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.
