Quote from: Jerica on January 20, 2011, 04:18:07 PM
I wore a wig for the first few months and then was able to find a few styles that worked well for me =)

Also vitamins (esp prenatal) will help hair and nails grow faster and stronger from what I've found.

During my last attempted transition my nails were brittle and my hair was thin and stringy, though it might have been becuase I was starving myself (quite literally).  I have heard since "male" fingernails are generally broader, they are more susceptible to damage then "female" fingernails.  I went looking for collagen suppliments and ended up with something called Biotin instead, a B vitamin I think.  So far it seems to be working.

I present as male, yet have very long hair.

I've wanted long hair all my life, but finally decided to grow it about 10 years ago. My stylist was very supportive. I got a trim (~1/8 inch) about every 3 months to keep it looking good. Once it was long enough, I wore it tied back. That awkward, in-between stage is something that everyone goes through. It takes determination!

It took me 3.5 years to grow my hair to my waist. I now wear it 2-3 inches above my waist.
I did not begin growing it until I was well established in my profession, so I never had to interview with it long. But no one at work ever said anything to me.

There are plenty of professional males today with long hair.  Take care of it and keep it looking nice & healthy!

I am in the "can't do anything with my hair" phase and it's very frustrating. My hair is red, extremely thick and wavy, and requires tons of products to even think about staying in place. Even then, when I start to sweat, it gets poofy and curls up at the ends. I've watched tons of videos on YouTube and read magazines and websites, but still can't get it to look remotely feminine.
Any suggestions out there?

Quote from: PaigeM on January 24, 2011, 11:40:30 AM
I am in the "can't do anything with my hair" phase and it's very frustrating. My hair is red, extremely thick and wavy, and requires tons of products to even think about staying in place. Even then, when I start to sweat, it gets poofy and curls up at the ends. I've watched tons of videos on YouTube and read magazines and websites, but still can't get it to look remotely feminine.
Any suggestions out there?

what about getting it permed into looser curls? that's one option, or you can try this product if you haven't already, garnier fructis survivor putty.

Quote from: FallingStar on January 28, 2011, 11:38:23 PM
what about getting it permed into looser curls? that's one option, or you can try this product if you haven't already, garnier fructis survivor putty.

Lately I've just been putting some mousse or pomade in it and letting it air dry. It really curls up, but people say it looks all right. Not particularly feminine, nor masculine, so I guess it will do for now. Just need to be patient--not my best skill. 

My new avatar shows my real hair. Its not long but longer than its been since the 80's. I need to get a trim and a versitile  style.

Quote from: regan on January 21, 2011, 08:14:30 AM
During my last attempted transition my nails were brittle and my hair was thin and stringy, though it might have been becuase I was starving myself (quite literally).  I have heard since "male" fingernails are generally broader, they are more susceptible to damage then "female" fingernails.  I went looking for collagen suppliments and ended up with something called Biotin instead, a B vitamin I think.  So far it seems to be working.

Estrogen can make your nails brittle and papery...mine were great until I started hrt, but now they drive me nuts.

as for hair, getting it cut into a definite style, even if it's a work in prgress kind of cut, does wonders...I have quite short hair but it's still really feminine and getting it styled improved my confidence no end.

Im lucky that I still have it all at 41 with no gray. I do have a natural hairline that looks like its reversed a bit but it has always been like that. I can style around that for now and maybe later get some transplants for a more feminine hairline. BTW, youlook great Helena!

Don't worry Stacy, you look like you'd fit in with my mum and the rest of her herd 

I'm apparently rocking the 'Neil Gaiman' look, which would be fine except for the gender difference. I'm going to slooowly try to grow it out a bit more, but I end up looking like a poodle that's walked through a static field.

I just told my stylist to cut it in a feminine style because that's what I want. She wasn't happy about it to begin with but it looks good now. At first I would wear mousse on it and comb it straight back-after a while it was long enough for a pony-tail. Then I had the front and sides styled some and the back is long. I too have days that I can't get it to do what I want it to do. That's when I wear a hat. I love having my hair long and don't plan to change it again any time soon. As for nails, estrogen does make them more brittle-playing my guitars for a few minutes always breaks them off so now I keep them very short.
Randi