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Some have asked, so I thought I would post this in case it is useful!
Makeup is my best friend. I depend on it for "my look." Without it, the illusion is impossible. The other benefit? I can knock off about 5-10 years off my 50 years.
So what is my regimen? I imagine it is pretty typical, having taken note of what girlfriends and some of my fellow crossdresser friends do. Everyone has their own thing, and I love it when they share because I am always open to learning new stuff.
1. Moisturize. I use a moisturizer every day, after shaving and again before bed. Even when Alex is deep in the box, I do this. Indeed, it's just good for you - I understand most men don't bother, and when you consider what shaving every day does to one's face, it is odd that men would be complacent.
2. Shave. This is the part I hate the most. I shave with the grain once. Rinse. Shave against the grain once. Rinse. Shave with the grain again. Rinse. Then I use Neutrogena toner. I check for cuts, deal with these, then apply moisturizer while massaging the face. I also trim my brows and get rid of ear and nose hair at this point.
3. Foundation. I tend to prefer Mehron Celebre Pro HD Cream Foundation from Camera Ready Cosmetics. After moisturizing following shaving, I apply the foundation with a makeup sponge but smooth out with my fingers. I apply this relatively heavier (though not too heavy) in the beard region, then lighten considerably elsewhere. For example, my forehead, cheeks, and nose will have almost no foundation, as this accentuates lines. I don't use concealers and the like as I don't find these as useful. As for wrinkles, it is true that makeup really amplifies them. However, I am VERY lucky in that I have few wrinkles for my age - most of them are forehead lines, which is why I wear wigs that feature ample bangs.
4. Translucent powder. I dust my face liberally with this stuff (any will do, really), holding my breath. I press about my face with a pad, then let the powder sit for five minutes. I then brush the excess from my face.
5. Blush. I apply a delicate blush to the hollows of my cheeks. I avoid dark shades. I apply a bit along the jawline and a touch around my temples. This is the extent of the "contouring"; I try to emulate what women do (women who wear heavy makeup, that is), and contouring is relatively rare and/or tends to look ridiculous.
6. Eyebrows. I use a sharp-edged brush and draw in my brows. My actual eyebrows are almost transparent. So trimming them and drawing over them provides a natural look, and no one is the wiser!
7. Eyeshadow. My eyes are my best facial feature, I think. So I accentuate these. I tend to use a mix of very dark blues, browns, and coppers. Sometimes I use black. Anyway, I use the dark shades along the eyelashes and a bit in the crease. I apply middle tones and lighter shades elsewhere, including along the lower lid, usually the outer half of the lid. I put a touch of metallic silver around the caruncle of the eye, which makes a dramatic difference. I avoid eyeliner because it is a pain in the ass.
8. False lashes and mascara. I use false lashes nowadays since my natural lashes are stubby. Having said this, I aim for natural-looking lashes, never the thick, obviously phony-looking ones. Once in place, and after eye shadow, I apply mascara, using a higher quality brand that doesn't clump. I find I don't really need eyeliner.
9. Lip gloss. I never leave the house as Alex without lip gloss! I find a nice sheen to the lips adds polish to the look. To that end, I use lip liners, but am careful to make sure the line is not obvious (I hate the lined lip look) and I never go outside the natural "vermilion border." I do like a softer definition to the line of the lips, so sometimes I brush on a lip color or use a lip gloss wand directly. I need to use darker colors because I have a relatively small mouth, but end up using middle tones more often. People with large mouths should avoid darker tones, for instance. Lip plumpers feel fun, but sadly make little difference (I'm wearing a lip plumper in this photo, for example). I thought about giving myself "hockey-related" injuries to plump my lips, but then changed my mind (if you've ever been hit in the lip with a hockey puck flying at seemingly superluminal speeds, you know this is an excellent lip plumping technique).
10. Wig. I never leave the house as Alex without my cover 🙂 I have a crew cut and receding hairline, so I don't need to deal with my real hair in any particular way. I shake out the wig vigorously, put it on, shake again, and brush as necessary. I avoid sprays and such, as I want my hair to fall naturally and all that. At this point, I put on clip-on earrings, or superglue them on (yes, I will superglue some of my earrings on, like faux diamond studs as ear piercing is not an option). A note on wig selection: Finding the right wig is critical and if possible seek a professional. I did and it made a huge difference. I have found that long hair doesn't really work for me. I can wear almost any color, but red accents or auburn seem to work better, perhaps because they accentuate my blue eyes more. Also, if the intent is to pass while out in public, it is very important to wear a wig appropriate for one's age, so that is a factor when I'm in the market for wigs. There have been times when everything looks good, then I put on a wig and the whole thing goes to hell. Wigs are amazing.
Total time for makeup is about 2 hours 😛
I'm happy to answer any questions and welcome suggestions for improvement!
Alex,
I was a closeted XDer for many a year until October of 2015 EARLY 2015 my drab self moved in with my SOGGF for several reasons, She is a Double Radical Mastectomy BCancer survior, anyhow (i share a house with her (her house)) one nite she had difficulty with removing her bra b4 showering, she called me to help her with removing bra, bra in my hand and her lace bikini panties she handed me b4 going in shower felt so nice.
As I was just wearing my mens under pants, decided while she was showering to try on her bra and panties quickly b4 she finished showering, amazed they fit well, she finished showering quicker than I expected and saw me wearing her bra and panties, she was shocked and tensely said aha so you like my undies,so much your going to have to wear them sleep in new tonight.
