Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I had a chance this week to get the makeup out and play around.

Sadly, I remember why I stopped dressing a decade and a half ago.

I'm never happy looking at myself in the mirror but having to spend quite a bit of time to make myself look like a rediculous sad clown was pretty depressing.

Covering up skin blemishes was ok but not looking after my skin has really not paid off, particularly around my eyes.

I did like the process just not having to see myself and the results.

Hey Petunia!

Makeup is definitely an art requiring a good bit of practice and experimentation...just finding the products that work best can be quite the workout but, finding them can make a huge difference in final results...

Have you ever tried consulting with a professional makeup artist? They can often have a good eye for what would constitute a good look for you and have recommendations for products etc... hair color, eye color and makeup colors work off of each other and small changes can make a big difference in an overall look!

I hope you keep at it... give the sad clown the boot and see only a happy woman!

Onward Brave Sister!

A 💕

Quote from: tgirlamg on January 15, 2026, 08:46:12 PMgive the sad clown the boot and see only a happy woman!

Oh, Ashley, you are my life coach. I hope Petunia follows your advice (Petunia, you are beautiful with or without makeup). I know I will try to, but I understand how mirrors have a habit of getting in the way.

Quote from: Dances With Trees on January 15, 2026, 09:23:05 PMOh, Ashley, you are my life coach. I hope Petunia follows your advice (Petunia, you are beautiful with or without makeup). I know I will try to, but I understand how mirrors have a habit of getting in the way.

One of my essentials is a 10x lighted mirror for eye makeup... you have to learn to set aside what your skin looks like at 10x and just do whatcha gotta do! 😅 I read a book by Amy Poeler many years ago and she had a line in there about something being the dumbest thing you could do outside of looking at your face in a magnifying mirror! 😅

Onward!

A 💕

I've always said that the best makeup is your attitude. I genuinely believe that the more you embrace your inner woman and femininity for an extended period of time you will see some physical changes. I've been at this for almost a half century and I've had seasons in life where I didn't embrace being trans due to marriage and parenting responsibilities. After that drought in my late 30s and 40s, I can distinctly remember putting on makeup for the first time in maybe 15 years and I looked like an ogre. I was shocked and so disappointed. I looked like a man in drag.

Fast forward a few years and I'm in a season where I'm embracing my feminine side and my brain feels like it's wired differently. Now when I put on makeup I look half decent even though I'm a decade older and in my mid 50s. The difference between an ogre 10 years ago and now where I look somewhat presentable is my mental attitude. Even my wife has commented that in male mode I'm looking more like a woman. It's because what's inside bubbles up to the outside.

The best makeup is your attitude. But makeup skills are critical and practice makes improvement.

Quote from: Jillian-TG on January 15, 2026, 11:17:57 PMThe best makeup is your attitude. But makeup skills are critical and practice makes improvement.

Very good advice.

Also, Less is More. If you want to look like a Drag Queen, that is fine. But if you just want to blend in, then go easy on the glitter and bright colors. Going out dancing at night calls for a different approach than Saturday afternoon shopping at the mall. Look at other women and see how much makeup they are wearing. If you look good and look like you might not be wearing makeup, you are doing it right. Use it to enhance your looks, not bury them.

Loads of good advice above. I'm sure most of us have gone through the clown face phase (I know I have) CIS women go through this too, just for them it is when they are young girls. We aren't born knowing how to do makeup!

My tip in addition to those above is to look on you tube and follow tutorials. I think it's important to go for tutorials with women who are your own age or those designed for women your age as make up styles and technique vary as you get older. Learn more about skin tone and undertone, have you got hooded eyes, contouring and so on as they can guide your product selection.

Observe women your own age and see how they have applied theirs (same goes for clothing and mannerisms) and Lori's mantra that Less is More is so true.

I'm no expert by any means, I'm always trying new things and experimenting (sometimes with comical results!)

You'll get the hang of it.

I just use a tinted face cream ,dash of rouge and face powder. Have to do my grey eye brows to match my wig and then some lippy to match my clothes. 5 min make over!!

I think I'll be more inclined to do makep a bit more when I've had my blepharoplasty. Most of the nice stuff is around the eyes, but as it stands, even suggestions for hooded eyes don't work on the extremes of mine!

Would still only be for going out and such though. Gigs, furry meets and such it's nice to look a bit better. Doing makeup at 6.30am just to goto work is not appealing!

Also there are some semi permanent procedures for lips, eyeliner and such which could  be an option!

I have hooded eyes too and they're a pain! I have found that eyeliner (with an upward flick) and mascara only on the top lid and lashes really lifts the eyes. For shadow I use an angled detail brush and apply a light shimmer or glitter colour in a thin line just above the liner. Works for me.

We have to remember that Cisco women have had a whole lifetime to practice makeup. They get over nighters with friends and play. They have a several other practice sessions. A lot of us as adults don't get. It will take time, be patient and keep practicing