How to guides

Nov 201520

Make-Up for a Perfect Face

Take a look in the mirror at that male face staring back at you. The stubble, the blemishes, the odd scar perhaps. How on earth do you disguise that? Like any good construction job, the answer lies in ensuring the right foundation. We will presume for the basis of this article that you have had a close shave all over your face and neck, and that your skin is as smooth as you can make it. From here on in it's all about disguise... Beard Cover As you may have guessed, the reason for applying this is to cover the beard area. Not something that most women have to bother about of course, but the most important part of a man's make-up routine. It is very simple to get right, and it will make all the difference to your look. You can check out our beard cover products here. To apply the beard cover always use a damp cosmetic sponge. It is vital that damp doesn't mean wet, as this will make the foundation weak and streaky. To make sure you've got it right, wrap the soaked sponge in a dry cloth and squeeze out the excess water, and it should be just right. Dab or pat the beard cover onto your beard area, and don't forget your neck! Cover one section at a time and blend the cover in, keep on adding it until all the dark shadow has disappeared. Foundation Once you have mastered the beard cover with confidence you can go on to the foundation, and here we are moving into the realms of proper women's make-up. Most women need a foundation, it's just a question of how much. There are two types you can use. Panstick is solid and comes in a container that looks like fat lipstick, while the liquid foundation comes in tubes. Try both and stick with the one you like best. Panstick is perhaps the easiest to use for the novice, as it can be applied straight onto the face from the stick, and then blended in with the cosmetic sponge until your whole neck and face are covered. The liquid foundation is also blende in, but this is best first poured onto the back of the hand and then dabbed with the sponge. Make sure you use enough to cover and camouflage but not too much that your skin begins to crack. It's a delicate balance that practice will make perfect. Concealer Unfortunately even at this late stage there may still be some blemishes and dark shadows around your eyes. Most men are prone to these, and unless you are very lucky, you could well be one of them. The Instant Concealer Stick is a small make-up stick that you dab on in much the same way as the panstick foundation. Just put it on where it is needed, and blend in with the sponge for a perfect cover effect. Powder Start by tipping some powder in the palm of your hand and then collect it with a powder puff. Apply it with a dabbing movement all over your face and neck. Avoid using too much powder around any creases or wrinkles as this can accentuate them, but do apply some lightly on the eyelids to help your eyeshadow stay in place. If in doubt, use less not more. Once you have finished dabbing it on, brush away any excess with a large brush using soft, downward and outward strokes. REmember not to brush up from the chin, as the powder will collect under your bristles there and make your hairs stand on end! Voilà! So now your face should have a nice smooth, even colour and finish. It may look pale, but that will be sorted out with blusher, eyeshadow and lipstick. The main thing, if you have followed our steps correctly is that you have created your own canvas to paint on. Have fun!

Nov 201520

Perfect Eyelashes

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Perfect Eyelashes

Lightly powder lashes to give mascara a coat to cling to and will give you Perfect Eyelashes Heat eyelash curler with hair dryer for a few seconds. It will act like a curling iron for the eyes. Hint: Curl twice for a rounded curl. Place the open curl near the lash roots and arrange your lashes between the two rims. Squeeze gently for thirty seconds. Squeeze again at mid-lash for another thirty-seconds. It looks very natural. Give upper lashes a second coat of mascara, concentrating on the tips by stroking the brush horizontally across the lash. Never wait when applying second coat of mascara to lashes. Mascara, especially waterproof mascara, dries quickly and can clump. Lightly coat lower lashes

Nov 201520

25 Top Beauty Tips

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Our beautician Debbie Shaw offers her top professional Beauty Tips for making the most of your transformation in the simplest and most cost-effective way.

Lips

1 Turn lipstick into lip-gloss with a coat of lip balm after applying the colour. 2 Put your lip and eye pencils in the refrigerator before sharpening. They're less likely to break - and you won't waste so much. 3 Double up your lip liner to fill in your lips as well as outlining them. 4 To prevent lipstick getting on your teeth, try this tip: after putting it on, put your finger in your mouth, purse your lips and pull it out. 5 Dusting a little loose powder over your lipstick will help it stay put for longer.

