Help me... Makeup for beginners? Please Move/Delete..sorry

[sprouts]

Okay, so I've been on HRT for three months now and I'm beginning to see some changes, and I think it's time to begin learning how to properly apply makeup.  I am completely clueless.

Yes, I'm aware of google but even from a simple search I still am overwhelmed by the breadth of information.  I was hoping that some of you who've had some experience might recommend a good online resource or other helpful tips for beginners; like, what to buy, how much to spend, where to start, etc.

It's likely that I overlooked it, but I really think that there should be an official "makeup" thread if there isn't already.

Also, I want to add that though I'm not a very active member here, I follow a lot of the threads and I have to say that I love this community.  Everyone is really nice and I know there must be many others like me who rarely post but are really inspired by all of you. 




Edit: so sorry yall, I completely overlooked the makeup forum.

[mixie]

Here's my advice to you.   I've posted it elsewhere.   Pretend you are in a play.  Really like psyche yourself up about it.   I know it's crappy to lie but in this case it will make it easier for everyone.   Then go to a department store and pay for someone to do your makeup.  Tell them that you want them to do it lightly but that you will do it darker for stage.   

Do not buy cheap make up.  It is a waste of money and it reads horribly.  So if you go to a counter in a mall you can just print out a character that you are supposed to play.  One of the easiest plays you can say you are doing is "Hair Spray"  And just get them to help.

I personally do not agree with most of the make up jobs that I see on this site.  I am a cisgender woman and part of what looks very "clocking" in the pix I see are tons of makeup when cisgender women hardly ever wear make up.

To start what you really need is your eyebrows professionally done.  You can do that easily in a salon.   You can use the Hair Spray excuse again.  Take a picture one of the characters if you need to back yourself up.

Next.  You should invest in good quality lipstick and you can get away with cheaper mascara for a while. Do not use eye liner.  It is very dated looking.  If you want eyeliner only apply it to the outer corners of your eyes.  Do not ring the entire eye.

Next you should try to figure out how to put makeup on your face by the kind of SKIN you have.  If you have oily skin it is different from dry skin.  I have very dry skin so I don't tend to break out. I rarely wear foundation.  If you have good skin, dry skin then Visuelle by Loreal is the foundation I have used for years. It's application is nearly flawless.  It stays on very well and applies well.  Do not use sponges to apply foundation.  Put the foundation on your face by dotting it on.  Then use the sponge to wipe it around. If you use the sponge you waste it.  It gets sucked right into the sponge.


Tip:  the color of your foundation should match the inside of your wrist.  Do not attempt to match it to your face.  You will be wrong. It will be too dark when you actually use it. 

arg!  I found up my foundation was discontinued.  That ought to tell you how much I wear.  Damn this was good make up.

http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=43686/Visuelle_Liquid_Makeup_]_[DISCONTINUED]/LOreal/Liquid

If you have oily skin,  one cheap and easy tip I've used over the years is to put Dove moisturizing DEODORANT on your face before you apply foundation. It sets it on your skin and prevents your face from sweating it off.  When I used to go to clubs I'd put it on this way and dance the whole night and it would still be perfect when I left.   Don't be gross.  Keep a separate tube just for your face.  ONLY use Dove,  the others are too strong and will damage your skin.

I would really advise you to buy make up at a make up counter.  Usually you can get a really cool gift if you spend about $50.  So you buy the foundation and get free lipstick and mascara.  This is awesome.

In my experience boys tend to have longer eyelashes than girls.  This is because boys tend to be hairier.  So you might be lucky.  If not there are mascaras that lengthen the lashes.  Check out mascaras here.


http://beauty.about.com/od/mascara/tp/best_mascaras.htm


You will need to reapply foundation or undereye circle coverage AFTER you put on mascara.  Tiny flecks of it drop down on your under eye area.  it will give you a "raccoon look" that is not too attractive.  Also hemmorhoid cream can be used under the eyes to tighten the skin there.  Yes I mean like Preparation H.  It's very very cheap and works like a charm.  Models have used it forever.



Lipsticks you ought to try a color.  If you have nice teeth and pretty smile go for bold.  So for example if you have big lips and perfect straight white teeth you can wear any shade you like.  If you don't stay away from bold reds and look for more pale coral shades. 


Your age is vital.  If you are younger you can get away with anything so play around.

[sprouts]

Thank you so much for the info Mixie!

It's funny that you mention the eyes as that's really where I wanted to start.  I really like darker colors around the eyes as it seems to give their color more vividness maybe, as if they sort of "pop."  You know?  My eyes are my best feature and it seemed like a good place to start.  Luckily, I have very, very long and thick lashes.  I look really silly with mascara on.  Or maybe, I'm not doing it right.

