EX TENEBRIS CRESCIT FLOS

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NO MORE WIGS!

I Am Now Using My Real Hair

July 15, 2003

Since I started going out in public last year, I have been wearing wigs. Although I have not lost any hair, I never felt like I could style it properly and be able to return it to the "male" style that I use at work. Anyway, I thought it was too short for me to do anything with it.

For more than a year, I have been letting it grow, and it is finally at a good length. Last month, at a meeting of our local transgender group, a hair stylist gave a demonstration. She worked on my hair and after just a few minutes it looked great. I went through the rest of the weekend with my own hair and it felt wonderful to be rid of the wig. However, I did not have the equipment or skill to keep it up, so I went back to the wig. After the meeting, I made an appointment with the hair stylist. On July 3, she styled my hair, showed me how to do it, and pointed out the supplies that I would need. That was all it took - I have not worn a wig since that day. So far, I have not quite developed the skill to make my hair look great, but it looks good - certainly good enough to go out, and it only takes me a few minutes. I use a blow dryer, a round brush, and two types of hair spray, and with just that simple equipment I can do quite a bit. It is amazing how simple it is, and I wonder why I did not start doing this months ago.

In public, I have noticed a substantial difference in the way people react to me. I have received fewer weird looks, and I seem to get called "Ma'am" more often than before. (This may not be entirely due to the hair; my voice has also greatly improved in the last few weeks.) Whether it is related to my voice or my hair, it certainly feels great to be passing in public better than ever.

I certainly do not regret buying the wigs - they served me well as I learned how to pass in public, but they were a temporary solution and I knew that all along. But now that I no longer need them, I will be happy to put them in storage, but I will not throw them away - they could still come in handy if I have a bad hair day.


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