*This information is no substitute for, or pretends to be, medical advice. I am a web developer and writer, not a medical professional. Any information here is presented based on research and experience. However, we stress that you speak to your medical provider about any questions you have and before you begin treatment.

What are Hormones?

Hated science class? Well tough falsies because one- science rocks, and two- you wouldn’t work on a carburetor if you didn’t know what it did or how it worked. So tough it out and learn about your body.

Here’s the quick answer, hormones are one of the three main components of what makes up the physical facets of gender. Chromosomes and gonads are the other two. The rest of what you think is male or female is really a secondary gender marker and can honestly occur in men or women. Some women have square jaws, some men develop breasts. What can I say? Bodies are weird that way.

For men, the hormones consist of Testosterone and its derivative 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Strong stuff, which we will get to later. For women you are looking at Estrogen and progesterone, which are no slouch themselves. However, in HRT the effect and scope of change is very different. But we will get into that later.

So What Do Hormones Do?

Often, we see gender attributed solely to chromosomes, and don’t hear as much about hormones. However, it is these hormones that set many of the secondary gender markers like body hair, voice pitch, etc. And so for those wishing to attain certain visual characteristics, hormones are a must.

Hold up keyboard warriors, that isn’t to say that being gender non-conforming or being trans means you HAVE to undergo HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), or that it is a requirement of transition. For health, financial, religious, or personal reasons- there are many people who opt to be non-op or non-hrt or both. Some people identify as transgender and don’t transition. It’s all valid, of course. But somethings just won’t happen without HRT.

TransgenderCare.com offers this explanation:

Testosterone and its potent derivative 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induce penile growth and secondary sex characteristics as sexual hair, deepening of the voice, a muscular build and the greater average height in males in comparison to the females. In girls, estrogens in conjunction with Progestogens induce breast formation and a fat distribution predominantly around the hips; subcutaneous fat padding produces a softness of the body configuration and of the skin. The skin in women is further generally less oily than in men; the latter on the basis of activation of the sebaceous glands by androgen.

So puberty comes along, and blammo- secondary gender markers all up in the joint. Up until puberty, we generally have to go out of our way to express our gender identity. As we saw in “Stranger Things” a preteen girl with a shaved head and neutral clothing had no problem passing as male (unintentionally). And it was even harder in the past when everyone pretty much put all kids in the same clothes- mostly dresses. Aside from a primary gender marker like genitalia to discern out- there is little difference outwardly.

So What Does that Mean to Me?

Me, me, me. That’s all you talk about. Well, to answer your question, it means that we are attempting to induce secondary gender markers and traits after puberty- to varying degrees of time. Or, we are trying to hold off puberty and avoid having these hormones start doing their remodeling work in the first place so that HRT can be begun. In many cases we are looking to also minimize unwanted gender markers as well as making changes to the body.

In the case of trans women, we are looking to not only block testosterone and DHT but also introduce estrogen or progesterone into the body. We will talk a bit more about how exactly this is done a bit later. Seriously, buckle up, it’s a long article.

So if that is your goal in mind, then HRT might be your ticket. Of course, there are some things to consider when starting HRT.

Some Things to Consider When Starting HRT

I know, great literary transition. Call me Hemingway.

So, the first thing you have to know is this- there is a process to medical transition. If you want to use medical procedures to alter your body, you have to go through the proper channels. If you were curious, they also won’t do spinal surgery without going through all the steps either. They generally like to check some boxes first.

The biggest thing is a letter from a therapist. Pretty much any Endocrinologist (think “hormone doctor”) is going to look at you vacantly and play out the movie “Diner” in their head while you talk if you try to go in and talk to them about HRT without a letter from your therapist recommending you for hormones. That’s because they tend to like their job. And performing a procedure on someone that hasn’t been properly checked out amounts to malpractice. So you will have to obtain a letter before an endocrinologist will see you.

Ah, the golden letter. What many transgender people seek, it is seen as a magical ticket that opens up the doors to the rest of your life. That’s right, one letter can change your life. So, for the life of me, I don’t understand why so many people think they can just call a therapist and ask them to write a letter or go to one session and get one. This is a big step- one that can have some irreversible effects. And, frankly, I’d be leery of any professional therapist handing out letters like a vending machine. We call those “letter factories”.

Generally, the rule for both therapists and Endocrinologists is one year of therapy to begin HRT. That’s when you can usually expect to get a letter. It might not be consecutive, or with the same therapist. But you at least need to show you’ve put in some consistent effort and made a commitment to this.

The letter itself is usually pretty straightforward. It essentially says that they’ve seen you for however long and that they’ve found you to be of sound mind and rational enough to make this decision. So that everyone can see it isn’t symptomatic of another condition. Usually, it is also covered that you are not being coerced in any way into this decision and you are doing it of your free will. Also, that it is not sexually motivated.

Once you have this letter, you will get referred to an Endocrinologist. This is either done through your regular doctor, a clinic like planned parenthood or directly from your therapist (ONLY if they are a psychiatrist).

The endocrinologist will run several tests to make sure that you are healthy and suitable for HRT. This will include a medical history and a good amount of blood work. After you get the all clear, your endocrinologist will sit down and work out a plan with you for your treatment including schedule, exact medication, and dosages.

