Black CDs

[Leah B]

There's a ton of info out there for crossdressers in general, but infro specifically for black crossdressers is rare. We are underrepresented on the internet, I suppose (Black people, not CDs).

So I guess this is a call for info or advice. How might makeup differ? I have no idea what colors would work with my skin or facial features. What about hair bumps? Every dude probably getsw em, buts its worse with tight, curly beards. What about beard shadow (Here's hoping dark skin does a better job of hiding it than lighter!). Anything else someone might know or want to say?

[sobe1ove GG]

I have no idea what colors would work with my skin or facial features.

Well apparantly he's forgotten about me. I told him what makeup colors work for his skin. :mad: I mean, geez.

:)

[Kierci]

There's a ton of info out there for crossdressers in general, but infro specifically for black crossdressers is rare. We are underrepresented on the internet, I suppose (Black people, not CDs).

I find this offensive, there is plenty of information out there on the web and this forum for everybody, you need to get out there and look and not wait for it to come to you. Race,Religion,Location etc... has nothing to do with it nor should it even enter into the equastion in this manner as to seem like there is any kind of discrimination in any way shape or form. Surf the web or ask questions, we are all here to help not discriminate.

[Stephenie S]

Plenty of info out there for AAs. Plenty of help in the stores, at the makeup counter, in the hair salons. Ya gotta get out there sweetie. There is a HUGE industry built around black beauty. Just get off yer duff and start looking, hon.

Lovies,
Stephenie

[noname]

So I guess this is a call for info or advice. How might makeup differ? I have no idea what colors would work with my skin or facial features.

For color, try blue eye shadow. But your best best is to go get a makeover. Sephora or Mac will be more than happy to help you at. As long as they know you are serious, you should be treated with respect like any other customer.

As for getting help and info, I had to hunt down any info I wanted. That included getting a makeover once.

[Julogden]

Hi Leah,

From what I've seen, I'd say that black CD's have the same options for learning makeup that other races/ethnicities have. If you enjoy doing your own makeup, get a good book or two on makeup, buy a variety of makeup products and start experimenting. This route works great for some, but it's probably quicker and cheaper to go to someone who does makeovers and will tell you what colors and products work for you.

There's LOTS of shaving help for black males on-line, sites like http://www.mybrotha.com/bestshaving.asp so take advantage of those resources.

Good luck and have fun,
Carol:hugs:

[Tamara Croft]

There are plenty of websites that can help you. But you are right, makeup for black, asian etc skin is different. I found these 2 sites, one I've used before when I was training at college ;) came in handy.

http://www.makeup.us/aboutus.asp
http://www.sachacosmetics.com (this is the one I used for college)

[Jocelyn Quivers]

I understand what you mean about razor bumps, I don't suffer from them too badly but I've seen others in which it looks very painful. I don't really know what advice to give as far as minimizing them, I tried the specialty shaving lotions and razors for a while, all they seemed to do is make the bumps worse, and litter my face with whiteheads :eek: I guess try a dermatologist if it gets to bad.

With make up I basically stick with dermablend cover creme olive brown color, loreal true match liquid foundation nut brown color, darker colored blushes, darker lipstick, eye shadow I stick with silverish, and lighter blue colors. Also just try experimenting, with different brands of make up until you find one that's right for you. Hope this helped somewhat. Jocelyn

[Leah B]

[COLOR=black]I find this offensive,

You find what offensive? That blacks are underrepresented on the internet? Well sorry, it's true. There are proportionally less black people on the internet than there are in real life. If you find this offensive, get up and do something about it.

Or is it offensive that I asked for help? Google's a great tool, but it sends you the good sites and the bad. Is it a crime that I'd see if there anyone out there who has filtered through the crap and might throw me a bone?

Be offended. Clearly you're touchy about race.

[terrinoble]

I know the info is out there. Though I'm white (but not fair skinned), I wanted to see if I could pull off looking like a black woman without coming off as a minstrel caricature. (Just to fulfill my own curiosity, nothing more.) I sought and got advice from black CDs and GGs on makeup, and one suggested I try the Dermablend cover creme (shade: natural ebony). It worked out well, and here (http://terrinoble.com/afro2.jpg) is the result.

