Want to get some foundation, concealer but....

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Been wanting to buy some foundation and concealer but I do not know how to skin match, my forearms and hands are darker because they get tanned when I drive(common I know) but my dad and brother also have darker lower arms from driving but I think it might also be hereditary as the tan never goes away also I had them when I was in school long before driving. Anyway I know I should match to my face so here is an example of the skin tone on my face(forehead).

[Jamiep]

Hi Emerald, There are several options, online & in stores. Online if you have a fav cosmetics brand or just search out any cosmetics line, they usually have various colors & shades of products. You may find a shade that is close to your skin texture, but then again the hues could be off by how your screen portrays the colors. You can probably purchase online. In a pharmacy or dept. store, there are usually mirrors by the various cosmetic products, you could take an item & hold next to your face until you find a match, perhaps compare against the inside of your arm by your wrist area. I have done both. Go to a sales person in a department store, a friend of mine & I have both done that. That is their job. Don't worry, any person that has served me has made me feel very comfortable & very helpful. For nights out I am a MAC girl. About 6 or 7 years ago I went to a MAC store near where I live as my male self, briefly mentioned to a staff lady that I am a cd & would like to get matched for foundation cream & powder, she said just get our heads together & don't pay any attention to the other female customers in the store. I have since gone back en femme when I need more product. Yesterday I went to MAC needed both items, the powder I needed most as usual some times they drop the shade, I had to get a rep to reassess to get the closest shade to my skin. The foundation is only available at the downtown store in my city, which I rarely go to, my wife works in the city & if I can't get her to pick it up, then it looks like I will be going online.

Good luck

Jamie

[barbie]

Several years ago, I chose the darkest one available, and thereafter I have used it.
I picked up the No. 31 in the following link: http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1314509565/

As my face is oily, I chose the oil-free product. Applying a small amount is better in the case of foundation.

Usually I apply a shiseido sun cream, the foundation and a powder. Still my skin looks very dark because I run outdoors nearly everyday:  http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/9478069517_9433f17cf7_o.jpg

barbie~~

[Cindy]

There is nothing better than getting an expert to help. If you are in a city go to a store that has a make up counter and ask. MAC is good, Revlon is good and if the store has a few counters they compete.

You look like a guy and are shy about approaching them? They are there to sell and that is all they are interested in as long as you are polite they don't care.

I had my first make over wearing boy clothes. Lordy that seems a long post ago!

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Thanks for the responses, unfortunately I have too much social anxiety to try the in store approach. The clerks aren't my issue it is everyone else. It is not as simple as suck it up and do it as some might say and I actually take offense to that attitude because it is never that simple just getting that in first, sorry if that upsets some. If I wasn't so concerned about stares(just the beginning) it wouldn't be as much of a problem. Heck just going to buy dvds I tend to get really nervous and uneasy(being treated for it). Heck I am on such a budget that I wouldn't feel right going that route either and I would collapse under the pressure of them pushing certain products on me aswell(anxiety sucks).

As for favorite brands, well I know nothing about makeup as it is I have had drugstore(feels weird typing that) eyeshadows, eyeliner, nail polish and lipstick but that is it, the nail polish and lipstick are black(cliche I know) and the eyeshadows seem to range from a white to a black with like gun metals and greens in between, unfortunately they are the glittery kind which I didn't notice to well after I bought them. A friend did try foundation on me last year but she based it against my outer wrist(topside) area and I learned subsequently that is not the best way to go.   

I will give a guess go thanks everyone. Also again sorry if I seemed abrasive it is just I get sick of people doing the whole "buck up and go" thing as it isn't that simple and can just add onto my anxiety and depression.

Again thank you all.

[Cindy]

Hey
Don't worry just yet!

Most make up tips and advice is also on you tube and in magazines. If you aren't up yo going to a store, post a question or have a read of the you tube stuff, some of it is excellent. You can just look under transgender make up.

It may take longer than the direct approach but you will get there!

BTW I have given up on concealer etc and only use mineral make up from 'Nude' they have sites as well that give tips and I think you can order stuff on line. It is dry and so doesn't clog my skin. Personal preference as when I went full time I need to wear make up all the time.

Hugs honey, I didn't mean to upset you!

Cindy

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Sorry you didn't upset me Cindy, I just had the feeling that sort of comment might pop up if I didn't 'meet it at the pass'(is that correct?) so to speak.

[Cindy]

Sorry you didn't upset me Cindy, I just had the feeling that sort of comment might pop up if I didn't 'meet it at the pass'(is that correct?) so to speak.

Sis we all have to face our own journeys and all are equally valid. You have nothing to prove to anyone. You are a fine lady facing her path and I will try to help in anyway I can.

But I need to go to bed now. I'm worn out !

Hugs

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Thank you, no worries I might head to bed myself soon.

[lucy aylett]

i found youtube advice and amazon helped me alot i first watched loads of make up adive and tutorial videos which helped me understand a bit more about the products then at first anyway a bought a cheap selection of concealers and foundations from amazon and used a trial and error system it suprisingly didn't cost me much i ended up spending about £15 before i found ones which worked well for me

[Madison Leigh]

i found youtube advice and amazon helped me alot i first watched loads of make up adive and tutorial videos which helped me understand a bit more about the products then at first anyway a bought a cheap selection of concealers and foundations from amazon and used a trial and error system it suprisingly didn't cost me much i ended up spending about £15 before i found ones which worked well for me

I would agree with Cindy that *if possible* there's nothing like hitting MAC, Sephora, or the like for assistance; but when that's not feasible for whatever reason(s) you have a great point.  I wasn't initially keen on that; but my roommate started forwarding me links to certain videos and I've found them to be a great help.  Pinterest and ->-bleeped-<- have been helpful for me as well.