When I apply makeup I just look like a man with makeup on and it makes me depressed. I'm not sure if I'm not doing it right--I mean I think I am, I've spent a lot of time watching youtube videos on the topic of applying makeup--so I think maybe its just my face. I feel ugly and ashammed. Any suggestions?

There are three rules I learned about makeup; practice, practice, practice.

Different colors, different techniques, different amounts. Less is better and don't start off going for the glam club/model look. You will only be setting yourself up for a big disappointment. Some of the YouTube videos are OK. What most lack is what to do for you basic face shape and features. I've found books far better for those details.

I was totally horrible with makeup in the beginning. Back in the pre-jurasaic era all we had were a few books and sometimes the cosmetic companies had a tiny leaflet included with your purchase with several ways to apply it. There were times I did my face over and over 3, 4, 5 times before I was remotely satisfied that I didn't look like a clown.

It also takes a very long time for you psychologically get past seeing a guy, as well as getting past feeling that you are just some guy doing bad drag. It takes an eternity if your self esteem is lower than the belly of a pregnant snail. Which was my case in my 20's.

One last technique I used was photographs. It is amazing how a few days or more later when you look back at them, you don't look half as bad as you thought. When you are frustrated and feeling critical, you cannot see the truth in a mirror.

Joanne is exactly right about seeing the man in the mirror. It took me quite a while to get up the nerve to see past him, and it's hard to be objective until that occurs.

I found that as a beginner the basics worked for me - some foundation to hide the facial hair, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, a little eyeshadow and maybe a dab of blush on the cheekbones and i'm ready to go. Less is more and all of that, and avoid the clown look.

I found it useful to thumb through women's magazines and look at how the women apply their makeup to pick up some tips.

Thanks for the suggestions. But as for the man in the mirror. Just because you can see past him, does that mean others will too? If you still look like a man with makeup others are going to see either a man with makeup on or a very ugly women. This is what I'm struggling with.

Quote from: Hippolover25 on June 19, 2012, 07:23:28 PM
Thanks for the suggestions. But as for the man in the mirror. Just because you can see past him, does that mean others will too? If you still look like a man with makeup others are going to see either a man with makeup on or a very ugly women. This is what I'm struggling with.

I see him because it's the face i've looked at for almost 50 years.

When i went out en femme for the first time i was told that i pass better as a girl than as a guy from some friends that had only seen me in guy mode. They saw something that was far different than what i see when i look in the mirror.

What we see and pick apart about our appearance - others don't necessarily see the same things.

We are our own worst critics.

Just keep practicing and trying new things until you find the makeup that works for you!

If you have the confidence go to a make up specialist and get instructions. They are reasonably common in Australia and should be all over the place in the USA. They basically teach teen girls how to do make up. They do half the face then you do the other half.

I walked in in male clothes and explained the situation,  No one batted an eye lid. It was great and I go back any time and ask for advice. The weird thing was walking down the street with a great made up face in male clothes, 'cos there was no way I was going to clean it offf

I may be a man but I love make up and putting make up on others and colour coordination

First if your face is masculine don't try to counter that with glammy pinks and reds; subtly is key
When doing eye makeup match with your eye colour:
For green:
Eyeliner: Sable, Violet, Charcoal, and Bronze
Eyeshadows: Hazelnut, Whipped Cocoa, Woodland, Peaches n' Cream, Vintage Gold, Lucky Penny, Cinnabar, Gold Leaf, Persian Spice, Virtual Violet, Fig, Double Espresso, Sarafi Sunset, and Storm

For blue:
Eyeliner: Taupe, Warm brown, Black Pearl (personal fave)
Eyeshadows: Warm brown, Taupe, Green, Blue, Purple

For brown:
Eyeliner: Black, Taupe, Purple, Dark Grey
Eyeshadow: Purple, Green, Blue, Gold, Ochre, Purple, Charcoal, Silver

Also, do not use bright, outrageous colouring for your lips
Imagine adding pink dust or pink juice to your skin, you want your lips that colour

Reds are formal and not everyday casual
But when you do wear red lipstick, stick to the darker shades of red, the mahogany red, etc it should be brownish red

I advise not to use foundation unless you're willing to spend over $70 on the good kind like my sister is doing for her wedding

Quote from: jasper3 on June 20, 2012, 05:04:46 AM
I advise not to use foundation unless you're willing to spend over $70 on the good kind like my sister is doing for her wedding

I kind of agree. You have to have a pretty naturally femmy-andro face to carry the makeup well.

Three other words to remember is: blend, blend, blend.

You may want to look up makeup by drag queens.  They have tips, that can help.  Just remember you need to tone down the look.  It is a bit much for a daytime look.

A good starting point is a theatrical make-up standard shave.  A multi-blade razor is the best, and you work down, up, to the left then the right, then diagonally in all directions. 
I used Estee Lauder 'Double Wear' foundation and concealer over Benefit  Porefessional' pore concealer.  Very light coats and  as Ms O'Brien said, blend it well.
Maybe a light bronzer powder over the lot, but very little.
There is an art to eyeliner, so give that a miss for a while I'd say. 
Less is definitely more.  Have fun.

Karen.

Quote from: justmeinoz on June 20, 2012, 06:43:56 AM
There is an art to eyeliner, so give that a miss for a while I'd say. 

I've been giving it a miss for 40 years! 

I tried to do it all for a short while, but then decided I'd just do one thing at a time, practice it until I got good at applying and maintaining it, then once I got used to wearing it, I'd add one other item, etc.

First thing I did, makeup-wise, was use lip gloss. "Bonne Bell" because it was highly recommended. I got 3 different shades/flavors (yes, they're flavored...yummy!) and settled on a light pink color. "Cream Pop" and "Strawberry" is what I'm using.

