Game-Changing Makeup and Skincare Secrets For Trans Women

Table of Content:

Part 1: Introduction:

Why trans women's product reviews matter
Finding authentic and relatable voices
What to expect in this series

Part 2: Product Categories:

Makeup:

Foundation: Finding the perfect shade and formula for your skin tone and desired finish.
Concealer: Covering dark circles, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation.
Eyeshadow: Creating stunning eye looks for every occasion.
Mascara: Enhancing and defining your lashes.
Lipstick: Finding your perfect shade and achieving a flawless finish.
Brushes & Tools: Investing in quality brushes for a flawless application.

Skincare:

Cleansers & Moisturizers: Establishing a gentle yet effective skincare routine.
Serums & Treatments: Addressing specific concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging.
Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays

Haircare:

Shampoos & Conditioners: Finding the right products for your hair type and concerns.
Styling Products: Achieving your desired hairstyle with ease.

Shapewear:

Underwear: Feeling comfortable and confident in your undergarments.

Other Products:

Fragrances: Finding a signature scent that reflects your personality.
Accessories: Adding the finishing touches to your look.

Part 3: Embracing Your Individuality:

Makeup for Every Mood and Occasion:

Natural everyday looks for the office or casual outings.
Glamorous evening looks like turning heads on a night out.
Creative makeup artistry for expressing your unique style.

Building a Confident Beauty Routine:

Tips for finding joy and empowerment in your makeup journey.
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity in the beauty world.
Resources for trans women seeking support and community.

Conclusion:

Remember, there are no rules in beauty, only self-expression!
We hope these reviews empower you to experiment, embrace your individuality, and radiate confidence.
Welcome to the vibrant world of beauty through the eyes of trans women!

Introduction

Product reviews by and for trans women are invaluable resources for those looking to express their authentic selves through beauty and style.

With cisgender (non-trans) standards of beauty so pervasive in mainstream media and advertising, finding relatable perspectives can be difficult for trans women starting their transitions or seeking new products.

This series aims to provide helpful, honest reviews of makeup, skincare, haircare, shapewear and more by real trans women.

Trans women face unique challenges when it comes to product selection and use. Gender-affirming products can build confidence and alleviate dysphoria, while products that don't account for transgender needs can exacerbate uncomfortable experiences.

Through our reviews, we hope to highlight brands that celebrate trans identities as well as products that simply work well for trans women.

In the sections below, we will dive into popular product categories with reviews of specific items across trans-inclusive or gender-inclusive brands per category.

Expect thorough breakdowns of formulas, shades, wear time, results and where to purchase.

Our goal is to help trans women discover products that make them look and feel amazing. Let's get started!

Product Categories

Makeup

Foundation

Finding the perfect shade and formula for your skin tone and desired finish is crucial for a flawless look. Some trans-inclusive brands include:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: This Rihanna-founded brand offers a whopping 50 shades, making a match easier to find across many skin tones. Its lightweight, buildable formula offers medium to full coverage with a natural, soft-matte finish. Plus, it's sweatproof and long-lasting, perfect for busy days.

Pros: Extensive shade range, natural finish, long-lasting.

Cons: Can be slightly drying for some skin types.

Where to buy: Fenty Beauty website, Sephora.

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation: This full-coverage foundation boasts a creamy, blendable formula that provides a flawless, airbrushed finish. Its wide shade range caters to diverse skin tones, and it offers buildable coverage to conceal blemishes and imperfections.

Pros: Full coverage, flawless finish, buildable, wide shade range.

Cons: Can feel heavy on some skin types.

Where to buy: Huda Beauty website, Sephora.

Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint: This lightweight, tinted moisturizer offers sheer to light coverage, perfect for a natural, dewy look. Its hydrating formula with SPF 30 protects your skin from harmful UV rays.

Pros: Sheer coverage, hydrating, SPF 30, dewy finish.

Cons: May not be enough coverage for those with blemishes or uneven skin tone.

Where to buy: Milk Makeup website, Ulta Beauty.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation: This drugstore favorite offers a wide shade range and a lightweight, matte formula that controls shine and minimizes the appearance of pores. It's also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

Pros: Affordable, wide shade range, matte finish, oil-free, non-comedogenic.

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for dry skin types.

Where to buy: Drugstores, Ulta Beauty.

Concealing Imperfections: A Spotlight on Concealers

Dark circles, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation are common concerns, and the right concealer can work wonders.

Here are four brands we trust:

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: This cult-favorite concealer offers medium to full coverage with a creamy, blendable formula. It brightens the under-eye area and conceals blemishes flawlessly, leaving a natural, radiant finish.

Pros: Medium to full coverage, creamy formula, brightens under eyes, natural finish.

Cons: May crease on oily skin types. Where to buy: NARS website, Sephora.

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: This full-coverage concealer is a go-to for many, thanks to its long-lasting, waterproof formula that effectively covers dark circles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation.

Pros: Full coverage, long-lasting, waterproof, good for covering blemishes and scars.

Cons: Can be drying for some skin types. Where to buy: Tarte website, Ulta Beauty.

Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer: This hydrating, full-coverage concealer provides a flawless finish while nourishing the skin with hyaluronic acid and coconut water. It's ideal for dry skin and conceals imperfections without looking cakey.

Pros: Full coverage, hydrating, good for dry skin, flawless finish.

Cons: May not be waterproof. Where to buy: Too Faced website, Sephora.

MAC Studio Fix Concealer: This long-wearing, matte concealer offers medium to full coverage and is perfect for oily and combination skin. It controls shine and conceals imperfections for a flawless, matte finish.

Pros: Medium to full coverage, long-wearing, matte finish, good for oily and combination skin.

Cons: Can be drying for dry skin types. Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics website, Ulta Beauty.

Eye Shadow:

Eyeshadow is a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing you to create endless looks that reflect your mood, personality, and unique style.

For trans women, finding eyeshadow brands that cater to diverse skin tones and gender identities can be empowering and liberating.

Melt Cosmetics: This brand is renowned for its bold, pigment-packed eyeshadow palettes, featuring vibrant colors and unique finishes. Their inclusive shade ranges cater to all skin tones, and they actively support the LGBTQ+ community through various initiatives.

Must-Have Palette: Amor Mortizado Palette: This stunning palette features 12 highly-pigmented shadows in a range of warm and cool tones, perfect for creating sultry smoky looks or playful daytime eye looks.

Pros: High-quality, pigmented shadows, diverse shade range, supports LGBTQ+ community.

Cons: Some shades may be challenging for beginners to blend, some palettes may be more expensive than others.

Where to buy: Melt Cosmetics website, Ulta Beauty.

ColourPop: This budget-friendly brand offers a wide variety of eyeshadow palettes, singles, and super shock shadows in an array of colors and finishes. Their commitment to inclusivity is evident in their diverse shade range and their collaboration with trans makeup artist Jackie Aina on the "SAINTS & SINNERS" palette.

Must-Have Palette: Stone Cold Fox Palette: This 9-pan palette features a mix of cool-toned neutrals and pops of color, perfect for creating everyday wearable looks with a touch of drama.

ColourPop Stone Cold Fox Palette

Pros: Affordable, diverse shade range, cruelty-free, frequent new releases.

