how to pick make-up?

[kymmieLorain]

I am stepping ever closer to the door and thought about make-up. What is the best way to figure out what colors etc to get?

Kymmie

[Natalie x]

Hey, Kymmie, glad you're near to getting out that door. I suggest you join the Beauty Club here in CD forums, there are threads covering nearly all aspects of getting your appearance right.

[JocelynG]

If you have a supportive SO ask her. I did

[susandrea]

If you're unsure, I think the best bet is to get a good quality "kit" (there are cheapies out there, so go for a recognized name like M.A.C. or Bobbie Brown) that has eyeshadow, blushes, and lipstick from the same family. The smaller the kit, the less likely you'll make a boo-boo. You should also decide if you are a "cool" person or a "warm" person, and think of your make-up complementing your face and hair color rather than your clothes. Blending is crucial, and the golden rule is "less is more". Obvious make-up looks are only for the experienced, and only a very few can pull it off without looking clownish. (It doesn't take much to stray into the drag queen look, even for women. If someone is looking at your make-up rather than you, you've gone too far.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/susansqueezy/MASKEDBOX-copy.jpg

Make-up has differing undertones and some colors look garish with others. For instance, you shouldn't wear a pink toned blush with peach toned lipstick.

Very few people should wear blue eyeshadow, and it's out of style right now anyway (pale lavender is in and very nice with all eye colors).

The internet has loads of sites describing how-tos and natural looking make-up kits.

http://www.frugalbride.com/choosingtherightlipstick.html

[Deidra Cowen]

Kimmie,

To look your best you have to have a professional match up your face to the makeup you are going to buy. Its a bit scary but you will really be happy if you do this.

The most important thing for a CD is foundation. Covers the beard and hides the male complexion which usually has more than one color. The makeover artist at the dept store can match the foundation to your skin type and tone....and also recommend a blush color, lipstick and eye shadow colors.

I recommend MAC Cosmetics. I know a lot of tgirls in Atlanta and most of them like MAC too and have not found anything better. You unfortunately live a bit away from any dept store that carries MAC but there is a Nordstrums in Bloomfield Colorado that is 98 miles from your city.

Perhaps you could take a little road trip and go get matched up at that store...go to the MAC counter. After that you can order your foundation and other stuff from the net at the MAC site. Once you know your colors a lot of stuff like blush and eye shadow can be bought cheaply at the drug store or grocery store...but always get high quality foundation!!!

An advantage to going outta town might also be that since you need to have no makeup on for the matching of foundation no one will spot ya! The MAC people are very friendly to the Transgendered too.

Thats my recommendation! You could try some dept stores there and other brands but I don't know about them.

[mand]

Hello Kymmie :) my way is to just buy it all, ..........play with it, experiment with it.............just have plain fun and decide what you like, which suits and which doesn't................I have no rules when it comes to make up :)
Just enjoy ;)

love mand xxx :)

[susandrea]

Kimmie,

To look your best you have to have a professional match up your face to the makeup you are going to buy. Its a bit scary but you will really be happy if you do this.

The most important thing for a CD is foundation. Covers the beard and hides the male complexion which usually has more than one color. The makeover artist at the dept store can match the foundation to your skin type and tone....and also recommend a blush color, lipstick and eye shadow colors.

I recommend MAC Cosmetics. I know a lot of tgirls in Atlanta and most of them like MAC too and have not found anything better. You unfortunately live a bit away from any dept store that carries MAC but there is a Nordstrums in Bloomfield Colorado that is 98 miles from your city.

Perhaps you could take a little road trip and go get matched up at that store...go to the MAC counter. After that you can order your foundation and other stuff from the net at the MAC site. Once you know your colors a lot of stuff like blush and eye shadow can be bought cheaply at the drug store or grocery store...but always get high quality foundation!!!

An advantage to going outta town might also be that since you need to have no makeup on for the matching of foundation no one will spot ya! The MAC people are very friendly to the Transgendered too.

Thats my recommendation! You could try some dept stores there and other brands but I don't know about them.

M.A.C. can be ordered online!

You can e-mail one of their make-up artists for advice and yes, they are VERY CD and DQ friendly.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/customerservice/email_artist.tmpl

Good luck and let us know how you do!

Tru-Blend and Bobbie Brown are also good choices.

Look at this, too:

http://www.sachacosmetics.com/testerkit.htm

And remember, taking really good care of your skin pays off. Cheap make-up can make you break out, and you need to find a good moisturizer. Also, taking a good vitamin supplement (with zinc, calcium and magnesium) and carefully removing all make-up at the end of the day are just as important. Leaving mascara on all the time can lead to styes. And throw old make-up away-- it does go bad.

There are some great natural products out there that are not only great for your skin but they are animal friendly, too.

You just have to jump on the net and do some research. There are make-up tip books on Amazon you can try, too:

http://tinyurl.com/ddn6f

:)

[kymmieLorain]

well my wife knows but she doesn't wear make up. so that is a no go.

Kymmie

[Phoebe Reece]

Kymmie,
A professional makeover is great, but may be a bit intimidating for someone not quite out there yet that doesn't have a friend to come along for support. I like Mand's idea. Buy several different types and experiment. That's a fun way to do it, even if it's not the most cost effective. Keep in mind that if your skin is sensitive, you may want to stay away from the heavier oil based foundations. There are lots of books available about makeup techniques from Amazon.com. Study a bit, buy some items, experiment, and if you're not happy with what you see in the mirror - do it all over again. In any case, have fun with it.

[kathy gg]

I am going to disagree with the thoughts on :try everything.

Unless you are made of money, getting the right product the first time saves alot of hassel and money and gives you the results with out second guessing.
Not every pereson can wear every color of lipstick, eyeshadow, or foundation. Rather than spending your money on cheap drugstore products go to a MAC store and get the right products for your complexion. They have awesome make up for giving you a smooth looking skin tone, as male skin just does not have the same consistency, texture, or pore likeness as women. Most drugstore brands (revlon, cover girl, ect) are meant for women and unless you have no beard shadow and almost invisible looking pores it just won't give you the same results.

Posting pics on the net is one thing, but walking out of your home with confidence in knowing you look your best makes a HUGE difference.

MAC will do a make over if you spend a minimum of $50 (at least in Canada that is the min.). For more intensive make up lessons there is a bit more of a cost, but once you learn how to use the products corectly and what colors look best on you, then that is knowledge that can be used over and over again.

I agree though that getting simple stuff like mascara, lip gloss, nail polish, and some other can be bought at drug stores. But for a good foundation, a good lip liner, a good basic lipstick, and powder, and even a few proper pencils and blush brush will do wonders. I know once I started using make up brushes instead of those little foam aplicators my makeup stayed put longer, the intesity was better, and I had more control as well.

Good luck
Let us see some pics when you reach that step!

Hugs
kathy in canada

[Tristen Cox]

I agree with Kathy, you might want to join the beauty club up top and ask more questions about what you should start with before you go buying things that may or may not work.

[cd_becca]

Have you thought about a make-up lesson from a beauty therapist? They tend to tell you your skin clolour and waht make-up colours will suit you best.