Eyes

6 Eye shadow doubles up as eyeliner, if applied with a cotton bud. Dampen the end of the bud for a more dramatic effect. 7 Use a little green eye shadow on red eyelids to mask the ruddiness. 8 Turn ordinary mascara into the lash-lengthening variety by dusting your eyelashes with a little translucent powder first. 9 Stand a dried-up mascara in a glass of warm water to bring it back to life. 10 If mascara tends to clog on your lower lashes, try using a small thin brush to paint colour onto individual lashes.

Nails

11 Dried-up nail polish can be revived by stirring in a few drops of polish remover before using. 12 Bubbles of air in the polish ruin its finish. Prevent this by rolling the bottle between the palms of your hands to mix it up before using, rather than shaking it vigorously. 13 Make cheap nail polish last longer by sealing it with a clear top coat. 14 Rub a dab of petroleum jelly around the neck of a new nail polish bottle, and it should be easy to open for the rest of its life. 15 You can dry nail polish very quickly by blasting nails with a cold jet of air from your hair dryer.

Eyebrows

16 When plucking your eyebrows, coat the hairs you want to remove with concealer - it will help you visualise exactly the shape of the brow you're after. 17 Use an old clean toothbrush to slick unruly eyebrows into shape. 18 If you find eyebrow tweezing painful, hold an ice cube over the area first to numb the nerve endings before you start. 19 A little foundation lightly rubbed through your eyebrows and brushed through with an old toothbrush will instantly lighten them. 20 If you don't dare shape your eyebrows into a feminine style, at least get rid of the long hairs and those over the bridge of your nose. That's just good male grooming!

Complexion

21 If you've run out of blusher, dot a little pink lipstick on your cheeks and blend well with your fingertips. 22 Sweep a little loose powder under your eyes when applying dark shades of eye shadow to catch any falling specks and stop them staining your foundation. 23 Always use a cosmetic sponge to apply foundation - using your fingertips can result in an uneven, greasy finish. 24 If you've put on too much blusher, tone it down with a little loose powder over the top until you've reached a shade you're happy with. 25 Keep the plastic seals or paper discs that came with tubs of foundation and replace after each use. It helps prevent air from distributing in the product and breeding bacteria - which means the foundation stays fresh for far longer.

Nov 201520

Make Up Guide

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Make Up Guide

Even the majority of genetic women cannot put make-up on professionally. With this detailed step by step pictorial and written guide you should, with practice, be able to achieve a cosmetic effect that highlights your best features (normally your eyes) and disguises any drawbacks you may have. Please remember: personal tuition in the use of cosmetics is available in total confidence at our own fully equipped salons in all Transformation Shops, staffed by professional beauticians. Tissues and cotton buds are essential to have at hand to correct any mistakes as you go along. There is no substitute for practice, so spend time just putting it on and taking it off - you should finally get down to half an hour. Don't despair, it took me 3 hours to begin with!! You can see how the professionals do it on our Make-up Video, available in both European and American formats. Have fun! Stephanie Anne Lloyd

Apply cleanser to face and throat with fingertips in upward and outward movements, remove with cotton wool. Apply toner with cotton wool using the same movements, then smooth moisturiser over face with upward strokes. Apply miracle beard cover using a damp cosmetic sponge, covering all of the beard area. Remember, only the lightest coating is necessary. Use instant cover to hide any dark circles under your eyes, applying with your fingertips or a damp cosmetic sponge. complete 3.jpg

Apply foundation over the whole area of the face and neck ensuring you cover eyelids etc. Blend foundation at neckline to ensure there is no noticable line. Apply powder using a fluffy pad or cotton wool, with a pressing and slightly turning action. Apply kohl pencil carefully to form a line right up against eyelashes top and then bottom as illustrated. Draw a cotton bud across to slightly smudge and soften the line. complete 4.jpg

Starting from the inner corner of the eye, apply the lighter of the two colours you have selected. complete 5.jpg

Always tap the brush after loading with powder to eliminate colour falling complete 6.jpg

on cheeks.

Using the darker colour, work outwards from the center of the

eyelid (this makes your eyes look further apart). Remember you are trying to create an almond shape for your eyes. Next, use this colour underneath the eye ina a gradually widening line from the center to the outside corner.

Fill in the gap between eyeshadow and eyebrow with highlight and apply a darker crease line as shown. Remember all colours must be carefully blended so that no definate divisions are noticeable.

