Unleash Your Inner Masculinity: 10 Proven Ways on How to Look More Masculine FTM.
Date:16 February, 2023
Are you a female-to-male (FTM) individual looking to explore, embrace, and express your masculinity? If so, unleashing the masculine within can be an intimidating journey. From deciding which steps to take next in your transition to figuring out what it means to present as a man — there are many elements that require consideration along the way.
In this blog post, we will provide 10 proven ways how to look more masculine FTM based on real experiences from individuals just like you who have been down similar roads. Start making advancements towards expressing yourself authentically within your gender identity today with these practical tips!
Table of Contents
Unleash Your Inner Masculinity: 10 Proven Ways on How to Look More Masculine FTM.
Get a Masculine Haircut
- Crew Cut with Low Fade
- Buzz Cut with Fade
- Casual Slick Back
Packing
Grow a Beard or Mustache
Build Muscle Mass
- Eat Enough Protein
- Get Enough Calories
- Lift Heavy Weights
- Use Compound Exercises
- Increase Your Training Volume
- Use Progressive Overload
- Rest Between Sets
Groom Yourself Regularly
Dress in Clothing That Fits Well
Stand Up Straight with Good Posture
Accessorize with Items that Convey Masculinity
Avoid Wearing Too Much Makeup
Be More Assertive and Confident
Final Thoughts
Get a Masculine Haircut
One of the most obvious ways to look more masculine is by getting a haircut that reflects your gender identity. Here, you will want to consider the length, shape, and texture of the cut that best suits your style. Remember, it's totally fine if you're a trans man who prefers long hair! These options are specifically aimed towards shorter styles, though.
From classic shortcuts to shaved sides and longer top lengths, there are many options to choose from. Be sure to bring pictures of looks you like when visiting a salon or barber for the first time — this way, you can create a look that both you and your barber will be happy with. Here are some excellent examples of masculine haircuts for FTM individuals.
Crew Cut with Low Fade
Looking more masculine FTM can be a great way to increase your own self-confidence and present yourself to the world in a way that reflects the true you. A great place to start is with a haircut!
A masculine haircut can be one of the quickest and most visible changes, particularly if you go with something like a crew cut with a low fade. This classic male style delivers definition along the temple, sides, neckline, and longer hair on top, creating structure and definition for an attractive look. It's no wonder why this style has been popular among men for generations!
One of the best aspects of this haircut is how it allows you to show off some of your own personality by adjusting how short or long you'd like certain sections of the hair to be. So if you're looking for an easy change towards presenting a more masculine version of yourself, try out this stylish crew cut with low fade.
Buzz Cut with Fade
A classic, masculine style that creates an immediate impact is the buzz cut with fade. This popular military-style haircut has all the sides and back cropped short and tight, then slowly “faded” up into longer lengths as you move up toward the crown of the head.
When it comes to gender expression, hair can have a huge influence on how masculine or feminine someone looks—going for a strong, structured cut such as this buzz cut with a fade can instantly take your look to the next level. Not only will this look create a bold statement of masculinity, but it’s also very easy to maintain and rock year-round.
Finally, be sure to trust your hairdresser. They should be able to advise on the best product ranges and styling techniques suited for your hair type and face shape.
Casual Slick Back
A casual, slick back style can be achieved with short, military-inspired haircuts and regular maintenance. For best results, invest in high-quality clippers and specific styling products to get an effortless look that is easy to maintain. When going for the cut, ask your barber or stylist to keep the sides shorter to have a shorter haircut that gives off a classic yet distinctively modern vibe.
As always, when styling hair, make sure to pay attention to any major changes—such as layered cutting—while also keeping small details like hairlines in mind. The combination of ease and effortlessness will help you achieve a classic masculine look that speaks volumes about your personality and style.
Packing
Packing is a great way for transgender men looking to enhance their masculine appearance. While some people may require a silicone packer, others may just need some cloth-based padding or cushioning underneath. When shopping for a packer, opt for a shape that sits flat against your body - one that’s either beveled or encased in underwear can help achieve this look for optimal masculinization. To complete the look, pair the right clothing with your packing choice.
