This probably should go under "Makeup" part of the forums, but since most newbies tend to come here first, I thought I'd share my experience and tips for those who are just beginning their transition and not sure how to start their makeup collection -

This is what I did when I started out being full-time -

1) Buy cheap cosmetics from drug stores (WalGreens is my favorite, they ve always got some sale going on in the cosmetic department)

    A) Choose a lengthening mascara and a volumizing mascara to combine using both (mascaras that claim to do it both lie)

    B) Focus on getting eyeshadow in classical colors (think blues, purples, nude colors), don't be led astray by other eyeshadow palettes that comes in
        in alluring packages or in duo colors

    C) Get a eyeliner in both black and brown (other colors are just for partying and special photo shoots)

     D) Eyebrow pencils are optional (I just use a angled brush to spread black eyeshadow on my black-haired eyebrows and smooth them for nightly
      events)

    Don't get foundation (either liquid or powder) or blush from drugstores - their quality is CHEAP and fades quickly, plus loaded with chemicals that are
    bad for your skin (think parabens)

2) Invest in a large cheap eyeshadow palette to round out your eyeshadow colors in case you get tired of using the classical eyeshadow colors and want to use a different color once in a while, or you want a specific color for a night out or clubbing  (Ross is great for finding those large eyeshadow palettes for dirt cheap as well as makeup kit tools that comes with a variety of brushes)

3) Go to a premium makeup store such as Bare Essecentuals, MAC, Estelle, Sephora, etc. Have the workers there assist with helping you select the right foundation and blush. Their foundations and blushes are of much higher quality. (I personally use Bare Essectunals for everyday foundation, and MAC for clubbing foundation) Also grab toners and makeup primers if you can afford them (they enchance the longevity of foundation and brings out eyeshadow colors more)

You are all set with the basics. Slowly add to your makeup collection by purchasing an expensive article of makeup (can be anything) from those premium makeup stores each month.

Advanced makeup items (such as contouring, highlighting, smoky pencils to create smoky eyes, falsies, etc) comes later once you ve got the hang of the makeup basics and have everything set.

You know you're gonna get a response in this thread that says, "I'm a woman I don't have to wear makeup" or some more Pollyanna thinkin.

I've always said that being a transgirl is like being a drag queen, but the people who are judging you is everyone else but gay men.

 Pretty good beginner's guide! I hope people take it to heart... some decent makeup can be unreal in the right hands.

thanx  MsDazzler
very helpful tips for the beginners

Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 12:39:40 AM
Pretty good beginner's guide! I hope people take it to heart... some decent makeup can be unreal in the right hands.

I've been on this board for 3 months...they won't and it's really sad.

 It's probably been close to a year for me. Some will, some won't.

Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 12:43:33 AM
It's probably been close to a year for me. Some will, some won't.

Simply feeling like a woman isn't enough...you gotta werqk it all completely.

No, registered on September...it just feels like a year LOL...My rep rose pretty fast on the board.

But yeah...makeup techniques are part of the TRANSformation and make a huge difference even if you're femme to begin with.

I love love love makeup! I have so much makeup!

 Oh neat. I was referring to my join date though. Plus x time spent lurking. I sort of miss the way the boards were... but whatever.

Putting a little "werq" into one's daily presentation is sort of necessary, and pretty fun. Either way, it's become a part of the norm of society these days, so it's rather unavoidable whether it's enjoyable or not. I rarely go somewhere without makeup... although with my beard being pretty much gone, the incidents have been increasing (maybe once or twice monthly?). Not that there's an excuse for that! Much like there's little excuse for my not using more advanced makeup techniques. Aside from laziness, apathy, and whatnot.

Makeup is pretty important. It's like voice... such a crucial thing that's often neglected slightly more than it should be. A good voice makes the biggest difference.

Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 30, 2011, 01:02:11 AM
Oh neat. I was referring to my join date though. Plus x time spent lurking. I sort of miss the way the boards were... but whatever.

Putting a little "werq" into one's daily presentation is sort of necessary, and pretty fun. Either way, it's become a part of the norm of society these days, so it's rather unavoidable whether it's enjoyable or not. I rarely go somewhere without makeup... although with my beard being pretty much gone, the incidents have been increasing (maybe once or twice monthly?). Not that there's an excuse for that! Much like there's little excuse for my not using more advanced makeup techniques. Aside from laziness, apathy, and whatnot.

