Every Tranny's Free

(to wear foundation)

Ladies and trannies of class of '06... wear foundation.

If I could offer you one useful tranny tip, using a good foundation would be it.

The shadow-covering and complexion-enhancing benefits of a decent foundation have been proven, whereas the rest of my advice is based on the experiences of a tranny who hasn't really managed to get it right herself yet.

I will dispense this advice now.

If you want to go out dressed, do it now. It's never too late to come out of the closet, but the later you leave it, the more missed opportunities there will be to regret in hindsight. Trust me, in 20 years time you'll look back and be glad you had a chance to be the person you wanted to be.

You are not just a guy in a dress.

Don't worry about "passing" as a girl. Well, worry about it, but don't worry so much that it stops you ever getting out of the door. Know that being a tranny isn't about passing, it's about feeling good and knowing you look the best you can.

Do one thing each day that makes you feel girly.

Smile.

Don't waste time on people who mock you, and don't mock others for being different than you are.

Pluck.

Don't be jealous of other trannies that look better than you do. There'll always be girls who are thinner, or have more feminine features, or have better clothes. Equally, there'll always be some trannies who are less fortunate than you are. That's just the luck of the draw.

Take compliments at face value, give compliments honestly.

Remember the name of every tranny that you meet. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Exfoliate.

Don't feel guilty that you don't want to be the same kind of tranny as your peers. If you want to go around looking like an Vegas showgirl then do so. There isn't a right way to be a tranny. Once you choose to ignore the taboo that "boys don't wear girls clothes", every other rule becomes pretty much optional.

Buy good quality makeup.

Maybe you'll transition, maybe you won't, maybe you'll give it all up, maybe you won't, maybe you'll marry someone who hates you dressing, maybe you'll be the bride at your own wedding. Whatever happens, don't be too upset that other people are "better off" than you. Every tranny wants to have something that some other tranny is taking for granted. Trust me, that other tranny wants things they can't have too. The phrase "the grass is always greener" almost perfectly describes the tranny condition.

Talk things through with your partner. Even when it hurts. Even when you don't really know how you feel. Even when you think they finally understand and accept it all... they don't. Talk and keep talking.

Accept the fact that most of the stuff you buy you'll never wear.

Always dress to your age. Or younger than your age. Or older than your age.

Don't follow tips in beauty magazines, most of them are written for real girls and don't work for guys. For example... usually less is NOT more.

When it comes to telling other people, choose wisely. Never tell someone just because it's fun to surprise people. But equally, never avoid telling a friend because you're afraid how they'll react. They'll be cool with it, that's why they're a friend.

Accept that even your closest tranny friends are on different journeys from you. Work hard to stay friends even though they might be dressing more, or dressing less, or transitioning, or starting a family. Deep down, you'll share a bond that formed at that brief moment where you were both in the same head-space at the same time; and that never goes away.

Be a French maid, but don't equate femininity with servitude. Go blonde, but don't associate blonde with dumb.

Tuck, or at least try to hide it well.

Accept certain inevitabilities. People will stare, some will be even be rude. Just remember it's some people's fate in life to be assholes, and it's your fate in life to reveal who they are.

Don't shop at Transformation.

Don't take risks just for the thrill of it. Don't walk the streets at night on your own. Don't meet up with people without telling a friend where you are.

Be careful when taking advice from other trannies. They're all doing it for their own reasons, they all have their own agendas, and what worked for them might not work for you. Trannies like to flock together for moral support and guidance, but no one tranny in the world has all the answers. They just like to think that they do.

But trust me on the foundation.

Becky EnVérité

(with apologies to Mary Schmich)