Last Friday, I decided to get some professional advice on a lipstick shade. The MAC store has great staff and I had been before, so off I went to a stand alone MAC store in. By this I mean not a counter at a department store, but a store that was just MAC Cosmetics. There was I time that the thought of being seen out was frightening, I think we can all relate. I thought that I needed to completely 'Pass' or bad things would happen. While I have gotten better at my appearance, by no means do I pass.
I arrived at the MAC store, wearing leggings, the ones that stop just below the knee, with a loose V-neck top and heels. This is my standard casual attire. A male employee approached and asked to help. I told him what I wanted and he quickly found just the right shade of red, I had requested red. He led me to a makeup chair to try it on. Gave me a lip base to use first. I applied it and the lipstick then he handed me a liner pencil. I told him I was not very good with the pencil and he showed me the easy way to do it. It involves the angle you hold the pencil. I told hime it was perfect and I would buy all three. When I started to get up he said wait, I want you to 'Pop'. I had done my eyes, that day but little else. He applied, blush, a little contour, the added to my eyes. Then told me exactly how and why he chose each. If you look at my current profile picture you will see his handy work.
There was no time that either thought I was anything other than a transgender. He was super encouraging and seemed to enjoy helping me make the best of myself. In fact everyone in the store was extremely friendly.
Just outside the store was a Starbucks stand and I proceeded to get in line for a coffee. While waiting a lady behind me commented on a chocolate pastery in the case and I replied that it did indeed look good. Since I responded she struck up a conversation with me. Mentioning that her 'Partner' was shopping in the Mall. I grabbed a table and offered her the other chair. She sat and we ended up talking for over an hour. The conversation encompassed everything from our lives, jobs travels, wine etc. And of course a lot about how much the world has changed for us. She was gay and I was trans, and we were both quite happy about it. There we sat, two perfect strangers, at Starbucks in the middle of a busy up-scale mall, chatting away. And absolutely no one acted any differently around us.
Finally I stopped by a store that specializes in prepared gourmet food to go and bought dinner for my wife and myself. The checkout girl greeted me and the let out a 'I love your Makeup!' I told her of my trip to the MAC store and she again complimented my lip color. We ended up chatting for 10 minutes, as it was mid afternoon and they were not busy. Again no need to pretend to be anything other than what I am, a gender non-binary human being. People can and will be wonderful, if you just give them the chance.
Jess
Originally Posted by Katey888