Cons: Some shadows may be less pigmented than higher-end brands, limited availability of some palettes.

Where to buy: ColourPop website.

Fenty Beauty: Rihanna's iconic makeup brand is known for its inclusivity and celebration of diversity. Their eyeshadow palettes feature a wide range of shades for all skin tones, from light to deep, and their formulas are long-wearing and blendable.

Must-Have Palette: Snap Shadows Mix & Match Palette: This versatile palette features 6 mix-and-match shadows in matte and shimmer finishes, allowing you to create endless eye looks. www.sephora.com

Pros: Diverse shade range, long-wearing and blendable formulas, luxurious packaging.

Cons: Can be more expensive than some other brands, some shades may be too bold for beginners.

Where to buy: Fenty Beauty website, Sephora.

Juvia's Place: This Black-owned brand is dedicated to creating high-quality makeup for all skin tones, with a focus on rich, vibrant colors inspired by African culture. Their eyeshadow palettes are known for their intense pigmentation and blendability.

Must-Have Palette: The Nubian II Palette: This stunning 12-pan palette features a mix of warm and cool tones, including vibrant shimmers and rich mattes, perfect for creating dramatic and glamorous eye looks.

Pros: Highly pigmented and blendable shadows, rich, vibrant colors, supports Black-owned businesses.

Cons: Some shades may be too intense for beginners, limited availability of some palettes.

Where to buy: Juvia's Place website, Ulta Beauty.

Glamnetic: This brand is known for its innovative magnetic lashes, but they also offer a range of high-quality eyeshadow palettes and singles. Their commitment to inclusivity is reflected in their diverse shade range and their collaboration with trans model and activist Yasmine Petty on the "Yasmin x Glamnetic" palette.

Must-Have Palette: Yasmin x Glamnetic Palette: This 10-pan palette features a mix of warm and cool tones, including neutrals and pops of color, perfect for creating both everyday and glamorous eye looks. www.glamnetic.com

Pros: Diverse shade range, cruelty-free, magnetic closure for easy storage and travel.

Cons: Some shades may be less pigmented than other brands, limited availability of some palettes.

Where to buy: Glamnetic website.

Mascara: Enhancing and Defining Your Lashes

Mascara can add drama, definition, and length to your lashes, instantly opening up your eyes and making you look more awake.

Here are four trans-inclusive brands offering mascaras for different lash types and desired effects:

They're Real! Lengthening Mascara:

Brand Overview: Benefit is a well-known brand offering high-quality, innovative makeup products. Their They're Real! mascara is a cult favorite for its lengthening and volumizing formula.
Product Description: They're Real! features a specially designed brush that coats and defines each lash from root to tip. The formula is long-wearing and smudge-proof, making it perfect for all-day wear.
Pros: Lengthens and volumizes lashes, long-wearing and smudge-proof formula, specially designed brush for precise application.
Cons: Can be clumpy if not applied carefully, higher price point.
Inclusivity: Available in black and brown shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Benefit website, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.

MILK MAKEUP Kush Mascara:

Brand Overview: MILK MAKEUP is a vegan and cruelty-free brand known for its innovative and easy-to-use products. Their Kush mascara is formulated with cannabis oil to condition and nourish lashes.
Product Description: Kush mascara features a flexible fiber brush that coats and defines lashes without clumping. The formula is buildable and long-wearing, making it perfect for creating a natural or dramatic look.
Pros: Lengthens and defines lashes without clumping, buildable formula, vegan and cruelty-free.
Cons: May not be as volumizing as some other mascaras, higher price point.
Inclusivity: Available in black and brown shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: MILK MAKEUP website, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.

NYX On the Rise Volume Lifter Mascara:

Brand Overview: NYX is a drugstore favorite known for its affordable and effective makeup products. Their On the Rise mascara is a great option for those on a budget who want to achieve dramatic lashes.
Product Description: On the Rise features a curved brush that lifts and volumizes lashes from root to tip. The formula is buildable and long-wearing, making it perfect for creating a bold look.
Pros: Affordable price point, volumizes and lifts lashes, buildable formula.
Cons: Can be clumpy if not applied carefully, may not be as long-wearing as some other mascaras.
Inclusivity: Available in black and brown shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Drugstores, mass retailers, Ulta Beauty.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara:

Brand Overview: Too Faced is known for its luxurious and playful makeup products, often featuring cute packaging and fun names. Their Better Than Sex mascara is a top-seller for its volumizing and lengthening formula.
Product Description: Better Than Sex features an hourglass-shaped brush that coats and defines lashes for a dramatic, fluttery look. The formula is long-wearing and smudge-proof, making it perfect for all-day wear.
Pros: Volumizes and lengthens lashes, long-wearing and smudge-proof formula, hourglass-shaped brush for precise application.
Cons: Higher price point, can be clumpy if not applied carefully.
Inclusivity: Available in black and brown shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Too Faced website, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.

Lipstick: Finding Your Perfect Shade and Achieving a Flawless Finish

Lipstick can be a powerful tool for self-expression, adding instant color and drama to your look.

With so many shades and finishes available, finding the perfect lipstick can feel overwhelming.

Here are four trans-inclusive brands offering a wide range of lipstick options:

Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint:

Brand Overview: Rihanna's Fenty Beauty is known for its groundbreaking inclusivity, offering 40 shades of the Stunna Lip Paint to flatter a wide range of skin tones.
Product Description: The Stunna Lip Paint is a liquid lipstick with a high-impact, long-lasting matte finish. It's lightweight and comfortable to wear, and doesn't dry out your lips.
Pros: Highly pigmented and long-wearing, wide range of flattering shades, comfortable matte finish.
Cons: Can be drying on some lips, requires precise application.
Inclusivity: 40 shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Fenty Beauty website, Sephora, ULTA Beauty.

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick:

Brand Overview: MAC Cosmetics has a long-standing commitment to inclusivity, offering a diverse range of lipstick shades and finishes. Their Retro Matte lipstick is a cult favorite for its bold, classic colors and long-lasting formula.
Product Description: The Retro Matte Lipstick is a highly pigmented lipstick with a true matte finish. It's long-wearing and transfer-resistant, making it perfect for all-day wear.
Pros: Highly pigmented and long-wearing, wide range of bold and classic shades, true matte finish.
Cons: Can be drying on some lips, requires precise application.
Inclusivity: 42 shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics website, department stores, ULTA Beauty.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream:

Brand Overview: NYX Professional Makeup is known for its affordable and high-quality cosmetics, offering a variety of inclusive shade ranges. Their Soft Matte Lip Cream is a popular choice for its comfortable, long-wearing formula.
Product Description: The Soft Matte Lip Cream is a liquid lipstick with a soft matte finish. It's lightweight and creamy, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Pros: Affordable price point, comfortable and long-wearing formula, soft matte finish.
Cons: Not as pigmented as some other lipsticks, may not be long-lasting on oily skin.
Inclusivity: 40 shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Drugstores, mass retailers, Ulta Beauty, nyx website

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek:

Brand Overview: Milk Makeup is a vegan and cruelty-free brand known for its innovative and multi-use products. Their Lip + Cheek is a cream blush and lipstick in one, perfect for creating a monochromatic look.
Product Description: The Lip + Cheek is a creamy, buildable formula that can be used on both lips and cheeks. It's available in a variety of sheer and bold shades, making it versatile for different looks.
Pros: Multi-use product for lips and cheeks, vegan and cruelty-free, sheer and bold shades available.
Cons: Not as long-wearing as some dedicated lipsticks, may not be pigmented enough for full coverage.
Inclusivity: 20 shades, gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Milk Makeup website, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.

