Joannas Diary: a TGirl Blog : Warning, May Contain Nuts

I was inspired by Becky's excellent post in which she takes the rather brave step of posting a close up image of her face sans wig. It is an excellent post, and well worth the read.

Anyway - inspired by that, I thought I would do something similar. So below you can see how I look if I really take my time on my make up...

I WISH!!!

Oh well, I can dream.. Makeup is still something I need to take more time to experiment with. Like Becky said getting ready is part of the whole Tranny experience from the nice soak in the bath, shaving my face and getting on the makeup. If I really plan things there is even time to paint my nails as well :-) And the transformation from boy to girl is something that still amazes me. I know I dont pass - but when I look at my pictures dressed as Jo, its very hard to see the boy hiding in there.

I still cant quite get my eyes right in terms of eyeshadow and liner. I still cant get liner on my top lids without looking like I've put it on while sitting on the washing machine on full spin!

I'd love to be able to do really dark smokey looking eyes, but I am never happy with it. I know what I am trying to achieve, but normally end up just putting on several colours and then kinda realising its time to stop. More practice is needed I guess.

Foundation is also something I am still not happy with either. I have moved away from the Kryolan TV painsticks which were very oily and heavy.. and now use a max factor stick on my top lip and chin, and regular liquid foundation on the rest of my face.. but it still does not look as good as I want it to. I think it may be a powder thing. I need to get a decent powder compact to add the final touch and set the foundation below...

My wife is not a makeup person - in fact she nicks the makeup I buy... so I dont really get any help there. :-) I need to sit down sometime with a good makeup book and practice.

9 Comments:

At July 04, 2005 10:41 PM, Emily Söderberg said…

I've played around with make up for far too long (and am still not managing to do as good a job as you). However, recently I decided to get a professional helping hand.

So, in male mode, since I could only go between a meeting and a business dinner, I went to the MAC store in Lyon and asked them for their help. They were absolutely fantastic (and not phased when I told them I was a TV). It really helped me solve my problems with my colours, especially with my foundation and eyeshadow and she gave me loads of tips while making me up. However, even with her help, I still cannot get the eyeliner right!

I've yet to find a book which can give such personalised tips and I have to admit that the experience really gave me a boost.
At July 04, 2005 11:53 PM, Rachel said…

I dunno Jo, your eyes look pretty good from where I'm sitting, but if you're ever in Manchester when I'm about pop into my friend's house and Helena will do a great job if you want that smokey eye look - well, she did for me.
At July 05, 2005 12:24 AM, eeore said…

I think you look great:)
At July 05, 2005 7:05 AM, Joanna said…

Thanks Emily. Others have recommended a MAC makeup session too.. maybe I'll try and book myself into one in London sometime.
At July 06, 2005 2:41 PM, Davina said…

Oh Jo hon,

Can I suggest you buy a copy of Kevyn Aucoin's 'Making Faces' and/or 'Face Forward'. Trust me on this and go get girl.

Forget Ebay and the inflated prices realised there for dog eared used ones. I've just ordered both copies new from www.abebooks.co.uk for £27.24 inc P&P

Hugs
Davina XXxx
At July 06, 2005 8:04 PM, Joanna said…

Thanks Davina - Amazon.co.uk seem to be doing those books as a double pack for pretty much the same price. Have ordered them and will see how I get on :-)
At July 06, 2005 9:47 PM, Karol Cross said…

Hi Jo,
I totally know what you mean about the smokey eyes look. I'd love to be able to do that look, but every time I try I end up with eyes that look like, well, mud!

And thanks for the tip. Amazon will be despatching to yours truly too. We can swap notes later!
At July 06, 2005 11:52 PM, Jane said…

Joanna, you look very good in the photo you put up with the post, forget about worrying about the eyes they look good but the way you've done your lips they look great! Don't put yourself down.

I have had more than 20 years playing with make up and I'm still not completely satisfied with the way I look.

I may have a top tip I have taught myself to do my mascara and eye liner with both hands, ok for a while the eye done by the weaker hand looks like it has been blacked or like I've been crying out of one eye only but eventually it does pay off no more mascara over the bridge of the nose no more eyeliner halfway down my face and it looks more even. Don't worry about it eyes are the hardest thing to do.

I had a make over recently at the lancome booth at the Westgate in Peterborough I asked the consultant , Amy if she would have any problems with doing a make over for a TGirl, I had my friend Charlotte in mind, she was all for it in fact I think she was disappointed that I couldn't rustle up a TGirl for her to make up there and then.
At July 14, 2005 9:18 PM, Marrie said…

I started make up when I was little [around 12!] my sister used to buy all the teen magazines i pinched her make-up and magazines and spent ages messing around as ive got older and developed facial hair it has gotten a lot harder to look nice I cant seem to shave close enough to get a good coverage any good ideas? email me if you like led.zepp@fsmail.net