Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Ok folks here is a fun topic for you to debate. This is intended to be for fun...

Do you wear makeup, if so how often?

And why do you wear it - or indeed why not?

Giving credit where due the question was inspired in my mind by a remark by Lilacwoman in the detransitioning thread about the trivialities of female life like shopping (which I do a lot of) and not going out the door without make up. This second bit made me smile because although I will wear makeup to a party or a special event I do not generally wear it as I don't think I really need it, but then I always was rather vain ;)

Anyway how often do you wear it? It will be interesting to see the results. Oh and just to make it more interesting if you vote please also post the reasons for your choice in the thread.

Day to day, going out somewhere, I always use liner and a little mascara because a little makeup really brings out my baby blues. My eyes are my best feature. Working around home or a weekend at the beach, I don't bother.

OMG, makeup is something else I hadn't thought about.  There should be a MTF bootcamp to help with all these little things.  So much to learn and do. :( ;D

Mary

When out doing everyday stuff I always wear some makeup, always eyeliner and mascara to enhance my peepers; maybe a little lipstick as well....I think I look too male without it. If I'm out for the evening; for a meal or otherwise I wear a full face of makeup but for just around the house then I don't wear any at all. For some reason I feel a bit more confident in myself when I wear makeup.

For me option #2

I never wear full (body armour) Lancomé....unless up for key interviews or serious times out....which is fun to do none the less....

As is putting on the full glamour frock, big hair and special undies stuff too...

But Lippy I tend to bang on even if just whizzing out to the shops...and I might tweak my eyelashes too...

But the rest of the time it's minimal....and defo if sailing or horse riding...

I need it to cover and disguise facial defects.


I also quite like it. I have spent extraordinary time experimenting with make up when I had no intention of going out.

One of my nicest times was when I got up the courage to allow the 'make up' girls in DJ's ( a 'high' class store )to do my make up. I think we both enjoyed it and the plastic cried for weeks.  I totally passed, gave me the confidence to go forward, again, at that time.

Cindy

I generally wear mascara in 'bloke mode', but have only started venturing out dressed lately, which is when I wear more than that. Basically just foundation and powder, eyeshadow and light lipstick.

When I want to look pretty I'll sometimes use concealer and powder on my face to cover up any blemishes (which seem to be increasing with age), and just recently I've started to occasionally use a light pink lip gloss, but obviously can't do much presenting as a guy.

I have to day, though, that I'm not happy about makeup being so expensive!  I now linger longer when walking past the cosmetic section, and the prices are up there.  I've just used dollar store items, but not easy to get a great match that way.

i'm having electrolysis on my chin and jaw and its leaving me with awful bumps and sores practically constantly so I'm afraid I have to mess about with the frivolity of make up before I go into town but neighbours are Ok with my bare face.
neither of my two bosses use much although the older one who has to have meetings everyday with senior managers does use lipstick and has her nails done all the time.

I Try to apply The "Less is More" rule

Make-up doesn't define femininity....
But it sure does add a nice touch :P

Not yet, though I dearly want to. I've applied the odd sneaky brushstrokes of mascara here and there, and dabbled in foundations totally inappropriate for my skin type, but I've never worn makeup outside. It's a little way off my priority list on limited funds, since clothes and things like my deed poll will help me pass at a distance. :)

As a general rule, I wear makeup if I am going to go out into the public.  But if it is just a day at home, I don't bother with it.

And I do subscribe to the "less is more" rule.  I have some flaws that I cover, including some facial hair on the upper lip.

OMG,

I guess I must be a makeup diva, compared to others answering the poll. Julie says I'm my mother's daughter. I only saw her in the morning without her makeup maybe a couple of times a year-on Christmas morning and when she was sick.   :icon_chick:

I just feel better when I leave the house by wearing some.Even Hollywood celebrities would do well to follow this rule of thumb. For those who are disbelievers, look at this site (http://www.celebritieswithoutmakeup.net/):

My general philosophy is:
1. Around the house, almost never unless I just want to feel a little better about myself.
2. Very little if I plan on working outside or exercising.
3. Going out to the store etc., yes but lightly applied especially during the daytime.
4. For a special event or going out at night-yes, and done with more care. Heavier mascara,  blush, redder lipstick etc. :eusa_dance:

I wear makeup pretty much wherever I go unless it is just a quick run to the store. I actually got ma'am'd twice last weekend with no makeup on! Thank goodness for people who forgot their glasses!

Yes. Foundation almost every day and most days I wear eye shadow. Other than that I rarely wear lipstick or mascara....and eyeliner is once in a blue moon.