Skinny jeans and tapered pants are popular choices as they give off a sleek, contoured silhouette. Heavier fabrics like women's pants provide more bulk and structure while keeping you covered up while out and about.
Suppose you’re seeking maximum projection and added volume to the chest area. In that case, compression vests offer an adjustable fit that creates greater definition while still being breathable and comfortable to wear all day long. With these clever tips, you can create a masculine physique effortlessly with packing!
Grow a Beard or Mustache
Growing a beard or mustache can help make a transgender man appear more masculine in appearance. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to help with gender transition. When it comes down to it, growing facial hair may seem intimidating at first, but don’t let this stop you!
With patience, practice, and the right products, anyone can get that stylish facial hair look they crave. From basic stubble all the way up to full-on lumberjack status, growing a beard or mustache is honestly quite simple.
First, commit to the process: decide on your goal length, select a quality beard oil and balm product, and most importantly, have faith in yourself throughout the process; know that greater things will come with time.
Secondly, take your time, as good-looking facial hair does not grow overnight! Physical evidence of progression encourages persistence and confirms growth is achievable for even the slowest growers. Overall, having facial hair is an important part of feeling comfortable in your masculine identity, so grow!
Build Muscle Mass
Building muscle mass is one of the best ways to look more masculine as a FTM. It can take dedication; however, with hard work and consistency, the results can be worth it.
Eat Enough Protein
Protein is the building block of muscle, so it's important to eat enough of it if you're trying to build muscle mass to have a masculine chest. The recommended dietary allowance for protein is 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, so a 180-pound person would need to consume about 65 grams of protein per day. A healthy diet should include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and legumes, which are good sources of protein.
Get Enough Calories
To build muscle mass, you need to consume more calories than your own body burns each day. This calorie surplus will give your body the energy it needs to build new muscle tissue. A good rule of thumb is to consume an extra 250-500 calories per day above your maintenance level.
Lift Heavy Weights
Lifting heavy weights is essential for building muscle mass. When you lift heavy weights, your muscles are forced to adapt by getting stronger and larger. Aim to lift weights that are 80-85% of your one-rep max for best results.
Use Compound Exercises
Compound exercises are multi-joint movements that work for multiple muscle groups at the same time. These will help you to build more muscle mass in less time. Some examples of compound exercises include squats, pull-ups, deadlifts, bench presses, and overhead presses.
Increase Your Training Volume
Training volume refers to the number of sets and reps you perform in a workout. To build muscle mass, you need to increase your training volume and have vigorous exercise over time by adding more sets and/or reps to your workouts. This will force your muscles to adapt by getting stronger and larger.
Use Progressive Overload
Progressive overload is a technique whereby you gradually increase the amount of weight you're lifting over time. This gradual increase in weight forces your muscles to adapt by getting stronger and larger. In order to properly use progressive overload, you need to consistently increase the amount of weight you're lifting from workout to workout.
Rest Between Sets
It's important to rest for 1-2 minutes between sets when you're trying to build muscle mass. This will allow your muscles to recover so that they can continue working hard during your next set. If you don't rest between sets, your performance will suffer, and you won't be able to lift as much weight or perform as many reps as you otherwise could have.
Groom Yourself Regularly
As FTM individuals look to express their true selves, grooming becomes an important part of presenting themselves the way that they want to enhance their masculine features. Looking more masculine does not have to be difficult; it all starts with the basic maintenance of facial and body hair. This can include shaving, using trimmers to keep facial hair tidy and neat, styling sideburns, and managing other problem areas.
Regular visits with a barber or salon specialist can help establish a great framework for achieving the desired look. With this foundation in place, FTM individuals will find it easy to add artistic touches, such as facial piercings or tattoos that further emphasize their masculinity. Making sure to groom regularly is essential: maintaining a clean-cut appearance ensures that nothing is distracting the world from recognizing the individual's inner power and strength.
Dress in Clothing That Fits Well
If you’re a trans man looking for ways to be more masculine in your daily wardrobe, focusing on masculine clothing that perfectly fits is key. By finding pieces with the right measurements for you, you can confidently show off your new identity and present yourself in a style that fits your personality.
