Shannon
11-09-2005, 01:38 AM
I've been quite the active girl lately, and I want to share my latest 'steps' -- all taken with your support and encouragement. (Sorry this is a bit long)
After a couple of first outings to the gas station and ATM machine, I took a suggestion from a couple of you to try a little window shopping. So last Saturday night I headed up to Carlsbad, about a 15 minute drive, to the Factory Outlet open-air mall. This photo is what I wore.
I strolled around the mall, doing window shopping, for about 30 minutes. It was a lot more lit-up and crowded than I thought it would be for a Saturday night, but I remembered a few things to see me through my nervousness: Confidence, feminine walk-the-line with shoulders back and elbows close-in, and more confidence. I didn't notice anyone staring nor taking a second glance at me. Then I heard a guy working a cellphone kiosk say "Ma'am, can I ask you a question?". My back was turned to him as I was staring into a shop window. I didn't turn around. Again "Ma'am?". I turned and started to walk away. One more time "Ma'am?" I'm thinking to myself that I don't want to be rude, or maybe this guy read me and wanted to verify, but I did not want to talk!
So I do some more strolling and window shopping. Happens to me again. "Ma'am" (This is a different guy at a different kiosk). I keep walking, right into the Tommy Hilfiger store, where I see a really nice pair of jeans in my size. I'll try them on next time.:)
I went back to my car and drove home. Mission accomplished -- I had strolled in a crowded place for 30 minutes en femme.
So all day Sunday and Monday, I kept telling myself, I need more confidence with my make-up. Is the tint of my foundation the right shade? I have an appointment with my eye doctor. Am I really gonna get feminine frames?
<skipping to the good part>
At Lenscrafters, (I'm in drab) I tell the guy I want 2 pair of glass -- one similar to what I'm wearing now, and a second pair that has a more feminine style. I get the impression he hasn't dealt with a request like this before. Make a long story short -- I find a nice pair of Chanel frames that I hope will do the trick. About a week before they are ready (tricky prescription).
Now I have to tackle this issue about the right foundation. Off to Fashion Valley Mall (still in drab). It's about 7:30 pm. The MAC store is packed. I know all you gals rave about MAC, but is it way too busy for me to feel comfortable. Over to Macy's and the Clinique counter. Maria asks if she can help me. "Yes. I'm looking for some foundation for myself, and I'm not sure what shade to get." Maria doesn't miss a beat - she asks me all sorts of questions to determine my skin type (I'm combination, Type III in Clinique lingo).
Maria says "I'm going to recommend 'Superfit' makeup". She picks up three different samples and guides me over to a stool. She adjust the light and starts with the middle shade of the three. While she's applying the foundation, she also tells me about their 3-step skin care regimen and suggests a product for my pores. After she has applied the 3 different shades, she says "I think 'Creamwhip' is your color."
She hands me a mirror and asks what I think. Actually, I don't see much of a difference (which is why I needed help in picking out the right shade to begin with!). I say "I'm going to rely on your professional judgment."
I then ask about a powder. Maria says "Sure. Do you want something translucent or for coverage?" I say "Coverage." (My turn to not miss a beat). Maria applies Matte Neutral on my right cheek and a second shade on my left, then tells me "You want the Matte Neutral. You can use this after your foundation and for touching up."
So besides the foundation and powder, I get the 3-step products and the pore minimizer. Maria has a customer for life.
Some of you may know that Macy's has a customer comment and feedback place at their website. When I got home last night, I completed the satisfaction survey and added the following in the 'comment' section: "Maria, I want to thank you so much for helping me get the right foundation type and shade this evening. You made me feel so comfortable by being professional, approachable, and friendly. I quickly came to trust your opinion and judgement for what is best for me, not only with the foundation and powder, but also with the 3-step routine and the pore minimizer. When I,m ready to try on some blush and eye makeup, I hope you are available to help me. Thank you so much!"
After a couple of first outings to the gas station and ATM machine, I took a suggestion from a couple of you to try a little window shopping. So last Saturday night I headed up to Carlsbad, about a 15 minute drive, to the Factory Outlet open-air mall. This photo is what I wore.
I strolled around the mall, doing window shopping, for about 30 minutes. It was a lot more lit-up and crowded than I thought it would be for a Saturday night, but I remembered a few things to see me through my nervousness: Confidence, feminine walk-the-line with shoulders back and elbows close-in, and more confidence. I didn't notice anyone staring nor taking a second glance at me. Then I heard a guy working a cellphone kiosk say "Ma'am, can I ask you a question?". My back was turned to him as I was staring into a shop window. I didn't turn around. Again "Ma'am?". I turned and started to walk away. One more time "Ma'am?" I'm thinking to myself that I don't want to be rude, or maybe this guy read me and wanted to verify, but I did not want to talk!
So I do some more strolling and window shopping. Happens to me again. "Ma'am" (This is a different guy at a different kiosk). I keep walking, right into the Tommy Hilfiger store, where I see a really nice pair of jeans in my size. I'll try them on next time.:)
I went back to my car and drove home. Mission accomplished -- I had strolled in a crowded place for 30 minutes en femme.
So all day Sunday and Monday, I kept telling myself, I need more confidence with my make-up. Is the tint of my foundation the right shade? I have an appointment with my eye doctor. Am I really gonna get feminine frames?
<skipping to the good part>
At Lenscrafters, (I'm in drab) I tell the guy I want 2 pair of glass -- one similar to what I'm wearing now, and a second pair that has a more feminine style. I get the impression he hasn't dealt with a request like this before. Make a long story short -- I find a nice pair of Chanel frames that I hope will do the trick. About a week before they are ready (tricky prescription).
Now I have to tackle this issue about the right foundation. Off to Fashion Valley Mall (still in drab). It's about 7:30 pm. The MAC store is packed. I know all you gals rave about MAC, but is it way too busy for me to feel comfortable. Over to Macy's and the Clinique counter. Maria asks if she can help me. "Yes. I'm looking for some foundation for myself, and I'm not sure what shade to get." Maria doesn't miss a beat - she asks me all sorts of questions to determine my skin type (I'm combination, Type III in Clinique lingo).
Maria says "I'm going to recommend 'Superfit' makeup". She picks up three different samples and guides me over to a stool. She adjust the light and starts with the middle shade of the three. While she's applying the foundation, she also tells me about their 3-step skin care regimen and suggests a product for my pores. After she has applied the 3 different shades, she says "I think 'Creamwhip' is your color."
She hands me a mirror and asks what I think. Actually, I don't see much of a difference (which is why I needed help in picking out the right shade to begin with!). I say "I'm going to rely on your professional judgment."
I then ask about a powder. Maria says "Sure. Do you want something translucent or for coverage?" I say "Coverage." (My turn to not miss a beat). Maria applies Matte Neutral on my right cheek and a second shade on my left, then tells me "You want the Matte Neutral. You can use this after your foundation and for touching up."
So besides the foundation and powder, I get the 3-step products and the pore minimizer. Maria has a customer for life.
Some of you may know that Macy's has a customer comment and feedback place at their website. When I got home last night, I completed the satisfaction survey and added the following in the 'comment' section: "Maria, I want to thank you so much for helping me get the right foundation type and shade this evening. You made me feel so comfortable by being professional, approachable, and friendly. I quickly came to trust your opinion and judgement for what is best for me, not only with the foundation and powder, but also with the 3-step routine and the pore minimizer. When I,m ready to try on some blush and eye makeup, I hope you are available to help me. Thank you so much!"