Sucking in your cheeks to provide a guide line, apply blusher, more at night than in the daytime. Carefully note the position for

application and work from the hairline inwards.

Your blusher should be of the same colour group as the lipstick you intend to use. Apply a light coat of mascara, holding a mirror horizontally against your chest for the upper lashes and vertically in front of you for the upper. Using eyelash curlers, clamp them tightly as near to the roots of your upper lashes as possible and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat for the other eye. Lightly stroke in colour using eyebrow pencil, following the natural arched shape but extending them outwards at the edge. Apply a second light coat of mascara, ensuring that 10 minutes has elapsed since the first application. Using a lipliner that matches your lipstick, outline the natural shape of your lips but accentuating the centre bow slightly.

Fill in with lipstick, blotting after the first coat by gently biting on a tissue then apply a second application. This routine ensures you maintain lip colour even throughout a meal. For a really sexy look, apply a little lip gloss to the center of your lower lip. Yummy, yummy.

As an optional extra you can now use false eyelashes. Ours are self adhesive and stik time and time again, simply peel off to remove. An optional third coat of mascara can be applied if necessary, but only for evening wear.

Next to eyes, hands are studied most, so you do need to have long elegant nails. Apply the super-realistic nails by very lightly sanding your own nails first and then applying a very small spot of glue.

Cut and shape your nails to individual taste using nail clippers and an emery board only. (Never use a metal nail file even on your own nails)

Paint your nails with your favourite nail varnish. It will not chip, flake or peel off. Never use acetone based varnish remover, it will melt your nails. Special varnish and nail removers are available. The finished result, a professional make-up that will make

Nov 201520

Make Up Tips

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Make Up Tips Your eyes are the most exciting and expressive feature you have. They project your mood, emotion and personality, and so emphasising them with make-up is extremely important.

Bear in mind, as you look at yourself in the mirror, that your eye is divided into three parts: The eyelid The center, or depth area The brow bone The classical ideal eye would be proportioned in the following way: one-third from the base of the lashes to the crease line, and two-thirds from the crease line to the eyebrow. You can achieve this proportion with well judged make-up. Eye Shadow I prefer pressed-powder shadows. They are made in many shades and have either pearl or matt finishes. A pearl finish creates a light-reflective, brighter effect - it does however have a tendency to accentuate any flaws and emphasise eyelid creases. Originally, eye shadow was devised to bring out eye colour, but it is now used in more sophisticated ways to highlight, contour and shape the eyes. Eye shadow can emphasise eye colour; it can contrast or co-ordinate with fashion, or it may simply create a different and dramatic look. One thing I don't advocate is the use of colour charts. Your goal is to choose an eye shadow that will emphasise or bring out your eyes - this doesn't simply mean choosing a shade that matches your eye colour. Today, make-up has become much more sophisticated and the newer earthy, subtle tones are more exciting regardless of your eye colour. My preference for contouring eyes is the use of softer eye colours, which are easy to apply. The most effective are charcoal, taupe, tawny browns, and plum or wine colours.

In striving for drama and sophistication in applying make-up to enhance your most important feature - your eyes - I prefer using two or three shades of eyeshadow. For example, a lighter to a darker plum shade, or a beige and a tawny brown. The colours should be similar, but slightly different in terms of colour pigment and degree of light and dark. You can always use another colour as an accent shade; for example, lets say you applied charcoal contour shadow then you can choose mauge or amethyst, apricot or yellow ochre for an extra touch of excitement. Highlight shades are most effective when they are lighter than your eyeshadow. Ivory, a pearlised peach, pink or beige on the brow bone is always interesting yet subtle. The following steps will give you a classically contoured eye: 1. You will obtain the best effect by choosing shades that blend from one to the other without leaving a demarcation line. Start with the lighter colour at the base of the lashes and bring it up to the depth area, extending it away from the inner corner of the eye and around the outer corner. Use an applicator or professional brush set for best results. Deftly apply the shadow just under the lower, outer edge of the lid. The deeper colour is then applied from the depth area up onto the brow bone, where it should fade away. I like shades of amethyst, burgundies, tawny brown colours and the smoky shades.

2. Apply highlighter or colour accent to the inner half of the eyelid. 3. The last step is the application of highlighter to the brow bone. Blend shades together so that no demarcation lines spoil the effect.

