The daily challenge

[Laura42]

Some days are better than others and it can be a challenge to step out into the World sometimes. I am referring of course to the daily shaving / make up / confidence challenge. This is the main reason I deferred going full time for almost exactly two years from the day I decided to transition.

I just wonder how many of us feel the same on this subject.

BTW, I had a year of laser then almost a year of electrolysis before I went full time and I reckon to have another two years of electro to go based on having a one hour session most weeks through winter, early spring, and autumn. ( my job gets crazily busy between April and September so with that and holidays I find it difficult to keep such frequent electrolysis appointments all through the year).

Please share any make up tips or other advice for keeping confidence up.
Thanks
Laura

[Julie -2010]

Laura,

  My makeup lady always tells me.  "Makeup enhances and is not a mask".  The biggest help I can give you on makeup is practice practice and practice.  It takes time.  Love your self no matter what.

Good Luck,

Julie

[HappyMoni]

Do all the things you can thing of to improve your look of course, but I think confidence comes with experiences. The more I experience, the more confident I get. And yes, some days suck. Allow for that. Chalk up the bad day, but stay positive. The trend will always be better if you stay positive because that means you are taking positive steps. I gotta say, my hair takes forever, but each day it gets easier. Well, if I find better techniques it might take longer. By the way Laura, welcome to Susan's. My name is Moni. Glad you are here.

[KimOct]

Hi Laura,  As Moni said confidence comes with experience.  I did 80 hours of electro and I could use at least 80 more but I may not ever do another session.  I have been on HRT for 2 1/2 years and an orchie 2 years ago and of course that doesn't kill a beard.

Here's the thing I am sick of spending the money on it.  And it really is more about what is in your head than on your face.  Of course I want to look good and it takes me a full hour from start to finish but I used to worry so much about it, now I am probably much closer to most women.  If I have a good hair day great, if not oh well I'm annoyed for a minute and go on my way.

I have become much more comfortable in my own skin.  Is it perfect yet? Nope.  I still have my moments but worrying too much about this is not worthwhile.  The good news is that eventually it fades away.

[KathyLauren]

Just hang in there!  I have done more than 100 hours of electro, and I am thoroughly sick of it.  But I keep going every week, because there is no alternative. 

Fortunately, at 100 hours, I started seeing significant changes.  I had to bump up my "grow-out" from three days to four so she'd have enough hair to grab.  Now, when I shave, my face feels baby's-butt smooth and stays that way all day.  By evening, it is starting to feel a little un-smooth in places, but nothing is visible.  In fact, even after four days of growing it out, you'd have to be looking for it to see any hair.

It's a long tunnel, but there is a light at the end of it, and it's not an oncoming train!