Makeup is pretty important. It's like voice... such a crucial thing that's often neglected slightly more than it should be. A good voice makes the biggest difference.

Good voice and makeup... I mean I am sorry, no amount of hormones and pretty bone structure will complete the illusion of a female. It takes a lot of work and experimentation.

I used to wear a lot more make up when I started my transitioning in the 1990's but these days prefer to not wear any make or wear very little. Less is more and I look much better with a clear complexion and just the minimum amount of make up. Too many T's do seem to pile it on!

While I do agree that drugstore foundations are okay at best, I will say that if you're in a pinch, that may be your only option until you have figured everything out makeup wise and know what exactly it is you need for your face/makeup look and can afford some of the higher end department store products.. If you absolutely need to, I would go with Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation! or a pressed powder works just as well if you don't have that much facial hair to cover. I personally use bare minerals and LOVE that stuff!!!

I think there is pretty awesome blush out there at the drugstores, too! Especially if you're strapped for cash.

I also highly recommend going somewhere that will let you try on foundation. It is highly important that you match your skin color as precisely as you can when picking out your foundation or it will be noticable. Also, dear god dont just throw on 1 color eye shadow and be done with it.. mix and blend! Eye shadow is seriously art and doing 2 colors plus 1 for under the brow is the difference between painting a piece of paper all blue and painting a beautiful oil panting! Oh, and don't get me started on lipstick.. not everybody can pull off deep red okay? Just because you have some deep attachment to deep red lipstick doesn't mean it'll look good on you. In fact, where I'm from, lipstick is out of style. Light lip gloss (or even chapstick) is more popular.

And that's another thing! Make sure what you're doing is in!!!

This probably should go under "Makeup" part of the forums

LOL... Well yes, it probably should, and I'm surprised Mahsa didn't get after you for that

It is amazing some of the stuff we go through learning about makeup like some teen age kid until we find what works or not 

I love to learn how to use makeup, each day I learn something new. It is so much fun .


I need to restrain myself though because otherwise I would go bananas in the store and end up without any  money for other stuff .

I got this: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true

from my sis for Christmas. It's fun messing around with, and doesn't feel as intimidating as some stuff can be. But then makeup is more of a toy for me than something serious.

Quote from: Sarah7 on December 30, 2011, 08:17:01 AM
I got this: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294706&categoryId=S5500&shouldPaginate=true

from my sis for Christmas. It's fun messing around with, and doesn't feel as intimidating as some stuff can be. But then makeup is more of a toy for me than something serious.

I need one of those, ASAP!

Quote from: Mariposa on December 30, 2011, 06:31:50 AM
While I do agree that drugstore foundations are okay at best, I will say that if you're in a pinch, that may be your only option until you have figured everything out makeup wise and know what exactly it is you need for your face/makeup look and can afford some of the higher end department store products.. If you absolutely need to, I would go with Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation! or a pressed powder works just as well if you don't have that much facial hair to cover. I personally use bare minerals and LOVE that stuff!!!

I think there is pretty awesome blush out there at the drugstores, too! Especially if you're strapped for cash.

I agree... drugstores serve as good emergency stops if you are out of your foundation and the mall/department stores are closed... the intent of my makeup tips was for the beginner who hardly know where to start when she wants to start her makeup collection.

Quote from: Naturally Blonde on December 30, 2011, 05:33:51 AM
I used to wear a lot more make up when I started my transitioning in the 1990's but these days prefer to not wear any make or wear very little. Less is more and I look much better with a clear complexion and just the minimum amount of make up. Too many T's do seem to pile it on!

That is true - the longer I ve been on hormones, the less and less I feel the need to pile on makeup, BUT....

I just LOVE makeup and enjoy putting them on!

I was kinda lucky in that my X-g friend gave me a bunch of pretty good stuff, (mostly Clinique) before she left... She also gave me some tips on how to use most of it and what's good to buy in the future... I have rather sensitive combination skin so it was a big help to learn what I was most likely going to have a reaction to

The thing I struggled with most was selecting foundations

Naturally, when I first started doing my make up myself I was very excited and became an experimenting gob monster    Then that mellowed out and I've gone through various phases of if I feel like doing my make up ... or not

Right now I'm kinda back into it, but in a more refined way if that makes sense