“You’re a magician!” Deborah was practically glowing as she looked at herself in the mirror after her makeover and photoshoot at Makeovers with Elizabeth Taylor, my Takoma Park, Maryland MtF transformation studio near Washington, DC. “I can’t stop looking in the mirror after you transform me. You make me look like I want to fall in love with myself en femme. I don’t want to get out of this mode at the end of the day.”
From the other side of the full-length mirror, I grin back in delight. I love this moment of the mirror reveal when clients see their new look and feel.
Deborah has been a regular client for over three years. She arrives ready to go — her own shapewear, breastplate, and striking blue colored contacts already in place — and all she needs from me is her makeup before she heads out to enjoy her day en femme. For this visit, she decided to add photos to her makeup look with the Total Makeover and Photoshoot package.
Deborah’s Crossdresser Style: Bodycon Dresses and Pencil Skirts
Deborah arrived dressed with a second outfit option. Her choices reflect exactly what she loves about dressing. “I like girlie looks to be honest and to display a little bit of cleavage. I like to go well-dressed in curvy attire like a pencil skirt and blazer or bodycon dresses, which show my figure.”
She delivered on both counts. Her first look was a short-sleeve burgundy bodycon mini dress with a keyhole cutout at the neckline paired with nude block-heel sandals. Her second dress featured a burgundy top attached to a plaid pencil skirt with a decorative sash. Deborah wears a neck scarf to conceal her breastplate line.
On this visit, Deborah introduced a new wig, a brunette with warm caramel highlights and a soft wave. I loved how this color and style softened her facial features and opened up her face.
Casual Glam Makeup for Deborah’s Crossdresser Makeover
After three years together, Deborah’s taste in makeup has evolved from subdued to a casual glam look. I’ve loved helping her transition from her neutral, matte makeup look to a more glamorous look with glitter, shimmery highlighter, and plenty of eyeliner and mascara. For this session, I used a lighter foundation color as her primary base and sculpted her features with a deeper foundation color and contouring powder. I added bronzer for warmth and even more dimension. I brushed Love Thing blush along her cheeks for a healthy flush of color while the highlighter, Beamish Blush, added a soft, golden shimmer to her cheekbones.
For her eyes, I used brown eyeshadows from the Unfiltered Nudes palette. Then I highlighted the center of the lid with a pink-champagne glitter (MAC’s Yes to Sequins). Next I added black gel liner above and black kohl pencil below before adding false lashes. I applied MAC Cherry lip liner to enhance her natural lip contour and topped it with her L’Oreal Classic Wine lipstick.
Going Out En Femme: Crossdresser Outings near Washington, DC
For Deborah, getting all dolled up has a purpose. After her makeup makeovers, she heads out to shop, grab a bite to eat, and simply enjoy her day. She is a regular at the Mall in Columbia, Pentagon City Mall, PG Plaza Mall, and Wheaton Mall, which are all within easy reach of my studio. She loves browsing at Target, TJ Maxx, JC Penney, and Macy’s.
I have absolutely loved seeing Deborah’s look, poise, and confidence evolve over the years. “It’s a feeling I cannot explain,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go out as a girl. I tried before to go out as a girl without people looking back at me and talking. Now that I’m transformed by you, I turn heads for a different reason! The same people now give me compliments who were whispering about me before.”
Her advice for anyone thinking about taking that first step: “It’s not something that anyone needs to hide. It’s a normal thing to me.”
Studio and Garden Photoshoot near Washington, DC
I photographed Deborah in both outfits in the studio with its stone floor and white walls. After we shot the second outfit, I suggested moving into my studio garden, which is ringed by dense, lush foliage. Once we were outside, Deborah’s smile really came alive, and she looked completely at ease. The garden photos turned out to be Deborah’s favorites.
Makeup artistry and photography by Elizabeth Anne Taylor
Wardrobing by Deborah
Book Your Crossdresser Makeover near Washington, DC
Whether you’re a first-timer who has always wanted to go out en femme or a seasoned crossdresser who wants a polished, photo-ready look before heading out, I’d love to help you get there. At Makeovers with Elizabeth Taylor, I offer one-on-one, personalized makeover experiences including makeup artistry, photography, total makeovers with access to a full studio wardrobe, feminine deportment coaching, accompanied outings, and more.
My private studio in Takoma Park, Maryland is a safe and welcoming space for MtF crossdressers, transgender women, and femme-presenting genderfluid and non-binary people to explore their style and build confidence. My studio is located just two miles from Washington, DC in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic. I regularly see clients from Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York, and New Jersey.
Whether this is your very first time seeing yourself en femme or you’re coming back for a fresh look before your next big outing, I’m here to help you look and feel your absolute best. Book your makeover online anytime. Contact me by email, phone, or text (202-803-3231) to plan your experience.
More Trans and Crossdresser Makeover Stories
A Traditional Bride: Kuhu’s Indian Bridal Makeover
Kuhu arrived with her own wardrobe and a clear vision for her look, just as Deborah does. She came for bridal photos in a traditional navy and gold saree, and we captured her during the golden hour in the spring garden with the azaleas in full bloom.
“Shopping is my Middle Name:” Shelly Loves her Day of Femme Pampering
Like Deborah, Shelly arrived en femme with her own wardrobe. She photographed nine outfits and left feeling every bit the woman she came to be.
Nicole: Stylish Elegance
Nicole has been coming to see me for several years and always asks for her signature natural makeup look. She loves going out in her own pencil skirt to head out to shops, restaurants, and the movies after her makeup and photoshoot.
Lucy Dresses for Success
Like Deborah, Lucy arrived ready to go in her own outfit. We photographed her outdoors on her walk through the neighborhood, and she left en femme.
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