The Foundation
Honestly, I don’t feel all that comfortable revealing my makeup secrets to the world like this. But, it’s what the People want, and Ronnie Rho is all about the People.
Start your makeup preparation with the foundation. (This is of course, after you’ve shaved.)  I highly recommend MAC Foundation and Studio Fix. That’s the basic foundation and the powder for the top of it. MAC Foundation is great because it’s hearty. It stays put. If it’s hot, you’re dancing, or nervous and sweating, the sweat will pass through the foundation without making it run. No runs, no drips, no errors. How about that?
Another good thing about MAC: If there’s a MAC store or counter near you, you don’t have to worry about being judged. MAC is big across the T-world, and many of the men working at their stores are also drag queens. Very friendly and helpful drag queens.Â
But, no matter what you use, start by getting your hair out of your face. Use a wig cap or tie a loose stocking around your head, headband style, to push the hair back and tighten your face up.Â
Using a sponge, put the foundation on everywhere: eyebrows, eyelids, hairline, neck, and make sure you get some on your ears too. Down the neck, taper off the amount, so there’s not a definitive start-end line.Â
For MAC foundation, I then take a tissue and gently press, don’t rub, the foundation into my pores. I was taught that this does two things: gets rid of excess makeup, and bonds it to your skin a little tighter.
Some people say now is the time to apply concealer to the dark circles under your eyes. Others swear you should have done it before the foundation. I have no preference either way myself.Â
Before doing anything else though, you should wash your hands. Even with a sponge, you’re likely to have some foundation on your fingers, and you don’t want it showing up on your clothes or somewhere else at an inopportune moment.
Now, you’re ready for the powder. Your powder should be the same tone as the foundation, and you should have a good powder brush. While foundation is designed to even out your skin tone, powder is meant to take the shine off your skin, and make your skin look softer. So don’t be shy about putting loads of powder on. The more, the better, I say.Â
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Ronnie Rho has been writing for Transgender Forum since May of 1999. One of these days, she'll get it right. She's been described as the "world's most famous recluse," but only by people who don't know her very well. She is unmarried, and lives in Cincinnati.Subscribe
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Ronnie,
Darn, you discovered the best-kept secret in the Queen City! 🙂
I’ve been a MAC gal for a long time and I think their products are well worth the extra money. A few additional items for you to consider:
1) Ronnie is 100% correct: Do NOT be afraid to go to a MAC store or counter! I have been to several and the service has always been great. Anothe benefit of going into a store is that you get the proper match for the shade of foundation you need that way. (The makeovers have been FUN, too!)
2) If you need more ‘opaque’ coverage than Studio Fix (which I use, too), check out MAC Full Coverage foundation. This product is only available online or at a MAC store, not at the MAC counter at you local Macy’s, etc. (You can locate a store online.) I used it for quite a while before I started electrolysis.
3) If you prefer a liquid, Mac’s new Studio Fix Fluid is GREAT! The coverage is excellent, it goes on silky smooth, and a little goes a long way!
4) If you go the liquid route, I recommend using a MAC #190 foundation brush to apply it instead of a sponge. (Get some MAC brush cleaner, too.) Also, their #187 brush is super for applying loose powder to set your foundation, and a #150 or #136 brush will dust away the excess.
This can get rather expensive, but MAC is QUALITY makeup and makeup tools, and true quality does not come cheap. Good brushes are an essential makeup tool and as long as you clean them regularly, the brushes will last a long, long time. (It has taken me years to build up a good set of makeup tools and they have been well worth every cent.)
One last secret: Look for the MAC brush, eye shadow, & lipstick collections around Christmas time. It’s a less expensive way to build up a good set of brushes and cosmetics, but beware: They sell out FAST!
I hope this helps.
Take care and stay safe,
Jenny