Wearing High Heels, In Comfort.
Herewith a great article, I just read…on High Heels.
I thought you might enjoy it! Denae
When it comes to looking stylish, nothing beats a gorgeous pair of high heels. Heels make your legs look longer, your body look slimmer, and your whole outfit just a little more polished. Unfortunately for many women, they also make your feet hurt something awful! Thank shoe designers’ propensity for pointy toes, spindly heels, and narrow silhouettes for your aching post-heel feet. And while the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests you should toss any shoes that cause discomfort, the fashionista in you probably finds that impossible. That’s why you need strategies to help you make your high heels work for you, not against you. Read on for tips to wear your high heels comfortably (or at least more comfortably).
Buy the right size. Sure, it seems obvious. But when’s the last time you had the sales associate measure your feet when you bought shoes? Podiatrists know that feet can grow larger as we get older (and pregnancy can result in longer or wider feet, too). That’s why it’s crucial to have your feet measured every time you buy shoes. Make sure there’s a thumbs-width between your longest toe and the shoe tip to give your toes room to move. For heels, this means you may need to go up a size to achieve a comfortable fit.
Stick to round toes. Lucky for us, round-toed shoes are back in style this season! While pointy-toed shoes can wrench your big toe inward, causing joint pain, crunched toes, and even the beginnings of bunions, round-toed shoes allow your toes to lie flat and spread out naturally. That makes for much more comfort. And if you can’t swear off your pointy-toed shoes completely? Keep some round-toed shoes on hand to alternate with the pointy ones.
Don’t go too high. Podiatrists agree that a shorter heel of one-to-two inches is a good choice for comfort and foot health. And with kitten heels still a hot look, that’s great news. Avoid three or four-inch heels, which put undue pressure on the ball and frontal bones of your foot.
Tailor your width. Sometimes the toe isn’t the problem — it’s the width. Many fashion shoes come in a standard medium width. But if you have wide feet, medium-width shoes will feel uncomfortable. When you find a pair of shoes you love, see if they come in a wide width; if not, a shoemaker can usually stretch the shoes to widen the toe box, enhancing the comfort of the shoe.
Cushion up. When you have the shoe size and style right, it’s time to think about cushioning. Many fashion shoes come with less-than-adequate cushioning on the area you need it most: right under the ball of your foot. Ample cushioning will help your feet stay comfy — especially when you’re wearing heels, which shift your weight fully onto the ball of your foot. If your shoes don’t have enough cushioning, consider adding some with a shoe insert. A brand called Foot Petals makes Tip Toes, a flower-shaped insert that provides great cushioning.
Alternate. Wearing heels for many days in a row can make your feet feel ravaged. To maintain some comfort, switch between heels and a flatter pair of shoes. Although heels elongate your legs when you’re wearing a skirt, they are less important when you are wearing trousers, so give feet a rest on those days.
Commercials
I have recently, asked many clients…how old do you think that model is on television, who is doing the ad for _____?
Most say, maybe 21 yrs or 25. I surprise them, when I telll them to look closer. Most are around 18 yrs. Coat models for Victoria Secret, can be 14 yrs. The average model for Frediricks and Victoria Secret…is 18 to 21. They weigh about 105 to 115. Tyra Banks, does not model for Victoria Secret anymore, she is “to old and to big”. Actually, she is a size 12, but this is why… she now… has her own talk show, instead of modeling.
My point is this. Most all tg’s look at the beautiful women in the magazine, and try to look like her. Genetic women do the same…but are generally somewhat more realiistic. So, please keep a reference, on what can be accomplished. Do we work very hard to look our best, diet and exercise, have our makeup the best, etc etc…..of course. But, here is your assignemnt for this week. Begin looking at their FACE and look under the false eyelashes and hair extensions, and begin quessing at how old, these girls are. The media has put all women in an impossible situaiton. Women expect to look like this, and men expect their wife, SO ….to look like this. So, unless you’re one in a million that can land a magazine commercial (the same odds as a man being a Tiger Woods, or the QuarterBack for your favorite team.)…one can never reach the goal of looking as young, as sexy as the girls on television and in magazines. Notice, how the Mascara ad models..actually always wear False EyeLashes in these Mascara ads!! This is sooo wrong! They are selling mascara, but they put false eyelashes on the model, to make it Look As If this product will give us..the look of “thick” lashes! Their skin has been air blown by tanning experts, and halo hair extentions are worn by all. They have had all their teeth done, for $30,000.00 so they all line up per perfectly. And, they have coaches and trainers. Many do eat. I know, I was one of these girls, when I was 17 years old modeling on television, in a swim suit –my father insisited, I could not wear. I had on a hair piecce, and I weighed in at 107 standing 5 foot 9 inches.
