MonaLisa Twins

Viewing music videos on the Internet (YouTube) Saturday night, one thing led to another. In this case, after watching The Beatles lip sync Paperback Writer, YouTube suggested viewing a video by MonaLisa Twins performing Please Mr. Postman/Wipe Out.

I had never heard of the MonaLisa Twins, but I viewed the video and was spellbound by the twin Austrian sisters’ performance videotaped live in Liverpool’s The Cavern Club no less. I was hooked, so much so that I viewed about a dozen more of their videos.

They do a lot of Beatles’ tunes as well as other rock songs from the 1960s and 1970s. Obligatory femulation connection: the Twins also cover The Kinks Lola.

Check them out – you won‘t be disappointed.

Wearing Boston Proper

Flip Wilson femulating on a 1977 episode of television’s The Sonny & Cher Show.

Hair – Get Real

By Amy

Looking back at my high school years, like most, I had long hair. It had a single stubborn wave from front to back, with a little curl in the nape area. It was very thick and healthy, but it did pretty much what it wanted to do!

After college, it went very short and corporate. Short was easy and surviving in business was more of a priority than maintaining any vanity. Besides, as I learned about good quality wigs, the transition was an easy one. Now I am quite a bit older and can do pretty much what I want with my hair. So my first visit to a salon explaining that I wanted to grow it into a feminine cut went much better than expected. Who knew? My stylist even suggested some extensions to get me where I wanted to go. I did try them, although that will be another story.

I expected my old wave to return, with the curls in back – and they did; maybe worse than I remembered them. So my stylist recommended I try a keratin straightener. This was totally new to me, but I was all in. I really had no idea how things would turn out but I started with these treatments with every trim about every two months as my hair grew. This gave me a manageable way to grow my hair out and allowed me to comb it boy-style to boot without the work of fighting my wave. What was truly amazing was the new texture of my hair. It became as soft and smooth as any young woman’s – really!

When the length was long enough for a cute pixie, a bit of gray (which few women would stand for), was showing and obvious. Of course my stylist pleaded with me over a few visits to color it and do highlights. This really scared me. I had seen men color their hair, and I always noticed the flat brown look. I sensed I would be no different, but I gave her the go ahead.

The result was awesome! I have now been coloring it with highlights for nearly two years, with no negative comments. The combination of keratin and color makes for wonderful feeling hair that styles beautifully! My hair now moves and shines. Although it is long, I can still comb it for a longish boy mode, but mostly it just looks great. I walked into a new salon last week for a quick blow out and style before meeting a friend, and I was dressed androgynously; jeans and button shirt. The girl who styled me said the minute I walked in she liked my hair and thought I must be transitioning. We had a great talk!

I will let your stylist explain all the details and procedure of straightening and color. But you can look forward to a real game-changer in how your hair looks, feels and how it can be styled. Give this a try!

Warning, Will Robinson – This post is a rerun from 2016!

Wearing Venus

Jane, a Femulate reader from New Zealand, shopping before going to the movies.

A Quest for Perfect Hair

By Sally Stone

I remember so vividly the first time I wore a wig. It was one I "borrowed" from my Mom, a style that really didn't flatter me much. Still, it was a feminine hairstyle and I just couldn’t get over much it changed my appearance.

Way back then, my funds were minimal, so my access to wigs was limited making my acquisitions mostly opportunistic. Usually they were well-worn and often discarded by the original owner. In short, I was wearing wigs that were not particularly suited to my facial structure and skin tone. Of course, at the time, I knew little about the art of personalizing a hairstyle or about how to select the right wig.

Later, when I could afford to spend more, I made purchases mostly via mail order catalogs to avoid outing myself. When the Internet came along, ordering wigs got even easier, but like mail order, I was still making a wig purchase based on how it looked on the model in the catalog. Unfortunately, the wigs I ordered didn’t look nearly as good on me as they did on the model and in many cases, the wig I received bore little resemblance to the picture in the catalog. Obviously, it would have been much smarter to buy a wig in person from a salon where I could try it on and be fitted properly. At the time, however, I simply didn’t possess the courage or the confidence.

Eventually, I worked my way out of the closet and at some point, I forced myself to go to a salon for a wig fitting and purchase. And while it was clearly a much better method of purchase, the downside was the extra cost. On that first visit, the specialist fitted me with a beautiful blonde wig that really looked great, but it cost me well over $200. Because it was such a huge hit to my “girl” budget, I was forced to wear the wig for nearly four years, even though after only two years, it was already beginning to show its age. This is a typical failing of even the most well-made synthetic wigs, a fact that adds even more to the cost of maintaining a well-coiffed appearance.

