I just wanted to post how happy I am that I finally started experimenting with cosmetics. Over Christmas, the wife and I went to a cosmetics store and I bought my own foundation (Bare Minerals is pretty great!), eye shadow, lipstick and the rest. Problem was my son was home all day during the holiday break, so yesterday was my first chance to start playing with the makeup. I sat down at my wife's makeup mirror and gave it a go on my own. Probably took me twenty minutes before I figured out that I hate pencil eye-liner and that it was nearly impossible to line my upper eyes with it. However, I think I did a pretty good job of it and my wife agreed when she came home from her lunch date. Along the way, I discovered that I kind of liked it! I especially like the slight sparkly nature to my subtle eye-shadow.
Tomorrow I hope to play some more and pair it with my female clothes to get a more complete look. In the next week or so I am going to a salon (where I have been before and they know about my transition) and just tell them to give me the full-on girl style hair (with the length I have so far) and eyebrows. Ears pierced too. I'm leaving for another state in a week and a half and I just want to be free to be me at last.
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of my attempt so far, but once I get my look together I intend to finally put up my avatar very soon. This is a REALLY big deal for me as I am not nearly as brave as the rest of you ladies. I feel I need to jump start my transition and get it out of neutral. If I can't face you group of very accepting people as I am it will be hard to face the big bad world.
Congrats! Just remember not to rub your eyes, otherwise you'll look like a sparkly panda ;)
Good tip! First time I rubbed my eyes after growing my nails longer, I scratched up the bridge of my nose pretty badly. Clearly it is a habit I need to break.
GREAT going Melody !!! I am glad you are having fun. And with your wife by your side YAY TEAM !! :)
I have to agree with you on the eye liner pencil, I don't like them either. Wielding the liquid eyeliner is quite a task too. Now I get to say to my wife "don't talk while I'm applying eyeliner" Don't you just love it when your eye decides on its own to blink just at the wrong time!! ;D
Hugs, Roxy
Yes, I love my wife. She is my own Patricia (although she goes by Trish). It makes me so unbelievably sad that she has been so supportive, but we will be divorced anyway in a couple of weeks. Papers filed, assets divided and 15 years are over. You are so lucky Roxy, but I know you know that.
Anyway, I don't want to bring this down. I am trying to find my joy and this is a part. It was fun and I am going to give the liquid eyeliner a try. Another thing I found frustrating was screwing up the mascara and wiping off the eyeliner too as I wiped off the mascara. I can't draw at all and have terrible handwriting, so the precision work of eyeliner was definitely a challenge!
Quote from: Melody on January 05, 2011, 07:04:57 PMProbably took me twenty minutes before I figured out that I hate pencil eye-liner and that it was nearly impossible to line my upper eyes with it.
+1 on that! I went to a mall the week before Christmas and got a makeover and spent about $300 on makeup (Clinique) - that was also the day I got my glasses (another ~$300). And the next day, I discovered the lady had FORGOTTEN to include the eyeliner, so I had to go out the next morning and buy one! She hadn't charged me for it, tho. $20, just by itself. And it's HARD to get it right! And I'm "not allowed" to dress at home (yet), so I don't get a chance to play with it much, except when it MATTERS (Grrr...). Anyway, congrats on yet another milestone, sister!
Hi,
Omg a lil tip for eye liner wether it be pencil or liquid is to hold the corner of your eye with one finger and pullit taunt, so that the upper eyelid is almost straight looking then apply the eye liner starting in the corner ( closest to your nose ) and smoothly run it towards your finger your holding your eye with. omg i wish i could post a Vid i would show you how eaasy it is.
Jaymee.
Ah yes, the eyeliner pencil.
My advice is to keep working with it and eventually it becomes easier as you grow used to using it. I had a hard time at first because i wasn't used to ANYTHING touching my lash line, and i would tear up. Now? no big deal.
you think eyeliner pencil is hard wait till you try liquid topliner.
can't wait for your avatar pick :)
Quote from: inna on January 06, 2011, 11:04:54 AM
can't wait for your avatar pick :)
Me too! But I don't want to oversell it. I am still a 39 year-old male bodied person who has been on HRT exactly 3 months today. Sigh, so far to go yet.