Talent, is what gets a girl…to pull this off. And, they are one out of millions. So, set your goals and be realistic.
I hope this helps you not feel so intimidated by all the photos you see in the magazines. These women DO NOT look like this when they wake up in the morning!Look your very best, and try really hard to “get it right” but then, we can only accept our physical qualities such as heigth, bone size, etc. Its better to like yourself, and have fun. Why else do it?
Any comments?
Denae
Losing Weight
I am asked by clients…how do I stay thin. I have a very specific secret, to staying thin. Many years ago, when I lived in Marin.County, North of San Francisco..where I owned (and still have) a modeling school. I had a wonderful friend,/instructor…who taught me “conscious” eating. I was teaching a weight-exercise class at the school, and I had 10 teenage girls, who were overweight. bShe introcued this process to me, and I tried it, a the same time..as my class. I began a workshop with them, called “Counscious Eating”. The goal of the class, was for each girl to turn off all the thoughts racing through their head, while eating. To, have each girl, slow down, and taste each bite of food. To, tell the food as it goes down…to make you healthy, and to tell the food–with each slow bite…that you will obtain yoiur ideal weight. Or, don’t think at all, just feel your breath and feel the food.
After the 6 month program was over, 8 out of the 10 teen girls, had lost wight, with the mean of 10 pounds.
Here’s how conscious eating works. This will help the tg woman…MORE than a genetic female..as a biological born male..tends to “think” more…. as women tend to “feel” more. So, this should help you ladies. Realize, how often you are up in your “monkey mind”, your racing thoughts, that are like a bull horn going off in your head, but most of the time…you hear the voice running and you are not aware of it.
When, we eat, and allow our busy/worry thoughts to be going…you simply…are not totally aware and conscious…of being fully present and in the moment, while eating. Simply, take three deep breaths, and close your eyes. Feel each breath coming in to your lungs and filling them, and exhaling your breath. A thought will try to dart in, while your concentrating on NOT thinking, but return back to…simply BEING with your thought. Next, try this technique with eating. Be fully aware of each bite and aware of swallowing. (Don’t eat while in front of the television or while standing at the refrif). Wait to eat, until a time…when you can take a breath, and be completley aware of your food. Look at it, think of nothing else.
Don’t let your racing thoughts, take you away from the present moment of being with your food. No thoughts.
When, I did not associate any ego/negative thought, with eating..and being fully present with the food…I began to lose weight. If this sounds, very “new age” to you, please don’t toss it out, it really works. Notice, how thin people eat slowly. They are not using the food, to make a bad feeling go away. Some students, found they were even using the guilt of eating…to make them eat more. So, release all guilt, shame, fear, anger, resentment, while eating. So, give it a try! You can eat anything you want, just be fully conscious when you eat. Then you will discover… its not what you eat, its what you’re thinking (or better yet…NOT thinking) about while you eat.
Give it a try! Turn off your thoughts. Be in the present moment, with your food. Let me know, how you do!
Denae
What Shape~ Feminine Sun Glasses ~For Your Face Shape?
Hello Ladies, with summer here, please protect your eyes …from sun-burn, by wearing sun-glasses with quality lenses.
But, what feminine eye glasses will go with your face shape? Herewith some basic tips to select the frame which will give you a feminine face shape!
Oval Face
If you’re one of the lucky tg women, who has the oval face shape, you can wear any kind of sunglasses and know you’ll look good. Younger can choose the latest styles and if you’re over 40 go for a more classic, timeless look.
Heart shaped Face
Such a pretty feminine shape- broader at the top tapering down to a beautifully slim chin. Rimless or sunglasses with very thin rims look good on heart shaped faces and will emphasize your best features. Wearing heavy rims can make your chin look ‘kinda’ sharp and pointed, which most TG women want to avoid–so avoid the heavier rims. The ultra hot aviator style is perfect for the heart shape face and feminine aviators look great on most TG faces.
Square Shaped Face
Many TG women will have a square jawline, and some of you also have a square forehead…. with your features equaling each other in proportion. Select the popular Jackie O style (round) styles, with colors, medium to heavy shape rims and try unusual shapes. Frames to avoid are sharp angular rims, especially anything square. Soften your angles with circular or ovals. Dark lenses look fantastic on you.
