While at my sister's yesterday I looked at her and thought, "She's so beautiful!"  Then I looked at what she was wearing, jeans and a tank top.  But her beauty was much more than clothes.  It is inner beauty radiating outward.

While I was all made up, trying to hide any evidence that a natal male was buried underneath (like they didn't know!) she was just being herself.  And all the while this wonderful woman, who even her sons' girlfriend 25+ years younger couldn't compete, made everyone feel welcomed, as if she wasn't someone special.  The bottom line is she was just being herself.

The lesson I learned from that I'll never forget.  While I've preached so many times "Be yourself" I was still nervous and wanted to make a good impression with my sister and her family.  And I over did it.  The very next day I'm doing my makeup and I stop myself.  "Do you need that much foundation?  Do you need that much eye shadow?  Do you need that much mascara?  Do you even need blush?"  So I only used foundation above my lip and on my chin (beard shadow).  I used no blush.  I did the bare minimum with eye shadow and use no eyeliner.  Mascara was just a light coat.

When it was all done I looked in the mirror and I thought "natural".  I'm still learning, after all these years.

Julie

BTW, my new avatar is the result of going natural.

You truly are a natural beauty Julie.. in *every* way

I'm glad you're starting to see that.  When I had major beard hair to cover, I tended to put it on a bit thicker.  As it thinned out, so did my makeup.  For a while I was doing bare minimum as well, untill I felt I was getting read, so I started adding more things like putting on lipstick again.  I still put it on lightly, but I don't skip stuff (except mascara because I have long lashes) and just use everything, but in moderation.  Makeup is there to help accentuate certain features and minimize others.  Since we were not born female, we need to accentuate and diminish more features than a natal female until we reach a certain point in our transition when we can pass without makeup.  But yeah, too thick of makeup will get you read quickly.  It looks unusual and encourages further scrutiny.

Melissa

Easy lesson... Hard to learn.  But you have learned it.  Good for you!  I too like your new avatar shot.  It is very nice Julie.

Cindi

Julie,

I like your new look.  We all learn makeup by trial and error--it is just that most GG's learn this when they are teenagers.  By the time they are in their 20's and 30's they have found a more natural look.  I started doing my makeup in my 50's.     It is no wonder that it has taken me a little longer to learn.  I still use more makeup than my wife.

Oh Julie,

I've said it before and I'll say it again; You are so beautiful!   

Thank you for being you and being so wonderful.

*hugs*

Genevieve

I took Theatrical Makeup in college years ago.  About a month ago, I paid for a session with a professional makeup artist ($50) and got a 'starter set' list out of it.

Last night I was trying to follow her chart, but decided to just do the bare minimum -- like you were saying, Julie.  A few dabs of concealer on the really noticeable blemishes, and very little foundation, well blended.  I worked a bit on the eyes and lips.  But again, I went for just-noticeable.

Besides, I was running late, and didn't have a lot of time.

Later, at the restaurant, I went to 'powder my nose.'  (Side note, it's disconcerting when one whole wall of the stall is glass brick and an exterior wall onto the sidewalk, to boot!)  As I was washing up, I glanced at the image in the mirror...

...and was brought up short!  The woman in the long black dress staring back at me looked good -- really good...

I was pleased with the effect.  I'm glad I didn't over-do it.  And I felt my self confidence boosted the rest of the night.



Karen

In a very real way every woman has to go through being a pre-teen, a teenager, a young woman, a mature woman.  Your physical age has nothing to do with it.  When you begin your life on the path of womanhood does.  Maybe Mother Nature demands this?  Or is it Estee Lauder?

Julie

Quote from: Julie Marie on November 26, 2006, 10:28:05 PM
In a very real way every woman has to go through being a pre-teen, a teenager, a young woman, a mature woman.  Your physical age has nothing to do with it.  When you begin your life on the path of womanhood does.  Maybe Mother Nature demands this?  Or is it Estee Lauder?

Julie

Personally, I would blame Cover Girl and Seventeen magazine.

Cindi

I blame the cosmetics industry for marketing to younger and younger girls.  They're the ones behind the magazines, if ya ask me.