How do I use make-up to conceal beard shadow?

[suzifrommd]

I want to use make-up so people don't see my beard shadow.

What product should I use? How do I figure out what color/shade to use? Are there stores that will help me figure this out?

[UCBerkeleyPostop]

I want to use make-up so people don't see my beard shadow.

What product should I use? How do I figure out what color/shade to use? Are there stores that will help me figure this out?

A MAC store might help or you might try the makeup counter at a Macy's or a Nordstroms.

[MadelineB]

It depends on your skin tone, but the principle is based on the fact that complimentary colors (those on the opposite sides of a color wheel that artists use, like purple and yellow, for instance, or orange and blue, or green and red) placed over each other or next to each other, will blend into a neutral color in the human eye. So you use a concealer that will take your problem area back towards neutral, then a foundation that will give you a consistent presentation of your natural skin tone.

Since beard shadow tends to have a bluish tint, a concealer in the orange range will usually be in order. It doesn't take all that much to do the job, since you are relying on optical blending, not masking. For actual beard coverage, you would switch to a thicker theatrical makeup like dermablend.

Susan's has a great wiki section on cosmetics that you will want to take advantage of, here: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Cosmetics

P.S. in my profile picture I used optical blending to conceal a shadow. It had been 3 days since I shaved and 8 days since my last electrolysis clearance at that point. By the way, to conceal the redness immediately after an electrolysis session I will use a green toned concealer to remove the red.

[Constance]

A MAC store might help or you might try the makeup counter at a Macy's or a Nordstroms.

I had great success at my local MAC. I just walked in and said I was looking for foundation to hide my beard shadow, and they helped me find the right colors, no questions asked.

But, I have light skin and dark hair. This was back before I started laser. I had had a makeup lesson at a TG/CD boutique and the person there recommended 4 things to hide the shadow. Here they are, in order of application.

1. "Yellow Stick" or a very light concealer
2. DermaBlend D-32; this is somewhat reddish
3. Cream foundation in my skin tone
4. Face powder in my skin tone

These days, I just use foundation as the 2 years of laser have done a great deal on my beard. There is very little left, and it's just around my lips.

[JennX]

Good advice so so far...

A good concealer and foundation are what you need at minimum. A light touch of orange lipstick can also work to cancel out the dark shadow. You can go up to one of the makeup counters in a dept. store (I'm a huge MAC fan myself) ... Or go in to Sephora or Ulta and test out some different shades on your skin (back of your hand works) as they are more self-service than the dept. store counters.

Dermablend
Estée Lauder Double Wear
MAC Studio Fix Fluid
Make Up Forever HD

Are some foundations worth checking out (I listed them in order of coverage, max to min).

[Naturally Blonde]

I want to use make-up so people don't see my beard shadow.

What product should I use? How do I figure out what color/shade to use? Are there stores that will help me figure this out?

I've occasionally seen people who try and cover up beard growth with make up and it's not really possible to do efficiently and looks pretty horrendous. You should get laser treatment which is the best solution. Is there any reason why you want to keep your facial hair? rather than have it removed?

[JennX]

I've occasionally seen people who try and cover up beard growth with make up and it's not really possible to do efficiently and looks pretty horrendous. You should get laser treatment which is the best solution. Is there any reason why you want to keep your facial hair? rather than have it removed?

I'll +1 this. Especially if you have a thick/dark beard shadow. It's hard to get a full coverage result without it looking fake, cakey, like a mask.

[UCBerkeleyPostop]

Laser didn't work well for me but the one thing it DID do was get rid of my slight upper lip shadow almost immediately.

I have heard some use clown white but it seems to me that would only work if one wants to be a clown or a mime. 

[suzifrommd]

Is there any reason why you want to keep your facial hair? rather than have it removed?

I'm pretty early along in my discovery process. I'm only at the point where I want to go out and present as female and see if I have a prayer of passing. Seems like laser treatment would be a bit of overkill for that purpose, don't you think? 

[MadelineB]

I've occasionally seen people who try and cover up beard growth with make up and it's not really possible to do efficiently and looks pretty horrendous. You should get laser treatment which is the best solution. Is there any reason why you want to keep your facial hair? rather than have it removed?

This thread isn't about permanent or lasting hair removal. It is about makeup to cover a beard shadow, so please be careful to show respect for those whose gender journey is different from your own.

Many transgender people are only female in their presentation part of the time.

Many others have financial or other challenges that prevent them at this time from pursuing the treatments they would like.

I agree that you will see individuals whose makeup is a disaster; however, you usually don't see the women whose beard coverage is successful because you don't see them. It really is very possible to do. They pass just fine, even if they have to shave more than once a day and reapply their makeup for the evening.

My first wife followed the same routine, she was cisfemale and had a medical condition that causes hirsutism, and didn't feel that electrolysis or laser was right for her.

[JenniL]

Yea when I first started to transition, I went to MAC told them I was looking for something to help conceal the beard shadow. They tried a few concealers to hide the shadow. We found one that works for me. Then we went further with getting a good finishing powder, some brushes, and all that jazz.  Just be prepared to be in front of people when you go this route. Honestly, I never had any problems going to MAC for anything. Tad expensive but they are a friendly lot

I heard dermablend is pretty good as well. I just never bought any.

[mementomori]

estee lauder maximum cover shoulder do the trick