is there something weird about my face or something?

[Ataraxia]

Something that's been bothering me that I can't quite wrap my head around. Whenever I ask if I pass--both here and elsewhere--I get completely mixed reactions. I know that's to be expected because different people have different opinions, but I've never seen opinions on passability vary to the same extent as with me.

For example: some people have said that I completely pass and they would have had no idea I was trans if I hadn't told them, other people say I'm 100% masculine and don't pass at all. Sometimes I get gendered female even in male mode, other times I get gendered male. Even down to individual features I get mixed opinions. I have relatively large lips and most of the time people say that they're very feminine, but on a few occasions people have said they're masculine precisely because they're large. Some people have said that the fact that I have pronounced cheekbones makes me look masculine, while other people have said the very same feature is feminine and attractive. Some people have said that my nose is very feminine and attractive, while others have said that it looks masculine and prevents me from passing.

This just seems really weird that I would get such a mixed range of opinions. Again, I understand that different people have different opinions, but it seems abnormal that they would vary this much. I'm not really looking for an evaluation on whether or not I pass, I'm just wondering if anyone has any idea of why this happens? Is there something abnormally androgynous about my face or something? It's very confusing and frustrating

Here's a few pics to give some idea...

[Brooke777]

First, you are beautiful.

Second, different cultures have different ideas of femininity and masculinity. Therefore, people who were raised in different cultures will perceive your appearance differently. This would explain the different reaction that you are noticing.

[Brooke777]

Here is the link to an article in which beauty standards were tested in different countries.

http://www.complex.com/style/2014/06/25-countries-photoshop-journalists-photo-to-make-her-beautiful

[Ataraxia]

First, you are beautiful.

Second, different cultures have different ideas of femininity and masculinity. Therefore, people who were raised in different cultures will perceive your appearance differently. This would explain the different reaction that you are noticing.

Thank you...but then wouldn't that apply to everyone? Like I said, I don't see this happening with other people who post here, despite the fact that the people who are evaluating them are presumably from a variety of cultures. It seems to indicate that it's something about my face in particular :/

[Blue Senpai]

I think the difference would be if you smile, your face is too serious in your pictures which is making me perceive you as male.

[Ataraxia]

I think the difference would be if you smile, your face is too serious in your pictures which is making me perceive you as male.

I've heard a number of people say that. But that confuses me as well because don't most women who were born women also have serious faces sometimes? And wouldn't it be perceived as weird if I was constantly smiling in public?

[Ms Grace]

This is true, and there is no obligation to smile for women. I will say though that, yes while you are quite pretty an overly serious face might be interpreted as angry, glum or scary by some. I realised I used to get that reaction from people which changed when i switched to at least a neutral, slightly happy look.

[Brooke777]

Thank you...but then wouldn't that apply to everyone? Like I said, I don't see this happening with other people who post here, despite the fact that the people who are evaluating them are presumably from a variety of cultures. It seems to indicate that it's something about my face in particular :/

This does apply to everyone. About 95% of the time I pass. However, there are a few people who clock me. Especially when they see how strong I am. I can still lift far more that cis females of my same size. Plus, I weigh a lot more than women who are larger than me due to all of my muscle.

[kitty]

You have a very pretty face,
I think what would help most is keeping a more happy facial expression? Raising your eyebrows and smiling helps a lot, for me anyways

[Blue Senpai]

I've heard a number of people say that. But that confuses me as well because don't most women who were born women also have serious faces sometimes? And wouldn't it be perceived as weird if I was constantly smiling in public?

Some women have it easy but you have to make do with what you have. 
I don't mean smile all the time but have a more friendly demeanor in your facial expression and lips.

[immortal gypsy]

Firstly I am seeing female andro from these photos here. Now for your question.

I think some of us are being a little bit biased from our surrounding areas, age, pre concived beliefs on what you should do if you are male or female. (not all guy's walk around with a scowl on there face, and not all girls walk around with big cheesy grins on there faces).

When we ask for advice on do we pass and people suggest this and that all they see is a photo of us. Part of the trick to passing is to blend into the surrounding area, it would be impractical to wear a top with spaghetti straps when the sun is out but there is a high wind chill factor.