Outline Your Eyes! An eye pencil is best for outlining your eyes. Your liner should be brown, black, charcoal or navy, so that it looks like part of the eye and gives your lashes a thicker appearance. Black is most effective for a dramatic look (and the one I use), while the lighter shades are softer and more natural. For the top lid: Place you finger on the brow bone and gently lift and stretch the lid so that it's taut. Run a series of short but connected strokes of liner at the lash base from the inner to the outer corner of the eye area. Smudge the liner outward and downward into the lashes with a cotton bud. For further emphasis: Lift the eyelid and stroke on the liner along the inner rim of the lid underneath your upper lashes. Do not use liner under the lid if you wear contact lenses. Use the pencil now to draw a line just below the bottom lashes. The liner should start very thin at the inside of the eye and steadily thicken as you reach the outside. If you don't wear contact lenses then colour the inside lid as well. Eyelashes

The eyelash curler is a great help in creating an open-eyed look and adding the appearance of length to the lashes. It is a must when you have very straight lashes or when they droop down at the outer corners. First tilt your head slightly back and look straight ahead into the mirror (a magnifying mirror is best). Now place the lash curler close to the base of the top lashes and carefully clamp it closed for about thirty seconds. This should give a nice curl to the lashes. If you have not achieved the desired effect, go through the procedure once more. Curling the lashes should always be done before the mascara is applied. False Lashes False lashes are not usually necessary, especially for daytime make-up, but they can add beauty to the eye not graced with long lashes and add glamour to an otherwise plain eye. Choose only very fine lashes, not too long, and they should look absolutely natural.

Mascara Only use the wand type. Black is best for brunettes, and brown for blondes and redheads. Lightly apply to to bottom lashes. When using mascara on upper lashes, look up and lightly apply it to the undersurface of your lashes - then look downwards and layer the top surface. Repeat this procedure several times until you achieve the desired thickness. Eyebrow Tips The following tips will help you care for and maintain those well-groomed eyebrows: Generally 'underplay' the eyebrows. Subtlety works best. Follow the natural shape of the brow. Never apply colour in heavy, solid lines. Rather, use light, fine, feathery strokes to simulate the natural eyebrow hairs. Eyebrows should always be a few shades lighter than your hair colour - never darker! When they are darker they look artificial and have a tendency to distract attention from the beauty of your eyes. Never shave your eyebrows - they will only grow back stronger and more coarse. Use a dipilatory cream instead. If your brows are a bit flaky or scaly, lubricate them at night with a little vaseline or castor oil. We hope you found this article useful!

Nov 201520

High Heels and Shoes

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Deciding what shoes to wear is a dilemma for most transvestites. We take a closer look at what is available and what is the right heel for the right occasion. Men tend to have big, broad feet which they plant firmly on the ground when they walk. Women, on the other hand, have narrow, delicate feet and they walk with short step, their weight thrown forward onto their toes. There is little a transvestite can do about the shape or size of his feet, but if he seriously wishes to be accepted as a woman he must at least learn to walk like one, which is difficult in poorly fitting shoes. Fortunately, the problem has been recognised by TV specialists and shoe manufacturers, and there is now a wide range of feminine footwear intended for masculine use. Of course, there is a small price to pay for such specialisation, but true elegance never came cheaply. In trying to disguise the size and shape of the masculine foot the designer will subtly alter the proportions of the shoe: Extremely high heels make the foot appear shorter, and a narrower effect can be achieved by subtle curves and delicate strapping. Long pointed toes also have a narrowing effect, but provide a daunting challenge for the walker! Before venturing out in shoes of extreme design the wise transvestite will put in months of practice. It will result in aching calf muscles and blistered heels but to the dedicated TV no amount of suffering is too great if it achieves the desired objective.

