Transgender Makeup Help

Jan 21, 2015

Natalie M.

Hello my name is Natalie and I am transgender, I'm not on hormones yet but I have recently started wearing makeup to make myself look feminine, and also to make myself feel better, but I need some tips on what makeup to use to make myself look feminine but also more of a natural look, don't want to look like a drag queen.

Jan 21, 2015

Alexis C.

Just do your makeup as a cis female would! Watch videos on YouTube (that's where I learned a lot about makeup when I was first getting into it) and feel free to ask any questions you have here! (:

Some tips I have:
-make sure your foundation matches your skin both in color and skin tone and blend well
-contour with a grayish-brown shade under the cheekbones to make them stand out and blend well so it doesn't look like a line on your face
-fill in your eyebrows with a powder for a natural look
-highlight with a concealer one to two shades lighter and blend well

Jan 21, 2015

Ella M.

A little concealer, eyebrows filled in, highlighter on bridge of your nose, a matte brown eyeshadow, and a nice pink lip gloss or lipstick. Good luck! Ps blend your concealer well with a brush.

Jan 21, 2015

Jenny A.

Hi Natalie, welcome. I think any natural look makeup would be a good place to start. Just looking at your photo I'd do a little eye liner, maybe with a contouring shade in a nice neutral matte color (a brown would bring out the color of your eyes) and mascara. The nude lipstick is good, but your lips kind of like they could use some TLC. (Maybe try a sugar scrub and some nice lip balm). You have nice high cheekbones, so maybe you could bring them out a bit with either/or blush and contour. You could probably get away with a light foundation or BB cream to even out your skin (maybe a bit of concealer for the occasional spot we all get) tone. I would definitely recommend looking around youtube for beginner makeup tutorials, esp. those with more "natural" looks. You have lovely full eyebrows, the kind that are all the rage right now, but you may want to groom them a bit just so they lay down straight and look more put together.
The big thing that is so hard for everyone to learn when they are starting makeup is to have a light hand. I struggle with this all the time. Put everything on in layers as light as possible, go slow, build things up and practice. I spent a couple hours a week just practicing putting on makeup, trying new things, etc. Good luck!

Jan 21, 2015

Natalie M.

Thank you very much for your help ladies, I will try all of these things out soon, going to put loads of practice in, on my picture that was actually my first ever time putting on makeup so I think I did kind of ok for my first time.

Jan 21, 2015

Jenny A.

I think you did great!

Jan 21, 2015

Marissa L.

You might want to get your brows waxed or threaded. they have a great shape, but the edges are a little unkempt? yes bushy is in, but I think its because androgynous looks are in, and neater brows and such are more tradationally feminine. definitely find a nice lipgloss or lip stick. for your eyes, maybe try something shimmery instead of matte actually. yes matte can beautiful/natural, but shimmery is generally more traditionally feminine and cheaper/easier to find. other wise, the other girls' advice is solid too :)

Jan 22, 2015

Rissa G.

Hello, Natalie! Welcome to Beautylish Hun. I would definitely, 100%, recommend you check out GigiGorgeous on YouTube. Her makeup looks whilst transitioning were always fresh and super flattering (she also had blue eyes like you; win?). I definitely love her makeup looks, she looked so feminine before her transition, throughout, and now. I think you would enjoy her.

Jan 22, 2015

Kenna S.

I love GiGi renay!!

Jan 22, 2015

Rissa G.

I love her too, she's adorable and so bubbly. Lol.

Jan 22, 2015

Logan C.

I agree with everyone's opinions on here. Also If I was you I'd definitely focus on playing up your eyes. Mascara, maybe youtube some eye looks, winged eyeliner. You have beautiful eyes! They are such a unique pretty color.

Jan 22, 2015

Bekah S.

Hi, Natalie! I would start off with buying some basics like, a pack of triangle sponges (SO many great uses for them, from blush to foundation to concealer!), some blush, a concealer, foundation if you like, and primer and an eye shadow palette. Of course a mascara too! Don't be afraid to play around, because chances are that's how you'll find your own makeup style! You definitely have beautiful eyes so I would totally try out some pink toned eye shadows to bring them out! Have fun with it :)

Jan 22, 2015

Grace T.

I love GiGiGorgeous and definitely recommend her!!

Jan 22, 2015

Madi O.

Hi Natalie! First off I want to say that you are super gorgeous and I love your eyes!! They are awesome! Like some of the others suggested, I would YouTube some tutorials. I can't recommend a single person but just searching "beginners makeup" is always good. If you have any girl friends you can also ask them to give you their makeup routine and help you out! Personally, I would learn to do basic foundation/concealer, blush, and eyebrows. For lips I think a cute lip tint (like covergirl's outlast) would look fabulous on you! Afterwards once you get better, then focus on contouring (which I know many trans women play up) and eye looks! I also think you should definitely go into Ulta and ask someone to help choose some basic products that would suit you and help match colors. Because they also have lower-end products, they can help you mess around without spending a ton at the beginning. I hope this helps!! Congrats on your transition! If you need any other help, don't hesitate to ask :)))))

Jan 22, 2015

Shiro M.

Definitely play up your eyes, they're gorgeous. I agree with the others, just find some cis girl makeup tutorials. Pinterest has a lot of good pictorials and infographs as well.

Jan 22, 2015

Isabella S.

Princess joules on YouTube had great advice that I think you could find helpful. She works at Mac and really knows her stuff.

Jan 22, 2015

Molly S.

Hi :) so glad to see a transgender gal on here. My boyfriend is actually trans, so I wanna say I'm sorry for what you're going through, I definitely know it's a struggle. A few tips for you: try sculpting your eyebrows. It would be best for you to go get them done the first time to get the initial shape in, then you can try plucking and shaping them yourself. If you feel it's necessary, you can fill them in with a pencil, powder, or gel in any sparse areas. Try using some foundation to even out your skin, then apply some blush to the apples of your cheeks to give your face a more rounded appearance. You can try contouring around the top of your forehead, cheekbones, and the tip of your nose if you like. Apply a few coats of mascara to bring out your eyes. If you'd like a lip color, try a light/medium pink creme lipstick (I find creme formulas much more flattering than frost or shimmer)

Jan 22, 2015

Natalie M.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! I never knew I'd get so many responses, I'm going to take all of your advice onboard and start watching videos from the youtubers you mentioned, and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

Jan 22, 2015

Rachel R.

Getting the right full coverage make up is key to hide the beard line. Also when applying use some red lipstick on your beard coverage it helps to cover the dark shade - good luck.

Jan 22, 2015

Isabel M.

Welcome to beautilish Natalie! I think Rissy said it all hehe :)

Jan 22, 2015

Alma M.

Welcome to Beautylish Natalie! I think you have great features to get started on the look you want to achieve.My best friend is Trans and I actually started showing her how to apply her makeup and what I did was start with the basic's and we would move along to new makeup techniques when she was most comfortable applying it herself and she understood her skin type because not all makeup finishes work for all skin and especially mineral makeup on oily skin.Take your time and have a makeup buddy to help you out as well as be truly honest with each look.Best of luck and keep going :)