Makeup plays a big part in your feminine transformation. That means having a well-stocked makeup kit is a must!
Since I’m often asked about what makeup to buy – and since it’s easy to blow your budget on one Sephora shopping trip – I’ve put together a checklist outlining the must-have MTF makeup items for your collection.
I also created a downloadable shopping list that you can save to your phone images and take to the store with you. Download it here!
Makeup Brushes
First, a word on makeup brushes…
If you’re going to splurge on one thing, it should be a good set of makeup brushes. You’d be amazed how much better your makeup looks when you use proper brushes rather than the tiny applicators that come with your makeup.
You can find makeup brush sets at the drugstore or online for as little as $10-$20. Here are the brushes you should own:
- Angled eyebrow brush
- Eyeliner brush
- Flat eyeshadow brush
- Crease brush
- Bullet brush
- Foundation brush
- Concealer brush
- Powder brush
- Blush brush
- Lipstick brush
Supplies
- Q-tips – Use to clean up under the eyes
- Cetaphil – Use to clean up mistakes and remove makeup at the end of the day
- Cosmetic wedge sponges
Eyes
- Eyebrow pencil or powder – Note: You can also use matte eyeshadow as eyebrow powder
- Eyeshadow base (optional) – Use to neutralize discoloration in eye area and help your eye makeup last longer
- Eyeliner – Either a gel eyeliner or eyeliner pencil
- Eyeshadow – Get a palette with at least 3 colors: light/medium, medium/dark, and a highlight shade
- Mascara – Get black unless you are a fair blonde (in which case, go for brown-black)
- Clear mascara (optional) – Use to groom thick eyebrows
Skin
- Primer (optional) – Use to smooth out your skin and help your makeup last longer
- Color corrector
- Fair skin – Get a pink and green corrector
- Medium/dark skin – Get a yellow corrector
- Foundation – Get medium coverage foundation that matches your skin tone exactly
- Translucent powder – Get loose powder that is the same or slightly lighter than your natural skin tone
- Foundation powder (optional) – Use if you need additional coverage in the beard area
- Light/dark cream concealer (optional) – Use to contour the face. Get a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone (to highlight the face) and a concealer that is one shade darker than your skin tone (to contour the face)
Lips
- Lip liner pencil
- Lipstick
- Lip gloss – Choose a thick clear gloss to seal your lipstick
Cheeks
- Contouring powder – Use to contour the cheeks, jaw, etc. Get translucent powder or a no-sheen bronzer that is one shade darker than your skin tone
- Blush – Choose a powder or cream blush
While this list might look long, the good news is that you DON’T have to go out and spend a bunch of money on expensive cosmetics. In fact, you probably already have most of what you need. And what you don’t have, you can find inexpensively in any drugstore.
Let’s talk makeup!
The great thing about makeup is that no matter what your skill level, there are always new techniques to try and colors to play with. And as Coco Chanel said, on a bad day, there is always lipstick!
So let’s hear from you…
What are your favorite must-have makeup essentials? Do you do most of your shopping in drugstores or are you a Sephora-kinda gal?
Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. While the right tools are essential, good makeup is all about technique. My FREE Male to Female Makeup Mini Course will show you exactly how to transform and feminize your face with makeup.
Hi Lucille.
RE: White eyeliner tips for MTF/CD.
Please send details on how to apply white eyeliner .
I have found there is a difference between men and and women eye lids.
Please send more details ,what to do ,to transform.it,so that can looks like a women eyes,when apply eyeliner and face make up.
Finally
False nails.
Do yo have tips for applying and remove of false long nails.
What to use to remove it,without damage natural nails,easy and that is not expensive to do it. Whith extensive I mean the products to use ,for remove nails easily.
I love your tips each time you send it by email.
Then lastly . Elastic Magical Pantyhose.
Is it suitable to all MTF and cd’s to wear.
What will you say,?
It look so feminine and sexy.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Werner Kemp (Michelle when dress up as a women)
Say, Girls, I’m gettin’ chatty. Posted when this item came up before, but wanna add a few comments. Starting morning with a vitamin A-based face creme is good prep, helping smooth out wrinkles and bags. Minimal is my motto, but when it’s party time or such, it’s fun to play with it (really love glitter).
Still haven’t perfected lip technique, but I do try for subtlety that enhances without a big sign saying “See this slob!”
As usual, I want to emphasize the value of a great smile. It’s the best part of your image!
I couldn’t believe it when a young lady at a social event gushed that she loved my makeup. I had to check if she was talking to someone behind me. I must have been using that smile…
Joan
could you please give me any advise about my make up
thanks
I highly recommend moisturizing your face. With regards to foundation less is best. If you have naturally glowing cheek bones go easy on foundation. Dont overdo the blush and blend it. Lipliner can pop the look. I use a darker lipliner and shimnery lipstick without the lip gloss. You can use lipbalm. Shiny but less sticky.
Hi Lucille,
I’m a M to F TG/CD and am living part time as a woman. I have purchased Stepping out Secrets, Make up Majic, Voice Feminization as well as your hypnosis program
I fond them very helpful but uour skipping one important issue. Facial Scars!! I once rode with a National MC club whem I went thru a phase of denial and aquired some deep scaring over 20 years ago in bar fights. Obviously I grew up amd have battled my demons and am on the road to transition. I’m looking for a product that can cover or reduce my facial scars. Any suggestions? I’ve spent alot of money on products that didn’t work. Please Help!
xoxo Brenda
would you please give me , some advise about my make up ?
thanks
My rule is to moisturize a couple of times a day. I also keep it simple with my makeup. Foundation, loose setting powder, blush, mascara, eyeliner and lipstick. My goal is to blend in as any normal woman and not stand out. At age 72 I seem to pass pretty well I think. I’m always treated as a lady where ever I go. Here I am yesterday at the mall in my “shopping clothes”.
I am also 72 years old. You look great.
Suzy, oh my gosh, you are gorgeous. No wonder you have no problem being a woman. I am 70 and just getting back into dressing. I missed me after completely purging a few years ago. I am in the process of losing weight, but I can wear many of my wife’s size 12’s. I love being able to dress in dresses and makeup, but still practicing. Thank you for putting yourself out there to serve as an inspiration. Love, W
Wes…
Now at 73 in October it gets harder every year to slip into my 100% nylon stockings, dresses, and makeup. Shaking hands as we age. Been out in public since the 1960’s.
Love to chat about CDing…hit me up anytime…T.J.
I’m not a transgender, but I have a very close friend who is. She’s the one that told me about mi abulea’s moisturizer and makeup remover, Albolene. It’s totally old-school, but works amazing for smooth, moist skin and does a great job taking off heavy makeup! Check it out at Albolene.com