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.
please tell me if I succeed in avoid the 5 Male to Female Hairstyle Mistakes
As a woman there is nothing as important as our hair for our self image. Proper care is essential, whether it be shampooing/conditioning, brushing, hair spray, coloring, or whatever we choose to do, but we must take great care to have a beautiful looking style.
Since the early 70’s when I let my hair grow long and everyone called me a “hippie” my hair was always longer than normal. In fact it was just a small way of feminizing myself without anyone thinking otherwise. Now having transitioned it is a pleasure to wear my hair as long as I please, but it must look nice and clean. It’s been a lifelong dream to have long beautiful locks.
Lovely!
An interesting observation, touching on some of Lucille’s points: My hair has thinned, almost too much, but not quite. It is obviously not thick and lush, which would add to a feminine appearance. And,it is also losing color, thus my blonde is becoming more ashy. The two aspects, plus my “more mature” features, go together to reinforce an older woman look, which, as long as I can’t entirely avoid it, I might as well go with. It helps me to blend in with the other gals. Now if I could just dress and act more my age!
This is one of my prettiest wigs that I love to wear. Nothing like looking very feminine,& Sexy. XOXO CharlotteDeneice
Interested to find out that taking a pill prescribed by my doctor to treat enlarged prostate is also used as a treatment for hair regrowth ( especially male pattern baldness ) – although the dosage is less for hair regrowth ( 1 mg ). It is also good for hair retention. As the article mentions one can opt for a wig instead; but, if one’s own hair growth is desired then I was surprised that Finasteride perhaps can help solve this.
Jamie….. My urologist told me that Finasteride would promote gynocomastia which he said I would love. I really haven’t noticed any further growth in breast mass but every little bit helps, I suppose
Here is a photo from today of me. Sometimes it’s fun going from a brunette to a honey blond. Again, only top quality wigs will do. Nothing to wild, just nice ladies wigs any woman would wear that will make me blend in as any other woman doing her thing.
Love this article, Lucille! I’m beginning the slow process of transitioning from MTF, partially because my body is insisting on it. Ironically, these physical changes, like unexpected breast growth without any external catalyst, began while I have been surviving a struggle with extreme hypothyroidism, which causes a girl’s hair to turn white, thin, and fall out. Thanks to my doctor, my hair is finally starting to grow back curly and fun, but it will be a long time before I can achieve my #hairgoals. I chose an inexpensive wig as close to my natural hair color, which is almost black, and every girl who has seen it has given me compliments. The right hairstyle really makes a difference. I was lucky that I had worn my hair almost this long when I was 17, so I intuitively chose a wig that would match what I looked like when I was young (sans highlights from the California sun). Colored wigs are fun, too, but I’m a Goth girl, so black just feels right. Much Love to all the girls here – May your inner goddess reflect in your outer beauty! – Jillian
Lovely!