This probably should go under "Makeup" part of the forums, but since most newbies tend to come here first, I thought I'd share my experience and tips for those who are just beginning their transition and not sure how to start their makeup collection -
This is what I did when I started out being full-time -
1) Buy cheap cosmetics from drug stores (WalGreens is my favorite, they ve always got some sale going on in the cosmetic department)
A) Choose a lengthening mascara and a volumizing mascara to combine using both (mascaras that claim to do it both lie)
B) Focus on getting eyeshadow in classical colors (think blues, purples, nude colors), don't be led astray by other eyeshadow palettes that comes in
in alluring packages or in duo colors
C) Get a eyeliner in both black and brown (other colors are just for partying and special photo shoots)
D) Eyebrow pencils are optional (I just use a angled brush to spread black eyeshadow on my black-haired eyebrows and smooth them for nightly
events)
Don't get foundation (either liquid or powder) or blush from drugstores - their quality is CHEAP and fades quickly, plus loaded with chemicals that are
bad for your skin (think parabens)
2) Invest in a large cheap eyeshadow palette to round out your eyeshadow colors in case you get tired of using the classical eyeshadow colors and want to use a different color once in a while, or you want a specific color for a night out or clubbing (Ross is great for finding those large eyeshadow palettes for dirt cheap as well as makeup kit tools that comes with a variety of brushes)
3) Go to a premium makeup store such as Bare Essecentuals, MAC, Estelle, Sephora, etc. Have the workers there assist with helping you select the right foundation and blush. Their foundations and blushes are of much higher quality. (I personally use Bare Essectunals for everyday foundation, and MAC for clubbing foundation) Also grab toners and makeup primers if you can afford them (they enchance the longevity of foundation and brings out eyeshadow colors more)
You are all set with the basics. Slowly add to your makeup collection by purchasing an expensive article of makeup (can be anything) from those premium makeup stores each month.
Advanced makeup items (such as contouring, highlighting, smoky pencils to create smoky eyes, falsies, etc) comes later once you ve got the hang of the makeup basics and have everything set.
You know you're gonna get a response in this thread that says, "I'm a woman I don't have to wear makeup" or some more Pollyanna thinkin.
I've always said that being a transgirl is like being a drag queen, but the people who are judging you is everyone else but gay men.
Pretty good beginner's guide! I hope people take it to heart... some decent makeup can be unreal in the right hands.
thanx MsDazzler
very helpful tips for the beginners
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 12:39:40 AM
Pretty good beginner's guide! I hope people take it to heart... some decent makeup can be unreal in the right hands.
I've been on this board for 3 months...they won't and it's really sad. :(
It's probably been close to a year for me. Some will, some won't.
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 12:43:33 AM
It's probably been close to a year for me. Some will, some won't.
Simply feeling like a woman isn't enough...you gotta werqk it all completely.
No, registered on September...it just feels like a year LOL...My rep rose pretty fast on the board.
But yeah...makeup techniques are part of the TRANSformation and make a huge difference even if you're femme to begin with.
I love love love makeup! I have so much makeup!
Oh neat. I was referring to my join date though. Plus x time spent lurking. I sort of miss the way the boards were... but whatever.
Putting a little "werq" into one's daily presentation is sort of necessary, and pretty fun. Either way, it's become a part of the norm of society these days, so it's rather unavoidable whether it's enjoyable or not. I rarely go somewhere without makeup... although with my beard being pretty much gone, the incidents have been increasing (maybe once or twice monthly?). Not that there's an excuse for that! Much like there's little excuse for my not using more advanced makeup techniques. Aside from laziness, apathy, and whatnot.
Makeup is pretty important. It's like voice... such a crucial thing that's often neglected slightly more than it should be. A good voice makes the biggest difference.
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 01:02:11 AM
Oh neat. I was referring to my join date though. Plus x time spent lurking. I sort of miss the way the boards were... but whatever.
Putting a little "werq" into one's daily presentation is sort of necessary, and pretty fun. Either way, it's become a part of the norm of society these days, so it's rather unavoidable whether it's enjoyable or not. I rarely go somewhere without makeup... although with my beard being pretty much gone, the incidents have been increasing (maybe once or twice monthly?). Not that there's an excuse for that! Much like there's little excuse for my not using more advanced makeup techniques. Aside from laziness, apathy, and whatnot.
Makeup is pretty important. It's like voice... such a crucial thing that's often neglected slightly more than it should be. A good voice makes the biggest difference.
