Going OTT with makeup - without looking like clown :)

Question:
What is the best makeup to start with when you’re first transitioning from male to female?

Posting to another forum:
I'm fortunate? enough that my 5 o’clock shadow has turned to 6 o’clock frosting with age, but as has been mentioned a VERY close shave is essential, others have detailed how! A tip is that hairy arms and hands can be very obvious, and are harder to hide with clothing than most body hair, so shaving them is a worthwhile addition to your routine, careful around wrists, elbows and knuckles though, protruding bones are easy to scalp!

I follow up with a good after-shave balm and moisturiser, then once they've been absorbed go with an “illuminating primer” which helps minimise the appearance of pores and wrinkles (of which I have plenty), it has tiny reflective particles that brighten the darkness within pores etc. Then contouring jaw, cheeks, forehead and nose (dark pushes back / minimises, light brings forward / emphasises), an orange tone will help mask the blueish post-shave shadow if you suffer it, the least possible to ensure cover of a foundation close to my natural skin tone, blusher, and my nemesis - eye makeup!

The “tubing mascaras” are very good and add length and volume with practice, for Special Occasions the new magnetic false lashes are brilliant - apply the special eye-liner and they just “click” in place (let the liner dry for a few minutes with each eye closed or it gets all over your eyelid and under your brow). A good eye-shadow primer really helps with transfer from the brush, but Less Is More (generally , not just eyes) is a good principle! Men's eyes are often more heavily lidded / hooded, there are some good tutorials on YouTube to work through, and practice, practice, practice! Keep a supply of Q-tips and makeup remover handy for oopses, and don't be afraid to clean it all off and start again - good when practicing, trying new looks that may not work, when you realise it looks awful… (I'm a big fan of the Nivea Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, cotton wool pads - 5 minute job back to bare skin!)

A fixing spray (eyes and mouth closed tight!) can help keep it all in place for extended wear, e.g. an afternoon shopping and dinner with a suitor, perhaps a bit of a snog, leaving you only needing the occasional touch-up of your lips…

For a natural look, pick a lipstick close to your nipple colour but a shade or two darker, and use a lip liner a shade or three darker still and blend where they meet - this will define your lip shape and can make them look plumper and fuller. For something more dramatic choose shades for your outfit and nails!

Nails… I use gel (DIY and UV cured - follow the destructions and take your time), again chosen by outfit (e.g. last Saturday night, glossy black with hint of red and mostly gold sparkle to match a “minimal” dress to go to a club) on my natural toenails and press-ons for my fingers (talons aren't practical for my day-to-day) - with care they can look amazing, and with the right preparation the press-ons can last anything up to a week, it a few days using the sticky pads (“key” press-ons and natural nail with a file or similar, degrease with acetone, warm the pads once on natural nails, hold the press-ons in place for a minute while they take) - i get compliments on mine from Cis women at clubs and gigs 🙂

Your aim should be a cohesive look, like you but better, not like someone else, particularly a circus clown 🤡

Have fun!