Archives: June 2009

Crossdressing Makeup Gets Professional

A few months back I was watching a video on the Internet describing how to take care of your skin.  The video was for men who wanted to look more feminine – I’m always pleased to see such advice published. However I was horrified when they advised that we use toner after putting on moisturizer. Even the most well intentioned advice can lead people astray – and for a man who has nowhere else to turn it could mean the difference between beauty, and … something less.

On Crossdresser Heaven I’ve tried to provide good advice to crossdressers that is based on what I’ve learnt from beauty experts, and my own experience with products. See articles such as How to Look Like a Woman – A Cross Dresser Skin Care Routine, and Crossdressing Makeup – The Basics.

However I don’t have quite the qualifications or experience of the lady you’re about to meet. I was delighted when Christina left a comment on Crossdresser Heaven. Christina is a makeup artist who works with men, and has kindly offered to share makeup tips and advice on Crossdresser Heaven.

Every few weeks you can find expert advice from a professional makeup artist on Crossdresser Heaven. Please welcome Christina Evans, and email her your burning questions about makeup!

Meet Your Makeup Artist – Christina Evans

Christina - A Makeup Professional who caters to crossdressers As the first girl in my sixth grade class to wear eye shadow, I should have known I was destined to be a makeup artist. It took a BS in Criminal Justice and four grueling years as a parole office to realize I wanted to make people look pretty, not throw them in jail. My training began with BeautiControl Cosmetics, a direct sales line out of Dallas, Texas. I also did promotional modeling for fragrance companies and when my agent found out I was a makeup artist, she sent me into the stores for various cosmetic lines. I made my own connections and started free-lancing for Elizabeth Arden, Hard Candy, Borghese, Francis Denny, Revlon, and many more. I traveled all over Houston and surrounding cities making women look beautiful. What I enjoyed most was teaching them why to use certain products and how.

Most sales associates know only what cosmetic companies tell them. That was not good enough for me. I graduated from the Institute of Cosmetology and received my state license as an esthetician. I then took a stage makeup class at the University of Houston and worked as the makeup artist on several community theatre productions. In 1999, I relocated to Los Angeles, where I received my California esthetician’s license, and received a 100 hour certificate from the International Dermal Institute.

Relocating to Phoenix in 2005, I decided to get away from product sales and focus on offering makeup lessons. Fate determined that all the responses I received would be from men. Several times I heard how other makeup artists never returned their calls, or weren’t comfortable working on crossdressers. Not one to let an opportunity pass, I decided to specialize in makeup lessons for men. It has been the best decision ever. To have clients who truly appreciate what I do, and are eager to learn, is the greatest gift. I can’t imagine going back to department stores, pedaling product to half interested customers.

I’d love to hear your stories or answer your makeup and skincare questions.

Christina Evans
Makeup101byevans@yahoo.com
http://Linkedin.com/in/makeup101byevans


P.S. Vanessa here – I’m looking to sell a pair of unused Gold Seal Breastforms (size 7) I bought from thebreastformstore. They’re a bit big for me – they have never been used, and come with a set of adhesive pads. They sell for $169+shipping from the store. I’d sell them for $125 (or the best offer) + shipping. Email me at vanessalaw@crossdresserheaven.com if you’re interested.

Michelle’s Crossdresser Success Story – Tell One Person Today

When Michelle first emailed me her story she prefaced it with a sentence that many of us can identify with. She said:

I always saw that "Share your success story" thing in the emails and thought "I wish I had a success story."

I do that myself sometimes. I look at the other successful, beautiful, confident transgender woman and sometimes think to myself, “I wish I was like them. I wish I had a taste of such success.”

Michelle, thank you for sharing your success story, and for showing us that each of us can achieve our own success without needing to compare it to others.

If you’re like Michelle, and have been wondering whether you have a crossdresser success story to share – take a moment to think of any positive experience you’ve had crossdressing, and share your crossdresser story.

Meet Michelle

I have been going by Michelle online, but have also recently adopted the name Rachel, as it is more similar to my own name (Richard).  I started wearing panties in high school, but since I didn’t have sisters, they were what I bought for myself.  I gradually added bras and slips to my collection (which actually got purged on a regular basis), and started trying on skirts after I got married (over ten years ago).  I bought my first new dress for me five years ago (actually tried it on in the shop and had the lady make a few alterations for me) and currently own a few skirts and other ladies clothes, including some heels.  I rarely get a chance to dress, and even that is almost all at home in the privacy of my own bedroom (I can’t even walk around my own house because we have kids).  (Wow, I can really ramble sometimes — anyway, on with the story.)

Michelle’s Crossdresser Success Story

I recently started seeing a therapist to help me deal with my inappropriate reactions to stress (yelling at the kids, and inappropriate online activities).  We discussed my crossdressing and I ended up going to the mall to visit a lady I had met in a bridal shop before buying something for my wife, and had also developed a business relationship with.  I asked her if she knew that I was actually sort of shopping for myself as well, and she said she suspected but wasn’t certain.  It felt really good to have a real live person know about me and not just a random sales girl at a mall that I would likely never see again.  I have had several shopping trips that were somewhat successful in terms of me being honest about the intent of my purchase.

Yesterday’s story starts somewhat a few weeks ago.  I was getting ready to change the oil and for some reason ended up wearing a skirt under my coveralls instead of pants.  Then I realized I could probably get away with that with some of my looser fitting casual slacks as well.  So yesterday I wore a skirt under my pants as I went to the dentist.  Then after the dentist, I slipped my pants off in the car and went shopping at a bridal store in a skirt.  I didn’t have the awkward moment of, "It’s not for my wife, it’s for me."  It was great.  I had a really good time shopping and the lady was very nice.

A Blessing From Twitter – A Transgender Movie List

One of my friends on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SistersTalk) recently posted a good list of gay and lesbian themed movies. Being the inquisitive sort I asked if she had a similar list of movies that feature a transgendered character in some way. Boy did she ever!

So I thought I’d share with you the most comprehensive list of transgender movies known to woman! I’ve only seen a few of them (so time to fill up my Netflix queue!). Some of the ones I enjoyed the most:

Vanessa’s Transgender Movie List

Mrs Doubtfire - A Crossdressing Movie Mrs. Doubtfire. In no way a serious transgender movie, but Robin Williams does a great job portraying the elderly Mrs Doubtfire. A good family movie.

image Ma Vie En Rose is of the more serious sort. It explores the story of an innocent young boy who tries to fulfill his dream of becoming a girl, and the social consequences his gender confusion has on the rest of the town.

Well, I could share a few more here, like Priscilla, Queen of the dessert, but you already have the most comprehensive list ever made :) . What are some of your favorite movies that feature a transgender character or have a transgender theme?


P.S. Follow me on Twitter – I’d love to hear what you’re doing and what you’re thinking. Who knows, you may even find something useful. Like a transgender movie list :)

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