Oh makeup. I was a wreck early in my transition. My wife helped me pick out some makeup and taught me some basics. She then tolerated my inevitable crying and delays each morning when I would make a mistake and feel like I had to start over. Between trying to learn everything and going through Puberty 2 : Estrogenic Boogaloo, it was kind of rough.

Pretty great on the other side though. Few things have felt as good as my wife asking me for makeup tips!

i was watching a video the other day, i think it was Tirrrb, and i heard something that’s been rolling around my brain. for an amab trying to surpress trans identity issues, the act of getting married and having children can be purely perfomative masculinity. all throughout childhood boys are taught that having a family is super important, it makes sense to assume that’s the magical thing that will suddenly make you feel alright in your body.

transitions after having kids arguably make more sense from an outsider perspective. you literally did all the things you’re supposed to do as a man, according to media. at that point if you’re even considering it, i reckon it’s time to start taking some small steps and seeing how you feel!

even miniscule, “undetectable to anyone but you” kinda steps if you want, at the end of the day this is about you being happy :)

Plenty of men wear makeup. Embrace your inner goth.

Personal note: this is one of the many gendered things I simply refuse to acknowledge as gendered. There are plenty of instance where it’s perfectly normal (thus mentioning goth) and it shouldn’t be gender specific to want a more uniform completion.