By: Plume Community Member (she/her)
Makeup is a powerful tool that can support you during your gender transition. It can help us feel more femme, more aligned with our identity, and flat out prettier. For many of us who are transfem, MTF, gender non-conforming (GNC), or nonbinary, the first time wearing makeup in public is a big deal. Makeup can be an important part of your gender expression and the coming out process.
No matter how you identify, know that makeup is a tool meant to help you unlock your inner gworl. (I love it because it makes me feel glam!) What kind of makeup you wear and how much you put on will vary depending on what your comfort level is, what you’re interested in aesthetically, and what you have available to you.
FYI, not everyone wears makeup. Those of us who do wear it, don’t necessarily wear it all the time. You can be transfeminine and be butch, or a tomboy who doesn’t wear anything but chapstick. Your gender presentation is valid. There is no one way (and no “right way”) to be feminine or a woman.
First, get comfortable using brushes, wands, and more
It’s a good idea to practice applying makeup at home before going out. This will allow you to learn techniques for application, experiment with different color palettes, and figure out what styles suit you best.
Be easy on yourself during this stage. Maybe what you see in the mirror doesn’t match what you imagined. Stay patient. Remember that makeup is an art form! Learning to use it takes a while to understand. Many of us may have gone much of our lives never being taught application techniques. This isn’t an intuitive process, but a skill that you can practice.
Remember that using makeup should be fun. Like I said, learning makeup skills as an adult can be challenging. Think of all the sleepover parties our cis women counterparts had. From a very young age, they spent hours experimenting with makeup, nail polish, fashion, style, and other feminine expressions. Cis women are encouraged to play with their gender expression together. Most of them have done it their whole lives! They’ve applied makeup for each other and shared techniques and styles that worked for them from a young age.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out this collaboration between Plume and Jecca Blac (a UK-based, vegan, gender-inclusive makeup brand)! Jecca Blac created a helpful tutorial for commonly asked questions such as:
- How do I cover my beard shadow?
- How do I use contour to look more feminine?
- Can I wear makeup that looks natural?
- As a nonbinary person, what kind of makeup is best for my style?
Choose a daily look that works for your life
How you wear makeup in public for the first time will vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Some things you may want to consider are:
- What kinds of makeup do you feel comfortable wearing?
- What makeup do you have at your disposal?
- What is the occasion?
For example, you’re probably going to wear makeup differently if you’re grocery shopping. Getting maximized for the club is one thing. Daily life is another. Some people love to get super glam for class, work, or other commitments. However, it’s not for everyone! It is perfectly normal to wear very different makeup at different times. You can think of makeup the same way as clothing. Not every outfit works for every occasion.
If you need help deciding what style of makeup you want to use, invite a friend over to get ready together before you leave the house. Play some music and swap application tips. This can help you feel at ease while you apply makeup and get ready.
Use makeup to enhance what you love about yourself
If you’re feeling nervous about wearing makeup in public, you may want to start slow. Wearing makeup can make you feel more confident. It enhances the parts of your face that you love and want to show off. When you start out, you might choose one facial feature to emphasize. Maybe a bit of mascara and eyeliner feels like a good start. You may want to wear a bold lip but be bare-faced otherwise. Sometimes a little glitter on your cheeks and a splash of shadow on your lids can go a long way.
Plume hosted a free, open community event called Feminizing Makeup 101 for Trans and Nonbinary Folks with Victoria Rose (she/her). Victoria Rose demonstrated how to properly cover beard shadow by correcting the underlying blue tones. She also showed how to use a diagram used by surgeons performing facial feminization surgery (FFS) to create a feminizing effect with only contours and highlights. Finally, she taught folks how to create a faux brow lift, while opening up the eye. You can watch the tutorial here.
Feminizing makeup that helps you feel your best
If you have stubble that causes gender dysphoria, there are several makeup techniques for covering it. You can use makeup to hide your five o’clock shadow so your face looks smooth. If you want to use this technique, you’ll probably want to do a full face of makeup. Otherwise, the concealer and foundation can make your face look flat and it may be more noticeable. Here are some tips that can help you become proficient at using cover-up.
First and foremost, make sure your face is clean and freshly shaved. Facial stubble looks blue against our skin, so you’ll want to apply a layer of peach or apricot-colored concealer to cancel out this color and make it appear neutral. (Some people even use a light orange lipstick applied thinly and evenly around the area, blended with a beauty sponge.)
Apply your color-balancing makeup after your primer but before your foundation. If you want to keep these colors from blending, apply a setting powder or spray between each layer. After your basic makeup has set, you can do the rest. If you’re wearing a full face, you’ll then add contour, highlighter, and blush over the foundation. Finally, add any eye makeup you want to wear!
Nonbinary people can wear makeup, too
Folks who identify as nonbinary (nb or enby) wear makeup, too. Makeup is for anyone who enjoys it! If you’re nonbinary, you may want a more subtle makeup look. Some nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and genderfluid folks enjoy wearing makeup in ways that bend gender expectations. For example, a bold lip with facial hair is a good look.
If you have enough facial hair, it can be fun to play with putting glitter in your beard or mustache. Mixing masculine and feminine elements is really fun and can make you feel gorgeous. Experiment with what feels right and brings you most in alignment with your identity. The Enby Diaries includes some awesome videos of nonbinary people using and talking about beauty techniques that make them feel gorgeous.
Debut your new look with pride
Wearing makeup in public for the first time can feel scary, especially before we do it. With that in mind, choose a space that feels safe. Maybe a friend’s party or a night dancing at a queer bar is the best place to debut your new look. You are worthy of feeling beautiful, so pick an occasion that will get you the validation and appreciation you deserve!
I love using makeup when it feels freeing. Instead of a chore, I make sure I feel playful when I put on cosmetics. I think it’s so important to give yourself this grace and try new things without self-judgment. Try a bold lip. Apply glitter to your cheeks. Experiment with different eye shadow palettes. Youtube is a free home for a lot of makeup tutorials—many from trans creators—that can help you learn techniques and color theory. Over time, you’ll establish a style and beauty routine that works best for you and your schedule.
Many of us have wanted to wear makeup for much of our lives. Maybe you felt jealous of the people around you who had this opportunity. Well, now it’s your turn. Be proud you’re taking this step. Many of us feel powerful and beautiful when we wear makeup. You may be surprised by how confident and gorgeous you feel when you start adding makeup to your routine. Soak in the feeling. Hold your head high and catwalk through the room.
This Plume Community Member (she/her) is a transfeminine creative and freelance writer. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her wife and dogs.
As the largest provider of gender-affirming care for the trans and nonbinary community, Plume is committed to providing information about many types of information, including questions about hormones like estrogen and testosterone, gender transitioning tips and experiences, and guidance on social transition and self care.
While we strive to include a diverse range of voices and expertise, not everything will be for every person. Each individual’s experience is unique, and the information Plume provides is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always first seek the advice of your primary and/or specialist physician, the Plume Care Team, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, your mental health and emotional needs, or your health care needs regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency, including a mental health crisis, call 911 or reach out to Trans LifeLine.
