Should i even bother with Makeup?

[Chiara]

Even though i had FFS i obviously don´t have a traditional feminine face (meaning the overall skull structure), i mean you can only revert so much damage that was done by that stupid Y chromosome but whatever. I´m not very keen on putting stuff on my body excluding hygiene productes (especially the occasional moisturizer because my skin dries out very quickly), but another factor is that i have various freckles across my face. Not many, but they definitely define my face. I have never genuinely used any sort of makeup, and i prefer the natural look, but i´m willing to give it a shot to highlight any positive attributes that my face might possess. In any case, i would only put a minimum amount of makeup on as i don´t think that more than that is a beneficial look. I´m also wondering if it´s possible to cover my freckles without exceeding that amount. I also have no idea what kind of makeup would be ideal for my skintype as i can´t really pinpoint my exact skintype. I have fair, dry and sensitive skin i guess but i´m not sure. I really like the look of light rouge on the cheeks and eye shadow. I´m not a big fan of eyeliner and i don´t think that would be beneficial for me as i already have prominent eyes. I like lipstick, but again not sure if that would be a look favourable to me.
Below i attach a photo of me for reference. Your ideas are welcome. (More photos here http://s1294.beta.photobucket.com/user/lovechia/library/Chiara, 🔗 password is susans)

[Shantel]

You have a great looking face, don't be so harsh on yourself! I had the same misgivings about makeup, partly because I don't even dress en-femme but prefer an androgynous presentation and secondly because wearing makeup just seemed so foreign to me. I wanted to know what I'd need and the how to's just the same so I walked in to Macy's and went to the Clinique counter early in the day before there were too many shoppers and had one of their associates make up my face and give me some tips. Of course they like to trowel on a load of crud that I wouldn't use, they are trying to sell product, i'll have to admit I would have been a good candidate for a Headshot photo when she was done. I bought a few rudimentary things because I think little is better and wouldn't care to load my pores up with all that stuff anyway. It is surprising how just a light dusting with a brush or a foam pad and a little color in the right places can look really pretty and natural.

[Chiara]

You have a great looking face, don't be so harsh on yourself! I had the same misgivings about makeup, partly because I don't even dress en-femme but prefer an androgynous presentation and secondly because wearing makeup just seemed so foreign to me. I wanted to know what I'd need and the how to's just the same so I walked in to Macy's and went to the Clinique counter early in the day before there were too many shoppers and had one of their associates make up my face and give me some tips. Of course they like to trowel on a load of crud that I wouldn't use, they are trying to sell product, i'll have to admit I would have been a good candidate for a Headshot photo when she was done. I bought a few rudimentary things because I think little is better and wouldn't care to load my pores up with all that stuff anyway. It is surprising how just a light dusting with a brush or a foam pad and a little color in the right places can look really pretty and natural.

I was planning to look for some advice at a cosmetic store but i´m not full time yet and don´t feel like going there in my current incarnation (with "attachment" in the lower body area and lack of attachment in the upper body) as that kind of depresses me being out. And like you said i wouldn´t want to just have a load of products recommended that in the end i wouldn´t even use.
I think i will order some products from Mac for starters but i don´t even know where to start. Apparently you need to apply foundation first and then you can apply powder and cremes? And what about concealer? Primer is another thing i heard about. And then there´s mineral based makeup. I´m just overwhelmed by all those terms. Also in which lighting conditions should makeup be applied? I have a hard time looking at my face in natural lighting because it looks really wrinkly and all the lines on my face are so apparent because i have very very dry skin. Also my freckles are much more prominent than in the photo i added in my first post, i feel like i look best in artifical lighting but this wouldn´t be the ideal circumstance to apply makeup i guess.

[Devlyn]

Hi Chiara, you're cute as a button! Here's a thread, pay particular attention to the first reply by Cindy. Make sure you thank her when you bump into her. Hugs, Devlyn


https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,107457.0.html

[Chiara]

Hi Chiara, you're cute as a button! Here's a thread, pay particular attention to the first reply by Cindy. Make sure you thank her when you bump into her. Hugs, Devlyn


https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,107457.0.html

Thanks for the link, but there wasn´t much information regarding the whole makeup thing.
The whole "be confident, go into a makeup store" thing is not really an issue for me, the thing that drags me down is that i´m not yet over my SRS and everything. I also don´t wear feminine clothing out and about yet and that whole thing makes me so depressed that i wouldn´t even bother with makeup or anything for that matter. But that´s a different topic.
Also i haven´t started with the laser treatment yet either. Off topic question: Does the laser treatment remove the beard shadow permanently? Do you have to continue with the treatment your whole life or does the shadow vanish completely after a certain amount of treatment?

[Shantel]

I was planning to look for some advice at a cosmetic store but i´m not full time yet and don´t feel like going there in my current incarnation (with "attachment" in the lower body area and lack of attachment in the upper body) as that kind of depresses me being out. And like you said i wouldn´t want to just have a load of products recommended that in the end i wouldn´t even use.
I think i will order some products from Mac for starters but i don´t even know where to start. Apparently you need to apply foundation first and then you can apply powder and cremes? And what about concealer? Primer is another thing i heard about. And then there´s mineral based makeup. I´m just overwhelmed by all those terms. Also in which lighting conditions should makeup be applied? I have a hard time looking at my face in natural lighting because it looks really wrinkly and all the lines on my face are so apparent because i have very very dry skin. Also my freckles are much more prominent than in the photo i added in my first post, i feel like i look best in artifical lighting but this wouldn´t be the ideal circumstance to apply makeup i guess.

