ive got about $100 set aside specifically for things to help with dysphoria/passing. i already have a binder and am getting a packer. some specific things i want to know is does the diy mascara beard thing actually work realistically in public? or is there anything i can buy/do to help my voice aside from some type of expensive vocal therapy? or just anything else i could pay for/do to help with dysphoria?

obviously hormones/surgery is the best investment but i still havent even been able to get a first appointment with a therapist so thats pretty far in the future and i just need to figure out what to do to keep my dysphoria as low as possible for now.

Investing in specific men's clothes works wonders (there are some that are technically aimed as women that work well too but the brands are tricky to find). Like properly fitted jeans (not tight), straight leg ones without pleating. Really helps minimize the hip and thigh area. Stay clear of plaid shirts if you can (don't ask but just trust me on this one), button ups with asymmetrical patterns are beneficial. One trick I've found helpful is darker pants and lighter colored shirts. Creates an illusion of a larger torso/shoulders and slimmer legs/hips.

There are foods out there which can help lower estrogen and raise T levels so a quick google search on that could help out.

Voice training is helpful. I've managed to lower my voice a little by using this method:
Tilting you head back so your vocal cords are taught and then, in a relatively low voice, saying ding-dong-king-kong-bing-bong dragging out the 'ng' sounds. This stretches your vocal cords which lowers the pitch of you voice. Only do this maybe once or maximum twice a day though, don't want to damage your voice.

I've tried the mascara beard thing. There are different methods of doing it. (Google it if you shall, everybody has a different method) My only advice is that you pay attention to the colour mascara you buy (Make sure you buy mascara that is the closest to your eyebrow/hair colour) I also advise you that you practice at home a few times before going out in public, and that the beard my look fake in bathroom lights, but will look normal in natural light.

Eyebrow pencils definitely add a ton of masculinity to your face even if you have thick eyebrows already.

Tbh the mascara beard is not a good idea as it can rather easily be seen as fake (you can get special effects prosthetic beards which work as a more realistic alternative)

literally anything with man smell. The self confidence boost of wearing anything that makes you smell masculine helps me a ton. If I feel dysphoric just adding a dab more of my aftershave helps me feel validated and calmer.

haircuts help if done right.

One thing I do is shave my face even though I don't have a beard yet. Just the act of doing it gives me a boost!

overall though finding things that work for your dysphoria its unique to you and your own experiences.

Aside from clothing I bought male related bath stuff. Shampoos, soaps, colognes and even got myself some beard oil (even though at the time I didn't have facial hair). I also stopped shaving completely.. let my leg hair and armpit hair grow out.

Thats kinda funny here i am trying to rid myself of all those things  amongst others


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I agree with men's clothing. For me, underwear is the item that helps the most.


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Quote from: RaptorChops on May 02, 2016, 09:05:06 PM
Aside from clothing I bought male related bath stuff. Shampoos, soaps, colognes and even got myself some beard oil (even though at the time I didn't have facial hair). I also stopped shaving completely.. let my leg hair and armpit hair grow out.

^ All of that. I never shaved my legs to begin with but I got in the habit of shaving my armpits. It was an amazingly liberating, calming feeling when I stopped.
Might I suggest investing in some weights or resistance bands?
There are a ton of home workout routines you can do with nothing more than a set of dumbbells and your own body weight. I started working out fairly heavily about 4 months before I began taking testosterone and I feel like it really helped me establish a sturdy foundation. Plus, there's nothing that feels manlier than pushing out rep after rep while your sweat's puddling on the ground.
I felt like I was losing my mind the last six months I was waiting for HRT and surgery; working out was one of the only things that kept me grounded.