Ever had professional Make-up application?

[DebbiAnne]

I've been looking into the Yellow pages for Beauty Salons & Studios or Beauty schools that do make-up applications. I've had this desire to try one out dressed entirely as a female & have them do my make-up so it is just right! Has anybody tried it at a Merle Normans or other Studio, Salon or Beauty school? And what was your experience? Thanks.

Debbi

[Jasmine Ellis]

sorry I have not. but when you go to one have fun

[JeanneF]

I've been looking into the Yellow pages for Beauty Salons & Studios or Beauty schools that do make-up applications. I've had this desire to try one out dressed entirely as a female & have them do my make-up so it is just right! Has anybody tried it at a Merle Normans or other Studio, Salon or Beauty school? And what was your experience? Thanks.

Debbi

I've had it done at MAC. It was an amazing experience...the guy who did my makeup was just unbelievable. He also gave me some fantastic advice as far as accentuating my feminine features (apparantly, I have really good cheekbones), and concealing my masculine ones. It was also good to have my foundation and powder colors picked out perfectly for my skin tones...really did wonders I've been complemented when out at clubs (by cute gay boys) that I do a much better, more realistic and convincing job with my makeup than the drag queens do. :)

I've also had a makeover done at Janet's Closet up in Detroit...that was excellent, and at the time I was a makeup newbie, so it was very educational, but having it done by a professional makeup artist at MAC who has a complete palette to choose from was on a whole different level.

[Carlacd]

I had a make over at the Glamour Bouitque in Vegas. Had the best time ever.

[hotbobbie]

i have not but i know several tg that have gone to Mac and it was great.

[DanaJ]

I've had many makeovers in various salons - I have a method for finding them, but it is bit lengthy. PM me if you would like to hear my method...

[terrigurl]

I had a professional makeup application this morning. This is the second time I have had her do my makeup. She did a great job. I came in drab, and changed in their bathroom, which they fixed up for me to use as a lounge. She applied mascara, foundation, eyeliner and eye shadow, and lipstick and lipliner. She even adjusted my body foundation, so that it wasn't as lumpy.

[Adrienne Heels]

Have had my makeup done at the Clinique counter in a department store and in a salon. It is so much fun!

[Kate Simmons]

Why? Ericka

[Jodi]

I had one done years ago at a Merle Norman Salon. I just called and asked if they did male to female makeovers. The lady that answered the phone said yes, I do, I'm Donna. I'm the owner. Do you want to make an appointment? It was that easy. I made the appointment. Went in dressed. She worked on me for over an hour. She color matched my skin, showed me the correct shades of makeup to use. She then showed me techniques of application. The makeover itself was free, but I was expected to buy some items. She also sold wigs. I got some makeup and a new wig. It was worth every penny. Merle Norman makeup is not cheap, but it is excellent quality. I was a regular customer for years. Sadly, due to a divorce settlement, she went out of business earlier this year. I miss her very much.

I would recommend a makeover. You will not be sorry.

Jodi

[Phyliss]

Have had my makeup done at the Clinique counter in a department store and in a salon. It is so much fun!


Clinique is very good stuff. I've had three at Macy's. Loads of fun. The lady who did me all three times is a jewel of an expert at this.
Go, honey, you will love every second of it.
As a matter of fact my avatar is when I had my second one done. If that gal can do something with this mug, then she must be good.

[terrigurl]

After you find a few salons that you would like to try, visit one or two. Ask them if they do makeup. I told the lady that I wanted to go to a costume party and needed to be madeup as a woman. Most of them were happy to oblige. I went in drab, so they would not feel uncomfortable.
Today, at my makeover, the operator told me she felt like I was just another woman. She really thought it was funny, how she felt about me, when I was all made up. She told me she liked my nipples, and told me she didn't have any. I replied that all women have nipples, so she showed me hers! She said that she felt comfortable showing me, since we were both women.... I felt deeply touched by her comments. That is my dream: to be accepted as a woman.

