This is a problem that I know from experience can be overcome without specialized make-up. Firstly, you have to make sure that shave properly, especially in the mustache and beard area; this means shaving up and down and sideways. I think most men just shave in one direction, and even after an apparent close shave you will still be able to feel stubble on your face. Shaving carefully in opposite directions will give a significantly smoother shave. It is also imperative to use a new (unused) high-quality multiblade razor such as a Gillette Mach 3 or Fusion. I then finish off with an electric razor to get an extremely smooth stubble-free (and almost blue-less) finish. Needless to say, don't be don't too vigorous with the shaving action otherwise you'll be left with either razor burn or unsightly cuts. The next step is to apply concealer over the "blue" areas (e.g. Boots No. 7), though as has been suggested, applying red lipstick before the concealer can also assist in neutralizing the beard shadow. After all of this, apply liquid foundation and finally powder, and you should then be free of the beard shadow for at least six hours or so. Camera flashes are often good at emphasizing the underlying blueness of the beard area, and so you may well actually look better in real life than on a digital photo.
Apologies if I've told you things you already know or have just repeated what others have essentially said, but short of laser hair removal I think there is no other way and the approach I have outlined above works fine for me. As has been pointed out, waxing on the face is a definite no-no, as are hair removal creams.
Hi.
I follow the rules about shaving in all directions but still end up with facial hairs that I just can not remove without lacerations to my face.
Luckily I am not your heavily testosteroned individual so with just a small ammout of undercoat:-) I can hide my shadow quite well.
I have just returned from a Laser Hair clinic which was very informative.
Unfortunately I have quite a lot of grey hair especially around my chin but my cheek hair is good enough to take laser treatment so I shall give it a whirl.
Isn't taking hormones also supposed to help reduce hair generally? Although I hope this is not entirely true because I don't want to lose anymore head hair.
Best wishes,
Sarah
This post was edited by Sarah Winfield at August 30, 2011 11:39 AM BSTFirst off I'd save your money on laser and go for electrolysis instead; permanent, guaranteed to work, and effective on all types of hair.
Hormones will most likely not make a big difference to your facial hair, and are even less likely to cause hair loss where you don't want it. Finasteride (not a hormone but often prescribed to TS's) should in fact prevent any (further) hair loss on your head.
I get Vaniqa on the NHS, though you will probably need to be attending a gender clinic to get this as it's prescribed to women only. It slows facial hair growth, after time to a point where it is quite manageable, though some form of hair removal will be needed. I pluck with tweezers, after several years on Vaniqa I only need do about 5 or 10 minutes a day, some days I don't bother. Dark hairs are now extremely rare, what's left is all pale, thin and downy, and is easily dealt with. I haven't shaved for about 6 years, I don't get stubble or shadow. Joy.
There are no electrolysis places in my home town, I tried IPL and laser for a year and half, had to travel 40 miles each time, spent a small fortune, it made little difference and the slight reduction I got wasn't permanent. My facial hair wasn't ever very dark though. Vaniqa is a pretty good alternative to electrolysis or laser.
Best of luck in your quest!
xx
My experience , having had IPL laser over last 9 months , and hormones 8 months or so , and tweezering- Is that they all have an effect ,but the effectiveness depends a lot of Personal factors age , hair colour, hair colour distribution,[ not forgetting Time and Money also] .
Truth to tell theres not going to definite advice for a particular method, ..maybe you just try them all .
My 2 penneth worth ,
It all takes Time,- to make and see the changes.[Hair Growth cyles are 10weeks long I believe]
Changes are subtle , what you put in you get out
-effects are cumulative and progressive if you stick at it, in general weakening the Hair and giving rise to the more manageable vellus [ soft thin hair] over time , so shaving is not as severe.
I now find tweezing hairs out a lot easier than previously .
A subtle benefit is that around the Lips , reduction of all those thick hairs makes the lips become fuller
I met a girl who spent $8100 on laser 5 years ago to get her face completely cleared...she is now going the same electrolygist I am and is starting from scratch...ALL her hairs grew back in that time...as Lucy said, if you want permanent removal, go electro...laser will work, but only for a while, and only on lighter skin and dark hairs. And if you get electro., get the "blend", a combo of thermal and RF...newest units blow a cooling, soothing stream of air over your skin while it's being done...pain? Overrated....on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being nuclear explosion and 1 being unnoticeable, I'd say for me at least, it is mostly 1's and 2's. Have not felt anything worse than a 3 or 4 yet, and she has hit every part of my neck, chin, jaw, and face...you must commit once you begin, or it will take forever. It will take long enough as it is though...I'm looking at 15-16 more months max...I LOVE the results!