Less is more?

[Courtney G]

This is kind of last minute, but I'm headed to a local support group event this Sunday and will be fully dressed, but not sure what to do about my makeup this time. The last couple of times, I put some color corrector, foundation and powder on and a few accents - I keep it simple because my skills are limited.

But I feel as though the makeup emphasizes the pesky dark hairs that remain on my chin. When I wipe it off, I immediately feel that my face looks more feminine and natural and less fake. I'm not young and don't have the prettiest face, but 2.5 years of HRT have definitely softened my look. My stubble is dark but I'm able to get a close shave, so it's not bad at all without makeup.

I don't have time to experiment, as I'm not home until shortly before I have to go to the event, but I'm thinking of trying to keep it simple. I mean, it's a Pride event, so the acceptance levels are high, but I want to look my best.

Any suggestions? I know I'm not giving you much to work with, but I mostly wanted to hear from those who have been dealing with stubble - do I just have to learn how to put 5 layers of concealment on or am I doing it wrong?

[Lori Dee]

Pink or red is the opposite color of the five o'clock shadow. There are people who say don't do this, but it works for me.

After shaving I use a witch hazel toner, followed by a moisturizing primer. The primer just helps the makeup stay stuck in place, like when your chin starts sweating.

I use Maybelline ColorStay pink lipstick and apply a very very light touch to the shadow area. It stains the skin and gives a reddish tint. rub it in well with a cosmetic sponge and blend it with surrounding areas. The sponge will make your skin red, just wait a minute for it to calm down.

Then I go back over it with Koke Be Bright coverup. Apply very lightly with your finger and blend it in. Using your finger gives a more natural look, and using a sponge gives better coverage. You want light and natural so use your finger and blend it in. It will cover the redness and the stubble shadow.

It took me a while to get it down pat, but now it only takes a couple of minutes. That and some eyeliner and I can be out the door in a hurry. Hope this helps.

[ChrissyRyan]

Less is more.

A bad makeup application can make you blush.  (Sorry, could not help myself with that pun.)


Or scream.  Get the makeup removal towelettes out.

[Lori Dee]

Get the makeup removal towelettes out.

Sometimes I need the ones the size of a beach towel. Just soak my whole face in it and start over. 

[Courtney G]

Some related good news: it took a couple of weeks, but ONE laser appointment seems to have killed off about 80% of the remaining dark hairs on my chin. I didn't think it was very effective, but I saw fewer and fewer hairs during the weeks following the session. I have 5 more appointments booked and paid for, so I'll definitely be getting rid of those hairs for good, plus any remaining dark hairs on my face and neck. The electrolysis required to remove the gray ones is going to be a lot more involved, and much more costly.

[Lori Dee]

Hi Courtney,

That's good news! I know you will continue to have a few stragglers, but hopefully, they will be few enough you can get after them with tweezers. I have been using the hard wax lately. I burned my skin trying the IPL with the carbon dye, so put that idea away for a bit. The waxing is knocking them down enough that they are not as noticeable as they grow back. So, yeah, progress. I am happy the laser is working out for you!

[ChrissyRyan]

Sometimes I need the ones the size of a beach towel. Just soak my whole face in it and start over. 

That would be a big one that is for sure.

[Maid Marion]

That is good news about the laser getting rid of 80%
My Braun Epil 9 comes with an attachment for feminine facial hair removal.
It covers all except a small center portion of the rotary pulling device.

Facial hair is an issue for some GGs.
My wife would have a razor in her bag to remove any facial hair that bothered her in the women's rest room!  I wouldn't worry so much about facial hair showing temporarily while having it removed. I would avoid wearing red lipstick or something else that would draw attention to my face.  Red nail polish would draw attention to my hands and away from my face.  A crop top would draw attention to my waist.

[Courtney G]

Hi Courtney,

That's good news! I know you will continue to have a few stragglers, but hopefully, they will be few enough you can get after them with tweezers. I have been using the hard wax lately. I burned my skin trying the IPL with the carbon dye, so put that idea away for a bit. The waxing is knocking them down enough that they are not as noticeable as they grow back. So, yeah, progress. I am happy the laser is working out for you!

Wow! Did you wipe all of the dye from your skin using alcohol? Because the only "burn" should be down in the roots, which is part of the normal function of the IPL. I've not had a problem with burning skin, no matter how hard I go.

[Lori Dee]

Wow! Did you wipe all of the dye from your skin using alcohol? Because the only "burn" should be down in the roots, which is part of the normal function of the IPL. I've not had a problem with burning skin, no matter how hard I go.

I did wipe it off. I had the IPL cranked up too high. It is a salon-grade machine and my frustration caused me to go for it. I figured that even if it burns me, maybe it will damage the follicles enough to slow down growth. Nope. It burned the surface and the whiskers kept growing.

I let it grow out while the skin was healing. It finally got long enough I decided to try waxing. That left places where the hair does not grow back. So I keep repeating the process hoping those bald spots will eventually get big enough to cover my whole face. 

So far, my face is getting cleared well enough that a quick shave with a razor cleans it up nicely. Now my focus is on my neck, as the hair seems to grow faster there. It is a slow process, but I am making progress.

[Courtney G]

That is good news about the laser getting rid of 80%
My Braun Epil 9 comes with an attachment for feminine facial hair removal.
It covers all except a small center portion of the rotary pulling device.

Facial hair is an issue for some GGs.
My wife would have a razor in her bag to remove any facial hair that bothered her in the women's rest room!  I wouldn't worry so much about facial hair showing temporarily while having it removed. I would avoid wearing red lipstick or something else that would draw attention to my face.  Red nail polish would draw attention to my hands and away from my face.  A crop top would draw attention to my waist.

I've had several GG friends tell me that pretty much all women have to deal with some facial hair (and a lot of body hair!), but the fuzzy gray beard has to go. I've waxed a little but it's much thicker than my body hair.

For me, it's my breasts - a low enough top and I think people will miss a lot about me. This top has no padding, just a little "scoop and swoop" to emphasize the girls.

[Lori Dee]

For me, it's my breasts - a low enough top and I think people will miss a lot about me. This top has no padding, just a little "scoop and swoop" to emphasize the girls.

That is my thinking too. If they are looking at my boobs they are not looking at chin whiskers.