There after when she was on a two day or more business trip I would wear panties and bras of hers around the house along with her spare pair of forms loose in bra cups. Then in early October 2015 she
came back 3 days early from a “3 week” business trip, she found me in our Bedroom with her spare pair of her 38DD expensive custom made BForms on in a sexy bra of hers, matching panties and a Very Sexy Mesh Bodysuit and a Very Tight Spandex Lace Mini-skirt and a pair of her spider web black pantyhose, (as our stereo in living room was on loud, I did NOT hear her come in about 1pm or so that afternoon)… BOY OH BOY was she pissed. SAYING NOW I KNOW WHY MY UNDIES and various clothes have appeared to been riffled thru when I come home from a business trip. YOU’RE THE ONE going thru my clothes. THEN she said If you like my OUTFITS so MUCH then FROM TONIGHT thru Halloween Costume party my office is having YOU MUST DRESS 24/7 FEMALE UNTIL THEN…AND not JUST WEARING FORMS LOOSE IN BRA,,,you WILL HAVE TO LET ME PROPERLY “SEMI PERMANENTLY” adhere them to you with my MEDICAL ADHESIVE, thusly they won’t come off without my Adhesive remover…THEN She transformed me from Jammie to Tammie b4 going out for Dinner. Every day dressing me up FULLY ENFEM b4 going to work, by Halloween I was loving it with her DRESSING me and making me up just as she did but then came the big SURPRISE, the morning after the Halloween, SOGGF, woke me up extra early, said Jammie, I think just maybe you really are a girl in a man’s body, you obviously like being Tammie, How about continuing to live with me as Tammie, thru New Year’s Eve, I said okay, then she said OKAY, GOOD, Ive got the day off, from work, we are going shopping to get some more of ur own BRAs and Panties, but FIRST we need to Use my extra Strong Surgical Adhesive on your chest and the back of the forms, this way when you are measured for ur own bras at my SOMA Intimates Store, the sales associate that is a Profession Bra fitter can measure u with forms on but NO BRA. Long story short every since I then I been OPENLY Living FEMALE and loving it,,,SOGGF on 1st MY Birthday as Tammie had another surprise for me, she had ordered 4 me 38DDD forms the next size larger,as one of my many 1Year BDay as Tammie,
Part 1 was forms saying since u want me get my DDD bust back then u have to have to have equality large Bust. Part 2 trip to same SOMA INTIMATES for new 38DDD bras, (some even sexier that what 38DD bras, I had ) SOGGF had even gotten me a NEW one to wear to soma store, plus a SEXY thong panty go to with CThru Mesh Spandex Bodysuit She had outed me wearing,, but with the 38DDD forms even tighter fitting thus making my BOOBs even more pronounce,,, then with the DD forms I had been wearing ….when I complained about having to go shopping wearing the mesh bodysuit that my very
Colorful flowery bra is very much visible through the thin white bodysuit SOGGF said that’s right and why I dont wear except around the house yet u constantly want me to wear it for a nite out now shut up and put in on, That was in October 2016 Been Tammie essentially 24/7 for about 3.5 years now,,, still have a lot to learn…about being a FEMALE.
New Year's Eve 2018- 2019, my SOGGF MY SOGGF said Jammie if you're going to continue living as Tammie you really should let your hair grow long like a GG. Thursday afternoon a week before Thanksgiving and a few days b4 my true birthday my SOGGF had a surprise 4me, she took me to her (our) hairstyling salon as my hair is now about 2" below my ears, my SOGGF said Tammie it's time for your first FEMALE Layered haircut with a soft curly permanent just in time for our Thanksgiving Day Dinner at a nearby restaurant with some coworker friends of mine you haven't met yet.
Boy was I shocked when They all said THappy Birthday Tammie when the dessert came. One lady said Tammie You certainly don't look 70, if you're SOGGF hadn't told us you look more like ur in ur late 40s or early 50's.
My Dressing routine is very similar, I just turned 70, makeup is my friend also. Generally about 2 hours also.
Since NYE 2015-2016 I've been getting Pedicures with polish and French Manicures, occasionally on special occasions including acrylic nail tips.
I use Sephora, Maybelline and Loreal makeup. I use Neutrogena and Noxema makeup remover products.
My shaving routine is some what similar. I I shave 1st with my norelco cordless shaver then use CVS LADIES Disposal triple blade razors and CVS store brand Ladies Shaving foam. Twice once with grain and once against the grain. The I use Eucerin lotion on my face.
Once a month I shave my legs and arms, armpits during a shower.
I don't where false eyelashes except for special occasions especially when my SOGGF wants me to look very sexy for a GIRLS DAY OUT DOWNTOWN.
Got to run SOGGF is calling come to bed... NOW!
Thank for for your tips, Alexandra. I am slowly getting better at my makeup, and now really prefer myself with makeup on, rather than plain old me!
Eyes, are what I'm having the most trouble with getting right. You are very right, eye liner is a PIA, but I do like the look of it, and just tried some liquid liner for the first time before I went out last night, and it is much easier to apply than the pencils I've used.
Amy
Fabulous experience, Tammie. Thanks for sharing.
Amy
Amy
Try maybelline noir(very black) Studio eyeliner/eyebrow gel.
.I find it much easier to use and longer lasting than the numerous liquid eyeliners