Shoes can make or break an outfit so always be very selective with your footwear! Stilettos should not be the only items to adorn your feet. Very few women wear high heels all the time, but they are a must for any special occasion or for an extra-sexy look. A smaller heel, usually 2" to 3" is far more practical and comfortable. They are easier to walk in, do not cramp the foot and look nice with skirts and dresses. Lower-heeled shoes do not have to look 'frumpy' - there are numerous styles, colours and toe-shapes available. If you choose something to complement your outfit, you can be stylish without high heels. A completely flat-soled shoe is only recommended for younger TVs (say 18-28) or the more mature (55-60+). To look feminine they must be worn with very soft and flimsy dresses or skirts. For and Against Stilettos For: Legs look more shapely and sexier Feet look smaller Walking tends to be with smaller steps, and more delicate Against: They make you much taller! Deportment must be practiced before venturing out in them They emphasise the calf muscles

Nov 201520

Wig Selection

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Wig Selection As a general guide ensure that your wig does not arrive before you do. In other words it should be part of your total 'look' rather than dominate it.

Avoid extreme styles and ensure the colour is within two shades of what 'Mother Nature' chose for you. Do not be tempted to go for an expensive 'real hair', they are much harder to look after and almost immediately lose their style. When you select your wig be guided by your personality type, figure, height, face shape etc, and remember that ideally your head should be (or at least appear to be) one-seventh the length of your body and your hairstyle can either create or destroy this illusion of near perfection. For example: A rounded hairstyle is most flattering to a fuller figure, but if the face like the figure is full, the wig style should not be so rounded. If in addition the person is on the short side, a very short style will tend to lead to a dumpy appearance. A style smaller at the crown, fuller at the bottom (triangular-shaped) will create the illusion of more height, making the short neck appear longer and drawing the eye up to the face. Ideal for the small TV. A longer hairstyle - anywhere from the top of the shoulders to the middle back - draws the eye down, which is ideal for the taller amongst us who must avoid the small, sleek head which has the visual effect of a long 'T' without the horizontal bar at the top. If you are built along horizontal lines - broad shoulders and hips - a short, full hairstyle with upturned ends draws the eye away from those wide, 'big-boned' lines and up to and past the cheekbones. A long neck appears shorter, more rounded when hair is worn long with soft lines and fullness. A square, heavy-set face needs a hairstyle with height and curvy waves that will break the square lines. A high forehead looks most attractive with fluffy trails swept to the side. A thin, sharp-featured face asks for a rounded hairstyle with fullness at the sides. A double chin appears less noticeable when hair is carried forward on the face, rather than swept tightly back. A long prominent nose is balanced, brought into proportion by gathering hair at the back of the head with a cluster of curls. Styles to suit your features Prominent Nose Fullness of hair on top and width at the temples makes a large or long nose seem more delicate from the front view. In profile the nose is shortened when hair projects up and forward in a high, puffy style. Keep the back of the head full and rounded, the ends long enough to cover the neck. Avoid both straight lines and tight curls. Diamond-shaped Face Fullness of hair on top and width at the temples makes a large or long nose seem more delicate from the front view. In profile the nose is shortened when hair projects up and forward in a high, puffy style. Keep the back of the head full and rounded, the ends long enough to cover the neck. Avoid both straight lines and tight curls. Square Face Soften any sharp angles and slim the width by wearing the hair shorter or longer than chin length, with a wave or curl coming in at the cheekbone. The height at the crown and a dipping side also helps. Round Face To counteract roundness, you'll want to wear your hair smooth at the sides, curved in towards the face at about the chin line. Create height at the crown and some fullness a little below the ears. Choose a side rather than a centre parting which has a broadening tendency. Heart-shaped Face This face has a piquant charm. If you have a pretty chin, feature it by keeping the chin line clean. If, however, your chin is too pointed, keep the hair smooth on top - close at the temples - and make the fullness start below the ears. Oval Face If you have an oval face and your features are also regular, you can wear just about any hairstyle. Pear-shaped Face Height in front will balance the wide jaw and narrow forehead. Width should start at the jaw line and move up to the temples. A diagonal parting slanting out from centre to side makes the head appear wider. Long Face Here, your aim is to cut the length of your face and add width at the sides. Keep some fullness at the crown. Hair worn over the forehead dipping to the side in an irregular line is good camouflage.

Nov 201520

Easy Manicure

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Easy Manicure

Many TVs ignore their hands, and yet they are one of the areas where the difference between male and female can really show. So, if you want to be convincing and passable you need to develop a manicure routine - this guide will show you how!