[Katrina]

I second the recommendation about the MAC makeover. MAC has a good selection of makeup for many many skin colors.

[joperinal]

The best know CD-er to me is black :heehee: ..... Ru Paul

[Violetgray]

I know the info is out there. Though I'm white (but not fair skinned), I wanted to see if I could pull off looking like a black woman without coming off as a minstrel caricature. (Just to fulfill my own curiosity, nothing more.) I sought and got advice from black CDs and GGs on makeup, and one suggested I try the Dermablend cover creme (shade: natural ebony). It worked out well, and here (http://terrinoble.com/afro2.jpg) is the result.

That's pretty good. Not too many black women are wearing the afro these days, and the eyebrows are a tad dragqueenie, but other than that I think it would pass both ways.

And I hear what she is saying, that the majority of the makeup help and tips out there are for fair-skinned people. I don't blame her for basically asking "Where do I begin" because I've been there. If you look at the "makeover, then explain how" section of most women's magazines, they tell what brands and foundation and all that, and usually stuff that darker skinned people can't use. There's nothing racist or seperatist about addressing different needs. Black skin IS different. Takes longer to wrinkle, but gets razor bumps more frequently, and can be very oily. Important information. I've found Mac can be very good, as well as the brand Fashion Fair, and I hear Iman has a brand for darker skinned women..

[Vash]

Leah, I agree with you that there is not as much information about ladies of color as there is for others, but there is still a lot out there and it increases everyday. I think if you think about how our moms, sisters ,and other ladies of color we know, go about it you will easily figure it out. There are publications like "Ebony"and"Jet" magazines that feature articles on beauty and hair products.I know that they always have web sites associated with their companies.Ask around. I know that it may seem daunting,but just as all the others have had to swallow some manhood<g> in asking a woman a question about what she had on we are no different. That's great for the specific needs of ladies of color. A great many of the other issues i.e.; clothes,shoes,comportment are not at all specific to color at all.In the meantime here are a couple of sites to look at. Hope it helps some

http://specktra.net/forumdisplay.php?f=270

This is for the "Beauty of Color" section of the forum.Check out the rest of the forum for many other aspects of beauty that relate to all

Iman Cosmetics. Products for ladies of color
http://www.imancosmetics.com/1.0/

Another great site full of information
http://www.palacinka.com/ethnic-women-of-color-cosmetics.htmlhttp://

To me a great line that I use a lot
www.blackopalbeauty.com/index.html

Hope this all helps

[Leah B]

Thanks!

[IMkrystal]

Thanks!

Your posting had a rocky start, but I'm happy to see things have smoothed out. This is America, and our principles, are base on freedom of speech. Yes, Imus can say whatever he wants, but must face the consequences of what he said. As has been demonstrated, the individuals that makeup this community are as diverse as the world we live in and they need to remember that "There is no such thing as a bad. question.":clap:

[susandrea]

You find what offensive? That blacks are underrepresented on the internet? Well sorry, it's true. There are proportionally less black people on the internet than there are in real life. If you find this offensive, get up and do something about it.

Or is it offensive that I asked for help? Google's a great tool, but it sends you the good sites and the bad. Is it a crime that I'd see if there anyone out there who has filtered through the crap and might throw me a bone?

Be offended. Clearly you're touchy about race.

I agree with you Leah. I've been studying crossdressing for close to three years now and only VERY RARELY come across anything that specifically regards black crossdressers.

I tried Amazon and Googled for anything at all that dealt with black crossdressers (got very little) but then Googled 'African American crossdresser' and got this:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGGL%2CGGGL%3A2006-38%2CGGGL%3Aen&q=african+american+crossdressers&btnG=Search

Terribly sad that the first entry is a news article about a black CD being beaten. :sad:

Curious, I tried Google-ing other specific groups like Asian Cds, senior Cds, etc., and didn't get much then, either.

So, maybe ANY info on a sub-group within the crossdressing community is a bit rare simply because crossdressing as a whole still has a long way to go in establishing itself.

