Do I Look, or Could I Pass, as Female?

[Sammy]

Thanks I just wish I could see it.

You cant, so just believe me . Me too - I am looking in the mirror and I see a guy there (well, sometimes there is a monster - especially in the mornings ).

[anjaq]

Emerald. I think your skin has softened and your face is smoother and the expression of your eyes has changed a lot. If you plucked eyebrows that certainly helped, but some of that effect is from HRT. I think to be honest, you might need some more improvement to pass as it is, but at this stage I think you can already use some "crutches" - you know the ususal combo of hairstyle, light (!) makeup (I think you already did some eyebrow shaping). You could use some more volume in the hair. I assume you are already on the track to do laser, but I think I notice some hints of facial hair there that will improve the impression once its gone.

[anjaq]

I have this problem. I have a very animated face and highly feminine mannerisms, but any picture I take is an almost guaranteed dude face.

This bugs me a bit - same with me here.
I think in a way we manage to overplay some of our masculine features with how we are - radiating female energy if you like or having mannerisms and expressions and body language that are female or even feminine. Then we look at this and think that we are doing good but then when we are sick or depressed or sad or it is dark, we fail and wonder why. Do you think this can be? I have the impression that this may be true as the moments I did not pass in recent times IIRC alsways happened under such circumstances.

[RavenMoon]

Then we look at this and think that we are doing good but then when we are sick or depressed or sad or it is dark, we fail and wonder why. Do you think this can be?

Well sure, when you are in a good mood, and feeling happy you look better than when you're not feeling good or tired.

On the other hand, we must be aware that certain features will not change (or change much) with HRT, and then we may need some surgery. It varies from person to person and with your age. But bone structure will not change. 

[anjaq]

Well sure, when you are in a good mood, and feeling happy you look better than when you're not feeling good or tired.

On the other hand, we must be aware that certain features will not change (or change much) with HRT, and then we may need some surgery. It varies from person to person and with your age. But bone structure will not change. 

Yeah thats what I am trying to say - you have a certain bone structure and you overlay the effects of HRT and of "female energy" (behaviour, mannerisms, expressions, mimics) over that - if these fade for some reason or are cut off in part because of making a photo that does not cathc them, I fear a bit that some of the underlying things surface a bit and make us look at ourselves very critical and maybe even we get misgendered then. I am worried a bit about old age, you know - hormones wearing off, maybe sickness coming at times. It is something that probably most will only think many years post op as I am because it is about long time planning while transition is about getting to a goal rather fast. But it gives me thoughts about actually considering to do some of the surgical changes that I and others would maybe not feel are "needed" now but that may come very handy or are even needed in some years. And then why not benefit from them now and not when I am 60

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Not sure how to improve the volume of my hair(taking dutasteride) it never did grow thick, have been plucking my eyebrows when I feel it is needed. Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

Devlyn side who? I think the hair really suits you.

[Shantel]

I don't identify as transsexual, so I hope no one objects to me posting here. Here we go.

Devlyn,
      I had no idea that you could clean up so nicely, you look gorgeous and I love the dress. What I said in pm still holds!
(Shan scratches her head, "Sheesh what doll who would have known!")

[Ms Grace]

Not sure how to improve the volume of my hair(taking dutasteride) it never did grow thick...

Maybe rubbing something into the scalp to stimulate regrowth? I use Regaine... I think it's working but it does take a few months to kick in.

[Shantel]

Thanks, hon! Although what you said in PM gets you arrested in 39 states!   <blushing>

Too bad you're such a cop at heart! 

[Zoe Snow]

Ok, so first time posting any pictures of myself.  I'm pre-everything right now, but should be starting HRT in a couple of weeks, YAY!  My current weight is at 232 pounds, but has been steadily dropping for the past 8 months (I was at 310 back in March).  Hoping to get below 175 at least, but probably lower.  Just wanted to get some feedback on where I'm starting at. 

[Lauren5]

Well done Zoe! that's quite a feat. You're on your way, and not looking so bad for pre-everything!

[Harlow]

Well done Zoe! that's quite a feat. You're on your way, and not looking so bad for pre-everything!

Agreed I think you already look very feminine

[Shantel]

Luckily, everything is legal in the state of Intoxication!   

We won't go there so we'll just have to take a rain check!

[Ms Grace]

I'm pre-everything right now, but should be starting HRT in a couple of weeks, YAY!  My current weight is at 232 pounds, but has been steadily dropping for the past 8 months (I was at 310 back in March).  Hoping to get below 175 at least, but probably lower.  Just wanted to get some feedback on where I'm starting at. 

Great starting point Zoe and wow congrats on that weight loss! You may put some on firing HRT but hopefully in all the right places. I really look forward to seeing your progress shots. 

[izzy]

Zoe your off to a great starting point

[anjaq]

Not sure how to improve the volume of my hair(taking dutasteride) it never did grow thick

I guess it is more about styling. You can do little to change numbers of hair, but you can strenghten them with hair care products I guess, and you can use brushes and hairdryer to get it fluffed up a bit, maybe also a haircut that suits well. You could try to visit a stylist and see what they can do?
I did some of that for a while - eventually I must say my hair just really got better by itself, I still am not great in that sense but it is fuller now after many years of HRT, so I guess there are long time effects

[Miyuki]

Well, here goes nothing...



It took me forever to get this picture because I had to use my phone's rear camera to get a decent quality. It's surprisingly hard to take a good picture when you can't see what you're shooting. I also took a low quality picture with the front camera:



The quality is sort of bad but it gives you a better idea what I look like when I'm not trying as much.

Like I said in my intro thread, I'm not trying to pass as female or anything at the moment. I'm just trying to keep things more on the androgynous side. At least for now. I am growing my hair out a bit more that I typically have lately, so I think that helps a bit. Anyway, thoughts, comments, suggestions? I already know my nose is too big, but that would probably be the first thing on my list if I decided to have some work done.

[sam79]

@Miyuku: You may not be trying to pass for female, but from those photos you do already

Your eyes and brows are very feminine, and I don't see anything wrong with your nose either.

[Bardoux]

@Miyuku: You may not be trying to pass for female, but from those photos you do already

Your eyes and brows are very feminine, and I don't see anything wrong with your nose either.

Totally agree!

[Miyuki]

@Miyuku: You may not be trying to pass for female, but from those photos you do already

Hmm... I guess if you just go by the face I might do alright, but considering I'm 6ft. tall, don't have much of a figure to speak of, don't talk with a female voice, and don't dress like a girl, I think I'm still pretty decidedly in androgynous territory. But, it is good to know that if I worked on those things I wouldn't have to worry about my face too much.

Your eyes and brows are very feminine, and I don't see anything wrong with your nose either.

To be honest, I did do some work on my eyebrows, but I've been doing that for a long time. Even before I started anti-androgens. They sort of start to grow into each other if I don't keep them managed.

As for the nose... I could take a side profile picture to more fully illustrate the problem, but I'd rather not. I guess realistically there are women out there with noses that size (my mom being one of them), but I'd still like to get some work done on it. It would make me feel better about my appearance if nothing else.