This is a long overdue follow-up post to this post (http://stltg.blogspot.com/2013/11/transgender-makeup-part-1-shopping-for.html) about Transgender Makeup shopping. This is more my thoughts and experiences with the various makeup I've used over the last 18 months or so and how it's worked. Obviously, your mileage may vary with any of these products. As there are a lot of products that I've tried there will be several more of these posts to cover everything so that none of them get too awfully long.
- Dermablend Cover Creme - As I've discussed more than once I have very heavy facial hair. The laser hair removal is helping quite a bit but there's still a lot there especially around my jawline; and in some cases the removal makes things worse as the spots where it's been successful are far lighter than spots where it hasn't and after a good shave they really stand out. I use the cover creme after putting on concealer where needed; but prior to any foundation - in my case this gives the foundation a better chance to do it's thing. Now I don't always wear it, if I'm in a real hurry I may skip it and it's not the end of the world if I do; but if I'm going to be out a significant amount of time I make a concerted effort to put this on as it really extends the time before my beard shadow becomes an issue.
It is so thick that's a bit of a pain to get on nice and evenly compared to foundation; but for what it does it's a small price to pay. I do use a regular foundation brush to put it on; but perhaps a sponge might be better - but I've yet to try that. It is a more expensive product, I normally pick it up at Ulta and it runs around $35 give or take. You can find it on Ebay a bit cheaper; but be careful as a lot of what's there are much smaller sizes so while it looks cheaper it may actually be more more expensive in the long run. When I first got mine, as embarrassing as it was at the time, I asked for help to match the shade of the Dermablend to my face. When you're paying $35 for a small container (granted it lasts a good while) - I thought it was important to get it right the first time rather than guessing. I actually went in looking androgynous rather than in full Madison look (I wasn't quite living "full-time" at the time) and the young lady that helped me was a bit taken aback at first, but quickly got over that and was *incredibly helpful*. Well worth a bit of embarrassment on my part to get her help to get it matched correctly the first time.
- CoverFX Foundation - I picked this up at Sephora a good while back as when "M" and I went in for our makeup lesson (which was more of a makeover, but still worthwhile) that's what the technician used. It's a powder style foundation which makes is actually easier for me to use than a liquid (although I now mostly use a liquid, but I'll get to that later). It does a good job on it's own and a very good job when paired with the cover creme above; but I don't think it's as good a match as it could be so I don't use it as much as I used to. Now I tend to use it when I'm in more of a hurry since it's not as thick as the liquid I generally use. It does go on nicely; again I use a foundation brush, but when it was applied at Sephora I believe they used a sponge on it. It does seem to last forever, that's one upside to spending a little more on makeup at places such as Sephora or M.A.C. - they really do last. I will say that "less is more" for the most part - even with what I need to cover up, I don't need a lot - in fact that's one of my failings as I often use way to much of it and have trouble blending it in well. Just like the Dermablend above, it's not exactly a cheap product, so if going to Sephora where I got this, I'd strongly suggest having them use their ColorIQ system to match the shade as closely as possible - they should also then offer to apply the selected shade for you right there so you can see it an ensure you are happy with it.
I hate to cut this short; but work calls. As I said there will be several more posts going forward dealing with this subject. As always thanks for reading.
- M
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