As for your lips they can go either way straight up in photos they can be perceived as masculine, add make up to your face they can be a godsend you have more to enhance to achieve fuller more feminine lips.

(now excuse me I'm going to bend over and light and darkened room, because sometimes I believe the light shine out my. ...

[Ataraxia]

Some women have it easy but you have to make do with what you have. 
I don't mean smile all the time but have a more friendly demeanor in your facial expression and lips.

What I meant though was that not smiling doesn't seem to be an exclusively male trait.

Firstly I am seeing female andro from these photos here. Now for your question.

I think some of us are being a little bit biased from our surrounding areas, age, pre concived beliefs on what you should do if you are male or female. (not all guy's walk around with a scowl on there face, and not all girls walk around with big cheesy grins on there faces).

When we ask for advice on do we pass and people suggest this and that all they see is a photo of us. Part of the trick to passing is to blend into the surrounding area, it would be impractical to wear a top with spaghetti straps when the sun is out but there is a high wind chill factor.

As for your lips they can go either way straight up in photos they can be perceived as masculine, add make up to your face they can be a godsend you have more to enhance to achieve fuller more feminine lips.

(now excuse me I'm going to bend over and light and darkened room, because sometimes I believe the light shine out my. ...

What is it that's making you perceive me as andro rather than full female, if you don't mind my asking? The thing that confuses me is that everything that I've read says that larger lips are more feminine, and I haven't ever read or heard anyone say that it's masculine, and yet when I see my pictures I can somewhat see how someone could perceive them as masculine and I've sometimes found myself even wishing they were smaller :/

Gah, it's so weird...

[Ms Grace]

Sometimes little things like a touch of make up, hair style will make all the difference in the world.

[immortal gypsy]

What is it that's making you perceive me as andro rather than full female, if you don't mind my asking? The thing that confuses me is that everything that I've read says that larger lips are more feminine, and I haven't ever read or heard anyone say that it's masculine, and yet when I see my pictures I can somewhat see how someone could perceive them as masculine and I've sometimes found myself even wishing they were smaller :/

Gah, it's so weird...

From the photos you are closer to female then andro, if you came to my counter I would mam you better lighting and more of a body shot more of an honest answer and critique. Don't worry about your lips, in life we all have some aspect about our body that we don't like.  If your lips are the only thing that are bothering you (and just now I saw women at the shops with lips of all sizes), you're golden

[Ataraxia]

From the photos you are closer to female then andro, if you came to my counter I would mam you better lighting and more of a body shot more of an honest answer and critique. Don't worry about your lips, in life we all have some aspect about our body that we don't like.  If your lips are the only thing that are bothering you (and just now I saw women at the shops with lips of all sizes), you're golden

Well, it's not really something I don't like, since all my research says that large size makes them feminine, and I've never heard of a woman being less attractive because of their lips. I was just saying that I was confused as to how someone could see them as masculine for being large and full.

[Emily1996]

When you are serious or angry usually your browridge seems more masculine, while if you are happy you tend to open your eyes wider and reduce the appearance of the brow ridge.

[Jess42]

Emily makes a really good point. I don't think it is as much about smiling or wahtnot but a general expression of openess. Like widening your eyes, raising your brow a little.

[V M]

Yup, first thing I thought is that you dropped something...

YOUR SMILE!!!

Pick it up, don't looks so serious, give everyone something to smile about

[Natalatalie]

I agree with everyone about the whole smile thing, 6 months ago (I hadn't even started to make progress in transition yet) I never really smiled and at that time i thought I'd never pass but after looking at girls i realized smiling, or at least being sorta happy looking, and opening my eyes more to have a more wide eyed look helped a lot. Like it feels strange at first but eventually it just becomes how your face rests and it helps a lot!

[Oriah]

You look really good.  You have a mix of somewhat masculine/feminine features which I think the right clothes/accessories could push perception toward one or the other.  Your bowline is slightly masculine, but your eyes very feminine.  The rest of your face is very androgynous leaning toward feminine.  I agree with others, just a small smile may help slide the perception toward the feminine.  Try tensing your cheeks into a very slight smirk and I think any chance of being perceived as male would be nullified