By Cali
Part 3 – A Post Halloween Outing
My regular mani/pedí appointment was scheduled for the Monday after Halloween. Over the weekend I texted my nail artist and asked if it was okay to come dressed (I didn’t want to freak out the other regular clients). Since she didn’t respond, I took that as ‘not a no’, or logically a ‘yes’. I wanted to wear the alternative color ZEBRA top, a different skirt, and the long curly blonde wig. But frankly I wanted more Cali femme time. I’m almost always dress completely in women’s wear sans breasts, hair and most makeup. I might wear mascara and/or eye shadow in public, but only rarely do I have breasts. Unfortunately, I had another executive ZOOM meeting 30 minutes after the appointment, so again I couldn’t make my face up. Just a very close shave with a little mascara and blush. Here I’m sitting letting my toes dry while my nail artist is cleaning up after the pedicure and setting up for my manicure. I just feel so me in this photo.
Prologue
These three plus ‘adventures’ have rekindled my feminine side. In planning for this Halloween, I knew I needed bling (jewelry), a wig, and a handbag. And I knew I would force myself to have my make-up done professionally.
The Makeover
For decades I have wanted to see what a professional MUA might be able to achieve, but I was also immensely frightened to do so, especially in the small town where I live. I had fantasized about having a makeover on the way to an event like Keystone or Diva Las Vegas or Erie or even with Trish and Gurls in the Burbs in Canada, but never in my hometown. Going into an Ulta Beauty store and scheduling that appointment was both exhilarating and scary at the same time. It was hard, very hard. But the first time for anything is always the hardest, so I pulled up my big girl thongs and went on in. Once I made the appointment, I knew
there was no turning back and I was going all out. I’m so happy that I overcame this stumbling block. I learned so much from that one appointment. I’ve upgraded my makeup brushes and products. And I have a better understanding of how to use the products and tools I have to achieve the looks I like.
Jewelry
My jewelry selection was dismal to start with, but I wanted to bling my look up with multiple stacks of tiny rings, bracelets, and necklaces. I only had 6 rings by Halloween (see the picture in part 2), just a week later in this picture below I have 10 rings.
It has blossomed into 15 rings and counting. Here’s a picture with more rings. I’m running out of real estate for more rings. I think I have fallen down the tiny ring rabbit hole. And enjoying the ride.
As you can see many of these rings have small cubic zirconia stones or crystals. As I stated before, I love glitter, I love bling. The trouble is these tiny rings rarely come in sizes larger than 10, very few 11’s, so they only fit my smaller fingers. I’ve fallen in love with how they combine with my nail color to give me IMHO feminine hands. It’s extremely intoxicating! I’m frequently working from home (I work offsite two days a week) with rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets on. And many times, also with bras, leggings, makeup, …. All depends on my required ZOOM presence.
I got 3 necklaces from thrift stores prior to Halloween that I wore on Halloween and since have purchased several more. These are some of the necklaces I purchased this fall.
I especially like how the choker (at top) and the waterfall necklace looks against a black turtleneck. I even wrote a review on the waterfall necklace and included a picture.
Earrings are hard. I don’t presently have pierced ears and only a few clip-ons. Recently, I found a clip-on hoop earring (with bling of course) and wear them at home. But one day I will bite the bullet and get pierced ears. I so want dangling earrings that kiss my shoulders.
My jewelry selection is now a little less dismal. It’s a work in progress. Here are just the necklaces I have recently brought The top is my starting collection, the second row is what I added before Halloween, and the third row is what I added since Halloween.
Wigs
I had two older wigs before, a $2.50 short-curly-haired blonde bought from Goodwill and a long-haired brunette that I found snagged in a tree in my front yard over a decade ago. I had no wig game.
No wig cap, nothing to hold a wig in place. The stories of the ladies here on Kandi’s Land had me desiring better wigs (especially Kandi’s new one), and I wanted to be blonde. Don’t we all, since blondes have more fun. I had planned a trip to a large wig store about 60 miles away, but I got food poisoning and ended up in the ER instead. So, I had to shop locally, and the selection was very limited. At least now I have better wigs to choose from and I feel I will be using them more frequently, too. I still plan to go to the large wig store.
PS There will be many more enfemme adventures in Cali’s future.
2 Responses
Cali,
I can vouch for the fact that blondes do have more fun !! I hope you don’t mind a little story ? I was heading into an out of town shopping centre , I found the last parking space but a guy was being difficult in the next space as he stood by his car which made my reverse parking awkward , he was with a cople of blond women . As walked away he called over , ” you didn’t park that very well MATE !!” I turned on my heels tossed my head slightly back and replied , ” what do you expect from a blond ! ” I left three people totally speechless .
I admit most of my jewellery comes from charity shops , it’s really crazy not to , there are some lovely pieces to had for a few pennies . I’ve never got round to having my ears pierced , it doesn’t bother me bedsides most charity shops usually have a box full of clippons , I’ve lost count of my selection . I had a nasty accident where I almost lost a finger through wearing a ring , so Itend not to bother now besides I have arthritis in my fingers which can be painful at times .
I’ve never paid for a makeover instead I picked a wet , cold day when the shops were quite and asked in Boots for a skin colour check . They were very helpul I was taken to a booth so the beautician could do the colour check and then selected the suggested colour and without thinking started to apply it to one side of my face . As she did so she explained the correct way of using brushes to apply the foundation I was so intent I forgot about passing shoppers taking second glances at me . After she finished she took me round the various display racks suggesting colours to match my foundation , all it cost me was the price of the chosen items , I must admit I felt like I was on cloud nine afterwards . OK I was in male mode so left not wearing makeup but at least I had a shopping bag full of items suited to me , it’s a great confidence boost to know you are getting your look right .
As you know I wear a wig everyday , so I does pay to get professional help , I would also suggest buying from a supplier that also deals with women rather than a transgender outlet . The quality and choice is usually better and you don’t get ripped off . I went dressed for my first appointment , my old wig was OK , in fact she restyled it beautifully . I must have tried over a dozen before we both sighed , we knew it was the right one , ( blonder than I expected ) she then added but you’re not going to like the price . I didn’t mind because it gave me the confidence to be ME , she then kindly reduced the price by £20.00 ( $25.00 ? ) . The one surprise is a wig don’t last very long , I push mine with careful shampooing and conditioner for 18 months , I now always have two so any accidents mean I still have hair . You do get what you pay for , the better quality is lighter in weight and breathable , monofilament means you can style them . I was advised ( wisely ) not to buy real hair wigs , they are usually double the price and after care is very difficult . I’ve never worn a wig cap , I do have some male hair which I make an appointment to have trimmed , I go in as Teresa , pop my wig on it’s stand while she cuts my hair , I then put it back on , give a good brush and always admit , ” that looks better !” she always nods in agreement . I also don’t experiment with different styles and colours I have an identity that people recognise , I personally feel that’s important when making the decision to go full time , my confidence has to remain rock solid no matter what the circumstances .
Cali,
Around here we usually talk about taking “baby steps”. It looks like you have recently taken “big steps”. Well done.
I am envious of the price of wigs down there. The cheap, synthetic wigs up here are $350. The wig I purchased five years ago was over $500. I would like to buy another wig but I just can’t afford it.
Jocelyn