The first thing people notice about you is your face. That means your makeup can make or break a feminine first impression.
No matter what your skill level, there are a few key tactics that can take your MTF makeup skills to the next level.
In this post, created specifically for transgender women and crossdressers, I share my top 6 makeup tips to transform your face.
Read on to learn more!
1. Invest in good makeup brushes
Quite simply, it’s impossible to apply masterful makeup without the right tools.
Forget about the tiny, cheap applicators that come packaged with most makeup. Upgrading to high quality brushes will give you much more control, immediately upgrading the look of your makeup.
Here are the basic brushes you should own:
- Foundation brush
- Concealer brush
- Powder brush
- Blush brush
- Flat eyeshadow brush
- Eyeshadow blending brush
- Lip brush
2. Use color correctors
If you have skin issues like a beard shadow, blemishes, or dark circles under your eyes, the solution is NOT to bury them under thick concealer. Your makeup will look much more natural if you start with a color corrector.
The idea behind color correctors is to use a complementary tone to neutralize imperfections. This will allow you to achieve beautiful skin with less makeup.
For example, you should use a pink or red corrector to neutralize a dark beard shadow – or a green corrector to neutralize redness.
You can find color corrector tutorials on YouTube. Or, get more in depth training from makeup artist Chris Scott in Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program.
3. Don’t ignore your eyebrows
The eyebrows are one of your most important facial features. In fact, they have the power to completely change the look of your face.
That’s why I say to give your eyebrows as much attention as your eyes, lips, and beard cover!
To learn more about eyebrow shaping and makeup application, be sure to check out my article on MTF Eyebrows | How to Feminize Male to Female Eyebrows.
4. Practice, practice, practice
Makeup is like any other skill – the more you practice, the better you get. And the better you get at putting on makeup, the more attractive and feminine you will look as a woman.
A fun way to practice is to find makeup tutorials on YouTube that you can follow along with. Below is a great one featuring Casey Blake demonstrating daily makeup for trans women:
5. Book a lesson with a professional makeup artist
If you struggle with your makeup skills, one of the best investments you can make is a lesson with a professional makeup artist.
A good makeup artist will teach you proper makeup application techniques, help you find your best colors, and ensure that you are applying your makeup correctly. This is important because all the practice in the world won’t help if you are only reinforcing bad technique.
6. Take good care of your skin
Your skin is literally the canvas for your makeup.
Proper skin care can go a long way towards improving your skin’s texture and appearance. Not only will this make you look better, it’ll help your makeup go on smoother and last longer.
Here are 3 simple skin care tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid using harsh soaps on your face. Use gentle facial cleansers only.
- Apply facial moisturizer daily.
- Use a face mask at least every other week. (This is a great ritual for pampering your inner woman!)
Ready to learn more?
Check out my article, How to Feminize Your Face Without Surgery (MTF Transgender / Crossdressing Tips), for more male to female makeup tips and techniques.
Or download Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program to learn all the essential makeup skills every trans woman and crossdresser 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? What is the #1 makeup tip or trick you’ve learned?
Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
I am a CD presently living in the Nashville area. I have dressed off and on for the past 20 yrs and had limited success with make up and passing in public. Now that I’m in my 50’s I am having great difficulty achieving even minimal success with make up and not confident in my skills any longer to go out. I have tried without success to find a make up artist to reteach forgotten skills. Can you point me in the right direction of a TG/CD friendly professional. With all the music and theatrical professional in the region you would think it would be easy to find someone to provide instruction.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’ve been looking for starter makeup guides and you’ve just come up trumps. I’ve been dressing for a while now, but have only just started playing with more than just lipstick.
I don’t have any makeup of my own yet – I’ve been borrowing my ex’s and my dear old mum’s but neither if them are big on makeup. 🙁
What should be in the most basic makeup bag?
Airy
xx
I have met with Chris Scott; he’s wonderful. When I come home with pro makeup on, my wife whups my ass.
Life is good.
lol
Dear Lucille,
Thanks for the tips… which have only raised lots of questions in my not-so-little head!
* Where can one get colour corrector (in UK or online)… and do I need it if concealer does the job? (Maybe I am using concealer for the wrong purpose!)
* Where can one get reasonably priced concealer, in UK or online? I bought the tiniest of tubes for £5-6/$7-8.
* Should I be using concealer to sort out the awful wrinkles under my eyes?
* I don’t understand what half the brushes are for, when I have liquid concealer/foundation, a powder compact, and lip gloss with its own applicator.
* How easy is it really to find a professional make up person who will deal with a TG?
I guess I have a lot to learn… 🙁
The only advice I can offer is to get good quality foundation that doesn’t cake and, if liquid, is not so runny that it is too thin and never dries. Also, don’t use a colour a lot darker/lighter than your own skin colour.
Regards,
Andrea
Dear Lucy,
Thank you greatly for your makeup tips.I’m learning alot from other Tgirls as well as girls in general and your information is very valuable,too.I’ve been constantly searching for better foundation,which may be so,but your advice on using colour corrector to mask facial hair and find different ways as an alternative to using alot of foundation sounds more effective;and it appears it’s not just what you use but how you use it.
I also aim to treat myself to a brand new set of makeup brushes;-*
Have a great Christmas and New Year and thanks again,Lucy,
Fondest Regards,
Debs.XXX
Your article is right on. I was fortunate to have a very understanding wife who taught me all about doing my make up. She taught me all the tricks and yes she did have me visit a make up specialist who gave me tips for my trouble areas. The eyebrows are a ket to a good feminine appearance and I always tweeze mine. I still like to keep up on make up tips and have a Mary kay saleslady who visits me every month with new things to try or buy. Veronnie2–aka–Veronnica
I agree with everything you have written…..:) I try to keep my brows trimmed and pluck a few at a time so not too detectable and most of the plucking is between underneath the brow and eyelid. Also, having a makeover is a great way to learn….beauty schools are less expensive than salons. Merry Christmas!
Well whatever you are doing stay the course it’s working, you are lovely.
Thank you so much Holly, Kristin, Shae, and Daphne!
You look amazing, love the top. What a great smile.
Oh my Angie you are gorgeous!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!
Great look Angie! Very classy lady.
Hi Lucille! My tip is:hydrate our skin with a natural toner before retiring in evening and/or applying cosmetics at anytime. We also need to be very aware of our particular climate / seasons and their effects on our skin. I need to be aware of the damaging UV rays in my location so protection is must to start with. Also lots of practise applying makeup improves artistic flair!
Thank you Lucille for wonderful 2013 support and Season’s Greetings & the best for Lucille’s (international) girls in New Year 2014!
Love, Jaine XXOO
P.S. N.Y’s resolution..”Practise what I preach!” :*