Passing Advice?

[Guest Emily_MI]

After my first feminine hair styling appointment over the weekend. Any advice, critiques? Please be 100% brutally honest..

P.S. I am still not full-time yet, hopefully I am moving in that direction soon.

Link: http://imgur.com/a/rnA7K

[Drea]

I don't comment on photos much. Partly cause I can tend to be too analytical and often that reads as harsh. It also hard to judge overall impression from a photo, but the mood struck me so here goes.

The hair style looks totally workable. No issues with them giving you something that looks too male.

Don't know if that is natural hair color or not, but it looks natural so if it is, you have a great color and if it isn't natural, the color goes well with your features/complexion.

Correct me if I am wrong it looks like you have a common challenge with some thinning hair/widows peak on the right side in the image and the style just went with it. A very common solution that works and I could be wrong and reading too much.

You might want to try getting some profile vies from right or left or at 45 degees from forward. These are common views others will see you from and these tend to be tougher to get looking good. On the other hand, I tend to think pure 90 deg profile views tend to be harsh (never liked mine) so not necessarily anything to get too worked up about.

[VickySGV]

Pretty much the same hair style I have and today I have a hair appointment too. My mirror is still in one piece, so at least it can stand how I look!! No major problems being seen as female (which for me is crucial). Bring the pics on in here to your gallery!! Hopefully your hair will hold the curl. Cute. The trick you will have is keeping it boy when you absolutely have to. (I was there once!)

[JJ]

It looks very good and as Drea said the color is beautiful as is the cut and texture. One thing I would maybe suggest considering is how bangs would look. They make a clip on or extension you could try to see if you liked without cutting your hair but I have noticed more and more how much higher men's hairlines are as mine has climbed. It was always seen as high for a woman but has retreated a couple of inches. And the higher it got the more I was seen as masculine. Just one of those unconscious clues people go by I think. Bangs are just feminine and also bring focus down to the eyes. Most of us have eyes that proclaim our gender loud and clear.

Anyway-as I said I like it and the bangs are just a suggestion

Johnny

[Drea]

One thing I would maybe suggest considering is how bangs would look. They make a clip on or extension you could try to see if you liked without cutting your hair but I have noticed more and more how much higher men's hairlines are as mine has climbed.

Absolutely, bangs are good and in my opinion are good for helping the profile. The challenge for many MTF is thinning hair can make bangs seem impractical, but sometimes what seems really thin, with the right tricks can work. Pulling hair from the back can help. Also, and I know this one sometimes is tough to think about, shorter hair won't pull hair down as much allowing more lift and coverage of bangs (for the hair challenged). I've found a face frame style cut with bangs works well but just a little growth they get too long (the bangs) which can be a pain so I have some variations that work as it grows out till next cut.

Or as mentioned, I seen clip-on used very effectively.

[Charlize]

I have to wear a wig but have found that showing less forehead is definitely a feminine clue. Bangs or a sweeping wave can soften that area. i once heard a feminist saying women's styles had that feature so they would seem to have smaller brains than men. I always thought it was to hide the fact that they had more. A subtle difference but a good one. You could perhaps thin the brows a bit but overall i think you look great. Get out there and enjoy.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Emily,

Your photo looks good, but I always tell people to concentrate on Confidence before appearance, even though appearance is important.

Even myself, I do not pass completely and am obviously a TG Woman, but people always respect me as a female.

I have not yet even changed my voice.

A good personality and smile goes further in my acceptance and covers some of my "flaws".

I wish you continued Success and Happiness in your Journey.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Emily_MI]

I know that passing is just not one thing. It comes down to confidence, body language and attitude. I am still working on the confidence issues (body dysphoria really stinks btw) but doing what I am doing right now is helping me in this area. I know I have quite a ways to go but taking all your suggestions will get me there one step closer at a time.

[Guest]

You look very nice. Your smile is worth a million bucks! You go girl. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest LizMarie]

One piece of advice that helps many transwomen is to avoid center parts and to incorporate bangs. Others have already mentioned this as well but it tends to help a great deal.

My comment is that if I had as much hair as you, I'd be arranging an appointment with a hair restoration surgeon to see about hair transplants. You look pretty good at this point but a small frontal hair transplant to improve the frontal hair line even more would simply seal the deal.

[Guest Kylie2112]

One piece of advice that helps many transwomen is to avoid center parts and to incorporate bangs. Others have already mentioned this as well but it tends to help a great deal.

My comment is that if I had as much hair as you, I'd be arranging an appointment with a hair restoration surgeon to see about hair transplants. You look pretty good at this point but a small frontal hair transplant to improve the frontal hair line even more would simply seal the deal.

Agreed. Even though I kind of violate that rule (I'm still trying to find a good way to get my hair to look close enough to the way my stylist can get it!), the best way to cover up the typical male hair line is bangs (or a sweep-over look...all depends on your personal style...and remember to try to look your age...).

I will say it's a great start, you just need to work on the temple area coverup (unless you're like me and don't give a crap about looking "female" and just want to look "good"). Nice color and great texture!

[Guest Jenn348]

Bangs. The horse is dead, but I'll second everybody else's motion I'd also add that you should experiment with your hair in the mirror and see what looks more feminine.

Eyebrows. Thin them out and arch them like women do. I know that it can be hard if you're not full time, but do what you can. It really helps.

Makeup. It really helps, especially eyeliner and mascara. Foundation, concealer and powder also help a lot.

Also, don't smile so hard and show your lower teeth. Relax your neck muscles.

Finally, I don't know your age or location, but look at what women your age are wearing in your area. You might be doing that already, I don't know, but if not, definitely emulate people your age.

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Emily,

Here is some good advice about passing.

http://www.transsexual.org/passing.html

I wish you continued Success and Happiness on your Journey.

Hugs,

Carla

[VickySGV]

I have three pictures in my gallery showing the clip in bangs JJ and Drea mentioned --

One shows them on me, the other shows me without, and the third shows the clip part of it.

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?app=galleryℑ=6470

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?app=galleryℑ=6471

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?app=galleryℑ=6472