Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I might have the opportunity for a makeover on my last day here in Japan.  I'm willing to bet that I will be asked if I want my eyebrows shaped.  The answer of course is yes.  However am I going too fast?  My beard won't be cleared for months ysz.  The home office hasn't even seen me with earrings either.  When would you nice ladies recommend me getting shaped eyebrows?

i personally would totally recommend it. Its just grooming men do it to. Just tell them you want a high arch and make them kind of thin. Dont put to much thought into it or you might work yourself up.  Its small steps like this that make things easier later. Literally gay men do so much more then this. Ive done more then this. I believe in you!!!

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Plus they will look amazing afterwards

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I got mine done months before coming out at work, no one noticed or commented. The person doing it will usually ask you how fine/arched you want. Early on I stated I just wanted them smart/andro.
Last time I went ( a while ago as just do them myself now) I just asked for more arch. X
FYI,  I only get mine threaded now. Last time I had them waxed the girl took off some skin,  this scabbed and looked like I'd been in a fight!

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Hmm, I think I'd just show a pict of my Avatar and say like this.  I don't think that's a high arch, is it?  Threading?  I've heard that term and micro blading referring to eyebrow shaping.  I only know what waxing and plucking is.  I'd like to get a shape and as the hairs start to grow in have them zapped at my electroligist.

Bari Jo

I (think) microblading is a type of semi-permanent makeup for filling in brows in a natural style.
Threading is using a couple of threads to grab a few hairs at a time without touching the skin, it gives the operator more control,  but isn't good for heavy or large scale removal.

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Oh geez, I don't need to fill in.  My eyebrows are crazy full right now.  I'll ask for threading.  Now I'm getting kind of excited for this.

Bari Jo

This is a good thread.

I tried microblading one time but those tiny wheels kept getting caught in the cracks.

Quote from: Steph2.0 on November 15, 2017, 06:29:12 AM
I tried microblading one time but those tiny wheels kept getting caught in the cracks.

Lol

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I thought that would raise some eyebrows.

* groan *

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I love threading! On my second visit the threading place started charging me female rates ($3 less) which totally made my day. Kind of a fun activity, my wife and I go about every 6 - 8 weeks over a nice lunch break in the local mall... Always the same place, takes between 5 and 8 minutes.

Eye brows look a bit puffy for the rest of the day but the next day it is just awesome!

I am sure you will enjoy it...

Quote from: Bari Jo on November 15, 2017, 04:22:05 AM
Oh geez, I don't need to fill in.  My eyebrows are crazy full right now.  I'll ask for threading.  Now I'm getting kind of excited for this.

Bari Jo

Absolutely get your eyebrows done. It will make a huge difference. Who cares if people notice it. Don't even worry what "people" think. Yes you will get some looks and maybe a rude comment or two but we all go through that at the beginning of transition. But you can't transition unless you start transitioning.

Quote from: Julia1996 on November 15, 2017, 07:02:17 AM
"you can't transition unless you start transitioning."

I want that t-shirt!


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Quote from: Bari Jo on November 15, 2017, 04:22:05 AM
Oh geez, I don't need to fill in.  My eyebrows are crazy full right now.  I'll ask for threading.  Now I'm getting kind of excited for this.

Bari Jo

Do it already :D

I wish I had some to work with, mine are so thin and light colored. There's nothing there to really work with :(

Quote from: Megan. on November 15, 2017, 07:42:37 AM

I want that t-shirt!


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Agreed, that is a great slogan.  We need to have a sticky with quote, and start adding to it each time someone comes up with a great one.

Great job Julia.

Bari Jo

I'm still presenting as a guy, but I'm very androgynous, leaning towards the feminine side. I have long black and purple hair just past my shoulders, wear unisex clothes (like women's skinny jeans and tshirts), polish my nails and pluck my brows. [emoji16]

I haven't had my beard removed yet. I shave every day, but unfortunately I have heavy beard shadow. I shave the rest of my body, so my arms and legs, which is what people might see, are hairless.

