Makeup can have an amazing impact on your appearance – IF you apply it correctly.
Many crossdressers and transgender women tell me they struggle with this skill, and that’s okay!
You deserve to feel like your most beautiful, feminine self. To get started, it’s important to avoid a few common male to female makeup mistakes.
In this blog post, I’ll share the mistakes you need to avoid – and what to do instead!
1. Wearing Too Much Makeup
Wearing too much makeup is an easy mistake to make. Makeup is meant to enhance your best features while minimizing any perceived imperfections.
When you overdo your makeup, you end up accentuating EVERYTHING. This isn’t a flattering look, so remember rule #1: Apply your makeup with a light touch.
2. Applying Full Coverage Foundation on Your Entire Face
Even if you have problem areas you want to hide, you should avoid covering your entire face with a thick foundation. Heavy foundation can give your face a cakey and mask-like look.
Instead, opt for full coverage makeup in areas that require it, such as the beard area, and use a lighter foundation on the rest of your face.
3. Using Poor Makeup Application Technique
When it comes to makeup, technique matters. Some common examples of poor makeup application technique include:
- Clumpy mascara
- Mismatched foundation
- Harsh lip liner
- Overdrawn eyebrows
- Cakey concealer
If your makeup skills are lacking, look for makeup tutorials on YouTube or check out my free Male to Female Makeup Mini Course.
4. Not Selecting The Right Makeup Shades
Choosing the right makeup shades is just as important as your makeup application technique.
In fact, the wrong colors can give you a harsh and masculinized appearance faster than anything else.
The most important thing to consider is your natural coloring. For example:
- If you have lighter hair and skin, opt for low-intensity colors like soft brown, blue, pink, or coral.
- If you have darker hair and skin, go for high-intensity colors like deep brown, black, blue, or red.
Candis Cayne – Low intensity colors
Janet Mock – High intensity colors
In addition to your natural coloring, think about the occasion and time of day when selecting your makeup. Typically, higher-intensity makeup works better for nighttime when the lighting is dim.
Finally, your makeup shades should complement the colors of your clothing for a cohesive and polished look.
5. Not Taking Good Care of Your Skin
Think of your face as the canvas for your makeup. If your skin is dry and rough, it’s going to be noticeable.
Keep in mind that male skin tends to be rougher than female skin due to lower estrogen levels. This means that good skin care is critical.
Care for your skin by using a gentle cleanser, moisturizing daily, using sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep.
Ready to learn more?
Check out my previous article, How to Feminize Your Face Without Surgery, for more male to female makeup tips and techniques.
For more in depth training, consider The Makeup Magic Program to learn all the essential makeup skills every crossdresser and transgender woman should know.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. Do you struggle with makeup or have you mastered this skill? Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
well this is very informative but what about us girls who have red hair and light pale skin? i like to think im doing good with the mix of high intensity/low intensity and im quite happy with it. but ill always be practicing cause its one of my favorite parts of all this
My basic problem is mascara, I want a thin line, but by the time I get from one side to the other, it’s a broad line I never wanted. I’ve seen tips posted on FB that recommend using a cotton swab. I may try that.
l would agree with you Meran.
But with light skin & fairer hair, there must be lighter colors than brown or black.
Hello everyone,
I am extremely new to expressing and exploring my feminine side… clothing, how to move, voice, etc… and makeup is NO exception.
I have always been more fond of women who have a more natural appearance with their makeup, but at the same time i can also appreciate someone that knows how to apply the boldness in the right places in the right weight… this is the kind of style that i would like to work on in the long run, and a series on that would be most helpful.
The pic attached is me all ‘dolled’ up as i sit here typing this out. (hope it actually loads properly) This is like my fourth or fifth time ever wearing makeup, and every time it has been applied myself. I would have to say that my most difficult spot is the eyes… i can manage to get the shadow looking “OK” and the mascara is tricky but dooable, but the area that is really difficult for me right now is the eye liner. I just cant seem to lay it on straight let alone put it where i think it should go (because i truly have no idea at this point, lol). and as you can see i haven’t even attempted eyebrows yet, but that’s just because i don’t have any eyebrow pencils or markers or whatever is used. keep in mind that i am still experimenting with colors and ways to apply everything… lol.
I don’t think I look too bad, but then again I am kind of partial to the look itself. tips… advice… ‘constructive’ criticisms are all welcome and will be read with an open mind. thanks for reading and have a great day. ^_^
I, actually braved up and went to Panache in Greenville, NC to have a woman not only apply my makeup, but to explain what and why she was doing various things. She did not allow me to see myself until she was done, and she did this in a private room, away from other customers. When she finished, she told me that I looked very pretty. She then asked me to trust her and not look until she came back. She brought a coworker back, who looked at me and stated that she thought the transformation was amazing. They both asked if I was ready to see my new look as they turned the chair toward the mirror. I did not recognize the reflection I saw. It wasn’t heavily applied makeup as I have often been guilty of. Her work made my face look more feminine. My eyes looked larger and the blue stood out. My lips looked awesome. Very kissable. It all looked very natural though. I came home and fully dressed. My wife came home from work and she normally says nothing. She eventually said that I did my makeup very well and that I looked too pretty to be her husband in women’s clothes. I plan to do it again as soon as I can.
Hi Lucille
I’m still learning how to apply makeup, getting the right product is not easy. I’ll get there in the end.Thank you for the makeup advice.
Hi Lucille:
The few areas that I struggle with the most are lipstick and trying to enhance lips that are small. Also what does cause mascara to clump? I have tried to brush the end off after taking the brush out of the tube and it still seems to clump. And if you do use a good foundation how long should you wait to apply any powder and/or blush? As always your tips are very helpful and easy to follow. Thank you so much!
Bonnie Lea
Can anyone tell me what a facial is, if one went to a beautician
for a session?and what could/should I expect for a make-up
session, I am getting to my final stage of waxing, boy it bites
doesn’t it!.I would like to try a professional make-up.
Can anyone recommend it?
Hello Lucille,
My main problem is with lipstick and blush. I use lip moisturizer after I apply the lipstick is that a good idea? Also I have fair color skin and trying to find the right blush seems to be my biggest problem what type of blush will be best for me. Please email me. You are wonderful.
sincerly,
William