Before you begin, remove all jewellery and get together all the things you will need: Towel Bowl Warm water or olive oil Emery Board Oily polish remover Base coat / ridge filler Coloured nail varnish Polish sealer / clear varnish Cotton wool Orange stick Cuticle remover / conditioner Moisturising cream Okay, now you're all organised - this what you do... 1. Remove any old polish with cotton wool dampened with oily polish remover. For hard to reach corners, use a cotton-tipped orange stick dipped in remover. 2. Make sure your nails are dry before filing them with an emery board. The most fashionable and the least vulnerable shape is the slightly squared oval - a shape that looks sensational on most hands, regardless of the nail length. File with the most abrasive side of your emery board from left to centre, and then from right to centre, smoothing edges with the finer side of the board. 3. Your nails will look longer and more graceful when cuticles are kept moisturised and free of excess tissue. Instead of cutting the cuticle - which can harm the nail - apply a creamy conditioner and then soak in warm water to gently soften the tissue. Use the orange stick to ease the cuticle back. 4. Instead of always soaking your nails in water, give your hands a sumptuous hot oil treatment. A few minutes soaking in olive oil allows the natural oils to penetrate the nail area. Then, scrub nails with a soft brush and dry with a soft towel. 5. Now you're ready to buff. Regular buffing stimulates circulation, strengthens nails and helps prevent splitting and peeling. Remember to buff in one direction to avoid overheating your nails. A nail shiner will restore a natural lustre to your fingertips if you choose to go without nail polish. 6. Tiny ridges and nicks in the nails can spoil any manicure. Before applying polish use the nail primer, a ridge-filling base coat that smooths the nail surface so that polish glides on easily. Brush on 2 coats for extra protection and allow a minute of drying before applying nail enamel. 7. Use 3 smooth strokes to polish each nail, beginning in the centre. Start your second coat when the last nail is finished. 8. To seal your manicure and add extra shine, apply a polish sealer over the enamel and under the nail edge to prevent chipping. 9. No one likes to sit and wait for nails to dry completely. If you're on the run, get yourself a can of quick dry to protect newly polished nails from smudges and smears. 10. For follow-up care during the week apply an extra coat of polish sealer. Also treat your hands and nails to regular rubbing in of a good moisturising cream which will guard against dryness and brittleness, in addition to making your hands feel soft and beautiful. Handy Hints for Hands and Nails Apply generous amounts of hand cream before going out in cold weather, and before bed Carry an emery board with you at all times Make a habit of pushing your cuticles back with the towel every time you wash your hands Take a mineral supplememnt if white spots regularly appear as this indicates a shortage of zinc Weak or brittle nails can indicate a lack of calcium, so either drink more milk or take a supplement Apply a special white nail pencil under tips of nails for a clean manicured look

Nov 201520

From He to She

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FROM HE TO SHE

For one in 10,000 of the population, a hormonal imbalance in the uterus about six to nine weeks after conception is where it all starts. A study from the Netherlands examined the brains of straight and gay men, women and male-to-female transsexuals. They looked at part of the hypothalmus, an area of the brain that is affected by sex hormones during its development, and discovered that while the brains of straight and gay men were the same, the transsexual-to-female brains were almost identical to the brains of women.

However, knowing that the way you feel is due to a quirk of nature doesn’t make life any easier, especially when puberty kicks in and your body starts to head off down a route that is diametrically opposed to the way you want to go.

“I have people turning up who are on the point of suicide,” says Fran Springfield, specialist gender identity counsellor, “and self mutilation is not uncommon.” But, in a strange way, these are the lucky ones – they’ve recognised their situation and have taken the first step. Others are not so lucky. “Many transsexuals go through periods when they attempt to suppress or deny their condition. Some choose hobbies or jobs that are hyper-masculine in order to try to prove that they are not transsexual.”

Transsexuals can be found in all walks of life: Springfield has even had former SAS members come to her for help. Some transsexual-to-females who visit are in the 40s or 50s, have married and have children. Having made the initial contact the patient is now ready to embark on the journey from transsexual-to-female.

STEP ONE: Counselling

“Clients undergo many hours of counselling to determine that they are really transsexual and to rule out other psychiatric problems,” says Springfield. The only specialist nurse gender counsellor in the country, she has worked in the gender field for ten years, and is a member of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, an organisation which governs the treatment of transsexuals. The client is then referred to a psychiatrist for further evaluation.