For the record- we won’t be talking about dosages here. It’s considered a no-no. You need to stick to the dosage you are given. Even if you feel it isn’t happening fast enough and your friend is on a higher dosage than you. Just know that you are on the right dosage for you, and if you aren’t then your doctor will adjust that. Taking too much, or an incorrect dosage can lead to blood clots, strokes, seizures, taking not good blood thinners and death. Did you come all this way to wind up like that? Read more at http://sideeffectsofxarelto.org/current-xarelto-lawsuits/ and think.

Do I Have to be on HRT Forever?

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Unfortunately, the answer is yes. You will be on HRT for the rest of your life. Some of the effects of hormone replacement therapy are reversible and you will wind up right back where you started if you quit. You will need to discuss this further with your endocrinologist.

What Will I Be Taking?

This is entirely dependent on what your endocrinologist prescribes for you. But here are the types of hormones you can expect to receive:

Male to Female

• Estrogens
  The most commonly prescribed estrogens in HRT for transgender women are micronized estradiol, certain estradiol esters such as estradiol valerate and estradiol cypionate (which are prodrugs of estradiol), and conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin). Estrogens may be administered orally, nasally, sublingually, by intramuscular injection, from an implant, or transdermally (via gel, spray, or patch).
• Progestogens
  Progestogens include progesterone and progestins (synthetic progestogens). Progestogens commonly prescribed for transgender women include progesterone, cyproterone acetate, and medroxyprogesterone acetate. They may be administered orally, sublingually, rectally (by suppository), transdermally (in gel form), or by intramuscular injection.
• Anti-Androgens
  Anti-androgen medications work by blocking the effects of testosterone. For example, they will help slow male-pattern baldness, reduce growth of facial hair, and stop spontaneous/morning erections. They are not needed if one has undergone a bilateral orchidectomy (removal of both testicles).Anti-androgen drugs are often prescribed in addition to oestrogen, as the two have effects that complement each other. Taking anti-androgens reduces the amount of oestrogen you need to get the same effects, which minimizes the health risks associated with high doses of oestrogen. Anti-androgen drugs can be prescribed alone for those who want to reduce ‘masculine’ characteristics for a more androgynous appearance, as it’s less ‘feminizing’ than oestrogen.
  • Steroidal
    The most commonly used antiandrogens for trans women are steroidal: spironolactone and cyproterone acetate. Spironolactone, which is relatively safe and inexpensive, is the most frequently used antiandrogen in the United States. Cyproterone acetate, which is unavailable in the United States, is more commonly used in the rest of the world.
  • 5α-Reductase inhibitors
    Certain antiandrogens do not reduce testosterone or prevent its action upon tissues, but instead prevent its metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), from forming. These medications can be used when the patient has male-pattern hair loss and/or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), both of which DHT exacerbates. Two medications are currently available to prevent the creation of DHT: finasteride and dutasteride. DHT levels can be lowered up to 60–75% with the former, and up to 93–94% with the latter. These medications have also been found to be effective in the treatment of hirsutism in women.
  • Non-Steroidal
    Non-steroidal antiandrogens used in HRT for trans women include flutamide, nilutamide, and bicalutamide, all three of which are primarily used in the treatment of prostate cancer.[45][46] Unlike steroidal antiandrogens such as spironolactone and cyproterone acetate, these drugs are pure androgen receptor antagonists. They do not lower androgen levels; rather, they act solely by preventing the binding of androgens to the androgen receptor.
  • GnRH analogues
    In both sexes, the hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This in turn cause the gonads to produce sex steroids such as androgens and estrogens. In adolescents of either sex with relevant indicators, GnRH analogues such as goserelin acetate can be used to stop undesired pubertal changes for a period without inducing any changes toward the sex with which the patient currently identifies.
  • GnRH agonists
    GnRH agonists work by initially overstimulating the pituitary gland, then rapidly desensitizing it to the effects of GnRH. After an initial surge, over a period of weeks, gonadal androgen production is greatly reduced. Conversely, GnRH antagonists act by blocking the action of GnRH in the pituitary gland.

Female to Male

• Androgens
  A natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics. This is usually just generically referred to as “T” or testosterone.
• GnRH agonists
  In all people, the hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) to stimulate the pituitary to produce LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) which in turn cause the gonads to produce sex steroids. In adolescents of either sex with relevant indicators, GnRH agonists, such as nafarelin can be used to suspend the advance of sex steroid induced, inappropriate pubertal changes for a period without inducing any changes in the gender-appropriate direction. GnRH agonists work by initially over stimulating the pituitary then rapidly desensitizing it to the effects of GnRH. Over a period of weeks, gonadal androgen production is greatly reduced.
• Progestin injections
  Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) may be injected every three months just as it is used for contraception. Generally, after the first cycle, menses are greatly reduced or eliminated. This may be useful for transgender men prior to initiation of testosterone therapy. These work to help eliminate menstruation and acts as birth control.
• Supplements
  Andro ‘Pro-hormones’: Androstenedione, 4-androstenediol, 5-androstenediol, 19-androstenediol, and 19-norandrostenediol are sold as supplements that are purported to increase serum testosterone, increase muscle mass, decrease fat, elevate mood, and increase sexual performance (i.e. many of the effects transgender men seek with androgen therapy). However, there is no good medical evidence that the pro-hormones do any of these things. However, there is evidence that ingestion of these substances can cause elevated estrogen levels, and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol.

What Will Change?

This will vary depending on dosage, length on therapy, and whether you are a trans male or female.

