Sometimes it’s the little details that make the biggest difference.

Take hands, for example…

You may have a feminine face, a melodic voice, and a body like Beyoncé – but if your hands send the wrong gender signal, you might be not making the impression you hoped for.

You can’t change the structure of your hands, of course. But the good news is that there are simple ways to downplay their size and make them look more feminine.

Read on for 4 dos and don’ts for feminizing your hands.

DO invest in the right grooming tools

Since we’re constantly using our hands, they’re a natural magnet for attention. That means that neatly groomed hands and nails are a must.

Good grooming doesn’t have to take much time – especially when you use the right tools. Here are a few items you should have in your arsenal:

• Nail brush – This is an essential tool for cleaning under the fingernails.

• Glass nail file – A glass nail file is gentler on the nails, so it’s a better option than an emery board or metal nail file.

• Nail buffer – Use a nail buffer to give your nails a natural shine without having to use polish.

• Hand cream – Hand creams are thicker than body lotions, so they offer extra hydration for hands and nails.

DON’T make these manicure mistakes

Whether you go to a salon or do it yourself, getting a manicure is a great way to polish your feminine look.

That said, there are couple mistakes you’ll want to avoid:

• Avoid nails that are too long or too short. Both of these extremes tend to make the fingers look more stubby. The most flattering nail length is about 1/8″-1/4″ past your fingertips.

• Avoid bright nail polish colors. If your hands aren’t your strong point, avoid bold colors and stick with neutral tones that blend into your hands. (Good options are soft pink, nude, or ivory.) Save the fun colors for your toes.

DON’T forget hairy knuckles

This seems obvious, but it still needs to be stated: If you have hairy knuckles, don’t forget to shave them when presenting yourself as a woman. No need for such a simple detail to run an otherwise impeccable feminine image!

DO use jewelry to your advantage

Rings and bracelets can definitely make your hands look prettier, but there are a couple important rules to follow:

• Avoid delicate jewelry. Dainty rings and bracelets are feminine, but they’re usual a “don’t” for crossdressers and transgender women. Delicate jewelry only makes your hands look bigger in comparison. Instead, look for chunkier jewelry styles that suit the proportions of your hands.

• Keep it low key. Flashy rings and bracelets call attention to an area you probably want to downplay. That means one or two simple pieces is all you need. Instead, keep the focus on your face with a statement necklace or beautiful earrings.

In conclusion

While your hands might not be your favorite feature, they don’t have to distract from a feminine look. Apply these tips and your hands will blend in beautifully.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about your hands? Do you have any additional suggestions to add to this list?

Love,
Lucille

P.S. Hands are just one important detail of many. To evaluate your full feminine image, download my free Flawless Feminine Image Checklist below!

Summertime is a great time to step out en femme, but let’s face – the warm weather definitely has its challenges.

For one thing, it’s hard to feel your best as you’re sweating off all of your makeup. And for another thing, it’s just too darn hot for shapewear, hosiery, and all the other accoutrements you might rely on to create your perfect feminine image.

The good news is that with a few small tweaks, you can look as flawless and feminine in the summer as you do the rest of the year.

Here are 10 warm weather essentials for your male to female transformation.

1. Sweat-Proof Primer

The best tip for summer makeup is to wear as little of it as possible. The next best tip is to use a primer to reduce shine and keep your makeup in place. Here are 4 primers worth trying:

• Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer

• Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

• Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer

2. Foam Breast Forms

If you wear breast forms, then you know there’s nothing worse than how hot and sweaty they can make you feel in the summertime. Instead of your usual silicon breast forms, opt for foam breast forms for a lighter and cooler feel.

3. Summer Fragrance

Fragrances can change on your body when the temperature rises – making heavy, musky fragrances overbearing in the summertime. Switch to a lighter, fresher scent for the summer like Escada Turquoise Summer or Victoria’s Secrets Coconut Sunset Fragrance Mist.

4. Blotting Papers

Blotting papers are a girl’s best friend in warm weather. Use them to absorb excess oil from your face instead of adding powder, which can lead to a cakey look. I recommend NYX Cosmetics Blotting Paper (at less than $ 4 a pop!).

5. Cotton Underwear

Natural fabrics that breathe are the key to staying sweat and odor free. This applies to everything you wear, including your undies. Make sure you have a collection of cute cotton panties for the summer. A cotton bra can also be a lifesaver.

6. SPF Moisturizer

The truth is, you should be using sunblock on your face all year long to protect you from wrinkles and premature aging. But it’s especially critical during the summer months. Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer is a great all-in-one moisturizer with SPF 15 coverage.

7. Flattering Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a summertime essential. The trick is to choose frames that flatter your face for the most feminine look. Since many crossdressers and transgender women have a square face shape, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Look for sunglasses with a rounded shape.

• The larger your face, the larger the frames should be.

• Choose frames that extend past the widest part of your face.

• Avoid anything with a square shape, which draws unwanted attention to the angles of your face.

8. Anti-Frizz Spray

Heat and humidity leads to frizz, which makes summer hairstyling a real pain – whether you sport your own natural hair or wear a wig. To control frizz and maintain shine, use a smoothing spray such as Moroccanoil Frizz Control for natural hair or HD Smooth Detangler by Jon Renau for synthetic hair.

9. Exfoliating Body Scrub

Baring more skin in the summer means more shaving. And that – combined with sweat – can cause ingrown hairs and breakouts. Exfoliating is your best bet to keep pores and hair follicles clear. Use an exfoliating body wash a few times per week. TREE HUT Shea Sugar Scrub is a good one.

10. Maxidress

The #1 rule for dressing in the summertime is to think loose and cool instead of tight and hot. It’s not about baring the most skin, but wearing clothes that allow your skin to breath.

A maxi dress is a summer essential that every girl should own. Choose a style that skims your body to smooth over figure flaws and create a feminine-looking body shape.

Share your summer look!

While summer might bring its own set of beauty challenges, it’s also a liberating time to step out en femme. There’s nothing like enjoying a carefree, balmy evening and feeling the warm breeze around your bare legs.

I’d love to see YOUR summer look, so please upload a photo and share it in the comments below!

And if you have any other summer essentials to add to this list, be sure to share them with us.

Love,
Lucille

P.S. No matter time of year it is, it’s always a great time to be your most polished, feminine self. Learn more with my FREE 3-part Male to Female Makeover Course. Sign up for free here!