Did you realize that your hair is one of the first things people notice about you?
This means that your hairstyle can literally make or break your feminine image!
You deserve to look and feel your best as a trans woman or crossdresser – 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, while the right shade will have an instant flattering, feminizing effect.
Here are my top two hair color tips to keep in mind:
Tip: 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.
Platinum blonde is not flattering to most skin tones.
Jet black is too harsh for many people’s skin tones.
Flattering hair color as seen on Janet Mock, transgender author.
Tip: Choose a hair color that complements your skin tone
Before you can choose a good hair color, you need to know if your skin has cool or warm undertones.
An easy way to determine your skin tone is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear more blue, you have a cool skin tone. If they look more 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.
For more on this topic, be sure to check out my blog post on Male to Female Hairstyles: What Does Your MTF Hair Color Say About You?
COOL hair colors complement cool skin tones – as seen on transgender vlogger, Gigi Gorgeous
WARM hair colors complement warm skin tones – as seen on transgender actress, Candis Cayne
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.
I go into more detail on the most flattering hairstyles in this blog post: MTF Transgender Hairstyles: 6 Best Transfem Haircuts & Styles.
Long, straight, center-parted hair looks too severe.
Angular bobs emphasize the angles of your face.
Soft waves (as seen on trans actress Laverne Cox) 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 can detract from a feminine appearance when presenting as a woman.
Hair loss treatments and hormones can help with hair regrowth, but in the meantime, wear a wig or hair piece. You could also try sporting 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 is not a flattering or feminine look.
On the other hand, if the wig isn’t properly secured, it can creep up your forehead. This doesn’t look good, either.
To keep your wig securely in place, use wig clips, a wig cap, or a wig grip.
For more information on wigs, be sure to check out my blog post on The Ultimate Guide to Transgender / Crossdressing Wigs and Hair Extensions.
Wig clips
Wig cap
Wig grip
Make everyday a good hair day!
Beautiful hair can transform your female appearance – and it all starts avoiding these 5 simple mistakes.
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
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Makeup Mini Course.
I find wigs way too small for me and would have to have one custom made, so I just style my own hair with it’s natural colour.
well I have naturaly curly hair and I have bean growing it out seance Apr 24th 2009 and its almost 3 years seance I cuit it last I just dont know what to do with it.
Still looking great and natural.
Christina III
Keep Smiling beautiful.
Christina III
Well yes and my hair is much longer now letting it grow out over the years séance then.
Christy i think 3 years has done your hair well !! wow i love your natural girls and its lookin so natural on you..perhaps you could try braiding it like most of us Indians do. Its more convenient that way but i feel ur current handling seems so much better i suggest you stay with just clippin it like u ve done…rather i suggest u try different clips and experiement.
with love and kisses,
kavita
I do wear different styles now over the years séance I had this pic taken and my hair is much longer now.
That’s a nice hair.
The only issue is that tying it in a ponytail pretty much hides it, when you should probably be showing off.
Wearing it loose would most probably be a big improvement. And it costs nothing to try: check it in front of a mirror and see the difference.
Of course, hair that long on the loose can be inconvenient (covering your face and getting on the way of everything you do).
A guy with long hair would always wear it loose or in a tail like yours. But as a girl you have A LOT more choice. A bun may require some practice to get right, but it’d be unmistakably feminine. An easier option could be to use some clips. Or, if you stick to a simple hair tie, at least avoid black and brown ones; bright vivid colors would be best.
Try looking for “curly long hairstyles” and similar keywords on Google Images for a vast source of ideas.
Hope this helps.
Thank you it does help and my hair it is much longer now séance taking this picture. I will keep it in mind your suggestions.
Thanks Lucille. took me a while to learn to wear a wig not too high or too low. I often went low because of my high forehead but learned through experience. As always, I look forward to your adivce. I think I’m in love with you. :). Take care.
rayelynn
That’s some good advice about wigs sug, however may I add this point on the placement of a wig on your head. Place your four fingers just above your eyebrow, and that is where the wig & cap should be placed. ;)..If you like to put on a cap. >.<
Don't want to be a know it all, but you could use adhesives on a lace front wig. There quite a few good ones out there. xD
I’m looking forward to some more advice on lace front wigs. While they used to cost thousands of dollars at some point in time — because they were all human hair wigs — these days some top lace front wig designers do them in synthetic fibre as well, which are much easier to manage, and waaaay cheaper — and, at least from the pictures, they look absolutely real. What seems to be very tricky is to apply them on your own: I have read little about DIY lace front wig application, and would love to read more!
In the mean time, after a lot of experiments, I just use a below-shoulder-length straight dark auburn wig with some soft bangs. Sometimes I experiment a bit with different styles, but most scream “guy in a wig” at me. When younger, I loved being a redhead or a blonde, but every time I test a few wigs on my favourite (local) wig shop, I still think that dark auburn, possibly with some reddish highlights, are the styles that look best on me.
I also rather prefer more wavy styles, instead of plain old boring straight hair. Those lace front wig designers seem to have way more options in terms of more interestingly shaped hair. On the other hand, nothing is easier to maintain than straight hair!
I am trying to let my natural hair grow out a bit longer, but there will soon be some pressure to cut it down; family & friends simply cannot accept it. I already get a lot of jokes and promises to pay me the haircut, and my hair is currently just very barely touching my shoulders. It’s nowhere near “feminine-looking” yet. Sooner or later I will be forced to finally cut it, so I’ll have to stick to good-looking natural wigs…
I love your hair and look. You look very attractive and sexy
Hi Tristina,
Yes, you are absolutely right. I didn’t want to go into detail about lace front wigs since they are a whole ‘nuther topic, but they’re a great option, too. I’m going to do another post about all the different wig and hair piece options.
LOVE your tip about wig cap placement!
Muah!
Lucille
A wig with too much shine screams “fake” from a mile away as well.
Good point, Michelle! Thanks for bringing this up. 🙂
here is one of my wigs but i only wear it out to clubs. i have another darker blond for everyday use.
you are looking great Stephanie……..xxxxxxxx
Thanks for the advice but I was wearing a wig but now I am using my own hair
thank you for you tips