I recommend gel hip and breast forms because they last forever and produce and realistic feel. Gel pads run between $200 and $300 and breast forms from $100 to $400 depending where you buy them. If you buy gel it will probably be the last you ever buy.
Crossdresser 101 is dedicated to the beginning crossdresser, and I have created their own seperate page. Crossdresser 101 is the theme for this page aimed at the crossdresser just getting started with little or no knowledge of crossdressing.
Although they may have been curious about dressing up as a woman have never fully dressed as one. The information on this Crossdresser 101 page is intended to get the beginning crossdresser started the right way avoiding problems by addressing them up front.
STARTING OUT
Crossdresser 101 covers hair, makeup, and clothing are the most obvious differences between the male and female forms. Hair is typically accomplished by buying a woman’s wig along with women’s makeup and be accomplished quickly if you know what to buy. Experimenting is one approach but very costly using the trial-and-error system which I did years ago. In this day and age, it is far less expensive to go to a crossdresser makeover service that can show you the proper cosmetics to match your skin tone. Some offer wig advice also or you can schedule a private appointment at a wig salon.
BUYING WOMEN’S CLOTHING
It is very important for the beginning Crossdresser 101 to get this step right because it is going to be expensive up front but pay off in the long haul. Every purchase of women’s clothing you make in the future is going to be based on this decision. Dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets, pants, skirt suits, and even gowns will be purchased based on your dress size. There is a simple way to calculate your dress size if you take a few measurements If as your male self you were to stand in front of a wall with the light directly behind you there would be a shadow. If you were a woman, the shadow would have curved hips. To create the illusion of a women you need them too. This is accomplished with breast and hip pads (Expensive) positioned in the right places to create a feminine shape. I feel this needs to be done first because it is the foundation you will build upon to create that womanly look. Every piece of clothing that you purchase for your beginning crossdresser 101 self in the future will be based on this foundation, so you need to get it right the first time. Makeup, WIGS, shoes and accessories can be changed easily if needed. Changing your shape could mean that you throw clothes away or spend a fortune altering them.
FEMALE SHAPE
For Crossdresser 101 I recommend gel hip and breast forms because they last forever and produce, and realistic crossdressing feel. Gel pads run between $200 and $300 and breast forms from $100 to $400 depending on where you buy them. If you buy gel, it will probably be the last, you ever buy.
The figure shape that you create with these forms will be your dress size and all of the clothing that you buy will be based on this decision so get it right. To look right it must be proportioned correctly so that you are more believable. The breasts should be large enough for a woman of your height and weight. Hips should be about the same width as your shoulders or slightly smaller. Women are more athletic today than 50 years ago, so they have smaller hips. The CROSSDRESSER FEMALE SHAPE page on this site will show you how to get the correct figure.
Makeup is the next step in beginning crossdresser 101 for creating that feminine illusion and where the real fun starts. It is a very important step and there is much to learn if you want to look your best. There is a lot more to it than just putting it on the same stuff in the same place a woman does. The proper crossdressing makeup within the correct shades will do wonders for your presentation.
Your foundation is the key, and it must match your skin complexion or tone. That’s why they call it foundation, duh! The best way to find what you need is to have a makeup artist do it for you like the gals as MAC or Sephora. You can level with them and tell them that you are just a beginning crossdresser. They will do your whole palette or foundation, blush, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow and setting powder.
You can also tell them that you are doing a play, Halloween or something else like that. They will know it’s a lie and they will do your whole palette or foundation, blush, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow and setting powder anyway.
Or you can guess and buy foundation that looks about right take it home to see if it matches than go spend more money to get closer to your match.
Another option is to find someone who does crossdressing makeovers for Transgendered people in your area. Some beginning crossdressers find one where you can travel to and have them do it for you. If you go this route, you will learn the WHY which, I will be covering next anyway.
WHY?
Is the question of what palette going with what skin tone?
WHY?
Do you put it where it goes and how do you do it?
WHY?
Must you need to learn contouring and what is it?
WHY?
Beard cover is necessary and what is it?
WHY?
Crossdressers need to do their makeup differently than a woman?
The crossdressing makeover artist will know all of the above. The MAC & Sephora ladies might. You can find lots of techniques on YouTube but unless you know the WHY’s you might end up looking like a clown or witch doctor!
BEARD SHADOW
The first challenge for beginning crossdresser 101 men is the beard which, must be covered unless it is mostly gray or white. Most people can get away with Pan Stick by Max Factor which is a thick cream in tube form. When I used it, I made stripes in different parts of my face and the blended them together.
Once your face is all one color you can proceed with the rest of the makeup routine. Most guys need to contour in order to change the shape of the face. Contouring can eliminate the square jaw, make the face appear smaller and more oval along with enhancing cheek bones.
Unless your hair is long enough to style like a woman you will need a wig which, the style, length, and shape are very important. This can be a real challenge because for those new to crossdressing. For crossdresser 101 beginners I highly recommend going to the wig shop dressed as a woman. Its better with your makeup on before you buy a wig. You can either go to the crossdressing makeover place getting dressed and doing your makeup there possibly buying one from them. Another option is buying a cheap wig for $50.00 or so and then go to the wig shop dressed en fem with your makeup on.
The wig salesperson will match your foundation tone to the wig color to get something that compliments your face.
SHORT WIGS
Until recently I never wore a short wig in public after trying some on 30 years ago hating the look on me. My wife insisted I try a new one she bought in December telling me she thought it would be great. To my surprise I loved it! Although short it is also tall which along with my long earrings made my face appear thinner and more feminine. So much for the old dog new tricks thing, Crossdresser 101 works for everyone it’s all about illusion. It is important to get a style that compliments your face shape. If at all possible is a job for a professional. A common mistake for crossdresser’s is to buy one that reminds you of that hot chick in school years ago. In most cases it’s a dead giveaway that you are a crossdresser because it’s probably the wrong color and style for you. There aren’t very many 70-year old’s with long wavy blond hair cascading down their back.
SHOES
So now you have your Crossdresser 101 makeup, wig, pads, and dress all put together you will need some shoes. I recommend ballet flats which are popular now. Take your men’s shoe size and go up one and a half to two sizes. If you wear a 10 in men’s, you should be pretty much a 11 1/2 to 12 in women.
Crossdresser 101 in high heelsis where we all go, and you have two options. Buy 3 1/2-inch stilettos and practice walking at home until you are good at it or, start with 1 1/2 inch and work your way up. The 1 1/2-inch heels will not be a waste because you will probably use them for shopping later on. Most women do not go shopping in 3 1/2-inch heels in the mall.
ACCESSORIES
Finally, we have earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pins accessory jewelry. Beginning crossdresser 101 can play with this but large jewelry makes the area you wear it on look smaller. Less is more though when it comes to quantity with one ring on either hand not one ring per finger. Watch women that you come in contact with and see what they do. A couple of thin bracelets worn together is fine but if you wear a watch no bracelet on that wrist.