Brushes & Tools: Investing in Quality Brushes for a Flawless Application

Makeup brushes and tools are essential for achieving a flawless makeup application.

From blending foundation to applying eyeshadow, the right tools can make all the difference.

Here are four trans-inclusive brands offering high-quality makeup brushes:

Morphe Brushes:

Brand Overview: Morphe is a cruelty-free brand known for its affordable and high-quality makeup brushes. They offer a wide variety of brushes for different applications, making it easy to build a complete brush set.
Product Description: Morphe brushes are made with synthetic bristles that are soft, durable, and easy to clean. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different needs, from fluffy blending brushes to precise eyeliner brushes.
Pros: Affordable price point, wide variety of brushes, soft and durable synthetic bristles.
Cons: Brushes may not be as high-quality as some luxury brands, some shedding may occur when new.
Inclusivity: Gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Morphe website, Ulta Beauty.

Real Techniques:

Brand Overview: Real Techniques is a brand founded by makeup artist Samantha Chapman, known for its innovative and user-friendly makeup brushes. Their brushes are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners.
Product Description: Real Techniques brushes are made with synthetic bristles that are soft, flexible, and easy to blend. They come in a variety of sets and kits, making it easy to find the perfect brushes for your needs.
Pros: Affordable price point, user-friendly design, soft and flexible synthetic bristles.
Cons: May not be as durable as some high-end brushes, limited shade range for complexion brushes.
Inclusivity: Gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy: Drugstores, mass retailers, Ulta Beauty.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Set:

Brand Overview: Rihanna's Fenty Beauty continues to impress with its inclusive and high-performance makeup tools. The Pro Filt'r Instant Set features an array of brushes specifically designed for applying and blending their Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation.
Product Description: This set includes five brushes made with high-quality synthetic bristles, each shaped and sized for specific areas of the face. They are densely packed and soft, ensuring precise application and seamless blending for a flawless foundation finish.
Pros: High-quality synthetic bristles, dense and soft for smooth application, specifically designed for Fenty Beauty foundation, gender-neutral marketing.
Cons: Higher price point compared to other brush brands, limited to foundation application.
Where to Buy: Fenty Beauty website, Sephora, ULTA Beauty.

Beautyblender Original Sponge:

Brand Overview: The Beautyblender sponge is a cult favorite for its unique shape and ability to blend makeup flawlessly. It's latex-free and non-allergenic, making it suitable for even sensitive skin.
Product Description: The Beautyblender is an egg-shaped sponge that expands when wet. It can be used to apply and blend foundation, concealer, and cream products for a smooth, airbrushed finish.
Pros: Flawless and even application, latex-free and non-allergenic, versatile for different products.
Cons: Requires wetting before use, can be challenging to clean, higher price point compared to traditional makeup sponges.
Inclusivity:** Gender-neutral marketing.
Where to Buy:** Beautyblender website, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.

Skincare

Taking care of your skin is crucial for a flawless makeup canvas.

Here are some trans-inclusive brands that offer gentle yet effective skincare solutions:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser:

This fragrance-free cleanser gently removes dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. It's perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Pros: Fragrance-free, gentle, hydrating, good for all skin types.

Cons: May not be strong enough for oily skin.

Where to buy: Drugstores, Ulta Beauty.

www.cerave.com

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5:

This lightweight serum provides intense hydration with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. It plumps the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves a dewy, healthy glow.

Pros: Hydrating, plumps skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, dewy finish.

Cons: May not be moisturizing enough for dry skin.

Where to buy: The Ordinary website, Ulta Beauty.

www.farmers.co.nz

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum:

This overnight resurfacing serum with glycolic acid helps exfoliate dead skin cells, brighten the complexion, and improve skin texture.

Pros: Exfoliating, brightening, improves skin texture.

Cons: Can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Where to buy: Drunk Elephant website, Sephora.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum:

This potent vitamin C serum helps fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars. It also brightens the complexion and protects the skin from free radical damage.

Pros: Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation, brightens skin, protects from free radicals.

Cons: Can be expensive.

Where to buy: Sunday Riley website, Sephora.

Sunscreen: Your Daily Essential

No matter your skin type or concerns, sunscreen is an absolute must-have in any skincare routine.

Here are two trans-inclusive brands that offer broad-spectrum protection:

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30:

This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with SPF 30 provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast on deeper skin tones. It's also non-comedogenic, making it suitable for acne-prone skin.

Pros: Broad-spectrum SPF 30, oil-free, non-comedogenic, no white cast on deeper skin tones.

Cons: Not waterproof.

Where to buy: Black Girl Sunscreen website, Target.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40:

This invisible, weightless sunscreen with SPF 40 provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving any residue or white cast. It's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Pros: Broad-spectrum SPF 40, invisible, weightless, no white cast, good for all skin types.

Cons: Can be a bit greasy for some skin types.

Where to buy: Supergoop website, Sephora.

Haircare: From Wash Day to Styling

For many trans women, embracing our hair journey is an integral part of self-expression.

Here are some trans-inclusive brands that cater to diverse hair types and needs:

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Scalp & Hair Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner:

This duo gently cleanses and hydrates the hair and scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. The rosemary and mint formula also helps soothe irritation and dandruff.

Pros: Moisturizing, promotes hair growth, soothes irritation, good for all hair types.

Cons: May not be strong enough for very oily hair.

Where to buy: Mielle Organics website, Target.

Curlsmith Double Moist Deep Quencher:

This rich, creamy mask deeply hydrates and conditions dry, curly hair. It helps to combat frizz and define curls, leaving hair soft, shiny, and manageable.

Pros: Deeply hydrating, combats frizz, defines curls, good for dry, curly hair.

Cons: Can be heavy for fine hair.

Where to buy: Curlsmith website, Ulta Beauty.

Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner:

This lightweight, leave-in conditioner detangles, hydrates, and defines curls. It's made with shea butter, coconut oil, and other natural ingredients to nourish and protect the hair.

Pros: Detangling, hydrating, defines curls, made with natural ingredients.

Cons: May not be strong enough for very thick hair.

Where to buy: Pattern Beauty website, Ulta Beauty.

TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask:

This deep-conditioning mask with honey and olive oil deeply hydrates and repairs damaged hair. It helps to restore shine, softness, and manageability.

Pros: Deeply conditioning, repairs damaged hair, restores shine and softness, good for all hair types.

Cons: Can be greasy for some hair types.

Where to buy: TGIN website, Target.

Shape Up Your Silhouette: Shapewear Essentials

Shapewear can help smooth and sculpt your figure, boosting your confidence and making you feel your best.

Here are two trans-inclusive brands that offer comfortable and effective shapewear:

Shapetex Everyday Embrace High-Waisted Brief:

This high-waisted brief provides smoothing and shaping from your waist to your thighs. It's made with soft, breathable fabric and features a comfortable, seamless design.

Pros: Smooths and shapes waist and thighs, comfortable and breathable, seamless design.

