I was the original Carla's second customer when she was off Winchester Blvd. Is the store closed now? The website did not come up. Would be sad. Carla helped me become the girl of my dreams. read more

Carla's - Makeup Artists Near Me

Following up the original experience I had at Carla's and with Aejaie, I thought a follow-up to my review of her business would be great... If I could give this place ten stars, I would! I left my first visit empowered, confident, and excited. There was no way that I wouldn't come back. But it's gone beyond just an awesome transformation makeover. Turns out Aejaie is also an experienced lifestyle coach, and has a network of awesome trans women and crossdressers whom I've made community with. Since my makeover, I've had my first night out with many in the club, have had makeover lessons, and have even had coaching sessions on how the woman in me can exist in the context of my life and my marriage (this has been huge!) Carla's is a great place to get prettied up, but it's also a great support system and community! If you live anywhere in the Bay Area and are looking for a place to explore your gender (and more), you've found it at Carla's! read more

Carla's - Aejaie made me such a beautiful woman! - Makeup Artists Near Me

I finally made it there en feminine mode and was greeted by Aejaie. She was very friendly and very informative, not to mention lovely, couldn't ask for more... simply put, perfect. Being a long time closet CD, I couldn't bear to go out in public but she made sure I was comfortable while I was there. It was the longest time I ever spent outside of my closet and I was actually being comfortable and got boost up on my self steam just being there. The establishment was nicely organized for boutique, dressing rooms and relaxed area. And so much beautiful clothing... Looking forward to visit there again and again. Thank you Aejaie for wonderful experience! read more

Excellent personal attention when addressing my individual tastes and interests. Aejaie is remarkably well-schooled in the field of gender identity and sexual orientation and a remarkable source of insight into all things having to do with ones own gender understanding and experience. In addition, her staff and associates are indeed professional, courteous and very forthcoming about their own life journeys thru the thick and thin of personal discovery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my several excursions with Aejaie and look forward to more to come! Not only was the company great, but her selection of restaurants (and cocktails) was spot-on! Angela D. read more

I desperately needed to learn how to do makeup, but I was stuck at finding even a good matching foundation!!!! Luckily, a friend of mine referred me to Carla's/Sweet Forbidden! I signed up immediately for the three makeup lesson plan - after all, I'm fairly imitative and I was sure that if I took it one lesson at a time I could practice practice practice . Aejaie helped me get over the barrier and start practicing! Each lesson was great. Aejaie teaches through doing - she would work on half of my face, I would work on the other half!! First we did eye makeup and I got a list to find at my local Walgreens, which I did and each day I practiced my hand and proudly wore my artistry to work! Next we covered foundations and concealers. I learned how to mix and make a foundation that matches me! And our last lesson covered contouring and blush! I looked forwards to my lesson every single week - and it showed! My coworkers complimented me and I felt more like myself, more beautiful ! Aejaie answered every single one of my questions - I would literally try to think up anything to ask, from how to do upkeep to skin care to how she got started. I felt very listened to and I felt safe and comfortable there at her business! Thank you Aejaie - you helped me out in something I felt lost on and now I practice nearly every day and love it!!! !!! read more

I have a great experience and was more than pleased with the makeover and wig styling. Aejaie was so nice and made me feel very comfortable as a newbie. I learned a lot about makeup watching her work and felt very pampered in the process. I will definitely do this again. read more

Guess this isn't a "normal" category sorta establishment, but surprised no one had reviewed Carla's before... Carla provides a delightful array or services, and sales of products for transgendered, male to female, folks of various varieties (The TG umbrella encompasses many different niches...). She does makeovers, various beauty treatments, and has an on-site electrolygist (sp?) as well as running social events, renting out lockers for folks that can't/won't get dressed at home, and basically serving as a centerpoint for the South Bay t-community. I got started as a "Carla's Girl" over a dozen years, and several locations , ago, first getting makeovers, then taking makeup lesson (face divided vertically, Carla would do something on one side, & I'd mimic on the other; very effective, I found). I owe a lot of my confidence & enthusiasm, as an out t-gal, to the great start I got thru Carla. For the closeted, scared, new gals out there, you can likely leap-frog your femme presentation and confidence by a couple of years, using Carla- money very well spent! To paraphrase the Visa Ads: Couple of makeovers at Carla's, maybe $175, nice breast forms, maybe $200; those first positive en femme outing experiences: priceless read more