Oblong Shaped Face
You have the ability to wear todays coolest shape in shades. Big, glasses are made for you. You can wear loud colors, heavy rims and unusual shapes. Sunglasses with attitude could have been designed just for you. I have found, most TG women shy away from wearing hats. However, caps, berets, and feminine colored “base-ball” caps are the perfect combination (as they cover part of your forehead).. for the longer face with your glasses.
If you’re not comfortable trying on all these frame shapes… to find your best feminine frame, you can always try sun glasses (and reading glasses) on while in guy mode, and this can narrow your search while in feminine mode.
New Web Site Address For Feminine Shoes Up To Size 16 And Double Wides
Hi From Denae. Thank you Carol, for sending me the correct URL for the great website, to find fabulous feminine shoes to Size 16 in Wide and Double Wide. They have excellent selections of casual, sophisticated, and sexy. For larger shoe sizes…this site is worth a book mark.
And, the selection of shoes, is great.
www.shoesofyourdreams.com.
Wearing A Wig Cap
Hello To All !
I have been recently purchasing nylon (like panty hose) wig caps. They have been extremely difficult to find, and drug stores and retail stores, simply do not carry them. However, I found several types of “wig” caps” in any local Beauty Suppy Store, near you. Most alarger cities have them, if you’re not aware of where to find one in your city, look in the yellow pages. Now, the wig caps are only 99 Cents a piece. I purchased about 7 of them, and they have them in black, brown and ligh ash blonde. Next, Why bother?
Because hey are wonderful, to taping back your skin. Simply apply 3 or 4 inch pieces about 1/1/2 inch of medical tape on the wig cap and tpull back the skin around the skin areea, you want pulled back. This is wonderful for the CD, or casual dresser who wears a wig. If you have to find something good about wearing a wig, taping and looking 10 years younger or 20 pounds thinner is the reason. Don’t be afraid, it is very simply. Next, the wig cap prevents oil from getting on your wig..which is a costly wig cleaning bill.
I hope all of you can find a Beauty Supply. Purchase as many as you can afford and store them away. You can also hand wash the wig cap.
If you have any questions, please email! Is anyone out there?? Hugs and Smiles, Denae
Reponse To “Ruth’s” post. Shoe Site, For Larger Sizes
Hello from Denae. Ruth, thanks for sending your “larger size shoe web site”….www.yourdreamshoes.com
I have seen many shoe web sites, but this site does have great selections for the tg woman. I noticed they have Wide, and Double Wide, and I believe they have Half sizes.
It is important to have “fun” shoes. And, many of you will find..that having a shoe that fits well, that allows you to have a graceful glide, is very important to add into your shoe invntory. I often see tg’s at the major conventions, walking in 4 inch heels, and after one hour..they are walking as if..their feet are bleeding. I know the feeling.–been tere, done it and own the T Shirt. I also keep a pair of casual but extremely comfortable black flats, in the trunk of my car, with a light jacket. I always know, if the “going gets bad” and my 3 inch feels are killing my feet and destroying my gait…I can resort to the trunk of my car!
Anyway, ladies do take a look at this site, as they have up to size 16 and double wides. It seems they have all styles. So, ladies keep the good tips coming in!! This is the best way we can get the best tg ”shopping” suggestions out …to tg women!
Hugs To All,
Denae PS I have a new little puppy. If any of you would like me to post her photo, I will. I didn’t want to assume anyone would be interested!
Comments, take a look
Hi Ladies, this is Denae. Gosh, many of you have emailed me…. and your “sisters”… on the COMMENTS.
So, be sure and take a look. I was thinking, if a chat room, for image related issues…would be something most of you would like? Let me know your thoughts, and if it would be helpful…I will ask my web mistress…to look into the details.
Any questions from you ladies? It is forth of July 08. I just returned from New York, and I am tardy in posting, so please excuse me. I do have a reply for “Shelia” who has a disability …with one leg… and asks about transition.
Shelia, I suppose…we all have to be true to ourselves. If you have tried everything, and you truly feel…you must live full time…then perhaps you can’t let a disability stop you from transition. Of course, you will have to work very hard, at your weak points, and bring out your stronger areas. All of us…have a disability of some sort. For many tg women…they are very tall…or have large hands. Or, have lost a lot of their male hair and must wear a “partial” while in femme mode. I have had clients with:arthritis, aids, depression, and yes a few with severe walking problems.