Nothing else at first...had to get used to having something on my lips and not be self-conscious about it. (I actually started with daily use of Chapstick, as a kind of invisible practice tool. It's also good for your lips' health btw)

Next was foundation and powder...I used the "inside the wrist" method of color matching, but that place is far too light for my face...so I tried 3 different shades of foundation (not powder yet). I'm using Cover Girl shade 140, and using CTG 130 to blend out the mask line on my chin's edge. (Mustn't look like you have a mask on! LOL) CG 140 is a perfect color match for my skin tone. (Btw, use naked light--not "frosted" or fluorescent for lighting)

Apply it very lightly--think of it more like lotion than spackling. 

Don't be afraid to buy several bottles of foundation, it's worth it to get the correct shade. (This is another reason to do things "one thing at a time"..$$$)

After a couple weeks of using just foundation, I went on to powder. For some reason, powder alone doesn't stick to my face. Trick to applying: Press the puff into the face, don't scrub with the puff.

Again, I got several shades...started with 140 thinking it'd be a good match, but it made my face too dark...130 is very good, with a 140 foundation.

Got used to that (about 3-4 weeks), then I moved on to eyeshadow.

I'd practice on the weekends, then I started wearing it to work.

Hi Hippolover,

Depending on whether you live in a metropolitan area (someplace with a mall), and on how brave you are, I recommend the cosmetic counters in any nice department store.  Long ago, when I was in my 20's, long before transition, I approached a Clinique counter in a Macy's Department Store.  I was totally presenting as boy at the time.  I boldly explained to the sales lady that I was a cross dresser and that I needed help with makeup.  She was skeptical for about 30 seconds (she assumed that I was just messing with her), but as soon as she realized that I was serious, I became a fun sale and a big commission.  I bought everything!  She helped me to create a great look that really became the basis upon which my makeup technique has evolved over the years.  I still wear Clinique foundation more than 20 years later.  That sales lady was great!  And she really helped me.  (She told me that she would practice makeup application on her boyfriend, though she wasn't suppose to tell anyone.)

Once you get a look that works for you, and you get plenty of practice recreating it, then start experimenting with colors.  I LOVE playing with makeup!  I've "put my face on" nearly everyday since I transitioned 14 years ago, not because I'm afraid of being seen without makeup, but just because I have so much fun doing it.  My look has evolved to the point that everyday I push myself to try to achieve a Barbie Doll look.  It's just fun!  And I really don't care what anyone thinks about me... I just tell people that I'm an L.A. girl, that you can take the girl out of Los Angeles, but you can't take Los Angeles out of the girl... People seem content with that explanation. 

I would say that if you can strive first for the experience of fun in applying makeup, then makeup is going to take you where you want to go.  And the ladies at the makeup counters in the department stores really know their products, and they will be happy to take your money in exchange for sage guidance.  Just have a blast with it!!!

After 4 months of persistently using the secret ingredient - practice, yesterday I finally passed critical review by my harshest critic, my wife.  Her assessment?  it"s perfect for you, this time you actually look feminine, and beautiful.  I was elated.  This is the result of what others have described for practicing with one product at a time.  It's overwhelming for a novice to use all products for a complete face at once as there are too many variables, at least for me to manage initially.

Even just assessing my face was a challenge.  Don't give up!  We all need to start somewhere.  Something I don't recall seeing mentioned was the very basic job of caring for your skin.  A good face cleanser and an exfoliant used religiously can make a world of difference all on its own.  Most guys are not inclined to do something as femme as this until... we see the light. 

Next is moisturizing.  Very important but easy to overdo initially depending on the product.  Next is sun protection, even if you don't spend a lot of time in the sun.  I started using sunscreen on advice from the tech that is doing my laser facial hair removal.

So, develop a routine - cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and sun protection.  There are affordable products for each step, even in the guy's section, so don't let self consciousness get in the way!

Once the canvas is ready for the paint, choose what product to start using.  I have pretty uneven skin tone so started working with concealer and foundation to learn how to achieve a more uniform skin color without looking like my face was spackled.  I also didn't worry about trying to hide my beard shadow initially since I wasn't going out yet, that came next.

I added and integrated powder, blush, eye shadow, liner and mascara more or less in that order.  Each has its challenges - like learning how not to poke your eyes out with the mascara brush!  The final step was selecting the proper color and shade of lipstick that works with everything else.

Whew!  That sounds like a lot!  But take it slow and deliberate, you'll figure it out.  Seek feedback, visit the cosmetic counters or stores like Sephora and Ulta if they are available.  The sales staff are usually well informed and their purpose is to sell product and create return business.  I've always been treated with absolute respect and professionalism - though some can be pushy at times.  Just remember, you are the customer and your money is just as good as any cis-woman's cash.

Don't give up!

Danette

QuoteIf you have the confidence go to a make up specialist and get instructions. They are reasonably common in Australia and should be all over the place in the USA. They basically teach teen girls how to do make up. They do half the face then you do the other half.

I walked in in male clothes and explained the situation,  No one batted an eye lid. It was great and I go back any time and ask for advice. The weird thing was walking down the street with a great made up face in male clothes, 'cos there was no way I was going to clean it offf

I agree. I went to a local spa that does classes for teenage girls. I called and made an appointment (making sure they were OK with situation). The staff didn't bat an eye, but were so warm and accepting that I go back to them anytime I can. My wife even gets jealous sometimes because my appoints sometimes run long due to girl talk . Then you will get a look that is good for you that you can practice, practice, practice.

Good luck!