Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: theatomicquinn on September 22, 2017, 04:30:59 PM

Title: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: theatomicquinn on September 22, 2017, 04:30:59 PM
Hello, I'm Quinn, I'm 19 years old, and I'm a transgender woman. For a while now I've been stressing out about passing in public, I've been on HRT for about 9 months now, and I was wondering; is it possible for me to pass with HRT alone? I'm terrible at makeup, and to be honest, I barely have the strength to get ready in the mornings. See picture below for reference.

https://imgur.com/a/gklvL
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Sluggy on September 22, 2017, 04:35:51 PM
It's hard to say from that picture, as you're making a very neutral face. I would recommend getting your eyebrows done, as that's helped me phenomenally.

Aside from that, I wouldn't worry about it too much if you're dressing femininely. Unless people are close-quarters eyeballing you, you probably won't get many second glances
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Aurorasky on September 22, 2017, 04:38:38 PM
Hi Quinn! It definitely is possible, but it depends a lot on genetics, on how you react to HRT, fat deposits, softening of the skin. Then there's mannerisms, voice, and facial hair or rather the absence of it. From what I see in the pic which is a bit too close, you do have feminine features but maybe not enough to pass upon close inspection. There's the aid of makeup and dress, it helps a lot. You may have to wait a little more for HRT to soften your face furfther and for the skin softening. If it doesn't happen, you may need FFS. Hope it was helpful :)
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: theatomicquinn on September 22, 2017, 04:49:19 PM
Here's a better picture. This is the most zoomed-out picture that I have.


https://imgur.com/a/A5Dbx
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Megan. on September 22, 2017, 04:52:03 PM
I agree that shaping your brows would help a lot; and give the HRT longer,  it can take longer than 9 months for features to fully soften. X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Tammy Jade on September 22, 2017, 05:05:16 PM
Iv always seen passing as a ratio.
Some one once told me that there are many feminine tells & many masculine tells and that it's about the ratio that a person has of each.

You say your not a huge makeup fan but that may not matter if the rest of your presentation is feminine.

Nails, Brows, Jewry, Hair, Clothes, Shoes, Mannerisms, voice ect

Most cis women will have some masculine features but they don't get misgendered because it's mostly about your presentation as a whole more then one single feature.

Without makeup it's harder to pass close scrutiny because of beard shadow and lack of contouring but passing a general glance like most people you pass in the street will give each other should be fine.

Your picture is a little close as someone else said but on first glance I saw a young woman.

I suggest getting your brows shaped a little more feminine and curling your lashes. Even if you don't do any other makeup curling your lashes and putting some mascara on them really makes your eyes more feminine and will draw people's attention to your eyes and help a lot with passing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Julia1996 on September 22, 2017, 05:21:14 PM
I definitely agree with everyone else about your eyebrows. Your features look pretty feminine. After more time on hrt they will become even more so. I'm 19 too. I've been on hrt for 2 years. I haven't had any facial surgery and I pass easily. Just give the hrt more time.
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Sydney_NYC on September 22, 2017, 09:13:24 PM
Like most are saying, get those brows shaped. Otherwise you have very feminine features and there isn't anything else that screams male except the bushy eye brows. Fortunately you only need to get the shaped and waxed and no surgery required. An arch shape and thinned is what you want. I highly recommend European Wax center (national US chain) and they are very trans friendly. Also there is plenty more going to happen on HRT. I had some significant changes in my face between 9 and 12 months of HRT.
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: echo7 on September 22, 2017, 09:21:57 PM
How is your voice?  Appearances mean very little when one has a voice that sounds like a man.

Take all the negative energy and anxiety you currently have and instead pour it into something positive, such as working on developing a female voice.
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Anne Blake on September 22, 2017, 11:39:58 PM
You have great features that will work for you. Yes on the eyebrows, at least get them trimmed down heading halfway there if you have to live in both presentations. But, as several have mentioned, it is all about presentation. Own yourself, mannerisms, voice (both pitch and melodic flow). Watch and learn motions. But put a smile on that pretty face of yours, it will make a world of difference.
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Aurorasky on September 23, 2017, 03:47:32 AM
Quote from: echo7 on September 22, 2017, 09:21:57 PM
How is your voice?  Appearances mean very little when one has a voice that sounds like a man.

Take all the negative energy and anxiety you currently have and instead pour it into something positive, such as working on developing a female voice.

Yes, voice is really important. In fact, it can make or break your presentation. I have always had a very high voice, never sounded male, so even dressed as boy I got questioning looks and remarks that I was a girl dressed as boy. When I started transitioning, even if I was the most unfashionable girl in the world and with REALLY short, curly hair, I still passed everywhere because I was light and had anyone any doubts, I just had to open my mouth. I started passing completely on 2th month of HRT to the point of complete "male fail".
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: mako9802 on September 23, 2017, 07:16:15 AM
Girl you will be fine.  You already look good.  And most folks even if they clock you really don't care anyway. 
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: KayXo on September 28, 2017, 11:19:13 AM
HRT alone has done wonders for me but only after facial hair was gone! My face is 100% female but my face, to begin with, wasn't overtly masculine either. I've taken high doses of E for several years and wonder if that made a difference. When I compare my pics now to before HRT, wow! The difference is amazing. Just wait and see... ;) Keeps us young looking too, I look wayyy younger...
Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Nina on September 28, 2017, 11:58:00 AM
Meh, I disagree about voice. I'm 10 years ft...never been misgendered, never had a negative comment, and I quit my voice lessons after year one.

In order of most important to me we're:
90+ hours electrolysis
Tracheal shave
Getting out and being me - grocery shopping, walking, bank, pub, the mall etc.

Title: Re: Is it possible to be passable on HRT only?
Post by: Laurie on September 28, 2017, 08:33:19 PM
  Hey, quinn , I see that you are new here. So please let me say, Welcome To Susan's Place! Come on in and take a good look around.  Perhaps I can even get you to hop on over to the Introductions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) Thread and  create a post to tell us a little bit more about yourself so we can get to know you a little better and greet you properly.

  Also I'll add some links and information below that can help you get more out of our site. Please take time to become familiar with them especially the RED one as we are always getting questions that are answered there.

Laurie
Global Moderator


QuoteA Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.

We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.

If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.


I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site.  It is important for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them


Things that you should read




Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)
Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)
News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)
Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)