There's something about the Macy*s makeup section lighting that transforms you.

[Evelyn K]

Throughout the day I appear more or less passing depending on the setting, I find I look best in bright dept store lighting. My part asian skin is GLOWING freakishly I think it's one of my best gender markers.

The first and strongest impression that I'm looking female is upon waking and looking in the mirror. Somebody here also mentioned this and I can relate. Wow! (Just be careful not to stare because you start to pick out flaws and the dysphoria which will peak at the end-of-the-day only returns - faster)

Then there's the dept stores. I don't know about you gals, I've read that many hate the lighting (I do in 3 way fitting room mirrors however ) but seeing myself in the makup section column mirrors I feel I look my best. I am wearing no makeup, and I get the sought after, "hi mam" from the makeup gals. Talk about your heart FLuTterING in giddiness. Oh hi, just passing through!

So when and where do you feel you are at your most feminine appearance? Bathroom vanity lighting? In the car? Outside daylight? Evening at a bar or nightclub? Sitting under the table?

[Jessica Merriman]

Um, Macy's kind of designed it that way on purpose so you can look great and buy lot's of makeup. Same with other stores like JC Penny, Sephora, etc.

[Leila]

The first and strongest impression that I'm looking female is upon waking and looking in the mirror. Somebody here also mentioned this and I can relate. Wow! (Just be careful not to stare because you start to pick out flaws and the dysphoria which will peak at the end of the day only returns - faster)

^^_This_^^

I am definitely feeling this worse on some days.

[Evelyn K]

Um, Macy's kind of designed it that way on purpose so you can look great and buy lot's of makeup. Same with other stores like JC Penny, Sephora, etc.

Yeah I get it somewhat At least if you look OK you'll look great!

Oddly no matter how many walkthroughs I always end up in the guy section and then in the guy dressing rooms.

Too skeered to hang out in the womens sections even when presenting passing andro.

[Leila]

Too skeered to hang out in the womens sections even when presenting passing andro.

Don't be skeered. Just start not giving a crap what others think and do what you have to do. Works for me.

[Evelyn K]

^^_This_^^

I am definitely feeling this worse on some days.

Ahh it waz yuo!

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,170843.msg1491850.html#msg1491850

[Leila]

Ahh it waz yuo!

Guilty as charged. 

[karina13]

The first and strongest impression that I'm looking female is upon waking and looking in the mirror. Somebody here also mentioned this and I can relate. Wow!

I second this, Evelyn! It's like my hair is nicely in place. Maybe it's called beauty rest for a reason.

EDIT: I haven't really taken notice like that at a department store or makeup store, but I'll be checking this out next time.

[katiej]

Oddly no matter how many walkthroughs I always end up in the guy section and then in the guy dressing rooms.

Too skeered to hang out in the womens sections even when presenting passing andro.

This was me in Nordstrom Rack yesterday.  The womens section was just so busy I got a bit freaked out.  Then I walked over to the mens section and remembered that I hate mens clothes and really don't want to buy any.

[Jane's Sweet Refrain]

Um, Macy's kind of designed it that way on purpose so you can look great and buy lot's of makeup. Same with other stores like JC Penny, Sephora, etc.

I'm moving to Macy's!

[Hikari]

I always liked the Macy's clearance rack the best 
It certainly beats going to Neiman Marcus, finding the cutest bag and the realizing it costs $13,000.

I think in general though, lighting is underestimated for how much it changes things, I see people taking photos all of the time seemingly without much regard to the direction of their light source and I always wonder if they realize how big of an impact this makes.

[ErinWDK]

I always liked the Macy's clearance rack the best 
It certainly beats going to Neiman Marcus, finding the cutest bag and the realizing it costs $13,000.

When I lived in Nashville, years ago, the ZIP code for where I lived was one digit different than for the expensive part of town.  One of the fancy stores (that out does Neiman Marcus) sent out an advertizement via bulk mailing and added addresses in my ZIP code to get the list long enough to qualify for the bulk rate.  On the cover was a bag I dind't think was all that cute, and they wanted $5000 for it on special, 30 years ago.  Now what could I do with that money?  Gah...  I actually would rather buy stock...

Back when my wife was alive I would go to Macy's as required to buy makeup.  This was to take advantage of specials that were limited to one per customer.  I was 100% presenting as male and some of the sales girls would sort of tease me - the joke was really on them as deep inside I was Erin.


Erin

[Beth Andrea]

I went to Macy's once to get a free make up demo...the lady there did me up with soft, dewy skin, like I was 20 again. Subtle colors, etc.

Very nice. She recorded all of the mixture combos and sent me on my way after giving me a tiny sample of liquid foundation, a bottle of which was $60+...

I then went to Walgreens and bought two shades of my foundation (2 for 1 at the time), and played with proportions until I matched the shade. Ever since, I get compliments often about my complexion and makeup skills.

It was time well spent, imho.

[Evelyn K]

I went to Macy's once to get a free make up demo...the lady there did me up with soft, dewy skin, like I was 20 again. Subtle colors, etc.

Very nice. She recorded all of the mixture combos and sent me on my way after giving me a tiny sample of liquid foundation, a bottle of which was $60+...

I then went to Walgreens and bought two shades of my foundation (2 for 1 at the time), and played with proportions until I matched the shade. Ever since, I get compliments often about my complexion and makeup skills.

It was time well spent, imho.

Which counter did you go to? $60 are you kidding me?

Also how did they match you up? Did they use a color wheel? or a digital meter?

I'm feeling more confident lately on my passability and thinking about setting up a counter session. I wonder if they would let me record what they're doing.

[Beth Andrea]

She basically blended little dots of foundation (6, iirc) and tested each one on my cheeks..by the fourth she knew which it was, and mixed enough for the makeover and a sample bottle.

The total of the makeup if I were to buy all she used was over $200...drugstore makeup looks good enough for me!

[Evelyn K]

I've learned the MAC booth in Sephora uses a digital meter for skin tone. I might just go there instead. I'm not bent on using foundation, but just want a small amount in case I have any blemishes I want to cover up. Then get a few good neutral shades of lipstick.

I'm getting giddy with all this new girly stuff. It's like I've finally graduated to step into this new world.

I must be pissing off Odin with all this new makeup crap!

[Jennygirl]

During my hunt for my ideal concealer/foundation tone I found that those digital meter things don't always work. Every time I would use it I would end up buying a shade too dark.

My recommendation, get a sample of the one they recommend + another of the next lightest tone.

Literally every time, I found that the lighter tone was much closer to my actual skin tone

[Evelyn K]

Yeah I'll get a 3 shade spread, just return one I know I won't like.

I guess we have to account for any seasonal melanin changes in our skin.

[Jennygirl]

Yeah I'll get a 3 shade spread, just return one I know I won't like.

I guess we have to account for any seasonal melanin changes in our skin.

Definitely.

And... SAMPLES! They are free

[Leila]

Yeah I'll get a 3 shade spread, just return one I know I won't like.

I guess we have to account for any seasonal melanin changes in our skin.

Don't forget to also test the foundation samples in artificial and natural light conditions. I found a big variance in the two.