I really appreciate your site as I feel similar to you in many ways. I too am a straight, married girl and really love going shopping and experiencing life in traditionally feminine attire. My questions….you list places to go in the Twin Cities for makeup as well as a recommended wig shop. Unfortunately Sunnies Wigs in Minneapolis has closed. Do you have another recommendation? As far as makeup….do you call ahead for appointments and request a certain person? When you go, do you go in “male” attire and change after the session or do you go dressed and ready to roll? I ask because I would like to get my makeup done and then go shop for a wig. I would love to go to Le Femme Mystique, but it’s not entirely in my budget and I don’t really need photos or help with the outfits themselves. I hope to hear from you. Thank you for all that you do for girls like us!
For wigs I go to Creative Hair Design. Lovely people, outstanding selection.
Like wig shops, salons are used to girls like us. You are not the first, the only, or the last t-girl in their makeup chair that week.
Do I request a certain person? No. I’ve been going to the same salon for years and I have become friends with my artist. I don’t need to request her as she is the only artist at this particular salon. But on the occasion she isn’t available I schedule an appointment at Ulta. Since this may require going to a different location each time and I am not familiar with the individual artists at each location, it’s impossible to request a certain artist.
But I don’t worry about that at all. Again, salons are used to girls like us. I know I am not the first t-girl in their chair and neither will you be. Although I don’t feel it necessary to disclose that I am transgender when I make an appointment somewhere other than my normal salon, I understand many of us want to. I get that. If you feel this is relevant then I would recommend not saying that you are a crossdresser, even if you identify as such. That word leaves a lot to interpretation and, let’s face it, is predominately sexually charged. Instead I would suggest telling the person who schedules your appointment that you are transgender (if you feel like disclosing this).
When I go for my appointment I go in girl mode. I wear what I plan on wearing that day. Please don’t go to your appointment and use their bathroom to change from boy to girl mode. The bathroom is for customers to use, not for you to transform in. It’s just awkward for everyone if someone else enters the restroom and there you are, in a stall or in front of a mirror, halfway between gender presentations.
Again, salons are used to girls like us. I show up for my appointment looking like absolute trash, lol. I am very much a Man In A Dress. But after an hour or so, I look a lot more femme. Makeup artists are trained and paid to help someone look amazing. They are very much used to working with a client, regardless of their gender or anatomy, to enhance their appearance.
On a related note, I feel a little… silly showing up with a male face while en femme. But I would feel even sillier leaving with flawless makeup in boy mode.
I toooootally get the apprehension of makeovers. Promise. But try not to overthink it.
Love, Hannah
Have a question for me? Oh yes you do. Ask me here!
Hannah McKnight 
Is it my imagination, or is “straight, married” crossdresser being highlighted in just about all of your posts? We are not all married or straight. Sex is not called sexy time.. Sex is a beautiful, emotional physical exchange between two people no matter what their sexuality is. Whether you realize it or not, you are alienating individuals within the Trans world by suggesting that all of us are straight and married. Your ignorance of sexuality and hesitancy in having open discussions about sexuality preferences from others points of view in your blog implies that somehow you are a “normal “ crossdresser and every one else is a deviant. Where is the representation of the Trans spectrum on your site? We should be about inclusion, not exclusion.
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The verbiage “straight, married” was used by the person who emailed this question. I have never said I am straight as I feel sexual identity is not easy to pin down.
I like to say ‘sexy time’ as I think it’s a fun phrase. And I agree, sex is a beautiful, emotional moment between people and it can be super fun.
I have never suggested that all transgender people have the same relationship status or sexual identity.
I have never suggested that I am normal and everyone else is not.
If you have another point of view, I would encourage you to create your own site and share your perspective with others. This is just one little website where I share my perspective and experiences. I have never said that my perspective, my sexual identity, my… anything is the norm or the “right” one.
I know that transgender is a spectrum. I don’t think there is a single website or voice that covers every facet of this spectrum. I never said that I do. Again, if you feel underrepresented, I encourage you to start your own website. I would love to read it.
Love, Hannah
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You specifically identified yourself as a straight Crossdresser in one of your previous post’s and continue to weave into your blog. If you are a straight Crossdresser, that is perfectly fine, but many of us are in transition and you seem to really avoid talking about that in your blog and stay focused on straight crossdressers. Whether that is part of your experience, it shouldn’t be excluded from discussion. It’s where the word Trans actually came from, or “T” as you include in MN T-girls.