Cons: May not offer enough compression for some body types.

Where to buy: Shapetex website, Amazon.

Tommie Copper Compression High-Waisted Capri Leggings:

These high-waisted capri leggings offer targeted compression to smooth your tummy, hips, and thighs. They're made with moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool and dry.

Pros: Targeted compression, smooths tummy, hips, and thighs, moisture-wicking fabric.

Cons: Can be tight for some body types.

Where to buy: Tommie Copper website, Dick's Sporting Goods.

Finding Your Signature Scent: Fragrance Favorites.

Perfume can be the ultimate finishing touch to any look, and finding a signature scent that reflects your personality is key.

Here are two trans-inclusive brands that offer unique and memorable fragrances:

Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance Eau de Parfum: This floral fragrance with notes of rose, patchouli, and vanilla is both feminine and sensual. It's perfect for a night out or a special occasion.

Pros: Floral and sensual, long-lasting, good for special occasions.

Cons: Can be strong for some people.

Where to buy: Sephora, Barneys New York.

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum:

This unisex fragrance with notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and amber is warm, woody, and musky. It's perfect for everyday wear and can be worn by both men and women.

Pros: Unisex fragrance, warm and woody, long-lasting, good for everyday wear.

Cons: Can be expensive.

Where to buy: Le Labo stores, Sephora.

Accessorizing with Flair: The Finishing Touches

Jewelry, scarves, and other accessories can add a touch of personality and pizzazz to any outfit.

Here are some trans-inclusive brands that offer stylish and unique pieces:

Studs for Trans Lives: This organization creates beautiful and meaningful jewelry pieces, with a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting trans youth. Their collection includes earrings, necklaces, and bracelets featuring trans pride colors and symbols.

Pros: Supports trans youth, stylish and meaningful designs, variety of pieces.

Cons: Limited selection compared to larger brands.

Where to buy: Studs for Trans Lives website.

TomboyX Accessories: This inclusive clothing brand also offers a range of stylish accessories, including hats, beanies, and scarves. Their designs are comfortable, practical, and perfect for everyday wear.

Pros: Inclusive sizing, comfortable and practical designs, good for everyday wear.

Cons: Limited selection compared to dedicated accessory brands.

Where to buy: TomboyX website.

Felony Felines: This independent artist creates unique and eye-catching cat-themed jewelry and accessories. Their pieces are perfect for those who love to express their individuality and sense of humor.

Pros: Unique and eye-catching designs, supports independent artist, perfect for cat lovers.

Cons: Limited production runs, may not be for everyone's taste.

Where to buy: Felony Felines Etsy shop.

Kendra Scott: This popular jewelry brand offers a wide variety of affordable and stylish pieces, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. They also have a commitment to inclusivity and have partnered with various LGBTQ+ organizations.

Pros: Wide variety of styles, affordable prices, supports LGBTQ+ organizations.

Cons: Can be mass-produced and not as unique as some independent brands.

Where to buy: Kendra Scott website, Macy's.

Embracing Your Individuality: Makeup for Every Mood and Occasion

Natural Everyday Looks:

For days when you want to keep things simple yet polished, here are some tips for achieving a natural everyday makeup look:

Start with a clean and moisturized canvas: Use a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizer suitable for your skin type.
Apply a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer: Choose a shade that matches your skin tone as closely as possible.
Conceal dark circles and blemishes: Use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation to brighten the under-eye area and cover any imperfections.
Define your brows: Fill in your brows with a brow pencil or powder to frame your face.
Apply a touch of blush: Choose a blush color that complements your skin tone and apply it to the apples of your cheeks.
Enhance your lashes with mascara: Opt for a volumizing or lengthening mascara to define your lashes without looking overdone.
Finish with a hydrating lip balm or lipstick: Choose a lip color that is neutral or slightly brighter than your natural lip color.

Glamorous Evening Looks:

For special occasions, you can amp up your makeup game and create a glamorous evening look:

Apply a luminous foundation: Opt for a foundation with a dewy finish to give your skin a radiant glow.
Contour and highlight your face: Use bronzer and highlighter to define your cheekbones, jawline, and nose.
Create a smoky eye: Use eyeshadows in neutral or metallic shades to create a smokey eye look. Apply eyeliner and mascara for added drama.
Apply false lashes for extra oomph: False lashes can instantly elevate your eye look and make your lashes appear fuller and longer.
Choose a bold lip color: Opt for a lipstick in a bold color like red or plum to make a statement.

Creative Makeup Artistry:

Makeup is an art form, and you can use it to express your unique style and personality. Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors, textures, and techniques to create one-of-a-kind makeup looks.
Try graphic eyeliner: Get creative with graphic eyeliner designs like wings, cat eyes, or double lines.
Play with glitter and metallics: Add sparkle and shine to your eyes or lips with glitter or metallic eyeshadows and lipsticks.
Experiment with bold colors: Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try bold eyeshadow colors like blue, green, or purple.

Building a Confident Beauty Routine:
Finding joy and empowerment in your makeup journey is all about creating a beauty routine that makes you feel good about yourself.

Here are some tips:

Focus on self-care: Taking care of your skin with a good skincare routine is the foundation for a flawless makeup look.
Embrace your individuality: Don't try to copy other people's makeup looks. Find what makes you feel confident and beautiful and own it.
Experiment and have fun: Makeup is a fun way to express yourself, so don't be afraid to experiment with different colors, techniques, and looks.
Celebrate diversity and inclusivity: The beauty world is becoming more diverse and inclusive all the time. Support brands and individuals who celebrate all types of beauty.

Bigger, Brighter Eyes for Deep-Set and Hooded Eyes

Deep-set and hooded eyes are common among trans women, and they change the rules of eye makeup completely. When the brow bone sits forward and the lid folds over itself, eyeshadow placed only on the visible lid disappears the moment you open your eyes. The fix is not more product. It is placement that stays visible when your eyes are open, which is how other people see you.

Start with a matte transition shade one or two tones deeper than your skin, blended just above your natural crease, not inside it. With your eyes open and looking straight into the mirror, that shade should still be visible as a soft band. That band creates the illusion of depth in the right place and pushes the brow bone back visually. Next, place a light, satin shade on the center of the lid only, never all the way to the inner and outer corners at full strength. A bright inner corner highlight, kept small and precise, opens the eye without making the brow bone look shiny.

Eyeliner needs the same open-eye thinking. A thick line across the whole lid will eat the little lid space you have. Instead, tightline the upper waterline so the lash roots look dense, then draw a thin line that gets slightly thicker only toward the outer third. A short, upward flick that follows the angle of your lower lash line lifts the eye, while a long, flat wing drags it down. Skip heavy black liner on the lower waterline. It closes the eye and makes it look smaller. A soft brown smudged along the outer half of the lower lashes gives definition without that closing effect.

Mascara and lashes finish the lift. Curl from the root in two gentle squeezes rather than one hard crimp, and choose a lengthening formula over a thickening one if your lashes tend to stick straight out. If you wear false lashes, a half lash or a style that is longer in the center than at the corners opens the eye better than a full, heavy strip. Finally, highlight under the arch of the brow with a matte light shade, not a glitter. Shimmer on a prominent brow bone brings it forward, which is the opposite of what you want.

The most common mistake is blending everything downward or adding shimmer everywhere for brightness. Brightness comes from contrast: a soft shadow above the crease, a light lid center, a clean inner corner, and dark only where lashes meet skin. Practice this look with your eyes open, checking every step at normal distance. For step by step eye diagrams, lid maps for hooded eyes, and the full eye section, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the brow shape that frames this look, read How to Shape Eyebrows Feminine: A Trans Woman's Guide.

Fuller Lips Without Overlining Past Your Structure

Fuller lips are a classic feminizing goal, but overlining has a hard limit, and that limit is set by your own facial structure. Lips sit in relation to your philtrum, the distance from nose to lip, your mouth width, and your chin and jaw. Overline too far and the eye notices the line before it notices the lip, especially in daylight and in photos. The trick is to make lips look fuller while keeping the line believable.

Stay within about one millimetre outside your natural lip line, and only at the center of the upper and lower lip, not all the way around. The corners of the mouth are where overlining looks fake fastest, because real lips taper there. Keep the corners exactly on your natural line, and let the fullness build gradually toward the center. Use a liner that matches your lipstick or your natural lip tone, not a darker shade. A dark outline with a lighter fill reads as a drawn border, while a matching liner disappears into the colour.

Soften the upper lip rather than sharpening it. A strongly pointed cupid's bow can read as severe, especially with a longer philtrum. Round the bow slightly with liner and a tiny dab of concealer or highlighter just above the center of the upper lip, blended well, to create a gentle lift. On the lower lip, fullness comes from light, not line. A sheer gloss or a lighter shade pressed into the center of the lower lip catches light and pushes it forward visually, while a flat, dark matte across the whole lip flattens it.

Texture matters as much as colour. Dry, lined lips shrink visually, and hormone therapy can leave lips drier than they used to be. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week, use a balm before any colour, and blot the balm off before liner so it does not slide. If you have vertical lip lines, a creamy satin finish will sit better than a long wear matte, which settles into every line by midday. Set only the outer edge with a whisper of translucent powder through a tissue if you need staying power, never the whole lip.

Test any fuller lip look the way other people will see it: in daylight, while talking, and in a photo taken from a few feet away. If the line holds up there, it will hold up anywhere. If it only looks good pressed close to the mirror, pull the overline back. For lip maps, shade families by skin depth, and the feathering fixes in the next sections, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For a quick everyday version of this lip step, read The 5-Minute Everyday Makeup Routine for Beginners.

Dark Circles After Shaving: Thin Layers That Actually Work

Dark circles after shaving are rarely just about sleep. For many trans women, three things stack up at once: the blue grey cast of hair follicles under thin under-eye skin, genuine pigment or hollowness under the eyes, and the tiredness that comes with early transition, disrupted sleep, and hormone adjustment. Treating all three with one thick layer of concealer is why so many under-eyes look heavy, creased, and grey by lunch.

Start by identifying what you are actually seeing. Press the skin gently. If the darkness moves or lightens, it is partly shadow from hollowness, and light placement will help more than coverage. If it stays blue or grey, it is partly colour showing through, and a corrector will help more than a lighter concealer. If it is brown, it is pigment, and a concealer close to your skin tone will work better than a shade two tones lighter. Most people have a mix, so the answer is thin layers in the right order, not one heavy layer.

Use a corrector only where the colour actually is, usually the inner corner and along the darkest crescent, not in a big triangle across the whole cheek. Peach suits light to medium skin, orange suits medium to deep skin, and a pink toned corrector suits fair skin with blue tones. Pat it in with a fingertip or a small brush, let it sit for a minute, then press a thin layer of concealer that matches your foundation over the top. The warmth of your finger helps it melt in, and pressing rather than rubbing keeps it from sliding into fine lines.

Set with the smallest amount of powder you can manage, pressed only where the concealer sits, with a small fluffy brush. Baking the under-eye for ten minutes works for photos but often looks dry and creased in real life, especially on skin that is already drier on hormone therapy. If creasing is your main problem, you may be using too much product or a formula that is too thick. Remove half, try again, and check after an hour, not after a minute.

Support the makeup with the basics that actually move the needle: consistent sleep where you can get it, cold water or a cool spoon in the morning to calm puffiness, and sunscreen, since sun darkens pigment over time. None of these replace corrector, but they lower how much corrector you need. For the full corrector shade chart, the under-eye layering order, and troubleshooting for creasing and greying, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the beard shadow routine that keeps the lower face from competing with the under-eye, read How to Cover Beard Shadow With Makeup (That Actually Lasts).

Green Correcting for Post-Shave Redness and HRT Flush

Green corrector works because green sits opposite red on the colour wheel, so it cancels redness rather than covering it with a thicker beige layer. That matters after shaving, when the skin on the jaw, chin, and upper lip can stay pink for an hour or more, and it matters during hormone therapy, when flushing, warmth, and reactive skin can make redness appear even on days you have not shaved.

The rule is simple: green goes only where the skin is actually red, and nowhere else. A green tint spread across the whole face will make foundation look grey or muddy, and it will show through in photos. Dot or press a thin layer onto the red patches, blend the edges so there is no hard border, and then apply foundation over the top as usual. The foundation is what makes the green disappear. Without it, you will look faintly minty in daylight, which is a common beginner mistake.

Post-shave redness needs a little patience before makeup. Rinse with cool water, let the skin calm for a few minutes, and apply a light, fragrance free moisturizer before any corrector. Makeup pressed onto hot, freshly shaved skin will pill, slide, and trap heat, which brings the redness straight back. If the skin is still raised or stinging, skip the corrector that day and use a lighter foundation layer instead. Covering irritated skin aggressively usually makes it look worse by evening and feel worse the next morning.

For hormone related flushing, a green tinted primer can be easier than a separate corrector, because it spreads thinly and evenly. Keep it to the cheeks, nose, and chin if those are the flushing zones, and use a regular primer elsewhere. If flushing comes with warmth or breakouts, check your skincare first: harsh scrubs, strong acids used too often, and heavily fragranced products can all keep the skin in a reactive state that no corrector can fully fix.

Check the result in daylight before you leave. Indoor bathroom light is warm and flattering, and it hides both leftover redness and leftover green. Step to a window, look straight ahead, and check the jaw and chin in particular. If you can see green, you used too much or blended too little. Remove a little, add a touch more foundation, and recheck. For the full colour correcting chart, including when to use peach, yellow, and lavender instead of green, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the shave to makeup sequence that keeps redness down from the start, read How to Cover Beard Shadow With Makeup (That Actually Lasts).

Primer Over Freshly Shaved Skin (and How to Fix Pilling)

Freshly shaved skin is not the same surface as unshaved skin. Shaving removes the top layer of dead skin along with the hair, which leaves the surface smoother in some places and slightly raw, textured, or bumpy in others. Stubble starts to return within hours, and pores can look more open. Primer has to grip that changing surface without clogging it or sliding off it, which is why the primer that worked before transition may suddenly stop working.

Give the skin time first. After shaving, rinse cool, pat dry, and moisturize lightly. Wait at least five minutes before primer. Primer applied to damp or still warm skin will not set properly, and foundation applied on top of unset primer is the most common cause of sliding makeup on the lower face. If you are in a rush, a cool, damp cloth pressed over the jaw and chin for a minute can calm the skin faster than rushing straight to makeup.

Choose primer by zone, not by bottle. The lower face after shaving often needs a smoothing, pore filling primer pressed in with fingertips, while the cheeks and forehead may need a hydrating primer instead. One primer for the whole face is fine if your skin is even, but most trans women benefit from spot priming: smoothing primer on the jaw, chin, and around the mouth, hydrating primer on dry cheeks. Apply a thin layer and press it in. Rubbing primer in circles can roll it up before foundation ever touches it.

Pilling, those little balls of product that form when you apply foundation, almost always comes down to three causes. First, too much product layered too quickly, with each layer still wet. Second, mixing a water based moisturizer with a silicone based primer, or the reverse, without letting each layer set. Third, rubbing instead of pressing when you apply foundation. Fix it by using less of everything, waiting a minute between layers, keeping your base products in the same family where possible, and pressing foundation in with a damp sponge rather than buffing it hard with a brush.

If pilling keeps happening in one spot, that spot is telling you something. It may be drier, more irritated, or more textured than the rest of your face. Treat that area with extra moisturizer the night before, skip primer there for a day, and see if the foundation sits better on its own. Sometimes the fix is less primer, not a different primer. For the primer comparison by skin type, the zone map, and the full base routine, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For shade matching that keeps the primed base from looking like a mask, read Foundation Shade Matching for Trans Women: No More Mask Line.

The Makeup Order That Works: Shaving First, in Sequence

Makeup order is not a matter of preference when you shave your face. Every step either prepares the next one or fights it, and shaving has to come first because everything else sits on the skin shaving leaves behind. Get the order right and each layer can be thinner. Get it wrong and you will keep adding product to fix problems the order created.

Here is a sequence you can print and stick inside a bathroom cabinet:

Shave, then rinse cool and let the skin calm for a few minutes.
Skincare: light moisturizer, then sunscreen if you will be outside. Let each layer set for a minute.
Primer, spot applied where you need it, pressed in, not rubbed.
Colour corrector, only where colour actually shows: peach or orange for beard shadow, green for redness, peach for dark circles.
Foundation, pressed in thin layers, starting at the center of the face and blending outward.
Concealer, only where foundation did not finish the job, usually under the eyes and on specific spots.
Cream contour and cream blush, if you use them, blended while the base is still slightly fresh.
Powder, pressed lightly where you need staying power, especially over the lower face.
Brows, then eyeshadow, liner, and mascara.
Lips last, so liner and colour do not get smudged while you work on the rest of the face.
Setting spray, then a daylight check at a window and a quick photo check.

Two order mistakes cause most problems. The first is doing brows or eyes before the base, then having to clean up fallout or smudges without disturbing the foundation underneath. The second is powdering before cream products, which makes creams sit on top of powder in patches instead of melting into the base. Creams always go before powders, and brows and eyes go after the base is set, so you can clean up mistakes without starting over.

Shaving first also protects your tools. Makeup applied over stubble that has not been shaved will catch on hair, look patchy, and transfer to brushes in a way that is hard to clean. If you need to shave again later in the day for an evening event, remove the lower face makeup, shave, reapply only the lower face layers, and blend at the cheeks. Trying to shave over makeup will irritate the skin and ruin the base in one stroke.

Keep this sequence the same for a month while you learn it. Once it is automatic, you can shorten it for quick days by skipping cream contour or eyeshadow, but keep the order of what remains. Consistency is what turns a 30 minute face into a 15 minute face. For the full printable sequence, the timed versions, and the troubleshooting for each step, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the shortest version of this order, read The 5-Minute Everyday Makeup Routine for Beginners.

Why Foundation Goes Cakey on Shaved Skin, and How to Stop It

Cakey foundation on shaved skin rarely means the foundation is bad. It usually means too much product has been layered onto a surface that changes texture across the face: smoother where shaving removed dead skin, rougher where stubble is returning, drier on hormone therapy, and oilier in the T zone. Thick layers sit on top of that mixed surface instead of blending into it, and by midday they crack, separate, and catch the light in exactly the wrong places.

The first fix is amount. Most people use about twice as much foundation as they need. Start with a pea sized amount for the whole face, press it in with a damp sponge, and add a second thin layer only where coverage is still missing, usually the lower face. A damp sponge sheers product out and presses it into skin, while a dry brush tends to leave it sitting on top. If you can see foundation texture from a foot away, you have too much on, no matter how good the shade match is.

The second fix is skin preparation. Foundation applied to dry, flaky skin will cling to every flake, and foundation applied to skin that is still damp with moisturizer will slide. Moisturize, wait a few minutes until the skin feels supple but not tacky, then prime only where needed. On shaved skin, that often means a light hydrating layer on the cheeks and a smoothing primer on the jaw and chin, rather than a heavy primer everywhere.

The third fix is powder discipline. Powder is meant to set, not to add coverage, but it is easy to keep adding it when the base still looks imperfect. Use a small brush, tap off the excess, and press powder only where makeup moves: the lower face, the nose, and the center of the forehead. If you powder the whole face heavily, especially over beard shadow correction, you will get a dry, flat finish that photographs as texture.

Flash photos are the honest test, because phone flash picks up texture, powder, and any ingredient that reflects light back too strongly. Before an event, take a flash photo in a dim room and a daylight photo at a window. If you see white patches, you have flashback from powder. If you see cracking, you have too much product or too little moisture underneath. Fix the cause, not the photo, by removing a layer and rechecking. For the foundation formulas that work best on shaved skin, the sponge technique in detail, and the flash photo checklist, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For shade matching that prevents the mask line that makes cakiness more obvious, read Foundation Shade Matching for Trans Women: No More Mask Line.

Setting Powder and Baking Over Beard-Shadow Correction Without Flashback

Setting powder over beard shadow correction is a balancing act. The correction underneath needs to stay put for hours, which calls for powder, but too much powder, or the wrong powder, will turn the lower face white in photos, dry, and textured. That white cast in flash photos is called flashback, and it is usually caused by silica or a heavy translucent powder applied too thickly, not by the corrector itself.

Press, do not sweep. Take a small amount of powder on a damp sponge or a dense puff, press it gently over the corrected areas, and leave it for a minute before brushing away any excess with a soft brush. Sweeping a big fluffy brush across the jaw drags the corrector underneath and moves coverage to places it was never meant to be. Pressing locks it in place. Use a powder that matches your skin tone or is only slightly translucent, rather than a stark white powder, especially if your skin is medium or deep. White powder may look invisible in the bathroom mirror and glaring in a photo.

Baking, leaving a thick layer of powder on the skin for several minutes before brushing it off, has a place, but it is a limited one. Bake only the lower face where correction needs maximum staying power, and only for three to five minutes, not ten or fifteen. Longer baking dries out skin that is already drier on hormone therapy, settles into fine lines around the mouth, and increases flashback risk. For everyday wear, a light press of powder is usually enough. Save baking for long events, hot weather, or photos where you know flash will be used, and test it with a flash photo at home first.

Humidity and oil change the equation. In heat, a light dusting of powder over the whole lower face after the initial press can help, but re-powdering over and over during the day builds up layers that look cakey. Instead, blot oil first with blotting paper or a single tissue pressed to the skin, then re-press a tiny amount of powder only where makeup has moved. If the skin feels tight after powdering, the powder is too drying or too heavy for that area, and a setting spray misted lightly over the top can soften the finish without removing the hold.

Remove powder the right way at the end of the day, too. Double cleanse gently, especially around the mouth and jaw, so powder and corrector do not sit in pores overnight and cause breakouts or ingrown hairs. Clean skin the next morning needs less correction, which means less powder, which is the cycle you want. For the powder comparison, the flashback safe list, and the full setting routine for the lower face, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the correction routine this powder is meant to set, read How to Cover Beard Shadow With Makeup (That Actually Lasts).

A Neutral Eyeshadow Look for a Larger Brow Bone and Deep-Set Eyes

A neutral eyeshadow look is the most useful look a trans woman can learn, because it works for work, for daytime, and as the base for evening glam. With a larger brow bone and deep-set eyes, though, the standard neutral tutorial often fails. It places shadow where it disappears, highlights where it brings the brow bone forward, and ends up looking either invisible or heavy, with nothing in between.

Use three matte shades and nothing else to start: a transition shade close to your skin tone but a touch deeper, a lid shade one step lighter, and a soft dark brown for definition. Shimmer can come later, once the matte structure is right. With your eyes open, blend the transition shade above your natural crease, in the area that is actually visible when you look straight ahead. That placement is the whole trick. If you blend only inside the fold, the look vanishes when you open your eyes, and you will keep adding product to compensate.

Place the lid shade on the mobile lid, from lash line up to the crease, keeping it soft at the edges. Then use the dark brown sparingly, only on the outer third of the eye, in a small sideways V shape that is blended upward and outward, never dragged down. That outer V gives the eye shape and depth without closing it. Smudge a little of the same dark brown along the outer half of the lower lash line for balance, and leave the inner half of the lower lash line clean.

Highlight with restraint. A matte shade slightly lighter than your skin under the brow arch lifts the brow without making the bone look bigger. A shimmery highlight there does the opposite, drawing attention to the most prominent part of the eye area. The same applies to the inner corner: a small, satin highlight opens the eye, while a large glittery triangle looks obvious and can emphasize asymmetry.

Blend until there are no hard edges, then step back. Neutral makeup should look like shadow and light, not like distinct stripes of colour. If any one shade stands out on its own, blend it a little more into its neighbours. Once this three shade look is automatic, you can add a satin lid shade for evening, a slightly deeper outer V for photos, or a soft liner for definition, all on the same structure. For the shade chart by skin tone, the blending diagrams, and the evening upgrade, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the brow shape that frames this neutral eye, read How to Shape Eyebrows Feminine: A Trans Woman's Guide.

Eyeshadow Colours by Eye Colour

Eye colour does not dictate your whole palette, but it does tell you which shades will make your eyes stand out with the least effort. The principle is simple: colours opposite your eye colour on the colour wheel create contrast and make the eyes pop, while colours too close to your eye colour can blend in and disappear. Use the table below as a starting point, then adjust for your skin tone and undertone.

Eye colour	Most flattering shades	Use with care
Brown and dark brown	Gold, bronze, copper, plum, deep green, warm champagne	Flat black all over the lid, very cool grey that can look muddy
Blue	Warm bronze, peach, copper, soft terracotta, warm brown	Bright blue shadow that competes with the eyes, icy silver alone
Green and hazel green	Plum, burgundy, mauve, warm purple, rose gold	Bright green that blends into the eyes, red tones used too close to the lash line
Hazel, brown green mix	Gold, olive, plum, bronze, warm taupe	One flat shade that hides the colour shift, very dark black liner alone
Grey	Soft charcoal, silver taupe, dusty rose, cool plum	Very warm orange that can overwhelm grey eyes, heavy black on the lower lash line

For deep-set and hooded eyes, keep the brightest or most contrasting shade on the lid center and the outer third, not across the whole eye, and keep the transition shade matte and neutral. A contrasting colour placed above the crease can look striking, but placed only inside the fold it will disappear. Skin undertone still matters: warm skin tones usually suit gold, bronze, and copper better, while cool skin tones usually suit plum, mauve, and rose better. If a shade from the table looks wrong on you, try the same colour family one step warmer or cooler before giving up on it.

For everyday wear, pick one contrasting shade and pair it with two neutrals, rather than using three bold colours at once. That keeps the look wearable and lets the eye colour do the work. For evenings, deepen the outer V with the contrasting shade and add a satin finish on the lid center. Test new colours in daylight, because store lighting can make a shade look richer or cooler than it will look outside. For the full palette guide by eye colour and skin tone, with swatch guidance and the neutral base to pair with each, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24).

Brushes and Sponges: The Minimum Set, and Cleaning for Shaved Skin

You do not need a drawer full of brushes to do good makeup. You need a small set you actually clean, because dirty tools are a bigger problem on shaved skin than on unshaved skin. Shaving creates tiny openings in the skin, and a brush loaded with old product, oil, and bacteria can turn those openings into breakouts and ingrown hairs. A minimum set, kept clean, will outperform a large set that is never washed.

Start with six tools. A damp makeup sponge for foundation and concealer, pressed rather than dragged. A large fluffy brush for powder, used lightly. A medium blending brush for eyeshadow, which does most of the eye work on its own. A smaller, denser brush for the outer V and lower lash line. An angled brush for brows and for pressing powder into small areas. A lip brush, which gives far more control than applying lipstick straight from the bullet, especially when you are learning lip shape. That is the whole starter set. Everything else is a nice extra, not a need.

Clean the sponge after every use if you can, or at least rinse it well and let it dry fully between uses. A damp sponge left in a closed bag is a breeding ground for bacteria, and it will also apply foundation patchily as it breaks down. Wash brushes that touch liquid or cream products once a week, and powder brushes every two weeks. Use a gentle soap or a dedicated brush cleanser, rinse until the water runs clear, reshape the bristles, and lay brushes flat or bristles down to dry. Standing wet brushes upright lets water run into the handle and loosen the glue over time.

Replace tools on a schedule, not when they fall apart. Sponges usually last one to three months with regular use. Brushes last much longer if cleaned, but replace any brush that sheds constantly, smells even after washing, or has bent bristles that scratch the skin. Scratching is not just uncomfortable on freshly shaved skin, it can create micro irritation that shows up as redness under makeup the next day.

Keep your hands clean too. Wash them before makeup, especially before touching the lower face, and do not share brushes or sponges with anyone else. If you get a breakout or an ingrown hair, clean your tools that day, not at the end of the week, and skip makeup on the irritated area until it calms. Good hygiene does not just protect your skin, it makes your makeup apply better, because clean tools pick up and lay down product evenly. For the tool buying guide, the cleaning routine in detail, and what to upgrade first, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the quick routine this set is built for, read The 5-Minute Everyday Makeup Routine for Beginners.

Your First Lip Colour: Shade by Skin Depth, Without Feathering

Your first lip colour should be easy, forgiving, and close enough to your natural lip tone that mistakes do not shout. That shade is often called a my lips but better shade, and it is the right starting point before you move on to bold reds or deep berries. It lets you learn application, wear, and removal without fighting an unforgiving colour at the same time.

Pick by skin depth first, then by undertone. Fair skin usually suits soft rose, light mauve, and sheer pink. Light to medium skin usually suits rose, dusty pink, and soft terracotta. Medium to tan skin usually suits warm rose, mauve brown, and muted coral. Deep skin usually suits rich berry rose, warm plum, and deep mauve. Within each family, warm undertones lean toward peach, coral, and warm rose, while cool undertones lean toward pink, berry, and cool mauve. If you are unsure of your undertone, test a warm and a cool option side by side in daylight and see which one looks like it belongs on your face rather than sitting on top of it.

Test on your lips, not on your hand. Hand skin is a different colour and texture, and a shade that looks perfect on the back of your hand can look completely different on your lips. Apply the colour, blot once, and look at it in daylight and in a photo. It should enhance your lips without making your teeth look yellow or your skin look washed out. If it does either, try a shade one step deeper or with a slightly different undertone.

Feathering, colour bleeding into fine lines around the mouth, is common when lips are dry or lined, and it gets worse with creamy formulas and no liner. Prevent it by exfoliating gently, applying balm and blotting it off before colour, lining the lips with a liner that matches the lipstick, and filling in the whole lip lightly with liner before lipstick. That liner base gives the colour something to grip. Avoid overlining on your first colour, since an overdrawn line plus a new shade is two learning curves at once.

Transfer, colour moving onto cups, masks, or teeth, is normal with creamy formulas. Blot after the first layer, apply a second thin layer, and blot again. That two thin layer method lasts longer than one thick layer. Keep the lipstick and liner in your bag for touch ups, and reapply after eating rather than trying to make one application survive a whole meal. A colour you can reapply confidently beats a long wear formula you dread removing. For the full shade chart, the finish guide from sheer to satin to matte, and the bold colour upgrade path, see The Complete Makeup Guide for Trans Women ($24). For the everyday routine to practise this first colour in, read The 5-Minute Everyday Makeup Routine for Beginners.

Conclusion: Embracing Your Beauty, Inside and Out

Finding the right beauty products can be a journey of self-discovery, and for trans women, it can be an empowering way to express our identities and feel confident in our own skin.

Whether you're looking for the perfect foundation shade, a comfortable shapewear piece, or a unique accessory, there are brands out there that cater to our needs and celebrate our individual beauty.

Remember, the most important thing is to embrace who you are and wear what makes you feel good.

For a combined makeup and skincare starter set, see Glow-Up Starter Kit ($41). Get Glow-Up Starter Kit ($41)

Feet, Sandals, and a Simple Pedicure Routine

Feet are easy to ignore until sandal season arrives, and then they feel very visible. Open shoes show heels, toes, and nails in a way that closed shoes hide, and that visibility can make a simple pedicure feel like a confidence step rather than a chore. The good news is that feet respond well to a gentle, regular routine. They do not need aggressive filing, strong products, or a salon visit to look cared for.

Start with a warm soak for ten minutes or so, using plain warm water. Soaking softens hard skin and makes filing safer and more even. After soaking, pat feet dry and file only the areas that feel rough, usually the heels and the balls of the feet, using a gentle foot file with light, even strokes in one direction. This is where over filing causes problems. Filing too hard, too often, or down to thin, pink skin does not make feet smoother for longer. It leaves skin tender, more likely to crack, and more likely to build up thicker skin again as it tries to protect itself. If skin feels sore, stop. Smooth is enough, and soft comes from moisturizing, not from filing harder.

Nails need a simple approach too. Cut toenails straight across, not rounded into the corners, and file the edges lightly so they do not catch on socks or sandals. Keep nails clean and dry, and avoid cutting cuticles, because cuticles protect the nail bed. If a nail looks discolored, thick, painful, or ingrown, do not try to fix it with aggressive cutting or filing. Get advice, because foot problems are easier to treat early than after home treatment has made them worse.

Finish with moisturizer, paying attention to heels and the tops of the feet, and let it sink in before putting on socks or shoes. At night, a richer cream plus soft socks can help dry heels recover, but only on skin that is not cracked or sore. For sandals, fit matters as much as grooming. A sandal that rubs, slips, or forces your toes to grip all day will undo a pedicure faster than any product can fix it. Choose sandals that hold the foot securely without pinching, break new pairs in gradually, and carry a spare pair of soft shoes on long days out.

For dry skin elsewhere that needs the same gentle approach, the dry and sensitive skin guide covers barrier repair and moisturizing that works for feet as well as hands and legs.

A next step that fits here: the Skincare Guide for Trans Women at $17 includes a simple skin care routine that covers feet, heels, and nails, so sandal confidence comes from regular care rather than a last minute rescue.

Rough Elbows and Knees

Elbows and knees are rough for a simple reason: they bend, press, and rub all day, and the skin there is naturally thicker to cope with it. Leaning on a desk, kneeling, wearing fitted sleeves or jeans, and dry winter air all add to the roughness. That thickness is protective, so the goal is not to strip it away. It is to soften the surface, even out the texture, and stop the dry, ashy look that makes elbows and knees stand out in short sleeves or a skirt.

Gentle exfoliation, once or twice a week, is enough for these areas. Use a light scrub or a soft cloth with gentle pressure, and focus on the rough patch itself rather than scrubbing the whole arm or leg. Rinse well and moisturize right away, while skin is still damp. If elbows or knees feel sore, red, or cracked, pause exfoliation completely until they feel calm. Exfoliating sore skin does not speed up smoothing. It creates a new irritation that then needs to heal before any progress shows.

Night cream on patches only is the trick that makes the biggest difference without making everything greasy. After your evening shower, apply a slightly richer cream just to the elbow or knee patch, not to the whole limb, and let it sink in before getting dressed for bed. A soft long sleeve top or loose leggings can help the cream stay in place overnight without feeling sticky. In the morning, moisturize again lightly if the area still feels dry. This targeted approach works because elbows and knees need more moisture than the skin around them, and treating only the patch avoids the heavy, greasy feeling that makes people skip moisturizer altogether.

Daily habits matter too. Avoid leaning on hard surfaces for long periods when you can, use a cushion for kneeling, and moisturize after every shower rather than only when skin already looks dry. Sun protection on exposed knees and elbows helps as well, because sun can darken rough patches and make uneven texture more noticeable. If a patch is very thick, cracked, bleeding, or painful, or if it does not improve with gentle care over several weeks, get it checked, because some skin conditions need specific treatment rather than more moisturizer.

For the wider dry skin routine behind this targeted care, the dry and sensitive skin guide explains barrier repair and damp skin moisturizing in more detail.

A next step that fits here: the Skincare Guide for Trans Women at $17 covers targeted care for rough patches, including gentle exfoliation and night cream use, so elbows and knees stay soft without a complicated routine.

Tips on Enhancing Femininity Through Strategic Makeup

For many transgender women, makeup is an important tool to help alleviate gender dysphoria and allow outer appearance to match inner identity, and small touches like concealer, contouring, and lipstick can help you feel more at home in your own skin. Start with the canvas: remove facial hair by shaving, waxing, laser, or another method, then apply foundation evenly across the face and neck, and use a color corrector to neutralize beard shadow and minimize the appearance of hair follicles under the skin. Sculpt with concealer and contour to shape and soften features, building in thin layers rather than one heavy layer, so the result reads as skin, not as makeup.

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