Female to Male

• deepening of the voice,
• growth of facial and body hair
• male pattern baldness (in some individuals)
• an enlargement of the clitoris
• growth spurt and closure of growth plates if given before the end of puberty
• possible shrinking and/or softening of breasts, although this is due to changes in fat tissue
• increased libido
• redistribution of body fat
• cessation of ovulation and menstruation
• further muscle development (especially upper body)
• increased sweat and changes in body odor
• prominence of veins and coarser skin
• acne (especially in the first few years of therapy)
• alterations in blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
• increased red blood cell count

Male to Female

• Breast development and enlargement
• Softening and thinning of the skin
• Decreased body hair growth and density
• Redistribution of body fat in a feminine pattern
• Decreased muscle mass and strength
• Widening of the hips (if epiphyseal closure has not yet occurred; see below)
• Decreased acne, skin oiliness, scalp hair loss, and body odor
• Decreased size of the penis, scrotum, testicles, and prostate
• Suppressed or abolished spermatogenesis and fertility
• Decreased semen production/ejaculate volume
• Changes in mood, emotionality, and behavior
• Decreased sex drive and incidence of spontaneous erections

Potential Side Effects

Male to Female

• Blood Clots
• Prolactinoma
• Gallstones
• Possible Risk of Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Infertility

Special note about Spironolactone
Spironolactone is often prescribed in MTF therapy for pre-op trans women. It’s used off-label to this end, as it is usually prescribed for high blood pressure or edema. It is a diuretic that expels water and holds on to potassium. However, you can hold on to too much potassium and wind up with a life threatening situation. So you have to make sure you have your levels closely monitored.

Female to Male

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Increased red blood cells and hemoglobin
• Onset or worsening of headaches and migraines
• Cancer
• Mental Health

That’s a very broad overview to start, what questions do you have that you would like answered in part 2? We will be covering supplements, online ordering, administering medication, and more. Let us know what you want in the comments below.

You may not have thought about it- but makeup actually does expire. I know, crazy at it sounds, but makeup does breakdown over time. Or sometimes, based on the type- it can become unsafe due to potential for bacteria buildup.

So what’s a girl to do? Sure you paid $60 for that bottle of Kat Von D or Marc Jacobs- but is it still good? Using expired makeup doesn’t do you any favors dearhearts. Yeah, you bought the good stuff. But if it’s past it’s prime, then it won’t work as well as it should. It’s time has passed.

Much like Eddie Murphy.

Damn, I wanted a leather jumpsuit.

I digress. Makeup has a shelf life, and thankfully makeup guru Wayne Goss is here to help us out.

And here is the cleaner that Wayne talks about:
[amazonjs asin=”B00775RTJQ” locale=”US” title=”BeautySoClean Cosmetic Sanitizer 4.1 oz (120 ml)”]

Can’t watch now, or want an easy to copy list? Here are some guidelines.

The Expiration Guidelines

Foundation

Water-based foundation lasts for up to a year and the more common form of oil-based, up to 18 months. The two different types will be clearly visible on the label.

Concealer

Has a shelf life of one year. Avoid using the concealer directly on the spot, as this can leave bacteria on the product and, when used elsewhere on the face, lead to further outbreaks. Instead use a short, pointed brush to dot the concealer over the spot, then clean the brush using Mac’s brush cleanser.

Powder

Lasts, in pressed form, up to 18 months with the loose variety lasting up to one year. Makeup sponges don’t need to be thrown out but they do need to be washed every week. Use soapy water and allow them to dry naturally before you place them back in the compact to avoid encouraging bacteria. But once a sponge has lost it’s original shape, smells off or is shredding at the edges, replace!

Blusher

Has a shelf life of one year. Over time, they get cakey and dried out, making them difficult to apply, so toss them! Cream blushers will last longer, as the pigment and oils preserve them.

Eye shadow

Has a shelf life of one to two years for both powder and cream formulations.

Lipstick and Lip Gloss

Both have a shelf life of up to two years. As with cream blushers, pigment and oils preserve lipsticks but if you get a cold sore while using one, throw it out immediately – the same goes for gloss. And if you use a lip brush, wash it twice a week with Mac’s brush cleanser.

Nail Polish

Lasts for up to a year or two years if stored properly.

Mascara

This is the product that got the short straw in the shelf life stakes – it needs to be replaced after a mere four months. Don’t share mascaras with friends – the wand harbours a host of bacteria that are naturally present on our eyelashes but can cause infections to others. If you have a stye or any other kind of eye infection replace your mascara immediately. Oh and NEVER SHARE MASCARAS!!

You can also make your mascara last longer by not double dipping and using disposable mascara brushes.

[amazonjs asin=”B014R19NT6″ locale=”US” title=”Smilesun Disposable Eyelash Eye Lash Makeup Brush Mascara Wands Applicator Makeup Kits (100PCS Pink)”]

Why should I care?

Always remember, this isn’t to get deeper in your wallet, it’s to make sure you get the highest quality. But more importantly, it’s to protect your health and avoid any infections.

Plus, these are just guidelines. It’s not like milk. If you take care sanitizing and keeping your makeup and brushes clean, as well as the other tips here- your investment will last.

We’ve talked a bit about body types before- but consider this the master post.

Let’s be clear, you can wear whatever you want. But if you are looking to present a “feminine” figure, then you have to be aware of certain rules. If you don’t care to camouflage, or are more androgynous or genderqueer- then by all means get down with your bad self. This is just meant to be a guide for minimizing masculine features.

Body Types

First you need to know the types of bodies we are dealing with. There is the hourglass, pear, apple, inverted triangle, and column. Each have certain properties that will have to be addressed.

Hourglass

Right off the bat, let’s be honest. Sadly, not many trans women are blessed with hourglass figures. If you are, then you are a lucky one indeed. Your battle is a downhill one. After all, this is usually the most desired shape. It means your shoulders and hips are roughly the same width and your waist is smaller and more defined. It’s the stereotypical female shape. Think Marilyn Monroe.

Pear

It’s just like it sounds. Your shoulders and chest are smaller than your waist, hips, and thighs. In order to draw attention- you will be looking to pull the eye up north, away from the mid-section.

Apple

Apple bodies have a larger waist and an average chest, usually with a wider back, flatter butt, and smaller arms and legs. Again, you’ll want to divert attention from the middle of your body towards the legs, bust, and arms. Very common shape for transgender women.

Inverted Triangle

This is another really common shape to see on transgender women, and a frustrating one for many. Broad shoulders and slimmer hips and mid-section. As you can imagine, you will want to draw the eye away from the bust and shoulders. We will talk about that below.

Column

This is a slender shape with narrow shoulders, chest, and hips. Almost no body shape or curves to be seen. But that can be fixed by defining some shape in the body.

The Clothes

Here are some tips for different types of clothes. Remember, this is just a guideline.

Skirts and Dresses

Fit and flare, or A-Line dresses and skirts are wonderful for creating a wider shape for the hips and drawing the eye. The contrast of fits can really minimize the chest and shoulders for those apple and inverted triangle types. However pears should avoid these in general, as it exaggerates the shape. Columns can pull this off too, but make sure to go with a more moderate flare or you might look more like a bell than a belle.

Avoid body contouring, or bodycon, style dresses or skirts for the most part. You will create no shape, and only accentuate your natural shape. And, what most people won’t tell you- you will easily be able to see if you are wearing any kind of shapewear. Any hip pads, or butt pads, or spanks are going to be painfully obvious.

Pants

I know skinny jeans and pants are in. But this is another tough one for trans women to pull off. Not only do you run into our natural problem between the legs, you are again not creating a new shape. Just showing what you already have. Boot cut is your friend. An added bonus of boot cut pants? They can help hide larger shoes for those girls that have slightly bigger feet. Skinny jeans will REALLY exaggerate the size of your feet. Not good for most of us.

Tops

The biggest rule I’ve learned is this- just say no to cap sleeves. Yes, they look cute, but they will absolutely not hide your shoulders at all. They exaggerate them to the nth degree. You might as well put on a shoulder-padded blouse straight out of “Dynasty”.

Go for structure and flow, avoid form-fitting. Again, we land on this point. A little clingy is fine, but you want a little structure to it. Skintight is not going to flatter you unless you naturally have a very feminine shape. And luckily, flow is in right now. This summer all I am seeing practically are flow-y tops. Usually sleeveless. And believe me, sleeveless is far better than cap sleeves. And no- I have no clue why.

And go for v-necks over deep scoop necks. A scoop neck creates a wide picture. A v-neck draws the eyes down towards the chest and mid-section away from the shoulders. And believe it or not- a v-neck can help slenderize the face as it draws the eye down.

Belts

So, belts are a double edged sword. They can be wonderful tools for creating shape by defining a waist, but with the wrong body shape and wrong best- they can be horrid. Belts are great for pear, and inverted triangle, and especially column body shapes. A solid-color wide belt can really cut into (visually) a mid-section and carve out (visually) a waist to create a curvier look. On an apple, a wide belt is going to look…not good. My advice is that you still need to create a line there to define a waist- so just go with a thinner belt. They look better on wider mid-sections.

[amazonjs asin=”B01AN52TB4″ locale=”US” title=”Vintage Wide Elastic Stretch Waist Clasp Belt Waistband Black S CL8962″]

Shoes

I don’t want to be the one to break this to you- but shoes are often the bane of a trans woman’s existence. Either you can’t find shoes in your size, or you find a display pair that looks cute but does NOT translate to larger sizes well, or everything in your size looks like it was made on a dare. Finding shoes that look good, feel good, and cost…good are little marvelous unicorns. But there are things you should know.

In general, your size in women’s shoes is two sizes larger than the size of your old shoes. There is variance- but that’s pretty typical. Please, don’t wear smaller shoes because they are cuter or you are self-conscious. All you will do is mess up your feet and be miserable. Believe me- it’s not worth it. I’ve done it.

Next, boots are tricky as well. I find it odd that I’ve always been able to wear boots in almost one size smaller than any other type of shoes. So strange. However the problem is that I have larger more muscular calves. So if you don’t have average to slender legs, you might have problems. I have tried on and ordered many a boot where apparently my calf can’t be taymed and will not fit.

Toes. Okay, this one is a tough sell but hear me out. Pointy toes are not your friends. This is the secret women have learned over the years. Yes, pointed toes can look very elegant and feminine. But in order to accommodate your toes and still point- the shoes become much longer. This is going to make your feet look MUCH larger. And it’s really tough to find a pair that are comfortable. That’s pretty important for those who are just getting used to women’s shoes.

Finally- a bummer for summer and one that many trans women don’t want to accept. Sandals, they are just a difficult thing to pull off. Larger feet just become exaggerated in sandals. With more skin available and toes showing- there is less hiding your feet. So if you are trying to camouflage, this is not a good idea. Unfortunately, most of us hold remnants of our old life in our feet. They are usually larger, and not as well taken care of. So keep that in mind.

