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..
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi237.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff60%2FLoreenaMckennittfan%2F11021049_10152869070787851_7766069492395511521_n.jpg&hash=17d92bf944308d7b105387df4a8ddc484fd47b1a) (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/LoreenaMckennittfan/media/11021049_10152869070787851_7766069492395511521_n.jpg.html)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi237.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff60%2FLoreenaMckennittfan%2F10989205_10152869070797851_4284681261977971899_n.jpg&hash=dc292609e2836f93175967d381598395105109ec) (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/LoreenaMckennittfan/media/10989205_10152869070797851_4284681261977971899_n.jpg.html)
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
It looks to me like you have a good starting place. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
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!
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.
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.
Thin out the eyebrows and you're in great shape! You'd be amazed at how much of a difference it'll make.
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!
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.
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!
If that's a starting point, there's no doubt in my mind that you're going to be gawgeous!
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! :laugh:
Quote from: mmmmm on February 24, 2015, 03:55:53 PMThere 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
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.
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. :P :P
OH i just caught that you are pre-HRT? Really?
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
Quote from: DoYouRealize on February 24, 2015, 05:02:51 PM
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!
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.
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!
Damnnn... you have a face of a 1910s actress...
Lily Tilly or something.
Your gorgeous girl so get used to it. :)
You are so lucky to have that shadow. It will laser off in an instant.
You're still quite fetching, you know.
Quote from: Tori on February 25, 2015, 01:36:18 AM
You are so lucky to have that shadow. It will laser off in an instant.
Yeah, electrolysis sucks. I haven't gone out on the weekend in 7 months, because I am usually recovering.
You have great eyes, lips and a totally feminine profile. You're very lucky!
Quote from: Tori on February 25, 2015, 01:36:18 AM
You are so lucky to have that shadow. It will laser off in an instant.
Is this true? I hope so! I've found 1 laser place 45 minutes away.. hopefully they will agree! <3
Quote from: April Lee on February 24, 2015, 11:15:37 PM
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.
Thank you, dear! Omg! I hope not too many! ;)
Quote from: Wild Flower on February 25, 2015, 12:22:14 AM
Damnnn... you have a face of a 1910s actress...
Lily Tilly or something.
That's nice to hear.. sometimes I feel like I'm an anachronism. lol!
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on February 25, 2015, 12:26:01 AM
Your gorgeous girl so get used to it. :)
Jessica you are always so sweet! :) <3
Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 24, 2015, 11:42:01 PM
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!
Thank you! I really hope I can feel secure without it! I am so afraid of surgeries! Well the potential negative effects of them especially.
Hi Damara,
We, are forever our own worst critics.
For me, 6 years full time, and I still cannot take a compliment. In year 1, during therapy, my therapist said upon getting a compliment to say "thank you" and shut up. But I cant, I find flaws. I know I'm ok, but I try to be better.
We all have confidence flaws. Some hide em better than others.
You are a beautiful person. I can see it in your eyes. You have wonderful lips, and great cheekbones.
I'm not going to suggest what you need to do differently because wha do I know? Not a heck of a lot.
Once you feel good on the inside, you'll glow even more on the outside.
Stay beautiful.....and happy
Damara, your profile is very, very feminine, very cute nose and lovely hair... You neckline looks nice too...
We all have " bad days, especially when we don't feel 100%.... Don't doubt yourself... Despite the fact that we are all (well most) are our own worst critics.
L Katy :-*
Quote from: Muffinheart on February 25, 2015, 05:02:04 AM
Hi Damara,
We, are forever our own worst critics.
For me, 6 years full time, and I still cannot take a compliment. In year 1, during therapy, my therapist said upon getting a compliment to say "thank you" and shut up. But I cant, I find flaws. I know I'm ok, but I try to be better.
We all have confidence flaws. Some hide em better than others.
You are a beautiful person. I can see it in your eyes. You have wonderful lips, and great cheekbones.
I'm not going to suggest what you need to do differently because what do I know? Not a heck of a lot.
Once you feel good on the inside, you'll glow even more on the outside.
Stay beautiful.....and happy
Thank you, Muffin! I have the same issue with compliments.. I always find a way to be self depricating.. this may be some sort of defense mechanism. I'm going to try and figure out why I do this and stop it. lol! I neeed a therapist!
Quote from: katrinaw on February 25, 2015, 06:40:25 AM
Damara, your profile is very, very feminine, very cute nose and lovely hair... You neckline looks nice too...
We all have " bad days, especially when we don't feel 100%.... Don't doubt yourself... Despite the fact that we are all (well most) are our own worst critics.
L Katy :-*
Thank you so much, Katrina! I will admit that even though my nose is longer than most females I actually like its shape well enough. I do wish it were straighter from the front but I have a lot of asymmetries I've been getting over. lol! I'm definitely hyper critical of myself at times.. and the moments when I'm not.. well I'm not certain what factors contribute to my sense of contentment with myself but I wish I could bottle that rare feeling.
I am feeling better today, this sinus thing seems to be leaving me.. maybe when I do my beauty regimen in a day, I will not feel so repulsed by my visage. lol!
Damara, not sure about where you live if you have access to a therapist. Just a suggestion, my therapist is solely focused on gender clients, 30 years practicing, a PhD, and she does many of her consultations via web cam and Skype. It could be an alternative for those people who don't have easy access to one.
I can honestly say I wouldnt be here today if it weren't for our 1on1s.
Quote from: Muffinheart on February 25, 2015, 12:11:21 PM
Damara, not sure about where you live if you have access to a therapist. Just a suggestion, my therapist is solely focused on gender clients, 30 years practicing, a PhD, and she does many of her consultations via web cam and Skype. It could be an alternative for those people who don't have easy access to one.
I can honestly say I wouldnt be here today if it weren't for our 1on1s.
Really? That sounds lovely! If you don't mind I may PM you about contacting her, later today! I mean, I wish I could get hormones via skype but a therapist would be good at the moment to help with the despair.
Quote from: Damara on February 25, 2015, 12:17:37 PM
Really? That sounds lovely! If you don't mind I may PM you about contacting her, later today! I mean, I wish I could get hormones via skype but a therapist would be good at the moment to help with the despair.
Absolutely, you can PM me...I don't know what to do or how, but I'm here...other than tending to some scalloped potatoes in the oven.
FYI, here is the website:
http://www.making-a-difference.ca/
Go to the tab "Dr. Seidl"
She's wonderful!!!
Get laser, wax your brows, and get on HRT and you'll pass. Promise! Your face structure is already female.
Hi all! Just wanted to say that whenever I'm feeling down I come here and feel reassured by all of your lovely words! I am going on the 18th to see a trans knowledgeable gyno in Little Rock and I'm so excited!!
You look far better than I do with or without makeup.
Honestly, you have nothing to fear. I don't think you even need FFS. A couple of years on HRS and you'll look like a princess. You already sound like one. Just hang in there.