Welcome back to the Pink Femme series where we tell you about specific MtF/femme makeover studios all over the world. Today we introduce you to True U Designs which has a studio in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Each studio that makes it onto our list has been recommended by a fellow Pink Femme girl who had a wonderful experience.
As we expand the list of makeover studios, we will try and include as many different cities and destinations as possible. That way if you feel you can’t be out as fully-femme where you live, you can plan a vacation to a destination that has a makeover studio so that you can make your girly dream come true.
If you have had a fabulous experience at a makeover studio, tell me about it so that I can give the studio the recognition it deserves.
Pink Femme: Hi Regina, Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview on Pink Femme. Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do at True U Designs.
True U Designs: My name is Regina Anson. I am the owner and Lead Beautician/Photographer at True U Designs. We are a makeovers and photography studio for all but specialize in makeovers and photography for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pink Femme: Tell us about True U Designs and what inspired you to open True U Designs.
True U Designs: I opened True U Designs originally in Houston, Texas around 2003 after seeing there was not much in regards to established makeover resources for crossdressers or trans persons like myself. However, the true inspiration behind it goes back to my early days as a crossdresser. When I was seventeen years old in Houston, Texas around the year 1996, I went to see a professional dominatrix, (whose name we will leave out of this per her retirement request) who was also a formerly trained Hollywood makeup artist. Because there were so few resources for crossdressers in those days, the BDSM community was one of the few open and accepting avenues for someone like me to express my true self. At first, she would not see me, as I am under eighteen. But I kept reaching out and reaching out and finally just a few months before my eighteenth birthday she agreed to see me and take me under her wing. She had a unique situation as she had her dungeon on one side of the street and a salon she owned and ran on the other side of the street. For a little over a year, It was in her salon that she taught me about the art of makeup, beauty, and style. In time she even allowed me to have a few crossdresser clients of my own and that’s truly where the humble beginnings of True U Designs was born.
Pink Femme: What was it that led you to begin working with the trans community?
True U Designs: Very much like the question above. To provide the much-needed makeover resources and services for the trans and crossdresser community.
Pink Femme: What kind of services do you offer in your studio?
True U Designs: I offer quite a variety of services for my clients who come to see me. Full face makeovers. (Makeup only) Head-to-toe makeovers including dress, makeup, and hair or wig services. A step-by-step “How to” learner make-up course. Shopping trips and best fashion for your body consulting. Girls’ Night Out Services. (Night on the town to a local friendly club) I even have a classic girls’ slumber party package where we stay up late watching good films, paint our nails, wear skin care masks, and eat yummy late-night food! LOL. Photography Services ( Includes green screen effects so the client can be anywhere in the world.)
Pink Femme: How has your experience been so far since you started working with the cross-dressing and trans community?
True U Designs: Wonderful! The clients are so grateful and appreciative of the services that I provide. I love bringing these experiences to life for the clients. Especially the new ones, who get to see what they look like after the transformation the first time.
Pink Femme: What is the best part about working with the cross-dressing and trans community?
True U Designs: Again, the gratefulness and appreciative nature they show after seeing themselves in the mirror for the first time after the completed makeover. I call it the “jaw hits the floor” effect when they see how good they can look.
Pink Femme: Have you faced any challenges or negativity since you started serving the cross-dressing and trans community?
True U Designs: The biggest challenge is of course getting them through the door and letting them know they are in a safe space. Let’s face it, even today it’s still stigmatized and seen as a freakish thing by the societal norm.
Pink Femme: What is the most popular service requested by crossdressers and trans girls?
True U Designs: The makeover, dress, and photography service (Full face, a selection of outfits from my wardrobe, and photography in the selected outfits) is my most often requested service, but I would say the Girls’ Night Out is a close second.
Pink Femme: What advice can you give to crossdressers and trans girls who have never used a makeover service and are feeling too shy to try?
True U Designs: My best advice to those shy clients is “The feelings are there for a reason. Life is way too short not to express and explore those feelings to find out what new horizons await.” I of course then tell them a story from my early days and the angst I felt about exploring these feelings and stepping out into the world as my true self for the first time. It usually helps most feel more at ease.
Pink Femme: What is the most common style/beauty mistake that you see crossdressers making in your opinion?
True U Designs: The most common makeup mistake by all, not just the crossdresser or trans community is the idea that more makeup is better. For instance, when you keep piling on the foundation or blush it ends up looking cakey and blotchy. Using less and properly applying it over the surface of the face is key. Now in terms of dress style, the biggest mistake crossdressers make is not dressing to your body type and wearing the wrong style to the wrong place. For instance, walking into your local grocery store with fuck me pumps and a skirt just below the nether regions. Save those looks for the club, and wear the relaxed comfy femme wear to the grocery store. Just my opinion.
Pink Femme: What is the current perception of crossdressers and transgender people in the city where your studio is based?
True U Designs: Atlanta is a very LGBTQIA+-friendly city and has one of the largest LGBTQIA+ populations per capita in the United States. Myself and my clients while out and about on shopping trips or girls’ nights out have encountered nothing but good and friendly times. However, there has been some recent government legislation proposed that calls into question the overall societal acceptance of moving to a brighter future.
Pink Femme: Based on your experience in your studio, doing dozens of makeovers, what is your number one beauty tip for both crossdressers and trans girls?
True U Designs: Well my number one beauty tip for all, not just trans girls and crossdressers is to make sure to moisturize every day or night and to wear sunscreen as often as you can. Makeup is a wonderful tool to help hide imperfections and enhance your looks, but taking care of your skin is the most important part of beauty.
Pink Femme: If you could go back to the first day that you started your studio, what advice would you give yourself on that first day based on what you have learned from working with crossdressers and trans girls?
True U Designs: If I could go back to day one and give my past self advice it would be these two things. One, work out of a home-based studio as it provides a more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for guests and clients. ( I originally tried to have a storefront and it was so very expensive to keep and very few LGBTQIA+ would come because they felt it was too exposed.) Secondly, I will tell my past self that I need to have a deposit-based system for scheduling makeover sessions. LOL. Because of their excitement, amazement, and wanting to schedule several hours at their transformations, I love working with the trans female and cross-dresser communities! But, due to societal stigmas or just plain old nerves, they can indeed be quick to get cold feet when it comes time to show up at their appointments. So yes, deposits for scheduling sessions are a must LOL.
Pink Femme: Lastly, what do you think about Pink Femme and is there any final last thing you would like to say to our readers – some of whom are only just starting their journey into a femme lifestyle?
True U Designs: I think Pink Femme is an amazingly wonderful resource! So many varying articles on beauty, style, and fashion of femininity! So lovely to see such an open and welcoming format for ladies of all kinds on their own journeys to finding their femme selves! I look forward to following along with Pink Femme and the future femme connections yet to behold!
Pink Femme: Thank you so much for your time and we wish you every success for the future of your studio. Can you please share with our readers how they can contact you for a makeover session?
True U Designs: Sure! My contact information is:
- Regina Anson
- True U Designs – Atlanta, GA USA
- Phone # 770-852-0447
- Email: trueuladydesigns@gmail.com
- Website: www.trueudesigns.com