I don't really get anyone reacting towards my appearance. Now I'm a musician, so I think that helps because people associate long hair and black nail polish with musicians. Lol. Also I'm 60 years old.  So it's not just teen fashion. Lol

But still, at my job I stick out like a sore thumb (I work in the printing field) and everyone seems cool with how I look. I'd imagine if I wore a dress or something too girly I'd get comments. Lol.

So yeah, do your brows. Lots of regular guys get their brows done. In the context of you being a guy people probably won't notice. And when guys get their brows threaded and stuff they don't do them super skinny. Just shape them up. I had to keep saying to the women working on me "no, thinner like women's brows". Lol


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Threading is a middle Eastern custom whereby you use cotton thread. Cut a thread about 12". Tie the ends. Begin twist the thread in the middle six of seven times. Then insert your fingers into the loops at either end. Spread out your fingers and manipulate the thread so it catches the hairs. Continue spreading your fingers. First the right and then the left side. This action done properly will pull the hair out.  There are many demonstrations on YouTube

Quote from: Steph2.0 on November 15, 2017, 06:40:41 AM
I thought that would raise some eyebrows.

Oh there goes Steph being plucky.  Any way you shape it.

Quote from: RavenMoon on November 15, 2017, 12:11:01 PM
I don't really get anyone reacting towards my appearance. Now I'm a musician, so I think that helps because people associate long hair and black nail polish with musicians. Lol. Also I'm 60 years old.  So it's not just teen fashion. Lol

But still, at my job I stick out like a sore thumb (I work in the printing field) and everyone seems cool with how I look. I'd imagine if I wore a dress or something too girly I'd get comments. Lol.

You and I stick out.  I'm 48, wear lots of pink and always ladies skinny jeans, rainbow jacket for figment, now with ears pierced.  It's obvious I'm not one of the guys.  I am a visual effects artist for a studio that is known for being the most accepting on the planet.  Even if a coworker had a problem, they couldn't say anything.  Still though I just want to be accepted, and friends with everybody.  One of my coworkers is very conservative and he has no clue about me, thinks I'm as conservative as him.  Hello?

I can't wait to get the brows done.  I'm glad I started this thread.  It's only given me confidence to do it!

Bari Jo

It sounds like a neat idea, but I have no idea where to start. Who does that kind of thing? Hairdressers?

Quote from: Steph2.0 on November 15, 2017, 03:19:37 PM
It sounds like a neat idea, but I have no idea where to start. Who does that kind of thing? Hairdressers?

Where I live it's usually a salon with many services, or a nail salon.  I see it advertised everywhere here.  I've just never gone in.  I'm in Southern California.

Bari Jo

Most salons offer it,  and it's not expensive. When you book you need to tell them if you want wax or threading,  as many of the techs may only do one or the other.

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Mine were shaped by my electrologist.  I like the results. 

Quote from: Megan. on November 15, 2017, 07:42:37 AM

I want that t-shirt!


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Me too, please! Size small, preferably in sky blue or lavender :)

Love this thread. Very informative. I've been thinking about getting my eyebrows done for days!!

Quote from: Steph2.0 on November 15, 2017, 03:19:37 PM
It sounds like a neat idea, but I have no idea where to start. Who does that kind of thing? Hairdressers?

Lots of places do eyebrows. Most hair salons and some nail salons offer waxing. I do waxing on a few clients as well as their hair. Wherever you have it done make sure the person doing it is experienced. Just because someone can cut hair or do nails doesn't mean they know how to do waxing. When I was in cosmetology school I had a week long class on waxing. It seems like a simple thing but if someone doesn't know what they're doing they can totally mess up your eyebrows and they take a while to grow back in. It's like a bad haircut but maybe worse. It's really hard to hide jacked up eyebrows.

