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 have my own hair and love it i color it dark auburn
Hi Lucille,
This is a subject near and dear to my heart.
Good hair is DEFINITELY important, whether it is a wig, a piece, or if you are lucky enough to use your own hair. The right hairstyle can make a HUGE difference. I always feel more confident if my hair looks good, and this helps all aspects of my life.
I could use my own hair 24/7 if I wanted to, but too often it looks too fine and scraggly to me. I help it out with little front pieces or falls because I love the glam look. In the past I even went with hair systems, including one that this girl at work said “made me look like I was a teenager” when I was nearly 50. But that gets expensive.
Another poster asked about rogaine: a certain well known department store which is not based in Arkansas carries their own brand of women’s rogaine which only costs $20 for a 3 month supply. It is useful for keeping the hair you have (I notice much less hairs falling into the drain when I shower). Does it “regrow” hair? Maybe a little. My hairdresser said my hair seems healthier and stronger than before I used it (by the way she’s an absolute doll and I wish I had a daughter just like her; she makes my own hair look HOT).
And Lucille, go ahead and talk about lace fronts, too. They are FUN! You can change your look in 5 minutes flat and they are 99% undetectable.
Jolene
must say gal, that all you said , i have found very true. i tried some friends advice an that was the worst thing i could have done. i have found that over the last 23 yrs. , that i am happier with my own decissions,and listening to what you have said recently, i have felt much more comfortable.. thanks for being there!!! WENDY
hi Lucille
i have a girlfriend 🙂
but i have no boyfriend 🙁
and my hair can not be longer than my girlfriend 🙁
but thanks to you my hair is getting more beautiful
i love your work Lucille , is so beautiful and magical
thank you , i love you
Excellent advise especially for “newbies.” The hair always makes the girl. When I started wearing my current style about 6 years ago it changed my life. I was at my favorite salon and the owner said a new style had come in that she thought would be perfect for me. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was amazed…I was 15 years younger, looked even more feminine than my old style, and it changed my life. I always recommend finding a TG friendly salon. They are always easy to find…and our money is just as good as any other woman. Go for it…Love, CC
Carollyn O. :
Ah, a lass we meet again, CO.
& ,again, I find myself admiring you.
You look lovely my dear!
Is that a wig, or your own hair? ?
I know you are my age, so I appreciate what I ‘ m looking at my dear.
Wanted tell you I’ll be attending a 3 day fantasy “camp ” in Seattle in January 2018. I will be looking at wigs, make up, dressing, and new pics.
T.J.
T.J…..
I was wondering if hair growing products such as Rogaine or one of the others that are similar are affective. I have been on HRT for several years and lately I have noticed that my hair has stopped growing and it is thinning. I am considering extensions but I don’t know the pros or cons.
I know every TGirl can’t do this, but if there’s any way to grow out your own hair . . . . . . DO IT!!! But I completely agree with Lucille that the RIGHT length and color is make or break. When I was wearing wigs, I always matched my own very fair skin and light eyebrows (no matter how tempting it was to try brunette, black, racy redhead, and others). I also always wore it age-appropriate, so for late 40s professional woman, right on my shoulders, and always in a very “average” daily style yo’d see in an office, the bank, the librarian. I always pulled the sides back behind my ears, or put up some in the back with a clip so it wouldn’t look too “set”, but super casual like average women. Now that I’ve grown out my own hair, I just do very “everyday” things like clips, bangs, half-up, one side behind my ear, and the more average-everyday, the more I blend right in.
You don’t mention the use of falls or extensions that can be matched to one’s own hair. They are extremely effective in attaining a naturally fem look. Here’s an older shot of me using a fall. In addition, you can change your hair color to match the fall or cover grey hairs that come along.