Good voice and makeup... I mean I am sorry, no amount of hormones and pretty bone structure will complete the illusion of a female. It takes a lot of work and experimentation.
I used to wear a lot more make up when I started my transitioning in the 1990's but these days prefer to not wear any make or wear very little. Less is more and I look much better with a clear complexion and just the minimum amount of make up. Too many T's do seem to pile it on!
While I do agree that drugstore foundations are okay at best, I will say that if you're in a pinch, that may be your only option until you have figured everything out makeup wise and know what exactly it is you need for your face/makeup look and can afford some of the higher end department store products.. If you absolutely need to, I would go with Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation! or a pressed powder works just as well if you don't have that much facial hair to cover. I personally use bare minerals and LOVE that stuff!!!
I think there is pretty awesome blush out there at the drugstores, too! Especially if you're strapped for cash. :)
I also highly recommend going somewhere that will let you try on foundation. It is highly important that you match your skin color as precisely as you can when picking out your foundation or it will be noticable. Also, dear god dont just throw on 1 color eye shadow and be done with it.. mix and blend! Eye shadow is seriously art and doing 2 colors plus 1 for under the brow is the difference between painting a piece of paper all blue and painting a beautiful oil panting! Oh, and don't get me started on lipstick.. not everybody can pull off deep red okay? Just because you have some deep attachment to deep red lipstick doesn't mean it'll look good on you. In fact, where I'm from, lipstick is out of style. Light lip gloss (or even chapstick) is more popular.
And that's another thing! Make sure what you're doing is in!!!
This probably should go under "Makeup" part of the forums
LOL... Well yes, it probably should, and I'm surprised Mahsa didn't get after you for that
It is amazing some of the stuff we go through learning about makeup like some teen age kid until we find what works or not :laugh:
I love to learn how to use makeup, each day I learn something new. It is so much fun :D.
I need to restrain myself though because otherwise I would go bananas in the store and end up without any money for other stuff :P.
I got this: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true)
from my sis for Christmas. It's fun messing around with, and doesn't feel as intimidating as some stuff can be. But then makeup is more of a toy for me than something serious.
Quote from: Sarah7 on December 30, 2011, 08:17:01 AM
I got this: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true)
from my sis for Christmas. It's fun messing around with, and doesn't feel as intimidating as some stuff can be. But then makeup is more of a toy for me than something serious.
I need one of those, ASAP!
Quote from: Mariposa on December 30, 2011, 06:31:50 AM
While I do agree that drugstore foundations are okay at best, I will say that if you're in a pinch, that may be your only option until you have figured everything out makeup wise and know what exactly it is you need for your face/makeup look and can afford some of the higher end department store products.. If you absolutely need to, I would go with Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation! or a pressed powder works just as well if you don't have that much facial hair to cover. I personally use bare minerals and LOVE that stuff!!!
I think there is pretty awesome blush out there at the drugstores, too! Especially if you're strapped for cash. :)
I agree... drugstores serve as good emergency stops if you are out of your foundation and the mall/department stores are closed... the intent of my makeup tips was for the beginner who hardly know where to start when she wants to start her makeup collection.
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on December 30, 2011, 05:33:51 AM
I used to wear a lot more make up when I started my transitioning in the 1990's but these days prefer to not wear any make or wear very little. Less is more and I look much better with a clear complexion and just the minimum amount of make up. Too many T's do seem to pile it on!
That is true - the longer I ve been on hormones, the less and less I feel the
need to pile on makeup, BUT....
I just LOVE makeup and enjoy putting them on!
I was kinda lucky in that my X-g friend gave me a bunch of pretty good stuff, (mostly Clinique) before she left... She also gave me some tips on how to use most of it and what's good to buy in the future... I have rather sensitive combination skin so it was a big help to learn what I was most likely going to have a reaction to
The thing I struggled with most was selecting foundations
Naturally, when I first started doing my make up myself I was very excited and became an experimenting gob monster :laugh: Then that mellowed out and I've gone through various phases of if I feel like doing my make up ... or not
Right now I'm kinda back into it, but in a more refined way if that makes sense
I'm poor and have to use drug store stuff, but mainly just practicing at home and not going out - other than some foundation, powder, and lip gloss. I've got some blemishes on my cheeks that need covered.
What do you girls keep your makeup in? I would love to find something affordable where I can put it all in one nice organized container. My mother used to have something she called a Train Case that she kept everything in.
Oh, and which goes first - foundation or concealer? I see different answers to this question. I think concealer goes first - just on dark spots and such, but maybe I'm wrong.
Nice thread!
