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So you’ve been active on a transgender dating site or ts dating app for a while and finally caught the eye of a trans woman. You chatted, truly enjoyed the back-and-forth, and feel a strong enough connection to take this to the next level.

Yet this is where things tend to get complicated. Online dating is already quite the challenge, but taking any relationship offline can prove daunting, no matter what gender you and your match identify as. The questions remain the same: When is the best time to suggest a real-life date, even at a safe distance if necessary? How can you be certain your potential partner feels the same? If you gathered the courage, how do you phrase your question?

Let’s assume that somehow, you did it. And congratulations, they said yes!

Now the real adventure starts. When you’re dating a transgender woman, you will face more – or rather, different – challenges on your romantic journey.

Your presence on trans dating sites indicates that you already know a bit about trans issues and the reality of transgender lives. However, if you are genuine in your interest when it comes to exploring dating a transgender woman, you will need to do your homework, as they say.

This homework includes research on several aspects of transgender life, including the harder parts and topics you, as a cis person (that is, a person who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth), might not have on your radar yet. The lack of true and practical information, which may be difficult to come by online if you aren’t entrenched in the community, further complicates your progress.

Fortunately, you have found this guide and thus a great starting point! If you have been wondering what it would be like to date a trans woman or if you have started dating one and need a roadmap to help you navigate the dynamics, the following information will be very useful.

Research and Reflect

Before you begin your search for a trans woman on any transgender dating site or ts dating app, you should take a bit of time to research and understand the various aspects of the transgender community.

Topics we recommend you explore if only on the surface, include but are not limited to: 

– What does trans/transgender mean? How does it relate to the concepts of intersex or the term transvestite?

– What is the difference between sex and gender?

– What are common gender stereotypes and how does the trans community work to dismantle them? What are gender nonconforming practices?

– What legal and medical ramifications are involved in being trans? What role do hormones play? What surgery options are available, and how difficult is it to access them? Who opts for surgery and why, who decides against it?

You do not need to spend too long doing this research before you will have successfully dispelled several myths about transgender lives.

Having at least a basic understanding of these concepts and questions will lessen the burden your future partner or date will have to carry. Just like it is not on people of color to educate their white friends on the realities of racism and ‘Life While BIPOC’, do not expect trans people to enlighten you. Some might be willing to, but the onus is on you to learn.

While doing this research, you might want to reflect on your own experiences. How do you experience your gender? What shaped it? What stereotypes do you maybe harbor? How does this affect the way you approach dating?

Dating a trans woman may not fit your preconceived ideas of dating a cis woman. We assure you, however, that it will be worth the effort you invest in opening yourself up for new experiences.

Avoid Transgender Talk During Your Dates

While you might be curious about your date’s history or details about their life as a trans woman, never make the mistake of delving too deep into the subject of transgender. Just as curiosity killed the cat, it could also kill any relationship potential that was budding between you and a trans woman. It is possible that the subject might pop up later, but in the beginning, it is better to err on the side of caution and steer away from potentially awkward subjects. Remember that, for most people, their gender is an intimate subject, and talking about it with anyone requires trust and feeling secure in the situation.

Even if she initiates the subject at some point, we recommend proceeding carefully. Be careful of boundaries and intrusive questions. However, when she expresses willingness to talk about transgender topics and her own journey, listen keenly and without judgment. Show that you appreciate the trust she places in you and proves yourself worthy of this trust.

First Impression Matters

How you meet the trans woman on your first date may make or break any chances you have of a long-term romantic relationship. Since yes, first impressions matter. Beyond the way you communicate, this also holds true for attire and clothes.

While not every female-presenting person in the trans community values fashion and spends ample time on styling themselves, putting an effort into one’s appearance is a form of self-care. If we feel comfortable in our skin, we will looser and more relaxed when meeting a potential partner for the first time.

You should complement this by putting effort into your dress and maintenance. You do not need to dress up to the nines – but make choosing an outfit an active and conscious choice. Select something that reflects you and your character, don’t ‘dress up’ or pretend you are something you’re not. Natural charm goes a long way and shows your date that you are genuine in your interest.

Be a Gentleperson

Some transgender women enjoy presenting even more feminine than their cisgender counterparts. Other trans women may act more genderneutral or be actively nonconforming and/or fluid. Regardless of how they present, be a gentlemanly date. Not in a condescending way, but from a place of deep respect.

Whether you are a cis man or a cis woman and about to date a transgender lady, you can be courteous. Chivalry, in the sense of pulling out chairs or opening doors, might have a very positive effect on your date. However, only do this if it fits your personality and style. As with clothing, there is no need to pretend you are something you aren’t. Engage your date in meaningful conversation, truly listen when she talks, and smile so that she sees you enjoy her company.

Be Prepared to Talk Politics

For many people in the transgender community, politics is an important subject. The government decides who can transition from one gender to another, whether or not there are gender options outside the binary of male and female, how easy access to hormones or surgery is, and how protected we are in our everyday lives.