I don't wear foundation on the weekends, and can get away without any, but I do wear a thin coat of war paint to the office just to have an even skin tone as it's been less than a year since my face was lasered and there is some slight color difference.

I still have fun with eye makeup.

I almost always go out with at least tinted lipgloss, mascara, a little eyeliner, some coverup and powder.  Boy or girl mode, does not matter.

Cheers!
Rayalissse

I always wore foundation. It smooths the skin and evens the tone. But it need to be taken off at night.

I never had the confidence to wear mush more, simply because the skill to do it right takes more practice than I had the opportunity for.

foundation to hide the red bleedy sometime shadowy mess that is my electrolyzed face... Occasionally concealer to hide my dark eye rings although i'm looking into a better fix for those Vit K retinol cream perhaps I suspect they are caused by my T-blockers.

I might try eyeliner sometimes when I get my hands on some.

Quote from: rejennyrated on August 27, 2010, 03:56:19 AM
Ok folks here is a fun topic for you to debate. This is intended to be for fun...

Do you wear makeup, if so how often?

And why do you wear it - or indeed why not?

Giving credit where due the question was inspired in my mind by a remark by Lilacwoman in the detransitioning thread about the trivialities of female life like shopping (which I do a lot of) and not going out the door without make up. This second bit made me smile because although I will wear makeup to a party or a special event I do not generally wear it as I don't think I really need it, but then I always was rather vain ;)

Anyway how often do you wear it? It will be interesting to see the results. Oh and just to make it more interesting if you vote please also post the reasons for your choice in the thread.

I wear MAC ever since i started being full time.  The people were nice and showed me how to put it on, i went with a friend and got a day to day look..

At first it took me 2 hours to put it on myself, now only 20 or 30 minutes at most for a full look, and only 10 for a partial that i use for work.  I have 3 looks in all, work, going out casual, and going out classy (night), and use various makeup.

I wear it everyday, dont start my day without putting it on, and only take it off when i am ready to go to bed.   My life seems to revolve around my makeup and how bothersome it would be to take off and put on, especially my exercise schedule which can smear it sometimes.

Anyway, make-up is essential if you want to look your best as a woman, eye liner is just amazing for making you look much more feminine.  If you dont wear makeup i recommend going to a shop and asking them for a natural look for you, you will be amazed at the difference.

good luck ^_^b

Quote from: juliekins on August 27, 2010, 11:55:23 AM
OMG,

OMG! some of those celebs are aging badly!  And Madonna without her dentures..  :D

If I'm going out socialising yes definately. For work I do sometimes if I've got customer meetings but otherwise nope.
I like wearing it though and it does give me a lift.

Only on the weekends and special occasions.

I don't like wearing make up and if I do it's very little indeed. I prefer a natural complexion but try to look after my skin. Lately I've noticed dark rings around my eyes, so I do use a little make up but very sparingly. I actually think I look much better without make up but in the early days I used to wear more which didn't always look very good.

Quote from: Izumi on August 27, 2010, 03:45:54 PM


Anyway, make-up is essential if you want to look your best as a woman,

I agree, I never go anywhere without my make-up, it goes on first thing in the morning and removed last thing at night, lip gloss for day wear and lip stick for evenings going out.
p

I voted "all the time", although technically I don't bother to get made up to go to the grocery store & such.

Honestly, I have been stunned to discover how much pressure there is to feminize! My girlfriends and women at the office keep the heat on to do more.

So, yeah, basically all the time. ::)

Like Izumi, I went to a MAC store when I first started going outside as a woman.  The guy there was amazing and very helpful.

I voted "all the time" because I rarely leave the house without makeup, but I don't wear much and it is always the same: eyeliner, mascarra, lip liner, and lipstick, with a little foundation on my nose so that the huge pores there arean't as obvious.  The rest of my face is bare.  It takes me less than five minutes to put on, and I never touch it up during the day unless I'm going out for the evening to some fancy place.  (Not many opportunities for that in my town.)

So really, it's a little all the time. :)

- Kate

no no no...makeup harms the skin, no matter what the label says. so when i put it on i do it for a reason: maybe a big presentation at work, a night out with friends, etc...but generally i avoid makeup esp at work, i mean it's the worst deal every -- you pay for the makeup, the company won't reimburse you for it, and you're aging your skin...to enhance the corporate image!!!

so i vote in the "if i really have to" category..