Terri

[linnea]

I had a similar experience as Terri, but I just called a salon, asked for the manager, told her about my being a CD, and asked if I could come to her salon for makeup. She was very understanding and accepting and told me to go ahead. Then I asked if there was a place there where I could change from drab to fem because I didn't want to walk through the mall where she was located until after I got my make up done. She said that that would be all right too. So I made an appointment for a time that she told me her salon was usually pretty quiet. On the appointed evening I went in, met her and talked with her briefly. She introduced me to the other employees (they really weren't at all busy at that time), and she showed me where I could change.
I went into the room, put on my clothes (I had put on panties, bra, and stockings before I left home) and came out. Everyone there treated me like a lady and assisted in my makeup and a little hair styling. I had one very nervous moment when a woman whom I know from my work came into the salon. At the time, I was facing straight toward the door. Even though I was seated in a chair at the back of the salon, I was certain that my co-worker was looking at me and would recognize me. I don't think that she did; at least I never heard anything or saw any signs of her recognition at work.
Anyway, after I finished, they said that now that I was all dolled up, I should really go somewhere. I told them that I had no plans and they sighed in disappointment. They encouraged me to at least do some shopping at the mall. I paid and left very happy with their words and hugs of encouragement. The salon manager told me to come back anytime and commented how pretty I looked. I was ecstatic!
I did do some window shopping, mostly so that I could look at my reflection. It was a wonderful feeling, but at that time in my progress I was not confident enough to go into any stores, so I went home. Nonetheless, it was a great experience and very good feeling.
Best wishes to you to find something so good or better. There are salons around that will give you every consideration that they would give any woman. Good luck in finding one.



After you find a few salons that you would like to try, visit one or two. Ask them if they do makeup. I told the lady that I wanted to go to a costume party and needed to be madeup as a woman. Most of them were happy to oblige. I went in drab, so they would not feel uncomfortable.
Today, at my makeover, the operator told me she felt like I was just another woman. She really thought it was funny, how she felt about me, when I was all made up. She told me she liked my nipples, and told me she didn't have any. I replied that all women have nipples, so she showed me hers! She said that she felt comfortable showing me, since we were both women.... I felt deeply touched by her comments. That is my dream: to be accepted as a woman.

Terri

[Krystal Lee]

Debbi,

Yes twice. Once at a transformation service in Denver and once a salon.

I called ahead and asked if they preformed the service and when they said they would do a male to female makeover I made appointments and went.

Both were lots of FUN! I would say go for it. You won't regret it and the information you pick up will be very helpfull afterwards.

My only problem was too much information at once so that is the main reason for doing it twice. (thats a fib, I just had so much fun I wanted to do it again)

Now you have me thinking about it and I may have to do it again!

Go for it girl!

Hugs Krystal.

[trannie T]

I've gone to a beauty school twice, once in drab and the other time en femme. The girls and the other customers thoroughly enjoyed the experience as did I. It was great fun while the girls fussed over me and did an excellent job of makeup. It is amazingly cheap, about ten bucks, add a ten dollar tip and it's a makeover for twenty dollars, a bargain. A few days beforehand I go to the school and make the appointment. I'm doing it again this halloween, can't wait!

[DanaJ]

Everyone here has some great advice, about calling the salon first. In my experiences, it is not so easy - probably 1 out of 10 even do makeup, and out of those, maybe 1 out of 5 even considered makeing up a guy. I even had a GG call for me on some of those.

But, it is a very good idea to call ahead first :)

[NatashaWI]

Hi Debbi

I haven't but have an appointment for 10-31 where I'll have my hair done and full makeup application. Before I go there, I'm having a manicure and polish at a different salon. I'll be in drab for my nails but then will dress for the hair and makeup session. The anticipation is delicious!

Natasha

[Girly Sara]

I always have professional makeovers but it doesn't come cheaply! :straightface: Hence why i don't get out as often as i would like! GGRRR!!! Must learn to apply my own make up!

Sara xxx

[Franki Kate]

I have had two professonal makeovers, in Portland, Oregon. I was introduced to a prefessional makeup artist. She does many such folks, as ourselves. Both times were delicious. The first visit was in drabe and changed at here site. The second visit was not. She was a great teacher for learning the skills of placing the makeup correctly. What a rush, both times.

[SherriePall]

Three times. By three different GG's. The first two in a cosmetics store and the last one in a beauty salon. Loved all three. Amazing to see the different techniques and opinions of each.

