After an exhilarating day of exploring every corner of the fairgrounds, Stella and Nora found themselves happily exhausted. The fair had been everything they hoped for—colorful stalls, lively music, delicious food, and games that had them laughing nonstop. They'd tried their hands at everything, from ring tosses to face painting, indulged in cotton candy, and even watched a mesmerizing fire-juggling act.
As the clock ticked toward 5 p.m., they decided it was time to head to the green room to prepare for the evening events. Stella was especially eager to help Nora get ready; she'd promised to do her makeup, and she wanted her friend to look stunning for the night.
They wove through the crowd, still buzzing with excitement from the day's adventures. The sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm, golden glow over the fairgrounds as lights started to twinkle on the rides and stalls. The energy around them was shifting, with a more magical feel in the air as evening approached.
Entering the green room, Nora sighed, sinking into a chair with a grateful smile. "I think my feet are going to need a vacation after today," she laughed, kicking off her shoes.
Stella chuckled, setting her bag down and pulling out her makeup kit. "Same here. But it was worth it. I can't remember the last time we had so much fun!"
Stella carefully laid out her makeup essentials on the small green room table, organizing everything with the precision of a seasoned artist. She picked up a primer, squeezing a tiny amount onto her fingertips and spreading it evenly across Nora's skin, creating a smooth base.
"Okay, first things first: we prep," she murmured, more to herself, her voice calming both of them. She gently massaged the primer into Nora's skin with circular motions, giving it a few seconds to set before moving on.
Next, Stella reached for a lightweight foundation, choosing a shade that matched Nora's complexion perfectly. She dabbed a bit on her hand, warming it slightly before beginning to blend it onto Nora's face with a soft sponge, moving from the center of her face outward in smooth strokes. Her motions were gentle yet deliberate, as if painting on a canvas.
"Now, for a little extra brightness," Stella said, her focus intense as she picked up a concealer. She dotted it lightly under Nora's eyes and around any spots that needed coverage, carefully patting it in with her ring finger to keep the look natural. Her touch was delicate, ensuring everything blended seamlessly.
Stella then set the base with a translucent powder, swirling it lightly across Nora's face with a fluffy brush to avoid any excess shine. She leaned back for a moment, assessing her work, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Looking good," she murmured, reaching next for a soft, warm-toned eyeshadow. Stella applied a subtle shimmer across Nora's lids, blending in a deeper tone at the outer corners to add depth. She tilted her head, checking the symmetry before adding a gentle stroke of highlighter to the inner corners of Nora's eyes, giving them a soft sparkle.
"Alright, eyes almost done," she said, picking up an eyeliner and carefully tracing a fine line along Nora's upper lash line, adding just a slight flick at the ends. It was subtle but enough to accentuate Nora's natural eye shape. She then followed up with a coat of mascara, brushing it onto each lash with precision, giving her friend a fluttery, defined look.
Stella then moved on to the cheeks, choosing a peachy blush to bring warmth to Nora's face. With a gentle touch, she swept it across the high points of her cheeks, giving her a natural glow. Finally, she added a hint of highlighter on the tops of Nora's cheekbones and the bridge of her nose, blending it in until it caught the light perfectly.
"For the final touch," Stella said, picking up a soft pink lipstick. She applied it with a small brush for precision, finishing with a bit of gloss in the center of the lips to make them appear fuller.
She stepped back, her eyes lighting up as she took in the full effect. "There we go. Absolutely stunning."
Nora stepped out of the changing room, smoothing out the flowing fabric of her green medieval gown as she stood in front of Stella. The dress had a deep, rich emerald hue, embroidered with delicate gold threads along the neckline and cuffs, and its fitted bodice highlighted Nora's graceful figure. The long, flowing sleeves cascaded down her arms, and the skirt swirled elegantly around her ankles, giving her an almost regal presence.
Stella's eyes widened as she took in her friend's transformation. "Damn! You look beautiful, Nora," she breathed, her voice filled with genuine awe. "Everyone is going to be looking at you tonight."
Nora blushed, brushing a hand over the embroidered bodice with a shy smile. "You really think so?"
Stella nodded enthusiastically, reaching over to adjust a stray strand of Nora's hair. "Oh, without a doubt. You look like you just stepped out of some ancient legend. I mean, look at that dress! It's like you were meant to wear it."
Nora laughed softly, her cheeks glowing. "Well, I have you to thank for this look," she said, gesturing to her perfectly done makeup.
Stella grinned. "Trust me, with you looking like that, no one will even notice the makeup. You're going to be the star of the fair."
Stella chuckled and leaned back in her chair. "Nah, I think I'll stay here. I'm exhausted from all the running around today."
Nora's face softened with appreciation. "Fine, but thank you so much, Stels. I couldn't have done this without you."
Stella waved her off with a smile. "Anytime. You go have fun; you deserve it. And don't forget to tell me all the juicy details later."
Nora laughed, her excitement bubbling over as she made her way to the door. "I will! And I'll make sure everyone knows it was all thanks to my amazing makeup artist," she said with a wink.
As Nora left, Stella stretched and settled into the quiet of the room, feeling content as she watched her friend walk away, confident and radiant.