Human hair wigs are an alternative to synthetic, but they are extremely expensive and require the same high-level of care and preparation as real hair. I did give thoughts to trying one, but the cost deterred me. The best solution, something I have always dreamed of, was to grow out my own hair. Unfortunately, that isn't currently a realistic option for me, so, synthetic wigs have always been my solution for maintaining a feminine hairstyle.

Since a hairstyle is such a powerful form of camouflage, choosing the right wig is critical. A wig can counter or at least soften masculine facial features, helping to feminize the appearance. I have discovered through trial and error that sometimes it is subtle wig characteristics that can make the most difference. The sweep or length of the bangs, the location of the part, the fall of the wig can each help to feminize a face. The trick is to find the characteristics that work best for individual facial features.

Whether online or in salons, I have spent a tremendous amount of money on wigs over the years and finding that perfect wig has always been elusive. However, five years ago, while searching online, I found a style called "Glow Girl” by Forever Young. Like Internet and mail order purchases from my past, I held out little hope the wig would end up being my go-to style. Additionally, the wig was priced at $29 and certainly, a wig this inexpensive couldn't possibly look as nice on me as it did in the online photo. Still, there was something about it that pushed me to buy it anyway.

Honestly, I was fully expecting to be disappointed when the wig arrived in the mail, but surprisingly Glow Girl proved to be the most flattering wig I'd ever owned. In fact, I was so happy with the way it looked on me that I ordered two more in slightly different shades. This particular purchased taught me that,while a challenge, it is possible to find a very nice wig without spending a fortune. Unfortunately, this discovery was mostly luck since I purchased it based on how it looked on the model instead of getting it fitted on me first.

Today, I own five Glow Girl wigs. The last two I purchased cost $39 and $49 respectively, but I still consider them bargains. All of my wigs are color variations of either blonde or red shades as they tend to flatter me best.

I learned something else interesting after acquiring my collection of Glow Girl wigs: each of them was slightly different. The differences were subtle, which didn't change the overall style, but the subtleties; how much curl, texture and fullness and the fall and length of the bangs gave each wig its own unique personality. I don't know if this is a quality control issue associated with this particular manufacturer or if the nature of wig construction generates slight variations in all wigs of the same style.

Owning multiple wigs allows me to rotate them, which significantly increases the amount of time it takes for any one of them to wear out. And these five wigs actually cost me less than a single high-priced salon wig would have making Glow Girl even more of a bargain. Rotation also allows me to vary my color choices from day to day, something I believe keeps my hairstyle looking fresh and new.

Finally, after so many years, I have satisfied my personal quest to find the perfect hairstyle at least for now. I must assume that as I age, the hairstyle I wear today may not suit an older me in the future. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, but for now I'm extremely happy with this style as it accentuates the feminine characteristics I possess very effectively.

I’m not trying to advocate for the style or the manufacturer of the wig I currently wear. That wouldn’t make sense, because a hairstyle that works for me may not be a good match for someone else. In fact, choosing a wig is an intensely personal choice and each of us has to pick a style and cut that best suits our feminine and dare I say it, our masculine characteristics.

Ultimately, I can't guarantee that someone else will be as lucky as me finding a go-to hairstyle. After all, it only took me 25 years, but there are beautiful, well-made wigs out there and they don’t need to break the bank.

Wearing Rachel Zoe (Source: Rachel Zoe)

Professional femulator Mr. Gene Chandler, circa 1965 

Losing Leg Hair

My skirt's not too short – my legs are too long!

I avoid shaving my legs with a razor blade and shaving cream or gel because it is too time-consuming. My legs are too long... 36 inches each to be exact and it takes forever.

Early on, I discovered the wonderful world of chemicals. Nair and Veet were my hair removing chemicals of choice. They did the job quickly and thoroughly. And after using them for over four decades, they permanently removed a lot of my leg hair. As a result, using chemicals now is overkill.

So every morning, I attack the leg hairs that toughed it out. After I shave my face and neck with a top-of-the-line Norelco rotary head electric razor, I do a portion of my legs. One day, I will shave my knees, the next day, my calves, the next day, my thighs, the next day... well, you get the idea. As a result, when I get all dolled up to go out en femme, a quick touch-up with my Norelco is all I need to be femininely smooth.

By the way, I use the same routine to keep my arms, shoulders and breasts hair-free.

Wearing Bebe (Source: Bebe)

Kelly Mantle femulating in the 2014 film Confessions of a Womanizer.

Your Face's Crowning Glory

This is the seventh in a seven-part series of posts written by Femulate Contributing Editor Susan King of Transitioning into Tomorrow fame. Susan describes how to determine your face shape and then, how to put that information to good use.

Some of us girls are lucky that we can use our own hair when out. I am not one of them.  I have the worst case of male pattern baldness which started while I was in my 20's.. So I am destined to be a wig wearer.

