I have been underdressing pretty much daily for the last couple of years. During that time, I have bought women’s clothing, shoes and even nail polish, all in drab. I’ve been trying to add more feminine touches to my everyday life, including trying to wear more feminine hairstyles and even painting my fingernails to match my toes. But today, I just bought my very first honest-to-goodness lip gloss.
I actually just wanted something, anything, better than generic chapstick. I have been wearing lip tint for the last couple of days – the tint looks like a glossy lip balm. I really like the tint and wanted to pick up another one or two. I decided to go to the store after work since my wife and son would be out till 8pm, and I needed some medicine anyway. I was also going to pick up a nail color that I really liked, but couldn’t find at other stores.
When I got there, it wasn’t that great a start. I had no luck with the nail polish, though I did realize that I should make a list of my current inventory so that I don’t buy a color I already have, or pass up buying a color because I think I already have it.
My lip situation was next. Since this was going to be my first time spending a significant amount of time in the makeup department, I had no idea what to expect. I foolishly thought it would be like the nail polish, and all the lip care products would be together in one easy spot …
Nope. I didn’t know that makeup was divided up by brand. I ended up spending more time than I thought I would, just walking around looking for something not too bright to wear out and about. I saw all sorts of products and colors that I would love to use, but I settled on a peach tint and balm – it even looks like a tube of lipstick so that’s a cute bonus.
Then I saw it. A lip gloss with plumper in a shade of pink, that just seemed to call out to me.
As soon as I got back into my car, I took out my new lip gloss and applied a coat right there, by the dim interior lighting. I didn’t dare turn on more light and bring attention in a store parking lot. I’ve never worn plumper before, so the tingling was a different sensation.
Then I never actually got to see how I looked! Plans were cancelled, so my wife and son stayed home, and sadly I had to remove my lip gloss as I was driving back. But overall, I enjoyed my time browsing the makeup department, and I can’t wait to do it again. Maybe something for my eyes next?
Latest posts by Tricia Dream (see all)
- First time actually in the makeup department - March 17, 2025
Hi Tricia,
Congrats on buying lip gloss and plumper. I hope you get some girl time soon so you can put it on proper and have the time to enjoy it! I know what you mean about remembering which nail colors you have. I think I will make a list of mine on a notepad app on my phone.
Hugs,
Autumn
Thanks. Don’t have a lot of hope for real girl time though. I just make do with underdressing, painting all of my nails and trying to do different things with my hair
Make up departments are fun, and the SAs are always helpful, at least in my experience. They want to help for find the right product for yourself, and do not care what your gender or how you are dressed. My first time buying lipstick was in a MAC store. I was like a deer in headlights staring at all the choices. A lovely SA asked if she could help. I told here I want a fairly neutral shade and she made a few suggestions and had me try a couple. I was in drab but did find a lovely shade… Read more »
So far I’ve only been in makeup departments in stores with very few associates around anyway. I’m still in the mode of “I know what I’m looking for so grab it and get out relatively quick” mostly because I have other places to be. I dream of getting a full makeover someday
Good for you going in to the makeup section! I was nervous the first times I went in as well. At the local drugstore, I am able to shop relatively unnoticed which is great but I wanted better products. So I went to Alta and Sephora. In both places no one seemed to care I was a guy buying makeup. I had help finding some lippy that I wanted as it was very overwhelming and all over the store. She was great. Someday, a makeover at Sephora would be incredible.
I definitely would like to browse at an actual beauty store, but I just don’t have the time that I would like to put into that. I am out of the house for work for 12 hours a day and usually only have the weekend but that’s for other projects. So I shop when and where I can
Yes, it’s a damn PITA that you have to go from brand to brand, takes ages to find what you want and even longer if you don’t know quite what you want. When I became Becca, my wife would sometimes come with me when I went makeup shopping and even she was surprised by the amount of makeup and brands that were now available. The reason she was surprised is that she hardly ever wore makeup until I started wearing it and now she feels she has to make the effort because I was making a big effort to look… Read more »
That usually gets my wife going too. When she sees that I’ve painted my nails or shaved she gets annoyed about it but it’s just that I make/find the time to do these things
@Becca Baxter I am having a similar experience with my wife as we are working through this. She saw me not having done a great job with eye makeup removal and she has been upping her eye makeup. Funny that has been part of all this.
Tricia,
thank you for your article about first time in the makeup department. I wear Burt’s Bees Pink Blossom tinted lip balm frequently at home and out and about. Nobody seems to notice I have it on…but I do! As to wearing other makeup, I have no experience just yet. I am hoping to visit Sephora soon and ask for help, maybe even a makeover! Hugs, Dee
@Dee Smith my wife actually noticed my peach tint balm and asked what I had on my lips. I mean, yes it makes my lips a little darker but nothing that stands out too much. I wonder if she notices these types of things since she knows what I’m wearing underneath. So I bought the same brand of tinted lip balm but clear to wear on weekends when I’m home
@pattyd
i know this might take a little courage, but consider asking for help next time. I guarantee the sales assistant will be more than happy to help you choose products that are well suited to you.
It is great fun going into a makeup store or department store that stocks makeup. I have always had issues with lipstick not staying on for more than 15 minutes, and also the lipstick bleeding past my lip line. So as I was dressed as Ellie I asked the SA in Mecca if she could help me and it was amazing. To be actually taught how to apply lipstick and lip liner and how to do apply it so it doesnt come off was awesome. I bought quite a bit – liquid lipstick, a lip liner, setting powder etc, so… Read more »
@Tricia Dream The first time I set foot in a makeup department, I might as well have been on another planet. I knew I wanted to try things but I really didn’t have much of a plan. Over time, I have developed a makeup style and preference for some specific products. I can make myself presentable but is it the best look for me…who knows? I definitely need to get a good makeover from a professional who can help me improve my look!