Nobody ever told me makeup could be this much fun...but it is!

The idea to have a professional makeup session done and get colors selected with help from a professional, germinated from some of the various blogs I've read.  Since I know very little about makeup, and have no mentors, I visited a MAC counter at a major department store in the Baltimore area.  The ladies there were very friendly, and professional...and the 20-something girl I spoke with was more than happy to help me!

We made an appointment for a convenient time when the better half was out of town, as this would be "pushing the envelope" quite a bit too far to do with her around.  The artist gave me a sample of the proper color of concealer to try, so if it worked for the coverage, she would know how to set up my colors.

Tuesday was that day...here is the outfit I chose to wear.

The long tan skirt was for modesty, as I knew I'd be perched on a chair out in the public eye...and keeping my knees together is still a challenge.  The heels (new - and very comfortable) were necessary to keep my feet on the rung of the chair.  It turned out to be a very appropriate outfit, and quite cool on a hot day...almost like "air conditioning for my legs."  Guys just don't know what they're missing, since they're always stuck in pants!  And it was my first full day out in public in heels...  (Thanks to TxKimberly for the idea - I like the Mary Jane style a lot!)

The artists on duty were cool with both me and my attire...and I found out that they've painted guys there before.   Actually,. the most recent was 3 days ago.  Female customers smiled and said hi as they walked by to check me out.  Some told me that I looked good, and I didn't sense any problems with "a guy invading our space."   Maybe they didn't recognize that I was a guy in a skirt?  Naaaahhh...

Here is a picture of me at the artist's work station, after the application was completed.  Needless to say,  it was a daytime application, and it's not at all blatant.  I probably could wear it anywhere, anytime, with no problems.  But that was exactly the "look" I was seeking.  Unfortunately, the color appears a bit funky because of the fluorescent lighting...not great for accuracy or appearance.

Below is the obligatory restroom shot.  I won't try to kid you...it was a one-holer, so there was no issue from other women.  I wouldn't dream of bringing out the camera if it weren't!  And since I have very little practice with public washrooms, I need to build confidence about being out in public, before testing my wings with other women involved.  

The picture after that was taken out and about sightseeing, to see how my makeup looks and feels, in action.  It held up very well in 95 degree heat, and I had a fabulous time!

 

This girl has major issues with facial hair (how's that for a tactful description of my situation?)  All my previous experimentation with drugstore makeup proved that it can only keep the blue tint/stubble at bay for a relatively short time...maybe 2 - 3 hours max.  That's fine for a short event like a dinner out, or maybe dinner and a show that ends after dark, to minimize the chance of it being noticed.  And it works fine to reduce the effect of the bluish tint for daily wear.  For serious coverage, it's not nearly good enough, and seriously restricts any longer activities.

So above is the result, back home after my MAC day out and about.  My makeup hasn't been touched (well, except for lipstick), and it still looks fine after about 5-1/2 hours...  If I'd touched it up at this point - a bit of additional foundation in the upper lip and chin areas, then some powder, it would probably have delayed deterioration for another 4 or 5 hours.

However, doing nothing - no maintenance at all (remember, this was a test) meant that everything would eventually deteriorate.  By the time I cleaned up (about 9-1/2+ hours after application and some 12 hours after shaving) I could finally feel the stubble.  And a close examination of my face showed the beginnings of makeup caking in wrinkled areas.  A re-application of powder might have disguised it, but I was just too darn tired to try.  Neither wrinkles nor caking were obvious from a distance, but the mirror...unfortunately...never lies.

Going with MAC tremendously improves my presentation, and should help my confidence level as well, particularly if I can shave closer to the time of the event, and have a safe place to do some preventative touch-up at about 5 - 6 hours out.   Thanks, MAC!

Now I just have to go back "someday" for an evening application!  THAT would be fun!