Stuff: Makeup Lessons

By J.J. Atwell

Let’s Consider Makeup

It seems to me that makeup is one of those things that women love or hate. I suppose most GGs accept it as just part of life. They learned how to do it as they grew up. They continue to do it because it’s just what women do. Some enjoy seeing how makeup enhances their appearance. Others prefer not to spend the time doing their makeup and go natural. 

For CDs though, I’m not sure we have a choice. With very few exceptions we pretty much need makeup to look feminine. Since most of us don’t learn about makeup as we grew up, we need to learn about it as we embark on our CD journey. How do we do that? I’ll tell you how I did it. Actually, how I’m still learning to do it. 

The Internet

One of the first things I did when I decided I needed to learn about makeup was to search the Internet. Doing that resulted in many, many results. Some helpful. Some not so much. Some directly conflicting with others. It left me more bewildered than it helped me. But it also helped me to realize that no matter what works for an individual on the Internet, doesn’t mean it will work for me.

Why is that? It’s because I’m unique. …and so are they. ….and so are you, my dear reader. Even leaving aside the fact that I’m a CD, and you may be as well, there are other things to consider. Your face shape. Your basic complexion, The major features of your face. All of those affect what you need for makeup to look your best. So I plunged ahead trying to do it myself. Some attempts were more successful than others. But soon I decided I needed personalized help. 

The Professionals

Ultimately, the best resource I’ve found is to go to the professionals: the makeup artists (MUA) at the beauty store. I’ve gone to Ulta, MAC and Sephora to chat with them about my makeup needs. They gave me very good advice about the color and type of foundation I’d need and of course, showed me where the products were in the store. 

I did most of that in guy mode, so don’t be afraid to go ahead and own it. I had no bad or even odd reactions from the MUA when I explained that I was a CD and needed information about makeup to make my presentation more realistic. After several visits to my favorite Sephora store, I became comfortable talking openly to them about makeup. 

Sephora, like MAC and Ulta, offers makeovers. One day, I decided to go ahead and book a makeover before one of our CD group meetings. I asked if I should come with makeup or without. They said to do whatever I was comfortable with. If I had arrived with makeup on, they would just remove it to start the process, so I decided to go with the absolute minimum of a color correcting tinted moisturizer and lipstick. 

During the makeover they explained what products they are using and why. You watch them apply the makeup and you can see the improvement as they do one side of the face first. 

Just a note: I was indeed presenting as female when I went to the store for my makeover. I thought I looked pretty good as I walked in. I was greeted warmly and as soon as I said I was there for a makeover, I was instantly recognized. They had seen me as a guy many times and they knew I dressed, but had not seen me en femme before. They quickly put me at ease, asked for my femme name, and treated me as just another female customer the entire time. 

I’ll Be Back

Once I clean off my makeup, I’ll be looking for more Stuff to write about. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing Bebe

Jim O’Pecko shopping out and about