wear every day, but I’d rather not risk anyone knowing I had makeup on. 


cheers,

 

Hammertime

Link to comment

Hi Hammertime, while most women have skin care regimes that they follow not everyone wears makeup every day, so start by making sure you have a moisturiser.  For the sake of experimenting I would suggest getting a makeup kit (either one aimed at older teens or an adults travel case)  - it will have all the basics and a few brushes, the makeup will not be the best quality but it will help you get practising - unless you are out to any female friends who will all have their own opinion on what constitutes good makeup sellers and would definitely help you out rather than use something that they consider rubbish. The other thing is to make sure you have something to help remove the makeup!

Wearing makeup while looking like you aren't wearing makeup is the golden goal for everyone other than stage performers, but essentially it boils down to picking the right foundation for your skin tones and then blending what you wear in well enough. Less is always more unless you are trying for an over the top glam look. Youtube has some wonderful tutorials. For me personally fake eyelashes and lip gloss can boost my mood really quickly when I can't be bothered trying to "put my face on". Good luck! ?

Link to comment

Excellent suggestion from @DeeDee, start with an inexpensive kit to practice with at home, to get the feel of application.  Nothing too fancy, just the basics and be sure to have remover handy.  I am definitely no makeup artist but I've found a method that works for me.  I always prep with a Dove face wash and a splash of cold water (tightens the pores).  For my androgynous look (stealth makeup around town) I use a powder foundation; it seems less noticeable to me than creams.  No concealer.  I have almost invisible eyelashes, so a light touch of mascara just makes me look "normal".  Be sure it matches your natural color which, for most of us, is some shade of brown.  I lightly pencil in my sparse eyebrows, keeping the shape natural.  Probably want to avoid eyeshadow, but I have found a paIette with a tone that matches my skin and has micro glitter in it that picks up light without adding color.  A very light touch of that with a small brush brightens my eyes, and hides dark circles.  I like tinted lip balm that matches my natural lip color.  Blot off the shine and it looks totally natural.  Be aware that women are very good at noticing changes but if you make the changes gradually, you can probably sneak by.  My gal friends only notice mine once I point it out.  The point is that I can feel it the makeup, I can taste and smell the lip balm and it makes me feel good.

Link to comment

I have worked for Lancome for several year-and cosmetics with skin care are my expertise.

 

To start of, as other members here advised you, go with an inexpensive product and I am choosing for you the brand Revlon.

 

Always apply your foundation to a clean skin, that is important, making certain NO FACE HAIR AND FREE OF FACE FUZZ

 

In the morning, wash your face (make it a habit)

Apply a generous amount of a moisturizer and let it set for some minutes. Then with a Kleenex, tap gently your face skin to have all left residue come  off to the Kleenex.

Apply a BB Cream making certain that you have chosen the correct shade for you.

Apply under the eyes a Concelear ( choose the one shade lighter from your BB cream)

Set your lovely face with Powder (choose the the shade that is right for you. When applying the powder, invest to  powder brush

Apply  two cots of Mascara in black, then

Apply a a lip gloss of your liking.

 

Important to define your eyebrows. I cannot help you in that field as I have not the structure in front of me of your face. But do have a lovely shape, an arc.

 

At nights, do a double cleasing

Take the Day Off with Cleansing Toilettes

Clenase you face with cotton balls Micellar Water

Apply a generous amount of Nivea Soft all over your fave

 

I am attaching a free face guide Guide

 

Link to comment

Lots of great tips here! Thanks for sharing.

 

At this point, my routine consists just of cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and sunscreen. Oh and drinking lots of water. I think skin care is probably the most important part of successful makeup, as you need a good canvas to start with.

 

I have some makeup, but do not use it regularly, as I am not out socially. The most I'll do when going out is use some makeup to hide my perma eye circles (genetics :( from my mom). 

Link to comment

Hammertime,

 

All of the recommendations made by everyone that has commented previously are terrific, however, makeup usage and application is such a personal science.  Therefore, to offer you advice, it would help to know a little more about you and your objectives.  To offer recommendations, I'd like to know if you are trying to hide masculine flaws, or, are you blessed with androgynous features that don't require any camouflage?  Makeup tips that "transform" are quite a bit more involved and require specialized products and techniques that really aren't suitable for genetic women, or those in our sisterhood who possess flawless skin and feminine features.