I always have to remember the Tara Banks show, when she had women wear clothing they thought was “Prada”. The girls walked so confidently, thinking they were wearing Prada clothing that cost hundreds. When Tara told them, they had switched the labels and they were wearing a dress from a discount store…the girls were shocked. Tara then….had these girls put on dark green large garbage bags, and walk with the previous ”attitude” and confidence…along side of her…wearing these garbage bags. And, they did walk like they were beautiful, in these garbage bags. The point is this.
Many young genetic girls and most new tg’s…feel..it is “about” the clothing, the dress, the skirt. Yes, while the clothing does make us “feel” better and therefore we “project” more confidence in ourselves…the reality is…we can be wearing a pair of jeans and walk with attitude. Now, I realize this is wear the rubber meets the road…with tg’s. Most, new cd’s do need the clothing, to feel like …a woman. If you ladies, can think about how this applies to you…I think it would help. Why? Because many pre-op ts women..spend a lot of time dressing. Then, after the testosterone is gone…they are not as motivated in spending as much time…in getting dressed. Not all lose the interest in spending the many hours required to look really pretty, but a lot do. It takes so many hours, for me each week…to just maintain my look. This is something men…have never had to do. And, in reality don’t know how to do. I see, so many on “impulse” transition in 12 months or less, to only find themselves…not knowing how to roll their hair, pick their clothing, how to speak in a feminine voice. They have never interviewed for a job, BEFORE they transitioned, and they never took a fun class before. They, are not prepared for the amount of:time, effort, money, shopping, exercise, wardrobe prep, washing and ironing of clothing, hair coloring, hair rollers, hot rollers, shaving legs, having casual outfits, dressy outfits, work outfits, jeans, etc etc etc. I see many rush through in 12 months. I genetic girl, can’t learn this in 12 months. So, Shelia, if you’re prepared to do this amount of work…I feel you will do as well as many tg’s who do not have a disability and are over confident about “how easy it is to be a woman”. It is just as difficult to be an attractive women, over 35 years, as it is to maintain a strong high paying career as a man. For any woman over 40, it is very difficult to even “be on the market”. I see so many, not think this out and many just dont think they need help. I am a strong believer in “coaches” and I have always used them. I had my first coach when entering a pageant. I had NO idea how to do this, and I hired someone who had. I placed that year and I would not have placed, had I thought…”whats so hard about being a woman”. I am always looking for a mentor, to show me the land, I have not walked on. Of course, my biggest mentor was…my modeling instructor. Even, now I have a new 14 week old puppy, and I have a “puppy coach” that cost me, more than I charge for my ts private consultation training. So, I have never understood how so many un-prepared tg’s transition at work, and slowly begin to lose everything.
So, please consider, how you walk, how you enter a room, how you walk in…and be sure..you’re not only relying on the clothing do “do the walking” for you. If so, this is something one must really consider…if you are thinking you’re ts full time…and maybe it would be best…if you crossdress for a while and see how this shakes out for you. I have no investment, if my clients are serious CD or is they transition. I work with them, the same amount of time. However, many therapists and doctors DO have a vested interest in transition. So, please do consider where you are on the spectrum, and if this is about the “clothing” and it is a “turn on”…then perhaps that is just okay. And, taking it any further would just ruin what you have. I do see many that feel, the fun is over, after transition. While, others are very happy. Please be sure where you are on the spectrum before you jump. I advise, go slow. It takes my gentic women….about 3 years to learn movement, and makeup and how to “be in their bodies”. I will write next, about that issue. I just worked with a 12 yr old genetic girl, who could not “be in her body” but stayed up in her thoughts. It is much like playing a sport or playing an instrument. You have to be in your body and not allow your thoughts to run wild. I call it my “monkey mind” as it just thinks about everything..and my movement will fall out. In modeling they taught us to stay down, in our body and to wiggle our toes and fingers to stay in our body, so we can move in a fluid way. For a tg, this is very important, if you get lost in your “monkey mind” you will revert back to your male way of moving, while in feminine mode…and not even know it!!
Shelia, I hope this diatribe, did answer your question, regarding having a disability and transition.
I love hearing from you girls. Check out the COMMENTS for all your questions and comments. Have a great 4th of July and oh gosh what a great time to wear red!!
Denae
Denae is founder of Femimage 
