When presenting yourself as a woman, every detail matters. The way you act is just as important as the way you look. This includes etiquette!

Does etiquette sound like an old-fashioned concept from the 1950s? It’s not.

Knowing the proper etiquette makes you look classy and goes a long way towards a positive first impression. (Besides, you never know when you might be invited to dinner at the White House or Buckingham Palace!)

Etiquette is a huge topic, so in this post, I focus on the most common social situations. Read on for 6 etiquette tips you should know before your next en femme outing.

1. Girly greetings

Greetings can be a landmine of potential awkwardness. Should you hug, kiss, or shake hands?

The rules are straightforward when meeting somebody for the first time:

• Shake the hand of the person you are being introduced to.

• If you are sitting down, stand up to shake their hand.

• Look them in the eyes and smile.

• Bonus points if you say the other person’s name you meet them.

Kissing, air kissing, and hugs depend on cultural norms and how well you know somebody. When in doubt, let the other person lead.

Of course, if it’s a good friend, feel free to hug or kiss away!

2. The proper place for your purse

Where you put your purse say a lot about your manners. Did you know that putting your purse on the table is considered rude? That’s because it’s unhygienic.

Here’s what you should do instead:

Handbag etiquette:

• In casual settings, you can hang your bag on the back of your chair. In formal settings, this is considered poor etiquette since it can trip up the wait staff.

• The other option is to place it on your lap or at your feet.

• You can also use a purse hook. This is a small hook you carry with you to hang your bag on the table. (Queen Elizabeth II is said to have used one!)

Clutch bag etiquette:

• Place the clutch on your lap (with your napkin on top) or behind you on your chair.

3. Napkin etiquette

Napkin etiquette is simple: As soon as you are seated, put the napkin on your lap. You should never begin eating or drinking without your napkin on your lap.

If you get up to use the restroom, fold the napkin and place it on the left side of your plate.

4. How to hold your wine glass

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been holding your wine glass wrong.

The mistake most people make is to hold the glass by the “bowl.” This is a faux pas since it warms the drink inside and leaves smudge marks on the glass.

Instead, hold the glass at the stem by grasping it between your thumb and index finger. (Who votes for a “practice” session tonight?!)

5. Use the right utensils

Ah, the classic etiquette question: Which fork do I use? The answer is to start with the outermost utensil and work your way in with each course.

6. A grand finale

Now that you’ve made it through the occasion with perfect, ladylike manners, how do you make a grand finale?

• When you are done eating, rest your utensils diagonally across your plate.

• Your napkin should remain on your lap until you’re ready to leave the table.

• Never leave a party or event without saying your goodbyes. “Ghosting” is just plain rude.

Etiquette matters

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Etiquette might not be the “sexiest” topic, but these details make a difference.

Curious to know more? Check out Emily Post’s Etiquette, 18th Edition.

Did any of these etiquette rules surprise you? Do you have any others to add to this list? Please share in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille

P.S. Want to learn more tips on mastering your feminine presentation? Sign up for my free 3-part Male to Female Makeover Course here!

Your face is the first thing people notice about you. That means your makeup can make or break a feminine first impression.

Does your makeup application look more drag queen than beauty queen? Or have you mastered the art of subtle, beautiful makeup?

No matter what your skill level, there are a few key strategies that apply to everybody. Read on for my top 6 makeup tips for crossdressers and transgender women.

1. Invest in good makeup brushes

Quite simply, it’s impossible to apply masterful makeup without the right tools.

Forget about the tiny, cheap applicators that come packaged with most makeup. Upgrading to high quality brushes will give you much more control, immediately upgrading the look of your makeup.

Here are the basic brushes you should own:

1. Foundation brush
2. Concealer brush
3. Powder brush
4. Blush brush
5. Flat eyeshadow brush
6. Eyeshadow blending brush
7. Lip brush

2. Use color correctors

If you have skin issues like a beard shadow, blemishes, or dark circles under your eyes, the solution is NOT to bury them under thick concealer. Your makeup will look much more natural if you start with a color corrector.

The idea behind color correctors is to use a complimentary tone to neutralize imperfections. This allows you to achieve beautiful skin with less makeup.

For example, you should use a pink or red corrector to neutralize a dark beard shadow – or a green corrector to neutralize redness.

You can find color corrector tutorials on YouTube or get more in depth training from makeup artist Chris Scott in our Makeup Magic Program.

3. Don’t ignore your eyebrows

A mistake I see many crossdressers and transgender women make is leaving the house with ungroomed eyebrows.

Since eyebrows create the frame for your face, they are literally one of the first things people notice about you. Why allow misshaped brows ruin an otherwise good makeup look?

If you can, get your eyebrows professionally shaped. A good esthetician can groom your eyebrows so they look good in both girl and guy mode (if need be).

Also, be sure to check out my previous article on eyebrow feminization (including a step-by-step video tutorial).

4. Practice, practice, practice

Makeup is like any other skill – the more you practice, the better you get. And the better you get at doing your makeup, the prettier and more convincing you will look as a woman.

A fun way to practice is to find makeup tutorials on YouTube that you can follow along with. Here are some good ones:

• Easy Beginners Makeup Tutorial
• 10 Minute Evening Look Makeup Tutorial
• Day Makeup Tutorial For Mature Skin

5. Book a lesson with a professional makeup artist

If you struggle with your makeup skills, one of the best investments you can make is a lesson with a professional makeup artist.

A good makeup artist will teach you proper makeup application techniques, help you find your best colors, and ensure that you are applying your makeup correctly. This is important because all the practice in the world won’t help if you are only reinforcing bad technique.

6. Take good care of your skin

Your skin is literally the canvas for your makeup.

Proper skin care can go a long way towards improving your skin’s texture and appearance. Not only will this make you look better, it’ll help your makeup go on smoother and last longer.

Here are 3 simple skin care tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid using harsh soaps on your face. Use gentle facial cleansers only.
• Apply facial moisturizer daily.
• Use a face mask at least every other week. (This is a great ritual for pampering your inner woman!)

Ready to learn more?

Check out my previous article, How to Feminize Your Face, for more male to female makeup tips and techniques.

Or download Makeup Magic: The Ultimate Male to Female Makeup Program to learn all the essential makeup skills every crossdresser or TG woman should know. Get instant access to 10 easy-to-follow video tutorials taught by a professional makeup artist Chris Scott.

As always, I’d love to hear from you!

Do you struggle with makeup or have you mastered this skill? What is the #1 makeup tip or trick you’ve learned?

Please share in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille