Guest contributor Jessica Blackler, founder of Jecca Blac and makeup artist for the trans community, gives her recommendations on how to do one of the most importnat steps in male to female transformation — prepping your face and covering beard shadow.
Our new contributor Christy is back this week with the story of how she slowly, very slowly, made a transition at work. Like many in the transgender community she used Halloween as a way to introduce herself as a feminine person in her workplace. She feels that by taking the introduction of Christy to coworkers and management she was more successful in fitting in with very little, if any, problems.
Today we dip into our TGForum Archives for another Retro Rerun. This one was written by TGF Contributor Diane Kaye back in 1998. Diane shared her research into which bras and panties work best for crossdressers who want comfort and the right amount of support.
Today Pauline Estelle imparts her wig wisdom. She gives her take on whether synthetic or human hair is right for your look and your budget. What style is most flattering and and how do you take care of your new hair are among the questions she answers. For some, growing their own hair is an option, but if your own hair has left the building your best bet is a wig. Pauline shares her thoughts on the subject in To Wig or Not to Wig, That is the Question.
Christy Lewis’s driver’s license had a photo of her before her transition and even though she had renewed online and changed the gender marker and name the pandemic kept the photo centers from opening. That meant she had to carry the old license with the old photo along with her proof she was who she was. in June the photo centers reopened and Christy headed out to get her photo taken. She wore her mask and was prepared to stand in line. Today she tells you how the whole experience went.
Given our Chicago correspondent’s home situation isolating at home has meant no feminine activities. She hasn’t put on makeup in three months and she fears that when she is finally able to paint and primp she may have forgotten how it’s done. To fight that feeling Julie has written her blog on her beautification process. If she can remember all the steps after three months she will stop worrying about losing the knowledge. And she posts a blog filled with her makeup tips!
We received the following blog on the art of shaving close from a business that makes and sells “classic” single blade razors. Many in the crossdressing community, or trans women who haven’t gone through electrolysis, find it hard to get a close shave without irritation. Here is a blog promoting the benefits of the single blade approach to a baby smooth face from the founder of Hendrix Classics & Co.
When I first came out, I had contacted the IFGE for information about transitioning. I received some pamphlets, most of them reprints from articles appearing in the Tapestry magazine. But there was a very small but important trifold document labeled “Legal Dos and Don’ts for going public Crossdressed.” It was chock full of common sense […]
Our seamstress with fashion tips, Lorraine Anderson, proprietor of The Occasional Woman custom clothing service, has some suggestions for how to dress to impress for holiday parties without buying a whole new wardrobe. Since this just before Christmas and New Year’s Eve we rerun Lorraine’s tips for a fab party outfit. You’re sure to turn heads and make an impression with Lorraine’s budget fashion tips.
Meet Philadelphia attorney Kristine Holt. She is our newest contributor and will be writing about transgender legal issues. Today she expounds further on the subject of how to change your legal name. Future columns will cover other legal matters of interest to the transgender community.
Although Pauline Estelle is from north of the U.S. border she still finds that Canadians get excited about Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. She has some words of advice if you intend to take advantage of online bargains. The first rule of cyber shopping is the same as with any kind of shopping. Let the buyer beware.
Lorraine Anderson, the proprietress of The Occasional Woman custom clothing service admonishes you to be careful of your attire while you are out and about looking fabulous this holiday season. Don’t drink to excess and if you do happen to drop food or drink on to that fancy dress Lorraine has tips on how to save the garment by removing the offending droplets or splashes.
Does that sexy little dress the just “might” be a bit too small give you problems when you try to zip it up? It’s extremely frustrating to have your outfit picked out and when you slip into your dress you find yourself struggling with a zipper that doesn’t want to move past a certain point. […]
Pauline Estelle shares her tips on how to get a good result from your makeup application. She outlines her steps to a beautiful look, from preparing her skin to applying lipstick that will last all day. Pauline the methods she finds best for her but you are encouraged to experiment and build on her tips to find what works best for you. Ready to start your lesson? Dive into Pauline’s blog and get ready to learn.
