I always thought women were more into make-up than men until one evening when I got some advice I wasn't expecting. I was getting ready for a big speech I was to give that night. My speech was for a prestigious audience and I was looking forward to hitting them between the eyes with some powerful ideas. I was nervous but excited. I wanted to feel strong and sexy to make an impact at my presentation.
It's good to be relaxed for public speaking, so preparations began at a nearby bathhouse in the early afternoon. I left work early and once in the changing room eagerly slipped off my work clothes, wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel and entered the steamy bathhouse world.
After a hot shower, I climbed into the cold spa to bring my blood to the surface. Then it was into the sauna where I spiced the steam with a few drops of ylang ylang oil. Two hours of saunas, hot and cold spas, and a good rubdown with rough gloves later I ended up in the warm spa with the waves turned off.
My body was warm and glowing through the water. There were low Gregorian chants in the background. The soft lighting on the bathhouse roof pierced the water and drew arcs on my naked skin.
Half an hour and lots of moisturiser later I was back in my car, feeling relaxed, smooth and scented, and ready to start the preparations proper.
Once home I slipped into my favourite "making-up" lingerie: soft translucent clingy panties in fabric patterned barely visible pink and green flowers, and a matching soft camisole trimmed with the palest pink angora. I knew I would have privacy to indulge in a languid toilette as my husband was still at work and going to an important meeting straight afterwards. Within a few minutes I had the perfect atmosphere. My favourite classical music playing on the CD player. A few scented candles here and there. A plate of chocolates on the dresser...perfect.
I perched on my love seat in front of the dresser to do my hair and make-up. Hair clean and soft swept off the back of my neck with a tortoise-shell clasp. Make-up soft and subtle. I used my giant white angora powder puff to dab touches of silken powder to my face. The barest sweep of mascara on my lashes. The lips just touched with moist pale pink lipstick. A spray of perfumed mist of pure distilled water impregnated with patchouli, sandalwood and bergamot oils. I was ready to get dressed.
But what was that noise? It sounded like a key in the lock. I looked up and my beloved husband was standing behind me. He was smiling cheekily because he was early and had surprised me. He let his eyes run all over me and when they met mine in the mirror, they told me they were well pleased with what they saw. He was dressed in his business suit, the tie just loosened slightly.
I smiled back at him in the mirror.