I completely agree with being more subtle with the application and color pallete.  Though, I think that's mostly preference.

I like the sponge idea!  That seems like really good advice.

There's an Ulta right up the street from me, so that's where I'll be going.  I've read a lot of positive things about Bare Essentials, any thoughts?

I have very petite lips and my front teeth are crooked. . Yeah, I even endured years of dental work to fix my teeth, but the front teeth are still crooked.  I think in a cute way though!  But your so right, I cannot pull off bold lip colors. 

Okay, so even though you said not to buy eyeliner, if I was to, you know, buy some eye stuff what should I look for? 

I was really hoping to get this thread bustling with a lot of different opinions and input.  I think maybe we should do something like, "If you had $100, what would be your essential makeup kit?"

[mixie]

We started a thread about this before.  Frankly I'd buy good foundation and mascara and lipstick.  Again it depends on your age. Some of the younger girls on here get away with tons of eye shadow.

Eyeshadow on older women always reads badly to me.  Even if the woman is a cisgender.  I honestly do not know a single woman that wears eye shadow. I live in NY.  I teach so I deal with different women week after week.  None wear eye shadow.

To me it's a complete waste of money to buy eye shadow.  I have no idea how to wear it because when I grew up (Keep in mind I'm 40) only white trash and drag queens wore eyeshadow.

So I got nothing.  I suppose these days you can get away with more.  And if you are super feminine you can do it.  But if you are anywhere near being clocked.  It is my opinion that eye shadow is a total disaster.

Crooked teeth can be charming.   So you have to play.  I don't know what Ultra is,sorry about that.  Bare Essentials from what I've heard are very over rated.  They also tend to come off on your hands weird. So I've heard.

Mac is the best make up that I know of.  It lasts and is excellent.  They also have artists in the store to help.


In the thread we started there are some places you can get free items when you buy one item.  This is great if you do want to wear eye shadow.  They usually give that away like crazy since no one really buys it.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,113177.0.html

[V M]

Have you tried the Beauty forums?

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,341.0.html

There are also some make up threads in the MTF forum

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,113086.0.html

And there is always YouTube 

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=makeup+for+beginners+&oq=Make+up+for+b&aq=3s&aqi=g-s9g1&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=1118l8869l0l14240l13l11l0l0l0l0l272l2375l0.3.8l11l0

[mixie]

I'd like you to take a look at this.  These are pictures from the Golden Globes.  As gussied up as ever.  Some of these women do have eye shadow on. They have spent hours perfecting this look with stylists.  You can see that very few of them have bright eye shadow on.  None of them have shadow that is noticeable above the eye.  All of the women seem to have very minimal make up.  You can look like Kim Kardashian if that's your cup of tea.  But these is what an elegant cisgender looks like on average.

So just something to think about.  This is about as much make up as I would ever wear. The younger ones can get away with a bit more.

[Joeyboo~ :3]

I think maybe we should do something like, "If you had $100, what would be your essential makeup kit?"

I don't want to scare you or anything, but makeup isn't cheap.
You want really good quality stuff, cheap make up just isn't worth it.

I spent about 120$ at MAC today and it was only for 5 items.

[mixie]

That's pretty good actually.  Drug store make up has gotten pretty expensive.  But some people on here seem to use Wet and Wild and other awful stuff.  It's not even worth playing around with.

I adore Mac.  I think it is very fairly priced.  I think their lipsticks are amazing and very long lasting.

So say a Mac Lip Stick with a Great Lash Mascara you could do for about $20.

Then get a good foundation at another counter that has a special

Like Clinique or Estee Lauder. 

[Joeyboo~ :3]

That's pretty good actually.  Drug store make up has gotten pretty expensive.  But some people on here seem to use Wet and Wild and other awful stuff.  It's not even worth playing around with.

I adore Mac.  I think it is very fairly priced.  I think their lipsticks are amazing and very long lasting.

So say a Mac Lip Stick with a Great Lash Mascara you could do for about $20.

Then get a good foundation at another counter that has a special

Like Clinique or Estee Lauder.

MAC's blushes are also very good, lots of colors to choose from, there's not a skin color out there who can complain that there's not a shade for them.
I somewhat agree with you on the eyeshadow thing, I only wear neutrals though(browns,grays,blacks).
But I usually just do liquid eyeliner on top and wing it out, it feminizes eyes a lot.
Unless you do the wing too thick or extend it out too far, then you sort of look like one of the wanna be chola's you see in my old public school.

[mixie]

I usually do exactly the same thing.  Sort of like Angelina's above without the white eyeshadow.   Depending on your skin tone you can put a bit of pizzazz in your eyes with a dark crease and some shimmer.  But that would only be appropriate to a night on the town.

Full on chola would be fun.  Be sure to match your bandanna to your eyeshadow shades.  LOL