Hair: We Love It. We Hate It.
by Barbara Van Horn
No question we have a love-hate relationship with hair.
The perfect hairstyle on your head is magic.
Having tons of it growing on you legs, chest and back isn't.
Let's take on the magic part first.
At a distance, your hair is the first thing people notice.
Only after you come closer do people get to see our faces, our eyes, our lips or even how tall and wide we are.
My wig is the last thing I put on and the thing I most hate to take off.
It's truly my "crowning glory" and key to a great transformation.
Clearly, this is one item of presentation we want to get right.
However, girls, alas, having hair just like Britney Spears will not get you a job as her double in her next video.
So what goes into selecting the wig and style that makes your transformation an absolute success?
Let's answer some questions to see where it is we want to be.
First, where are you going?
Are you staying home or going out?
If you're going out, is it a daytime or evening affair?
Are you planning on being in very public places or just an evening with the "girls"?
Do you want to be noticed, or do you want to blend in?
For my purposes here, I want to be out in public in informal surroundings, perhaps shopping or for dinner.
I also want to blend in, that is, look very nice but unremarkable.
(Note: If you actually want everyone to gaze at you constantly, be sure you are stunningly passable in every respect.
However, if you are openly nursing an infant or in the actual process of giving birth you can pass regardless of what hairstyle you choose.)
In next month's I forsake my old standard favorite (the one in the picture above) and try something new.
In fact, several somethings new.
Check back and see what works nicely and what looks hideous as I search for a great hair style.
How do I find the best hairstyle for me?
Here's how Barb Quinn at http://www.visual-makeover.com says we can figure out our face shape.
It's critical to choosing a great style.
Oh, by the way, Barb will give you a personal consultation and tips complete with video and six recommended styles.
Just send her a couple of pictures and $49.95.
No cash?
Keep reading!
To find out the shape of your face measure it with a tape measure or ruler.
You will take the following measurements:
- Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones.
Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.
- Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point.
Write down the measurement.
- Measure across your forehead at the widest point.
Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline.
Write down the measurement.
- Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.
Got the numbers?
Try to match them with the descriptions below.
| Oval Face |
 |
Length equal to one and a half times width. |
|---|
| Round Face |
 |
Your face is as wide as it is long.
This may vary a little but generally the measure is close. |
|---|
| Oblong |
 |
Longer than it is wide. |
|---|
| Heart |
 |
Narrow at jaw line, wide at cheekbones/and or forehead. |
|---|
| Square |
 |
Your face is about as wide as it is long. |
|---|
Diamond
(or Triangular) |
Widest at cheekbones, narrow forehead and jaw line of approximately equal widths. |
|---|
Now check and see which of the faces below is most like your own, and you're on your way to great hair!
- Oval Face
- The perfect face shape, it also is the most versatile.
Nearly every style looks sensational on this model face with perfect symmetry.
In long styles, a great classic look is a center or side part with hair touching shoulders.
The short-layered looks with curls and a close extended nape focus on this oval.
- Round Face
- This shape is wide, with full cheeks and a circular form.
The goal: to slim your face.
Hair below the chin line should be worn with a face-lengthening center part; for hair above chin line, wear an off-center part to minimize roundness.
Height at the crown and a bare forehead lengthen and slim the face.
In short-angled styles, you are best seen with hair brushed away from the face, building extra crown height to narrow the roundness of your features.
Though bangs shorten the face, you can wear curly, tousled side bangs.
Always avoid straight-falling bangs.
Wear longer styles closer to the face to give length.
- Oblong Face
- This shape is long and thin, often with a chin that tends to look pointed.
This shape benefits from a low side part, with a sweep of hair brushed across the forehead and secured with a comb.
The look of volume with an asymmetric flow of hair to one side widens your face and reduces length.
Straight-falling bangs or bangs blended with the sides of your hair shorten the overall face length.
Your best hair length reaches to the middle of the neck.
Favor volume with curly or wavy styles that are very becoming, giving you the illusion of balanced width.
- Heart Face
- This shape has a wide brow, full and/or prominent cheekbones and a narrow chin.
The goal: diminish forehead width and create a wider, fuller jaw effect.
Wear a side part with soft three-quarter bangs swept over one side to balance your forehead width.
A medium length to mid-neck is your best look.
Fullness at the bottom, with hair directed forward onto the cheeks gives you the appearance of a wide chin.
Curls or loose waves, shaped from the ears down, add width and fullness to your chin.
- Square Face
- This face is characterized by an angular jaw and square brow, with jaw and brow being nearly the same width.
The goal: soften the sharp angle of jawline and minimize squared-off brow.
Wear your best styles with hair swinging forward onto the face to reduce the angles.
Hair length is best about 1-1/2" below the chin, or extending to shoulder length to reduce and soften the squareness of your jaw.
Hair worn on the forehead is always perfect for you, as long as it is wispy of fringed.
Never wear straight bangs.
Hair turned under at the bottom also will narrow the width of the jaw.
Styles in loose curls and waves add extra dimension to the square face.
- Triangular Face
- This shape has a wide chin and a narrow forehead.
The goal: narrow the chin and widen the forehead.
Be sure to select those styles with full volume at the sides to balance your face shape.
Wear your hair wide and full at the temples, brushed away from the face and up toward the ear to widen forehead; from the ear, angle hair forward toward the chin to soften and narrow a strong jaw.
Your best hair length: chin length or longer.
This newsletter is a labor of love for of our contributing editrixes.
Please join the staff by submitting your own insights into the world of cross-dressing.
Send your input to:
Rachel Boyd, or R.R. Boyd, P.O. Box 2252, Ashburn, VA 20146-9152.
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Updated: 05/08/04
