Sunday April 3, 2016 - Bought some makeup

Yesterday's post was about makeup and health. I decided to start cleaning up my makeup "horde". I have alot of different items that I have tried and not used again.

I went to Ulta and traded in the contour kit for a set of nice makeup brushes. The NYX highlight and contour kit was nice, but it had 8 different colors in which my consultant stated I only need to use three of the colors. Also there was aluminium and zinc in it. I had to add $30 to get the brushes, but I need a good set of brushes. I only have three left from the set I bought from Avon in 1992, when I had my first makeover at a Tri Ess meeting. Yes, 24 years ago.

I left Tri-Ess because the Atlanta Olympics were coming and business took off. As a matter of fact, I had to leave little league baseball coaching and "crossdressing".

I also went to CVS. I had two coupons for makeup which allowed me to buy two items for $12 and get a $5 CVS bucks coupon back.

I decided to buy some red lipstick and silver gel eye shadow. I love the dark lipstick I bought at Clinque. But I also like red lipstick and my red lipstck was old and a little too light. I wanted a slightly darker red. Not bright but a more subdued  darker red. I bought Maybelline 630 Red Revolution. I was in boy mode but I put two different colors on my wrist and I liked the 630 color. Then I added a sliver eye shadow (60 Silver Strike). I am looking for a lighter eyeshadow color to place just above my eyeliner. I like that look because it seems to help the eyeliner and mascara stand out. I think the grey will give a slight metallic brightness.

Neither of these items had an ingredient list. But I bought them anyway, just to try the color out. I need to download the app I discussed yesterday, so I can test these items before I buy them. But with the coupons, they are worth a try and I can replacement them with healthier items later.

I was in boy mode yesterday and it did not bother me to shop for makeup. The Ulta consultant discussed brushes with me and keep referring to my wife. I finally told her after the second time, that they were for me. She said "Oh" and kept on talking.

It's those little interactions that are telling me that I am getting comfortable with myself. A couple of years ago, I would have never asked for help nor told the consultant/clerk, that the makeup was for me.

At CVS, the clerk saw the lipstick markings on my wrist while ringing up my sale. We joked and laughed about a few issues because I bought some other items but I rung them up separately. The makeup receipt included $5 in CVS bucks. I used that coupon with another BOGO coupon and a second $5 off coupon to buy the rest of my items. This way I ended up getting 60% off all 8 items I bought.

He said I was the coupon king. I wanted to say coupon queen, but I am not there yet. But I am getting close. (LOL)

The eye shadow gel I bought from CVS.

Saturday April 2, 2016 - Cosmetics and health

For many years I have been concerned about cancer and dementia. The reason is that I have a strong family history of both. Years ago, I moved away from deodorant with aluminium and lotions with metals.

But I was thinking this morning that as I introduce all of these feminine products into my life, I am not testing for cancer or dementia causing chemicals.

So, starting today, I am going to make sure my current and future cosmetics are free of chemicals that can possibly cause cancer and dementia.

My daily routine is based on natural products. I have been using non-metal deodorant for years. I use witch hazel, baby oil, Vaseline, pure liquid vitamin E and my own DIY lotion, every day. So my exposure to possible cancer or dementia agents are low.

But my cosmetics are based on my trial and errors and my makeover at Clinque and Ulta Beauty. I have not looked at the ingredients of any of these products. This is going to change, starting today!

How can I do that?

I have included a link to an app that will scan bar codes and tell me what chemicals are in the product and their affect.

Think Dirty App

Here is an infographic that summarizes some of the issues

Below is an 8 min video that  discusses cosmetics and cancer

An article about lipstick and dementia

Is your lipstick giving you Alzheimer's?

Saturday April 2, 2016 - Transphobic words and phases

Click on image to expand, so you its clearer to read.

From Visually.

Friday April 1, 2016 - Change in workout routine

These past 5 months, have been tough on my weight control. I am having a hard time controlling my caloric intake and my workouts are not as strong as it should be. I can still fit my clothes but they are slightly tighter.

I have 70 days before I start HRT and I would like to be smaller when I start. I want my stomach to be smaller.

So I am making some changes to my exercise routine. I have been using the same routine for over 1 year, which is using the elliptical machine for up to 7 hours a week. My usual workout session is 1 to 2 hours. I wanted to use a long slow workout to burn muscle. I think it has worked as my muscle mass has dropped. But I think my muscle memory has created a point of diminishing returns. I notice that I do not sweat as much with the elliptical machine, like I use to.

 My new routine is to use the stairmaster machine. I am going to attempt to reach a two hour workout on this machine. I will slowly buildup to a two hour session. I started yesterday with a 30 minute session. During this session, I will vary the intensity in an attempt to keep my body from adjusting over the next 70 days. During this 70 day period, I am going to try and have 30 to 35 workout sessions.

On the calorie intake side, where most of the weight is controlled, I am going to eat more homemade smoothies and salads.

Friday April 1, 2016 - Responses to my mascara post

Along with my Thursday's post on my blog, I asked a subreddit /asktransgender readers to discuss their mascara of choice.

Please click on COMMENTS at the bottom right center. It's right of the Reddit Logo.




How did you choose your mascara? * /r/asktransgender