Your face is the first thing people notice about you. That means your makeup can make or break a feminine first impression.
Does your makeup application look more drag queen than beauty queen? Or have you mastered the art of subtle, beautiful makeup?
No matter what your skill level, there are a few key strategies that apply to everybody. Read on for my top 6 makeup tips for crossdressers and transgender women.
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 complimentary tone to neutralize imperfections. This allows 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 our Makeup Magic Program.
3. Don’t ignore your eyebrows
A mistake I see many crossdressers and transgender women make is leaving the house with ungroomed eyebrows.
Since eyebrows create the frame for your face, they are literally one of the first things people notice about you. Why allow misshaped brows ruin an otherwise good makeup look?
If you can, get your eyebrows professionally shaped. A good esthetician can groom your eyebrows so they look good in both girl and guy mode (if need be).
Also, be sure to check out my previous article on eyebrow feminization (including a step-by-step video tutorial).
4. Practice, practice, practice
Makeup is like any other skill – the more you practice, the better you get. And the better you get at doing your makeup, the prettier and more convincing you will look as a woman.
A fun way to practice is to find makeup tutorials on YouTube that you can follow along with. Here are some good ones:
- Easy Beginners Makeup Tutorial
- 10 Minute Evening Look Makeup Tutorial
- Day Makeup Tutorial For Mature Skin
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 previous article, How to Feminize Your Face, 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 crossdresser or TG 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? What is the #1 makeup tip or trick you’ve learned?
Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
transformation tips?
dear Lucille thank you for been here for us i just want to ask you where to buy the best makeup tool to b e pretty?
Yes practice reaaly helps and as suggested getting help from friends and or professionals is a great idea.After all we want to lookand feel our best.
I don’t have any eyebrow ridges, my forehead is feminine and I don’t have any eyebrows, any ideas on eyebrow teatment?
Thank, Thank you Lucille. I love all your tips and love you
I used to have issues with my make up it was mostly I was using a darker pressed powder bage and it was to dark and I needed classic ivory then it started to work and even look better more natural then what it did when I started learning what colors work for me other then that I used to have issues using blush was using to much but now after I took some tome reading these blogs and watching random videos on youtube I pretty much got it down excepted I know I need a good set of make up brushes I needed for a long time and still keep putting it off I just don’t have the money for an expensive set so was wondering what a good set to get on a budget.
Bhcosmetics.com, great sets for a really good deal!
Lucille,
I’m about to embark on my professional career as a cosmetologist/esthetician. The information in your article here jibes perfectly with what I’ve been learning at school! Thanks for sharing all the great knowledge, and getting the most amazing people, for those of us who are transgendered.
Hugz!
Mellissalynn
Saying “hi gurls” to all from me,Denise and a warm hello to Lucille too.I want to wish everyone the best this holiday season and a pic of the make-out Oops. that was earlier,the make-up toodoo’s I just love to do that made me into the lady that I have always been,just not as primpt as I am now and known by my sissy name Lipstick lips. I luv to wear RED lipstick.Who doesn’t 🙂 X-MAS
FROM DENISE
All good tips to follow, I went to MAC for lessons and they were super nice and helpful. I now get compliments all the time. I also tear ads from fashion mags when I like the model’s eye shadow so I can copy it.