When I see the term passing, I wonder does this mean in public everyone thinks I am actually a biological woman or that they accept who I am without questioning “why is that man dressed like a woman?” Certainly we do have the desire to pass some sort of mythical test to blend in and to have everyone identify us as female. Not only is it about our mannerisms being feminine, dressing appropriately, and our perception of ourselves; makeup is a key factor in helping us achieve our confidence as well.
Something I picked up from my daughter-in-law that really made me think. She passes time – you know those bored moments when there’s nothing going on and nothing to do –by watching makeup YouTube videos and trying out the techniques and looks that she likes. Sometimes she will do 2 or 3 different looks in one sitting.
So that got me to thinking, how do biological girls get to their signature look, or say their everyday look? I’ve discovered that it is all in practice and peer reviews. Most girls start at around 12 or 13 (some earlier), parent approved or not. They learn from one another, and critique one another. By the time they hit their 20s they’ve pretty much nailed down the signature look and by the time they hit their 30s their makeup style and technique are pretty much second nature. This phenomenon is not limited to the internet YouTube generation. This has been going on since the advent of the modern teenage girl. I remember my mother talking about when she was a teen in the 40s. So my guess? Since the popularity of girls wearing makeup.
The difference for many of us in the transgender/CD world, is we don’t know where to start, we don’t know what might look good, and many of us start much later in life without that female influence. What we need is trial and error time, critiques from our peers and women who’ve been at it a while, with lots of practice to get to the point where it becomes second nature. It’s much like dressing, we find what fits, what styles look good, and discover that while heels make us look very sexy, they’re not practical for everyday use. Makeup is really no different; there’s the day look (you’re everyday look), out clubbing look, the sexy sultry look, the possibilities are endless. But like all girls we need to figure out what look is appropriate for the occasion, so you’re not sticking out like a sore thumb by looking sexy and sultry at the grocery store.
I’ve been trying my daughter-in-law’s technique for about a year now, granted not diligently. However, more recently I’ve been experimenting with eye shadow almost every night. The look I have on my profile picture took a lot of doing, but now I’m much faster and getting better at it. Still can’t do eye liner worth a dam, but it’s best to tackle one thing at a time.
My daughter in-law came over to hang out the other day, so I decided I’d do some makeup and see what she thought. Before she got here I put on foundation, a little blush, and did a simple day makeup look I got from a Lancôme video. I had no wig, and was dressed in my male attire. Much to my joy she was very impressed with my look and said I look very nice.
So there it is ladies, if you can impress the girls, you’ve got it down. The key to success like any art is practice, practice, practice.
More Articles by Darcy Bainsley
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Darcy Bainsley
Latest posts by Darcy Bainsley (see all)
- Does My Makeup Make Me Pretty? - August 8, 2016
- What took you so long to get here? - July 26, 2016
Wow!!! I, it’s like what I’ve been through. I haven’t been wearing makeup very long myself and believe me I know how to make a mess of things. I’ve also watched you tube tutorials and I am getting a little better practice, practice, practice!! …
I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question. I couldn’t find a place to post a new question yet. I’m new to CD and still not out. I want to ease into it in little ways. What I’d like know is what would be a long lasting lip strain. I want to slowly and permanently to stain my lip gradually more red over a long time so not as noticeable by the change. I know doing it all at once or very red would give me away. With that said I want my lip as red… Read more »
Hi, not sure if this is going to answer your question or help but I will give it a go. There are a lot of what they refer to as “pro" or lip stain lipstick brands on the market. MAC Cosmetics make a reasonable range my personal favourites are by Kat Von Dee (I believe the company name is changing soon). However, they do dry your lips out and as such are not designed to be permanent or semi-permanent. You can easily build the depth of colour using these lipsticks just practice. Hope that helps?
Thank you for your reply. I’ll look in to these.
this sounds like a joke and maybe it is kinda funny what we will do to improvise but try Kool Aid drink mix.
Thanks kool aid does work some and it has it’s own excuse too. LOL
yes you are right practice, practice. until you know you have it down right. i had to learn on my own, but also watched my wife put on make up when she did. eye liner and foundation, cover up is still difficult for me. but eye shadow is not i have it down good, lip stick too easy, once you have eye shadow down, nail polish on and a nice dress and wig and ear rings you are looking more like a female. now for the voice to sound like one? good luck on that. i would rather just say… Read more »
Love your post,