Makeup can have an amazing impact on your appearance – IF you apply it correctly.
Unfortunately, this is a skill that many crossdressers and transgender women tell me they struggle with.
You deserve be your most beautiful female self. The first step to achieving this is to avoid these common male to female makeup mistakes:
1. Wearing Too Much Makeup
Wearing too much makeup is an easy mistake to make.
The purpose of makeup is to bring out your best features while downplaying your so-called “flaws.”
If you wear too much makeup, you simply highlight EVERYTHING. It’s unflattering and attracts the wrong kind of attention.
Rule #1 is to use a light touch when applying your makeup.
2. Applying Full Coverage Foundation on Your Entire Face
Even if you have problem areas you want to hide, there’s no reason to cover your entire face with thick foundation. Heavy foundation makes it look like you are wearing a mask, which is not a flattering look.
Instead, use full coverage makeup where you need it (like on the beard area) and apply a lighter foundation everywhere else.
3. Using Poor Makeup Application Technique
When it comes to makeup, technique matters. Some common examples of poor makeup application technique include:
- Applying eyeliner unevenly or too far away from the eyelashes
- Not blending your makeup properly
- Applying clumpy mascara
If your makeup skills are lacking, book a lesson with a makeup artist or look for makeup tutorials on YouTube. (Or for more specialized instruction, check out Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program.)
Either way, the REAL secret is practice, practice, and more practice!
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:
- People with lighter hair and skin look best in low intensity colors (like soft brown, blue, pink, coral, etc.).
- People with darker hair and skin look best in high intensity colors (like deep brown, black, blue, red, etc.).
Candis Cayne – Low intensity colors
Janet Mock – High intensity colors
Besides your natural coloring, you should also consider the occasion and time of day when choosing your makeup colors. Everybody looks better in higher intensity makeup at night when the lights are low.
And last but not least, your makeup colors should harmonize with the color of your clothes.
5. Not Taking Good Care of Your Skin
Your face is literally the canvas for your makeup. If you have dry, rough skin, it WILL show through.
Also keep in mind that male skin tends to be rougher than female skin (due to lower estrogen levels). That means 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, for more male to female makeup tips and techniques.
Or download The Makeup Magic Program to learn all the essential makeup skills every crossdresser and transgender woman should know. Get instant access to 10 easy-to-follow video tutorials taught by a professional makeup artist Chris Scott.
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
transformation tips?
i use medium tan color foundation or make-up for my face with touch of red or pink for rouge kinda bright pink lipstick still bit lost what use for eyeshadow growing out my hair again although probably need buy a wig get tired of having brown hair all time
I do moisturizing 2 per day and I use a facial mask too. My facial skin looks so soft that even some cis women are jealous to me. I getting positive comments about my care of skin
Dear Lucille: I have had minimal time, until recently, to practice and hone my meager makeup skills. I learned early on that less-is-more, but developing the skills of application take time and practice. The help of professionals at a variety of local establishments has been a big help. (I am even having my meager brows micro-bladed. Huge help.) What I am getting to, DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK THE PRO’S FOR HELP. Most are more than happy to share their knowledge. It does, however, take time and practice. Luv, Sandy
Had to learn make-up many years ago and still have to learn new techniques as times change. But I’ve always had my basic look…
I do well with foundation, brows and lips. I struggle with lashes and eyeliner. My skin is fine as I will only wash my face with Olay beauty bars. Thanks for the nice tips Lucille!
I really need help,in make up,and getting myself shaped better, I need people to see me as a real woman.
These are wonderful guidelines for us TG girls who did not experience growing up with a learning experience by sharing with girlfriends. I just love my new life and living full time with the guidance of Lucille.
This is so true. I have been fortunate to have a wife who is a cosmetologist and a Younique makeup presenter. I love makeup days. You can too. lovethemlips.com has a bunch of absolutely great makeup.