Hey hon, simmer down now it will come to you if you go to YouTube and bring up makeup videos, there's a lot of tutorials there that can help you get ahead of the curve in a hurry. Good luck!

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

To be honest when I first saw your pic my first thought was you look like Anne Hathaway, so yes you look great. Can't help too much with make up I am afraid as I am still learning myself but hopefully you find something that helps.

[GendrKweer]

Laser removes beard shadow, oh yes. 🙂 I went from normal/thick bearded to smooth as any cisfemale (that does include retaining some of that light nearly invisible vellus hairs cisfemales have) over about 12 laser treatments six weeks apart each. Fair warning, the first few HURT like you don't understand. Ask for, nay demand, topical lidocane, and let that stuff sink in for 30 min before the treatment. Be well hydrated that day, and don't get drunk the night before for the hydration reason. A normally hormoned male will get regrowth, but with HRT, you won't, so laser can be considered permanent as long as you stay on your HRT. Laser facial hair removal will be one of the more satisfying things you've done, I think. It was for me! Good luck!

[JulieC.]

I recently started using a product from Covergirl called natureluxe.  I don't think it has much to do with nature even though they want to give you that impression.  But it is supposed to give you a more natural look.  It's much smoother than a lot of foundations I've used...almost feels like moisturizer.  I just use a really small amount so it does give me that caked on look.  I even use it in guy mode as I am also not full time.  I have a few dark spots (old acne scars) I like to cover.  Again I use a very small amount...it makes me look better...but you couldn't tell I had makeup on unless you really looked for it. I don't know how it will work with your freckles but it's not expensive, so maybe it's worth a try.

By the way, you look fantastic without makeup.  Lucky girl.

[MadelineB]

Your best friend is going to be a hypoallergenic moisturizer with sunscreen. They come in tinted and nontinted. You can start using them every day even if you are still presenting male part time. If you have dry sensitive skin like I do, moisturizer is going to be your one must-have make up item. If you chose to use a foundation, apply it after you apply the moisturizer. Doing it that way will prevent your skin from absorbing all of the moisture in the foundation and enhancing pores and wrinkles. You have very fair skin like I do. Your tint is going to be ivory or close to it. If you use a foundation, you will want to use a translucent finishing powder lightly to prevent smearing and transfer.
For highlights if you want you can use a mineral bronzing powder (very lightly) to give yourself a very slight tanned look as the summer approaches. If your face naturally tends towards pink or blushing like mine does, you will want a light blush that you can apply to your upper cheeks and maybe across the bridge of your nose (blush will look most natural when applied in the same areas that you particularly blush in). I've had luck with creme, liquid, and powder blush.
You will want bright indoor lighting without shadows when applying. Have fun, and practice practice practice. If you get some makeup-remover wipes (save the harsher eye makeup remover for mascara only) you can apply your makeup and take it right off again if you want, and even try three or four looks in one practice session.

[kelly_aus]

There's no rule that says you have to wear it. If you don't want to, don't.

I think I've worn makeup maybe a dozen times in the last 2 years.

[tomthom]

I dated a girl that had almost the same face as you, so if you're worried about it being a traditional female face, don't worry. also, your lips look absolutely gorgeous. Just be confident because you're lovely. heck, if you were so inclined I'd ask for you to be a sit down model 😛

[Jennygirl]

BB cream is what I would recommend if you're looking for something simple.

It has moisturizer, SPF, minerals, foundation, and concealer all in one. BB cream is way better for your skin than a tinted moisturizer. Originally it was invented for people going through laser treatments on the face to aid with healing and further protect from UV's. It's just now becoming popular in the US.

You seriously only need like a pea sized amount and it takes 2 min to put on. You can layer it for more coverage, but then you would want to contour with something else because it will really start to even the heck out of your skin tone. If you only use a little bit it looks great & totally natural. I swear by it!

A quick swipe of mascara is fast & subtle, too, if you wanna make your eyes pop a little more.

[MadelineB]

BB cream is what I would recommend if you're looking for something simple.

It has moisturizer, SPF, minerals, foundation, and concealer all in one. BB cream is way better for your skin than a tinted moisturizer. Originally it was invented for people going through laser treatments on the face to aid with healing and further protect from UV's. It's just now becoming popular in the US.

You seriously only need like a pea sized amount and it takes 2 min to put on. You can layer it for more coverage, but then you would want to contour with something else because it will really start to even the heck out of your skin tone. If you only use a little bit it looks great & totally natural. I swear by it!

A quick swipe of mascara is fast & subtle, too, if you wanna make your eyes pop a little more.

That's great advice Jennygirl. Especially if you are under 30, a little makeup goes a long way, and BB creams are awesome for that.

There's no rule that says you have to wear it. If you don't want to, don't.

I think I've worn makeup maybe a dozen times in the last 2 years.

And you look terrific without it.