Did you realize that your hair is one of the first things people notice about you?
That means your hairstyle can literally make or break your feminine image!
You deserve to look and feel your best as a crossdresser or transgender woman – and it all starts with your hair.
Here are 5 male to female hairstyle mistakes to avoid – and what to do instead!
Mistake #1: Choosing the wrong hair color
If you wear a wig or dye your hair, choosing the right hair color is key. The wrong shade can wash you out and add years to your face. Here are two hair color rules to keep in mind:
- Rule #1 – Stay within 2 shades of your natural hair color.
Unless your hair is naturally very light or dark, you should avoid extreme shades like platinum blonde or jet black.
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| Only Barbie can pull off this shade of blonde! | Jet black is too harsh for most people’s skin tones | Stay within 2 shades of your natural hair color – like Janet Mock, TG author and activist |
- Rule #2 – Choose a hair color that compliments your skin tone.
The first step is to identify whether you have a WARM or a COOL skin tone. To do this, look at the veins on your inner wrist: If they appear blue, you have a cool skin tone. If they look green, you have a warm skin tone.
Then, choose a hair shade that coordinates with your coloring:
- If you have a cool skin tone, choose hair colors with a cool tone – like coffee brown, burgundy, or ash blonde.
- If you have a warm skin tone, opt for golden shades such as chestnut, auburn, or honey blonde.
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| COOL hair colors compliment cool skin tones | WARM hair colors compliment warm skin tones |
Mistake #2: Opting for the wrong cut or style
The cut and style of your hair have a dramatic impact on your appearance. Hairstyles that are too short, too long, or too angular can have a masculinizing effect on your face.
Instead, flatter your face with soft waves and layers. Bangs are also a great choice if you have a high forehead.
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| Long, straight, center-parted hair looks too severe | Angular bobs emphasize the angles of your face | Soft waves (as seen on Laverne Cox, TG actress and activist) are feminine and flattering |
Mistake #3: Revealing thinning or receding hair
If you prefer to style your own natural hair (vs. wearing a wig), be sure to pay special attention to its thickness. Slight hair loss might not be noticeable in male mode, but it instantly reads as masculine if you are en femme.
Hair loss treatments and hormones can help with hair regrowth, but in the meantime, wear a wig or hair piece. You could also try rocking a cute hat!
Mistake #4: Wearing a cheap or worn out wig
If you’re going to wear a wig, pay close attention to quality. High quality human hair wigs can cost hundreds (or even thousands) or dollars, but you can find synthetic wigs for much less.
No matter how much you spend, you want to look for shine and softness. Wigs with dull, rough hair fibers scream “fake” from a mile away.
Also keep in mind that wigs have a limited life span. As soon as your wig starts to look dull or frizzy, it’s time to shop for a new one.
Mistake #5: Wearing a wig too high or too low on your forehead
If you’re new to wigs, it’s normal to be scared that your wig is going to fall off. Your instinct might be to push the wig down, but this can give you a low-forehead, Neanderthal look.
On the other hand, if the wig isn’t properly secured, it can creep up your forehead. This isn’t a flattering look, either.
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| Wig worn too low | Wig worn too high | Wig worn at natural hairline |
To keep your wig securely in place, use wig clips, a wig cap, or a wig grip.
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| Wig clips | Wig cap | Wig grip |
Make everyday a good hair day!
Looking your best as a woman starts with avoiding these 5 simple mistakes. After all, there’s almost nothing you can’t accomplish on a good hair day. 🙂
Now I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Share your best hairstyle tips and tricks and upload a photo of your femme hairstyle in the comments section below!
Love,
Lucille
My hair used to be long and I would just get it trimed until it was shoulder lengh. I could style it decently enough myself and often had nice comments passed. When it needed a definite cut I told the hairdresser to do it as she thought best. Now though, on top has gone very thin and I’m thinking to cut it short and maybe buy a wig. The question is where from and how to go about buying one to suite me. I can buy my own feminine clothes but a wig?
My favorite color that suits me is light wheat. This pic shows how it looks. I prefer kare style and do it at femme hairdresser. In area where I live women love to wear silk kerchiefs in warm seasons. And I love it too. I have about 20 kerchiefs and one of my loving is Chanel from France. Try to wear them and you lovr it. It can be must have for TG women and it looks very feminine.
j’aime m’habiller en fille avec un soutien gorge, une gaine culotte, des collants, une jupe noire, un chemisier blanc en dentelle et un blazer .Habiller comme ça je sors dans la rue après maquillage et perruque. je vais dans un magasin de lingerie et la propriétaire qui est très gentille me fait essayer toutes sortes de lingerie, elle me donne des cours de maintien féminin et j’apprend à me comporter comme une femme. Dans la rue, on ne me remarque pas car je porte des tenues sobres ainsi qu’un maquillage léger.je n’ai été abordée qu’une fois .
You know I am fairly new to this but I really dont know how to put a wig in or maybe I am just being to critical of myself. Usually if I see my own hair I see it as I have it on wrong, out of place or one of many other things especially when it comes to the sideburns i tend to cut my own high so with the wig it looks weird any suggestions. I have tried endless videos it seem but it just feels like since they have done it a thousand times they do a good job. Any help is greatly appreciated. Casual dresser here.
I’ve had very long hair for a very long time. I got bangs cut in a couple years ago, and for my length it did not work. Once they became long enough to tuck behind my eye, then I was very excited. As anything with hair growth and style changes take time.
How long did it take you to grow that long hair?
11 years without more then minor trim.