[Deidra Cowen]

Have posted about it here a bunch of times so won't bore everyone with the story again. But the first time dressed I had a makeover artist do me up! Was the best money I ever spent. :thumbsup: I have a picture from that Makeover and it still might be the best ever I have taken! So still striving to equal the work she did on me.

Does not really count but twice I went to MAC stores and while I did not get a makeover I had them matchup my foundation which means ya gotta sit in the chair infront of everyone while they do it! :eek:

[uknowhoo]

The one ands only time I've done so was (the day before) Halloween last year. It was wonderful having the cosmetologist work on me, and give me great tips. After the salon, I had lunch with a GG friend, then took in a movie. Here's my thread about the experience: http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16842 I hope to have a makeover this year as well (around Halloween), and would highly recommend it to anyone!!

[melissaabom]

I have not ..but would like a professional make over.I need to change colors
and get a different femm look..

I am not sure how costly one would be also

Melissa

[Nigella]

Estee Lauder counter at our local department store. A fantastic experience.

[terrigurl]

This afternoon, I went to another salon, where I have gone before. I had a really cute outfit: gray and black stiped top, gray miniskirt, black and gray heels, and a silver link belt. I chose to use my black wig. The cosmetologist applied foundation, lip liner, lipstick, eye shadow, eyeliner, and powder. She brushed out my wig, but when I looked at myself, I was not pleased.
She did a lousy job on the lipstick, it looked like I smeared it on. The wig was not brushed out very well at all, and when I left to visit the Avenue store to do some shopping, it slipped on my head. I thought I looked ridiculous! My friend, who works at Avenue, told me my fishnet stockings were really cute, and told me later that my outfit was really nice also. I am still unhappy about the makeup job she did on me though. I will not go back there again.
So not every professional makeup artist does a great job every time.

Terri

[S. Lisa Smith]

I have had multiple Merle Norman makeovers (in Newport News and Richmond, Virginia), once at Saphora (in Richmond) and a few times with a Mary Kay lady. I just call ahead and ask. I usually don't have a problem and it's great fun. Merle Norman can be kind of expensive, but Saphora was off the charts. I looked great, but spent almost $200 on makeup. Oh well, I LOVE makeup!

[JeanneF]

I looked great, but spent almost $200 on makeup. Oh well, I LOVE makeup!

Sephora is a dangerous place. I can't walk into there without spend at least $100. Good makeup is expensive, but it is SO worth it!

[Maureen]

Two years ago on Halloween, I had a professional makeover done by Hana of Hana Designs while I was passing through Denver, CO. I had only planned to go for the makeover, clean up, then head back to the hotel my wife and I were staying at.
Well, when Hana was done with me, she was so happy with the outcome that she refused to let me change or clean up. She insisted I return to the hotel as I was. When I walked into our room, my wife was shocked. She swore that she would have walked past me in public and never noticed it was me.
While it was very expensive, it was worth every penny, as Hana helped give me the courage to do something I had dreamed of, but never had the nerve to do.

[Michelle2008]

Great topic. I am physically disabled and therefore can not do my own make-up. My hands/wrist are affected by my disability...anyway, I have been going to my local salon for about 2 years now and this amazing make-up artist has been doing my make-up for me whenever I want to go out as Michelle. I love it! Expensive alittle but so worth it.

I think many salons now-a-days are becoming more and more aware of crossdressers. And more accepting. As long as you are serious and tip well, you'll be fine. Good luck!

Take Care,
Michelle

[ColleenCD]

I have a makeover scheduled for Wednesday, with photo session. I cannot wait. I've never had a professional makeover before. Soooo excited.:D

Colleen

[shae]

I've only had a few pros do my face, but MAC is the most recent, and it was a truly positive experience - a shot from it is at http://www.tic.ab.ca/~shae/shae201.jpg.

As well, I've taken a few classes through Continuing Education and the Catholic School Board Evening Classes. None of the womenfolk in attendance were overly unnerved by my/our presence, and the teachers got a couple groups of us in for personal classes too. Presently the girls here are trying to get together for a seminar.

And don't forget - drag queens have some interesting tricks that are useable for formal warpaint!

