Hi Nikki, thanks for posting your clever ideas. I’ve looked on Amazon before for hip and butt pads. So many to choose from! Curious which ones you found that worked well for you.

Kate

I get 2 wig caps with each wig I get - at this point they're nearly Tribbles. lol I did read the conditioner hack somewhere and use it often in hotels. I also remove every gusset because I can't be bothered with redoing all that once I've got the nails on LOL

I don't think I have any hacks of my own. 🤔 Uh...I use lipstick as blush? Though possibly that just indicates I'm a 'makeup hack' rather than being an actual hack lol

I keep my real hair pretty short which makes wearing a wig more comfortable

I have been dressing almost 50 years as well.  I am a bit overweight but gifted with a "rocking ass" per my wife.  However I have no hips and a big gut.  My solution is I first use a Selene gaff.  This gives me the shape at the crotch that I want.  I use dresstech big girl hip pads with a tummy control shapewear to keep them up.  This has an open crotch design for bathroom access.  I then use a tummy control underwire camisol.  Between the camisol and tummy control thigh high shorts my belly is somewhat in control.  When I wear a dress I wear tights  in an opaque light suntan.  I do not shave my legs but do keep them trimmed fairly short and have found that these hide my leg hair pretty well.  I also keep my arm hair trimmed as well.  I am in a DADT situation and my wife does not know that I go out to my knowledge.  I do however try to go out at least once per month.

+1 for the hair conditioner for shaving hack. I use this and find that not only is the beard hair (ugh!) easier to remove, but my skin feels softer and smoother as a result.

I’ll play……here are some random ones.

Pantyhose- layer multiple pairs over each other to cover leg hair (if you can’t shave) .

if you would like a toeless look to show off that awesome pedi- cut an opening in the hosiery for the big toe , leave a bit of material next to it and then cut another hole to the outside of the first for the other toes. Then take a bic lighter and singe the cut openings so they don’t run . You can how have a silky leg look with open toe heels/boots(works best with higher denier hose/tights)

If you wear hip and butt pads, try a pair of high waist thigh slimming Spanx to smooth the pad edges out-you can then layer hose/tights over them for a seamless leg look. 

nail polish- hands or feet. Dip the brush and start at the center rear of each nail brushing toward the tip of the nail. Then paint the edges of each nail. Follow up with clear. If your pedi is a bit sloppy- after it is completely dry . Massage some hair conditioner with your fingers all around the edges of the toenail in the shower and the excess polish will wash off the edges of the skin. 

try chapstick under your lipstick for smooth fuller lips. Smile when applying blush-this pushes the apples of your cheeks out-gently apply blush on the apples and fan up/out with your brush. 

natural looking cleavage- layer a bra one band size and two cup sizes smaller than you wear under your bra, this will push the extra skin you may have front and center. Take a small eye brush and trace the inside arcs of your new cleaveage with some eyeshadow a few shades darker than your skin tone and smudge up the lines into your chest area. Then apply some light eyeshadow into the top of the center clef of the cleaveage to add depth. 

I discovered a great hack quite by accident. I bought a tight, elasticized camisole that hugs tight but I noticed it does cover my boobs like my other camisoles, rather it scoops below my breasts. I realized I could pull up the extra tissue under it and voila, I’m an A cup!  I actually have breasts!  It’s a start but an unexpected pleasure without needing my silicone. 

With so many great tips, its hard to follow with anything as good a some of the other hacks but here is one that's worth knowing for anyone who doesn't know already.  If you're wearing something tight on your lower half and need to tuck but don't own a gaff, its super cheap and easy to make a DIY version of a gaff.  All you need to do is cut the elastic out of an old pair of boxers, and cut the upper portion of a sock at the heel to make a tube.  Thread the tube half way along the elastic, put your legs either side into the elastic, tuck back and voila!  An instant gaff without the need to fork out for a genuine one.  I picked this up when searching around online, so am sure there will be some guides with pictures if your search on google, and honestly it does such a good job that I wonder why I'd ever pay for a real one!

Amy X

I have tried the tube sock / elastic gaff and I wasn't all that impressed. It did work, though.

I handcrafted my own gaff, instead.

We are truly a creative group 🙂 I guess it's a survival need for many of us who hid for so long.

My favorite hacks:

Wearing two bras at once for a bold, defined look.

Wearing a dress with the back zipper left open (because the dress is a tad too small) and covering with a cardigan.

Pantyhose under skinny jeans to stay warm in really cold months.

Double pairs of pantyhose for a shiny, hair hiding look.

Moisturizing hands and feet to avoid tearing nylons when putting them on.

Using a cute dress as a top by tucking it into a pair of jeans or folding the bottom inwards.

Wearing a bra with the straps tucked into the cups when I didn't have a strapless bra.

Using men's bikini briefs before I bought panties.

Wearing women's flip flops on guy outfits. No one would suspect, other than the brand.

Wearing knee highs with ballet flats to smoothen out how my feet look.

Using hair ties to cinch oversize tops in the back.

Using safety pins to pin a low cleavage dress or top to reduce the exposure.

Wearing a jumpsuit or dress with a nice top over for a new look.

Here’s another one for those of you who wear wigs. A few of my wigs have combs built in, mostly on the back of the wig. I bought some wig combs and sewed a few in the front. I’m able to use the combs to anchor my wig into my real hair so my wig stays in place without requiring a wig cap and bobby pins. You can buy the combs on Temu