My face at its ugliest (be warned unflattering photos are imminent)

[Damara]

Okay, let me caveat this with some caveats.. I'm sick ATM which probably isn't helping my mood. And I've not shaven for two days, nor am I wearing makeup.. I feel very blah. I am not sure why I feel compelled to post these pictures, but I'm doing it.. at least temporarily. Actually, I want to be "honest" with you all here and show that I am not quite far along at all as far as looks are concerned. I guess I also wish for some "HRT will help that issue!" responses.. lol! Anyway here are my non-made up and glaring male traits.. especially my brow bossing and hair line.. I really hope my hairline lowers a bit, or at least fills in at the corners.. even slightly. I've always had a tall-ish forehead though..

[ainsley]

Your profile is feminine imho!  And (more of my opinion) your front view is not far off...brow shaping, contouring makeup, (shave lol), etc. and you are there!  Even your lips are already full.  I am sorry you are feeling so blah.  You have a lot to appreciate.

-Ainsley

[Athena]

It looks to me like you have a good starting place. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[ImagineKate]

I think you're actually quite feminine, but the beard shadow is causing problems. That's my major major hang up right now as well, so I sorta feel your pain.

But you actually look quite good!

[Leila]

Even at it's most unflattering as you've bravely shown us, your face is screaming female. Yes the brows are a bit fuzzy and yes the stubble is showing, but these points can be remedied. Your overall face shape says woman; round eyes and plump lips only just reinforce this.

There is ever slight brow bossing which will seem even less, with brow shaping to reveal more of a gap between the top of your eyes to the bottom of your shaped brows. HRT may also soften the tissue around this area to make the bossing appear less angular. The ever so slight squareness of the jaw and chin will hopefully round out with HRT balanced with any new fullness to your cheeks.

I had a similar hairline to you before HRT and for me the pointy 'M' shaped bald edges have filled into a rounded 'n' shape now. The sooner you can start treatment the better to get any dormant follicles growing again before they are lost to DHT. You may find using finasteride or dutasteride in conjunction with minoxdil could accelerate grow and retard any further follicle loss.

[Lynne]

Damara, if that's how you look like on a bad day, I don't think you have much to be afraid of. I think the beard shadow is the only real problem, but even that is not that bad for 2 days without shaving. Your hair line is not too bad, with right hair style it won't be visible and there is a chance that HRT will solve that.

I've seen cis-girls with stronger brow bossing than yours and in fact I've seen cis-girls with beard shadow, brow bossing and hair line problems as well.

I can imagine how you feel about these traits, most probably the same way I do about myself, but please don't be too harsh on yourself. Most of it can be remedied quite easily or not a deal breaker in itself anyway.

[katiej]

Thin out the eyebrows and you're in great shape!  You'd be amazed at how much of a difference it'll make.

[Ms Grace]

I agree with the comments above. The beard shadow and maybe the eye brows are about the only give aways as far as I can tell. Once you're feeling better and feeling more charitable towards yourself maybe post a follow up pic or two!

[mmmmm]

You have a starting point many can only dream of. HRT will definitely help for smoother and rounder appearance. There is fantastic solution for brow bossing, it's called FFS. And it can be a miracle if you choose to trust the right surgeon. Hairline lowering happens as a bonus if you decide to deal with the brow bossing. With hairline lowering/advancement some of the place in corners can be closed, and M shape would be much less prominent. Finally remodeling of orbital rims is actually waaaaay more important than bossing, this is what makes different apperance to the whole eye-forehead area, and most importantly change of eye expression. Many often say, that many cis women have as much of bossing or some even more... next time focus on their orbital rim shapes, and you'll see why their prominent brow bossing doesn't make their apperance masculine. And this is all one procedure, if you decide to deal with brow bossing in the future. I would say you have nothing to worry and be sad about. I can imagine where you'll be two or three years from now.

[LizMarie]

Damara, that's a beautiful starting point! HRT is going to help and then you may opt for FFS and you are going to be a real hottie!

[Jill F]

If that's a starting point, there's no doubt in my mind that you're going to be gawgeous!

[Damara]

Oh gosh! Thank you all so much! Your lovely words have really helped a bit in reducing my distress over my appearance! You all are such wonderful people to have in life! <3

And yes, I can get quite the Frida Kahlo brow going on! I am due for a waxing! haha! 

There is fantastic solution for brow bossing, it's called FFS. And it can be a miracle if you choose to trust the right surgeon. Hairline lowering happens as a bonus if you decide to deal with the brow bossing. With hairline lowering/advancement some of the place in corners can be closed, and M shape would be much less prominent. Finally remodeling of orbital rims is actually waaaaay more important than bossing, this is what makes different apperance to the whole eye-forehead area, and most importantly change of eye expression. Many often say, that many cis women have as much of bossing or some even more... next time focus on their orbital rim shapes, and you'll see why their prominent brow bossing doesn't make their apperance masculine. And this is all one procedure, if you decide to deal with brow bossing in the future. I would say you have nothing to worry and be sad about. I can imagine where you'll be two or three years from now.

And I've considered this in the past! At this time financially I don't forsee it as a realistic goal.. Perhaps hormones will make me feel comfortable enough that I won't feel like I need FFS.. but that definitely creeps into my brain from time to time!

I've been referred to a gyno in little rock that is (according to the internet) very trans knowledgeable.. and I hope I can get the ball rolling soon. It's just that Little Rock is so far away and I couldn't drive their by myself.. I hope my mom is going to be able to! She's had health things recently that may hinder that ability, but... fingers crossed!!

Thank you all so much! I literally feel a LOT less yucky.. at least in regard to my face. lol! I still feel ill from this cold/sinus thing. XD

[spooky]

As some others have mentioned, eyebrow shaping will get you far.

Also forehead/hairline contouring makeup can be your best friend.  My hairline continues to be my most dysphoric feature - hrt did nothing for it - and makeup has gotten me through many days.

[DoYouRealize]

I think you are quite pretty! That classic profile - those full lips! 
If you want to wax your eyebrows, go for it. You have lovely eyes, might as well draw attention to them.

And...  thank you for posting a pic when you *don't* feel super great about yourself. Kudos for being vulnerable here and inviting others to relate. There are times when we all probably feel we look a little less than optimal... I'm transitioning to the masculine side, so granted not the same experience, but dang, i wish i had the courage to post a pic when i'm feeling like, "ugh, this isn't looking right at all."
It's so tempting to wait for a confident day and only take pics then... but there aren't always many days like that.

[DoYouRealize]

OH i just caught that you are pre-HRT? Really?

[April_TO]

First of all I just want to acknowledge your courage and vulnerability to show us your face with no make up
Like everyone had said, you have an amazing base to work on. Given time with HRT those features will soften up more and you won't even think about it.

Give us back those glam shots Damara

Stay beautiful

April

[Damara]

OH i just caught that you are pre-HRT? Really?

Yes! And it's so distressing! I am hopefully going to be on it soon though!

Thanks again everyone! I try so hard to not let my more male traits get me down, but sometimes a kind word from people who can relate really helps! You all sure know how to make a girl feel better about herself! <3 I am so thankful for this place!

[April Lee]

Damara, You are absolutely beautiful and you are only going to get more amazing. I can see your future, and it will involve breaking a lot of hearts.

[JenJen2011]

I just want to add that the most beautiful women I know have the oval shape face, large forehead, and small chin. You already have that. If you do decide to do FFS, you will need minimum work at most and you will turn out STUNNING!

[Wild Flower]

Damnnn... you have a face of a 1910s actress...

Lily Tilly or something.