 

I'm one of those women who uses makeup to help transform and camouflage my masculine features.  To achieve such ends, I apply makeup a little more heavily than a genetic woman might.  Still, with careful techniques and the right products, I have learned to create a very natural appearance.  I can't say that people don't notice I'm wearing makeup, but the way I apply it makes it look natural.

 

So, let us all know what you are trying to achieve, and our advice can be more focused and specific.  

Link to comment
  • Admin
56 minutes ago, Tori M said:

do you any tips on how to minimize the trachea?

 

I am not Sally, but that is best done with accessories such as scarves or even necklaces that draw the eyes to the blings or the patterns.  The Turtleneck top is perfect for winter times and other collars that are a bit full can work in summer and still be light weight..   A slightly darker shade of foundation in that area with the other stuff helps too.  Your posture comes in as we'll. 

Link to comment

Tori,

 

I think Vicky about covered it, so I can't add too much to her recommendations.  My Adams apple is quite prominent, unfortunately, and I used to worry about it a great deal.  I realized though I wasn't fooling most people regarding my birth gender, so I just stopped obsessing.  That doesn't mean I don't take steps to minimize it, and I use the technique Vicky mentions: applying a darker shade of foundation on it.

 

One other tip I pair with the foundation trick, is one I learned from a prominent style consultant.  At first, what she told me seemed very counter intuitive: she told me to actually avoid high-neck blouses.  She said they draw an admirer's eye directly to the area of the neck you are trying to conceal; kind of like an arrow pointing directly at the Adam's apple.  Of course, she wasn't speaking of a turtleneck style that covers the Adam's apple entirely.  They are effective if the season and weather support them, but they aren't very practical for warm weather.  The consultant told me to actually wear lower cut blouses that accentuate more of the bosom.  She said it tends to keep the focus off the Adam's apple.  I have heeded her advice ever since, and it has helped me be much more confident in my appearance.  Hope this all helps? 

Link to comment

Thanks ladies.  Actually, I've tried and use these methods.  The low front tops is a biggie and I don't wear short necklaces, even the large onyx I have that, despite it's size, still attracts the eye upward.  I once tried a cowl neck sweater and ironically it just seemed to frame my neck.  I've just begun experimenting with concealer bordered by foundation left, right, and above with mixed results.  I will get a darker shade of my foundation and try that.  Do you apply anything below the Adam's apple?  I've been stopping at the lower edge.

 

One of our worst angles is when we lift our heads to look up (as a birder I look up a lot)... do you think a different shading under the chin/jaw might distract at all?  Since my underchin gets no sun (which I'm trying to work on if the sun would ever come out! grrr), it's the whitest space of all and I have trouble toning it.  Can never seem to get enough foundation there.

 

Thanks again!

Link to comment

Perhaps some sort of intricate collar that would cover  your adams apple not every time but as a sometimes fix?

Link to comment
12 hours ago, Sally Stone said:

The consultant told me to actually wear lower cut blouses that accentuate more of the bosom.  She said it tends to keep the focus off the Adam's apple.

If you have any kind of cleavage, I absolutely guarantee you the men (and maybe most women) will NOT be looking at your adams apple.  Since we became Homo erectus (walking upright) we are biologically wired to notice cleavage ?  

... but I like the darker foundation idea .. thanks @Tori M❣️

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

good discussion - I learned a lot, I used an eyebrow pencil to darken the contour above my tiny breasts and rubbed in to accentuate the little I have and that helps draw the eye away from my Ichobod Crane Adam's Apple... ?

Link to comment

I like boat neck tops, or at least a deep V.  All of that bare skin is definitely a distraction.  My boobs are wide-spaced so I've bought bras appropriate and comfortable with that but I guess I should try something that gives me a little cleavage and just deal with the odd feeling.  Can you tell I prefer comfort over looks? LOL  Now, if I lived in some place that had summers (there I go again! lol), I would just live in shorts, sandals and tank tops.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

You do what feels good to you - after all your opinion is the most important anyway ??

Link to comment

Goodness, this thread expanded since last time I checked 0.o 
 

Thank you gals so much for the advice!! I didn’t realize skin care was so important to a feminine look. 
 

