My starting point - I look horrible

[kathy bottoms]

O.K.  It's not easy letting people know how bad I look.  But this is what I'm starting with and there's a lot of work to do.  Yes I have breasts already, and my waist is narrower than my hips, but oh god how ugly can I get.  Not wearing a bras so things are sagging a little, and that's nothing new since the rest of me is sagging also. 

So, is this bad or what? 

Wish me luck, or liposuction.  Either one will do.

Kathy

[Jamie D]

Looks like a woman to me.

And, as I recall, you are in your 50's?

(Changed avatar!)

[Brooke777]

I think I am missing something. I don't see bad or horrible when I look at your picture. I just see a woman's mid-section.

[Siobhan]

I think I am missing something. I don't see bad or horrible when I look at your picture. I just see a woman's mid-section.

Glad its not just me that see's that.

[kathy bottoms]

I'll try and find a decent picture of my face, or just take another body shot that includes my face.  As I've said before the full beard makes me look like Santa Claus wearing 1970s glasses.

[Siobhan]

I'll try and find a decent picture of my face, or just take another body shot that includes my face.  As I've said before the full beard makes me look like Santa Claus wearing 1970s glasses.

Full beard? I hate having stubble, how do you cope with a full beard?

[kathy bottoms]

Well.  Can I make this face look any better?  Bad thing about it is I have some scars from a couple auto accidents under the beard that I haven't seen in 35 years. 

[Brooke777]

First SHAVE YOUR BEARD!!! It really does not go with your body. Next, I would get new glasses, and work on your eyebrows. This is just my opinion. It really isnt worth much. I hope it isnt too critical either.

[mementomori]

Full beard? I hate having stubble, how do you cope with a full beard?

onhestly i dont know how a lot of transpeople cope with having and growing an actual beard while in the male role . i  was so depressed when hair started coming in on my face when i was 16 and could never let it get beyond stuble

[Adrasteia]

Facial hair is nice to hide behind, and also shaving sucks. I had facial hair for a long time and the skin in the places where I didn't shave for years is still quite sensitive. I hate shaving, but hopefully I'll have laser in the budget soon.

[Devlyn]

Of course you can make your face look better, that's what makeup is for! First, you need to shave and start moisturizing to get the skin nice and smooth. I've got scars, too, not much you can do but make up war stories! Hugs, Devlyn

[glicious]

First SHAVE YOUR BEARD!!!

It can't get any simpler, your beard may hide some things, but they certainly display a lot of masculinity.  Following that, start treating your skin, pamper it with massage every 2nd or 3rd day for about 15 to 20 minutes, a basic baby oil would do.  Give all the love to your face, skin and body deserves and soon you'll realise how much they love you

[Beth Andrea]

I saw the title of the thread ("My starting point - I look horrible"), read the thread and saw the "Santa" profile pic, and my first thought was, "I remember a sculptor was asked where his talent came from...he said, "The beautiful sculpture was already in the rock...I just chipped away the excess."

Or something like that. Look at yourself, Kathy B, and see what is already there, just waiting to be seen. Remove what is not needed as a woman, polish and protect that which is needed.

[Jillieann Rose]

Need I say more?

I too never thought I could look like a real women.
Hormones really help.
The last photo was over 3 months ago.
Now I can't even pass as a male. 
Hugs Kathy,
Jillieann Rose

[kathy bottoms]

Thank you Jillieann, you give me a bit of confidence that I might be o.k.   And you look great.

And Beth Andrea you're right.  There is something under there for me to find again.
Quotation credited to Michelangelo ... Carving is easy, you just go down to the skin and stop. 

Kathy

[Cindy]

Hi Kathy b,

Ok shave the beard, you will need electrolysis to lose the facial hair as it is too grey for laser.

Make up to hide and highlight, go to a beautician that specialises in make overs, they teach people how to do make up. In Australia and the USA they are quite common in the larger cities.  Just tell them you are TG and need help, it costs money, they work for money. The people who helped my were totally delightful and I'm welcomed back with love and respect, (They do my waxing and eyebrow styling as well). They basically do half of your face and then you do the other half, it is how many girls learn to do their makeup.

Scars? Again make up and you can use Dermablend to hide really bad scars very successfully.

Hair is long enough to be styled. Same thing, professional hair stylist, tell them you need a feminine hair style and what can they do? They are expert and will probably want to add colour and volume. Go to somewhere that has professional stylists, not the local hairdresser.  In Austrlia I would be paying about $150, for the stylists time, and then the work on top of that. Not cheap but it can be a once off, because if you like the style someone else can look after it.

Glasses, maybe a more feminine style or contacts? Leave them until your face and hair are done.

Confidence. The key. You have it.

Hugs Sis and let us see the new you

Cindy

Oh by the way, I'm 60 With what I had to start with you can do it as well.

[Devlyn]

Quote from Cindy James "by the way, I'm 60." Keep hitting the books, hon, anyone can raise their IQ! <running away>

[Jillieann Rose]

I will be 62 at the end of this year.
Yes really.
Oh by the way you look great Cindy

[Beth Andrea]

Quote from Cindy James "by the way, I'm 60." Keep hitting the books, hon, anyone can raise their IQ! <running away>

ROFL!! 

*gets ready to sprint*

[RosieD]

Sweetie, shave the beard off and face up to the scars.  I've got a twisted top lip from where a dog bit me when I was 5 and a mucked-up chin from where I went over the handlebars when I was 13.  Lipstick, powder and paint disguise the lot but only because I can see what they look like.

Oh, and BTW, your nose is better than mine.

Loves,

Rosie