Another day out

My friend Sarah wanted to meet up in London and I have been needing to try out a possible makeup solution that won't damage my delicate skin so badly. So today I put the two together ...

Instead of what I have done for years, which is to use primer, then orange or pink beard cover then several layers of oil-based foundation, powder and concealer, as well as eyeshadow, liner and mascara, all I did was use my immunosuppressant cream as primer and put water-based foundation over with just enough powder to hold it. No eye makeup, just lipstick. It did sting at first and I almost aborted the mission but I persisted. My worry was that any beard shadow would show through the rather more translucent makeup. Throughout the day I kept asking Sarah to check my chin and let me know if I was developing visible shadow but it seems like I didn't.

Anyway, we went for a morning stroll through St James's Park where snowdrops and daffodils were in flower. The lake there always pleasant, even in winter. We ended up outside Buckingham Palace and then walked on into Green Park.

Coffee at the rather nice Cafe Concerto in Piccadilly was followed by a further walk through the bustle of the West End and lunch in Soho.

We then walked down to the River Thames and ended the day with a cup of tea at Somerset House as evening fell.

It never fails to be a joy to be a woman, especially just blending in with the crowd and just going about one's weekend like everyone else. And all the waiting staff at all the places we stopped for refreshment unfailingly addressed us as Ladies or Madam. For me, that affirmation is what it is all about.

So I am very happy to have had a day out en femme with a much-loved friend, especially after such a hard week's work. I have to see what ten hours in makeup does to my skin, and that will be the real test. I was a joy to be treated as a woman again.

Sue x