I was once asked what the process is for me to look as I do. So let’s revisit that topic for those new to all of this.
The above photo is NOT my usual reality, but a rare treat when modeling in a fashion show some time back.
Many of us revel in many parts of our femininity. Many savor the process of getting dressed. Our friend Marie, relishes this and well she should. For me, it’s the payoff. Just like I hate shaving, but love being shaved/hairless, I find the transformation process necessary work to achieve the objective, being Kandi. If it was as simple as getting dressed, quickly doing my makeup, grabbing my purse and heading out the door, I’d relish it more. The whole process takes too long, in some ways limiting my ability to go out and certainly requiring me to manage seemingly every moment of my life to fit in the things I love. For example, were I a woman and had three hours to go out and do whatever, out I’d go! Me, that’s just enough time to get dressed and undo everything afterward, not much time left for a new adventure or a simple errand. Such is my life.
There is so much too do! There is routine maintenance, keeping my face moisturized, managing and maintaining my hair growth, facially and all over my body. In respect to my wife, while I have much of my stuff around, I keep it put away (see below). Yes, I have my own lingerie drawers. I sometime use my wife’s purses, but always put them back when finished. So I spend quite a bit of time pulling things out and putting them away. Just to consider going out, I have to select and pack my purse (requiring taking things from my male wallet and moving them to my female wallet), pick my accessories, get the outfit, select my undergarments and finally lay out and select the makeup I wish to use. What eye shadow color? What lipstick color? Which glasses?
None of this talks about what I do to keep my body looking feminine, in shape, weight management and daily exercise, which allows me to wear a size 2 skirt (or I used to be able to)! I was able to have taken 8 inches off of my waist from the time of my self-acceptance (2014) to now, maybe giving back and inch recently.
The process:
- Set up by selecting the outfit, wig, shoes, purse and accessories;
- Brow and nose hair grooming;
- Shave my face and entire upper body (except back which is difficult for me);
- Shower, where I reshave my face (to achieve the necessary close shave) and my chest and legs;
- Repair (mostly applying lotion to the legs and face and perfuming myself);
- Getting dressed in as much as I can, allowing me to do my makeup without getting it all over everything;
- Laying out my makeup;
- Primer, beard cover, powder, foundation, powder, highlight, blush, contouring, brows, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, lipstick and finally, setting spray;
- Jewelry and the rest of my outfit;
- Shoes; and
- Finally my wig and all that goes with that.
Now I’m dressed and I take the pictures you see posted here. I always want to do this to document my outfit and outing as I never know if I’ll be able to do so when out. I then grab my purse, put on my sunglasses, one final check in the mirror and then it’s time for The Great Escape!
Yes, there are shortcuts, but for me, as I have made Kandi into a real person, operating as a woman in the real world, consistency of look and appearance is important to me.
Check out our newest friend at https://www.meghanadixit.com/!
From our friend Trish: I have a Cis girlfriend here in town who is in need of help. She is an amazing person who helps out homeless people, LGBTQ people, destitute people, First Nation’s people and the SPCA. Everything she does and gifts to the all is free. She uses her own car to pick up and deliver all the items, or food that she is given by various nonprofit groups that she has brought together like Ask Wellness, First Nations, The Mustard Seed, The Salvation Army, the SPCA, the RCMP (who call her when someone from a group she involved with is injured or killed).
Well, a few days ago the suite she was renting was flooded. So she moved all her belongings, clothes, shoes, jewelry etc. into her car. Then not long after that her car was stolen. So now she can’t do her job helping all these people with out a vehicle and is homeless. So I’m setting up a Go Fund Me page for her.
If you can spare a few dollars or whatever they call money North of the Border, please click on the photo below for the Go Fund Me page.
Trish ❤️
One Response
Kandi ,
Yes there are short cuts , sometimes just try them and see if you can remain consistent . When pushed as I sometimes am I have to see how little it takes to get by . Most of us realise we can’t avoid makeup if we wish to lose or subdue the man even when considering we are possibly wearing more makeup than most women . Lets turn this round and ask if we were genuine women would we go out without makeup ? There may be some bias in my answer because I partly enjoy the transformation so my answer would still be with makeup rather than without , I like putting my face on and seeing the age lines soften , it makes me feel good , giving me confidence , ready for the world .
Most days I meet up with my dog walking friend at 9.30 , so I usually slide out of bed at 7.15 , first job without being too specific is no1s and no2s . Then close facial shave , followed by hands & arms , then chest , my back I usually do once a week ( very good bending exercise ) , then shower and while there shave my legs . After drying off a quick brush of my natural hair , apply deodorant and then a facial moisturise , I then powder my chest because my forms feel more comfortable so then on with my bra and silk cami depending on the weather and my outer wear , knickers are next folowed by shape wear panties to keep my parts in order . Makeup starts with concealer , then eye colour followed by brow colour and wax , I brush on my foundation and apply upper eye liner and mascara follwed by lip liner and lipstick , that’s it for the walk , if I’m heading out to my painting group I’ll apply finshing powder and blusher . Then it’s a splash of perfume , slide my watch on and a silver chain necklace , not forgetting my hearing aids . For walking I normally wear jeans and a Tshirt also pop on my wig and the head for breakfast of toast and orange juice . After I brush my hair through pop on my jacket and walking shoes and then meet my friend , often I usually have time in between to clean the ash from my wood burner and wipe the glass front .
One point in my favour is I live alone so items left out or not hidden isn’t a problem but saying that I’m a tidy person besides the clothing and other items are special to me so I take care of them .
I can do it quicker but my routine works for me , I know that prep work will usually last all day and into the evening unless I’m going somewhere special for a night out . In a couple of weeks time I’m off on another week’s holiday with my National Trust group so that prep work has to happen in my hotel room , I have to know it’s possible in the limited time and restrictions of that room , next year is going to be interesting as I’m taking a 12 day cruise .