Kayday

China would be an attractive choice if it wasn't for their disappointing policies regarding trans people

I'm trying so hard not to be jealous! You look amazing girlfriend!

AFAB vs AMAB makeup is a different art, so unfortunately it's not surprising that your partner's instincts on where to put highlights / shadows / volume was not to your liking.

I paint miniatures as a hobby, and I've come to realise that most of the principles transfer to makeup. First off, get a set of makeup brushes if you don't already. Some things to note:

• know how to properly "load" your brush (after dipping my brush in liquid foundation, I work it in with a few swipes on my hand)
• thin coats of foundation are your friend, less is more
• add highlights to the center of your face (nose tip, forehead between your brows, eye bags, etc)
• if necessary, add shadows/contour to the outside of your face ( sides of chin/jaw, beneath cheek bone)
• eyeliner should be applied with your eyes open, unless you're fixing a line toward the end
• having some q tips or an old brush to wipe off excess makeup is huge (eyeliner, shadow, lipstick, etc)

Most of the time, foundation looks bad if you can see it. If you are happy with your skin, don't wear it. Make sure you are using a colour that matches your skin tone. Repeating myself because it's important, less is more.

Echoing what others have said, HRT does help a lot with makeup looking more natural. I'd say my skills a year ago were about as good as they are now, but in that time HRT has helped what I do look more "correct" for lack of a better word. Most days I don't feel the need to contour, just using concealer for highlights.

Getting a face of makeup and not liking the end result is horribly dysphoria inducing for me as well, which made practicing really difficult initially. I will say that it gets better with practice. Just like voice training, the light at the end of the tunnel is there. Good luck 🩷🫂

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation, that is really difficult. No one should have to choose between themselves and who they love.

Fwiw, penile shrinkage is mostly an issue since you don't get spontaneous erections anymore. However if you become erect often, you should see less / no shrinkage.

As you're probably aware, the first 3 or so months of HRT have no permanent changes. (fertility possibly, but the science isn't conclusive) If you start now like you want, that's another 3 months for you and your partner to talk things over. A person's mind can change a lot in that time.

My wife does not consider herself bi, but came to realize with time that she loves me as a person more than my body. (She hasn't labeled herself, but I think she may be demisexual) I will add that there was about 13 months between coming out to my wife, and starting HRT; she had time to be fully on board with that.

It sounds like she wants you to pursue treatment, but isn't thrilled about the implications. I know you implied she is heteromantic, but do you think that opening your relationship is a possible answer? (I have no experience with that, just asking)

Best of luck, I'm sure you will have some tough conversations ahead 🫂

I was told the other day by someone younger than me that saying "okay boomer" is cringe now. The new hot hip fan-didly-tastic slang is "unc status" or "aunt status", apparently. Means the same thing, but in sleek Gen-Z packaging.

Hi! So ymmv, but this was my experience.

I also had taken years to become more comfortable with sex, prior to starting hrt. I have been on hrt now for almost a year, and things have changed a lot.

however

The changes were all things that I was able to clearly communicate to my partner, which made it easier for her. I wasn't confused, just knew that my body appreciates a different approach now.
I would say that I started from an "okay" place, sexually. Now I am very confident and comfortable.

My libido took a dive initially, but is now up to a level I am happy with. I think it's improved since I feel more desirable now. I don't worry anymore, "ugh, why would anyone want to have sex with that," when I look in the mirror.

Thank you, kind stranger!
(This generic reddit reply is covered under fair use doctrine)

$2 Million bond

Well I know what his church's next fundraising campaign will be.

It's the lighting of the board more than the handwriting that looks fake, although that is very clean handwriting if real.

I don't disagree, but I still want to see more of this. This is a good thing.

I've been kicking the can down the road but I finally installed Linux last weekend. Couldn't be happier to have Windows garbage off my PC.

Spoiler for the Alien franchise: the 1% is bad, mkay?