@Sally Stone, sorry for not going more into detail about my objectives. As someone cursed with masculine features, learning to feminize my face is the main goal. I inquired about natural-looking makeup products since I’m not out to my family yet and wondered if I could get away with wearing anything without them noticing. 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

i think i have been a little over zealous trying to feminize my face. It could very well epilating too much or new face cream but there are a couple areas that bubbled up a little and a few other bumps. i am treating it with lidocane and will back off for a few days then try each cream first ti,se if i am alegic and taje it sloer. i might be overstressing this male body with things it is not used to, like washing and moisrurizing daily.

Link to comment

Shay,

 

One of the things to think about in regards to exfoliating, is that if you are still shaving, then exfoliating isn't really necessary.  That razor, being dragged across your face, is exfoliation in hyperdrive.  Adding any kind of chemical exfoliation is just plain brutal on your skin and can actually lead to skin problems.  I'm a firm believer that if you still have to shave, exfoliation products are really only beneficial when used on the parts of the face where we don't shave, like the forehead.

 

Women exfoliate with chemicals because they don't normally shave their faces.    Of course, once hair is removed permanently, then exfoliating regularly probably has its merits; but until then, I think this is one of those facial care regimens that really doesn't apply to us.

 

 

   

Link to comment

Yes, I agree Sally. I use the exfoliating cleansers and creams on just my nose, cheeks and forehead. My nose and the parts of the cheeks just under my eyes, closest to my nose are my problem areas. For the beard area, it's just a gentle cleanser and moisturizers.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

thank you for the advice - I think my issue is epilating TOO often - but now I know about exfoliating and the reasons you give are excellent.

Link to comment
20 hours ago, Sally Stone said:

That razor, being dragged across your face, is exfoliation in hyperdrive. 

Yep!  I noticed my beard area is so smooth, I've begun expanding the area of my razor's path to high cheek (above the hairline) and even forehead.  Seems to help. (just be careful)

Link to comment

KayC, you could also use a mild chemical exfoliant. Like a moisturizer or cleanser with salicylic acid. It’s gentler than running a razor all over your face. 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

you are so right...i am just starting and it is so wonderful to have advice from those who are meticuous in learning the details. thank you all so much.....

Link to comment

I agree, I have learned a lot from folks on here. Now that I've come out to my sister, who is an aesthetician, I hope to get lots more advice that I can use and pass on.

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   5 Members, 0 Anonymous, 141 Guests (See full list)

    • Abigail Genevieve
    • Betty K
    • Ashley0616
    • VickySGV
    • RaineOnYourParade
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.5k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,029
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Selkimur
    Newest Member
    Selkimur
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. BraxtonLee
      BraxtonLee
      (26 years old)
    2. Bryanna
      Bryanna
      (45 years old)
    3. Jayde1
      Jayde1
    4. Mireya
      Mireya
      (66 years old)
    5. Shellianne_Kay83
      Shellianne_Kay83
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • Mirrabooka
      Voting is compulsory here, for better or worse. Would doing the same in the US snap people out of their apathy?
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I am noting you use CRT terminology.  The comment is not out of the blue.  Some of your remarks on religion suggest atheism.  So it is believable that you are a Marxist, knowingly or not.  Are you?
    • RaineOnYourParade
      Congrats to your family on the new addition!
    • RaineOnYourParade
      Funny you think that I would be able to get through more than two sentences with how bad my stutter gets (joking, of course)   My topic would probably be mythology, random Japan factoids in my mind, or a favorite story   (Best option would be a fave story of mine including a lot of factoids on Japanese myths-)
    • Willow
      Congratulations @ivy. Nothing beats a family growing two feet at a time!
    • April Marie
      I read each of your entries and learn so much. Thank you, especially, for the TransCentralPA info. I have been looking fora group and activities where I could express myself safely and with support. I missed this year's conference but next year might be possible and I am going to look at their other events, too.
    • April Marie
      Leadership and Management, the differences and similarities between the two as well as the applications of military leadership principles across the spectrum of professions.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I have read numerous accounts of trans folk no longer being welcome among evangelicals.   I am here for help and fellowship not to rebuke anyone.  I can take a pretty high degree of insult, etc., and you haven't insulted me, to my recollection anyway :) and I usually let it go.  But I thought I would let it all out there.   I am sure I disagree with you on numerous issues.  I appreciate other people's viewpoints, including those who radically disagree with me.  Intellectual challenge is good. One thing I appreciate about @MaeBe.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Congrats!
    • Sally Stone
      Post 8 “The Ohio Years” We moved to Pittsburgh because of the job with US Airways.  The job involved classroom instruction and simulator training, but no actual flying, so I kept looking for an actual pilot position.  A year after signing on with US Airways I got hired to fly business jets.  The company was located in Cleveland, Ohio, but I was flown commercially from my home in Pittsburgh to where my aircraft was located, making it unnecessary to live near company headquarters.    My flight scheduled consisted of eight days on duty with seven days off.  Having seven days off in a row was great but being gone from home eight days in a row was difficult.  For the first few years the flying was fun, but after a while the eight flying days in a row, were taking their toll on me.  Those days were brutal, consisting of very long hours and a lot of flying time.  Usually, I came home exhausted and need three days just to recover from the work week.  Flying for a living is glamorous until you actually do it.  Quickly, it became just a job.    After five years as a line captain, I became a flight department manager, which required we live near company headquarters.  That meant a move to Cleveland.  Working in the office meant I was home every night but as a manager, the schedule was still challenging.  I would work in the office all week and then be expected to go out and fly the line on weekends.  I referred to it as my “5 on 2 on” schedule, because it felt as though I had no time off at all.   About the same time, we moved to Cleveland, my wife and I became “empty nesters,” with one son in the military and the other away at college.  Sadly, my work schedule didn’t leave much time for Sally.  Add to the fact that while Cleveland is an awesome city, I just never felt comfortable expressing my feminine side.  Most of my outings, and believe me there weren’t enough, occurred while I was on vacation and away from home.   One of the most memorable outings occurred over a long weekend.  I had stumbled across an online notice for a spring formal being held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by a local trans group there.  I reached out to Willa to see if she was up for an excellent adventure.  She was, so I picked her up and we drove to Harrisburg together.    The formal was held on Saturday evening and we had the absolute best time.  It turned out that organizers were a group named TransCentralPA.  Everyone was wonderful and I made a lot of new friends that evening.  We learned the spring formal was one of the group’s annual events but for the following year, instead of a spring formal, the group wanted to do a local transgender conference.  That local conference would become the Keystone Conference, and I would attend every year for the next 12.  My move to the west coast was the only reason I stopped attending annually.  I went to the first annual Keystone Conference as an attendee, but in subsequent years I served as a volunteer and as a workshop presenter; more about those in the next installment.   For my Cleveland years, the Keystone Conference would be my major outlet for feminine self-expression.  Yes, I did get out on other occasions, but they were too infrequent.  The managerial job just didn’t allow me the freedom I needed to adequately live my feminine life, and my frustration level was slowly, but steadily on the rise.  It amazed me how adversely not being able to express the feminine half of my personality was affecting my happiness.   However, a major life change was upcoming, and while it would prove to be a significant challenge in many ways, the events would ultimately benefit my female persona.  First, my mom and dad got sick.  They were in and out of the hospital and required personal care.  My wife and I did our best but living in Cleveland, we were too far from them to give them the support they both needed.  Second, I was experiencing serious job burn out.  I decided I need to find another job and I needed to be closer to my parents.    Things changed for the better when I got hired by an aviation training company as a flight simulator instructor.  I would be training business jet pilots.  The training facility was located in New Jersey, which put us much closer to my parents, and the work schedule was much better for quality of life.  Most importantly, this life change would help Sally re-emerge and once again flower.    Hugs,   Sally       
    • Mmindy
      I made a living talking about bulk liquids in cargo tanks transportation as a driver and mechanic. Safe loading/unloading, cleaning and inspecting, as well as emergency response scenarios.   Hazmat and fire behavior in the fire service as well as emergency vehicle operations and safe driving. "It was on fire when they called you. It will be on fire when you get there." Arrive ready to work. I could also talk about firefighter behavioral  heath and the grieving process.   The real fun thing is I can do this for people who are not Truck Drivers or Fire Fighters. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Citizen Tax payers about Public Safety Education.   I love public speaking,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mmindy
      Congratulations to the mom and family @Ivy on the addition of another child.   Hugs,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • MaeBe
      Congrats to you and yours!
    • Ashley0616
      YAY! Congratulations on a granddaughter!
    • Ashley0616
      I recommend CarComplaints.com | Car Problems, Car Complaints, & Repair/Recall Information. A lot of good information
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...