You know, in a lot of TG stories, a MTF person has amazing fashion sense, even before they transition. But myself, I am less than an expert. Because I hated myself for wanting to be a woman, I avoided fashion mags. So now, I feel rather stunted in terms of fashion and makeup. Where is a good place to learn the basics?
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There's all sorts from TG specific advice, to regular tips on hair makeup etc. Something for everybody. Also, quite a few TG groups do 'evenings' when assorted experts come in to offer their wisdom.
Kris
Go To An Estee Lauder Counter
Go to a Mall and find the Estee Lauder counter and ask one of the sales clerks to give you a basic lesson. That's what I did. I am now very good friends with Catilyn,. my make up artist. She has treated me with the utmost respect and goes out of her way to help in any way. You can also go to a bookstore and pick up "Making Faces" by Kevan Acouin. It is a very good book for learning. I took a makeup course as part of my studies for Esthethics and I was very good at it according to my instructor. Anyway, your skintone, your haircolor and even your eye color determine what clothing colors work best. Then there is your body type. Certain dresses work better with one body type and not another. The key is to select clothing colors and styles that play up your best features while downplaying your worst. Black is slimming as well as pinstripes. I have found out that wide horizontal stripes don't work well on plus sized women. As your body changes through hormones, your ability to pull off different clothing styles will improve for obvious reasons. If you are going for a professional look, a basic black skirtsuit works well or a nice floral print skirt with a blouse that is a solid color that is either white or matches one of the colors in the skirt.These are just a few things I have learned in the last 6 years of being a fulltime woman. Good luck in your new job Dorothy!
Hugs,
Jen
On The Street
One of the most important places to learn what the current fashions are, is right under your nose. Or, more accurately, just over and slightly to each side of your nose -- your eyes!
If you have any hope of fitting in anywhere, you have to observe what your peers are wearing, both in terms of fashion and makeup. And by "peers," I mean women your own apparent age, race and socio-economic class. And, by "wearing," I mean appropriate to time of day and activity. If you're a 50 year old browsing at the mall, you do not want to dress or use makeup like a 15-year-old at her friend's birthday party.
At the most primary level, clothing and makeup are camouflage. The goal is to blend in to your surroundings. Dressing too far up or down, dressing inappropriate to your age, weight, height, or wearing inappropriate makeup, will make you stand out, not blend in. Standing out, that way, is bad, very bad.
If you want to be seen in public, your first observation post is the street, and the places you might want to go. Watch what women wear. Try not to stare. Carry a prop so you look occupied. A book, newspaper, or better yet, your smartphone that you fiddle around with. Your second observation post is the stores. See what's being sold. And by "sold," I don't mean displayed. Watch what women buy and bring to the register. Also, see what those women are wearing while they shop. Lots of stuff gets shown which doesn't sell that well. You don't want to buy those. Television: tape and watch some women's daytime television/studio chat/interview shows. Pay attention to the clothes. Don't try to dress like them, but be aware that they're an influence on what women wear.
Once you see what will blend in and look respectable in your chosen environment, then you have to figure out what "works" on your face and body. The right choices will hide your faults. The worst choices will circle them and paint them international dayglo orange for all to see, from orbit.
Your mirror is your friend. Try to match your look to your chosen environment. Try to be objective. You're neither as beautiful nor as hideous as your imagination says you are. Don't try for perfection. It's unattainable, not only for you, but for anyone, including those stars on tv.
Once you figure out what you should try to look like, then you've got a goal. There are lots of good books on makeup. I'm partial to Kevyn Aucoin, because he's more interested in results than in brand names. Experiment. Buy things, on sale if you can, and try them out on your face. Buy a set of makeup brushes. Use loose powder and a honking big brush to set foundation. Pressed powder is okay for touchups, but not as a base. Get experienced at removing makeup. Cotton balls, paper towels, baby oil and cold cream are your friends. Oh, Q-Tips! Q-Tips are great for fudging and reworking eyeliner and shadow, and even tidying up lipstick if you stray too far afield. Makeup is somewhat reworkable as you go. Buy an expensive pair of tweezers. Crappy tweezers are crappy. Also, scissors -- one of the best ways to trim and shape those bushy eyebrows is to trim them. (A CD tip from me: brush your eyebrows up and trim the upper edge for a more feminine look. Use a bit of eyebrow or moustache wax, or clear mascara, or hair gel or the liquid from pump hairspray. Leave uncoated and brush down for a more unkempt/masculine look. Don't trim the bottom edge unless they're hanging in your eyes.) Don't go crazy with eyebrows -- if you try to be a perfectionist, you'll end up plucking them both completely out.
Good luck and have fun!
___________________
If a picture is worth 1000 words, this is at least part of my story.
Surprise!
