Young Ali Tale.
When I was in junior high, ma wanted me to learn to wear makeup. She said it was important for women to know how to create some basic looks. I resisted because even then, I didn't want to look like a woman. So I've had an aversion to it my entire life.

Fast forward to being 19. My bff was an aspiring cosmetologist who needed a model for his final. He was one of the few people who knew how much I didn't want to look like a girl. So he told me that he needed a model for a haircut and I agreed. Sigh.

After the haircut, the instructor asked if we were ready to do makeup and I looked around for his makeup model and it was ME. I didn't want him to fail and whatever look I gave him said he read it loud and clear.

They sprang on me that I had to like it.

He did a great job. I took a mental step back to consider the skill and application rather than my conflict. For maybe the only time in my life, I thought, 'huh. I'm pretty'.

Apologies and hugs were the rest of our day. It was the first and last time I wore fake eyelashes too.

He was a great stylist. Back then, my hair was so long that I'd let him practice stuff. He loved razor cutting my hair for some reason.

Fast forward to a while back when my nephew asked me, 'have you ever worn false eyelashes?' and it all came flooding back. I told him the tale.

We talked about makeup, me being enby. We talked about drag makeup and it's something he wants to do. Talking about drag makeup got me excited about makeup in a way I've never been before.

Over the last six weeks, I've collected a small amount to practice with.

At night when everyone is asleep, I'll practice my brows or my eyes or my lips. I glimpse an image that I want to present. I feel a strange confidence in my endeavor.

It seemed weird at first to think about doing drag in a wheelchair, but even that has me excited.

Like will I drag my wheelchair too? Maybe. I'm still working on the makeup part. I haven't thought about what to wear yet. I think we may try doing videos to share. If it's one way, I think I'll be less nervous to start. Maybe it'll be something I don't do and just talk about.

I'm working up the courage to share a look. My phone doesn't pick up the glitter I wear and taking a selfie with my digital camera is hard without a tripod and I have apparently lost mine. Still. If I put this here, it's a reminder that I said I would so I should, you know? Lol.

Finally, if you have makeup tips for me, please do share. I'll take product recs too for I have not found a good full coverage foundation yet.

Wish me luck, I guess?