Quote from: milktea on August 28, 2010, 10:49:44 PM
no no no...makeup harms the skin, no matter what the label says. so when i put it on i do it for a reason: maybe a big presentation at work, a night out with friends, etc...but generally i avoid makeup esp at work, i mean it's the worst deal every -- you pay for the makeup, the company won't reimburse you for it, and you're aging your skin...to enhance the corporate image!!!

so i vote in the "if i really have to" category..

Mm, actually wearing foundation or powder etc helps protect your face from the sun, especially if it's the kind with sunblock. Lots of lip colors actually moisturize and improve the lip texture. Makeup may have been harmful a few centuries back, but not nowadays.

I wore it all the time for the first few months of transition, feeling that I needed it. Most of the women I'd ever dated went natural, and after a few months of make-up, I realized that that was my style too. Haven't worn any in years.

Z

Quote from: rejennyrated on August 27, 2010, 03:56:19 AM
Ok folks here is a fun topic for you to debate. This is intended to be for fun...

Do you wear makeup, if so how often?

And why do you wear it - or indeed why not?

Giving credit where due the question was inspired in my mind by a remark by Lilacwoman in the detransitioning thread about the trivialities of female life like shopping (which I do a lot of) and not going out the door without make up. This second bit made me smile because although I will wear makeup to a party or a special event I do not generally wear it as I don't think I really need it, but then I always was rather vain ;)

Anyway how often do you wear it? It will be interesting to see the results. Oh and just to make it more interesting if you vote please also post the reasons for your choice in the thread.

I wear makeup everyday I love it

Everyday.  ;D

I wear make up pretty much all of my waking hours.  Mainly because I have no eyebrows or bottom eyelashes  (from that weird sounding/spelled hair disease).  So I always draw on my eyebrows and use eyeliner.  Then lipstick and a bit of blush before putting on my wig  (hair disease again...)

One thing I have discovered during these past few months out on the road is that less seems to help me in blending in as a female in public.  So, the above listed make up seems to be best for me and my situation.

Have a great day.

I typically do, not much, but always eyeliner and a little eyeshadow, never foundation. It takes me 10 minutes to put it on. I use a nice moisturizer then the eye make-up and my favorite lip gloss...skittles lip gloss, mmmm, tasty! I don't feel a need to wear make-up and if I don't feel like it, I don't. I don't make a big deal out of make-up but I like seeing myself with it vs. without it.

I do but don't need it (or so I think, lol). I just wear eyeliner, lipstick and a little face powder to stop the shine, hehe. If I'm at the beach, I don't bother.

Stardust

Quote from: Dee_pntx on August 29, 2010, 03:10:46 PM
Yeah, we quit powdering our faces with white lead a looooong time ago....

i beg to defer nero. agreed that makeup with uva/b blockers help prevent sunburnt + moisturising effect etc., but at the end of the day it's still something unabsorbable that gets stuck to your delicate facial skin for an entire day. the effect is not apparent in 1 day, but over the years it does take a toll.

this is esp true when we're talking about heavy makeup and thick powders on a daily basis. see hollywood actors who have been under the limelight for a couple of years..compare their skin to when they first started...you'll get the idea.

Quote from: milktea on August 30, 2010, 08:38:40 AM
i beg to defer nero. agreed that makeup with uva/b blockers help prevent sunburnt + moisturising effect etc., but at the end of the day it's still something unabsorbable that gets stuck to your delicate facial skin for an entire day. the effect is not apparent in 1 day, but over the years it does take a toll.

this is esp true when we're talking about heavy makeup and thick powders on a daily basis. see hollywood actors who have been under the limelight for a couple of years..compare their skin to when they first started...you'll get the idea.

Well you remove it at night, unless you leave it on all day and night you might have issues, but you wear it, you come home, you remove it.  Thats what I do.  So far my skin looks fine.  Sun does more damage to your skin the makeup ever will.  My skin looks great because most of my life i have been out of direct sunlight.  My advice, use makeup, stay out of the sun.

When I was getting my makeup lessons, it was stressed that I must wash it off before going to bed otherwise my skin will age rapidly, so you may be right, Milktea.  However, I think that if you cleanse your face regularly (no soap) and use lotions regularly using makeup won't be an issue.

There's another thread here about using inexpensive or higher quality makeup.  I tried the cheap stuff and had problems.  I don't use enough makeup for the expense to be an issue, but I would recommend using better makeup if you can afford it.

I live at high altitude with lots of sun and dry air.  That will probably do more harm to my skin than good quality makeup will.  When I start looking like a prune I'll move back to the lowlands. :)

- Kate

I've been out and about without it a couple times ever, mostly because I had a makeover that day.

