Foundation??

[AlexisB]

 Ok I genuinely believe when I wear foundation I look more trans than female hence I barely wear it. Is it just me or does anyone else feel this way too?? I feel like it makes your facial features bigger or something.
Here is two pics of me with and without foundation give me your honest opinions PLEASE it's annoying me.

[Auroramarianna]

You look good either way, to be honest. I don't think I'd have a clue.

[suzifrommd]

Here is two pics of me with and without foundation give me your honest opinions PLEASE it's annoying me.

Honest opinion I don't see anything even remotely male in either of the pictures.

[Gabrielle_22]

What foundation (and setting powder, if you use it) do you use? You look really cis-female and pretty in both images, firstly, and I assume the top one is the one with foundation. If so, I think it looks great on you, honestly.

Secondly, I don't normally associate foundation with making my features bigger, but some foundations become cakey very quickly, and almost any foundation will make you look like you're wearing something if you apply too much of it or don't blend it over your face or if your setting powder, if not translucent, is a very different shade from your foundation. Because your face is so feminine as is--I wouldn't have gendered you anything other than female had I not known already--you don't need to do this, but contouring can also help emphasise certain features.

I use Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation, and as long as I don't apply too much, it sort of just blends into my skin once it sets. It doesn't look like it's there. Many other foundations can do the same, but I started using that to help cover up my beard shadow, and I've had luck with it so far.

[Leila]

I'm not sure I notice a difference, but it may well be how the camera hasn't picked it up.

I've found that the shade of the foundation can have a profound change in my appearance. The first ever foundation that I bought nervously from a supermarket cosmetics counter many months ago, I bought without really knowing what I was doing. Indoors under artificial light it looked ok. It gave reasonable coverage, but it made me look like I was going to be clocked in under 30 seconds, especially in the early days of my transition. In daylight I looked like an oopah loompah as it was even worse since the colour was a few shades too orange and not a good match for my skin tone.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I went to a shop and put a number of testers on the back of my hand (or elsewhere on your arm if if it is closer to your face skin tone) and went outside and found the one shade that looked the least orange on my skin. Afterwards I bought that and tried it on, I don't look anywhere as bad as the first foundation I bought.

I have quite a few flaws on my face and for me having the foundation (along with concealer) hides the majority of them.

[AlexisB]

I use Rimmel London matte mousse I've seen it on other ppl it looks great but when I wear it I just feel it looks caked, other people say it looks nice but you know yourself if you don't like it it's weird :/ that's why I want absolute genuine opinions because I need them to work with cause I don't know if it does make me look male or it's just some kind of dysphoria thing only I can see.

[Leila]

I use Rimmel London matte mousse I've seen it on other ppl it looks great but when I wear it I just feel it looks caked, other people say it looks nice but you know yourself if you don't like it it's weird :/ that's why I want absolute genuine opinions because I need them to work with cause I don't know if it does make me look male or it's just some kind of dysphoria thing only I can see.

Unfortunately what works for someone may not necessarily work for you. I should also add that I had caking with the first foundation I bought, and it was made further worse by the powder once that was applied. I did make sure every time to only put the smallest amount needed as well.

Rather than spend a fortune buying and trying allsorts, you may find it easier to go to a make up counter in places such as Boots, Debenhams, MAC or House of Fraser and get the pros to find a combination for your skin type.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Alexis,

Seriously, I can only see a woman in both pics. I think this must be linked to your dysphoria you mentioned, as I see no male characteristics whatsoever. From your facial features without foundation, I'd say you can go either way and look just as good.

Huggs
Catherine

[melanie maritz]

the only difference is , is that it looks a bit more shiny in the pic with the base and it looks more white too.

It looks good though, it's just strange that it looks a bit dowey when it's matt mouse which usually looks the most natural.

I also like both pictures, but if you're afraid of some of your features looking bigger with foundation you can try contouring some of your features so that they looks smaller or bigger by using luminating lotion to make it look bigger and a slightly darker foundation to make it look smaller . There are many videos on youtube that show you how to do this, so you can try it out if you want.

[Emily1996]

I use Rimmel London matte mousse I've seen it on other ppl it looks great but when I wear it I just feel it looks caked, other people say it looks nice but you know yourself if you don't like it it's weird :/ that's why I want absolute genuine opinions because I need them to work with cause I don't know if it does make me look male or it's just some kind of dysphoria thing only I can see.

Use a brush to apply it and put less of the product... If you want to cover blemishes you should use a concealer instead, and you should use powder to finish the effect so that it looks more natural and less shiny

[Jess42]

I honestly can't tell a difference other than in one pic you have foundation on and the other you don't. I agree with Catherine for sure on this and I see no male characteristics at all in either pic. Maybe instead of just foundation do a little eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick and so on. Just foundation without all the other stuff to accentuate your facial features just don't look right no matter cis or trans. Does that make sense? It's almost like a half done painted picture. But I love makeup so ...

[Gabrielle_22]

Use a brush to apply it and put less of the product... If you want to cover blemishes you should use a concealer instead, and you should use powder to finish the effect so that it looks more natural and less shiny

This is important, too--how you're applying the foundation. Especially if it's a naturally thick product, a foundation brush can really help you get a smoother application. I would add, though, that you need to be careful even if you use a brush; I've seen some people say that they were left with streaks in their foundation after trying to use a brush to apply it. Testing it out when you're by yourself at home for a few hours would be good, if possible. You can also get a good application with just using a single finger, if you're careful. Make sure your concealer is a different but matching shade from your foundation and that you don't apply the concealer before the foundation. A makeup counter can help you find the right products for your skintone, if you need it.

But just to emphasise it: I wasn't being nice, and I don't think anyone else was, when I said you look female in both photos. You really do.

[AlexisB]

Thanks for all the replies. Yea I use a brush and am trained in makeup it's not about the application and other products ik all that I'm starting to think it's dysphoria related but thanks for the replies

[Jess42]

Thanks for all the replies. Yea I use a brush and am trained in makeup it's not about the application and other products ik all that I'm starting to think it's dysphoria related but thanks for the replies

Yeah that is the bad thing. But seriously Alexis, I don't see anything masculine in either picture. Dysphoria is a bitch though. But I hope that makes you feel a little better. God, if you are dysphoric about your looks, I haven't got a hope of ever beating it.

[herekitten]

I would recommend you use a primer first. My favorite is PERFECTIONIST from Estee Lauder. Follow that up with a moisturizer and voila! you will have flawless natural skin. it will diminish all your little flaws with no coverage and your skin will be like smooth flawless silk. You could even dust a little translucent powder of all for that incredible natural look. I recommend Perfectionist because I and everyone who I turn on to it falls in love with what it immediately does. It touts itself as wrinkle cream etc, but all I care is for that immediate effect. Well worth the money to me. If you apply your foundation over it, then you are in for a real treat.  You look marvelous with or without, but fully madeup with the right eyeliner you will look stunning.

Makeup is an odd thing. When I wear 'full' makeup (foundation, eyes, lips, cheeks) the attention is almost always from other women. When I go natural, the attention is opposite -- always from men -- and I like that ;-)  I remember when I met my second husband, I had zero anything on my face and he fell in love with me --  but that's another story.  I do feel that when I am madeup it tends to make men feel that I am out of their league. I admire those that try though; it says something about their determination. And whats up with the short guys who just don't give up... ?