Once I put on my hair, I see my feminine self. My wig makes the outfit and overall look. You can use your hair to change the frame of your face. Wearing the correct wig style with the correct face shape in a must.

Below is a great infographic that shows how different hair style work with different facial shapes. And here is a short and concise video that does a very good job of explaining hairstyles based on your face shape.

New York City street style, Fall 2016.

Scott Baio does his makeup in an 1983 episode of television's The Fall Guy.

Holly, Jackie, Candy and Blondie

My first blond hairdo

Holly Woodlawn died Sunday. She was the last surviving queen of Andy Warhol's famous crossdressing sidekicks that included Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis.

I found Holly Woodlawn and Jackie Curtis interesting in their day because they were born male, but living their lives as female.

I found Candy Darling interesting for the same reason. She was the blonde bombshell of the trio and reminded me of Jean Harlow. Although I admired Holly and Jackie, I wanted to be Candy.

But as a young woman, I avoided being a blond myself. My hair color was usually red, sometimes brunette, but never blond because I thought that all the boys wanted to be blonds when they crossdressed. It was bad enough that my heels were too high and my skirts too short ― I thought a blond hairdo would push me over the top and there would be no denying that I was a crossdresser.

I finally went over to the light side after hosting a support group meeting at a wig store (Tonkin's in Waterbury). As the hostess, I brought the snacks and played mother hen; I had no intention of buying a new wig.

When Kathy Tonkin was finished bewigging the other girls, she said to me, "Your turn."

I thought, "What the heck" and told Kathy to work her magic on me.

Minutes later, she fitted a short blond wig on my head. When I looked in the mirror, I loved what I saw and I became a blond forevermore.

Wearing Badgley Mischka.

Victoria Elizabeth

Beauty and Styling Tips!

By Jamie B. 

www.TGCDStyleToronto.com 

When I began doing makeup over 10 years ago, I never imagined I'd be specializing in the transgender and crossdressing communities. I am grateful for all the classy ladies I've met along my way. I continue to meet loveliness every time I meet a client. I have much respect for those living their truth ― no matter who it is. So keep being your authentic self. It's a delicate process, coming into your own, that shouldn't be rushed. You set the pace.

If you are reading this, chances are, wherever you are in your own journey, you are definitely ready for some beauty and styling tips! So, let's get started.

What makes femulation so elusive at times is the fact that many aren't prepped or are only partially prim.

As you know, being a passable woman takes some work, and more for others. It is more than a pair of great legs or putting on a wig. The wig needs styling. The legs need to be smooth and with silky stockings. It's more than red lipstick. It's a carefully lined mouth, made to appear fuller.

Being a woman is also about her poise, her walk, her scent, and general mannerisms that make her undoubtedly femme. All these elements all need to work together like a femme factory. With that said, we are going to get into the nitty-gritty about what exactly is needed and how you should go about achieving the femulation you are dreaming of. Then, all else is just practice!

Hair and Makeup

Nothing screams femme like hair and makeup. Let's start there. Here are some pointers I share with my clients.

• Your makeup should never match your clothes, i.e., blue eyeshadow with a blue blouse or yellow eyeliner with yellow dress. Instead, choose neutral makeup colors, and have fun with color when it comes to your clothing. The reason being, if you want to be passable and tasteful, less is more. If you want a pop of color, save it for your lips!

• Grab a neutral eyeshadow palette. This is a staple in your makeup bag. Neutral eyeshadow colors are perfect for shaping the eye without looking fake or obnoxious. It is perfect for smoky eyes or just classic, clean makeup. I always apply neutrals to the eyes of transgender and crossdressing clients and again, save the color for their lips. Smashbox Exposure is a nice matte/shimmer palette. It comes with a mini mascara and doubled-ended brush. One side is for applying eyeshadow, and the other for blending.

• Pick one feature and stick to it. Lips or Eyes. Play up only one feature at a time as your focal point. Is it your eyes you want to enhance with dark eyeshadow and liner? Then keep lips a soft pink or rose. If you prefer a bright pink or red pout, go easy on the eye makeup. Black mascara or some false lashes along with some medium brown matte eyeshadow in the crease is all you need to make the focal point your lips.

• CoverFX Total Cover Cream Foundation is your Holy Grail foundation. It is an emollient-based product, so it looks like real skin and covers stubborn beard shadow. It doubles as a concealer as well, due to the full coverage and creamy texture. It is vegan, cruelty-free and originally made in a prominent Canadian hospital specifically for burn victims. No need for a foundation brush with this one ― a cosmetic wedge is all you need on well-moisturized skin. It is SPF30, fragrance-free, paraben-free and talc-free. 

• Get on the BeautyBlender bandwagon! This teardrop shaped sponge is bouncy, dense, used when damp, and is used to blend out any harsh lines. A must-have for a clean, professional makeup look. Clean it weekly with baby shampoo. 