STEP TWO: Hormone Treatment

Transsexual-to-females are given oestrogen which prompts them to develop breasts and a smaller waist. They will see more fat on their hips and smoother skin along with a reduction of body hair and loss of libido. Hormones do not usually stop beard growth which has to be removed by electrolysis. It can take up to 1,000 hours of electrolysis at £35 per hour to remove a full beard. Hormones do not alter voice pitch either, although speech therapy can help in that respect.

STEP THREE : Changing gender role

Patients will have to live in their new gender role for at least 12 months before an operation can be performed. During this time, all documents relating to the client are changed – driving license, National Insurance, everything except birth certificate. The patient must also come out at work – following the case of P vs Cornwall Council in the European Court in April 1996, transsexuals are now protected against discrimination in the workplace. A Home Office working party is expected to report in 2000/2001 on changing the birth certificates of post-operative transsexuals to reflect their new gender identity.

“The real life experience is important,” says Springfield. The 12-month period is a duration laid down by Harry Benjamin, who actually coined the term transsexual and, on a quite unrelated point, lived to be 102 years old. During this time transsexuals are checked up on to make sure that they are not cheating.

STEP FOUR : Counselling and Referral

Psychiatric examination follows more counselling to rule out delusion in the patient. After all, there will be no going back after the operation.

STEP FIVE : Surgery

It’s not only the end results that are good, there are also very few complications following the 4-5 hour operation. The patient is out of hospital in ten days and can be back at work in three months. The risk of prolapse is small and usually only occurs if patients have sex too soon after surgery or if the surgery is poor. Satisfaction rates with good surgery are 100 per cent. “The patient has got they body they always wanted,” says Springfield. “To see patients going from desperation to complete satisfaction makes the job very rewarding.”

Following surgery cases, 40 per cent of transsexual-to-females live as heterosexual women, 40 per cent are lesbian and 20 per cent pursue a bisexual lifestyle.

“Transsexuals are ordinary people who’ve gone through an extraordinary experience,” says Springfield. “Many live their lives without anyone knowing their background. You have probably met some without even knowing.”

You can contact Fran Springfield at http://members.aol.com/gics

Nov 201520

Easy Pedicure

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Transgender Resources

Easy Pedicure

Smooth, feminine looking feet are an absolute must in the warm weather when sandals are worn. Giving yourself a pedicure at home is not nearly as complicated as you might think. Here is an easy step-by-step proceedure that guarantees gorgeous toes. You will need the following items (as for the manicure): Towel Bowl Warm water or olive oil Emery Board Oily polish remover Base coat / ridge filler Coloured nail varnish Polish sealer / clear varnish Cotton wool Orange stick Cuticle remover / conditioner moisturising cream In addition you will need toe dividers, a pumice stone and nail clipper. 1. Begin by clipping each toenail straight across with your nail clipper. File each nail lightly with an emery board until nice and even. 2. Now soak your feet in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Pat them just dry enough so water doesn't drip, and apply cuticle conditioner to each nail base, gently pushing back with an orange stick. 3. If corns and hard skin are a problem, try using a pumice stone on these rough area while feet are still moist. After scrubbing the soles of your feet and the rough spots around each toe, apply a good moisturising cream to the entire foot and between each toe. Clean nail surface with a cotton tipped orange stick dipped in remover. 4. Polished toenails give feet a lovely feminine look. First, place toe dividers between toes. Apply your basecoat, remembering to let it dry on each nail for about one minute. 5. Polish your toenails carefully with the same colour you have on your fingernails or a similar shade. You can then apply your polish sealer and quick dry, making sure polish is completely dry before removing the toe dividers. Handy Hints for Feminine feet Soak nightly if possible ensuring you dry feet thoroughly - especially between the toes - and then massage in moisturising cream Use a nail brush to keep toe nails clean Never shape nails, always cut straight across to avoid ingrowing toe nails If you have sweaty feet put talcum powder in your shoes or stockings, or use a proprietry foot spray Go barefoot as often as possible (I'm famous for it!) Buy correctly fitting leather shoes which give and allow your feet to breathe (unlike cheap synthetic materials) Never try to apply polish without using toe dividers - it will smudge every time Like the manicure, your pedicure can be done in about 30 minutes each week. Once you've invested in the necessary tools and products you'll find that your at-home 'beauty night' will keep you looking and feeling terrific!

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