Funny first makeup trip.

[Carla L]

I was at Costco today, there was a lady working in the makeup section selling ... concealer! It was on sale and I was looking at it. Still being apprehensive about colors I finally just told her I was a crossdresser and needed advice on what shade to pick.

She didn't bat an eyelash, simply pointed out several colors that she thought would work. I settled on a shade and bought it. They also had a kit containting some eyeshadow, blush and lip paste??? which I also purchased.

I couldn't wait to try my new stuff and after my wife left I hurried to the bathroom to test the waters.

The concealer was, well, not what I expected. I think I will have to razor shave and not use my electric (and it is a good one at that). Next was some foundation, eye shadow and lip paste???

Ok, what is lip paste you ask. On the back of the case I purchased was the name of the color and the type of makeup. I flipped over the case and it said the ones on the left were for the lips (browns and blue) and the right (reds and burgendy) were for the eyes. Seemed strange because the reds were like lip balm and the blue and browns were like a powder, but who am I to know... Next I tried to put some of the lip paste??? on my eyes. That didn't work very good.

I finally figured out the label on the back of the case was 180 degrees off from the colors in the case. I was trying to use eye shadow on my lips and lip paste??? on my eyes.. Go figure.

THEN I heard my daughter come home. Ok, how do I get all this off. I first tried to wash all off with soap and water. That got in my eyes and all over the counter. I wanted to wipe it off with the towel, but that would leave a stain so I used toilet paper. Brilliant. I had white fuzzy stuff all over my face, and streaks. I finally used those moist toilet wipes which worked really well!

Sorry to ramble but if you could have seen my face and the mess I made on the counter , it was quite comical.

[Carol Ann]

I would have love to been there and seen the panic in yours eyes as one problem lead to another.
Oh sorry I just had to laugh at that one.

[Kyra]

Hi Robyn,

I must first applaud your bravery in asking the salesperson for help in selecting what you needed.

It sounds like you had quite the mess there. I hope you were able to get everything cleaned up without your daughter wondering what was going on.

Hugs,
Kyra

[DonnaT]

Good to see you were brave enough to ask the SA about concealor.

Did she tell you it was meant to cover bleamishes and goes over the foundation, and then use a little more foundation over the concealer? It doesn't really work as a beard cover.

An orange/red lipstick works as a beard cover under foundation.

Keep a jar of Noxema on hand to wash to face quickly to remove makeup off. Or a rag and a jar of Albolene.

Toilet Paper?

[Virginia]

For my two cents! Baby Oil is the best androgynous make up remover I have found. I use primarily Ponds, but if you are in a domestic situation where questions may arise as to why there is a jar of Ponds sitting around, baby oil (preferably Johnson's) will get a lot less attention.
I think it is great that you just came out and told the lady why you were interested in her products.
As for the concealer, I bought a tube of concealer from Merle Norman. It is very small and I think I paid about $16.00 for it, but she told me a little bit goes a long way and it does. I use it virtually everytime I put on make up and I still have a lot left!
My process is, first I shave, using the Gillette Fusion (5 blade) razor, with a new blade every time I am going to dress. Then I rinse my face in cold water, the colder the better. Next, a good moisturizer, Oil of Olay, or I have been using lately and it seems to be the best stuff I have ever used, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Just enough to know that you put it on. You have to give it a few minutes to "soak in," then the concealer on spots you want to "hide," age spots, acne, blemishes. It is not designed as a beard cover or as a foundation! After that dries for a few moments, then apply the foundation and remember that is one of the major points! Your foundation should/must match your skin tone!!!!!!! Then I use a slight dusting of facial powder - loose powder- not the compact that is only for touch-ups when you are out and your nose is shiny!!! Use a big, soft, feathery brush to put the powder on and it does not take much. It more or less sets the foundation. Then a bit of blush and the rest.
Works for me! Good luck and congratulations again on telling it like it is!!!
Virginia

[Carla L]

You have all been wonderful. Especially the help with the foundation and concealer. I thought I would put concealer on first, then foundation.

I think the next time I can experiment will be on Wed. I will try some of the steps listed at that time. In the meantime, I will have to purchase a few of the items listed here.

Thank you all for your advice....

[JoAnnDallas]

I always use baby wipes to take off my makeup. I usually use two to make sure I got all of the makeup off.