Quote from: Robertina on December 30, 2011, 04:41:27 PM
Oh, and which goes first - foundation or concealer? I see different answers to this question. I think concealer goes first - just on dark spots and such, but maybe I'm wrong.
Foundation always goes on first. It works as a concealer to a small extent.
Quote from: MsDazzler on December 30, 2011, 12:25:36 PM
That is true - the longer I ve been on hormones, the less and less I feel the need to pile on makeup, BUT....
I just LOVE makeup and enjoy putting them on!
These days I find it a chore! and if I don't have to wear it I won't wear make up. When you get to my age it's botox and a face lift you need. I always seem to look worse with make up than without it.
Foundations need primers and perfectly moisturized skin.
I have a good concealer and foundation, a bunch of different coloured eyeshadows and lipsticks, a couple of eyeliner pencils.. oh and some blush and bronzer..
I don't wear it everyday, to do so here would actually draw more attention to myself than I currently want.. There seems to be 2 groups here that wear makeup all the time - teens and the over-50's.. I also work as a chef and it's kinda frowned upon to wear it in the kitchen..
I'll wear it if I have something on, like going out for dinner or I have a date but otherwise I tend not to bother..
Makeup is a little like fashion, somewhat regional, what works for you where you are, may not work for others in other places...
http://www.eyeslipsface.com (http://www.eyeslipsface.com)
This website sells make-up pretty cheap, but they also have guide books that contain eyeshadow, eyeliner pencil and the typical cheap applicator sponges that come with all makeup. They show you how to apply the eyeshadow and eyeliner by combining shades.
I've got blonde hair, but would I still use black eyeliner? One girl told me yes, but wanted to get your opinion on that.
Depends on how you apply it - heavy, no.. you could get away with it at nighttime for clubs and parties, but during the daytime, if you must wear black eyeliner, just apply enough... gray might be better than charcoal black
Quote from: MsDazzler on December 31, 2011, 06:52:12 PM
Depends on how you apply it - heavy, no.. you could get away with it at nighttime for clubs and parties, but during the daytime, if you must wear black eyeliner, just apply enough... gray might be better than charcoal black
For blondes, would it be better to use a brown eyelinner, non at all, or what? I still have a lot to learn about makeup, but especially the eyes. My eyes have a bit of a sunken look, highlighted by having some under eye bags and very light and sparse eyebrows that also fall a bit below the browline (due to age and a bit of weight I suppose). My face is not real thin, but some people have told me that my eyes look a bit like a scull. Any suggestions for such a problem?
Quote from: Robertina on January 02, 2012, 10:58:29 AM
For blondes, would it be better to use a brown eyelinner, non at all, or what? I still have a lot to learn about makeup, but especially the eyes. My eyes have a bit of a sunken look, highlighted by having some under eye bags and very light and sparse eyebrows that also fall a bit below the browline (due to age and a bit of weight I suppose). My face is not real thin, but some people have told me that my eyes look a bit like a scull. Any suggestions for such a problem?
Oh yes, the bags are dreadful.. it requires a pronged approach... just applying concealer underneath is not enough. You have to apply antipuffy/antiwrinkle eye cream around your eyes, pat them dry on the bags everyday to help reduce them. Also use eye masks frequently.
I use Revlon's Age Defying Concealer for my slight bags because it has eye cream in it already so 'i am doing 2 for 1 with one application, but I still apply eye cream underneath my eyes everyday after shower.
As for eyeliner, brown/gray can work for blondes in daytime.
Quote from: MsDazzler on January 02, 2012, 05:06:11 PM
Oh yes, the bags are dreadful.. it requires a pronged approach... just applying concealer underneath is not enough. You have to apply antipuffy/antiwrinkle eye cream around your eyes, pat them dry on the bags everyday to help reduce them. Also use eye masks frequently.
I use Revlon's Age Defying Concealer for my slight bags because it has eye cream in it already so 'i am doing 2 for 1 with one application, but I still apply eye cream underneath my eyes everyday after shower.
As for eyeliner, brown/gray can work for blondes in daytime.
Do you think those antipuff creams really work? My bag problem is two fold; I have puffiness plus I seem to have those little veins near the surface that give a purplish tint. I know that can be concealed, but the puffiness - not so easy.
Thanks for the eyelinner tip too.
Well it really takes discipline day after day to keep applying eye cream even if you feel you see nothing -
Remember, even a dab a day slows down the deteriotating at the very best than if you had done nothing at all.
My friends scoff at me but I am already using antiwrinkle and antiaging products even tho there are no wrinkles showing up yet. Prevention is best than treatment, I say.
