Introduction
Makeup for trans women is one of those things that can help us alleviate a lot of dysphoria. Plus there’s something so sacred about sitting down at your vanity or on the floor, playing some music, and beating your face. For me it’s a daily ritual, it’s how I put my best self out there in the world.
And not saying that we only look good with makeup on, but it’s a way for us to show up for ourselves everyday. When I wear makeup I feel way more confident, I feel like myself. And that’s because I’ve perfected my makeup routine. I can do it in 15-20 minutes so it doesn’t necessarily feel like I’m getting into drag.
Because spending an hour plus on makeup every day, can become exhausting plus you’re wasting precious time trying to perfect every feature you feel dysphoric about. And the longer it takes to do my makeup (for everyday wear) The more dysphoric I feel.
So alas this makeup routine helps me feel feminine and also makes sure that I get out the door on time with no drama!! Here’s a step by step tutorial, I also have a video you can watch here!
1.) Moisturizing and Priming
This is not revolutionary information, if you already wear makeup then you know to take good care of your skin so the makeup sits right. This means washing your face with a gentle cleanser (when in doubt Cera Ve always)
Then of course shaving, plucking those pesky hairs out of your chin and upper lip… and sometimes my neck too but talk about ouch!!
After you shave you may already have a skincare routine, mine tends to be pretty minimal. If I use anything other than face wash, an exfoliant, and a light moisturizer then I break out. But we each have unique skincare needs so stick to what works for you!
With makeup for trans women, the skin prep is essential!! But you girls already know that. After my face is clean, shaved, plucked, and moisturized, its time to prime! I use benefit because I am a creature of habit. I heard the one size one is supposed to be amazing though I might try it.
2.) Makeup for Trans Women: Contouring
Okay so your shaved, moisturized, and primed. I start with my contour because I want to give myself a snatchural look. I use the Softsculpt Shaping Stick by Makeup by Mario, but use any contour stick, try to get it two shades darker than your skin tone. More than that is crazy.
Also pay attention to your undertones!! This is so important for creating a seamless look. If your cool toned then you should use a neutral or cool contour stick and if you lean warm you should use a neutral or warm tone contour stick.
Though I recommend going the neutral route and then using either a cool/warm bronzer that way you still have that glow from within and you don’t end up looking muddy (to cool) or like a Dorito (too warm)
So I like to draw two C’s where my temples are, we will manipulate the product with a buffing brush. don’t carve out the hallows of your cheeks. With makeup for trans women we want to pull everything up up up! This enhances our feminine features. If you apply makeup to low it adds more weight to the bottom half our face which can enhance masculine features. We don’t want that.
I also will apply contour to my jawline and softly sculpt. I don’t bring it all the way to my chin personally. Then a little on brow bone and the nose so I look glowy. Then we’ll take our buffing brush and pull the product up, we want to gather product and swipe up. I go under my eyes with it too, trust me you’ll see.
But essentially you’ll pick up the brush and bring the product down by pulling it up. Pick up the brush and snatch it up. After you finish you should have some color in the apples of your cheeks and your countour line should be at the top of where your ear is connected. Also you may periodically need to bring product down but don’t go past the apples of your cheeks and where the top of your ear meets.
3.) Blush
Next I go in with a liquid blush, liquid blushes are perfect for makeup for trans women because they give us that glow-y, dewy, feminine look. I like to use rare beauty. The hype is legit. I put 5 dots on my face. Two on the highest points of my cheek bones, like think highlight. Two little ones on my brow bones and then one on the bridge of my nose.
Then I take a blush brush, and bring the product up up up! I go under my eyes a little and make it look like a “w”, the top section of your face should be bronze and pink it might look a little crazy but then we’ll go in with concealer and that’s where the magic happens.
4.) Makeup for Trans Women: Concealer
I like to use a medium coverage concealer like Kosas or Makeup Forever, phenomenal. I’ve also used Givenchy and that one is amazing! It’s very full coverage though but a little goes a long way and it lasts forever.
So I apply it to the inner parts of my dark circles, kind of a generous amount. Then will take just a little bit and draw up from the outer under eye to the outer corner of my eyes. You don’t need much. Then I’ll apply like five lines on my upper lip.
If you struggle with facial hair definitely use an orange concealer first otherwise you’ll have a blue cast on your face.
Finally I’ll draw to lines towards the hallows of my cheeks. Then you’ll intuitively blend upwards with a moist beauty blender. Also draw the concealer to your t-zone and you’ll see your contour and blush will start to blend seamlessly! If not just use the same brush used to blush, don’t add any more product just softly blend it out and don’t go past the apples of your cheeks.
5.) Setting Powder
After you blend use kind of a dense fluffy brush to set your under eyes, t-zone and upper lip. Then you can take a kabuki brush and set under your contour and blush. No need to let anything bake, brush off access.
You should notice immediately how bright and fresh faced you look, sometimes I’ll leave the house with just my base and lipgloss on and I feel pretty af. But next we’ll move into eyeshadow.
6.) Makeup for Trans Women: Eyeshadow
Okay so this is a very basic, wearable everyday eyeshadow look. You just need two shimmer shadows (one would work though), and a soft transition shade. Also be sure to prime lids with concealer and just tap it onto your lids with your fingers.
Start with a dense packing brush and pack your transition shade on the outer lid, don’t bring it outside your lid! then you’ll carve out your brow bone just a little bit but stop halfway. Then you want to take a small blending brush and sweep/small circles blend inwards.
You want to keep your blending pretty tight. Again don’t blend out, blend up! After your transition shade you’ll take your first shimmer rub it on your finger and pack it on the inner part of your lid. This will open up your eyes and make them look really big and doe-y.
Then take the lighter shimmer shade and with a small packing brush, pack in inner corners, drag under eyes a third of the way and one of my favorite tips carve out eyelid with the brighter shimmer. It’ll open your eyes up even more and look very feminine.
Makeup for Trans Women Pro Tip:
Okay another eyeshadow tip, arguably my fave makeup for trans women trick. When you highlight your brow bone DON’T use a shimmer, it will enhance your brow bone! Instead opt for a matte white eyeshadow and sweep it all over brow bone, really pack it on and you’ll have an instant brow lift! I promise!!
Then just add some mascara and you’re good to go with your eyes!
7.) Makeup for Trans Women: Bronzer
Next I’ll take my bronzer and a big fluffy brush and apply on my forehead nose, really just everywhere. Focus on your neck and ears too so you don’t have a harsh makeup line! You’ll notice your makeup really becomes cohesive and snatchural!
8.)Lips
I like to use a liner and gloss for that extra pouty look, also gloss just makes your lips look so soft and kissable! The only tip I have is try not to overline too much because your lips will look crazy like Kylie Jenner before filler vibes. Clocky!
And there you have it, the more you practice the faster it will be!
Conclusion
Makeup for trans women isn’t that different than cis women tbh. If you can streamline your daily makeup routine it can help you get out the door easier. Obviously everyone has their own way that they do makeup so stick to what works for you but I hope at least there is one thing that you want to try the next time you’re sitting in front of your mirror!
Xoxo
Cool Trans Girl
