Out of my element

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

When I walk into Sephora, I immediately get uncomfortable. I never feel as unattractive and grody as when I go to a store that's supposed to make you feel prettier. Being surrounded by floor-to-ceiling displays of products I don't know how to use and have never applied, and the sales associates with their poreless skin and fake eyelashes out to there getting all up in my face, makes me hyperventilate just a smidge. So I usually end up looking at the Philosophy bath products, because even I know how to use body wash somewhat successfully, and hightailing it out of there before I have to actually speak to anyone.

Last week we joined a new gym. For years we've been going to an old gym near our house, but when a new mega gym opened a little closer to home and with locations all over the city, we switched. When I go back to work I'm planning to go to the gym at lunch hour and there's a couple locations close to my office, which was the main reason for the switch. Going to this new gym for the first time, with its fancy equipment and shiny locker room, and new people intimidated me. I was used to the old gym with its slight grubbiness, and I was used to the people who go there. The meatheads and Jagerbombers and old people who used the treadmills for standing and talking rather than working out were annoying, yes, but they were familiar. The new gym also has meatheads, Jagerbombers and old people but it's a fresh crop of faces to become accustomed to.

I go to the farmer's market carrying a leather bag, leather wallet, wearing leather boots, and I feel uncomfortable around the hippies.

I go to the jewelry store to get my engagement ring cleaned, wearing an entire outfit that cost probably one-tenth the price of the cheapest thing in the store, and feel completely out of place.

I go to the spa to get my hair cut with my ridiculous shaggy-dog mane and feel like the most unkempt person on the planet surrounded by these girls with cool geometric bobs and Kardashian curls (kurls?)

Where do I feel comfortable? The bookstore, coffee shops, the grocery store, outdoors. Any kind of work event - meeting new clients, networking events, presentations, workshops. Any time I'm with my family or friends.

Pretty much everywhere else I feel too old, too young, too messy, underdressed, overdressed, or just generally out of my element. You'd think this post had been written by an angsty 15-year-old, right? Some things never change.

You Might Also Like

8 comments

  1. I am the same way at Sephora. I go in and grab my Benefit concealer and beeline my way to the register, stat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need a new concealer soon and am kind of dreading the visit. I'll try to go on a weekday when at least it's not so busy!

      Delete
  2. Sephora is definitely overwhelming - too much stuff, too many people & too many salesgirls with WAYYY too much make-up on!! I know how you feel though. I stroll into Target feeling like the hottest piece of tail on the block. I walk into Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom and I'm convinced people are looking at my Target leggings, Target flats & TJ Maxx dress/top/muumuu thinking I'm a homeless woman that wandered in off the street.

    This made me laugh though - I totally relate!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Being on mat leave for almost a year now doesn't help. I don't know what the kids are wearing these days. Getting ready to go anywhere causes me big time anxiety!

      Delete
  3. Same here, sister. Sameeeeeeeeeeeee here. Sucks doesn't it?
    This summer I was really bothered going out to evening events seeing all the students (yes, STUDENTS that only have clothes, hair and makeup to spend their money on)looking like super models while I'm sitting there in a shirt I've been seen wearing 10 times and my hair in a bun, 'cause I can't afford the amazing curling iron OR the time it would take to curl my hair. Deeeeep breath Rachel, deeeeep breath.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahh I know! Ditto when I go downtown. Or anywhere outside my neighbourhood. I always worry I'm doing it wrong :)

      Delete
  4. Totally understand - I avoid eye contact at Sephora. If I get ensnared by a salesgirl, I ALWAYS end up getting talked into into buying crazy expensive products I don't need or know how to use because I'm so intimidated. For me, it's all about walking around with purpose. I figure if I can look like I'm cool enough to know why you need 43 different makeup brushes, I won't get talked into buying all 43, haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who gets weirded out at Sephora! Seems to be a common thread!

      Delete