I have no guts.

[joann07]

That's ok Katrina. It's definitely nerve wracking to go to a place like Sephora, but after you do it you'll realize that there's nothing to be worried or nervous about.
Whether you're in guy or girl mode, the SA's at Sephora with treat you no differently.

When I first went to Sephora, I was in guy mode. I was a bit nervous inside, but I treated it as if I had been there thousands of times.
I was honest, nice, and courteous to the SAs and I asked them a lot of questions. Once I was comfortable, there was nothing to it.
Told them that I dress and wanted to get a foundation that matched my skin tone for a more natural look. The SA found a specific product and tried various shades until she found the right color.

A week later, I went back in femme to thank the SA who helped me.
When she saw me, she said I did a very good job.
Ever since then, I have been shopping there dressed and I've developed a friendship with a one particular SA, MJ.
Recently, me and a GG friend went there and she gave us both makeovers and what a great job she did.
You can read more about it by going to the following link:
Spending time with a close friend

Best of luck to you.

Hugs!

[matrioshka]

Just an update:

I went back tonight. Same drill, different day. Only one problem, I ran into a friend while walking around the mall summoning up my courage. He's standing outside the Pottery Barn waiting for the wife to finish looking around. At least he didn't ask why I was there. I can see that now:

"Brian, why are you here?"

"Well Jim, it's like this. I'm here to buy some makeup. You see, I'm one of those crossdressers you hear about."

Yeah, that would go over well. After about an hour or so, I walked in. That's right, I walked in. I didn't buy anything, but I walked in damn it.

The reason I didn't buy anything is that I was overwhelmed by all of the choices. That, and I was too nerved up to ask an SA anything.

M/Katrina

[Sara Jessica]

Hence my second post on your thread, are you going to a mall which is close to home? That would have taken me out of the game in an instant!!!

[deja true]

That was a good step Matrioshka! But lemme tell you the specialist makeup stores, like Sephora, MAC and Ulta will all treat you very well. Makeup is their business. They want to sell it and they want return customers. GGs know, and we soon find out, that good makeup that makes us look good is addictive...and expensive....just ask Karren!

I walked into a MAC store in drab. I went up to a young SA and said, " I'm looking for some makeup for myself, can you help me?" No blinking, no surprised look, no negativity at all. They've seen it all. She took me in tow and we were all over that store. I was just another customer, but in truth, I was a special customer. Because she was amused and pleased to be helping me. She offered great advice ( like go for brown mascara instead of black for daytime wear, like what's a good color lipliner to go with any particular shade of lipstick, like here's a new concealer that works really well on those little eye bags you're getting.)

I happened to have some pictures in my camera of the formal night at Chicago BeAll and we clicked through them all. She loved it and she genuinely liked helping me!

Go introduce yourself. Find one of the young GG SAs and tell her what you want. The younger girls are not so hung up on the antiquated mores of our older generations and in general are more than willing to help us. Take a few of the pics from your fantastic makeover and show her to give her an idea of the look you are going for.

I've heard great things about the Sephora SAs, but never been to one. MAC stores I can highly recommend. After all, one of MACs very first celebrity spokesmodels was RuPaul! They know exactly what we are about. They're first advert campaign for Viva Glam said "All Ages...All Races...All Sexes"

[darla_g]

I have typically always bought drug store brands for myself. But recently my wife sent me to the dept store for some Clinique. So i had some specific things to pick up and I could freelance a little, but the SA was maybe somewhat surprised that I knew exactly what i wanted and was fairly familiar with the product line. But there was never a problem and if I told her i was going to buy something for myself I don't think she would have been phased.

In fact if you don't want to say its for you then there's your perfect opening. "I was going to pick up some good makeup for my wife, she normally only buys the drug store types. I was interested in finding some assortment of eye shadows for example (MAC store for instance)" This becomes easier if you have a list you made up earlier and an idea of shades and colors going in. Its really easier than you might think.

[curse within]

me I have no guts at all when it goes to walking outside

[darla_g]

me I have no guts at all when it goes to walking outside

you mean dressed or just in general (jk)

[curse within]

Dressed......sorry

[SusanLaine]

Like many others here, I went through this many times and still do once in a while. I noticed that as I get more experienced, and maybe a bit older, that I care less if I'm read and just act naturally and lady-like and all is fine. In fact, I find that the more confident I feel the less likely it is that anyone notices anything amiss.

I've also noticed that even when shopping not enfemme that the make-up counter ladies and other sales people have, to a person, been very helpful and non judgemental...go figure...:-)

[TerriM]

I get dressed out about 1x a month. When I do I usually go to a mall a few towns away from me. I have never had a problem. I have gone to the cosmetic counters and had no problems. But lets say I did. What could be the worst that could happen? Maybe the salesperson would laugh or refuse to serve you. Both of those possibilities are something that probally will never happen. The SA are in the business of selling. I remember once a young male sales clerk in a CVS was shocked when I spoke to him. I dont know if it was my voice or if he had read me. You know what , i really didnt care. My advice is go out and enjoy. Life is short.

Yours Terri

[Selene]

I do this constantly even when I'm nowhere near my home town, even though I know no one probably cares but me.

[Raychel]

I can't tell you how many times I have seen a beautiful dress hanging on the racks that I would love to have, but have no guts to buy. I just wish I coul dmanange to get over this internal guilt that goes along with crossdressing. Life would be a much happier place. Maybe someday!!

[flatlander_48]

"I have no guts."

Well that would account for that Hollow Feeling in the middle of the afternoon...

[matrioshka]

Update part two:

I went back to Sephora, found a SA and started asking questions. We tried a few things, and eventually a light must have clicked on in her head that I dressed. At that point, she started talking about "spackle". They didn't have it, and I was told to go to the MAC counter at Macy's. I got the vibe that this was the default option for dealing with one of "them". She was pleasant enough, but I think I wasn't their ideal customer.

On the other hand, Krista, the MAC SA was very helpful. I must have spent a good two hours there, she just about did a total makeover on my face. I wound up getting what I wanted, and had a heck of a conversation about makeup. She put me totally at ease. No pressure to buy anything, but I did anyway. I learned that they have quite a few men as customers.

It was weird, sitting in public while having makeup done on you. I only saw one person stop and stare. The poor fellow was totally gobsmacked, he just stood there, cell phone in hand.

Now I'm hooked. I'm going to have to find brushes, etc. I got to use a eyelash curler, I never thought I would be doing that...

PS: What is spackle? I think of it as a product used on drywall.

Katrina

[Zenith]

See...you have guts...

[Sara Jessica]

PS: What is spackle? I think of it as a product used on drywall.

At least she didn't suggest "bondo"

Congrats on taking this great step!!!

[josie_S]

Funny, I've gone into Victoria's Secret and Macy's and bought bras and things for my gf and I'm sure at least one of the gals thought I was buying for myself, but it didn't faze me a bit. However, buying for myself, I get panicky.

oh my god i have the same experience! i've bought things for gfs before like bras and clothes etc but when it's for me, i PANIC...

so i've told myself over and over that I AM buying things for my SO (if you think about it, SO is a correct term) so whatever fear sets in i can project the notion that i am buying for her.

just so happens my SO is a plump size 12 and she wear a 38D bra