Transmasc Tips - Tumblr Posts
Transmasc tip (or just for anyone who wants to look taller, but I find it very gender affirming personally)
But heelys. Trust me.
A) They’re fun
B) (and more importantly) if you take the wheels out and just wear them as sneakers, they add an inch or two onto your height while still looking like just everyday sneakers (because the heel is lifted to make room for the wheels)
Hi! This ask is asking for tips relating to trans stuff so you can ignore if you don’t have any! thanks
Basically, I’m a genderqueer person who might be a trans man. I cut my hair recently but unfortunately it wasn’t short enough. I was wondering if you had any tips to make hair look more stereotypically masculine?
Secondly, do you have any tips for weeding out who are Allie’s and who aren’t? I’m not exactly sure who I can be open with and studd
thanks! Have a good day
This question make me smile so much, I’m more than happy to help!
Keep in mind, this is all from my own experience, but I’ll try to include some things in here that I have heard from other people too.
To me, the most important tip is to experiment a little bit. There are always gonna be lots of different people telling you lots of different things, don’t be afraid to try a few of them. I can tell you what ended up working for me, but don’t limit yourself to just that, everyone finds their gender euphoria in different ways.
For me, it was when I started wearing dark clothes and neutral colors that really helped. Baggy clothes have helped a lot too with my body dysphoria, especially with the added help of layering. I have a couple long sleeve tees I like throwing under short sleeved ones, and button ups and jackets that can go on top, anything to help hide my form and give a darker, more masculine appearance.
I’ve talked about it a little bit before on here, but tall shoes are a good way to add a little height, and I like ones that do so subtly, like heelys (you can take out the wheel and they just look like normal sneakers, but add about two inches). I like wearing eye liner and dark eye makeup especially on the under eye, as men tend to have more defined eyebags. There’s a lot of other masc makeup tutorials out there, but as someone who is not good at makeup, that was the option I went with. More subtle things that no one really noticed, but helped me, were switching to men’s deodorant and soaps.
As for hair, it definitely depends on the texture. I kept my hair short for a long time though in fear that longer hair would make me less of a trans man. My hair isn’t too long, but it’s around shoulder length, which I was very worried about dysphoria wise, and it was hard for a moment, until I figured out how to style it. Obviously, this comes down to texture. I have very fine straighter hair, and so for me, adding a little volume, layering, and curl helped it become less of a bob, and more masculine. I don’t know the science behind that, but it helped. Layering really helped so it wasn’t just flat longer hair, it looked messier, and it also helped me to get just some medium hold pomade and slick it back slightly.
As for allies, that is honestly one of the hardest parts. I got pretty lucky in having family that I knew was open, like my siblings and cousins, and I didn’t really have many friends as a whole at the time, so I was mostly starting on a blank slate, but I did have one pretty religious friend that I was terrified about. It starts with trying to observe small things about them. Have they ever said anything about the trans community? What would their other beliefs do they that that may sway their opinion in one way or another? Have they ever talked about pronouns or gender expression? Then try bringing up transgender topics in popular news and media and see their response. With a lot of people, there may not be a definitive way to say, and a really scary jump has to be made. Just remember, that if anyone does respond poorly, it reflects on them, not you. It’s not worth keeping a secret from someone in a friendship and not living happily as yourself. The friendships you are meant to keep, will stay through this change, or they’ll come around. And yeah, losing people hurts like hell, but knowing who you can then trust to be yourself makes those good relationships all the better.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, don’t be afraid to ask or reach out, cause I am more than happy to help on this amazing journey of yours. Being trans and being able to find yourself in that way is a beautiful experience, even through the heartbreak and pain. More than anything, do not give up on this journey. You are so strong for taking all this on, and if you ever feel isolated, know that you are never alone, and there are always those of us out there that will support you.
Edit: Elaborating on the hair thing below the line
These are both pictures of me, a few years apart, but both pre medical transition. My hair is about the same length, only the second is a lot “messier” with more layers and using volumizing mouse and gel. Some people will also use hair irons in a certain way, it just takes a little more time.