While ‘Keep away from politics’ may be sound dating advice for some, when it comes to being active on a ts dating site, you should be prepared to engage in political debates.

This advice ties in well with the research homework you have been given already. Unless they know someone personally, most cis people are unaware of the legal aspects and challenges of being transgender. If you educate yourself, you will certainly impress your date by showing interest and communicating that you are genuine in your pursuit of dating a transgender woman.

When It Comes To Sex

… be patient. Taking one’s time is a good idea regardless of gender identity, since building a long-lasting relationship depends on so much more than sex.

For some transgender women, sex can also be a difficult topic. Not every trans woman had top and bottom surgeries, so do not assume you know what your date’s body looks like underneath her clothes. Once you have built a foundation of trust and you both feel comfortable in each other’s presence, you may certainly ask your date about their sex life. Share your own experiences, if you think it might help. Showing your partner that you are open to talking about intimacy will go a long way in making her feel respected and safe.

Communication is key here – never assume anything. Many trans dating sites offer the option to specify operation status and more, yet this does not mean every person experiences this the same. The wonderful thing about human sexuality is how varied and colorful it is. Explore with curiosity and an open mind. Don’t set yourself any expectations to meet, or signal your transgender partner that there is a certain way they have to perform in order to earn your affection. 

After all, you are dating a transgender woman from a place of love, on a quest for belonging and connection. Neither one of you is in this for a quick hookup - there are other ts dating apps for that.

While there are certainly more tips that will help you navigate the trans dating experience, this hopefully proves a useful guide and starting point. Now off you go, be brave, and make a move!

You are finally close to living your life as a trans woman. And you are probably even close to joining a trans woman dating site or a transgender dating site. Just imagining what it would be like to live in the skin of somebody you’ve always believed you are can be such an exhilarating experience. For a trans woman living out her life and identity, it can be a fantasy meets reality kind of situation. And yet, this is just the beginning. There are so many things to learn about feminine sartorial choices and grooming.

It is obvious that all these things are new to her as a trans woman. Her life till now has been completely different so the whole thing about having to switch over to an uber-feminine identity can be a bit too overwhelming. This constant pressure to be ultra-feminine can literally drive her crazy. So it’s important that as a trans woman, she finds her unique point of balance, in accordance with her personality and distinct beauty.

In order to live out your life as a trans woman, you need to have a basic know-how of feminine fashion and beauty etiquette. You would learn more as you go along but it’s important to get equipped with the basics. This article lists out a few tips that will definitely help you in your journey towards embracing womanhood in all its feminine glory!

Dress According to Your Personality and Body Type

We all live in a rather complex world where everyone is trying to copy each other. Especially when it comes to fashion, there is a lot of peer pressure to embrace trends and look a certain way. While it is very important to keep an eye out for all the latest trends in female clothing, you should never feel pressured to dress a certain way. Just remember, the best fashion statement is made by those who create their own statement with clothing.

Shop according to the latest trends but go for styles that complement your body type. If you have great legs, then go for minis and micro-minis that let you flaunt those legs. If you are concerned about your relatively flat chest as a trans woman, then go for dresses and tops that create the illusion of greater cleavage.

Always make sure that your dressing sense goes well with your personality type. Don’t let age define your sartorial choices. Age is an overrated concept! It’s rather a personality that matters. There are 40 plus women who can carry miniskirts and shorts gorgeously. And there are 20 plus women who would feel more comfortable in trousers and long formal shirts. What dresses would look good on you is all about your personality and aura as a trans woman! Just remember that when you finally begin to date someone through a transgender dating app or a trans dating site, they will be impressed not as much by your fashion choices as they will be by how you carry those choices.

Go for Makeup Tricks that Make your Face more Feminine

Now, the approach to makeup a trans woman should follow is actually quite different from the one a cis woman follows. Cis women actually use makeup to give their faces a more chiselled appearance. In the case of a trans woman, the goal of makeup has to be the opposite! Since you already have quite a chiselled face, you want to soften your facial features and want a softer looking fuller, feminine face.

Avoid contouring, especially if you haven’t had hormonal fillers to soften your facial features. Too much contouring would actually draw even more attention to your bone structure, making your face look even more masculine. And you don’t want that. You rather want to tone down that masculine ‘super sculpted’ look. Opt for highlighting to give a softer and feminine feel to your face.

There are multiple makeup tricks you can actually use to play with your facial features to create an illusion of a more feminine, fuller face. You can check out a transgender blog or a transsexual blog with makeup tutorials for trans women. The internet these days is a great resource for such information. You could find so many video tutorials specifically geared towards creating a more feminine facial structure using the art of makeup. And the best part is that in most of these videos, you can see a trans woman working on her face and showing the transformation!

