Knickers are a personal choice but i always aim for something that is big enough yet small enough to comfortably hide the bits between my legs, which aren't as appealling as they once were.
Sports knickers & bras are in my mind perfect for keeping everything in position. Forget half cup and the under-wired bras, they hurt like hell, look & feel awful with falsies. No wonder most genetic women are now buying the new more comfortable cover all solution currently advertised.
Of course if i’m wearing latex then it has to be a pair of latex panties which i make myself.
You could also investigate briefs & thongs for tucking & can recommend Interviduals who are based in the UK. I also looked at Gaff & Go but with very limited stock the wait wasn't in my favour
Make up is a difficult one and like my early purchases of latex i made some very bad choices. Right now (and for the last 20 years) i’ve been using Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation as it covers my face extremely well. You can also use it on your body and is SPF15. I must point out though that now i’ve had laser treatment on my face to reduce my facial hair growth i use a lighter shade of this foundation. It's not the cheapest of products but then again it lasts a long time as you only need a small amount. As of 17 September 2024 it retails at around £39 at Boots.
Of course not everyone neither wishes to nor will have laser treatment so the application of makeup has to be taken seriously if one is to achieve the perfect look.
If you do have to shave in order to apply makeup, the key is facial preparation. Moisturizer, water, cleansing and not shaving every day are my key points.
The longer you let your beard grow the better the result in shaving. Always shave against the growth so as to get a really close shave. Use a quality razorblade (not a disposable one) and shaving gel. I recommend King of Shaves which is available as either a clear gel or oil. Again available in Gel form at Boots for less than £5.
You can also see what you are doing with this as opposed to foam.
Be careful though as the closer you get the more likelihood of cuts. Always pre wash and soften the beard with a very hot facial towel, this opens the pores up to let more hair stubble out.
It’s essential that you give yourself ample time to prepare your face for applying makeup as once you’ve opened the pores they have to be given time to close again. You can reduce this with cold water splashed to the face but i always recommend waiting a good 30 minutes before applying moisturiser and then another 30 minutes before applying foundation. I've a very sensitive skin and therefore my personal preference is Celestial Moisturiser from Lush, available on the high street for £21 for a 45gram tub
For application i’ve tried brushes & fingers but always come back to a slightly wet make up sponge.
For Lipstick, lip liner, Eyeliner & Mascara i use Rimmel, purely and simply because it goes on well and stays there. Also available at Boots at very reasonable prices.
For Blusher & Eye Shadow i favour MAC. Gorgeous brilliant colours which really bring out the best of you. Let’s face it, if Ru Paul recommends it then it has to be good. This is stuff is seriously expensive but definitely worth it. You're best going to Selfridges where they have their own counter. Failing that there's always the online store at https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/
After foundation, eyes, lips and to finish off i apply a loose powder from Back Stage in Amsterdam http://www.back-stage.nl which not only looks fantastic on photos & video but feels superb. I can't find it here in the UK so tend to get it shipped from Amsterdam.
Nails are in my opinion the last thing you need do anything about but again Boots is where you need to go. I tend to wear Black or Purple.
Do come back and check this article from time to time as i am regularly updating it.
Perhaps the single most important issue when dressing up is to feel comfortable not only by yourself but also in the company of others. For many Trannies, dressing up is a regular fix whether it be at home in front of a mirror, a night out dancing with your dearest friends or simply for a meal with the family.
No matter what you choose to do with dressing up you must treat it like a hobby and spend time researching what is available, plan ahead and seek out other people who can offer you help and support. There are links to various support groups on this website as well as a whole stack of other useful points of reference.
Whatever the outcome i hope that you gain as much pleasure, happiness and friends as i have throughout my life as a TGirl.
A decent pair of Breastforms is absolutely essential but do remember that no matter how we try to disguise or emphasise them they will never look like the real deal. Many people starting out have this misconception that their 2nd wardrobe should not cost a great deal and therefore look toward ebay as being the one and only solution. Of course if you're not serious about your hobby or lifestyle and want it cheap then yes this is a great source. The challenge is that many shops selling on ebay and other similar sites are often selling mass produced & clearance products which failed to sell elsewhere.
My advice is to steer clear of ebay and buy from specialist retailers.
In fact there's a website in the UK who sell just breast forms and is the place where i have bought my last 3 pairs from.
The material used is unlike any other breastform. You can wear them all day, sleep in them and even stick them to your chest and swim in them. What's more they look fantastic with a latex catsuit, just position them in the right way and you'll be the subject of many a positive comment as i can attest to.