Have fun,
Shae

[Kristen Kelly]

Nowdays I get out more often but in years gone by Halloween was the only day I would go out in "Public," it was a perfect excuse to get a make over. Went to the MAC counter at my local mall and told them I wanted to match my foundation to be made up for Halloween. They sat me in the chair match by base color, tryed different blush colors and bronzers. They were happy to give me many tips and even told me to make an appointment and come in the night of the party and they would do my makeup. Spent about $60 on makeup and probely 45 mins talking in the chair, they made me very comfortable and after a while did not even notice the people walking by us for my interest was on how she was applying my makeup.

[Daphne Renee]

I have never done that.. I would really like to.. I am hoping to go at least one halloween party this year.. I really cant afford to have it professionally done though. :(

[Joanie]

Three makeovers in the past year, plus one shop that helped me with some lipsticks, all Merle Norman and all but one in their private areas. Called ahead and either made appointments or made sure they were OK with helping me before coming in. Remarkable level of acceptance that I think goes beyond merely wanting $$ and being nice to make the sale. All of these were in drab.

Due to privacy concerns, I have never gone to a Lancome or Estee Lauder counter so I would highly recommend Merle Norman to those who are to bashful to sit out in a department store dressed in drab while everyone walks by.

[Karren H]

Never have either! I just love doing my own makeup!!

Love Karren

[Eva Marie]

Yes, I did. It was at En Femme Getaway in Eureka Springs during the spring of 2005. I reserved the first position on the schedule and the operator was a young woman from Las Vegas.

It was so bad that the person following me on the schedule cancelled when she saw what was happening to me.

[TaniaInTas]

I've done it thrice - all in the same week, and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, has not made the effort to learn DIY. Others have suggested using the phone to locate an appropriate salon. This is sound advice, and make sure that you make all your requirements known - dress there, discretion, nearby parking. It is a good way to find out if they will be really helpful. It took me 3 calls to find the one I chose. The others were agreeable, but I could tell that they had reservations. My final choice finished up being oh so helpful. Unfortunately she retired a couple of weeks later - I don't think I was responsible for that - lol!

[MJ]

well i have had a few and had no problems. i found carylbaker visage is great if you get a membership you can get your makeup done for free once a month what i do is take a picture from a magazine of a look that i want to try and watch them reproduce it that way i know how it was done..and wow the makeup girls do an amazing job... hugs

[Ranee Daze]

A couple of times I've made the pilgrimage to
Toronto to "Take a Walk on The Wildside" and twice I've been disappointed by their blase attitude. I suspect that transformation services are more interested in your wallet than creating a customer-provider relationship.
You get much better treatment at MAC. Sure it cost fourty bucks in product, but MAC stuff is great and it is a giant turnon to have a beautiful lady introduce you to a new and more refined "you". Counters are probably more hip to new trends. You can get an almost free makeover ath The Body Shop as well, usually you can make a charitable donation for violence against women. It's fun to let them try a new look on you. Once at MAC I had them darken my skin tone quite a bit to match a very dark brown wig I had, very cool indeed.

[Sarah_new]

I went to the Boudoir in London for a full dressing service once and it was excellent. I beleive they will also just do make up if that is all you want.

[celeste26]

Not to be confused with Glamour boutique. It is a photography studio but they do make up. I have gone twice in two different cities and bought a series of pictures. Technically there is no requirement for buying the pictures though and I could have just gotten the makeup session. Next time I will get the CD-rom version instead of just the pictures themselves, that way I can properly email them to you all/ have them as avatars.

MY current avatar is a webcam image of the pitcture and it just doesn't come out well that way.

[Stephanie-L]

My S/O is going to be out of town next week and I have lots of plans, including a makeover. The mall I am planning to go to has a Sephora shop and they seem to have no problems with CDs. I don't know if there is a MAC store there also, but they sound interesting. I am going to that particular mall as they have a Nordstroms and I want to go there for a bra fitting, but that is a different story.

[Tina Dixon]

I have had two done and they are are fun, seems like if you get a different person each time to do it you get a whole different look, I recommend every one to go and have one done.

[missattitude]

Yes , I have. But the person that did my makeup, know's me so I had her come to my house to do it. Took about 2 hours. When she was done, I could not tell that it was me behind the makeup.

Missthangz