I know that since I'm wanting to transition as much as possible, I often feel like I have to be as macho as I can be at all times to help me pass.  Bind my chest, stuff a sock in my pants, wear Old Spice cologne (It makes me smell like my dad!), etc.

But honestly...? 

I love the smell of vanilla and regularly use vanilla soap, shampoo, deodarant (how the hell do you spell that word?) and cologne.  I know that it's a 'girly' scent, but damnit, it makes me happy to smell sugar cookies all day and I can't just hang out at a bakery to achieve that.

Anybody else have a 'guilty secret' they feel like sharing?

I have the same thing. I used to use vanilla cologne and body spray occasionally. But now I just use vanilla for my house and not my body.  I don't wear any cologne or any scent now. But I'm not opposed to nice smelling shower stuff. 

Then do it.

If anyone here is seeking to fulfill a norm then that is truely sad. It's about expressing yourself as you choose and how it makes you comfortable.

It will be really silly if you end up sacrificing what you want to be so you can act like you think you need to.

I don't think it is a girly scent, I think it is a food scent.

I can say that my mother tried to get me all into makeup, dresses, etc after "coming out" but it didn't take. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a lesbian or if it's just me but I'm the kind who tends to be into things considered male by society. I'm a gamer, an engineer, and I'd probably have joined the military if these physical problems weren't in the way.

Vanilla smells good on everyone regardless of gender!
Here's my guilty secret:

I seriously love this scent.

I've personally always wanted to start my own line of masculine body sprays that incorporate earthly smells like vanilla, chocolate (Axe has already done Chocolate and Leather fantastically), tobacco, mint, cedar, and even gasoline. I truly think men need more inexpensive body sprays that branch out into interesting tones; I think many men are just tired of the same old harsh, alcohol-ish scent that most body sprays give out.

My last name actually rhymes with 'Spray' too, so it'd be called "------- Body Spray".

Just a little dream of mine that would only happen if a bunch of other much more important dreams work out. Actually, I wouldn't mind also starting my own brewery, the key to making a popular spirit is to simply make the most iconic bottle and label you possibly can; this is why Jack Daniels is so iconic (also fueled by the name's history, self-made production values, and such and forth). So many spirits get overlooked by the majority of folks out there because the bottle or label is not cool or mainstream enough. But more than that, I care so much about the balance and taste of spirits, I'm a huge whiskey and stout beer fan, I've always felt that I could add so much interest to any type of alcohol; personally, I'd love to discover how to infuse a light, sweet caramel tone to beers and whiskeys. Make em good and tasty.

*So not girly stuff being talked about here, but then again, my #1 hero on the planet is J.K. Rowling*

I always viewed Vanilla and coconut as food smells not really feminine or masculine smells. Though I probably like vanilla in my espresso more thank I do as a scent on my body or in my home however, Rapture by Victoria Secret has a hint of vanilla to my nose and it is my favorite perfume.

Quote from: RhinoP on July 07, 2011, 02:57:06 AM
Just a little dream of mine that would only happen if a bunch of other much more important dreams work out. Actually, I wouldn't mind also starting my own brewery, the key to making a popular spirit is to simply make the most iconic bottle and label you possibly can; this is why Jack Daniels is so iconic (also fueled by the name's history, self-made production values, and such and forth). So many spirits get overlooked by the majority of folks out there because the bottle or label is not cool or mainstream enough. But more than that, I care so much about the balance and taste of spirits, I'm a huge whiskey and stout beer fan, I've always felt that I could add so much interest to any type of alcohol; personally, I'd love to discover how to infuse a light, sweet caramel tone to beers and whiskeys. Make em good and tasty.

I don't drink (lots of health issues that don't react well to alcohol) but I know that there are a lot of home brewing kits that you could get to experiment with flavors.  You could look to see if there are any local micro-breweries hiring as well, since those might offer opportunities to learn more about the brewing process.

Also, there's a weekly podcast (KUEC) that does a food review and they always include a small description of what they're drinking with their food as well.  It showcases a lot of local (to them) beers that might be of interest.  The link to find them is:  http://kuec.libsyn.com/

Lastly, I want to thank everybody that commented on how vanilla (and coconut, another favorite) aren't particularly feminine scents or that I shouldn't care even if they were.  I always feel weird that most of the stuff I have to get in places like Bath and Body Works and how feminine the packaging is.  I'm likely going to have to continue getting them there, even if I find a company with less effeminate packaging, just because my skin is very chemical sensitive and they're one of the few companies that it can handle.  That and a company of perfumes for little kids that makes things with names like Jelly Bean, Cotton Candy, Gummi Bears, etc.  (The vanilla scent from them is called 'Teddy Bear'.)

Caramel is frequently used in micro-brews.  Deschutes like to use it and coco too.