Further, wearing clothes with the correct fit will help ensure that you look put-together yet comfortable at all times. To start, measure yourself accurately before shopping around; involve others if necessary or take advantage of online sizing charts to make sure everything you purchase is tailored just right.
Then when you go out to shop, try on what looks like it could fit and proceed cautiously with alterations if needed—keep an eye out for fabric colors, patterns, and styles that suit your body type best too. The result? Clothes that hug your figure in all the right places and adjust to every move while giving off a natural sense of style and confidence in who you are as an individual.
Stand Up Straight with Good Posture
Standing up straight with good posture is an easy and effective way for trans masc or gender non-conforming individuals to look more masculine. Good posture is defined as positioning your upper body erect, making full use of your lungs’ capacity, and creating the illusion of looking taller.
In order to achieve a perfect posture, start by standing tall and upright with legs spread and shoulder-width apart. Keep your back straight while simultaneously tucking in the chin and letting the shoulder blades fall down towards the back while slightly lifting your chest outward.
Avoid slouching or bending over, as this can make you look smaller than you actually are, which many FTM individuals find undesirable due to its appeal to feminine energy. Additionally, building upper body strength can be beneficial as it tends to help promote healthy posture, leading to an overall increased appearance of masculinity. Practicing good posture also offers long-term health benefits, including improved breathing, digestion, and a decrease in muscle tension headaches.
Accessorize with Items that Convey Masculinity
When it comes to expressing masculinity as a transgender man, accessories are a great way to make a statement. Consider how watches, cufflinks, ties, hats, and glasses can take an outfit up a notch. A quality watch not only looks stylish but also carries connotations of responsibility and sophistication—perfect for conveying authority and dominance.
Similarly, cufflinks add another level of formality that adds character to an outfit or uniform, whilst reflective sunglasses gives an air of confident coolness. Hats can be used to add boldness to an everyday outfit. Why not wear something that speaks of the kind of man you want to be?
Finally, ties come in various designs, colors, and materials, so they make it easier than ever to express your inner strength through their versatility; opt for something bold and make sure you find the right knot size! Accessorizing is all about making bold decisions with the right items, aiming for impactful colors, conscious fabric choices, and versatile options.
Avoid Wearing Too Much Makeup
For those who identify as FTM, makeup can often be a difficult topic to think about. On the one hand, wearing makeup can help create the masculine look many FTM strive for. However, when done incorrectly or in excess, it can be easy to cross the line and feel uncomfortable in your own skin. A good rule of thumb is to use cosmetics with a purpose and simplicity at its core.
Choose one feature you want to enhance and focus on that. For example, if you have brilliant eyes and need some additional definition around them, top it off with a little bit of eyeliner or some highlighter brushed across cheekbones to make them stand out just right, but no more than that! There is no shame in wanting to utilize makeup; rather, it is finding the appropriate balance and avoiding overdoing it that will propel you into feeling your most comfortable self day-to-day.
Be More Assertive and Confident
If you are looking for ways to make yourself appear more masculine as a female-to-male individual, the single most important thing you can do is to be more assertive and confident. Assertiveness involves communicating with authority in a direct manner that indicates confidence. This will help those around you view you as reliable, dependable, and strong, which are key qualities associated with masculine behaviors.
Being confident will allow you to reach out and seize immediate opportunities while minimizing hesitation in body language that could create doubt or anxiety in those around you. When it comes to asserting yourself, it’s important to stand up straight and make direct eye contact to portray that masculine edge in order to establish credibility quickly.
As for conveying your confidence, be sure not to focus too heavily on perfection, and instead act based on sound judgment when making decisions or taking action. A strong dose of self-awareness and mindfulness regarding the effect that your own behavior has on others can support projecting an aura of masculine energy.
Final Thoughts
By employing the aforementioned tips, you can look more masculine as an FTM person without sacrificing your comfort or integrity. Whether it’s through improving your wardrobe and accessorizing with items that convey masculinity, wearing makeup sparingly, or being more assertive and confident in order to project strength, these are all proven ways on how to look more masculine. With the right attitude and approach, you can finally unleash your inner masculinity.
