My Experience with CDtips

by Martha

It all started with a new computer and a phone call, in that order. AOL helped me find a business called CDtips which offered transformations and I was now making the phone call to same. Was I nervous? Yes! I had never arranged for anything like this before and I did not know what to expect. All of my transgender experience to date had involved clandestine orders through mail order catalogs or instances of shopping for cosmetics at a drug store. As with another testimonial, I proceeded cautiously, in my case being very much concerned about exposure and, as mentioned by others, being promised one thing and then experiencing another.

Lynda was very much the professional, establishing the fact right away that she wanted to make sure that we had a meeting of the minds regarding my expectations and what she could/would deliver. The first step was to be an interview in a local hotel lobby to mutually determine whether we wanted to proceed further, the idea of which gave me some trepidation re: exposure but, on reflection (and in retrospect), made perfect sense. After all, it was a public place which was safer for two strangers to meet and she immediately put me at ease with her confident, businesslike demeanor, asking me questions about my cross dressing experience and obtaining personal data regarding expectations, sizes, wardrobe, etc. which I increasingly found easier to answer as the interview proceeded. She put me at ease - much more so than I thought I would be - and I soon found myself opening up and becoming more proactive in the conversation which, she knew, again in retrospect, was necessary if she was to work effectively with me. The end result was we set up an appointment for a transformation and I went away excited and looking forward to that day but, yet, calmer than I thought I would be - she has an ability to exert a calming influence on this sensitive subject which would pay future dividends.

The day finally came when I was to get my transformation. The city I live in is some distance from Philadelphia but still within driving distance so I opted to drive and brought my own clothes since it was my plan to leave her place of business en femme for the drive home. As luck would have it, I arrived late - traffic was terrible. I called en route concerned that I was running too late but she assured me it would be OK - she would do the best she could (which turned out to be exceptional) given time constraints. After I arrived and was let up to her floor in her building, I introduced another problem - I had to shave. She took it in stride, asking me to use, after shaving, a cleanser, toner and moisturizer she gave me and to put on the foundation garments (w/prostheses) and panty hose I had brought with me and left the room, asking me to call her when I was ready. I called her in as soon as I finished and, again in retrospect, was surprisingly at ease, given the fact that, for my first time ever, I was standing in front of essentially a stranger in a bra, slip, panties and panty hose. She then gave me an evaluation which was for the most part very positive but, correctly, observed that I really needed to get some good foundation garments. She then went about her business.

First she took me to her nail station where she proceeded to apply false nails with nail glue. During the interview, I had expressed my concern over the procedure since my experience was that nails applied with glue were the devil to remove but she had assured me they would come off easily and not damage my natural nails, as she said, "if used and applied properly". After she finished the application she showed me how they were to be removed and then asked me how long I wanted them. I wanted to leave them long but my practical side intervened and we agreed on a medium length. Then she put on a color that matched the lipstick I had brought with me. I was fascinated by the change in the appearance of my hands and told her so but she reminded me we had just begun and went on to apply makeup telling me I could look but it was better to wait until she was finished. I must admit I took a peek or two but she was right - you can't evaluate where you are going until you get there.

Throughout the transformation we talked away much the same as friends or long time clients. Finally we were done and I got dressed, put on jewelry and a wig I had bought from her. The results were spectacular! I weigh slightly over 200 pounds and am 5'10" tall - it was no small feat to make me passable, which is her goal with her clients, and yet I felt I was looking in the mirror at a woman. The proof was in the pudding so to speak in that I was to go out of her apartment, go down to the main lobby in an elevator and walk to my car, which was parked in the street, in broad daylight. She offered to accompany me, the first of many confidence boosters, and we left for my car carrying my things.

The elevator stopped on a lower floor and a man got on - if I was going to be read it would be now. He and Lynda carried on a conversation until we got to the lobby and then he held the door for me! We had passed the first test and soon found ourselves at the car where I had to say goodbye to my new friend - for, by now, I thought of her that way. That was in April and since then we have done personalized shopping at a corset and shoe store and a department store in a mall where we also purchased a pair of woman's glasses for me (prescription). The salespersons during these personalized shopping trips were courteous and respectful - a reaction which I, frankly, had some concern over since I was not en femme and it was obvious that we were buying the items for me since I was trying them on. Lynda is, I have found, a very resourceful individual who will not place her clients in danger and she has built up a resource list which really fits the bill.

I have since been back for two more transformations, which have included a Girl's Night Out where we went to dinner and a nightclub and a shopping trip, including lunch, to a mall with me en femme in broad daylight. In both instances I was wearing clothes she had selected for me and which I bought in the department store and I must say I think I cut quite a figure in them. At this point, I should also mention that if the clothes you purchase don't quite fit correctly, she also has a tailor who will modify them for you after taking measurements on you while you are wearing them.

I have now scheduled another transformation for the end of July which will include a shopping trip to the shoe store, this time with me en femme, and a return trip to the mall.. Each time I learn more and being with her during the outings associated with the transformations has given me a confidence that I did not have before. She is my friend and my confidant and her confidence is contagious. All in all a super individual who, I feel, really understands me and that is not an easy thing to do. I would recommend her to any one.

Martha
gemmartha@hotmail.com