Everything what Joanna said I also agree with completely. It annoys me when people shame those of us that enjoy wearing makeup for ourselves like seriously..

I love make up too but its not something I use anymore to pass since laser finally cleared my shadow. I can finally wear it freely without having to worry about the passing issue, which is a huge sense of relief for me. I hated putting on globs of foundation just to cover my beard shadow, granted it always looked really good on me and evened out my skin tone but still it was way too much of it. Now I use like a fraction of the foundation I used to use which feels great on my skin in comparison to before.

I love eyeliner and been meaning to experiment with different styles. Like the current style I use is just lining the inner lids and a thin line at the top, nothing fancy. I really want to try the cat eye but I have yet to experiment with that style. I need to get a new liner too sometime soon like a pencil and gel. However what I really want to get into is contouring cause I have some pretty awesome cheekbones that would look really amazing if I just knew how to do that. It would be really fun to get a professional makeover done too.

Hey Jasmine the dark circles under my eyes get really bad too. I've been meaning to try some diy masks and rest cut cucumbers on my eyes to help reduce it. I have allergies so my circles can get bad sometimes and my lack of sleep doesn't help at all  I forgot what I use for foundation but its liquid and its called hd something..it blends in perfectly with my skin and doesn't look like I'm wearing anything.

Quote from: Allyda on November 26, 2014, 11:54:10 AM
Sorry hun, hrt doesn't make you shrink. I have dropped a shoes size tho since beginning hrt from a woman's size 9 down to a woman's size 8. But I think part of that is getting more of my arch back from having broken my feet a few times. 5 ft. 8 in. is only just above average height for a woman these days. I'm 5-5 but in heels or my wedges I'm 5-9, lol! There are lot's of tall women out there. So have fun, live your life and just be you dismissing worries about height cuz for this day and age your not that tall.

Ally

Ally-

I lost about half an inch of height since I started HRT and my feet and hands and other parts have shrunk too. I weigh the same as before I started HRT so the weight has moved - to my belly, butt, and boobs.

I am currently on a trip to see my daughter in a state that is definitely Bible Belt country and I am curious how people are going too perceive me here vs. in California where seeing someone like me is not unusual.  So far there has been more staring from guys and a teenage boy that was stifling giggles at a burger joint last night for some reason that may or may not have involved me. I am very outwardly confident and I know who I am so I just don't worry about my height (5'8") or my voice (better earlier in the day, not as good as the day rolls by and I get tired). Confidence is the key, and accepting that some people are gonna clock me no matter what I do helps.

I transitioned for me and not for other people so they can stuff it if they don't like it.

Quote from: katrinaw on November 26, 2014, 06:04:30 PM
Somewhere between Women's 8 and 9 depending on style and make... I am also only 5'4" Bare feet and standing bolt upright... so I really hope the only shrinkage I get is shoulder width... 

Will also take on the more positive and confident stance / approach... thanks all 

L Katy

Shoulders, I barely have any, lol, mine are only 12 and 3/4 inches wide. Katrina you look great in your Avatar photo by the way. And at 5 ft 4 in your average height for a female.

Yea, I know what you mean about shoe sizes fluctuating between brand names. Just last week my friend and I were in Bells looking at wedges. I tried on a size 7 that fit, and even a 9 that fit. Go figure, lol!

Ally

Quote from: Hanazono on November 27, 2014, 04:56:56 AM
.I'm going to temporarily derail this topic with some makeup tips .

1. Compact powder makeup can be applied very sheer when brushed on with a large powder brush. it can also be used to set cream foundation by using a matching tone.

2. you can contour by using your fingers to apply instead of brush.
smile.
tap then blend highlight powder or even just one or Teo shades lighter of foundation, on the part of your cheeks that protrude highest the most

3. Never ever use cat eyeliner! :>

Quote from: LizMarie on November 26, 2014, 10:56:55 AM
I'm 5 foot 9 inches now and was 5 foot 10 inches when I started HRT. I was worried about my height as my spouse, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother were all shorter than me. Then one of my best friends (natal female) pointed out to me that several of my female friends were taller than me, including her, and that one of my natal female friends was over 6 feet. After she said that I began noticing how many tall women I saw downtown at lunch time at various lunch stops. And then I stopped worrying about my height.