General Rules for Dressing to Transition

Dark Colors De-emphasize and Light Colors Emphasize. Use accordingly

That means, if you have large shoulders and chest, white or neon green is probably not your frand.

Stripes and Patterns Can Be Strategic

• Busy patterns on a top can really help a pear shape. Conversely, a busy pattern on a bottom or skirt can help an inverted triangle
• Vertical stripes lengthen and horizontal widen. Use this knowledge accordingly. And a note, wide stripes work best on fuller figures. But diagonal stripes work best.
• Blocks of color are great for defining shape for apples and columns. Strategically placed side blocks with subtle shaping towards the middle can help create more of a figure.

Wear Clothes That Fit

Should be a no-brainer, but I see it often. And I have been guilty too. When you are trying to build a closet you grab whatever you can. And often when first shopping in public you might be too scared to try something on. Or you get it online and it just doesn’t fit. Don’t wear it. Sell it, return it, or donate it. It will do you no favors. Remember, tight clothes emphasize a male figure and loose clothes just look sloppy and define nothing at all. And if you are bigger, buy your right size. You will not look magically smaller if you can squeeze into an XL if you need an XXL. Suck it up, and buy the right size. There is no shame in it. Women come in all sizes.

Dress Appropriate to Your Age

Again, not dictating what’s okay to wear. But it’s just a simple truth that dressing for an age that doesn’t suit you is a sure way to stand out. For us that means getting clocked. That means if you are fifty, body contouring minis and leggings that say “Juicy” are not your best bet. There are plenty of ways to dress fashionably and keep a youthful look without going to cliches. Believe me, it will boost your confidence. Dressing like you are an 18-year-old “scene kid” will not boost your confidence.

Keep it Current

This is another “unwanted attention” reminded. Wearing leopard print spandex and leg warmers is not the norm, and hasn’t for a long time. Some people can pull off retro looks, but if you can’t- you should avoid it. If for no other reason, avoid so you don’t hurt your confidence. Ask yourself how many cis women you see dress that way. That’s a good guideline to go by.

As a result I see, usually older, trans women often sticking to the era they wish they could have dressed or when they first felt feminine. That leads to a lot of middle-aged trans women dressing like extras from “Dynasty”. You are going to stick out. The silk blouses, gaudy dresses, and ungodly shoulder pads are not a good luck and will get you stares. A cis woman would get stares in those get-ups, so this isn’t a “picking on you” thing. Believe me, I wish I could pull off retro and pinup, but it just doesn’t look good on me. I’m not one of those people.

Don’t Wear Uncomfortable Clothes

This goes back to the size thing, but also any cuts that make you uncomfortable or just things that don’t look right. Don’t wear something just because it’s in the closet. If you are uncomfortable, it will show. You will look uncomfortable, and your confidence will plummet. Plus, you’ll just be plain miserable. You may have always dreamed of wearing skyscraper heels. But if you aren’t used to them you will be in pain as well as walking like a baby gazelle.

Preemptive Action

I have no doubt this will get shared or commented with great exasperation from those who take offense at everything with remarks like, “HOW DARE SHE TELL ME WHAT TO WEAR!!!” or “WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS!” or “I’LL WEAR WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!11111OMGWTFBBQ”.

The fact is, these are just general fashion and clothing tips. And they apply to everyone, cis/trans/male/female/whatever. This information is gathered from years of experience, suggestions, and research. And I think if you give them a chance, you will find clothing less intimidating and have greater success creating the look you are going for.

In the end, wear whatever you want that makes you feel good. These are just guidelines and suggestions that will help those that want to pass and not get unwanted attention. If you don’t care, then great- you do you. Frankly, I could care less if you want to go to the Piggly Wiggly in a Supergirl costume, moon boots, and a top hat. Just don’t get upset if you get stares and weird looks and start screaming about “Why is everyone looking at me!!!”.

No need to get in a tizzy- it seems like this article just wasn’t for you. They won’t all be.

Originally on Cosmopolitan.com
When Kelly – formerly known as boxing promoter Frank Maloney – strutted into the Celebrity Big Brother house recently, it was a bit of a first for the transgender community. Men choosing to live as a women has always existed, but by making such a public appearance in her new feminine get-up, Kelly helped to chip away at the ignorant view some people still have on the subject. We chatted to Jodie Lynn, a makeup artist who has dedicated her career to helping men reveal the woman within…

“I have been obsessed with makeup for as far back as I can remember.”

I loved the smell of it and the different shades and colours. My parents bought me one of those mannequin heads as a child and I virtually wore it out! I had a fascination with drag queens from a young age too – using makeup to switch genders seemed so powerful to me.”

“My clients vary in age from 15 to 96, from cleaners to politicians.”

There really is no trend in who transgenderism affects – Christians, Jews, Muslims… Everyone! The majority of my clients are living in the closet. Most of the time, nobody knows their secret apart from me. The transvestite clients normally live a heterosexual existence with a wife and family who have no idea that they have been sporadically dressing as a woman for years. They don’t wish to transition or change gender, they just have an overwhelming desire to dress as a female every so often. These clients will come to me for a makeover and a dressing-up session but they have to change back at the end and go back to their normal lives.

“There is no specific male-to-female makeup course.”

Instead, I went for lessons with an amazing transsexual woman called Pandora De’Pledge who sadly died a few years ago from cancer. Pandora had been one of the Barbettes (Transsexual waitresses and performers) at Madame Jo Jo’s back in the 1980’s. She was big, blonde and beautiful and could carve out a female face on any man and make them look amazing. Pandora taught me about the main differences between a male and female face and how to address these by using clever hi-lighting, contouring and shading. She was amazing and I will always be incredibly grateful for her invaluable advice.

