Cross Dressing Makeup Tips – How to Apply Foundation
Foundation, while probably the least exciting makeup that you own, is actually one of the most important for cross dressing success. Its much easier to pass as a woman with healthy, glowing skin! For healthy skin, you need to protect it, and this is where foundation comes in.
Everyone that has ever worn foundation has made several common mistakes. These mistakes include choosing the wrong color, ending up with foundation that looks caked on, and sometimes even accentuating the flaws that you are trying to cover up!
So how do you apply foundation for the perfect look while cross dressing? You will need to choose the correct color and learn to apply and set your foundation correctly.
How to choose the perfect color.
The range in skin colors is truly astounding. Honestly, there is no way to pick a foundation at the store, hold it to your face, and choose the correct color. It is best to sit down with a makeup consultant and test the colors on your face. Natural sunlight will give you the best reading of whether the color is a match or not, and florescent lights will give you the WORST. Don’t waste your time checking the color on your hands or wrists. If your complexion is light, you should check the color on your neck and jawline. You want the color to match where you will blend it in at the neck. For those with a darker complexion, you will want to match your foundation at the cheek and jawline.
How to Apply Foundation
There are 3 basic tools that you can use.
Foundation Brush – The brush is the best way to go, and also the most expensive. It gives the most even coverage and blends the best. You must clean your foundation brush after EVERY use or it will get ruined – and depending on which you choose that can amount to a hefty sum over time.
Sponge – These are those little packs of usually triangular shaped wedges you will find in the drug store. They cost less than a good brush does and you toss them out after every use. Not so environmentally friendly, and the other drawback is that they can absorb a good bit of foundation leading to more waste.
Fingers – These are obviously the least expensive! While they are always available to you, your fingers don’t tend to blend foundation as well which can lead to a cakey look. Many people don’t like the feel of foundation on their fingers, but if you are in a pinch they do work.
Set Your Foundation
Loose Powder – loose powder has a very nice feel to it but it can tend to me messy. It provides a little more coverage but isn’t as heavy as pressed powder tends to be. It also doesn’t set into fine lines on your face as well as pressed powder does. If your skin tends to be oily, loose powder is the best choice.
Pressed Powder – Very convenient in little compacts and its good for touch ups during the day because it does give more coverage. If you use too much, though, you will look like your wearing powder. Pressed powder has a heavier feel to it and generally isn’t good for people with oily skin.
Blot – If your skin isn’t oily and its not humid where you live, you can use blotting tissues or facial tissues that don’t have lotion in them. Press the tissue gently to your face and blot softly. This will remove the excess makeup without messing up your foundation.
These are just a few tips to get you started with makeup and cross dressing. Don’t stop here, there is so much more to learn about cross dressing! Get the most comprehensive cross dressing makeup tips.
photo courtesy of k1ng via flickr