Dont get caught up in views of hypermasulinity. A man is confident, wears what he wants and does what he wants because.... that's what he wants. Be the trend setter not just one of the guys that are blindly following the "man code" of what you can and cant do. If someone asks you about something that seems "different", you just confidently say "because I like it".

If you start acting embarassed or get that deer in the headlights look, you risk getting teased... lol.

i do what i like and i never lived up to anybodys expectations

i don't have to live up to any transgender stereotype either

You will find people look to individuals to set the future trends

be an individual and enjoy your life

don't follow the crowd..

its gets boring

This reminds me of one time I was standing in line at a supermarket, and an older man was buying hair dye to cover up his grey hairs. The thing is, all of the dye he bought was "women's" hair dye. A woman behind him in line teased him with a snarky comment: "You know that's women's hair dye, right?" The man just looked at her and lectured: "You know, it was on sale, and the men's hair dye isn't. But I figured, it's all same product, right? The only difference is the packaging. You think someone as smart as yourself would realise that the media and marketing industry is what conditions us to believe that men and women should only buy specific products." The woman, slightly confused, shut-up and didn't even bother to comment back.

I agree with JessicaH, you shouldn't feel as though you have to live up to stereotypes. If someone makes fun of you, it's their problem, not yours. People should be more confident and stop thinking in black and white terms of how men and women should be. It's kind of ridiculous, but if the label bothers you, just cover it up. And if you're worried about purchasing it in public, most people won't care because they are concerned with their own selves. They'll see you once, but most likely forget about you within the next day, or hour even.

Exactly. The only difference between Veet for Men and Veet for Women is a different perfume, and blue vs. pink boxes (good grief).

As for vanilla, there's a really good, expensive, Italian cologne that's basically vanilla, it smells really warm - and to me, more manly than this godawful blue-metallic smelling Lynx stuff that boys are all supposed to wear like a club uniform, and which follows them about like a toxic plume, poor buggers. Ecch. In my book, smelling the way you like to smell is just like dressing the way you like to dress - if it feels good on you, then go for it. If your grandmother says it's awful, you're probably on the right track .

Quote from: JessicaH on July 07, 2011, 10:23:21 AM
If you start acting embarassed or get that deer in the headlights look, you risk getting teased... lol.

like that guy i know who was found out to be a homophobe by the guys in a club i went to in uni. he got all weirded out and embarrassed trying to sing the gay bar song at a karaoke party, and after that even totally straight guys would tease him uncaring of the risk of coming off as gay

i recently started to use axe excite, nice and sweet scent, found it among my little brothers stuff. one day my mom saw me using it, and we had this weird little conversation about it (i'm not out to her about anything, she still thinks i'm a normal(?) girl):
mom: are you using that?
me: yeah, i like the scent
mom: you mean you like how it smells on men. (trying to find excuses for my odd "masculine" interests...)
me: ... (sigh) well, if you haven't noticed anything off about how i smell recently, then that means it works for me
left her unable to say anything more

Quote from: Renton on July 07, 2011, 12:49:10 PM
This reminds me of one time I was standing in line at a supermarket, and an older man was buying hair dye to cover up his grey hairs. The thing is, all of the dye he bought was "women's" hair dye. A woman behind him in line teased him with a snarky comment: "You know that's women's hair dye, right?" The man just looked at her and lectured: "You know, it was on sale, and the men's hair dye isn't. But I figured, it's all same product, right? The only difference is the packaging. You think someone as smart as yourself would realise that the media and marketing industry is what conditions us to believe that men and women should only buy specific products." The woman, slightly confused, shut-up and didn't even bother to comment back.

I like this.

Like 'ladies' and "men's' razor blades. Men's are never pink, that's technology for you, and the only difference.

The elastic in men and woman's undies? Talking the basic cotton undies, women's have less elastic than men's, why? Is it 'cos women will buy a new pair in the store every few weeks if/when they start to get loose, and guys never buy undies anyway.

Cindy

Quote from: Cindy James on July 08, 2011, 04:15:38 AM
Like 'ladies' and "men's' razor blades. Men's are never pink, that's technology for you, and the only difference.

The elastic in men and woman's undies? Talking the basic cotton undies, women's have less elastic than men's, why? Is it 'cos women will buy a new pair in the store every few weeks if/when they start to get loose, and guys never buy undies anyway.

Cindy

who wears undies?  What a waste they get dirty then you have to wash them! Plus they bind etc etc

Quote from: M2MtF2FtM on July 08, 2011, 05:14:11 AM
who wears undies?  What a waste they get dirty then you have to wash them! Plus they bind etc etc

Big hugs

cant think of any secrets really, but im sure you could find a mens cologne with vanilla undertones in it, vanilla isnt just for girls

I'm waiting for the lingerie line called Victor/Victoria's Secret .