You can’t apply your makeup while standing over the sink with inadequate lighting and expect your makeup to look great in sunlight, or when you’re out for the evening. Gina Jet Ortiz says good lighting is of prime importance when applying makeup. What looks good in the bathroom won’t look the same way when you move to other light sources. She has some suggestions on proper lightin
Part two of Mixing It Up tells you how to mix colors of eyeshadow and blush to create new looks. If you are happy with your color pallette and don’t want to experiment with makeup art, fine. But, if you want to explore and go down the color mixing route Gina provides the road map.
Gina Jet Ortiz says there’s no need to toss out makeup products that don’t look right on you when you get them home. They looked great in the store’s fluorescent lights but awful in your vanity’s mirror. Gina says you can adjust the color of your makeup, just like an artist, using other colors to adjust how the makeup looks. Today is Part 1 of Mixing it Up: How to Customize Your Makeup.
Our professional makeup artist Gina Jet Ortiz says not all makeup is appropriate everywhere and learning what should and should not be done is an essential part of gaining makeup experience. Day makeup is more subdued, while night makeup is dark and more intense. You don’t have to start all over to go from day to night. You can “intensify” the makeup you’re already wearing. Gina Jet tells you how.
The question is, should you be using primer? We’re not talking about a base coat you used when you repainted the bathroom. We’re talking about using a primer before you apply foundation to the canvas of your face. Primers can make a big difference, smoothing fine lines, filling pores, and mattifying for a more fab look. Gina Jet Ortiz explains the differences between the many primer products available and helps you figure out what works for you.
Gina Jet Ortiz joins our New Content today with a lesson on neutral eyeshadows and lipcolors. What are you supposed to do with muted neutral or “nude” colors? Gina says “Browns, tans, taupes, and beiges play an important role in makeup application because they represent shading.”
If you go out and about while presenting as a female you may have run into situations concerning your makeup that require repair. Eating something greasy, like fries, can remove your lip color. Dancing after in the evening after a long day in your morning makeup, or kissing, can result in your makeup needing a fix. Gina Jet Ortiz reccomends always having 10 items in your handbag that are necessary for makeup, and other, repair jobs while you’re away from home.
Today Gina helps you find the best way to apply your foundation. She discusses the different methods and the pros and cons of brushes and sponges. Even if you’re pretty comfortable putting on your foundation give Gina’s post a read. You might find a technique or tool that makes your application easier.
Today Gina Jet Ortiz introduces us to the dazzling world of lip colors. From lipstick to lip gloss, and matte lips to lip liner and liquid lip color, Gina covers it all and helps you to decide what you should wear on your lips for any occasion.
Today Gina Jet Ortiz guides you through the mysteries of eyeliner. What kind of liner is best? Is the liner pencil you’ve been using the absolute best or would you be better off with a tiny brush? Whatever your questions concerning eyeliner Gina has the answers.
Today professional makeup artist Gina Jet Ortiz tells you what items you should have in your makeup kit. From silicone blenders to synthetic and natural brushes to tiny scissors and pointy cotton swabs, Gina lays out the tools you need to do basic makeup or move up to a full glamor look.
Parts 1 through 5 have detailed Deborah’s life, from crossdressing in secret in Ireland, the move to London, and the immigration to the USA. All of her experience learning the feminine arts served to educate her in the ways of a lady. Wishing to share what she learned Deborah and her wife Sierra opened Sierra Studios near Tampa, Florida. Today Deborah writes about everything they provide to guys wanting a femme transformation.
When you decide that you want to wear makeup, have smoky eyes and red, pouty lips you can learn fairly fast that there are thousands of brands of every kind of makeup you can imagine. At a time like that, when you’re faced with not only learning to apply the products but trying to figure out which products are good, it’s time to seek out the advice of a professional makeup artist. One like Gina Jet Ortiz. Today she leads you through the crowed field of mascara, telling you how each brand enhances your lashes.
It’s summer and in some areas too much summer! How do you go about your business and be beautiful throughout the hot days and humid nights? Gina Jet Ortiz has a list of tips for keeping your cool, and your glamor, in place on your face.
Those in the trans community who have worked to develop their makeup skills often become comfortable with the techniques they first used to create their “look”. Beard cover is one example. Many years ago crossdressing influencers (social media is not the only way influencers exert their influence) advocated for the lipstick method of covering beard shadow. Our founder JoAnn Roberts even put the process in her book on makeup. (Art & Illusion.) Professional makeup artist Gina-Jet Ortiz joins TGF today to explain just why using lipstick to disguise beard shadow is not a good idea.
This is a Retro Rerun from the TGForum Archives. Stacy B. Haven wrote an article for our Mirror Mirror feature on how to do your makeup. It appeared on our website in 1997. Good advice is timeless though and her thought’s from the 20th century are still applicable today for the crossdresser or trans woman who wants to look her best.
Honey Harlow is one of the great entertainers in our community and a recognized expert in makeup for both glamorous occasions and everyday wear. This article on creating luscious lips was published on TGForum in 1998. Today Honey Harlow has an online store selling the glamorous accessories every girl needs. My makeup tip for luscious lips […]
Today Pauline Estelle shares makeup tips she has gathered over the years. From the basics like preparing your canvas by cleaning it, getting rid of manly beard hair, and moisturizing to more advanced topics like color choices, application techniques and contouring, Pauline touches on all to do with makeup.
Today Katherine Diaz tells you about a makeover place in her city that shows trans women how to do their makeup. She learns all the trick and tips that a crossdresser needs to be her loveliest. From covering eyebrows with glue stick so they can be drawn on in a better spot to using art techniques to minimize a large nose. Roxana Miranda teaches it all at her Tranxtienda salon. The text in en Español but Katherine speaks English in her video.
Our Fashion Maven Tasi Zuriack veers aways, somewhat, from fashion in today’s post and takes a look at beauty and what women strive for in creating their “look.” We may see women we feel are over painted or gaudily attired but they did their makeup that way or chose those clothes for a reason. Perhaps one that they’re not even consciously aware of. Tasi writes about how makeup artist Ellen Malone approaches makeovers on folks who have a fixed idea of what is attractive when it isn’t. Tasi and Ms. Malone remind us that Beauty is More Than Skin Deep.
Our Retro Rerun is a how-to on foundation makeup written by then TGF editor Cindy Martin. It was published on our old website in 1996. As with all our Retro Reruns much of the advice remains applicable today. Some of the terminology is dated but that just adds some fun. The original post ran in two parts but we put them together for you today in one tidy package. Enjoy.
Today we dive deep into the TGF Archives to 1996 to pull out an article by founding editor Cindy Martin. Her topic was blusher. How to do it correctly so you don’t look like a painted doll. Keep in mind that this was written in the late 20th century and we’re getting on into the 21st, but the tips Cindy wrote back then can still be helpful. Keep in mind your blush should be subtle during daylight hours. At night it needs to be heavier but not war paint.
The year was 1996. Cindy Martin was the editor of TGForum. From time to time Cindy would post makeup tips to help the readers beautify themselves. Since her advice was good in 1996 and when it comes to basic lipstick application it’s still good today, we present Lips: Beautiful, Never Beastly as today’s Retro Rerun. Cindy outlines the basics on how to manipulate the way your lips appear and she fills you in on techniques that could work for you. Of course today’s lip trends aren’t covered in an article from 1996 but much of the information remains relevant.
This “how to” TGForum Rerun appeared on TGF in 1998. It’s by the late Roberta Angela Dee whose advice on beauty remains sound in the 21st century. In this Rerun Roberta acts as a makeup advice columnist and answers common questions with simple makeup tips.
By Jennifer Kurtz Come on, come on, turn the radio on, it’s Friday night and I won’t be long. Gotta do my hair, I put my makeup on, it’s Friday night and I won’t be long. Put my makeup on, ah Sia! What a beautiful song! Reminds me of the task at hand. How to […]
Everyone can benefit from a bit of makeup. The proper use of cosmetics can make a bland face look vibrant. A touch of lipstick, a hint of blush and a lady feels prepared to take on the world. Some women will not go out of the house without their eyeliner in place. And, on the other hand, over use or improper application of makeup on a trans woman can be a disaster. How does one learn the do’s and don’ts of makeup? Cate O’Malley has some tips.
