What my life has been like    First It was a divorced guy with a miserable life 12 years ago Ex wife lied and cheated on me telling I was not the dad of her kids  This hurt and did boot her out of my house. After the divorce was final, realized there was another side of me wanting out Seen the person in the mirror too, a woman named Alexis Came out to my parents about knowing I was hurting  and decided to support me Then Alexis came out after a MTF makeover with a happier life seeing it in the mirror for the first time Did not look back moving forward and my parents meeting a new daughter in their life I became a much happier person seeing this side of me came out finally deciding to live and dress as her Male wardrobe went goodbye which my female wardrobe replaced it and things got better after that Met someone new 2 months later, My current wife Jade whom said she wants to see me happy and knew this was me So glad to have her for support and know she loves me no matter what Blessed to have my parents in my life knowing they have a much happier daughter that replaced a son that went through so much

I don't know the brands over there, but here in the U.S. we have several chain Beauty Supply Stores such as ULTA or Sephora and those stores often have special make-up Clinics for Trans People or other people with medical issues, and when I have gone to those with younger people it is not unusual to have a Trans Person on the staff as one of their regular employees.  Some years ago when I was first coming out, I went to some conventions of Trans folks and one of the highlights was a field trip to a local spot for free makeovers although the hope was some heavy sales to the clients.  I usually had significant funds in my budget for supplies that did get overused.  Also check with a local LGBTQ Community Center, the major ones near me also sponsor classes for their Trans newbies. 

Yes and yes. BUT it really bothers me when someone I'm close to can't seem to do the same. 

I'm so glad you're having a good summer. From the sounds of it, you have a great boyfriend, good friends, live in a wonderful place, and have many fulfilling adventures. That seems like a near-perfect combination.

There are many such places in the U.S. where you can get such assistance and advice.  Sometimes you might pay for it, if it's a private makeup "coach," but many of us here have used the staff of department stores.  I've utilized them at times, and they are quite willing and usually very experienced.  I haven't seen or used transgender makeup artists in department stores, but I'm sure there are some both here and in the U.K.  The services at such places are almost always free, because the department store relies on them to make sales.   Carolyn Marie

Hi I am Ashu from India, I am a part time cross dresser. I am dressing from last 15 years. When my mom goes out I wear her dresses and everything. I like it. Wearing dresses gives me energy.

Hi another one of my basic questions, re makeup Growing up as a boy, makeup was this forbidden art that I’m now finding in middle age , is one of my weakest skills.  I know the basics, and have been basically practising continuously, but with all the videos i watch, wesbite advice, I’ve been looking at these services offered where a makeup professional with experience of Transwomen, does your makeup, quite expensive and obviously a single session, but I’m interested in what they could do with my face so to speak    Does anyone have experience with this, I’m more interested in subtle makeup, day to day, as opposed to the full nine yards party makeup , do people think this is a good idea   Love Stephenie     

She is and all she wants to see is me with a happy life and knows this is me.

thank you heather, I’ve checked their site, it's legally possible to have a combination of female male names , deed poll is not technically a government agency, but universally recognised by UK institutions, banks , passports and so on, so it would be all official 

Just wanted to say hi. Hi! 

Oh its going great. I've spent my time at the beach, skate parks, arcades, at pool parties, shooting in pool tournaments.. and pinning my boyfriend to the bed lol (no not for THAT).  Everyone's exhausted today,  we didnt get in from the movie theater til about 11pm last night, and I was gaming til like 1am when mom knocked on my door and said go to bed.  When we go to the beach as a group of couples, people joke and say "look the old married couple have arrived!" We are literally the longest existing couple in our grade, and by a very large margin. We've been together for soemtbing like 14 months, and the next oldest couple had been together 4 months, so we beat them by a year nearly. People always joke about "so when do we get the wedding invitations?"   And I'm sure everyone knows I'm trans now. I've gotten close enough to so many people that enough know that everyone must by now. I love Cali. Nobody gives a damn. Well.. almost nobody. There's 1 magat in my martial arts class from a different school who has a big mouth on him, but he has no clue about me, so I.. just try to pretend I can't hear him.  But you can be sure that if he finds out and says anything to me, Michael will break something of his. In fact every time we hesr him run his mouth, Michael gets uncomfortably close to him and stares at him until he stops.  I know Michael well and hes using every ounce of self control to not beat the hell out of this Neanderthal. We both know that if he starts, he wont be able to stop until someone pulls him off.  "Pain teaches bigots, and schools in session"

@Toli I'm glad you like it! And I totally hear you on naming children being easier than picking a name for yourself! Why is it so hard? lol!

My story of Alexis coming out started 12 years ago at age 35. I knew it would come back with memories of me at ages of 15 and 16 trying on mom's dresses and skirts when my parents were gone at times. I liked it and never got caught. Finally it was after a divorce I went through that became final. Ex wife did commit adultery cheating on me several times and the worst was finding out her two kids I was not the dad of. After the divorce was final, I knew there was another side of me that wanted out and seen it in the mirror, a female side of me. July 12, 2014 is when I did finally came out to my parents about this at first and they knew I was hurting inside. They took it well and supported me which they still do. Then I got lucky one night two days later I came out, went out with two of my good friends  Avery and Laura whom made my night. They introduced me 4 that were male living and dressing as women fulltime. They looked at me and said they were going to make my life better. Said come by the weekend they were going to make me over with Alexis coming out the first time. They did, my long hair styled with permanent hair extensions put in including make up and nails. They found the perfect dress, a dark navy knee length with 4 inch heels with 2 inch hoop earring put in my ears. First time seeing myself as Alexis for the first time in the mirror, I was speechless at first. Then I said it, there was no going back and going forward. I called my parents to meet their new daughter. It was emotional with my parents seeing I was finally happy in my life. 100% purged my male wardrobe replaced with female wardrobe and make up. Right after that, met my current wife Jade whom has been by my side with her support marrying her in 2016. 

Thank you 😊 ill have a look for local shops that specialise in wigs and pay them a visit.

Ooh, I *love* that! Thank you for sharing that, I am including that in things I like about it! (Honestly, the bother I went to picking a name is genuinely insane. I named two actual children with less fuss!)

Not at all weird! That's a really cool name and I love both meanings! I don't know if this is true but I heard somewhere that Thor was actually associated with good crops and the fertility of the land because of his lightning and storms giving life to the fields. Just a fun fact. (Sorry, I'm such a nerd!)

Oh, that's so lovely! No, I really like it. (I was scared to say so in case you thought I was being weird.)   Mine is just my name (most of the time)    I like it because it is old norse for "little Thor"  - and I found out I have viking heritage, but in more modern European languages it is about farming  / nurturing etc. (Hence Viking Farmer) 

Thank you, Toli! Honestly, I was really nervous about what to choose for a username. I've been playing with Melody (I love music) and one of my favorite memories is watching the goldfinches eat from the bird feeder at my Grandma's house while we had tea. Sorry, maybe a little bit of an overshare, I just wanted to express that I was nervous about it but your comment makes me feel good about it!

Thank you April! I appreciate how kind, welcoming and helpful everyone has been! 

Hey @Melody Goldfinch Welcome!   I love your user name. it's so pretty.