My first pic

[LeeAnn]

Posted is my avatar (I just added it and I hope it post, if not check out the photo gallery), here is what I have with Lee Ann so far. I know I have a lot of work to be done on her. One thing I would like to work on is the chin. I was told to buy something that would lighten the chin but I am not sure what to buy. Also I was thinking about getting some mascara for the eyes. Does anyone else have any suggestions for me? I will appreciate any idea/suggestions or comments.

Thanks
Lee Ann

[LisaK]

I have a suggestion---
You go Girl ! It loaded both the avatar and the photo.
Now the journey has begun. Have fun..

[LeeAnn]

I appreciate the support. I would like to know what type of makeup to get. I am planning on shopping for a dress this week when I am in New Orleans. I am sort of nervous about doing that. I found one on Walmarts website that I really like. If I find the dress or one like it I suppose I will just grab it and head to the men's dressing room. Since I will be in New Orleans the chanves are very slim I will see anyone I know. It still will be a rush.

[Anthony Simon]

I think the pic is quite good, although you don't look like you much enjoyed being photographed (just like me and I take worse pics). When you read comments from Sales Assistants in stores where CDs shop, they often say they wish CDs would ask for their help rather than scurrying off into a corner with their prospective purchases. I know there's the whole guilt thing to overcome - and the fear of negative comments from them - but I do think it's worth taking this advice to heart.

I know when I first started buying makeup (and I'm not that advanced now), I felt my knowledge was so terrible I just had to ask for help. I was completely straight about what I was doing and what I wanted it for and got very good advice (some of the products I'm still using) - and I still find that a good thing to do, to ask about makeup advice.

I actually don't often try stuff on in shops, but I'm always as open as I can be about what I'm doing. Just occasionally I'll get the vibe back from the SAs that they prefer to look at me as buying for my wife/girlfriend - and if that's what they want I'll go with that. But mostly they'll be happy enough to be selling to and for me.

About someone knowing you and seeing you buy stuff, you can't worry about all those relatively small possibilities of things going wrong in life. Otherwise you'd never get out of the door. There is always the chance that, I don't know, a truck is going to mount the pavement and knock you down, but you can't build your life around that eventuality.

[LeeAnn]

Thanks for the advice, it has really helped. This forum is by far the best I have found. I am very happy I have came across it. I am also looking at sites that are geared up to us ladies. I have talked to a few other ladies here on the chat room and they also have been supportive.

I am so happy that this world has opened up to me. I am excited about the new path I am about to take. And this site has definitely has helped. Who would have thought passing by women's panties at Walmart, seeing a package that caught my eye and buying them would have made me open my feminine side like it has.

I have tried looking for CD shops in New Orleans on the web (and you think I would find a ton of them) but I have not seen many. I found one called Micheal Salem Boutique but I am having a bitch of a time locating the store. I used my Garmin to find it but all I found at the location was a hotel or something and no places to really park and look around for it. But I am going to shop at a makeup store in New Orleans and tell them I am starting as a cross dresser and I need some makeup help. The store is supposed to be very CD friendly and I have seen the store stated on here a few times, it is called MAC. I am really looking forward to that trip feeling open to discus my needs.

Thanks ladies (gg and the ones like me) for all the help. I am feeling more confident as time goes on because of you all!!!

Love you all,
LeeAnn

[CharLee]

LeeAnn,

Contact Carol Ann ( one of the girls in the chat room ) she used to live in NO and is the best one who can tell you where to go and what store to shop in .

[KimberlyS]

Nice first picture. Like others have said Smile. I struggle with smiling for a picture also but when I do it makes a big difference.

