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Hi, a lot of people have told me that they like my makeup, so I thought I'd do a thread.
This is for AMAB trans femmes *who are Xennials or older* and who are *early in transiton*.
There's lots of resources for EITHER trans femmes OR older women, but not both.
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This is for AMAB trans femmes *who are Xennials or older* and who are *early in transiton*.
There's lots of resources for EITHER trans femmes OR older women, but not both.
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CAVEATS
I AM NOT AN EXPERT OR PROFESSIONAL.
There is NO RIGHT WAY to do makeup. You have to adapt to your face and you'll need to develop *your style*. Mine will be different from yours.
DO NOT LET ANYONE SHAME YOU INTO ANY CHOICE. That's general advice.
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I AM NOT AN EXPERT OR PROFESSIONAL.
There is NO RIGHT WAY to do makeup. You have to adapt to your face and you'll need to develop *your style*. Mine will be different from yours.
DO NOT LET ANYONE SHAME YOU INTO ANY CHOICE. That's general advice.
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RESOURCES
YouTube: great for a lot of tutorials and general knowledge. You can fill in almost any gap from there.
Stores: MAC and Sephora will usually offer classes in particular methods. Additionally, MAC is staffed by professionals and they can give good advice.
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YouTube: great for a lot of tutorials and general knowledge. You can fill in almost any gap from there.
Stores: MAC and Sephora will usually offer classes in particular methods. Additionally, MAC is staffed by professionals and they can give good advice.
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"LESS IS MORE"
You will see this advice A LOT. One thing I noticed is that this advice is most often given by trans women who are *years* into their transition. It did not help me at all.
The problem is that I (still) need to cover a lot on my face. Yes, I mean "need."
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You will see this advice A LOT. One thing I noticed is that this advice is most often given by trans women who are *years* into their transition. It did not help me at all.
The problem is that I (still) need to cover a lot on my face. Yes, I mean "need."
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EQUIPMENT
You need a workable set of brushes. Start out with a good but *inexpensive* set while you learn.
I don't recommend beauty sponges because they absorb makeup and it's wasted. Use brushes or your fingers (obviously wash your hands).
Cotton rounds and swabs. Lots.
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You need a workable set of brushes. Start out with a good but *inexpensive* set while you learn.
I don't recommend beauty sponges because they absorb makeup and it's wasted. Use brushes or your fingers (obviously wash your hands).
Cotton rounds and swabs. Lots.
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COLOR
This is important. You can't use just any colors. You want to complement your natural skin tone and your hair. Foundation is how you match skin tone and it should match the back of your hand. Test it there.
I avoid gold foundations because they don't match my hands.
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This is important. You can't use just any colors. You want to complement your natural skin tone and your hair. Foundation is how you match skin tone and it should match the back of your hand. Test it there.
I avoid gold foundations because they don't match my hands.
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FOUNDATION
I really really don't like powder foundation. It cakes in all the wrinkles. I achieve a matte look with finishing powder.
I use a liquid foundation on top of a liquid primer, and I apply both with my hands. Both are also Cover Girl. They're inexpensive. Go light.
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I really really don't like powder foundation. It cakes in all the wrinkles. I achieve a matte look with finishing powder.
I use a liquid foundation on top of a liquid primer, and I apply both with my hands. Both are also Cover Girl. They're inexpensive. Go light.
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CONCEALER
This is your choice but I find it to be essential for covering beard shadow. I also use it for highlighting because I can't find a highlighting powder that's light enough.
You probably want a high quality concealer. Mine is MAC NW20. It matches my foundation.
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This is your choice but I find it to be essential for covering beard shadow. I also use it for highlighting because I can't find a highlighting powder that's light enough.
You probably want a high quality concealer. Mine is MAC NW20. It matches my foundation.
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HIGHLIGHTING/CONTOURING
This technique is really nice for getting good results, so I highly recommend it. Basically you're adding shape to your face using color.
There are palettes specifically for this purpose and you can find them anywhere.
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This technique is really nice for getting good results, so I highly recommend it. Basically you're adding shape to your face using color.
There are palettes specifically for this purpose and you can find them anywhere.
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BLUSH
Get a good blush, that has the qualities you're looking for, but try cheap ones first. *I* go matte. Yes, there are shiny blushes. They look terrible on my face.
I blush the parts of my face that get red. Blushing the bridge of your nose will give you a "cute" look.
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Get a good blush, that has the qualities you're looking for, but try cheap ones first. *I* go matte. Yes, there are shiny blushes. They look terrible on my face.
I blush the parts of my face that get red. Blushing the bridge of your nose will give you a "cute" look.
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BROWS
I really recommend shaping your brows. I pluck. Look up a video by a professional on how to do it correctly.
I've used a lot of products but I now just apply black eye shadow with a flat brush. I don't like pencils and I LOATHE pastes.
Find a video for technique.
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I really recommend shaping your brows. I pluck. Look up a video by a professional on how to do it correctly.
I've used a lot of products but I now just apply black eye shadow with a flat brush. I don't like pencils and I LOATHE pastes.
Find a video for technique.
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FINISHING POWDER
I use a matte finishing powder after all of the above steps. No matter how badly you've blended, applying finishing powder will help even out the boundaries. It also sets all of the emollients (like concealer), so they don't smear off.
I LOVE this stuff.
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I use a matte finishing powder after all of the above steps. No matter how badly you've blended, applying finishing powder will help even out the boundaries. It also sets all of the emollients (like concealer), so they don't smear off.
I LOVE this stuff.
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EYES
I do my eye shadow and liner on top of the powder because it goes on more smoothly.
I am NOT good at shadow. Find someone who is and have them help.
I use black shadow as eyeliner because I have leaky eyes, and it leaks the least.
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I do my eye shadow and liner on top of the powder because it goes on more smoothly.
I am NOT good at shadow. Find someone who is and have them help.
I use black shadow as eyeliner because I have leaky eyes, and it leaks the least.
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LIPS
At this point, you probably will have a lot of foundation, concealer, and powder on your lips. Clean it off with a swab dipped in eye makeup remover.
I overdraw my lips because my mouth turns down and I have a lot of philtrum.
Take advantage of your cupid's bow.
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At this point, you probably will have a lot of foundation, concealer, and powder on your lips. Clean it off with a swab dipped in eye makeup remover.
I overdraw my lips because my mouth turns down and I have a lot of philtrum.
Take advantage of your cupid's bow.
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Okay, at this point is where I'm done. I'll either finish styling my hair or put my wig on.
I want to stress that this is what works FOR ME. I deviate a lot from standard practice and I had to work most of this out for myself.
Find out what works for you.
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I want to stress that this is what works FOR ME. I deviate a lot from standard practice and I had to work most of this out for myself.
Find out what works for you.
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I welcome additions to this thread if you have them.
Just remember that this is for new transitioners so try not to recommend anything advanced or expensive.
Also please remember how long it took you to get it right before using the words "just" or "easy."
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Just remember that this is for new transitioners so try not to recommend anything advanced or expensive.
Also please remember how long it took you to get it right before using the words "just" or "easy."
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