I quickly switched to liquid liner when I found the pencil just wasn't cutting it. The pencil liners also seem less intense do they not? Cosmetics may not be the most important part of your transition, but they sure do make you feel good!
Also, can't wait to see those pics!
Quote from: Vexing on January 05, 2011, 07:28:01 PM
Congrats! Just remember not to rub your eyes, otherwise you'll look like a sparkly panda ;)
I don't like wearing makeup but for now it is necessary. I have been pretty good about not rubbing my eyes but I always feel somewhat fatigued and miss splashing cold water on my face. Oh well, life goes on.
Quote from: inna on January 06, 2011, 11:04:54 AM
can't wait for your avatar pick :)
Ok, did my makeup today and paired it with clothes for the first time. Had the wife take some pics and I was pretty happy with the results, so I have decided to come out of the shadows. I now have an avatar pic of me! The eyebrows have been trimmed, but they will be full girl-style next week. And for the sake of reference, below is where I started from back in August.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1124.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl567%2FMelodyMaia%2Fbefore.jpg&hash=a9056c56675ffba2c8e8539d93f5307b5728fd62)
OMG, Melody, U R a cutie! VERY pretty!
Quote from: Colleen Ireland on January 06, 2011, 06:20:42 PM
OMG, Melody, U R a cutie! VERY pretty!
Thank you so much Colleen! As you know, it has taken me quite awhile to get here. Confidence has always been a major problem for me. I need to work on that to get my bravery up to face the outside world as me.
You look lovely Melody :)
Hi Melody, I am so glad to see you are making the best of the situation and I hope you are happy-life is so much better when we are happy. Bye for now,
Randi
I must confess, my transition has been largely joyless because of the stress of divorce etc. Today though, I feel like I am on cloud 9! I haven't been this happy in a very long time and I now understand that feeling of wanting more Colleen and others talk about once they present as themselves.
Something wierd just happened to my reply-it just disappeared!!
I know how you have suffered lately-we got close to divorce a few months back as well. The only reason we havent gone thru with it is I have put my transition on hold for now. I still take estrogen when I am dysphoric but only then, practice my makeup and nails, dress in my favorite clothes, pluck unwanted hair and things like this when I am by myself-but you could say I am back in the closet. I sometimes question how I identify (mtf) but in my heart I know I am female and that will not change. But I am making it work for the most part and am no worse off if I have to wait another year or so before I go out in public again as female. Oh how I long for the day but for now I am relatively happy and resolve to remain so. I am glad to hear your wife is helping you learn a few things. I could never hope for that here-but I am glad you are happy to be free. Coleen is a dear isn't she! I have enjoyed reading her posts.
Bye for now,
Randi
Quote from: Melody on January 06, 2011, 06:59:59 PMToday though, I feel like I am on cloud 9! I haven't been this happy in a very long time and I now understand that feeling of wanting more Colleen and others talk about once they present as themselves.
I had Cloud 9 moment the other day. I was home alone on Monday (I was still on holiday but everyone else wasn't), so I got dressed and made a short video to check my presentation and voice. I sent it to my life coach and very good friend (a GG), and she said, in part, "Colleen! OMG, you are cute as a button!" Well! Blow me over with a feather! :D
But, oh, Melody, YOU are months ahead of me! I'm months away from starting HRT yet, although I will have my first laser session on the 19th of this month, so I am looking forward to that. And (look at my second ticker...) less than a week till my Gender Identity Clinic appointment! So, yes, I am making progress, but a LONG way to go. Can't wait till I'm 3 months into HRT, like you...
Quote from: Randi on January 06, 2011, 07:26:36 PMColeen is a dear isn't she! I have enjoyed reading her posts.
:embarrassed: Thank you, dear, but really, I'm nothing special. And the rest of your post made me sad, you are so brave. If it was me, I'd quickly be looking for a high place, I fear...
Quote from: Colleen Ireland on January 06, 2011, 07:57:56 PM
I had Cloud 9 moment the other day. I was home alone on Monday (I was still on holiday but everyone else wasn't), so I got dressed and made a short video to check my presentation and voice. I sent it to my life coach and very good friend (a GG), and she said, in part, "Colleen! OMG, you are cute as a button!" Well! Blow me over with a feather! :D
But, oh, Melody, YOU are months ahead of me! I'm months away from starting HRT yet, although I will have my first laser session on the 19th of this month, so I am looking forward to that. And (look at my second ticker...) less than a week till my Gender Identity Clinic appointment! So, yes, I am making progress, but a LONG way to go. Can't wait till I'm 3 months into HRT, like you...
