I really enjoy everything about CD except.......

[CarlaWestin]

Well, in my case the number one thing would be eye makeup. I can barely see it while applying it, my aged wrinkled skin has to be pulled tight or its like trying to paint a dish rag, the chemicals it takes to remove it are toxic and I'm just not that good at it after all these years.

[tifftg]

Carla, I so know what you mean. What I want to achieve around my eyes and what I am able to do with my aging eyesight are two very different things. Eye liner is the most challenging. Love when I get it right though.
Nuetrogena (sp?) eye make up remover seems to be fairly mild.

[Jennifer_Ph]

Fake boobs, so I don't bother. :-)

[Sometimes Steffi]

There are magnifying makeup glasses (https://www.gearelevation.com/products/rotating-makeup-reading-glasses-magnifying-flip-down-cosmetic-readers-for-women) with only one lens that flips from side to side. Flip the lens to your right eye and apply makeup to your left eye and vice versa.

Many choices.

[Geena75]

Eye makeup can be trying, but I am such a non-perfectionist in that regard it isn't such a problem for me (with my very hooded eyes, you don't notice it much anyway.

My "except" would be shoes. I have such a time trying to find a pair that fits, let alone are comfortable. I like the look of taller heels, but they make my right knee ache after a bit. I have a couple pair of flats which feel alright but are boring. Sigh.

[MarinaTwelve200]

taking off the makeup. Gotta get EVERY trace. I have best luck with DAWN and hot water. Mineral oil or Vaseline gets what the former doesn't.

[CarlaWestin]

Thanks Stephi.
Hey y'all. Check these (https://www.walmart.com/search?q=magnifying%20makeup%20glasses&typeahead=magnifying%20make) out.

[NancySue]

Yep. Totally agree. Blurred vision, tearing, irratation, etc. Unless it?s one of those days, I usuall skip it.

[Genifer Teal]

Finding quality shoes to fit large feet. Also non fetish very high heels.

[Geena75]

taking off the makeup. Gotta get EVERY trace. I have best luck with DAWN and hot water. Mineral oil or Vaseline gets what the former doesn't.

Good point. When I get made up it takes a lot of foundation and I have also found Dawn a good cleaning agent. I wet my face, then rub Dawn over everywhere but the eyes, then wash it all off. I use neutrogena makeup removing wipes for the eyes and lipstick, though.

[Sometimes Steffi]

Taking off the nail polish.

Once, I took of my nail polish at home before meeting up with my wife at church. I thought I got it all but when I got to church and saw it in bright sunlight, I saw what a bad job I did. Fortunately I had more nail polish in the car and did an extra scrub before meeting my wife. The consequences would have been catastrophic.

[DanielleDubois]

The maintenance required to stay smooth all over. I don’t mind the actual shaving process but wish I didn’t have to do it quite so often. I have tried epilating but in my personal experience it didn’t last much longer than shaving. And something permanent like laser would be a deal breaker with my wife.

I have tried the flip up glasses for eye makeup but I found them awkward to use. My best success has been with a decent quality hand held magnifying mirror . You don’t want to use too high power of magnification or you need to hold the mirror too close to be of practical use.

[Cassie2024]

I think I can deal with makeup and other unique things I do to present feminine. I think the one thing i get frustrated with is the ebb and flow of the desire to dress. I tire of the emerging desire, go through a period of dressing and then after a while, I'm done with it. At this point, i am wise enough to know this period is only temporary. I've long stopped purging clothes. But the back and forth can tire me a bit.

[Kris Burton]

The cost outlay. This sport ain't cheap!

[Kayy]

Finding quality shoes to fit large feet. Also non fetish very high heels.

Me too! Being size 10 (uk) and wide fit is a problem.

[Verona]

Having to undress and wear drab.
I so wish I could be en femme everyday.
Stamps feet and sulks.

[Ressie]

I use a magnifying mirror to apply eye makeup. It helps a lot. To remove eye makeup I use Garnier micellar water with a microfiber cloth. Someone told me about this stuff during the pandemic. Squirt some on the cloth, hold the cloth on your eye for a few seconds, then wipe a few times.

Of course you can use it to remove makeup on your entire face too. I like that it gets makeup off pretty quick and no worries about getting some in your eyes.

My biggest problem with CDing is that my feet weren't made for walking in heels. I was born with foot problems yet I love wearing heels. They're just not good for my feet.

[CarlaWestin]

I'm loving the DAWN and hot water remarks. Like cleaning baby ducks after an oil spill!

[CynthiaD]

I agree that taking off makeup and nail polish is the worst part of CDing. It's not just the bother. It's also the feeling of going from how I’m supposed to look to looking weird.

[Sometimes Steffi]

The cost outlay. This sport ain't cheap!

IDK. Compare it to a good set of golf clubs and expensive greens fees. LOL.

[Stephanie47]

As an in-home dresser I have ditched the makeup routine with the exception of lip color. It's enough of a reminder to see lip color on a coffee mug. When I venture forth for an evening drive and stroll it's the same. Nobody is going to see my well aged face in the evening darkness. In my youth I HAD to wear makeup and false nails or I felt incomplete. There were times when I scrubbed my face raw trying to make sure I removed all the makeup. My wife once made the comment I did not too a good enough removing the eye makeup. Ugh! I looked around and noticed women normally do not go through extraordinary efforts on a daily basis. I just stay away from mirrors.