“I own a London makeup studio called The Boudoir.”

I give my clients a makeover then take them out onto Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Knightsbridge. This is a whole new challenge for them as it involves them trying to “pass” in public. Rarely do we get stares, though. We go out as a group – have sat in the Royal Box at the theatre and attended over 10 Royal Ascots. We don’t do things by half and when we do it, we do it with style and dignity. I was recently offered the chance to buy a similar business in West Hollywood. London and LA are both fabulous places to be a transgender person – you can just blend in and enjoy your day.

“I don’t like wigs that look like wigs.”

I tend to use Noriko, Renee of Paris or Amore ones – they are all great quality synthetic. I love human hair wigs too but they need heat styling every time you wear them and for a lot of my clients who have to keep their wig hidden away, they just don’t have the time, patience or expertise to completely restyle a wig every time they wear it. I really like the gradient colour wigs with darker roots, especially in the blonde and lighter brown tones. The darker roots just make the wig look more real and for most of my girls, that is what it is all about.

“I have watched my clients break down and cry after their makeovers.”

Sometimes it’s the first time that they have ever seen themselves looking realistic as a female. It can be totally overwhelming and somewhat of a relief. It can also be quite frightening for them as it suddenly presents a whole world of possibilities that they never felt that they had before. One client who has now been successfully transitioned to female for the past five years said that when she first came to me, she was hoping that I would make her look horrible so that she could shelve all the feelings and then perhaps it would go away. When she saw how I made her look and more importantly, how it made her feel, her world turned upside down because she suddenly realized that her dreams to live as a woman were now a possibility.

JODIE LYNN’S TOP TIPS FOR TRANSGENDER MAKEOVERS

1. CONCEALING STUBBLE

“Heavy stubble can be disguised using a Red Mehron Paint Stick to neutralise the blue tones in the shadow, before using Kryolan TV Paint Stick over the top. This is theatrical makeup made to withstand the heat from theatre lights, so good for a person wearing a wig that’s stopping heat escaping from their head. For less heavy shadow I tend to use MAC Full Coverage or MAC Pro Longwear Foundation because of their durability. MAC are a very Transgender supportive company. Translucent powder is also crucial to set the foundation and stop it from lifting around the beard area.”

2. SHAPING EYEBROWS WITHOUT PLUCKING

“Eyebrows can be disguised and reshaped using eyebrow wax. The wax needs to be applied to the hairs that you want to disguise and leave the hairs behind that you want to create a nice arched shape with. Then you can apply foundation over the wax followed by a lighter coloured eyeshadow such as white or cream.”

3. CREATING FEMALE CONTOURS

“There are 18 structural differences between a male and female face, and I address this with very structured contouring. I shade MAC Bronzer in Golden Refined on the temples to slim the forehead down, the sides of the nose to reduce the width, the indent of the cheeks to make a sharper cheek bone, and the jaw line to round off and soften the typical square male jaw. I also highlight the top of the cheekbone, the middle of the nose, the middle of the forehead, the middle of the top lip, and the middle of the chin with a very light dusting of white eye shadow.”

4. PLUMPING LIPS

“Women generally have fuller lips than men, so I need to line the lips outside of their natural lip line, but without creating that sex doll look. I then fill in with a lipstick using a lip brush, powder over, dust away the excess and then reapply. This makes the colour stronger, prevents bleeding and helps the lipstick to stay on all night. I also add a small amount of white eye shadow to the middle of the bottom lip to give it a fuller appearance.”

Find out more at Jodie’s website for Le Boudoir.

Source
Author: Cassie Powney

I share your passion – but let’s face it: learning to walk in heels is a daunting task for cis and transgender women alike! Fortunately, it’s something anybody can master with practice.

Ready to polish your supermodel strut? Here are 10 essential tips for walking in heels:

1. Work your way up. The higher the heel, the greater the challenge, so start with a pair of heels no more than two inches tall. Once you’ve mastered that pair, you try a higher heel.

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2. Practice standing in heels. Before you take your first step, practice your balance by standing in heels. Experiment with different poses as you get used to the added height.

3. Improve your posture. Keep your shoulders back, your spine tall, and your chest forward. Good posture keeps you steady in the highest of heels.

4. Take a few steps. Now you’re ready to walk! Take your first steps on a hard surface since carpet can throw off your balance.
5. Point your feet forward. In the beginning women tend to turn their feet out as they walk, so remember to keep both feet perfectly parallel.

6. Keep your legs together. Women walk with their legs close together, so imagine that you are placing each foot along the edge of a ruler – you shouldn’t have more than two inches between your feet.

7. Shorten your stride. Big steps can trip you up; instead take small, delicate steps. The higher the heel, the shorter your stride should be.

8. Straiten your legs. Bent knees throw off your balance and look inelegant. Practice walking with strait legs.

9. Challenge yourself. Once you’ve mastered the basics, try turning in different directions. Take a few steps on different floor surfaces and practice your stride on stairs.

10. Practice makes perfect. Walking in heels is totally different from walking in tennis shoes, so don’t expect instant success. Just keep practicing and soon you’ll be strutting with the best of us!

Beefheads Fitness is a collaboration between several FTM transgender male fitness enthusiasts and experts that have been where you are and are ready to help you reach your goals. Unfortunately the channel no longer seems to be updated. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a library of great information about supplements, nutrition, and exercise routines. You can get tips on building your chest, as well as the best protein to take.