In my experience talking to people, the things that will "out" you the fastest are voice, beard shadow, nervousness when presenting female, and failing to take care of your face. Get those eye brows done! Use a good foundation to cover shadow until you're done with electrolysis and/or laser. Work on that voice or get to Yeson and be done with it. And most of all, start being comfortable with yourself.

My thoughts exactly.

My priorities are voice and electrolysis.

FFS is extremely low down on my list.

Simply plucking my eyebrows into a more feminine shape has done wonders. I get gendered female sometimes and other times I get that people are afraid to gender me or unsure. That is until I open my mouth.

Voice training and possibly surgery are in my future.

I want to start plucking my brows but I tried just one hair, and the pain was so bad it made me tear up..Just ONE hair! 

Quote from: Jessika on November 28, 2014, 12:42:58 PM
I want to start plucking my brows but I tried just one hair, and the pain was so bad it made me tear up..Just ONE hair! 

Push through the pain

Quote from: Jessika on November 28, 2014, 12:42:58 PM
I want to start plucking my brows but I tried just one hair, and the pain was so bad it made me tear up..Just ONE hair! 

LOL That was me when I was 12 hahaha You get through it & it hurts less & less each time. Now, after 5-6 years of always plucking, it's nothing. It's really just a normal part of being a girl.

Quote from: Jessika on November 28, 2014, 12:42:58 PM
I want to start plucking my brows but I tried just one hair, and the pain was so bad it made me tear up..Just ONE hair! 

Take a nice long hot shower or bath first. This helps loosen the hairs and open the pores and reduces the pain as a result.

A small scissors and comb is necessary to cut long hairs as well. I have NEVER done anything to my brows until recently and it hurt initially but after a while I got used to it.

A mirror with 5x magnification is a must too.

Quote from: TSJasmine on November 28, 2014, 02:34:56 PM
LOL That was me when I was 12 hahaha You get through it & it hurts less & less each time. Now, after 5-6 years of always plucking, it's nothing. It's really just a normal part of being a girl.

Yeah, lol. However I have stupid small hairs all the way down to my eyelid and it's just tedious more than anything.

Quote from: Hanazono on November 28, 2014, 06:36:48 PM
I use the electric trimmer of my Schick Quarto. close cut and great

I don't like shaving because it grows back and stubble is ugly, IMO. But if you can keep up with it I guess that works.

Quote from: Hanazono on November 27, 2014, 04:56:56 AM
.I'm going to temporarily derail this topic with some makeup tips .

1. Compact powder makeup can be applied very sheer when brushed on with a large powder brush. it can also be used to set cream foundation by using a matching tone.

2. you can contour by using your fingers to apply instead of brush.
smile.
tap then blend highlight powder or even just one or Teo shades lighter of foundation, on the part of your cheeks that protrude highest the most

I've just begun exploring makeup because it is a huge unknown to me but has always intrigued me. I have never really made up my face and my avatar is without makeup.

Anyway I was watching a few tutorials on youtube and I came across one that I really liked. This one:



She said a lot of what you said, which is she likes to use her fingers to smooth out the makeup. I really like her result but I wish I could find one like her for darker skin like mine.

Look I've been called a ginger and whatever and have a quite a low pain tolerance but goodness gracious me oh my if you think plucking eyebrows is bad... electrolysis is so much worse.

Quote from: Allyda on November 27, 2014, 08:27:58 AM
Shoulders, I barely have any, lol, mine are only 12 and 3/4 inches wide. Katrina you look great in your Avatar photo by the way. And at 5 ft 4 in your average height for a female.

Yea, I know what you mean about shoe sizes fluctuating between brand names. Just last week my friend and I were in Bells looking at wedges. I tried on a size 7 that fit, and even a 9 that fit. Go figure, lol!

Ally

Thanks Allyda, always love compliments 

Dress sizes also cause me concern waist v's top end (back  ) too...

Voice is still my biggest issue, I can hide most things, but not my voice... somewhere between normal, squeaky and croaky  Hopefully start on that after Xmas 

L Katy