If you have facial hair, then you know how hard it can be to hide a beard shadow – and how much it can detract from your feminine appearance.
Transgender women and crossdressers are often told to use heavy concealer, but this is totally wrong!
Thick concealer creates a heavy, cakey look that can draw even more attention to the areas you want to hide.
So what’s a girl to do? I’m glad you asked! In this post, I’ll share 4 beard cover makeup items to use in place of that heavy concealer.
I also share a step-by-step video tutorial on how to hide your beard shadow with minimal makeup for a natural, feminine look.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Pink or Red Color Corrector
The first piece of beard cover makeup you should own is a color corrector. This is the #1 secret to hiding a beard shadow. By neutralizing the bluish tint of the beard shadow, you can achieve a natural look with less makeup.
Choose your color corrector based on your skin tone:
- Use a pink color corrector if you have a light skin tone.
- Use a red color corrector if you have a darker skin tone.
While your best bet is to use a color corrector specifically formulated for the face, another option is to use a matte pink or red lipstick.
Apply it: Use a small makeup brush to stipple a light layer of color corrector over the areas you want to disguise.
2. Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation
The next must-have item is liquid foundation. Choose a medium coverage foundation rather than a heavy formula. It’s best to apply several thin layers to build coverage rather than using one thick layer of heavy foundation.
Apply it: For pro results, apply with a foundation brush instead of your fingers or a sponge. Brush on a light layer and allow it to try. If you want more coverage, go back and stipple additional foundation over the areas of concern. (See the video for a demo!)
3. Loose Powder
The third item you’ll need in your beard cover makeup arsenal is a loose powder. Choose a powder with pigment as opposed to a translucent version.
Apply it: Use a large powder brush and dab on a generous layer of powder. Don’t use stroking motions or you’ll streak your foundation. Once everything has dried, you can brush off the excess powder with soft strokes.
4. Powder Foundation
If you have a light beard, the previously mentioned items might be enough. If not, the final step is to get an additional layer of coverage by using a powder foundation.
You can find powder foundation at any drug store or makeup counter. This is a great option for areas that need extra coverage.
Apply it: Using a makeup sponge, press on one or two light layers of powder foundation over any remaining visible imperfections and voilà! Your transformation is complete.
Be sure to watch the video below to learn exactly how to apply your beard cover makeup.
Tutorial: How to Conceal Beard Shadow with Beard Cover Makeup
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to master these techniques to achieve a natural and feminine look without wearing tons of heavy makeup.
Enjoy! And as always, I’d love to know what you think.
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this tutorial, you will LOVE The Makeup Magic Program! Learn all the essential male to female makeup tips you need to know to achieve your prettiest, and most feminine look ever!
Alright ladies, here is some professional advice, as told to me. 1) Electrolysis is the only form of permanent hair removal. For MtF total facial clearing can take up to 2.5 years at 2 to 4 hours a week. 2) Laser hair removal will give you a 2 year reduction in growth. A few have experienced permanent results (not the norm) 3) The makeup of the male skin is moisturized from the hair follicle, and the facial skin will only absorb 3% of any product you put on it. That said, I have found that aloe will seal off the skin, yet it is breathable, therefore making the best primer I have found.
Ben Nye and other stage make-up usually is applied quite liberally, and has the tendency to come off on your clothes. MAC Fix+ is a finishing spray that may help with this problem.
Ethnicity has allot to do with how your facial hair behaves. Yet, most men, even when having been well shaved, will have the shadow appear due to the remainder of the hair follicles.
If you plan to go full-time. Before you start hormones, start electrolysis. The reason being, the skin does become softer, and more prone to damage, while the hair does not change. Thereby making the current needed to kill the follicle more likely to damage the skin. That means the electrologist should be having shorter sessions to reduce the risk of scarring, thus increasing the overall time it takes for a total clearing.