[Fiona_44]

I hate coming home late at night and having to take all the makeup off. Tired, just want to hit the sack but having to remove all that stuff is a pain.

[CarlaWestin]

Steffi, when I actually do nail polish I put two coats of clear on first and get it in those hard to clean places.
I would rub my hands with a moist bar of Ivory soap before working on cars back in the day to make cleanup easy.
Works good as long as you don't get your hands wet.

[Debbie Denier]

Not having wife?s acceptance.

[Raychel]

I really enjoy everything about CD except........

the fact that I cannot pass and don't have the nerve to step out
in my prefered dressing mode. So when ever I go out it has to be in guy mode.
It is always a real struggle to change to guy clothes.

[chrissy111]

I really haven't found anything that I am not fond of with it.

[Jane G]

I really enjoy everything about CD except, when I have to go back to drab, simples.

[Sara Marshall]

My biggest annoyance is the fact I look much better in male mode with a beard, so I would say that?s the biggest reason I don?t dress as much. Wish I could go in between shaven and a full beard overnight, but I really enjoy both sides of me so it?s a small price to pay.

[audreyinalbany]

everything except that fact that my wife isn't on board. I mostly want to do things together with the person I love the most in the world, but for her that's a bridge too far.

[Veronica Villalovos]

Have you looked into natural make up? I am researching for that, apparently since it is natural and organic, it does not damage your skin like synthetic make up does. It might be a little more expensive but since it is organic it may last longer before it goes bad so in the long run it may cost about the same but without the negative side effects, I think it is worth a look into. I wish you good luck finding something you like.

[Brynna M]

The hiding. (My wife is opposed and even a slip up in DADT would disrupt the peace I value my kid having in our family) For the girls who hate makeup removal neutrogena wipes and eye make up remover do an easy non skin irritating and quick job.

[Celine 9]

Applying makeup. I have never applied any make up. I wound need a transformation service to help me put on makeup. Otherwise, I would have to but silicone mask to cover my face.

[EmilyShy]

Embarrassment feelings

Emily xx

[SophiaRose]

Remembering every cup I used in the house to remove the lipstick. There?s always that nagging feeling I missed one.

[Bea_]

except for the fact that, the better I feel about myself and my own aesthetic, the more ostracized I feel from anyone I would want to be or remain close to.

[alwayshave]

I agree that removing all your makeup is difficult. I can never get all my eyeliner and mascara off.

[Georgia Rose]

Shies, always shoes getting shoes that fit at a reasonable price. I've just had to throw a few pair out so I'll be back looking again soon. Frustrating.

[MonikaCD]

I agree that removing all your makeup is difficult. I can never get all my eyeliner and mascara off.

Try makeup removing wipes, but instead of trying to wipe with a wipe ;) , hold it against your eyelashes and wait few-several seconds for the mascara or eyeliner to dissolve then gently wipe once. Repeat as needed (2-3 times is usually enough) and it's done. Very quick and easy and I know many people are doing it wrong.

[Christina89]

My only exception to my CDing is makeup. For the past 10 years I have always had a beard and still struggle to shave it all off due to how different I look. I?ve always said the male equivalent to makeup is their beard.

[Cheryl T]

My nails being terrible and always ruining my best stockings.
If only I could have nice nails.

[Pauline Quirky]

For me it's the way nothing seems to want to stay where it should be. Like hips and boobs sliding down, corset falling apart after a few uses, wigs getting tangled or not staying in place, skirts and dresses riding up and exposing everything, eye make-up going wrong, getting make-up all over my clothes, tights laddering etc etc.

Then there's the whole psychology of feeling totally amazing and gorgeous one minute, then seeing the old man face showing through a minute later :sad:

It's all worth it in the end though :battingeyelashes:

[Danielle_cder]

Taking everything off after putting hours into putting it on

[Staci]

Knowing that no matter how well I do with my make-up, wig, and nails I still look like a guy in make-up, wig, and painted nails.

[CDMargret]

The Wigs. Hot, won't really stay in place. Getting in my mouth and blocking my already bad vision. I got a wig topper. Clips on which kinda pulls on your hair. Cooler, thinner and less weight. Making wearing one a bit more tolerable. Second would be the purse. She never stays on my shoulders.

[BrendaPDX]

For me it's the unpacking and packing of all of Brenda's clothes. But yes eye makeup would be next up for dislikes.

[Debs]

False eyelashes, cannot put them on to save m life !!!!

[BaliGirl]

Finding a run or hole in my nylon stockings.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Carla :hugs:Is a learning expereance, The GG's start learning it around 12 years old,

[Abbycd41]

Finding shoes that fit me. I find a pair that I like and not in my size.

[Elizabeth G]

The fact that it's crossedressing. I should have been born XX.

[April Rose]

Purging, all the time lost over the years in ineffectual daydreaming, failed attempts to buy things in stores, waffling and then chickening out about going out, or going out and then feeling guilty or self-loathing about it later, all the money spent on therapy, the stress it occasionally caused in an otherwise long and happy marriage, a sense of isolation from mainstream society. The list goes on.

We pay a high price for our gender identities , or our personal proclivities, depending on how each of us experiences it.

Don't get me wrong, as I sit here and type this, in the dress I've worn since I got up today; I do not regret being in the transgender spectrum. The hard lessons I have learned from it have not come without aesthetic pleasures. But it isn't an easy life, and I doubt many of us would choose it, if we weren't compelled to it.