My ex-wife is bringing me to aid me in support and is a Lancome fan, and since I am a late comer (45) to my mtf transition who's not started electrolysis yet. Do any of you experienced think that is a good route to start? It will be handy to have some suggestions to aide us in this adventure, especially if there is something from their line that I should replace with something else (such as Durablend for foundation at this beginning stage from what I have read elsewhere.)

Getting good brushes I suspect is critical, also cleanser and moisturizer, but any other first tips? Should I have them do a makeover? Certain tips to ask for? If anyone can weigh in prior to tomorrow morning I would appreciate it. And yes, I am scared, but it is time to move to this step. If anything I am a bit behind as I have been trying to be cautious (probably too cautious per my therapist and a few friends here), but that ship has started to sail as I am putting down my Hello Kitty coloring book and trying to grow into a woman now. (Technically, shrink into her  but you get the drift.)

A makeover is a great idea.  Since you aren't sure what works and what doesn't, a professional can probably save you a lot of trial and error time, and keep you from buying pricey stuff that wasn't going to be for you anyway. 

Just the good Tattoo/Beard cover. It is a necessity!! Have a great time!!

Well, got a bummer message late last night, the ex-wife had more to do than she expected today and had to bow out of bringing me makeup shopping.

HOWEVER! I had thought about it so much until that point I was simply too excited to back down. I had a solid five hours of sleep and lately (like the last decade and a half  ) that is simply an amazing night's sleep. So I got up and did my Pain Free exercises (by the way, this Marine Pete Egoscue wrote this book Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain which I bought a couple years ago for some hip pain I had, I blew it off until I cared about life again after coming out,) hit the stationary bike, and texted the ex-wife for some last bits of advice and a confidence boost. She said try Suzie at ULTA who is a Lancome rep, and apologized she had not thought of ULTA until this morning. No problem to me, and since it meant a much shorter drive and to an area with a Lane Bryant I killed two bird with one KIA! 

I got to Lane a few minutes before open per a few things I read on this WONDERFUL site, that it is often not busy and that can make first time buying experiences much easier and boy did it. I was in and out with only one other customer, and I got a pair of yoga pants and two camisoles for just bumming in around the house. Then I went to ULTA and I was confident on the outside, bolstered by the Lane experience, but still anxious on the inside. I asked for Suzie who was not there, got introduced to the Lancome rep who was there, who seemed a little uncomfortable but I think because I was requesting more than she felt skilled enough to help with. So she introduced me to Bre, who was in a lab coat and I think was called a makeup technician.

OH MY GOD! If you folks need someone to teach you about makeup while being totally awesome and caring, this is the person for you too! She rocked the house! And though I am still plenty closeted being only out to me, mom, dad, son, daughter, ex-wife, one cousin, and two best friends, a pair of Lane Bryant salespeople and Bre MY makeup specialist lol, and nervous about sharing my location I will still do it here. Because if you are in the Twin Cities, especially on the north end, message or email me if you need or want to try a new makeup person. If you have not ever used makeup I cannot tell you how perfect this woman will be for you as you will have to experience it yourself.

I to this point have had the most amazing day maybe ever, and certainly in a very very very long time. I blogged/journaled about it in much greater detail, but for where I am still at in my personal process my blog is completely private, and though I would like to share a photo to have everyone comment on what a neanderthal I am and that I should stick myself in an ugly hole while giving up this pursuit of honesty and happiness, I am sticking with one of my FAV youtuber inspirations (another Marine) Sona Avedian (you have to look up her youtube, especially if you need inspiration at the moment) and doing this for me not anyone else (as I think we all are) so I am keeping my pictures off the internet until I am ready to come out publicly and start HRT. I'd love to share more to help fellow newbies like me, and will if you want to build some rapport via email like MOST WONDERFUL Jessica Merriman has allowed me to do with her. YOU ROCK GIRL!! Jill, the makeover suggestion was a COMPLETE WINNER IDEA TOO! So you get karma as well (which reminds me, I have no idea how to give it out??)

P.S. Now I am about to risk my totally awesome day as I am going to bring my dad his mail pile that is growing to a dangerous level. He's been staying in touch on the phone, but I can tell he is nervous about visiting, as he is unsure about that coming out convo I had with him. I have to go out and get a makeup mirror anyways so I can practice with my new art supplies!!  Love you all!!! 

Goodness! You really hit the ground hard on "Operation ULTA Makeover" Marine! I am so proud of you!!! Talk about inspiring, no way I can top what you did all by your lonely. Sounds like there was no Genie in the bottle to let out, but instead a fully loaded AC-135 Spectra Gunship! HUAH!!!! Watch out twin cities incoming Shock and Awe!

Thanks for the nice comment as well!

Thanks for the kind words, Toni.  I'm really glad I was able to help. 

The first time I got all dressed up in full makeup was amazing.  Seeing myself in full blown girl mode for the first time and realizing how great it made me feel was a game changer.  It made me realize that transitioning was not just some far-fetched fantasy, but a possiblilty.  I started seeing a gender therapist shortly thereafter.

I went full time after only a few weeks on estrogen.

Jessica- tell me you didn't tattoo your beard on! 

Quote from: Jill F on March 06, 2014, 06:54:00 PM
Jessica- tell me you didn't tattoo your beard on! 

*GIGGLES* UH, no Jill, I didn't, but I have a cute little red rose somewhere!

I am soooo glad you are still with us! You are awesome!

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 06, 2014, 07:02:52 PM
*GIGGLES* UH, no Jill, I didn't, but I have a cute little red rose somewhere!

I am soooo glad you are still with us! You are awesome!

That's a relief.  Otherwise the lasering would REALLY blow. 

Not going anywhere any time soon, I'm afraid.    And thank you for the kind words.  They mean everything to me.

Toni - It is cool when you start to "get" makeup and you can finally begin to see the results in the mirror 

I was on the DIY plan and my early attempts were comical at best I agree with having a makeover if you can get the courage up to go do it. Makeup stores are neat; I needed some eyeshadow and I wondered into a Sephoria store in girl mode and was treated very nicely; it sounds like the people at Ulta are the same. You just have to get the courage up to walk into one and ask for what you need, which can be tough to do in boy mode.

Congrats on taking such a huge step! 

Well I had just bought the clothes first, I did not wear them into ULTA so I was totally dressed as the gunship Jessica mentioned  and definitely had my beard tattooed on (though she was sweet to say "oh wow you do shave close.") Pfft, I hate shaving, but that is how sweet this gal was, just a complete dolly. Also, on my P.S. The stars were apparently aligned and God was close by as I had two amazing convos with each of my parents that I am going to have to let out on the coming out thread. The stars being aligned do start with you all, as you are parts of the stars of my universe and I think the confidence you all are quickly helping me build up I think helped immensely in those two conversations.

You all know Katy Perry has a song about each and everyone on this website you wonderful little fireworks! Another one of my favs for inspiration (if you need to juice up, I just did and now I am going to be dancing all day! )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw&index=25&list=FL2HUbn8_0m2OmVmLpu3Arlg
Shoot across the sky ladies and gentlemen!

Sephora is great. I have always found the staff super friendly. I go in male mode and wear androgynous make up - just BB Cream, concealer, mascara, and tinted lip balm. They are really helping me expand my horizons for day time androgyny and for night time as well. Have fun and start slow. Always better to under do (well at least in my case because I am over 50).

Thanks for the advice Didi, and when I first start to go out I will totally under do it. Right now I wanted to get started to just do this for me to learn and meditate on the feelings I get from the process as well as the result. So I will probably learn some going overboard stuff but just to play with at home. But yea for now, she just has me lined up with mostly minor stuff, and just did some conservative nude tone eye shadow and blush per my request just to I could start to practice all parts covered in Lucille Sorella's Stepping Out Program. Applying the same principles that took a scared little boy from clumsy baseball catcher to college player... Practice, practice, practice. Hehe. Oh, and listen to coaches like you DiDi, thank you!

I wanted to chime in a little bit, if I may as a girl. There are some things that we can get by with that aren't quite as manageable as you are transitioning into the whole makeup routine with the difference in both skin quality and tone. My wonderful husband and I were very lucky to have a cd/tv store in our city that employed a makeup artist who did make overs. He got an appointment last week and I went as well to see what we could learn together. I only really know what I can do as a cis female and there are quite a few adjustments that my husband had to make to become even more passable.

The big one that made the most difference was the concealer. Many brands of concealer that work on us won't be sufficient coverage for the shadow. We learned that the heavier duty ones from the cinematic fields were much stronger. Either MAC or Kryolan were the two that I thought worked best.

There are quite a few tips and tricks the makeup artist used and it was an awesome learning experience for both of us.

I'm very proud of you for doing all of that in one go! If ever you have questions when you get 'round to nails, I will definitely want to help if I can! Well done!
S.