Makeup plays a big part in your feminine transformation. That means having a well-stocked makeup kit is a must!

Since I’m often asked about what makeup to buy – and since it’s easy to blow your budget on one Sephora shopping trip – I’ve put together a checklist outlining the must-have items for your collection.

I also created a downloadable shopping list that you can print out and take to the store with you. Download it here!

Makeup Brushes

First, a word on makeup brushes…

If you’re going to splurge on one thing, it should be a good set of makeup brushes. You’d be amazed how much better your makeup looks when you use proper brushes vs. those tiny applicators that come with your makeup.

You can find makeup brush sets at the drugstore or online for as little as $ 10-$ 20. Here are the brushes you should own:

• Angled eyebrow brush
• Eyeliner brush
• Flat eyeshadow brush
• Crease brush
• Bullet brush
• Foundation brush
• Concealer brush
• Powder brush
• Blush brush
• Lipstick brush

Tools

• Q-tips – Use to clean up under the eyes
• Cetaphil – Use to clean up mistakes and remove makeup at the end of the day
• Cosmetic wedge sponges

Eyes

• Eyebrow pencil or powder – Note: You can also use matte eyeshadow as eyebrow powder
• Eyeshadow base (optional) – Use to neutralize discoloration in eye area and help your eye makeup last longer
• Eyeliner – Either a gel eyeliner or eyeliner pencil
• Eyeshadow – Get a palette with at least 3 colors: light/medium, medium/dark, and a highlight shade
• Mascara – Get black unless you are a fair blonde (in which case, go for brown-black)
• Clear mascara (optional) – Use to groom thick eyebrows

Skin

• Primer (optional) – Use to smooth out your skin and help your makeup last longer
• Color corrector
  • Fair skin – Get a pink and green corrector
  • Medium/dark skin – Get a yellow corrector
• Foundation – Get medium coverage foundation that matches your skin tone exactly
• Translucent powder – Get loose powder that is the same or slightly lighter than your natural skin tone
• Foundation powder (optional) – Use if you need additional coverage in the beard area
• Light/dark cream concealer (optional) – Use to contour the face. Get a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone (to highlight the face) and a concealer that is one shade darker than your skin tone (to contour the face)

Lips

• Lip liner pencil
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss – Choose a thick clear gloss to seal your lipstick

Cheeks

• Contouring powder – Use to contour the cheeks, jaw, etc. Get translucent powder or a no-sheen bronzer that is one shade darker than your skin tone
• Blush – Choose a powder or cream blush

While this list might look long, the good news is that you DON’T have to go out and spend a bunch of money on expensive cosmetics. In fact, you probably already have most of what you need. And what you don’t have, you can find inexpensively in any drugstore.

Let’s talk makeup!

The great thing about makeup is that no matter what your skill level, there are always new techniques to try and colors to play with. And as Coco Chanel said, on a bad day, there is always lipstick!

So let’s hear from you…

What are you favorite must-have makeup essentials? Do you do most of your shopping in drugstores or are you a Sephora-kinda gal?

Please share in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille

P.S. While the right tools are essential, good makeup is all about technique. Learn how to master your makeup skills with a pro makeup artist Chris Scott in Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program.

Learn more here!

Your face is the first thing people notice about you. That means your makeup can make or break a feminine first impression.

Does your makeup application look more drag queen than beauty queen? Or have you mastered the art of subtle, beautiful makeup?

No matter what your skill level, there are a few key strategies that apply to everybody. Read on for my top 6 makeup tips for crossdressers and transgender women.

1. Invest in good makeup brushes

Quite simply, it’s impossible to apply masterful makeup without the right tools.

Forget about the tiny, cheap applicators that come packaged with most makeup. Upgrading to high quality brushes will give you much more control, immediately upgrading the look of your makeup.

Here are the basic brushes you should own:

1. Foundation brush
2. Concealer brush
3. Powder brush
4. Blush brush
5. Flat eyeshadow brush
6. Eyeshadow blending brush
7. Lip brush

2. Use color correctors

If you have skin issues like a beard shadow, blemishes, or dark circles under your eyes, the solution is NOT to bury them under thick concealer. Your makeup will look much more natural if you start with a color corrector.

The idea behind color correctors is to use a complimentary tone to neutralize imperfections. This allows you to achieve beautiful skin with less makeup.

For example, you should use a pink or red corrector to neutralize a dark beard shadow – or a green corrector to neutralize redness.

You can find color corrector tutorials on YouTube or get more in depth training from makeup artist Chris Scott in our Makeup Magic Program.

3. Don’t ignore your eyebrows

A mistake I see many crossdressers and transgender women make is leaving the house with ungroomed eyebrows.

Since eyebrows create the frame for your face, they are literally one of the first things people notice about you. Why allow misshaped brows ruin an otherwise good makeup look?

If you can, get your eyebrows professionally shaped. A good esthetician can groom your eyebrows so they look good in both girl and guy mode (if need be).

Also, be sure to check out my previous article on eyebrow feminization (including a step-by-step video tutorial).

4. Practice, practice, practice

Makeup is like any other skill – the more you practice, the better you get. And the better you get at doing your makeup, the prettier and more convincing you will look as a woman.

A fun way to practice is to find makeup tutorials on YouTube that you can follow along with. Here are some good ones:

• Easy Beginners Makeup Tutorial
• 10 Minute Evening Look Makeup Tutorial
• Day Makeup Tutorial For Mature Skin

5. Book a lesson with a professional makeup artist

If you struggle with your makeup skills, one of the best investments you can make is a lesson with a professional makeup artist.

A good makeup artist will teach you proper makeup application techniques, help you find your best colors, and ensure that you are applying your makeup correctly. This is important because all the practice in the world won’t help if you are only reinforcing bad technique.

6. Take good care of your skin

Your skin is literally the canvas for your makeup.

Proper skin care can go a long way towards improving your skin’s texture and appearance. Not only will this make you look better, it’ll help your makeup go on smoother and last longer.

Here are 3 simple skin care tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid using harsh soaps on your face. Use gentle facial cleansers only.
• Apply facial moisturizer daily.
• Use a face mask at least every other week. (This is a great ritual for pampering your inner woman!)

Ready to learn more?

Check out my previous article, How to Feminize Your Face, for more male to female makeup tips and techniques.

Or download Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program to learn all the essential makeup skills every crossdresser or TG woman should know. Get instant access to 10 easy-to-follow video tutorials taught by a professional makeup artist Chris Scott.

As always, I’d love to hear from you!

Do you struggle with makeup or have you mastered this skill? What is the #1 makeup tip or trick you’ve learned?

Please share in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille