First Sephora experience as a man

[Skatingaway]

Just wanted to post here and tell my story for any guys like me lurking and wanting to jump into this.
I am 47 and have always had an interest in makeup.
For as long as I can remember I have found it fascinating, watching girlfriends and wives put it on was enthralling to watch the transformation.
But I have always been afraid to jump in and try it.
Sure, I've had those times where a girlfriend put concealer on me to hide a zit, or a black eye (true story on that one)
But I never have been able to summon the guts to really explore it.

Well, that changed last week when I decided to stop raiding my girlfriend's concealer to get my own.
Her complexion is more olive/tan than my light with warm tones.
I had taken her to Sephora for Mothers day and watched how they matched her skin and applied a Tarte Amazonian clay foundation to her skin and it matched perfectly after a few swipes of a brush to blend it in.
I couldn't tell she had anything on and I watched them put it on her.

What was this magic?
How could I watch that go on her cheeks and see how exactly it blended into her face and not be curious how I would look in my matching color?
Could I cover my dark circles without people knowing?
Could I clean up this light redness and balance my face out and clear those shiny spots?
I think I can do this,  is exactly what I thought.

Well, I took the plunge and went into a Sephora on my own a few days later and got a near exact match for a Bare Minerals BarePro pressed powder and concealer in Natural Light 09.
I was nervous as hell but was quickly set at ease by my advisor, she was so welcoming and free of judgment.
In fact, she was downright encouraging, told me that she has at least 1-2 guys a week coming in for help with big dates.
We joked and said it was her job to be an enabler, hahaha!
Told me nearly all of the men come back once they are hooked, said I need to be careful, I match well...lol

I can barely tell I am wearing anything so I doubt most people will see it.
I love the boost in confidence and I wish I had done this a long time ago.
I feel like I need to come out to her and tell her, I've worn it a few times very lightly around her but I don't think she noticed.
That was all the proof I needed.

[Skatingaway]

Thank you