Beauty and mind cleanse (fiction)

I dial your number and wait patiently for you to answer. Hey listen, if you're free.. I have a surprise for you. I know you need to decompress and I have the perfect setting.

Mmmhmm. No hints. Just get your butt over here pronto. It's all arranged. Ok. I will see you soon. No need to thank me, what are friends for?

I click play and my YouTube playlists cycles through my soft tunes. I start humming and sway to the music as I add the final touches.

A little time later, the doorbell rings and I greet you with a warm hug. It feels like forever since I've seen you. I nod agreeing, things are crazy at the moment.

I lead you in and ask if you need anything before we begin. Uh huh. I may just have that. I smile and bring out an assortment of goodies.

The heating is on at full blast and I hand you a chocolate milkshake with soft scoops of chunky mint ice cream, followed by crumpled bits of milk and dark chocolate Ferrero Rochers and the best bit? 

A chocolate wafer to use as a straw? Do I know you or what bestie? Huh? Weren't expecting that right? I laugh as your eyes light up and grab the drink eagerly.

Good right? What is tonight about? Umm, well I get the impression you have something on your mind and you want to be heard.

I don't pry but you know I'm here to listen, When and if you choose to confide? Uh huh. I thought so. I've been following your blog and your recent posts were....

Yea I know. Look I hear you. It's not easy thinking about the future. Plus Christmas and your writing commitments. Just prioritise whichever one you feel the most passionate about in that moment, alright?

Wow that was quick. You practically downed that milkshake. Bahaha. Of course there is more. I think we should get started though or this will turn into a slumber party. 

I know we are a bit too mature for that.. On the other hand.. Well we'll see, how the time passes? I hang up your coat and drape a smok over your front tying it at the back and then I pull your hair out and back. 

I then tie a soft silk bandana around your hair and secure it out the front, tucking it in. I think I'll start with your brows first. I ask you to lay out on the sofa and get a cushion for your head. 

I push the makeshift headband back as far as it will go. I then reach for the wet wipes. Next I dab some micellar cleanser onto it and stroke across your face, until all your makeup is removed. 

You're lucky you know. You're naturally beautiful. You don't need makeup to enhance your looks. However, similar to me, you just love experimenting with it. 

You're back to feeling out of sorts huh? You feel it is unnatural to enjoy your own company and push people away? It's a tricky thing, to be honest. 

Um I know you felt like an outcast everywhere you went. I know that you tried to make friends and be part of a group but it never worked out. 

When you wanted to socialise nobody seemed to want to join you and when they did. You never felt inclined to join them. Suddenly instead of feeling empty and alone and sad that you didn't belong.. 

You did your own thing. Developed your own interests. Got to know what you liked. You didn't have to please or change or compromise. You just got on and adapted. 

I know because we are alike. We had similar experiences and feelings. I do understand you. I get that you are two halves. One side is independent and creative and needs solitude to conjure magic, onto a page.. 

While the other side craves brief interactions, which give your mind a rest and rejuvenate you, when you are feeling empty and uninspired. 

That's why the random acquaintances don't make an impact. They are but mere distractions. What matters to you and makes you feel alive is writing, not people. 

All people are to you is disappointing. They don't ever see you. Your whole essence, which can be cranky, impatient, angry, scared, lost and vulnerable. 

Or sweet, funny, charming, flirty, intelligent and confident. They see you as good or bad. You are all of those things though. Noone has unearthed that yet. I sigh, nod and get the wax strips. 

Ummm lol disclaimer hon. I've never in my life used these, so if I end up making your face bald and hairless by ripping your eyebrows off... 

Promise to give me a head start before you kill me? Deal? Phew. Thanks sweetz. Er I'm just going to read the instructions again. Have a lil patience. 

I'll scar you for life soon, I promise. Just let me read it. Yeesh and I thought I was demanding.. Huh? I didn't say anything. Your highness. 

First I gotta heat them by rubbing them between my fingers. I'll explain and act accordingly. Then I cut the strips. Then the scary bit. 

I press firmly applying it to both your brows. I smooth it down and wait for a few seconds to pass. Cringing for you, while you're perfectly at ease. 

I hold your skin tight and rip those suckers off. Honestly I'm scared to look. I shove the mirror in your hands. Just tell me. Are your eyebrows still attached? 

For the love of hair. Please say yes!! It's not funny. Can you stop laughing. I feel like a butcher. You're fine? They are both still there? Pheww. I can breathe now. I was nervous. 

I wipe away any excess residue and start tweezing the remaining stragglers. Keep your face still and stop smiling. I did not look like death warmed up. 

I was merely the tiniest bit concerned. I did not freak out!! I take more wipes with aloe vera on them and sweep across your brows. 

Actually they look pretty impressive for my first time. I hand you back the mirror and you nod in gratitude. I put a stool in the bathroom and tell you to get as comfy a you can, while leaning forward. 

I remove the bandana and turn the shower on. I move my hands through the length of your hair and make sure the hot water coats it completely. 

I then flip open the dandelion shampoo and squeeze a generous amount into my palm. I wet my hands and let the shampoo get sudsy by blending it. 

Then I work up a foamy lather and start with your scalp and then coat the length of your hair, right until the ends. I reach deep into your roots and start massaging in lil circles. 

My hands start wiping all your hair from around your face. I make sure no shampoo drips into your eyes. I start smoothing all your hair back and scrunching random parts. 

I make sure the shampoo dissolves deeply as I continue rubbing it into your hair. I make loose fists and start touching your scalp in circular motions from each side. 

I apply gentle pressure and start from the front of your face, down to the sides. Then from back of your neck. I drive both hands up and into the middle of your scalp, softly.

I then rinse it away until your hair is squeaky clean. I wring your hair so it isn't soaking wet and spritz a few pumps of leave in conditioner over your hair.

I wrap the pre heated towel around your locks and seal it tightly and the flip it behind you. I lead you back to the sofa so you can sprawl out again.

I refill your drink and hand it to you. I dab some moisturiser onto your face and using my fingertips I blend it in, swirling around each area until it is absorbed.

Then I grab two sliced cucumber pieces and place them daintily over your eyes. You can't say it isn't a real spa experience now.

I then use the creamy L'Oreal fine flowers cleanser and dot it into your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. I grab my pre moistened face brush and switch it on.

I press deeply moving it across your forehead. Then I drag it down the side of your face, under your eyes, down your nose and all over your cheek.

I then slide it across your chin and repeat the same on the other side. I grab my wet wipes to stroke all over your face and remove it completely.

Your face feels so soft already. I open up the thinnish Rivage mud mask and coat it on both of my fingers. I dab it on your face and then massage it all over your forehead, cheeks, chin and nose.

I'll leave it for about 10 mins. The pack says about half an hour but who has time for that? I peek under your cucumbers to make sure you're still alive as you haven't said anything in ages.

You seem to be fine, so I move to the other room and continue watching Hercai. Time passes and I nudge you awake. I remove the cucumbers and bin them.

I then get a new face sponge, wet it and start slowly removing your face mask. I sweep along your skin and it seems to disintegrate fairly easily.

I take a wet wipe and do a last freshen up over your face and honestly it is glowing. You look radiant. How do you feel? Like royalty huh?

I unwrap your hair towel and gently comb your hair straight with my fingers and then I tousle it to get some natural volume going.

It is practically dry already, so I just gather it all together and pop it into a messy bun. I give you another hug and we sit down to watch Hercai together..