Our Retro Rerun how-to article is from the TGF Archives of September 1997. The late Roberta Angela Dee, whose advice is like wisdom of the ancients, wrote about the importance of good hair. Some crossdressers keep a ratty old wig in the trunk of their car and plop it on at the hotel were they prepared for a night out. They don’t seem to notice that it bears little resemblance to a cared for coiffure. Take Roberta’s advice on hair piece selection and you will look more authentic when you’re out and about. Consign that ratty old wig to the dumpster.
The late Roberta Angela Dee wrote a number of articles for TGForum back in the 1990s with information on how to look, act and talk in a feminine manner. Her tricks and tips were alway well read on the site. Today we bring back an article from 1996 as our Retro Rerun. Roberta had five tricks to talking in not just the correct pitch but ways to learn how to enhance what you are saying with appropriate hand gestures. And she emphasizes the importance of laughter and smiling in feminine communication.
There is one very important room in Pauline’s house. It the guest room bathroom. That’s where the important process of transforming into Pauline takes place. In this post Pauline writes about all the steps she goes through in her transformation bathroom. From shaving all body hair to her technique for shaving her face and the steps she takes in makeup application, it’s all here in today’s post.
Lynda Martini is on a mission. Her goal? To find other humans, of any gender, to date. Today she discusses the importance of dressing on-mission. Looking like a soccer mom will not help you to attract potential partners when you post you pic on dating apps. Also it’s important to learn to present the proper pose when perched on a barstool out in the world, as well as when to utilize the all important hair flip. Lynda has realized that in order to attract potential dates it’s important to be “femtabulous.” That’s a word she coined, so she is an expert in being femtabulous. Join her as she explores the dating scene.
Back in 1997 one of TGForum’s contributors offered a solution for crossdressers who want to have beautiful nails for an evening out but can’t find press on nails that fit. Since young cisgender women with tiny fingers are the biggest market for press on nails what’s a crossdresser to do? Jayne Nicole enlisted the help of the nail techs training at her local beauty school and had them make custom acrylic nails she could save and apply with 3M double sided tape. She did not provide any photos or diagrams but she explains the process throughly. See if her technique could work for you.
Gianna Israel provided nationwide telephone consultation, individual and relationship counseling, and gender specialized evaluations and recommendations since 1988. She passed away on February 21, 2006 after a long illness. Her writings on gender issues had a significant impact on the field. TGForum published many of her columns in the 1990s. Here is a Retro Rerun column from 1999 on how trans women can handles aggressive men who harass or attack them.
This is a Retro Rerun from the TGForum Archives. Stacy B. Haven wrote an article for our Mirror Mirror feature on how to do your makeup. It appeared on our website in 1997. Good advice is timeless though and her thought’s from the 20th century are still applicable today for the crossdresser or trans woman who wants to look her best.
The late Roberta Angela Dee contributed many articles to TGForum in the 1990s. All were good lessons on how to better perfect your femininity. She covered everything from flattering clothing fashions to makeup application, wig care and more. In today’s Retro Rerun we present her article on achieving great skin. Before you apply any makeup you need to take a few steps that will improve the overall look of you skin when you go out to have fun.
Today Pauline Estelle has TGF tips on how to create a slim looking waistline. If diet and exercise will not work for you Pauline recommends several undergarments that may do the trick and she has examples of the kinds of dresses, skirts and tops that can be worn to camouflage an unfortunately masculine figure. See if her waistline control tips work for you.
Today Pauline Estelle shares makeup tips she has gathered over the years. From the basics like preparing your canvas by cleaning it, getting rid of manly beard hair, and moisturizing to more advanced topics like color choices, application techniques and contouring, Pauline touches on all to do with makeup.
Kimberly Hirschel offers four resources for those exploring their feminine side that help crossdressers of trans women become more confident and able to mix with the general population. These things have worked well for her and she shares them today. Read on and see what the advantages of each resource is and how they could help your feminine presentation.
