Looking Better
Wearing makeup is a fact of life for many women. They learn how to use it at an early age and continually refine their look with different products and colors. Some go for a dramatic look. Others just want to enhance their natural beauty. How they accomplish this differs with every face. Some women eventually tire of the hassle and simply go au naturel.
As crossdressers, we rarely have the option of skipping makeup when going out in public. We also tend to lack experience applying it. Instead, we begin our crossdressing journey from essentially zero.
During scattered moments, we start slathering our faces with unfamiliar products. Predictably, our first attempt yields poor results—and probably the next few attempts as well. We watch endless videos featuring people with different facial features, sometimes leading to even more setbacks. Yet we keep trying and gradually improve as we discover what works for us.
Still, there is always room for improvement. Where might we find it?
Are You Satisfied?
Imagine spending an hour refining your appearance before heading out. You deliberate over your eyes and wonder whether your brows look good or your eyeliner is straight. Returning to the mirror, you examine yourself yet again. Did you choose the right shade of foundation? Is the blush too heavy or placed too low on your cheekbones?
So many questions and doubts. What should you do?
Fortunately, experts are available for in-person consultations about your features. In my world, they reside in an exotic place called Sephora, conveniently located just a few miles away.
Yet entering this mysterious place can feel daunting. Am I really doing this in broad daylight? How do I get there without being noticed? What if someone speaks to me? Gasp!
OK, that’s a bit over the top. Let’s return to the real world.
The people who work in these magical places—whether Sephora, MAC, Ulta or even a department store—are there to help you look your best. To them, it doesn’t matter whether you are a guy, a girl or have yet to make up your mind. All they see is somebody they can help—and, yes, a potential sale. Your money is just as good as a woman’s, and they are quite aware of that fact.
Dip Your Toe in the Water
Considering a visit to one of these establishments? You need not plunge into the deep end. One day, take a breath and simply walk in.
A greeter will likely meet you at the door. Just explain that you need a moisturizer for daily use. She will arrange for someone to help you choose a suitable product. At that point, you might mention that you also need a foundation match. This offers a natural opening to share that you dress and you will likely find them eager to assist.
Remember the name of the person who helped you and look for them on subsequent visits. Let them know how the product worked for you and ask for help with something else. Perhaps you need blush, an eyebrow pencil or eye shadow.
You’ll find that you are greeted with a smile every time you stop in. Before you know it, you’ll feel comfortable in the store and can move on to even more exciting things—like makeovers.
Getting a Makeover
Before my club’s recent Girls’ Night Out, I decided to have a makeover at my local Sephora. I made an appointment online for a 60-minute beauty session, which cost $60. Some products, such as false eyelashes, cost extra. Please don’t forget to tip the makeup artist (MUA) at the end of the session.
How should you go? I went fully dressed but wore very little makeup—basically, just tinted moisturizer and lipstick. Oh, yes, I also wore oversized sunglasses. Going that way allows the makeup artist to coordinate your look with your outfit.
Upon entering, I was greeted warmly and explained that I was there for my appointment. The smile broadened,and I was escorted to the MUA’s lair.
Well, it wasn’t actually a lair. In fact, it was in the middle of the store and quite open to everyone shopping there. While the MUA worked on me, several customers wandered by. I didn’t notice any particular reactions. Maybe I passed better than I thought.
But I digress…
The MUA sat me down at her station and asked what kind of look I wanted. I was only interested in blending in, so I told her that I didn’t want anything over the top. She asked a few more questions and then got down to business.
An hour later, after many applications of various mysterious potions, I was able to see the results. Here are the before-and-after pictures. A dramatic difference, I’d say.
And here is the full-length look for those who are interested:
I’ll Be Back
The photo at the upper right of today’s Stuff is a stylized version of the “After” image created using ChatGPT.
Comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff, so let me know what you would like to read about.
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| Wearing Ann Taylor |
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| Louis Mandylor femulating in a 1992 episode of television’s Down the Shore. |
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