I am amazed you are only beginning to find out many of the TG stories are fantasies, wildly exaggerated plays that seldom reflect the realities most TGs face. While it is fun to read some of the good ones, anyone who uses them as primers or guides need to have a serious reality check.
I do not wish to sound mean or denigrate. As I said, I enjoy an occasional foray to Fantasy Island. Just don't allow yourself to get too comfortable there. Fictional characters live in a world of make believe. Most of us live in the real one.
Nancy Cole
www.nancycole.org
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
I agree with Nancy Cole on dressing
When I transitioned, heavily influenced by prescription Psych drugs, I foggily thought that most of the T authors I knew were fully transitioned Twomen. Much to my astonishment, I now know the oposite to be true.
Yes, I think that exploration of our natures through fictional writing can be really healthy. Going the other way, is mostly extremely disasterous.
Much peace
Khadijah
My way?
Hello Dorothy, perhaps my way could be something for you. I bought a middle price foundation, just a little lighter than my skin and after moisturing with a moisture gel applied the foundation. Put it on, wash off and repeat until you are satisfied with the result. Then add the makeup around the eyes until that is good but not "screaming" . Again over and over again. when those two are OK do put on powder, I prefere lose powder, but any is OK. then att Lipstick and check that it is really where you want it. With this all is OK you have found your stable grouind. Ass a little darker foundation and see what that will do to your face, either put it on the cheekbones or between them. You will see the tremendous change. A slight touch of blush will finaliaze it and will also conceal a natural redding inakward situations. You are fully trained to meet the world. And now for the best:
Keep on for about a year while studying other women. and see how (little) make up they normally use. Start to reduce your own work by doing this less and less. And you will arrive to my level, I just do the whole set up when I am invited for dinner with new people else a touch of lipstich is all that you will need. That comes from the knowledge that you can do it to the nines if you really want.
Good luck with make up and the new job.
Ginnie
GinnieG
In fashion, less is more.
In my age bracket, um "ripe", women do not wear much makeup, if any. I have a huge birth mark on my chin and I will usually cover that up, and sometimes a bit of lippy. I don't bother with mini skirts and tank tops.
There are two reasons that I dress like a Muslim woman; the first being that I am Muslim. The other reason is that the floor length skirts, loose tops and Hijab cover a multitude of figure flaws. Some Muslim women look more like truck drivers than I do, and the poor dears have an excuse because many come from backgrounds where they worked in the fields, the hot, dusty, sweaty fields, doing the same or more work than the men. It is not hard to find pictures on the net where the men are sitting in the shade, while the women work in the fields.
At least, try to dress more or less age appropriate. Also, get rid of the "deer in the headlights" look. Don't look guilty, just go out there like you own the world. Another tip is to work very hard on not furrowing your brow, keep your eyes wide open and smile. When you walk past another woman smile and keep your eyes on her eyes and not on her boobs.
best wishes.
Khadijah
Pippa is right on the money
with the bit about "role camoflage". LOOK at the women around you when you're out shopping or whatever. Actually SEE how much makeup they wear, what type of clothes they are wearing. What you DON'T want to do is appear "out of step" for the situation, place, or event. Most women only wear a minimum amount of makeup when they're out shopping, unless they shop in Beverly Hills. They also dress comfortably, rather than fashionably.
In other words, you wouldn't wear a nightgown to the opera, nor would you wear a ball gown to do laundry or the weekly grocery shopping. Blending in is exactly what you DO want to do. Above all, whatever you do, do it with a pleasant smile. It's said that a pleasant smile is the prettiest thing a woman can wear.
Most large department stores do have, in the cosmetics section, a place where one can go for a makeup consultation and demonstration. I've done it myself, dressed in DRAB, no less! It might seem offputting until you consider that people, when they're out shopping, are on their own mission, in their own thoughts. They haven't the time nor the inclination to REALLY notice whether that person sitting in the makeup chair is a male of a female unless they're given a reason to do so, and while it is considered almost a must to purchase makeup when you do a makeover like that, it ISN'T required. Tipping is also optional, but recommended.
What I did was, after I got home from my makeover, was to CALL the store and speak with the Store Manager, complimenting the employee on her professionalism and skills. Stores always get complaints. When they receive compliments it's a rarity and it gets the employee much needed positive strokes and gives you positive responses when you return, if you do.
Take your time. Find what look is "you." It'll come if you don't push it. Remember... all the GG's out there have had a lifetime of experience getting their "look" just right for them. You're very much like a pre-pubescent little girl, trying on Mommy's makeup for the first time. They had help from their Moms and contemporaries. You'll find your way if you just relax into it and realize that it's your RIGHT to wear such stuff and you want to look your best.
The very best of luck,
Cathy
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.