So. Today I went to Carla's in San Jose for my makeup lesson.
I strongly recommend this place to anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area who's getting started and needs one-on-one advice. Carla was a pleasure to work with, explained things very clearly, and didn't pressure me into buying anything I wasn't already considering. The whole time, she addressed me by my femme name, Charlotte, and even introduced me to other customers as such. Hers is a cozy little salon and boutique that I'm certain I'll be revisiting.
Some of you asked to see pictures. Here's a self-portrait from the car outside, moments before the lesson.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1018.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf305%2Fdwm1969cd%2F2009-06-20%2520with%2520Carla%2Fbefore_384x512.jpg&hash=88f52f3c185e285662c6f700419a0ef9d9b79796)
And here I am, in Carla's salon after the makeover.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1018.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf305%2Fdwm1969cd%2F2009-06-20%2520with%2520Carla%2Fseated02_676x507.jpg&hash=2e0fed7468188a1bbae4572b5e88b689f8d9c32a)
All in all, I was very pleased with her work. I know I'm not beautiful, but she brought me closer to beautiful than I'd ever been on my own.
you probably already know this but the eyebrows are the big standout feature there. Otherwise, you look great. Are you in a situation where you CAN'T minimize them at all without breaking cover?
I probably could minimize them more without causing much of a stir. Really, I have just one really long eyebrow that actually curves just under the corners of my eyes. Even the "before" image has them minimized a bit. Carla waxed the middle and a little on the undersides, too.
Congrats on the lessons. Looks like you had a good time.
Carla is a very special woman, we have all been lucky to have her around. Good look for you Shades.
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on June 20, 2009, 09:21:55 PM
I probably could minimize them more without causing much of a stir. Really, I have just one really long eyebrow that actually curves just under the corners of my eyes. Even the "before" image has them minimized a bit. Carla waxed the middle and a little on the undersides, too.
You could always very slowly pluck your eyebrows. Pluck a few one day then a few more the next week...before you know it nobody will have noticed your eyebrows changed!
Makeovers are the most wonderful things to be to have. And the changes are amazing. Hopefully you were taking notes.
Because You look marvelous.
Janet
I didn't need to take notes, because Carla sent me home with a cheat sheet. So now, I have to practice what she taught me.
Quote from: Shades O'Grey on June 22, 2009, 02:40:22 PM
I didn't need to take notes, because Carla sent me home with a cheat sheet. So now, I have to practice what she taught me.
Yep, and start paying for those high priced cosmetics :D
I'm starting to see how it is cheaper to be a boy.
I don't wish to be insulting or harsh, but you asked.
Move the breasts up just somewhat, a few inches. That low looks a bit too low.
And, as has already been said, the eyebrows thinned and shaped are a necessity.
Is this Carla a gg's or TS? Just curious?? If your happy that is all that counts, but i have to say..there are some things she could have addressed in a more fem way...not tryin to judge, but just an observation. good luck...
Nichole,
My wife had also said the breasts need to be higher. And, I guess I didn't want to go too light on the eyebrows for my everyday look. But, yeah, they're a bit bushy.
Michelle,
I honestly don't know if Carla is GG or TS, and I couldn't tell by looking at her and listening to her voice. Her salon/boutique exists for CD/TG/TS folks.
Sooo, the big question with regards to eyebrows is...
If I want a more gender-neutral look for everyday, what do I do with them? Thin them out further as suggested but don't use makeup so that my face retains its masculine features? Me, being the dufus I am didn't think to ask Carla that.
Quote from: Nichole on June 22, 2009, 05:32:57 PM
Move the breasts up just somewhat, a few inches. That low looks a bit too low.
I have to agree. Get the girls up, locked, and loaded. It is not a very attractive look to resemble the natives on the National Geographic Chanel who have been nursing babies for 70 years.
I remember my first makeover, I was ecstatic. I learned so much. I hope you did, too, and that this will help you to build confidence. You will only get better at it as time goes on, and with practice.
Congrats on this big occasion!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
Jeannie and Carla are both G.G.s (genetic girls; pronounced "Gigis"); both women are highly feminine--or, known in this community as "high femme"--women. They look like sisters; both are tiny and charismatic, and flash big smiles. My mother's hair is dark; Carla's is blond, worn soft and loose. When the two go out to their monthly dinners, there is often a striking difference in height between them and their transgender girlfriends. Invariably, they are seated in the center of the restaurant.
From an article written a few years ago.
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.20.01/cover/jeannie-0138.html (http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.20.01/cover/jeannie-0138.html)
When i first started out with my eyebrows i tweezed them. I would thin them out and take the bushy-ness out. If you want to keep a somewhat masculine look then i would not suggest raising the browline, just thin it. If you want it permanently removed you will have to seek out a good electrolygist that is licensed. Then later if you want to look more fem, then arch them.