I just got my spirit gum back from an ex-friend. I've used it in the past on myself as well as applying it on others. But I've always failed pretty badly. I've seen some FtM friends use it very successfully so I'm pretty sure it is possible to make convincing facial hair.

Does anyone else ever bother with making a beard who could possibly lend me some tips? My issue is that the hair always ends up flat with an obvious glued-down look, but I've seen it on some people standing as though it's practically growing from their face, almost naturally. Am I just clumsy or is there some technique I've yet to develop? Maybe all I need is more practice, haha.

Thanks!
Ryan

oh well......i tried crepe wool, i tried crepe hair, i tried my own hair chopped into something like a powder, which works best still....but to tell you the truth, to make it look anywhere near authentic and not lie down like you described, you need to leave the hair rather long - so that would result in a full beard or thick sideburns or whichever style you desire.

here's what i did, but a couple of words on that before you start buying crepe hair etc. :
1) you can't avoid that there'll be some shiny spots here and there which will look very unnatural in bright light
2) it takes about an hour even once you've found out how to do it right
3) it itches and causes spots and to take the spirit gum off you'll need alcohol or something like vaseline.
4) you can create a five-o'clock-shadow in less than 5 minutes with eyeliner rubbed on moisturized skin and it will look REALLY authentic...much more so than spirit gum beards.

okay so....
1) cut your strand of crepe hair so you'll have a straight edge about an inch long
2) put spirit gum on a small section (i usually started with one stripe from ear to chin, about a quarter of an inch wide) of your face
3) spread the strand of hair between your fingers so it doesn't look too dense
4) stick it to your face vertically, holding on to it until the spirit gum starts to dry
5) pull out excess hair
6) build up the next layer on top of this layer
7) trim in the very end after all layers are thoroughly dried

honestly, it's a hassle, and even make-up artists don't do it anymore these days, so it's pretty much useless for anything but sideburns or soulpatches maybe.

Bad idea.

here's a picture of the eyeliner 5-o-clock-shadow i was talking about:




(took this right after i applied the moisturizer + eyeliner, it looks more natural after the moisturizer has been absorbed)

Quote from: Sharky on January 31, 2011, 04:28:51 PM
Bad idea.

+1

and I don't see the 5 o'clock shadow in that last picture 
 
While the concept of creating false facial hair [in either manner] may seem appealing I think its more likely to draw attention [and make you look like a fool] than to help you pass.  Many MANY men don't have facial hair and take days to develop a shadow [I know bio men like this.]  Its not a requirement of being a man, or being seen as a man. 

Quote from: GnomeKid on January 31, 2011, 07:11:31 PM


and I don't see the 5 o'clock shadow in that last picture 
 

slightly over-exposed i guess. everything that looks sorta greyish would usually be pink though

Hmm :/ Alright. Thanks for the tips Emil.

And I know facial hair isn't required. I just, really really really want a beard. I won't be going on T for a while for personal reasons (and I'm fairly likely going to grow a significant amount of body and facial hair, judging from my father and brother and the men on my mom's side of the family.)

I guess spirit gum is probably meant more for show, considering you can only buy it at costume stores.

I do not recommend making face facial hair.  If you want to wear it around your house or to a costume party that is one thing, but if you plan to go in public and act as if nothing is weird about it it's not really going to work.  For one thing up close people will be able to tell it's fake.  You will draw more negative attention to yourself than anything. 

I am a big fan of it and have had really good luck. I've actually been meaning to post a picture so you guys can see how good it can come out. (I do have a bit of a theatre background which helps...plus an eye for detail!!)

It DOES take a while to make it look good. I had them save my hair when I had a haircut, and I chop it up. Do it a little section at a time, do NOT rush or you will screw it up. I ordered actual human hair sideburns and cut them down to be more size appropriate for my face, and sort of shave them. Once it's all on, take a tiny pair of scissors and trim it all nice and neat. Sideburns are the easiest because that part of your face doesn't move. Also, easy to get a 'stache and go-tee type of deal with the scraps from the trimmed-down boughten one or your own hair, or a full beard if you have the patience. Like a lot of this stuff, it takes a LOT of practice. A trick I learned is when you are almost done, take a cork and burn the end, then dab it around lightly on your face to blend it all together and get rid of the shiny spots. Only in a dim bar would I really try to pull this off, in bright light it's not gonna work. But it IS a ton of fun to feel it on your face and have your girl play with your whiskers!

Well Ryan, the only facial hair I put together pre-T with my own hair and spirit gum was a soul patch since it is small. it's best to just cut up the hair really really really small hahah. but you can order synthetic facial hair online at a site called hisandher . I dunno, try it out maybe.

also, the picture of the 5 o clock shadow looks pretty good. normally it looks obvious that it's eyeliner.

when you're doing it right you really can't tell it's eyeliner. i wore it for months out and about and and no one, including my girlfriend at the time, ever knew. i guess i could make a tutorial if anyone's interested.

Thanks for the tips guys. I dunno. I might try practicing on those extremely rare days I have absolutely nothing to do out of the house.

Unfortunately, since I got my spirit gum back I've managed to lose it again. My apartment swallows things, I swear.

And Emil, you should totally post a tutorial. Same with Andy and your pic. And thanks Jay. You're awesome

Go on T. Grow your own. It won't look fake then.

i'm always stunned by how carelessly some people recommend hormones to anyone and everyone they don't know as though they were vitamins. 

Yeah it's not easy for some people to 'just go on T'

and even people who are on T can't grow their own :/

Quote from: emoboi on February 04, 2011, 06:44:17 PM
Go on T. Grow your own. It won't look fake then.

Huh... never thought of that. Thanks man.

Quote from: Ryan D on February 04, 2011, 10:00:00 PM
Huh... never thought of that. Thanks man.

Hahahah

I'm just saying it's just gunna look fake and stupid so I'd never do that but then again I don't feel the need to have hair on my face.

Sorry for being an ->-bleeped-<-.

It's understandable not wanting facial hair, it is a little gross I guess.
I'm just a bit of a bear.

I only started this thread hoping I might get some tips to make a better goatee, if it were possible.