I've also had guys tell me that I look pretty without it, which is amazingly sweet, but I look in the mirror and just can't agree.

So it's still an everyday thing for me =) Although, I have an everyday look that looks like it's a lot less now =)

Quote from: milktea on August 28, 2010, 10:49:44 PM
no no no...makeup harms the skin, no matter what the label says. so when i put it on i do it for a reason: maybe a big presentation at work, a night out with friends, etc...but generally i avoid makeup esp at work, i mean it's the worst deal every -- you pay for the makeup, the company won't reimburse you for it, and you're aging your skin...to enhance the corporate image!!!

Cheap makeup maybe harms your skin, maybe just a myth, Iv been putting on my makeup and powder everyday for years, Im so use to it now I never go without it, never harms my skin, Iv been  using elizabeth arden skincare, makeup foundation, puff powder, night creams and moisturizers, my skin is very soft, silky over the years, my makeup goes everywhere with me.

Quote from: Nero on August 28, 2010, 11:39:18 PM
Mm, actually wearing foundation or powder etc helps protect your face from the sun, especially if it's the kind with sunblock. Lots of lip colors actually moisturize and improve the lip texture. Makeup may have been harmful a few centuries back, but not nowadays.

Absolutely agree with everything Nero has said there, thank you for that.
p

Yeah in fact, most foundation provides some SPF.

Although I believe it's usually good to moisturize your face before you put it on and after you take it off.

I always wear makeup when out.  I also wear a moisturizer with spf30.  I have tried the cheap kinds and was not too satisfied until a friend at a salon recommended some to me called Bio Fond.  Expensive?  Yes. But absolutely nothing works like it.  So it is worth it to me.  I have found that the cheap kinds of powder work just fine to set it.  Personally I just love how makeup makes me feel.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Some fascinating answers and different points of view.

It might be interesting to see how these results compared with those from the cis community, but unfortunately I can't think of a good way to find out.

Anyway glad to see I'm not the only makeup semi-refusnik. I will put it on for a really important do, or when I truly want to dazzle someone, but I'm actually vain enough to like my face without it so most of the time I feel like I would be gilding the lily. (I told you I was vain!)  :laugh:

My b/f's teenage daughter Jen is a clothes and make-up junkie, like all girls her age are....so where you are age wise on your own trip of feminity denotes the investment in what you do for going out....I would imagine woman way into long-term marriages also worry less about their female personas, than when they were in their key mating attracting days...

I suspect we gals with TG histories are way more focused than typical on looking good, as we've had to work so darn hard for it....

But yep it's been an interesting thread...

Kool new avatar pic btw Jerica....like it!  ;)

Looking back I think in the early years I wore more as armour, so to speak... and working in an industry that was heavily image focused...meant you had no choice but to keep up...

But as I've aged most times I wear minimal now...

And my b/f doesn't like the overdone stuff either, but clean hair, neat nails and a tasteful lipstick, with a lift of lip gloss, is his fave fresh but real look on me...

And I'm a go with that...lol

Quote from: K8 on August 30, 2010, 06:20:29 PM
When I was getting my makeup lessons, it was stressed that I must wash it off before going to bed otherwise my skin will age rapidly, so you may be right, Milktea.  However, I think that if you cleanse your face regularly (no soap) and use lotions regularly using makeup won't be an issue.

hmm assuming that everyone sleep for 8hrs like i do, washing off your makeup before going to bed means 14hrs on makeup per 24hrs, and that would be perfectly ok or even good to the skin as opposed to putting it on for 24hrs which kate here says causes the skin to age rapidly??? doesn't make sense to me...

but again if you're exposed to lotsa uv or living in dry places i supposed makeup is the lesser of two evils...my place here is hot and humid, lots of sun but i'm indoors almost all day long, which means no makeup necessary!!! yeah!!!

I wear make -up to cover the Roseaceia . I also use brow liner to fill my eyebrows too. ellen

sometimes I would wear makeup. I was always told that it makes you "old before your time" by my grandmother. and that a long time ago make up was made out of aborted fetus. don't know if it's any truth to that.

Quote from: Cruelladeville on September 01, 2010, 10:07:01 AM
Kool new avatar pic btw Jerica....like it!  ;)

Thanks girl =)

Don't assume too much, Bibilinda.  I read it as just a fun way of saying 'no' to the question. 

And, as it says in the thread, some MTF's wear little or no makeup - especially after many years of having relaxed into their femaleness.  I know lots of cis-women who wear no makeup, so it makes sense to me that some MTF's wouldn't wear makeup either.

- Kate