They also talk about the mindset behind fitness and what it means to them to change their bodies, and finally take control of something that made them feel trapped. That kind of control can do so much to ease dysphoria.

Here is one video that talks about chest day and building up those muscles that are so important to a male body shape, and helping to really get rid of a huge secondary gender marker.

Check out their channel here.

1. Let Your Hair Down

It may seem that the answer to a more feminine look is long, luscious hair (rock it if you’ve have it!) however the secret’s actually in the hairline. A traditionally masculine hairline is lowest at the center and highest at the corners (think an ‘M’ shape for ‘male’) while a traditionally feminine hairline is much more evenly curved. To fake a female hairline, sweep your bangs across your forehead or tuck the front portion of your hair behind your ear Ariana Grande-style.

2. Raise your Brows

Everyone knows how important it truly is to keep the brows on fleek nowadays (should you need a little help, Audra has an awesome tutorial) and the right brow shape can instantly feminize your face. Natal females generally have higher brow bones than natal males, making a greater distance between the bottom of the brow and the eyelid. When grooming your brows, concentrate on the hair beneath your brow line and complete using a concealer or highlighter to brighten the area and exaggerate your eyelid.

3. Flaunt Those Lashes

It’s not a secret that we love to finish a great makeup look with butterfly lashes, and why not? Thick, dark lashes emphasize your beautiful eyes and convey a female flair to your face. If you want amazing lash-plumping recommendations, Audra has a great help guide to getting the falsies look without springing for all those Velour lashes.

4. Contour Lightly

Kim Kardashian has probably already inspired you to have fun with contouring, but ever thought about why we’re so obsessive about the contour craze? Traditional Kim K-eque contouring (darks around the perimeter, lights inside the center) is supposed to make a perfectly oval face, one that’s slightly longer than it is wide and gently rounded. In other words, the ultimate femme. It will take a little bit of experimenting to discover your ideal contour, but Cara can certainly help you with the basics!

5. Don’t Ignore Your Cheeks!

If your already-gorgeous face is long and flat, the center of a more feminine shape rests at the center for two main reasons:

First: A femme face boasts slightly fuller cheeks than the usual traditionally masculine face.

Second: A more masculine face features a larger distance between the bottom of the eye and the top of the jaw when compared to a feminine face.
A lovely peachy-pink blush along with a sweep of highlight over the first half of the apples of your cheeks (the part that shows up when you smile) is capable of doing absolute wonders. It will not only round out the middle of your face, but it’ll also distort the length of your face. Science!

6. Plump Your Lips

You don’t need to fake Kylie Jenner proportions to appear more feminine, but fuller lips is definitely an easy cheat. Just with the middle of the face, a more masculine face has a longer distance both between the tip of the nose and the top lip and between the bottom lip and the tip of the chin. It is possible to fake a fuller pout by (slightly!) overdrawing the shape of your lips with a fine-tipped lip pencil and finishing any lip look with a dot of highlight in the center.

If you want to get a close shave, grabbing the razor on the way out of bed is not the solution. First thing in the morning your skin is still a bit puffy from sleep. So give it 20-30 minutes for your skin to tighten back up to normal. You’ll get a closer shave because more of the hair follicle is exposed.

2. Prepare Your Skin

If you want a quick and guaranteed way to butcher your skin, just slap on some shaving cream on your dry, room temperature skin and take a razor to it. You will exfoliate your skin the wrong way, get more nicks, and oh yeah- it hurts like hell. Take a nice hot shower or wrap a hot moist towel around your face and neck for a few minutes before you shave. It softens the follicles, opens the pores, and give you a smoother surface to work with.

3. Moisture Matters

This one gets overlooked a lot. Your skin craves moisture, and I can almost guarantee you aren’t moisturizing enough. So, before you shave, take a few minutes and moisturize. Get in there and really let your skin soak it up. And don’t forget to moisturize after shaving. A great after-shave lotion should contain aloe vera.

4. EXFOLIATE! EXFOLIATE!

You should be exfoliating anyway, just because it makes your skin look better. But, it also helps reduce redness, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. It does this by eliminating dead skin cells and giving you a closer shave and a cleaner surface that won’t trap hairs or get irritated.

5. Slow Down the Growth

There are thankfully some really good shaving cream products out there that help to slow hair growth. One is Aveeno’s Positively Smooth Shave Gel. Another is Dollar Shave Club’s Dr. Carver’s Pillowy Shave Lather. Both work to slow hair growth and give a much smoother finish.
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6. TECHNIQUE!

This is one that often gets overlooked. When it comes to the face, you might have seen the approach of all downstrokes on the face, and up strokes on the neck. The truth is, that isn’t going to give you the closest shave. You want to give your hair one to two passes (only one if your skin is sensitive) going with the “grain” or hair growth direction, and one that goes against it. Just gently rub your face and you will quickly be able to tell what direction that is.

7. All Shave and No Replacement Makes Jack a Dull Razor

It is a universal truth that the most dangerous blade, of any kind, is a dull one. You have to use more passes and more force to exert the same effort. It’s a losing game. So replace that blade every 2-3 times you shave. I know it gets more expensive, but if you want results and you don’t want to butcher yourself- it’s a necessary evil.