What a charming shop! AND a great resource for the transgender community. In the main room, you'll probably find Aejaei (AJ) - a gorgeous blonde, and her Pomeranian, Rusty (he loves snuggles, so say hi!). You'll also find super cute skivvies, bras, statement shoes (I'm talking shimmery shiny ballsy high heels), lingerie, jewelry, and clothing, that mainly cater to women whose bodies might be more masculine, but who want to accentuate feminine features. The shoes run in big sizes - a welcome change for a girl with size 11 feet. There's a side room with some a small (but adequate) selection of sexual play items, as well as silicone (?) breasts - great for MTF or women who've gone through a mastectomy and prefer to "fill the cup", so to speak. My favorite thing about Carla's is that it's also a social club. Ask for more details if it peaks your interest. But all I'll give away is that it includes cookies! Aejaei is a great resource for what a transgender lady might need. She's well versed in styles and accommodations, quality products vs crappy ones.. I'm so so glad this shop and community resource is here! read more

I found Carla's while surfing the net for transgender friendly clothing/shoe shops. My wife and I visited the San Jose boutique and found it to be a quaint little shop that actually has a large variety and inventory of various high-quality girly products. I was specifically looking for a pair of heels as my size is very difficult to find in typical stores. This was the first time that I had publicly tried on women's shoes and I was quite nervous and very self-conscious to remove my shoes and show my pink toenails. The owner, Aejaie is quite friendly and put me at ease very quickly while patiently helping me try on several pairs of shoes. I do need to let you know that the prices are far more reasonable than I expected for a specialty shop. Neither of us are very happy with my internet purchased wig so after I selected three pairs of heels, my wife and I wandered into the wig room. Aejaie sat me in the 'fitting' chair and she must have tried half a dozen (or more) wigs on me until my wife and I both fell in love with a particular model. The quality of her wigs are very nice, they felt and looked far more realistic than I expected for the price. I expected them to cost several hundred dollars but were actually only around $150! Aejaie explained how to properly wear and care for a wig and informed us of her wig services which include trimming, washing and styling. She is also quite good at determining proper colors and styles for various skin tones and facial looks. We finally checked out the 'adult area' which we found well stocked and Aejaie was very knowledgeable and helpful. In summary, this is a fabulous boutique and the helpful and friendly proprietor will make any girl will feel welcome and comfortable, which can be difficult to find these days. Carla's also has a small members-only social area that allows a girl to be herself and meet other girls. I can't possible list all the services provided by Carla's, so I highly suggest that you check out her website (http://www.carlas.com/). I will be a recurring client and am looking forward to my next visit. I'm intrigued by her cosmetic makeovers and lessons and am contemplating becoming a member as well. Give her shop a visit, you won't be disappointed. -Fiona read more

Aejaie and everyone was very friendly made me feel welcomed and relaxed went above and beyond what i expected, Aejaie did a excellent job for a great price. I look forward to going again someday read more

I discovered Carla's on the internet while surfing for cross dressing support. I booked the Princess Excursion for my first public experience en femme. Aejaie took the time before my excursion to really understand what I wanted and what I was comfortable with. I visited from out of town and when I arrived I was warmly welcomed by Aejaie. Everything was ready as we had talked about. Aejaie helped me to be comfortable and relaxed. My makeover was done expertly, and the clothes and shoes Aejaie chose fit well. I felt gorgeous. I really like that the looks Aejaie created for me were perfect for the activities that we had planned. The prices for items in the boutique are extremely reasonable, and the quality is high. I had a marvelous experience. I found Aejaie to be warm, caring, encouraging and supportive. I definitely will go back, and I highly recommend Carla's. read more