Quote from: Julia1996 on November 16, 2017, 08:30:52 AM
Lots of places do eyebrows. Most hair salons and some nail salons offer waxing. I do waxing on a few clients as well as their hair. Wherever you have it done make sure the person doing it is experienced. Just because someone can cut hair or do nails doesn't mean they know how to do waxing.

Thanks Julia. How do you determine someone's experience? I'm a complete outsider on all this, and scared to death of the concept of stepping inside any kind of salon. Heck, I haven't been close to even a barber shop in over 20 years.

Steph

Quote from: Steph2.0 on November 16, 2017, 08:42:03 AM
Thanks Julia. How do you determine someone's experience? I'm a complete outsider on all this, and scared to death of the concept of stepping inside any kind of salon. Heck, I haven't been close to even a barber shop in over 20 years.

Steph

Just ask the person. Say " do you have experience waxing eyebrows ".  Don't worry about possibly offending someone. A salon is a business and you are the customer. It's a legitimate question. I have people ask me how old I am and if I'm sure I know how to do the cut they want. I never get offended. You need to be sure someone knows what they're doing before they cut your hair or shape your eyebrows.

Okay. I'm trying to own my transition by showing this.  The stylist went for an overall shape for my hair, so as when I grow it out it will look better.  It was getting shaggy.  Afterwards he did my eyebrows.  Then he did a little eye makeup.  So this is me, basically raw, no faceapp.  I do feel a bit discouraged.  I don't feel at all femme as the moment.  I know I have to have the beard removed, in process.  Anyway, fragile here.

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/flceshjwerxca4x/LRG_DSC01977.JPG?dl=1)

Bari Jo

I see some very solid potential. The 'odd hair'  phase is an awkward one,  but a right-of-passage [emoji4].
I like the makeup,  subtle but good shades,  and the brows look tidier,  but still andro to my eyes.
You nailed it sister. X

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I agree with Megan. 

You have a lot going for you - a lot.  And my jaw is more square, if you wanna trade lemme know.  ;)

Thank you both for pointing out its working.  We are our own worst critics, so I hear.  I'm learning I'm my worst but also cruel.  I started to compare my avatar to the pict today, and I think it's a step forward now.  Kendra, thanks for the offer, but I'll stick it out, even with all the electrolysis to do!

Bari Jo

Thats great Bari Jo! Keep it up we're on this journey together.. I'm right there with you pushing through

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You are very close to your avatar. The finished result from hrt will be very good.

There is an actress she reminds me of but for the life of me I can't think who, anyone have any idea?

Quote from: Megan. on November 17, 2017, 08:49:13 AM
Iand the brows look tidier,  but still andro to my eyes.

I think you are exactly right Megan, the stylist did what he wanted,  and honestly is slightly off on one side.  It's off enough that I want to use an eyebrow pencil to correct it.  I think I will grow it out and go for a more refined shape in a month.

My look now must be getting some response though.  It's not my intent, I'm just being me. I'm without makeup this morning, skinny jeans as usual and a blue and pink Tokyo Disneyland hoodie (just bought in this trip).  I pass a table with two ladies and their kids, and see the little girl look at me then away.  I think she said something like that person is gay.  For the next 5 minutes I was privy to how open our society is, gay is a good thing, and people can choose what they want.  Good parenting Mom!  She had the conversation loud enough so I could hear.

Bari Jo

I had my brows done when I went full time, as part of a promise I had made to myself.   When my divorce was final, rather than moping around, I deliberately set out to do things my ex had forbidden.  In one day, I had my nails done with a nice gel finish, I got my ears pierced, and I got my brows done.

The nails were done in a shop at the mall, and the ears were done in a Claires next door.   The brows were done at a Benefit Brow Bar, a little service area that does waxing and follow up stuff within some Macy's department stores and Ulta cosmetics places. (Mine was in a Macy's).

There were absolutely no issues anywhere.  Folks being paid by us are unlikely to misgender or otherwise mess up.  They need the income.

I decided not to have my electrologist do them as FFS might shift things a bit, and the waxing is not permanent unlike electrolysis.