… the first time I ever (successfully) asked a girl out, she was so cute and I was such a total, gibbering wreck. I never thought I could be so much of a hopeless, pathetic wimp ever again. And then I decided I had to go and have my first ever professional makeover and photoshoot…
I’d known for years that such a service was available and I’d found out a couple of years earlier that there was a lady in my own fair city of Leicester offering a full makeover/photoshoot service: the lovely Tracey at Femme Side Studio, only 40 minutes on the bus from me. Covid delayed me, but in the end I decided to give it a go, even though the voice in the back of my mind kept telling me that I’d back out at the last minute. OK then; sign up, pay up – and just know that it isn’t really going to happen. But there was a “problem”: the closer the day got, the more I told myself I had to go through with it… but also the more terrified I became. No-one knows I’m a CD (bar my CDH sisters) and I’d be fully dressed up – with a GG doing my makeup and taking photos of me! Only a week before I was due to go, I had told myself I’d back out, but then I started to tell myself that I needed to stop being a wimp…
I managed to get on the bus – which promptly broke down! They got it going again, just soon enough for me to get there smack on time. Here I am at the door; do I ring the bell? Errmmm – there isn’t one; so knock… but before I can, the door opens and there stands Tracey, inviting me in and asking if I wanted a cup of tea. I can’t tell her how terrified I am, but she’s so lovely that I find myself calming down, my heart rate slowing and that dead, prickly feeling at the back of my brain is disappearing.
Tracey wants to know what sort of look I want to portray; good question, but not one that I really have an answer to. In the end, it’s more a matter of looking through the vast selection of dresses, skirts, tops and shoes that she provides and seeing what matches. Once she has a basic idea, it’s make up time! I’ve never had a proper makeover before and it feels a little strange; the false eyelashes and the eyeliner are a touch scary, while the work on my lips feels really nice! In the end, I look in the mirror and I’m really unsure – don’t I look a bit pale and pasty? Tracey seems to be very happy though – and she’s the expert… Things now move at a pace; I really don’t notice when she helps me into a bra and breast forms, then I find myself in a beautiful, short, red dress and lovely soft, black, thigh high boots. My wig looks very beautiful in the mirror and somehow I’m sat in front of the lights and posing for the camera; I surely must look like a complete mess though, right? The next couple of hours pass with a couple of outfit changes and me wondering just how I can manage to change my tights without losing all of my false fingernails…
Eventually, I get to see all the pictures that Tracey has taken; a few are rejected – because the model just got it so wrong. Everything Tracey has done is, however, FANTASTIC! I almost look good (hey – miracles don’t happen, but she has come closer than I ever thought possible!) I don’t think I look anything like I do as a male – good thing, really! I started out being completely terrified; I ended up loving every second and wondering why I didn’t do this years ago! If any of my sisters out there are thinking they can’t do this – believe me, you CAN… and you’ll be SO glad you did! This is NOT a paid advert for The Femme Side Studio in Syston, Leicester, but I can’t help thinking that Tracey is a lady that all of us should consider visiting; a talented make up artist, a far better photographer than she thinks she is – and a truly lovely, gorgeous lady who will make you feel so great about yourself. I’m sure there are many, many other places out there that can do such a great job; I just want all my sisters out there to know that they CAN look great and that getting up a little courage is a fantastic idea! You’ll be on Cloud Nine for ages afterwards; after all, I still am……
Love you all: Holly XXX
Awesome article Holly. I’ve always wanted to have this done but never had the courage, the saddest part is their used to be a place near my home but it closed a couple of years ago and the proprietor moved away. I should have went but I was in a different place back then I don’t think I was ready. Glad you had a great experience and the pics are lovely! Ty for sharing Holly.