I can't say enough good things about Aejaie. I looked and felt so good after the transformation session that I couldn't bear it to end, so I walked out the door still dressed, got in my car and stayed that way for the rest of the day, including going down to dinner in my hotel. I never expected to do anything like that, ever in my life. I've rarely left the house before and was terrified every time. But not this time. Aejaie worked everything out in advance with me in email - sizes, measurements, colors - so I felt like I knew her before I even arrived and it just got better. Can't recommend it enough. read more

My experience with Carla's included a makeover with Aejaie and then an excursion with Cynthia for lunch and some window shopping. Overall, it was a very good experience and I'd consider doing it again when in the area. Through frequent email communications in advance, and with my approval Aejaie selected a new wardrobe and wig for me. This was greatly appreciated. The sizes, styles and colors were exactly what I wanted - no disappointments. Aejaie greeted me at the door and made me feel welcome and comfortable immediately-she has a nice smile. One of Aejaie's assistants "Gina", seated at the front desk also greeted me. They were obviously ready for my visit. The shop itself was surprisingly tidy and organized. What a relief! After relaxing in the lounge with sips of spring water - I was shown a spacious private dressing room with closet, chair, and vanity to use as my base. No sharing needed- great! I tried on all the new dresses AND some that were in the shop. Ultimately I settled on one and agreed to purchase a second to take with me. The wig I selected was OK, but Aejaie suggested a different style which was definitely better- so switching was not a problem at all. There were a few other visitors while I was getting made-up but never felt uncomfortable. It seems very family-like. Finally done after a couple hours so we loaded me and my stuff into Cyntihias car and we headed into Oakland. Cynthia is a versatile conversationalist - engaging friendly. She was very pleasant company. Dining and walking around downtown dressed and dolled up was a blast. I got some "looks" but Cynthia assured me it was normal for a beautiful woman to get such attention. I can not think of anything Aejaie could have done to make the experience better. It would be fun for beginners or those with some experience too. Recommendations: Bring a camera and/or an extra memory card for Carla's. You'll want to take lots of photos. Be engaged in the planning process-more advance planning means a better experience. Only Concern - I wish San Jose was not so far away! Traffic can make the drive there stressful. read more

Fabulous experience! Aejaie is fantastic and makes you feel so comfortable throughout the experience. I would give it 6 stars if they had the option. read more

I found Carla's, similarly to one of the other reviewers, from a search on a cross-dresser forum. I had been looking for a boutique that specialized in transformations and was thrilled to find it as I was going to be going to be in the area for business. They have a wonderful website full of information about their services. I sent an email with some questions and very quickly heard back from Aejaie, the owner with answers. I decided to go ahead and book a standard transformation while I was in town. You book online and pay a deposit. Within a day Aejaie was in touch and over the course of a few emails, she knew my sizes, the clothes styles I liked, and had sent me photos of wigs to choose from. It was all very efficient and I felt comfortable knowing what to expect before I walked in. On the day of my appointment Aejaie was waiting for me. I had booked the last session of the day (it takes 2 hours) and we were the only ones in the shop. She is a warm and welcoming host, immediately putting me at ease. For me this was a huge step as I had only dressed at home before. After picking out some lingerie she showed my 5 dresses she had selected for me to try on. All wonderful choices and I liked more than one but did settle for one. After selecting some heels we then went to the make-up chair where she spent the next hour giving me a makeover. She then had me close my eyes as she added the wig. After getting it in place she had me open my eyes so I could take in the full effect of the transformation. I was thrilled. She did a wonderful job. There was still time left in my session so she happily took some photos for me with my cell phone and I had a chance to explore the social club for a few minutes. Although I had the option to change back before I left. She had done such a great job that I I felt comfortable enough to go ahead and leave the boutique and drive the 35 miles back to my hotel in rush hour traffic. It was the best feeling! I cannot say enough good things about my experience there. I hope to be able to go back if I am in town for business again. read more