Me without makeup Me with makeup
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/16504452165_b041cd15e5_b.jpg) (https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/16466732308_b48db474c8_b.jpg)
I've come out to friends, family, classmates and instructors at the college, am working on my legal name change (...according to the university's student lawyer, gender change isn't possible in Kansas, apparently, without extensive hoops to jump through like surgeries I can't afford...), and am nearly done with my education and am looking for a job. I've been working on voice therapy (it's not perfect, but it's starting to sound pretty good), and I've had 4 rounds of laser hair removal (...need more, but it's enough to where it's easily covered up with foundation now), and been on HRT for closing in on 5 months. I'm starting to get identified more often as a woman (seems to depend on how the Kansas wind has blown my hair that day) even in 'guy mode', and have applied to graduate with my new name on my diploma in May and am already planning a move to Portland Oregon. The only thing I have left in the immediate future that I can think of is to go full time.
So, what I'm looking for is advice, as I'd like to fine tune my presentation. I do know that at this point I definitely need to get my hair fixed and my eyebrows waxed. I plan to do that later in march, most likely during spring break. Is there anything else I should be doing, aside for cloths shopping? Any 'last minute' advice on makeup? Suggestions for hair and clothing? Anything's welcome. Also ... anyone have a recommendation for a minimum amount of clothing to have before going full time? I'm planning on hitting thrift shops in the area with my wife and maybe another local trans woman soon. But I need to keep things on a shoe string budget for a bit on the clothing front, which means keeping things to necessary items.
Also ... is it too soon for me to go full time? I'm not jumping the gun as the say, am I?
Quote from: Amy The Bookworm on February 26, 2015, 10:04:16 AM
Also ... is it too soon for me to go full time? I'm not jumping the gun as the say, am I?
It's never too soon to go full time. In my opinion every day I spent not living as my full self was a day lost, and we're not given that many days.
As for clothing, hair, and makeup, have fun. Do what makes you feel good, don't listen to other people who say you have to / can't do things a certain way.
I prefer the without make-up picture. I dont know what mistake possibly you did, because I'm no make-up expert by any means. But you look a lot older in the picture with make-up.
When to go full-time is exactly up to you and when you feel comfortable enough. Don't rush into anything just because of it. When you feel it's the time, there is no too soon, or too late. I for example waited until I managed the facial hair problem. As I rarely use any make-up, this was kind of needed to do first. At around 10-11 laser sessions in I finally said, f*** it, that's good enough for me... Before that I was like 3 weeks in femme mode, and for 1 week around laser session I went back to my old androgynous apperance. So this way I avoided any clocking due to my facial hair. It wasn't ideal for my overall psychological state, as I often felt like I was betraying myself, but still better than getting clocked would feel. I'm still very angry at myself for not starting with laser sooner..
I suggest you just go full time when you feel it's the time. If you live part-time (or most-of-the-time) already it's really not a big deal. The only difference is you stop going back to the "male" mode. Like never ever again, and you will feel that much more better. But it's better to do this when you feel really ready, so you don't have to deal later with any doubts, confidence issues, etc...
The only mistake I see is no smile in the second picture. Say "cheese" lady! ;D
Hugs, Devlyn
Devlyn beat me to it, try taking the with makeup picture again with a smile.
Smiling makes you look more feminine cause of your cheeks and smiling makes 99% of people look younger
Quote from: Jayne on February 26, 2015, 06:20:08 PM
Devlyn beat me to it, try taking the with makeup picture again with a smile.
Smiling makes you look more feminine cause of your cheeks and smiling makes 99% of people look younger
Speaking of smiles - there is another part to the smile thing that i've found out since I transitioned - a female without a smile is upsetting to some people apparently. At a store I go to about every 6 weeks I guess I wasn't smiling enough and the older female clerk asked me on both visits if something was wrong. After thinking about it I realized I had dude expression on my face both times which was drawing attention that might out me. So now I smile more and haven't been asked that question since.
I like the picture with makeup - very feminine :)