You are just too sweet – and from your picture, just too cute as well. I really really hope you can find another place close enough to you – or one near to wherever you want to go on holiday?… All I can say is that it’s an unbelievable experience – and I’m going to book another session for the summer. Glad you like the few piccies I managed to post – even though I still think I look like a very old, unattractive lady… Love you: Holly XXX
Hi Holly thanks for sharing your story with us, that’s what I’ve wanted for a long time to have a professional makeover and have a professional photo shoot, I’m not sure if there is anywhere in Shrewsbury that does makeovers, there’s a place in Birmingham that does makeovers it’s called Transformation and they do 4 hour session’s if it’s still there, maybe i should go to the one near where you live,
I’m hoping to have a makeover done sometime this year it would be marvelous to actually happen X
Hugs Rozalyn X
Hiya, Roz; I really don’t know about Shrewsbury – or Brum. If you want to go to see Tracey in Leicester, send me a PM – I could even take you along if you wanted. All I can specifcally say is that you would LOVE IT! I’m not trying to tout for business for Tracey; just pointing out that this is an experience that no sister should miss out on! Thank you so much for your comment – I really appreciate it. Lots of love: Holly XXX
Hi Holly thanks for your reply, I would love to go to Tracey’s for a makeover, It would be later on in the year and i would love for you to take me, I’ll keep in touch and let you know when i can get away, it’s hard trying to keep it secret my wife doesn’t know I’m a crossdresser, I’m hoping that i can persuade her to go to her friends sometime soon she lives in Stourbridge near Birmingham,
Hugs and kisses and lots of love Rozalyn X
Rozalyn; as long as it’s after my own visit in July, and after I get back into the country… hey – any time from mid September onwards. You will absolutely love it! Just like I did… Holly XXX
Hi Holly i think my wife is away in September, she’s having a holiday with one of her girlfriend’s at Aberystwyth for a week so i might be able to get over then X
Hugs Rozalyn X
Just let me know when – as long as I’m in the UK, I’m up for it! Kisses: Holly XXX
Ok i will as soon as i get a date I’ll message you,
Hugs and kisses Rozalyn X
Hi Holly you didn’t say how much it cost, i need to start saving up the cash so it doesn’t appear on my bank card,
Love Roz X
Aaahhh… good point; depends on how long you want. Have a look at the website (just type in Femme Side Studio and it will come up) but for a makeover and photoshoot I think it is anywhere between £150 (three hours, two outfits) and £250 (five hours, four outfits). I went for the intermediate – 4 hours and three outfits – and loved it. She also does a “Makeup & Go" session for £50, but surely the photos are the point of the exercise? If you decide to definitely go for it, get in touch with Tracey about how to… Read more »
Hi Holly i think the 4 hour session might be best, I also think the photo shoot is the main reason for the exercise, I think i could perhaps save up by putting a few pounds away every week well maybe 10 or 15 pounds every week then i wouldn’t miss it all in one go, I shall certainly look it up on the website,
Thanks very much hugs Rozalyn X
Great story, Holly Marie…I really enjoyed it – thanks for sharing.
You are far too nice! Love you: Holly XXX
I’m so glad for you Holly, and this is a wonderful article telling us how it went. You reminded me of my first professional makeover many years ago. I’m glad that you shared the experience with all of us. Thank you, Marg
Hiya, Marg; having seen your public photos, I can definitely say that your first makeover can’t have been that many years ago – they don’t allow you to do that if you’re less than 18 years old! You’re far, far too sweet; Holly XXX
Great story Holly! It very much mirrors my own first makeover experience with Beth Taylor outside Washington, DC, in 2013. Since that first time, I’ve had three additional makeovers with Beth, the most recent being in November 2022. Each time the experience was pure delight, entirely due to Beth’s welcoming attitude, her superb studio, and her absolute skill as a makeover artist. Like you, I highly encourage anyone considering a makeover to take advantage of any opportunity to do so. You won’t regret it!
Again, thanks for a wonderful article!
woe yes Awesome article. i would love to have a makeover done and see how pretty i can be with a pro doing my makeup and wig and style of clothing. wish i could find one in my area of Niagara Falls N.Y i would like to go but i would be just like you scared at first and all that but at the end i would love to see the difference.
Hi Lucinda,
Do a “cross border" and go up to Walk of the Wildside in Toronto…Other Toronto based CDH’ ers may be able to tell you if its still going, the last time I was there “(briefly) was in 2016, tho if you check my public gallery you will see I had a makeover there circa 30 years ago..
Miss Vera’s Finishing School for Girls may still be still going in NYC as well.
Happy dressing
Caty.
hello i don’t go to Cananda, i have a speeding ticket and that a felony to Canada laws, but i do cross dress and stay home and enjoy myself while i can. i do under dress a lot during the weekend and go out shopping and see friend’s and they don’t even know i am wearing a dress or skirt and blouse have a great night Lucinda i will look for a place in Niagara Falls NY area that does make overs.
Holly what a great story I am glad you had so much fun. Lovely picture of you.
Photographer 1, Model 0… Love you: Holly XXX
Thank you Holly for sharing your makeover experience…well done.. I can relate to it because I felt so pampered during mine…
and it is so true “You’ll be on Cloud Nine for ages afterwards”.. Leonara
Thanks so much for sharing this Holly – I loved reading it. Sounds like a dream and I would love to have this done one day myself. You look absolutely amazing in your picture.
Gemma.
Holly I’ve been to see Tracy a few times now and everything you say about her is spot on she’s an amazing lady
Quite definitely the truth; I realise that what with the cost of living crisis our sisters out there may be finding the pennies hard to come up with, but for the experience she provides, Tracy is selling herself short…… Holly XXX
Just don’t tell her
Perish the thought!!! Holly XXX