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.
With hair color, I am older, 65, and natural hair is graying, should I stay with a normal color or go with a gray or salt and pepper? I want to look appropriate and not like I am trying to be a lot younger.
Go for strawberry blond and forget the nay Sayers
I think it’s critical to point out that a good synthetic wig might cost $300 +/- but expect it to last a year at most, if worn frequently AND CARED FOR diligently. In other words, I go out about 70 times a year. By the end of the year, my wig is about ready for the trash, sadly. The static of the fibers on your shoulders and clothes just wears it out. Wash and condition every time you wear it. But, expect to buy every year (based on use).
Hi I have two questions for all. 1 I naturally have semi female/male A 1/2 shaped breasts and wish that they where more in the B or C cup sized range . So how do I chose what cup size? I’m 145 lbs and about 5′ 5″ size 8 women’s size cloths. 2 I also since my accident and other medical issues at times use crutches (wheelchair as well) to supplement my week legs feet when I walk. So how do I feminize my looks on my sticks so people will look at my apparence not my disability?
Wear a skirt or yoga pants to draw attention away from the sticks, or accentuate your breasts for the same reason. As for cup size there are many sizing guides available, go to any lingerie website and you will find one, it’s not hard to do most of the measuring is in front.
Thanks for all of the good advice. I recently purchased my first wig but I’m having a hard time making it look how I want it. I think I probably need to buy a more expensive wig. Maybe $70 is not good enough since I’ve been looking at some that are upwards of $500. Hope I can get some advice about this??
Thanx Sharri
#1…I was born with brown hair as my natural color but now it is red. I have a regular beautician that I see monthly that does my hair and nails for me and when I told her I wanted to be a redhead she selected a shade that would go well with my complexion.
1 & 2, second part of 1, kinda go together. The shade of red that my hair is now does look natural on me, thanks to my beautician she also does my roots on my monthly visits. My pubic muff is still dark.
#2…My style that I wear my hair now started out as a pageboy cut but I have let it grow a little longer than a standard pageboy and is now down around my shoulders. I intend on letting it grow down to my boobs. I like the style cuz I have bangs down to just above my eyebrows and that hides my forehead and on the sides it kind of frames the middle part of my face hiding most of my ear, and on down hides the girth of my neck just allowing my throat area visible. If I wear large gold or silver hoops or 2 to 3 inch dangling earrings they can still be seen. It works well for me.
#3…Yes I have my own hair since living full time totally as a woman and am not at the mercy of wigs anymore. My own natural hair is full and fairly thick.
#4…Even though they can be expensive good wigs are a must especially if going out in public and trying to pass as a natural cis woman. I learned that the hard way. I’m just glad that I do not have to depend on wigs anymore.
#5…Wearing a wig too low is the most common mistake I have seen on girls (gurls) that are at the mercy of wigs. When I had to wear wigs I spent much time adjusting it before going out in public and if out at a restaurant, bar or even a TG friendly gay bar I made many trips to what was considered the ladies room for makeup and wig position checks. Even though I was in a safe place, TG friendly, I still wanted to be the best looking woman I could be.
I agree with the suggestion by Jin to go en femme. The idea frightened me at first but a lady friend assured me her hair stylist was not judgmental and accompanied me to the salon. What a difference it made
and I got my nails done at the same time.
When getting your hair cut, be sure to inform the stylist that you want a feminine or gender-neutral cut. Best is to go dressed as a woman.
I am natural grey now, but when I was coloring I always told the stylist to choose a shade that would look like I had grown it myself.
My hair is currently down to my shoulder blades so I can make a fun ponytail when I want it out of the way, or loose and flowing when I want to show off.
Great tips as usual. I got great advice from the woman I ought my first breast forms from – go to a proper wig shop. Best advice ever and I took it some 10 years ago. I was terrified before going in but the woman in there put me right at ease – are you looking for a male or female wig, she asked. I managed to blurt out that I wanted a female wig and she just took my hand and said come with me. She put me so at ease and 40 minutes later I came out with 2 wigs, fitted and with instructions for care etc. Since then I have been back and had 1 restyled a couple of times – I go back as Diane and I’m made to feel so at home. It’s been quite expensive but on reflection worth every penny. Would strongly make a similar recommendation.
Diane you look terrific. I love your hair and that dress in your photo.
Hi there I enjoyed reading your post . I am currently looking for a new wig. I have took into consideration of what you said and did try I wig shop out out they didn’t have a great section and the person was not very helpful. I continue to look online for the style and type I’m looking for. It’s not the easiest thing to find specially when I don’t have any friends who also enjoy dressing up sexy fully from head to toe smooth and all like us.