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!

What do you think of when you hear the word “ladylike?”

Beauty, poise, and class? Or outdated ideas of femininity?

To me, being ladylike means being classy, gracious, and elegant. No matter what your idea of femininity might be, I’m sure we can agree that those are great traits to have.

So what should you do to present yourself as a lady? I think the best way to answer that is to talk about what NOT to do…

Here are 5 common mistakes that make you less ladylike:

Mistake #1: Showing too much skin

Being ladylike definitely doesn’t mean being a buttoned-up prude. However, good taste goes a long way when presenting yourself as a woman.

It can be tricky to know how much is too much, so here are some simple guidelines to keep in mind:

• Show off one part of your body and keep the rest covered. A little mystery is sexy, so show off your legs, breasts, or back – just not all at once.

• Flaunt the right amount of cleavage. A good rule of thumb is to reveal 20%-40% of your bust. This gives you sex appeal, while keeping it classy.

• Try the finger length test. To determine the proper skirt length, stand up straight and put your arms to your side. If your fingertips fall past the hem of your skirt, it’s too short.

Mistake #2: Not minding your manners

Good manners and etiquette are dying arts in today’s world. Saying “please” and “thank you” are simple ways to elevate your ladylike status.

The rules of etiquette can be a bit more confusing. Here are a couple great articles from the oh-so-ladylike Lauren Conrad on etiquette matters you might face on an outing:

• Ladylike Laws: Restaurant Dining
• Ladylike Laws: How to Hold Your Drinks

Mistake #3: Being sloppy with your grooming

Grooming can make or break your feminine image. In fact, studies show that grooming has more of an impact on your attractiveness than the physical features you were born with.

Are your grooming habits up to par? If this area needs work, be sure to see my article on 5 feminine grooming habits not to ignore.

Mistake #4: Losing control

One of the most important qualities of a lady (and of any respectable human being) is self control – especially when you’re out in public.

In other words, no diva acts, angry outbursts, or public displays of drunkenness. It seems obvious, but if celebrity tabloids are any indication, it’s not.

Mistake #5: Poor posture or body language

Finally, don’t forget that your posture and body language communicate more about you than anything you say. Here are some major no-nos:

• Slouching
• Biting your nails or playing with your hair
• Not making eye contact
• Crossing your arms

For an even more comprehensive list, check out my post on 27 male to female body language mistakes to avoid.

Do you aspire to be ladylike?

So what do you think of the term “ladylike,” anyway? Do you find it outdated and offensive towards women? Or a feminine quality worth aspiring to?

As always, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Love,
Lucille

P.S. If you liked these tips, you’ll love my FREE 3-part Male to Female Makeover Course. Sign up for free here!