• Watch out for too much blush. This can look very clownish/exaggerated. Remember, we want to look feminine and pretty, not drag. Instead, use a neutral shade and blend with a damp BeautyBlender. Simply smile, and apply to the “apples” (nude/pink for light to medium tones and nude/rose for darker tones)

• Invest in a nice wig (or two). It is nice to have the option to switch wigs based on your mood or look. Synthetic is less expensive than human hair, but requires more maintenance to prevent knots and dreads. Lace front gives the appearance of a natural hairline, which also costs more. Capless wigs are the most common type and less expensive than lace front.

• Oil of Morocco Dry Styling Argan Oil is a “wigsaver,” as I call it. Spray it on the ends of your synthetic wig and gently brush out any tangles before they turn into knots and eventually dreads... Can be used on human hair wigs as well. Hold the wig as a ponytail in your fist as you brush from bottom to top being careful not to rip out any chunks of hair. 

• Flat wig? Use a bit of Batiste Dry Shampoo! It is essentially a micro-fine powder, which gives hair the texture and volume boost it needs. Then fluff hair with fingers. Make sure to get the brown-tinted version for darker wigs. 

• When covering your beard shadow, apply foundation in a stippling motion, set with a setting powder, and apply more foundation, and set again. This layering technique is popular for building coverage and the CoverFx foundation won't look heavy.

• Parfum or Eau De Toilette? Parfum costs more, usually has less quantity, but lasts much longer. Spray only 2-3 sprays in the air and walk into it. This way, you have a nice scent, but not an overwhelmingly strong aura.

• Purchase a nice highlighter powder like Stila All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten. Use it on the brow bone, bridge of nose, upper lip “cupid's bow,” cheekbones and cleavage. This will illuminate your features by looking smooth and pretty, which is very girly.

Part 2 of Jamie’s Beauty and Styling Tips! will appear here tomorrow, so you all come back now, here.

Wearing Ann Taylor

Comparing notes at the drag ball

Her Suits Her Fine

Yesterday was International Transgender Day of Visibility.

I missed it. I would have dressed more appropriately for work on Monday if I knew beforehand. On the other hand, I am glad that I was dressed in boy mode on Monday.

I drove to work through a wintry mix of rain, sleet, and snow. As I parked my car at work, the wintry mix was no longer mixed and it snowed for the next three hours depositing 5 inches of heavy snow throughout my neck of the woods!

Like I said, I am glad that I was dressed in boy mode because I hate walking in heels through slush. However, I did display visible signs of my femininity yesterday.

Have I mentioned that I am letting my hair grow?

I have not visited my hairdresser since November and my hair is now the longest it's been since my college days. A woman engineer at work noticed my long hair the other day and said it looked "cool."

I noticed other people at work checking out my hair. Some of them may be thinking that my days as a boy at work are numbered and that I will be working as a lady real soon now. 

Meanwhile, no one on the home front has mentioned it, although my sister made a negative comment the last time I saw her. This is the same sister who is a big LGBT supporter with one exception: her transgender brother, so I took her comment with a grain of salt.

I am not sure how long I will let my locks grow. They are harder to hide under a wig now and at a minimum, they need to be neatened up by a professional.

And so it grows.

 

 

 

A West Point cadet (right) femulates in a circa 1920 stage production at the academy.

 

 

 

Wearing Robert Rodriguez.

Losing Leg Hair

My skirt's not too short – my legs are too long!

Paula's post on shaving her legs moved me to write about shaving my legs.

I avoid shaving my legs with a razor blade and shaving cream or gel because it is too time-consuming. My legs are too long... 36 inches each to be exact and it takes forever.

Early on, I discovered the wonderful world of chemicals. Nair and Veet were my hair removing chemicals of choice. They did the job quickly and thoroughly. And after using them for over four decades, they permanently removed a lot of my leg hair. As a result, using chemicals now is overkill. 

So every morning, I attack the leg hairs that toughed it out. After I shave my face and neck with a top-of-the-line Norelco rotary head electric razor, I do a portion of my legs. One day, I will shave my knees, the next day, my calves, the next day, my thighs, the next day... well, you get the idea. As a result, when I get all dolled up to go out en femme, a quick touch-up with my Norelco is all I need to be femininely smooth.

By the way, I use the same routine to keep my arms, shoulders and breasts hair-free.

Transgender actor Atif Siddiq femulating in the 2012 Canadian film House for Sale.

 Wearing I don't recall.

Hair Envy

I wish I had hair like her!

She is actress Rose Byrne and she always looks great in my opinion, but her new hair-do is just fabulous and I wish I could femulate it.

 

Actors Stefanie Powers, Boris Karloff and Robert Vaughn
in a 1966 episode of television’s The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.

 

Wearing Versace.