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.
It’s nice to see I comply with most tips. But I’m not so good on #3. My old mop is thinning. The key word is “old”, however. I’m in the old ladies with thinning hair sector, and I don’t look so unusual. Also, it could be worse; many young GGs are in the same boat. I dread the inconvenience of a wig. I’ll fight it to the last, and of course find out that I should have done it ages earlier. Once, for fun, I wore an outrageous red wig with an outrageous red gown (still a “man” then), and it wasn’t too bad. Attending a performance of “Wicked”. Started with red shoes, then it snowballed, complete with pointy hat. Har, what a hoot!
I got lucky with my hairstylist
She can do almost anything with my hair!
Dont know why it came upside down
Its the right way in my gallery
Anyone got an idea?
Good remark! :))
I was thinking the same myself actually! No I am Scandinavian, but it was a good diagnosis!!!
Are you Australian?
Good morning everyone! I just finished the last of my FFS. So until the stitches are removed. I have to wear a Babushka.
Some Tips I was told in finding the proper Wig that will Camouflage Male features.
1)That it comes down on the Neck/Back a few Inches to break up Male Shoulders that tend to be wider than Female Shoulder width so from the back people will see….Shoulder/Hair/Shoulder.
2)A Wig that can Parts on either side, but not in the Middle,
a Middle Part….draws a Line straight down to the Male Nose which tends to be wider and bigger than a Female Nose.
3)And last a Wig that comes down along the Jaw Line to hide the Male Jaw area near the Ear.
When Wig Shopping take these 3 features into consideration.
Absolutely gorgeous
This haircut I did myself by following a technique from a video. I thought it was cute.
Morgan, your style looks great. You are fortunate to have enough hair to work with. My problem is at 60+ there is not much left and what I do have is very fine and tends to just lay flat. I have found that chest length with loose waves seems to fit my face structure best.
I agree. That hairstyle looks beautiful on you. From your previous pictures I would say that the hair color was perfect too. My hair was thinning and receding also. I could see right through the hair to my scalp. HRT helped fill it back in but minimally helpful with receding. So, I hope it’s true that people with large foreheads, are big thinkers! 🙂
Looks good to me. Your smile helps many 100 %.
Thank you, Joan!
Of course
Good luck
You got a great start anyway
🙂
Great job for doing it yourself if your not a hairdresser
I could not have done it better myself in a million years
LOL
And yes you look very cute in it!
Thanks Maggie! It’s probably beginners luck because I’m definitely not a hairstylist. Hopefully when the pandemic subsides I’ll get to have it done professionally. Until then I’ll do it. Wish me luck, I think I might need it.
I found a wonderful hairdesigner myself since i am not as handy
Did I?
Somehow missed the pic.
In your opinion did I avoid the hairstyle mistakes ?
Wow!
nice,just maybe cover forehead more
In your opinion did I avoid the hairstyle mistakes ?
maybe cover forehead more,though. u look very pretty!