I appreciate all the advice.  I am no longer so new at this; soon after my initial post, I began experimenting.  I have achieved reasonably good, but by no means perfect, results with the cheap drug store makeup.  Since that stuff does not cost that much, it is good for learning the basics, such as how to apply everything.  Since it is cheap, it does not upset me that much if I make a mistake and have to redo it.

However, I am not totally satisfied with the result, so the makeover sounds like a good idea.  I am planning to contact the transgender groups in my area, and maybe people there can refer me to someone who will do makeovers for t-girls.  Otherwise, maybe I can get help from my mother.

Since I have been experimenting with the cheap stuff, when I go to a professional, I should at least be able to speak the language and understand the basic techniques.  I guess the best use of the cheap stuff is as "training" makeup.

Heather H.

I was lucky enough to be invlved in acting when I was younger, so learnt lots of tips from theatre make up - though in those days it was a bit heavy - now film and TV make up is much better - so most of my make up comes from professional make up shops - its much cheaper and better quality then the commercial rubbish.

The best way to learn is to have a few lessons - See if you can find a local dressing service for trannies and take a make up lesson.

There are some good videos available - one of the best is from www.theboudoirshop.com featuring Pandora de Pledge - If you want to see what Pandora canb do to transform someone - check out www.pandoradepledge.com

Make up dos take a little work - but the key is the foundation - Get the canvas right and then you can paint away.

So close shave - thatns to Gillete Mack 3 if you have them over their - Cleanse and Tone the face well - then Moisturise - Make up applies and removes better if you prepare well -

Then I use a Pan stick for foundation - Theatrical make up base - It covers the beard well. Choose one that is as close as possible to your natural skin colour - If you go to a Theatre or professional make up shop - they will give advice and it you are not really out - you can tell them you are in an amateur production and need some help with the make up - They may even give lessons - and frankly if you tell the truth they will love it - make up artists love teaching guys how to make up.

Apply over the main beard area and press in with a sponge, rather than blend - apply more lightly over the rest of the face and blend - don't forget to go under the jaw line - to avoid a line, and over the eye socket and lids.

If you have any dark bags under the eyes - apply a highlighter - a lighter foundation than your base colour under the eyes and down the bridge of the nose - then just take the sponge with the base colour and press over the areas to blend it in - you want it to just look lighter.

Next using a poweder puff - apply a translusciant corn silk powder over the face everywhere - press it in well and then using a larger brush remove any excess - and there you are -a perfect base on which to start work.

What you do now is largely dependant on the look you want and you face shape etc - I recommend that you buy a couple of really good book on make up - ones with lots of illustrations and instructions on how to effect was achieved - find a few looks you liks and then buy the make up you need for those looks

Bright red lips and blue eyehadow is not a good look unless you want to look like a tart or pantomime dame - The idea of make up is to enhance the face - look at the models on fashion channels - you can see what they have done -

Oh a final recommendation - start taking a couple of good magazines and read them from cover to cover every month - you will then begin to learn what is fashionable - and thats the key to passing - don't care how big or masculine you are if your look is fashionable - you can pass - or at least impress.

Incidentally - the little pic on the left - that actually me - and I'm 52 today - so just goes to show what you can do with a little skill and patience.

There are basic starter kits out there. Just look in the junk mail for specials or go to department stores. They usually have 2-3 lippys, fingernail polish, a couple of eyeshadow selections and some blush.I got mine for about $30:00 AUS

Although I have been dressing at home for years, I have not yet gotten around to trying make-up (I am VERY lazy).  I think it is time to start experimenting with it.  I have looked in the drug stores, and there are so many different things on the shelves - I don't know where to start! ???  Has anyone found any kits that are good for beginners?  I am not concerned with getting everything right just now; I realize it will take practice.  Since I live alone, I will have ample opportunities to make myself look hideous and learn from the experience.

I am curious how all you girls out there got started, and if you have any entertaining stories of disastrous first attempts; it might help those of us who are new to this.

Thanks.

Heather H.

I have just booked a makeover lesson at Charles Church in London - they specialise in Theatre make up as I have said before - but if you want help check out the theatre make up companies - They are bound to run workshops and one to one sessions - make up lessons for women are not going to do the job forus TGirls - we have special problems which need more skill than enhancement - Professionsl Makeover artists will be able to advise on how to do your foundation to cover but look natural - and how to use makeup to highlight your best features and disguise things like a masculine jaw line, larger nose.

The other thing about the Professional make up companies is that the products are actualy cheaper than the drug store stuff - no fancy packaging - they are selling to actors, models, make up artists who are not swayed by the marketing glitz - they just want a good quality product.

I had to buy some translucient powder from a dxrugstor the other day because I forgot mine - I have to pay nearly three time more than usual for that - I was furious - and all I got for it is a better looking container.

When I first started out I too made many mistakes with makeup. But with lots of expirence it got better, easier faster and cheaper!!!  

I found TG make up books helped a great deal JoAnn Roberts had an excellent one but I have not found a new version of it.  The best advice I can give is to go to your TG store and ask them to help your start out.

Love Lynn

I started basicly by having a female friend of mine go to the store with me and help me pick stuff out... the rest kinda went from there.

What can I say, go to a MAC counter in a large department store. I've found them in Chicago, Dublin and Manchester.
Tell them you want MAC studio finish and pressed powder, some translucent powder too. Buy some make-up sponges and go practise. For under the eyes get Christian Dior concealer, it comes in a gold pen-like dispenser.
For lips I head towards Estee Lauder or Revlon, L'oreal crystal shimmer is great! Eyes Revlon or EL again. None of these products are cheap, but if you have a 2 dollar face use 2 dollar make-up!
As far as MAC products go, if I get dressed and made-up and go out bar-hopping and clubbing. When I get home at 3am my face is still good to go! The only touch ups would be some pressed powder and lipstick.
Revlon make a product called Colourstay, this provides great beard cover and is not costly. I used this for years with good results. For photos to illustrate check out:

http://www.geocities.com/ireneshamen

All of the pics on my website are with Revlon base and powder. I switched to the MAC for a far lighter appearance, more natural and if it's good enough for Rupaul it's good enough for me!

Love
Irene