8. Choose Your Weapon

A good razor is core to a good shave. You want something that follows along your contours and glides easily on the skin. Many in the transgender community swear by the Gillette Sensor- which does work well. However I am also a fan of the “Venus” line of razors. I feel like they follow contours better.
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The “Selene” is a sheer panty gaff in a thong style with a removable silicone vagina insert to “help to create a smoother, more feminine front while hiding your genitals”. According to the manufacturer, it keeps everything in place while making you look and feel more feminine. It comes from the artists who also created the “Aphrodite” breast forms and “Venus” breast enhancers.

With the basics out of the way, let’s get on with it.

Unboxing the “Selene”

First thing out of the gate, the package IS discrete. Heck, I didn’t have any clue what it was and I knew it was coming. There are no outward clues as to what is in the box or who it is from. So you are definitely safe here. Now, I truly mean it when I say I had no clue what it was. I had been so busy at the office that I had completely forgotten about it. So imagine my confusion and surprise to open the box to find rose petals scattered around the box and on top of the wrapping paper. Somehow I just knew I was about to unwrap Gwyneth Paltrow’s head from Se7en. But I found my way to a box wrapped in red tissue and was delighted to see that the “Selene” had made its way to the office.

Now, I knew exactly what was coming, but it still gave me pause when I opened up the box to see a vagina staring up at me to say “Yo!”. So if you’ve never ordered anything like this, prepare to feel a bit conflicted. It’s just a bit jarring to see autonomous body parts.

The Run Down

Without question, the “Selene” is very well made. The material is high quality, the silicone sculpt is done very well- I had zero issue with quality of the quality. The mesh material is comfortable and fits well even on a slightly curvier girl, like myself. I also found it did a great job not trying to split me up the middle with the thong, which was a pleasant surprise.

Beware that you want to be careful on sizing. I probably could have went down a size easily. I feel like I would have gotten a bit better support out of the “Selene” as a gaff alone was the fit a bit better for me. But, in all honesty, I am a little odd shaped. So meh. But for that reason, I couldn’t see wearing it without the silicone insert, because I just didn’t feel as comfortably flat. It did the job, but I don’t feel like that is how the “Selene” is supposed to work- it’s not meant to be a standalone gaff.

Putting it on for the first time took me aback, I slipped on the “Selene” and looked in the mirror and suddenly, I saw a vagina. Not my birth genitals. It was really kind of surreal. The dysmorphia was shocked into silence. And here might be the most powerful facet of this gaff. Not only does it smooth out your area, but it replaces the visual with what many transgender people would rather see. And I found myself staring at myself in the mirror. Thankfully I live alone so no awkward moments were to be had.

As for wearing under clothes, it’s hit or miss. It really depends on what you are comfortable with and what you are wearing. See, the sculpt of the vagina features some fairly “full” labia. And so they do protrude a bit. So if you are wearing leggings or yoga pants that are pretty thin- you might find yourself with a bit of a camel toe. Which, I personally am not super comfortable with. But mileage varies.

Also, you will want to make sure you are pretty well tucked if you are wearing these under some kind of pants, shorts, or leggings. While there is a cavity in the back of the insert, if you aren’t tucked then the insert will protrude a bit giving you a kind of rounded crotch. Again though, this probably would have been less an issue if I went down a size.

One final note, remember- you are wearing a piece of silicone over your genitals. And, well, that can get hot. So that makes this not an ideal solution for all-day wear, especially in the summer.

Overall

I really like the “Selene”, I think it’s a very high quality product from a respected and trusted company. There are lots of pluses to be had here in that the construction is really well-done, it’s comfortable, and a great tool against dysphoria. There are negatives like long term wear of the silicone piece, not being the strongest gaff, camel toe potential; but I feel like those are points you mitigate. They don’t actually take away from the positives when you are using it correctly.

This is a “night out” gaff, or a sexy time undergarment, something to give you a boost and make you feel amazing. That’s why the negatives don’t really matter here, they don’t apply if you use it as it’s intended.

The “Selene” is listed at $149.99 but is currently on sale at $129.99 on their website. Take a look and you can also check out all of their other products for crossdressers and the transgender community.

It is this thickening that makes your voice become deeper. Think of it like guitar strings- the thicker the string the lower the tone. For trans men, this means that HRT will alter your voice and give you a more traditionally masculine voice. Unfortunately, no amount of estrogen or testosterone blocking will skinny up your vocal chords. It’s one of the sad truths about HRT for transgender women- we just don’t experience as many physical changes as trans men do.

There are surgeries that you can undergo to attempt to change your voice, but these can be risky and are most certainly expensive. Luckily, however, you can train your voice to become more “feminine” by altering your pitch, tone, and speech pattern. It isn’t a quick or easy fix, but it has worked for countless trans women and it can work for you. These are the techniques that have been used long before we had the alternatives of surgery. No matter where your voice is now, no matter how deep, you can make headway. Now, you won’t go from Barry White to Mariah Carey- let’s be honest here. However, you will see a difference if you put in the work.

Here, the beautiful and prolific Stef Sanjati goes over the exercises and practices she has employed over the last year for voice training and displays the results comparing her own voice over the course of a year.

Just remember, it’s more than pitch. Talking like Mickey Mouse isn’t going to accomplish your goal. You need to keep in mind pitch, tone, and flow (speech patterns)- it is only in altering all three that you will get the results you want.

One final note, please keep in mind what Stef says in her video. It is important that you are doing this for the right reasons. Don’t do it because you feel obligated, or because you think it is expected. Do it because it is something you want and it will help you to feel more complete. As with every stage of transition, do voice training because it is what you want.

Check out Stef’s YouTube Channel for more great videos.