Instead of reacting to a reader to “write your own blog” which is another way to exclude, try and consider other view points. You say your membership retention struggles and is limited to a few members. I wonder why? You have a great opportunity to bring others into your world. Would love to see you use your platform to give a voice to others.
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Could you please let me know the specific post where I disclosed my sexual identity? The last thing (as far as I can recall) that I wrote about my sexual identity was this:
“So, does that make Hannah a lesbian? Sure, why not. Who cares.
Does this make my male self straight? Sure, why not. Who cares.”
This was meant to sound… non committal, almost dismissive of my sexuality instead of a firm declaration.
And even if it was a firm declaration, there is nothing in anything I’ve written that suggests that my sexuality (whatever my sexuality is) is the norm.
And yes, I am aware that many people are in transition. I am not in transition so I don’t feel I have much to write about when it comes to transitioning. I focus on my experiences and perspective. If my life leads to transitioning, then I would write about that.
I am not intending to exclude anyone by suggesting they write their own blog. My perspective is that everyone has their own experiences and thoughts and if they don’t see themselves represented, then perhaps they could make their voices heard.
If my experiences don’t align with yours, okay. I am not the definitive and only blog that discusses trans-related perspectives.
I also never said membership in the MN T-Girls is dwindling. What I wrote was “When it comes to the MN T-Girls, membership is always in flux. Sometimes I will see a week where several girls join but the next week I will get the same number asking to be removed from the mailing list.”
I know what the T in MN T-Girls stands for. But I don’t think ‘transgender’ is limited to a certain group (such as those who are transitioning). As you said, it’s a spectrum and my own definition of ‘transgender’ is admittingly very broad.
And I do use my platform to give a voice to others: https://hannahmcknight.org/tag/your-story/
Love, Hannah
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good for you Hannah – great reply
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Very well said, Hannah!
-Alicia (Proud Demisexual Married Transwoman who has never felt excluded or ostracized by your awesome work).
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I have never once gotten this feeling once from Hannah. To me she has always come across as kind, accepting, educational and entertaining. And I consider myself a transgender woman, well on my way to living full time as my authentic self, rather than a crossdresser. I also consider myself a demisexual, someone attracted to emotional connection, rather than straight.
Sexy time is a fun phrase. And is inclusive of any manner in which you care to engage in sex. Much better than the clinical graphic descriptions that some use.
I guess we all have our preferences for content but I for one hope Hannah continues to deliver her insightful, fun, sometimes controversial content that I have enjoyed for years. My only complaint and it is me not her. Everyday I look forward to reading her blog. When she doesn’t post on a day it is like missing a long lost friend.
Hannah please continue to write however you want. Some of us love you for it.
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Is a natural wig easier to take care of than a synthetic? Wondering if it is worth the money.
Nadine
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Now that was helpful!👍
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It is my understanding that. natural hair wig requires more care and won’t last as long as a synthetic.
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Thank you 🙏!!
Nadine
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To the main topic, I have gone to several different salons in large cities and small towns over the years. I did tell them ahead of time that I was transgender (its a broad enough term to cover the variety) and I never once had an adverse reaction, even in the very small resort community where I now reside.
I would never show up in male mode for a make-over. I prefer to arrive wearing light makeup, because I don’t feel and look like a man in a dress (not that there’s anything wrong that).
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Hi, Hannah,
In the past, I’ve had a problem with ULTA that has nothing to do with being trans. There used to be complete lack of coordination between their online scheduling and the scheduling of individual associates, I’ve been “double booked” a couple of times, when, unbeknownst to my associate, someone scheduled an online appointment at the same time. I honestly don’t know whether this issue has been corrected or not.
I live in Pullman, WA, which is 8 miles from the ULTA location in Moscow, Idaho. Unfortunately Idaho is one of the most bigoted, anti-trans states in the country, and I won’t shop at any Idaho business.
That said, I’ve been wearing dresses openly for 38 years, and I’ve seldom if ever had a problem. Sales associates often have an incentive structure, or are under pressure to meet sales goals. That’s obviously a disincentive to turning away paying customers. 🙂
Clearly, there might be other issues, such as maintaining privacy to avoid being “outed”, but there is seldom, if ever, a problem with the staff.
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