You may want to keep in mind that most women have some facial hair. It may not show as much, but when the light hits it just right, you can see the “peach fuzz.” Also, most Americans do not get closer than an arms length for normal conversations. So, the rule is: hold the mirror out at arms length, and if you can’t see anything, more than likely, they won’t either.
I hope this helps
Meliss@
Hi Melissa,
These are really great tips. Thanks for sharing! Especially interesting is your advice about starting beard electrolysis BEFORE hormones.
Thanks!
I have both a dark boy beard and a scarred face. “You cannot cover-BOY with covergirl” unless you first put on a good base like dermablend or one of the others in step2. I also use durmablend to aid in contouring. I use Chroma1 around my eyes lips and Chroma 2+3/4 on my chin, sides of my nose, jaw bone and deep clevage area and Chroma 2 anywhere the other 2 colors wear not used including my arms.
Kitty loved your picture, cute face and killer body!Dee
Before having my facial hair removed by a Professional, I followed a routine that I still use on my legs. I would run a hot bath( steam up the room ) and after soaking, use hair conditioner,and a new razor. Hair growth inhibitor creme can help some more than others,and moisturizer, everyone has different skin type, so experiment ladies! If you like the steamy bathroom, but need a mirror to shave your face, you could get a heated mirror, or one that extends near the tub you could wipe with a cloth from time to time. Best Wishes
hi all. the 2 pics of me are with out any makeup well eyes lol.any way hopefully you can see that i have no dark tone, some might think that its due to being blond but if it was to grow its a mix of colors black and red with a little light spots to it. what i do takes time and conditioning the first time i did it my face broke out but over time it has worked out.one the first thing i do is wet a rag as hot as i can take it place it on my face than i use baby oil and new razor and i shave against the grain in short strokes and than side to side moving the razor forward and than backwards all the time keeping the skin as tight as possible,i than test with a cotton ball. i complete this with ice cold water rinse…the oil helps keep the razor burn down hot water helps get the hairs open and the cold closes them back up and the hot cold well it help with some other things as well that Lucille has taught me..thanks Lucille..and thats just me i can say it will work for you or not lace a. oh ps.just so you know i am almost 50 and have been shaving like this for a long time
These are great tips. Fortunately, I no longer have to worry about beard growth or shadow. 8 Years ago I began electtology. It took a year and a half and now I have no sign of a beard. My face is as smooth and hair free as any woman’s. I only use Cover Girl pressed powder for foundation. IT IS WONDERFUL. It was well worth the time, pain and cost
I get about 2 days,from a good shave.Use a moisturising creme/soap, not soap alone and I shave 3-4 times overeach area ,(being sure to shave against the grain at least once).There’s no actual rule,I just shave until i can’t feel any hair at all. I also find that if I run my fingers over the skin just before the razor,it tends to compress the skin down,exposing more hair for the chop.
Of course I moisturise again after drying and sometimes touch-up again using the same creme,a good layer to protect the skin. This is certainly no perfect solution as hair growth is hormone-driven.
Tabby
I hate facial hair!!! i’m currently undergoing lazer removal but really painful. i have not had good results with ben nye. While i don’t have any advice (sorry!!), i would like to know what concealers works well with dark beards. Thank you!
i meant “work well with dark beards.” I so can’t type tonight! 🙁
A more detailed shaving technique…
1. Use a five blade razor (Gillette Fusion)
2. Shave in the shower. Do it after you’ve done the rest of your shower/shampoo to give your beard time to respond to the moist steam of the shower.
3. Exfoliate your face and get the beard hairs standing free and clear. I use Clnique “super exfoliant”. It comes in a tube and looks and feels like gritty toothpaste.
4. Use shaving gel. Shave with the grain of your beard, then again against the grain.
5. Spread Clinique liquid facial cleanser over your entire face.
6. Shave again, against the grain, paying special attention to those areas that always seem to have some stubborn stubble.
7. Rinse off the facial soap.
Shave this way and you won’t have to worry too much about beard concealment.