Sooo... I encourage you to get concealer that has antiwrinkling or antiaging properties in them such as collagen-infused, etc
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the free stuff you can get at a make up counter, especially Mahsa who works for one. But I wouldn't resist spending about $50 at MAC or Estee Lauder or one of the others and they usually give you a free make up bag with a lipstick, liner, shadow or something like that.
Definitely worth it.
Wow here's a site that lists all the upcoming gifts with purchase.
When I've bought make up and wanted to set up a kit that's what I started with. Then I filled in with cheap crap.
http://mygiftwithpurchase.com/ (http://mygiftwithpurchase.com/)
Quote from: mixie on January 02, 2012, 11:55:06 PM
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the free stuff you can get at a make up counter, especially Mahsa who works for one.
We just give out foundation/concealer/skin cream samples. Nothing more.
Check out the link. You will be shocked what you get for freeeeee!
Quote from: Mahsa the disco shark on January 03, 2012, 12:08:44 AM
We just give out foundation/concealer/skin cream samples. Nothing more.
Really? I ve gotten some eyeshadow samples from MAC and Bare Esscentuals... of course, on my eyes, not in a box heh
Where do you all live? I am shocked. They give out BAGS of this stuff. Half the time if you go to Macy's they'll just give you the free with your purchase even if you don't spend the actual required amount?
It's done in Macy's without fail so perhaps go to Macy's when you do it. Check out what you get on that website.
Quote from: mixie on January 03, 2012, 12:43:30 AM
Where do you all live? I am shocked. They give out BAGS of this stuff. Half the time if you go to Macy's they'll just give you the free with your purchase even if you don't spend the actual required amount?
It's done in Macy's without fail so perhaps go to Macy's when you do it. Check out what you get on that website.
I live in San Francisco; she lives in Bay Area, but close enough. :P
Hey cool I see that they honor the sales online too! So you can do that.
But for example at Elizabeth Arden you could get THIS
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.quickblogcast.com%2F5%2F9%2F7%2F4%2F3%2F143968-134795%2FSnap2032.png%3Fa%3D87&hash=98a6cfb9bcb583d9d14d0f1508c078ce0728b1a7)
for free with any $65 purchase. So I'd buy a great foundation or two and a mascara and then you get this. Better yet it's a great way to buy a fragrance.
Quote from: mixie on January 03, 2012, 12:51:20 AM
Hey cool I see that they honor the sales online too! So you can do that.
But for example at Elizabeth Arden you could get THIS
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.quickblogcast.com%2F5%2F9%2F7%2F4%2F3%2F143968-134795%2FSnap2032.png%3Fa%3D87&hash=98a6cfb9bcb583d9d14d0f1508c078ce0728b1a7)
for free with any $65 purchase. So I'd buy a great foundation or two and a mascara and then you get this. Better yet it's a great way to buy a fragrance.
Looks divine! Thanks for the link tip - I m looking into it.
Wish I could afford a great fragrance. But speaking of creams, I found a great alpha hydroxy facial cream by Jafra. Jafra is a little pricey - mine was a gift from an aquaintance who is a rep.
So, what does everyone keep all these goodies in? Any good way of organizing other than piled in a little box?
Quote from: Robertina on December 30, 2011, 04:41:27 PM
I'm poor and have to use drug store stuff
I'm poor also :-\ But I recently ordered some stuff from a place called e.l.f. (www.eyeslipsface.com (http://www.eyeslipsface.com)) I haven't had a chance to try much of it out yet because my package just came today, but it all looks like good quality stuff, Well packaged, labeled and everything comes with instructions :) The prices are really good too
I use some ELF stuff, most of it seems OK.
I got this 11 piece brush set http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/tools/brush-sets/11_piece_brush_collection (http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/tools/brush-sets/11_piece_brush_collection) on a New Years special for $2.12 :)
Of coarse I had to buy $20.12 worth of stuff to get the deal so I got:
A Kabuki face brush, 2 foundations, false eye lash kit, lip stick, and skin prep. all for a little more than the reg. price of the brush set :) It's like I bought the brush set, paid half the shipping and got $24 worth of stuff free
I think I did pretty well on that deal 8)
Excellent shopping.
Excellent shopping.
;D
I've started with Wet and Wild from the drug store, but I have a problem with not finding an exact match between foundation, concealer, and powder. The powder tends to be a shade to light or dark (I use a pressed powder, which seems to be easier for me to apply). I probably need to pay more money to get more choices, but . . .