Hello this is a really dumb question about binding so please don’t answer if you’re not comfortable
Basically, I’m a trans guy and I cannot get a binder at the moment. I’ve heard DIY binders can be very dangerous, but I made this thing that works as one. I am able to breathe and it’s even comfortable, I don’t think it’s causing me any “bad pressure” or even pain? I’m just wondering about safety if you have any insight into how safe this is
That would definitely depend on how you’re binding. Even if there are no noticeable bad pressure or breathing problems, breathing and back issues can be a serious problem with improper binding. So please, please, please do lots of research and if you notice any signs of hurt or bruising or breathing hindrance, try a different route.
Now, I’m no expert as far as the health concerns, and I would definitely do some more research, but I can definitely share my pre-official-binder advice.
My number one thing is wearing baggy clothing, that was my go to. Even still is on days that I’m not binding.
Sports bras are also a really good alternative. Obviously, that is also subjective to chest size as well, but at the very least, sports bras compress your chest more and tend to help flatten. Sports bras labeled “no bounce” tend to be more sturdy, and some people will even layer sports bras to help flatten more (just not too many as to be uncomfortable or harmful). Do not buy a sports bra that is too small. I know chest dysphoria is a bitch, but it’s not worth hurting yourself for.
Sports bras and baggy clothing were my go-tos, but some others I’ve heard are camisoles and pantyhose. I can’t testify to either, I don’t like the texture of pantyhose and camisoles are really uncomfortable for me, but those are some you could look into. Some people can also get away with lighter compression tops, I know Target had some swim one last pride month, but that’s kind of a gray area and will depend on the situation. I’ve also never worn one, so I don’t know how well they work.
I know most people know this anyway, but avoid bandaging or duct-taping your chest. It may be tempting sometimes, and it may not seem like that bad of an option, but these things are not meant to be around your chest that tight. You’re putting your ribs and your lungs at a big risk (and your skin if you are using duct tape).
As with any binding technique, do not bind for over 8 hours or sleep in a binder/binder substitute. If you plan on heavy or even moderate activity or exercise, it’s best to stick with a sports bra (even if you have an official binder). Don’t try to go tighter or combine methods if you aren’t getting the results you want. I know that body dysphoria is really hard, but you can’t go putting your body in danger, possibly permanently.
Like I said, I’m no professional, this is just stuff I have learned over the years from my own experiences, friends, and various videos and posts. I heavily recommend additional research to stay safe. As always, bind safely, and don’t be afraid to ask me anything more.
To other people, I’m sure I missed things, don’t be afraid to add in comments and reblogs!
person from the binder question! just wanted to ask if it’s possible to wear a tank top and wear a binder like is it really obvious
That entirely depends on what you’re looking for. It depends on the binder and the top, but generally, I don’t want to lie here, it’s going to show. If your binder straps are thin enough and the tank straps wide enough, maybe you can hide it, but unfortunately, it’ll usually be at least semi visible.
I used to get really worried about this and didn’t wear tank tops at all the past two summers cause I was self conscious. I luckily have gotten to a point in my transition where I feel confident enough to not be passing all the time, and I’ve built up a mindset of “showing off your binder is hot as hell” (which I stand by), and so I wear mine where they’re visible a lot, but I 100% get the feeling of wanting to hide it, either for safety or dysphoria, which is also totally valid.
Sports bras are probably going to be a lot easier to hide than most binders. I have one with pretty thin straps, but I know they’re generally thicker. So yeah, it’s possible depending on the shirts, but it is probably gonna be hard unfortunately.
As always, bind safely and remember that you’re valid and doing amazing!
I often see posts asking about different places to get binders. Therefore, I have decided to make a list of different sites where you can buy binders. Hope this helps someone.
amorsensory [based in Australia]
binderme [based in Poland]
cantiq [based in the US]
flavnt [based in the US]
gc2b [based in the US]
gendergear [based in Canada]
peecock products [based in Singapore]
shapeshifters [based in the US]
sockdrawerheroes [based in Australia]
spectrum [based in the UK]
tomboyx [based in the US]
underworks [based in the US]
urbasics [based in Canada]
youropencloset [based in Canada]
Free binder programs based in the US; dcats, genderbands, point of pride.