Interestingly, if you Google "Teen crossdresser" there seemed to be a few specific sites aimed for them in a positive way (support, advice, ect.) THAT is certainly a good sign.

:happy:

[Tasha Meredith]

That was one of the articles I came across most of the time as well. The web resources for minority CDs was surprisingly scarce, but all CDs had that problem not too long ago. I did what I imagine most CDs did in the late 90's, read magazines and did a little more fashion-watching. At one point I roomed with an Asian crossdresser who I imagine did the same thing. I even emailed a number of female impersonators to see how they got their first start.

About the facial hair thing, people with curly or wavy hair tend to be more prone to ingrown hairs. And I really don't know how to avoid it personally.

I can't stand beard shadow at all so I wax constantly and tweeze any hairs that are too short to wax. I highly recommend doing both.

Oh! And you should really visit the MAC counters. I was apprehensive at first because of my skintone, but they had me all matched and powdered up right away. I recommend them to all crossdressers. Hope this helps. :heehee:

[Vicky_Scot]

You find what offensive? That blacks are underrepresented on the internet? Well sorry, it's true. There are proportionally less black people on the internet than there are in real life. If you find this offensive, get up and do something about it.

Or is it offensive that I asked for help? Google's a great tool, but it sends you the good sites and the bad. Is it a crime that I'd see if there anyone out there who has filtered through the crap and might throw me a bone?

Be offended. Clearly you're touchy about race.


Stop right now!!!!

Lets not turn this into a racial issue ladies.

A forum is all about opinions and although we may not agree with someones point of view we should respect it.

[Alex!]

Leah - I wondered about this to. I was wondering why I have not seen black crossdressers more often. Thanks for bringing this up!

[Peg]

I haven't seen to many women of color at all on the web as cross dressers go . my sister sells avon and i see the makeup made for darker skinned people . some of it i wish i could wear the eye shadows are beautiful. Keep searching the web and check out those makeup counters . We all have to join together to let everyone know that we are real people too. Peggy.

[Leah B]

Stop right now!!!!

Lets not turn this into a racial issue ladies.

A forum is all about opinions and although we may not agree with someones point of view we should respect it.

I don't see anything wrong with asking for advice specifically regarding CDing as a black person, and I should have the right to stick up for myself if someone finds this offensive.

Jennyaz and I smoothed things over in PMs anyhow.

[kwebb]

Sometimes a black CDer must deal with a few different issues outside of the aesthetic (beauty secrets, make-up, etc) realm. However, I do find that having color enables me to wear a wider variety of colors in wigs that still work in concert with my skin tone.

What I am talking about is socio-cultural. Where to get support when a pastor has just delivered a vehemently trans/homophobic sermon enough to make me leave church feeling suicidal.

What do I say when I'd lose all of my hyper-masculine male friends if I came out to them and became the laughing stock of the community. What do I say to a mother who says, black people don't do this kind of thing, have you lost your mind.

Now I know in this society, things are bad for all gender variant folks, but in the black community try multiplying the hate 10 fold. I often wished there were other black CDers I could get with and discuss these kinds of issues.

[Tamera]

Please don't start questions that seperate the different nationalities. We are "1" family.

But do tell us if you are looking for help because of the color of your skin. Because that will help us help you.

You can go to makeup counters such as Macy's and they will help you.
I also found a website that may help and this could lead you to other web searches and that is;
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060908183330AAVqfrP.
LOL
Tamera

[Tamara Croft]

Let's keep this thread on topic, regarding 'makeup' or I WILL close it!

'nuff said!

[flatlander_48]

I would also suggest finding someone who does Mary Kay. My ex-wife sold their products for several years and was always impressed that she found items that worked for her medium-dark skin.

[Kerrie Sifton]

Hi girls, everyone comfy. What was great about this question is how fast people came up with answers, and ideas Rupaul, shaving sites, magazines to refer to, other make up sites. Wow, what a response. The offenses should be slight, I believe all of you were trying to help.. As for why there aren't more black girls out there it might be simply that there are: Honey, they just look so damn good, we just did not see them! :D

[Deborah]

I hope you found all the information you were looking for in the links provided.
Best wishes to you Leah. :)