How to learn makeup?

[Tammy_F]

I'm getting serious about my dressing and would like to learn to do my makeup.

What resources are there to help me?

[Davita]

Hi Tammy.
Every maker of cosmetics has instructions; their videos can be on You Tube or their own sites. Other people who think they are good at it have instructions; just Google what you want to do, for example, apply eye shadow. Every cosmetic counter in the department stores have staff who are there to offer help with the brands they sell. They can help you pick the shades of foundation best for you and anything else you want to know. Cosmetic stores like Ulta and Sephora have very helpful staffs. Sales staff could care less what your gender is; you won't be their first transperson asking for help.

Instructions are one thing, but practice makes perfect on your own face.

[Kelly]

Tammy,

The operative words are practice, practice, practice. What to practice? See Davita's comments.

At first it seems like experiments. What did I do, what was the result, did it work, what did I learn.

After practice it is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Because all that practice will beat up your skin. And after you don't need so much practice, helps it stay fresh and glowing.

And don't forget hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That helps your skin be robust, fills in the gaps (but doesn't replace) that all that moisturizing misses, and it is good for you.

When you go outside, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. After a few years (ok, decades) the sun will make you a wrinkled prune. Oh, and make sure it has moisturizers in it.

Those are the fundamental prerequisites. If you are not yet bold enough to go into a store for a demo/instruction, I understand.

YouTube has a lot - I mean a lot- of tutorials and demos. Keep in mind the age demographic they target. Specifically, if you are not getting ready for Prom or trolling frat parties then pay attention to the general technique rather than the effect. Alternatively, YouTube has a lot of mtf demos that are fascinating to watch. Again look at order, technique, what and why.

Private instruction is available, for a price. No clear cut way to find a TG friendly instructor in your local. Keep your eyes peeled (real life bulletin boards, class flyers, craig's list) and make a call and make a deal. If you go the private instruction route, take notes. For a neophyte it is like drinking from a fire hose and you will not remember 85% of it.

Finally, there are vendors that cater to the TG world; many have instructional packages - again for a price. Be careful about the email address you use for ordering, cause they will have it and won't hesitate to send you offers for other services/products; though they will throw in the occasional freebies or good general info. Its up to you to decide if the spam is worth it.

Yes, some routes involve a price. It is the classic time/money trade off. Though you can't drive the amount of time to zero, you can reduce it with money. Totally up to you.

What ever you do, you got to spend time in front of a mirror doing practice, practice, practice. Beauty is hard work.

Kelly.

[Tammy_F]

Thank you both

I've looked at some videos and sites.

Yes I'm not brave enough to go to a counter in a department store yet, and money is tight so I'll probably go the practice route.

Ideally, friends in the area could help, but everyone I know has either moved or lost touch.

So I'll probably get some basics, watch videos and if anyone has specific sites, etc I appreciate it.

[Eileen (SO)]

) When you go outside, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. After a few years (ok, decades) the sun will make you a wrinkled prune. Oh, and make sure it has moisturizers in it.
Kelly.

Now she tells me! I and husband are both old enough to be wrinkled just enough.

Tammy, I'll bet you're younger than when my husband first started serious make up skills. Most of the U-tube and make-up tutorials seem to be geared toward younger gals. Getting your basic foundation shade is key, you want to even out your complexion, not change the shade.
Experiment with cheaper products to practice, then move toward better quality.

If you can, create a photo album on your 'puter, listing which products you used. Looking in the mirror may not look the same as a photo viewed a few days later.

Eileen