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 several good wigs, but at 71 yo I am complicated most on the strawberry / red hair in photos. ..
You look gorgeous! I especially love your floral dress look.
Sam…thanks for your kindly words of praise…now at 75 yo, I have purchased a few more wigs…
I wanted a curly look, Betty Boop and my strawberry stand by.
Hope you like them …Dr.T.J
I already know about most options but ai still thought I would ask if anyone has recommendations about hair loss. This is what most bothers me. I use fillers, and have to keep my hair short or else it’s more obvious how it’s receding. I’m not ready for hormones yet. I use wigs but J don’t like it. Any products or anything?
Hi… I wore my new wig for 8 hrs with a wig cap. The next morning I had long thin lines on my forehead that looked like pimples…. the lines are slowly fading but it’s been a few days already. I do think they were pimples as therequired was some oil. I had my makeup done and it was right to the wig. Any suggestions to speed recovery and prevent it would be greatly appreciated… thanks Samantha
i am a long hair lover
While I prefer my own hair time has robbed me a little too much so I’m going to opt for a wig I’m considering a color change just to make me feel new maybe Auburn or a deeper red maybe really liven up my look or a color frost or streak but may stick with tried and true within a shade or 2 of my own
Uhhhhh, shiny hair is not natural (although you’re right about frizziness). In fact the shiniest wigs are synthetic ones, and they wind up looking like doll hair. You want a wig that feels like your hair. And forget it, if you’re spending thousands on a single wig you’re getting ripped off.
If your wig is real hair, you can actually extend its life a great deal by washing it periodically (cold water, shampoo). Chucking it out as soon as it looks worn is stupid and wasteful. Especially if you’re on a budget. You know what really doesn’t make you pass? Having an inconsistent look because you suddenly swapped wigs.
I use a few ounces of apple cider vinegar mixed into a bottle of conditioner to give my hair a fabulous shine. Even after getting a foil, my hair goes back to super healthy shiny in just a week or so.
“Shiny hair isn’t natural”
Pic related, it’s my actual hair.
Since I have a thinning hair I keeps my hair very very short. I am black so I go to the barbershop when it gets too long and I need it cut again. I am usually in “guy mode” most of the time, but when I do transform myself into Daphne I go for full lace wigs. They can be glued or taped to the hairline. The wig being glued around my entire hairline lets me put it in an up do if I wish and still have it look like my own hair. I would recommend full lace to all CDs and Transgender women who like wigs and/or have thinning or a receding hairline. Full lace wigs come in both human hair and heat resistant synthetic fibers. You can also purchase a full lace wig cap and hair of your choice and create your own wig. I am very fortunate to have a friend who is a hair stylist so I buy hair and the cap and she does the style. I don’t know what I would do without her.
I love your writing. Very informative but still conversational.