"Chin up. Higher. No, look arrogant. Yes, like you just bought the building and evicted everyone."
Aria sat in the high-backed salon chair, forcing her neck to remain stiff as Coco worked with the intensity of a bomb disposal expert. The dress—the liquid silver Versace—was already on, pooling around the chair like spilled mercury, but the transformation wasn't complete.
"The hair needs to look wet," Coco muttered, massaging a high-gloss gel into Aria's rose-gold locks. He combed it back severely from her face, letting the ends cascade down her back in slick, controlled waves. "We are going for 'Siren emerging from the ocean to drown sailors'. It has to be sleek. Irresistible."
He moved to her face. He didn't use the usual heavy contour. Instead, he used a metallic, pearlescent highlighter that made her skin look like it was glowing from within. He lined her eyes with a sharp, silver graphite kohl, winging it out until her gaze looked piercing.
"Lips," Coco commanded.
