Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I only use a little make up I'm not into doing a lot. I only use liner and foundation and lashes . I basically have done it myself from practicing since I was in grade school by stealing my sisters stuff.  I do need to figure out how to do my hair though. I just usually have my hair just hang down , but I need to figure out better ways to pull it up. I usually just look at other woman and try to figure out how they got their hair up. There is this pretty secretary at my therapist office that I sit and watch while waiting for my appointment. She does a few different styles.

Youtube is your friend! There are so many tutorials, even slow step by steps for beginners! That's what I use whenever there is something new I want to try, and it's really paid off so far

Friends, self and internet. No multiple choice so I had to say other.

Most of what I know, I just realized one day that I already knew because of how closely I watched my mother.  My earliest memories involve my attention going straight away from little toy cars or whatever right over to my mom doing cool makeup stuff!  But my mom is not really great at it.(doesn't blend anything lol).  Second  the youtube suggestion, though; lots of them are great, and there's tonnes of different looks going on.


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Practice and more practice mainly, and then did a class a little while ago which was a lot of fun and gave some good tips, but mainly just confirmed that I was doing ok


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Friends for a while, then YouTube tutorials. YouTube is your friend.

Or, if you have a really knowledgeable lady friend (cis or trans doesn't matter) you could probably spend some time with them having a fun day of makeovers. That's how I learned a lot and felt really, really validated about being a woman (through bonding with other women).

I was mostly taught by my female roommate. I remember the first time I wore makeup she applied it, and then she told me next, I am gonna teach you how to do this. She helped me to make my make up appear more natural.

I actually learnt quite quickly and within a month I was applying like I had been doing it all my life. My roommate showed me a lot female tricks of the trade.

I also used youtube tutorials.

Quotehow did you learn to do your hair and make up

Based on my reflection in the mirror...."poorly". :laugh:

I watched YouTube videos to learn how to do makeup.  Specifically, YouTube tutorials from Asian women (since I'm also Asian).  But I also went to a MAC store to get color matched for my foundation and powder.

I learned from friends. Just so happened that I hit the jackpot with friends who do modeling, are aestheticians, laser techs, beauticians, and dance instructors... I have transition support.

I watched my sister prepare for beauty pageants and I was jealous. But Cosmo was my main source before the internet. I loved to view the supermodels of the time. Christine Ferrari, Cheryl Tigues, Rosie Vila, this was the time I was really in to praying and I just would have loved being Christine. At the time she was my idea of a beautiful woman.

I tried self-taught and Internet.  I really did.  I didn't really learn until I worked with people who know what they are doing, and have the ability to explain things to others.  One was a very kindly wig shop owner, who showed me how to do basic cleaning and restyling, and the other so far was a cosmetics consulting artist in a Sephora shop.  I used their 'free' makeover service to get myself a detailed tutorial in a basic everyday look that I find (this morning, anyway) that I can put together myself.  I'll repeat these experiences as needed.

I was stupid and took up 17,000 in student loans to go to beauty school.

I did my own makeup for yrs. But my wife has taught me even more about makeup and hair which has helped tremendously,i love it when she gives me a makeover.

Teenage experimentation.

An older friend - who must've known - who'd talk me through stuff. I particularly remember sitting with her one evening as she got ready for the theatre and saying she felt sorry for men who'd never know the pleasure of eye make up. She looked great by the time she was done - smokey eyes, leopard print leggings, velvet heels, a cloud of YSL Opium. I put/send flowers on her grave every time it's her birthday, which it is next month.

I'm not in town next month because I'm studying in Scotland, so thanks for reminding me - it'll have to be sent. This year I'm taken by tropical arrangements, and I'm sure she'd like that, so that's what it'll be. With a picture to admire/prove they've done what I asked. I wish she was still here - that particular night she was meeting a youngish Italian man in his 40s, on my encouragement (she was over 70) and to hell with her horrible husband who'd led her a dogs life.

My mother, who had/has a horror of people looking ungroomed and introduced me to concealer and tweezing and stuff before I turned 12. As well as Biactol, just in case, but thankfully I never did develop teenage acne. Unfortunately, my electrolygist has subsequently created a scar in lieu of an acne scar.

Harvey Nichols. Absolutely fabulous darling! And really by osmosis, because I used to hang around there playing truant because I was sure I'd bump into Princess Diana, bond over the counter, and be BFF. Which is where I discovered that Clinique self tan really works for me on the face and neck.

A great hairdresser who will follow what I point out in magazines without arguing. And I hate particularly long hair - I like an almost unisex slight bob, with the dark roots dyed into it.

Magazines themselves - buying them directly or reading in the dentist - that tell you what's current.

Seeing what's on offer in different cities/countries. Always helpful, particularly so if you like the local look - Sephora on fifth avenue in New York is great for that, as is Bergdorfs, for those who are in New York. Last time in the latter, I was with my friends kid and they were sweet enough to set up a treasure hunt.

Dealing with pushy salesgirls when you're only buying blusher who say things like 'you have dark circles, I have just the thing' and thinking, sod off you cheeky Madame.

Salons - discussing what fits and what looks too much before they apply the dye - brows and lashes. That works pre transition as well as during etc.

All that sort of thing. Osmosis I'd say, if I had to pick one word.

Some of what I learned is from observing other women, and I also learned on my own with lots of experimentation (a lot of retailers allow you to return makeup even after you've used it if it doesn't work for you), and watching YouTube videos; and a I had a makeover at a department store once. I don't wear a lot of makeup, but lipstick is something I always wear, because it brings out a lot of feminine features in my face.

Make it a strength - years of 'tone it down it down because male' is pretty much akin to females having years of 'tone it down because hooker'.

Go wild, and let a professional reign you in.

Hair, I don't know, you look really thin, so maybe a partial wig to help the front/top along would make a lot of difference. That's the only thing that shouts out. With full hair, you'd look kind of Jackie Stallone. Without, it's a little problematic. But you're pretty and have those kind of Jackie Stallone features that look great with a tonne of make up that others can't pull off.

Quote from: kittenpower on September 23, 2016, 02:13:36 PM
Some of what I learned is from observing other women, and I also learned on my own with lots of experimentation (a lot of retailers allow you to return makeup even after you've used it if it doesn't work for you), and watching YouTube videos; and a I had a makeover at a department store once. I don't wear a lot of makeup, but lipstick is something I always wear, because it brings out a lot of feminine features in my face.

Yes, agreed. Go to a department store and get the upmarket service so you know for sure what works, whether it's lips, eyes, other.

I picked up a book by Kevin Aucoin which was good on how to over-do it really well as well as keep it understatd and picked up some tips from friends.

Youtube is pretty good

I've watched a couple of you tube vid.s and I do remember watching my sisters and various girl friends apply their make up but I think that was too many years ago to have really learned much

I mostly learned from the trail and error of experimentation  :icon_chick: