Showgirl
Well-known member
Hi there, I realise this makeup question's a little "left of field" but I'm really hoping some of you gorgeously skilled and lovely people (MAs, makeup-lovin' beautiful bois, anyone else!) might be able to help me with this:-
I have a transvestite friend who's asked me to help with choosing a new foundation for him, as he is a bit skittish about going to counters on his own. At present he uses something custom-bought from a store that specialises in products for cross-dressers, but I am *highly* suspicious of the stuff he's currently using: it seems the wrong colour (VERY orange), it smells strange, it's VERY oily in a way that I don't think is the wisest choice for someone with a complexion like his (very olive/mediterranean), gets shiny to the point of almost looking plasticy very easily.... and it is SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY expensive, too: like, for what he paid for his foundation, he could have bought MAC foundation + powder + base + brush and still had spare change..... if you ask for my honest opinion, I think what he's been sold is basically very, very overpriced basic stage makeup, and I'm not sure it's the ideal solution for his makeup needs.
I've just about talked him into approaching our local MAC counter on the condition that I come with him (like, visiting MAC's something I *so* need to be talked into, lol!), but I was wondering if any of you here can give me some tips and recs in advance, too, as I really don't have much experience of working with the kind of heavier foundation that would be suitable?
My boyfriend's requirements are as follows:-
- Fairly oily skin... breaks out rarely, but quite shiny, fairly visible pores
- Light/medium olive/mediterranean-ish colouring... I'm guessing maybe NC25... he's stated ideally he would like his foundation to slightly *lighten* the appearance his skintone if anything
- no requirement for SPF or moisturisers or anything as (a) we live in Scotland, so no sun, and (b) he mainly cross-dresses as "eveningwear" only... so preferably something that looks and wears well under club style lighting, and which probably will only be worn once or twice a week.
- the big problem with the foundation is the beard area. Even if he shaves well, and immediately before doing his makeup so that there's no actual beard, there very quickly gets a darker tinge to the area.... so here we need coverage, and any help at all with products for this area much appreciated, really!
At present I'm thinking the stuff we need to look at for the basic coverage is either Studio Tech (sounds kinder to skin) or Full Coverage, or possibly a mixture of both on different parts of the face.
- What MAC (or other brand) powders would you recommend for use with fairly heavy makeup?
- would using a light/white powder lighten the skintone, or just make him look like a goth?
- Should we investigate Prep 'N Prime? Fix+? Anything like this likely to help his foundation work better?
- any recommendations on concealers? particularly for the heavier area?
- brushes? (I would recommend he get a foundation brush for sure at the least)
- I've heard that Clarins do a moisturiser in their men's range that is designed to retard beard regrowth and improve the appearance of the beard area (designed for men with heavy 5 o'clock shadow) - has anyone tried or heard anything about this product or anything similar, and if so, what did you think of it?
A zillion thanks in advance for anyone that can help!
I have a transvestite friend who's asked me to help with choosing a new foundation for him, as he is a bit skittish about going to counters on his own. At present he uses something custom-bought from a store that specialises in products for cross-dressers, but I am *highly* suspicious of the stuff he's currently using: it seems the wrong colour (VERY orange), it smells strange, it's VERY oily in a way that I don't think is the wisest choice for someone with a complexion like his (very olive/mediterranean), gets shiny to the point of almost looking plasticy very easily.... and it is SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY expensive, too: like, for what he paid for his foundation, he could have bought MAC foundation + powder + base + brush and still had spare change..... if you ask for my honest opinion, I think what he's been sold is basically very, very overpriced basic stage makeup, and I'm not sure it's the ideal solution for his makeup needs.
I've just about talked him into approaching our local MAC counter on the condition that I come with him (like, visiting MAC's something I *so* need to be talked into, lol!), but I was wondering if any of you here can give me some tips and recs in advance, too, as I really don't have much experience of working with the kind of heavier foundation that would be suitable?
My boyfriend's requirements are as follows:-
- Fairly oily skin... breaks out rarely, but quite shiny, fairly visible pores
- Light/medium olive/mediterranean-ish colouring... I'm guessing maybe NC25... he's stated ideally he would like his foundation to slightly *lighten* the appearance his skintone if anything
- no requirement for SPF or moisturisers or anything as (a) we live in Scotland, so no sun, and (b) he mainly cross-dresses as "eveningwear" only... so preferably something that looks and wears well under club style lighting, and which probably will only be worn once or twice a week.
- the big problem with the foundation is the beard area. Even if he shaves well, and immediately before doing his makeup so that there's no actual beard, there very quickly gets a darker tinge to the area.... so here we need coverage, and any help at all with products for this area much appreciated, really!
At present I'm thinking the stuff we need to look at for the basic coverage is either Studio Tech (sounds kinder to skin) or Full Coverage, or possibly a mixture of both on different parts of the face.
- What MAC (or other brand) powders would you recommend for use with fairly heavy makeup?
- would using a light/white powder lighten the skintone, or just make him look like a goth?
- Should we investigate Prep 'N Prime? Fix+? Anything like this likely to help his foundation work better?
- any recommendations on concealers? particularly for the heavier area?
- brushes? (I would recommend he get a foundation brush for sure at the least)
- I've heard that Clarins do a moisturiser in their men's range that is designed to retard beard regrowth and improve the appearance of the beard area (designed for men with heavy 5 o'clock shadow) - has anyone tried or heard anything about this product or anything similar, and if so, what did you think of it?
A zillion thanks in advance for anyone that can help!