What's funny is that for awhile now, I thought of you as ahead of me! I haven't done a tenth of the things you have done as far as venturing out into the world as yourself. Yes, I am taking medication, but anyone can take a pill. What you have done takes real bravery. One day we will both be post-op and even if I get there a few months before you (which may or may not happen), it won't matter much. Progress and happiness are the important things.
Quote from: Colleen Ireland on January 06, 2011, 08:00:19 PM
:embarrassed: Thank you, dear, but really, I'm nothing special. And the rest of your post made me sad, you are so brave. If it was me, I'd quickly be looking for a high place, I fear...
You are special Colleen, and don't forget that. It takes loads of guts to do what we are doing and many are never able to face up to it.
Randi, I feel for your situation very deeply. I hope you are able to find peace and a way forward soon.
Aww, Melody, you are such a special friend. Thank you!
Quote from: Jaymee on January 06, 2011, 07:20:10 AM
Hi,
Omg a lil tip for eye liner wether it be pencil or liquid is to hold the corner of your eye with one finger and pullit taunt, so that the upper eyelid is almost straight looking then apply the eye liner starting in the corner ( closest to your nose ) and smoothly run it towards your finger your holding your eye with. omg i wish i could post a Vid i would show you how eaasy it is.
Jaymee.
Jaymee, OMG that made such a big difference. I can't figure out how come nobody ever told me to try that before??
Melody, Your new avatar is WONDERFUL !!! Just amazing and in such a short time too !!
Hugs, Roxy
Quote from: Erocse on January 08, 2011, 07:33:41 PM
Jaymee, OMG that made such a big difference. I can't figure out how come nobody ever told me to try that before??
Melody, Your new avatar is WONDERFUL !!! Just amazing and in such a short time too !!
Hugs, Roxy
Thank you so much Roxy!
Isn't makeup fun! Except for the eye-liner....
I have tried both pencil and liquid, but as I need reading glasses it is a bit hit and miss. Mainly miss to date.
I have tried holding my eyelid, and it helps a bit, but I think I need a better magnifying mirror, and maybe a pair of glasses with flip-up lenses so I can work from the front with the eye closed.
Mascara and eye-shadow are a piece of cake in comparison.
I think makeup is fun. But it takes time to get it right.
Love to use different eyeshadow colors and see how they look on me.
Oh and I prefer the liquid eyeliner, I hate the pencils they are too rough.
Have fun,
Jillieann
I love doing my make up... Sometimes... But I have to use a well lit magnifying mirror or I'm just a monkey with a box of crayons :laugh:
I can not do the pencil at all, but I am very good with liquid. Of course that is all my instructor, the Ex, used.
I love doing my makeup. One thing that seems important to me is the order in which I do my makeup. if I do things out of my usual order I make tons of mistakes and have to correct it. If I do things in my normal order, I can even do a halfway decent job with no mirror (wouldn't recommend it though), I find that rather strange but maybe it is a muscle memory thing or something like that.
Liquid eyeliner may be more difficult, but I feel its totally worth it as I don't have to touch it up very often, even with the cheap stuff, while my cheap eyeliner pencils last no time at all, and even the slightest bit of moisture may make my pencil smear while my liquid stays on rather well unless makeup remover, baby oil, or similar is applied.
I cannot imagine what I would look like if I attempted to apply makeup without a mirror!
After a bit of practice you get to the point were you can do it with a tiny little compact...then the next stage in getting your black belt in make up is being able to do it on a moving vehicle!
It gets easier with practice tho...yesterday i applied liquid top liner in 10 minutes, which was some kind of record for me
Quote from: Helena on January 09, 2011, 02:24:39 AM...then the next stage in getting your black belt in make up is being able to do it on a moving vehicle!
Does a train count? From October to December I attended a once-a-week gender workshop, got there by train (1-hour ride) and changed on the train, including makeup... (mascara on a moving train is a BEYOTCH!!!) :laugh:
yep, that counts ;D