Edith | PinkFemme

Welcome back to the Pink Femme series where we tell you about specific MtF/femme makeover studios all over the world. 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 dressed completely 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. Today we introduce you to Casa de la Femme which has a studio near Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Pink Femme: Hi Sheela, 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 the Casa de la Femme studio. Casa de la Femme: Hello Edith. I’ve admired you for a long time here on FetLife, thank you for inviting me to do this with you. My life as a Transgender MTF began when I moved to Las Vegas in December 2014. I met the great makeup artist Amy Hoeae at her "Just You" Salon the following week, just before New Year’s Eve. I was struggling with my makeup and thinking about giving up until she saved me with her incredible makeover. It was that day that I knew I wanted to be Sheela Monroe for the rest of my life. Now, after 8 years, I enjoy providing that experience to other beginning CDs and Trans Girls. I love to see the joy on their faces when they look in the mirror and see a pretty girl looking back at them. Pink Femme: Tell us about the Casa de la Femme studio and what inspired you to open the Casa de la Femme studio. Casa de la Femme: Well, my “studio” is my large ladies' room in my apartment, lol. I am not far from the Strip…about 2 miles, just off West Sahara Avenue in the middle of Las Vegas. I do makeovers and manicures by appointment only, evenings during the week, and on weekends. I rearrange my work schedule as much as I can to make it work for my clients. Since I am in Las Vegas, lots of girls visit here and want to look their best in whatever they decide to do here. My original inspiration was from the amazing Amnesia Sparkles / Adrian Acosta from Brooklyn, New York. She was so beautiful and having so much fun making other girls beautiful that I decided to do it once I learned how to do my makeup and later nails. Pink Femme: What was it that led you to begin working with the trans community? Casa de la Femme: Well as, the great Ruth Gordon said in one of my favorite movies, Harold and Maude”, “They’re my people”. I want to give back to them what I’ve learned and make their journey less difficult and more fun. Get them out of the closet and “own it” as the amazing CiCi from Los Angeles taught so many of us. Ami, before and after her makeover. Pink Femme: What kind of services do you offer in your studio? Casa de la Femme: Well, in addition to makeup, I teach whatever they want to know, whether it’s how to get their lashes on correctly, eyeshadow, contouring, lipstick, styling and securing wigs, “facelift” tricks, etc. For manicures (I don’t do pedicures), I offer gel on their regular nails and glue on longer nails with gel, shaped as they like. They get a free tube of glue to take with them, in case one pops off, which always happens. After the makeover, they can dress up in whatever they brought and some of my things if they like. Then we take as many pictures as they want for their social media pages. Pink Femme: How has your experience been so far since you started working with the cross-dressing and trans community? Casa de la Femme: I’ve met many people, made quite a few friends, and had lots of fun. I am always learning new methods and tricks. You never know it all. Pink Femme: What is the best part about working with the cross-dressing and trans community? Casa de la Femme: This is a difficult thing to do…overcoming the negativity we receive from family, work, church, friends, and the public. If I can make that a little easier, I am happy. It’s not about the money at all. I’ll never get rich doing this. Pink Femme: Have you faced any challenges or negativity since you started serving the crossdressing and trans community? Casa de la Femme: The biggest challenge is: How do I do this face, these eyes? LOL No, I can’t recall any negativity doing this but that’s probably because I have such a low profile. Pink Femme: What is the most popular service requested by crossdressers and trans girls? Casa de la Femme: “Teach me how to do my eyes”, followed by eyelashes. But a really big challenge is to teach them how to rub their lips together when doing their lipstick. Not many get it right away. It’s almost funny. I should make a video for YouTube. 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? Casa de la Femme: Watch CiCi’s YouTube video “The Hardest Thing in the World”. Over and over if necessary. It’s like jumping into a swimming pool. Don’t stick your toe in, just jump. You’re going to get wet eventually anyway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw30yjccnD4 The Hardest Thing In The World - Ted Talk by CiCi Pink Femme: What is the most common style/beauty mistake that you see crossdressers making in your opinion?Casa de la Femme: Eyeshadow blending and colors, blending. If you can get the eyes right, the rest is easy. Pay for some professional makeovers (I probably had 40 before I began doing my own), and watch YouTube videos on whatever you want to learn. Observe women in day-to-day life or on TV. If you like it, try to copy it. Pink Femme: What is the current perception of crossdressers and transgender people in the city where your studio is based? Casa de la Femme: Las Vegas is pretty accepting of us. It’s a city of over 2 million with about 2% CD/Trans, so there’s a lot of us and we spend money. Lots of fun places to go. The better you look, the more accepted you are by the general public and the less grief you get. 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? Casa de la Femme: Don’t take shortcuts. Foundation, powder, contouring, eyebrows, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, eyelashes. Do it all and create a method you like for yourself. You don’t have to look the same every time but there is a look that makes you look your best…find it. Olivia, before and after her makeover. 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? Casa de la Femme: Everybody is different, don’t do them all the same way…adapt to their strengths and weaknesses. Bring out their best features and beauty. 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? Casa de la Femme: I am so impressed by what you are doing for this community and am willing to help promote what you are doing in any way I can. For your readers, I am reminded of something I read about early in my transition. I read an article by someone who had transitioned for 10 years, after being in the closet for 10 years. She lamented about how she had wasted 10 years of her female life worrying about how others would think of her. Just DO IT, girl! Thank You, Edith. Thank you so much for your time and we wish you every success in the future of your studio. Can you please share with our readers how they can contact you for a makeover session? Casa de la Femme Las Vegas Nevada By Appointment Only 650-350-2282 Sheela.LasVegas@gmail.com Website coming soon