[Paula G]

For a first picture, well done, like most of us I have several considerably worse, about shopping ~ use the assistants, that's what they are there for. When I first went out I felt I had to have some makeup on before going out, so I bought some as him, and slathered it on, I now hate to think what I looked like, but I felt that it allowed me into the shops where I could get some help. Now when ever I buy make up I go to the make up counters in a department store, get advise and practical help, very often the help will consist of them applying the products I am interested in, and I will often prompt them into giving me the full make up make over. They love doing this as it is much more interesting than just standing around waiting. It's just a question of building up the confidence to ask that first question, something like "there is so much to choose from I am confused about what foundation I should use, and how to put it on" might be a good start. With make up like so many other things to a great extent you get what you pay for, it's just that with make up sometimes what you pay for is the packaging. I like New CID; Clinque and Lancome, but also buy cheaper stuff from Tesco's Boots and Superdrug.

Beware though, this can become addictive, I currently have to almost physically restrain myself from buying more make up than I can ever use.

[DonnaT]

For hiding the beard shadows you'll want a good concealer. Min's not too dark, so am able to get away with the concealer I use.

See http://www.dermablend.com/concealers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some have really blue beards and use a concealer with a reddish orange tint, or even a very thin coat of a reddish orange tinted lipstick.

Then apply your favorite foundation over the top of the concealer. Applying a bronzing powder over the high spots can follow, if desired.

[LeeAnn]

Thanks for all the help. I plan to go to a MAC store here in New Orleans in the near future and ask for help. I will not be dress up as of yet but will tell whoever that I am a CD and I am just starting out. I understand that MAC is very open to CD. I am getting so excited. I also went to Walmart and bought a new dress. You can check it out in the photo gallery. I would not have done that if it were not for the help of the ladies from the chat room.

I know I need to smile. I just hate having my picture taken and I am still a little nervous about it all. Even though I am nervous I am enjoying it. I want to thank all you ladies for the help and confidence you have given me.

[Carol Ann]

LeeAnn, takeing your picture is a good working tool as you can see what others see. I am always takeing my picture if for nothing else to see if I look better or if the outfit looks OK on me is my stance correct ete. etc.

So smile hon and flash away

[Kittie]

Posted is my avatar (I just added it and I hope it post, if not check out the photo gallery), here is what I have with Lee Ann so far. I know I have a lot of work to be done on her. One thing I would like to work on is the chin. I was told to buy something that would lighten the chin but I am not sure what to buy. Also I was thinking about getting some mascara for the eyes. Does anyone else have any suggestions for me? I will appreciate any idea/suggestions or comments.

Thanks
Lee Ann

It is a lovely picture. I can't advise on make=up

[Ralitsa]

Hi Lee Ann,
I'll offer my suggestions, for what they are worth.
I have never gone to a CD shop, or a shop that specializes is trans-anything, I just go the same places all the other women go. I figure that I want to do things the women do, and women do not go to places specializing in CDers. I know this sounds pretty discrimanatory, and maybe I'll get yelled at for not supporting our own friends.
So when I wanted help with make-up I went to a beauty salon that is pretty well qualified (and not cheap) for lessons. Actually I ended up there accidentally, I went there for help with a wig, and found out they also did make-up, so I got that too. $300 later, I came out with enough make-up to last a year (that was a year ago and now I'm running low), and a much better understanding of what is going on. I didn't learn anywhere near everything I needed to know, but at least I learned enough to understand what the ladies are talking about, and to ask the right questions.
The next thing, talk to women you see with nice make-up or jewelry to find out what they do. This is a lot easier to do when you are wearing womens clothes. I don't find it necessary to tell them I am a CDer and need help, it's pretty easy for them to see that
It took me a while to get comfortable saying something like "I use the Covergirl lash blast fusion mascara, but I think it clumps too much" in public. But I got over it.
So anyway, that's my thoughts on the subject.
Good Luck!

[April Rose]

I had a bad experience with Michael Salem boutique in the past. I really cannot recommend them.

[Dolores(GG)]

I'll let the ladies give style advice and all that. I will suggest cropping the pic a bit so we can see your pretty face a little better in your avatar. You look great though.