Putting On

Yesterday, I answered my Facebook friend's question about facial hair removal. Lisa also asked, "Do you wear makeup or foundation?"

(Wow - What a compliment if she thought I didn't wear makeup or foundation!)

But I do wear makeup and foundation, specifically, Avon makeup and Avon liquid foundation.

But before I wear makeup, I put on moisturizer. Every morning after I shower and shave, even on those days I am not going out en femme, I apply moisturizer to my face and neck.
For years, I never did any day-to-day facial maintenance. When I went out en femme, I'd apply makeup to my unmaintained face and I looked good for a guy in drag, but I never achieved that "feminine best" look that I saw on other women.

Being an Avon lady, I occasionally receive free samples. About eight years ago, I received a free sample of a product to deal with wrinkles around the eyes. Looking in the mirror at the wrinkles developing around my eyes, I decided to try the free sample.

After a week or so, the wrinkles were less noticeable. After a few weeks, I had to examine my eyes closely to find the wrinkles. So, I was sold on the eye cream and decided to experiment with other skin care products, primarily moisturizers

After using skin care products for over eight years, my wrinkles are hardly noticeable and my skin is smoother, more supple, and healthier-looking. My makeup goes on easier and looks better. Professional makeup consultants have complimented me on my complexion. And now I can achieve that "feminine best" look.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to maintain your skin on a daily basis. You cannot look your feminine best unless you take care of your face everyday.

Currently, I use Olay Complete moisturizer and Avon Elements Moisture Boost Eye Cream. They work for me, but your mileage may vary.

One good thing about getting old is that my beard turned gray and that eliminated the need to use a beard cover.

When my beard was dark, I used a beard cover on the muzzle of my face --- RCMA beard cover CMBC2 from Alcone. It is expensive, but lasts forever; in fact, I never used up the tub of beard cover I bought years ago.

Sans beard cover, I apply makeup in the following order:

• Foundation (liquid)
• Concealer (under eyes)
• Translucent powder
• Contour (powders)
• Blush (powder)
• Translucent powder
• Eyebrow pencil
• Eyeshadow (powders)
• Eyeliner (For better control, I use black eyeshadow powder applied with an eyeliner brush rather than using liquid eyeliner.)
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara (After the mascara dries, I use a metal eyelash brush to separate any eyelashes that are clumped together. I usually follow that with a second application of mascara.)
• Lip liner (I use a shade just slightly darker than the shade of lipstick I am using. To simulate plump lips, I use a dark shade below my lower lip to simulate a dark shadow which would occur if my lower lip was really plump.)
• Lipstick (I use a lip brush to apply lipstick. After applying lipstick, I blot my lips with a tissue. Then I powder my lips with translucent powder and reapply the lipstick. This helps the lipstick to last longer.)
• Translucent powder

Any questions?

 

 

 

Wearing Beulah (top) and Olivaceous (skirt).

 

 

 

Fashion model Stepan Malleta.