Do Not Overdo Makeup

Makeup is tempting. Let’s accept it! When we walk into a makeup store for a new look, we have this desperate urge to slather on all the eyeshadows and eyeliners and blush and shimmer and what not. But on a serious note, don’t do that! Never overdo your makeup. A minimalistic, nude makeup look that gives you a fresh face is the best for everyday appearance. And for special occasions like a date or parties, you could jazz it up a little bit but don’t go overboard. A guy you’ve just met through a transsexual dating app or a transgender dating site would love to see you in a fresh-faced look when you are out on your first date. No one likes a painted face if they can make out that it’s painted!

The idea of makeup is to subtly highlight the best attributes of your face and make it look softer and feminine. If you overdo your makeup, you would just end up looking like a drag queen. Again, the internet is a great resource for learning the art of applying makeup. Check out a transgender blog or a transsexual blog for makeup advice. Also, interact with other trans women on a trans forum and find out what works best for them.

Do Consider the Advice of Sales Staff

Now, this applies to both makeup and clothes. The sales staff is experienced in terms of figuring out what would look good on a particular person. They can scan your entire physical profile with just a look! So, whenever you walk into a clothing store or a makeup store, do consider the advice of the sales staff.

At a makeup counter, the sales staff would have a better idea of what foundation would suit your skin tone best, how much coverage you need if your skin texture is rough and coarse, things like that. And at a clothing store, they would exactly know what styles would suit your height, personality, skin tone and build.

It’s understandable that you might feel conscious as a trans woman to walk into a store and strike a conversation with the sales representatives, especially if you are in the transitioning phase or haven’t had hormonal treatment yet.

A lot of staff at high-end fashion stores though is sensitive towards transgender people. And they might just tell you about some awesome makeup tricks. So do not shy away from talking to the sales staff. In fact, if you can afford it, get a makeover. That will make you feel confident and super gorgeous.

A Concealer is Must in your Makeup Routine

As a trans woman, concealer is a must-have in your makeup routine. It becomes even more important if you are in between transitioning. A good quality concealer will skilfully hide all those under eye dark circles. It can also conceal your aftershave and all those dicey giveaways of your physical appearance that can make you look masculine, if not properly covered.

When you finally go out on a date with somebody you met through a trans woman dating site or a transgender dating site, you don’t want to spend all your time stressing about how your face is looking and if it is looking feminine enough. So, investment in a good concealer is a must.

Experiment with Your Sartorial Choices

As a trans woman, you obviously face a lot of pressure to look good. But that doesn’t mean you religiously stick to a particular style and play it safe all the time. Fashion is all about experimentation! So don’t be afraid of trying out new styles. A tried and tested approach many women apply is that they go for muted, sober colours when it comes to their wardrobe. Break that monotony. Go for bright reds, pinks, yellows, violet, green, etc. Do not be afraid of trying out colourful lowers. In fact, colourful harem pants, dhoti pants or palazzo will give you an ultra-chic, hippy look.

When deciding what to buy, go for clothes that convey the essence of your personality. Fashion is not about the clothes you wear in order to conform. It is a statement you make in front of society. So, if there is something bold and quirky in that statement, society takes a greater note of your distinct personality. And when you finally go out on that dream date with a guy you met through a transsexual dating app or a transgender dating site, you will see that he can’t just get take eyes off you!

Face Feminization Surgery or FFS for short, is a facial reconstruction procedure used to give a masculine face a more feminine appearance. It encompasses a broad range of systems designed to alter typical male features bringing them closer to a characteristic female feature. Some of the masculine features developed include various bony and soft tissues such as brows, nose, lips, forehead, cheek, and jawline.

Features in the upper third of the face seem to be the most important, and various procedures such as brow lift, rhinoplasty, and cheek implantation are included in face feminization surgery. However, subtle changes in the lips, such as lip augmentation can have a significant effect.

What to Expect in Face Feminization Surgery>>

Facial feminization surgery might include;

    1. Forehead contouring: Bony ridge above women’s eyes socket is less pronounced. The outlines of the forehead tend to be higher, smoother, and more vertical. Part of forehead bone can be cut, removed, reshaped, and fixed back in place to achieve this look.

    2. Eye and lid modification: Here, excess tissues are cut away from the upper eyelids.

    3. Cheek Augmentation: This procedure is done to achieve the prominent round cheeks women have in the middle third of their face. Cheek augmentation can be performed by breaking and moving the cheekbones into a different position. A different way is by taking fat from a separate part of the body and placing it in the cheeks to alter its size and shape.

    4. Nose Reshaping: This procedure involves reducing the size of the nose and its angles for transgender women.

    5. Lip lift and Augmentation: This procedure involves the use of implants to achieve a typical shorter and more curled female lip.

Some other procedures to expect are; Mandibular angle reduction, Genioplasty, Tracheal shave, Lowering the hairline, and Hair transplantation.

Definitive results after this surgery might take up to a year to appear. Face Feminization Surgery can be an essential part of gender transition that can dramatically improve the quality of life in mtfs.