The cosmetic case Wei Wei brought was specially made. The outer layer was crafted from hard cowhide, with clear grain and a smooth texture, making it much lighter than the traditional wooden boxes. When opened, the compartments inside automatically expanded. The bottom layer held larger bottles and jars, while the middle and upper compartments contained flat, round ceramic rouge boxes. Instead of rouge, these boxes held various lipsticks, eyeshadows, foundations, and blushes. Additionally, the case included a full set of makeup brushes wrapped in leather and a handheld mirror with a handle.
Note that this mirror wasn't the typical polished metal mirror with its blurry reflection. Instead, it was a glass mirror made by adhering tin foil to flat glass using mercury—a technique that shouldn't have appeared until the 16th century. The main challenge was producing large sheets of flat glass, so after much experimentation in the lab with the alchemist Roger Raymond, Wei Wei could only create mirrors no larger than the palm of her hand.
These small mirrors would soon be added to Sardinson's list of luxury goods, and due to their high production difficulty, they would be priced as premium items.
Before the women could be drawn to the variety of cosmetics, the exquisitely crafted handheld mirror—with its pure silver base and intricate floral carvings—instantly captured everyone's attention.
Handheld mirrors weren't rare; noblewomen almost always carried one. But a mirror this clear was a first.
After asking Wei Wei's permission, Countess Nelson was the first to pick up the mirror. When her face appeared in the reflection with startling clarity, the usually composed noblewoman couldn't help but gasp and cover her mouth.
"Good heavens, this is unbelievably clear!" She could even see the fine hairs on her face and the overly thick layer of foundation she had applied.
"Let us see too!"
The other ladies, now burning with curiosity, eagerly reached for the mirror. One by one, they were left dumbfounded by its unprecedented clarity.
"I've never seen myself so clearly before."
"Neither have I! Oh my, I never noticed this mole here."
"So this is what my eyes look like…"
The mirror passed from hand to hand, each transfer accompanied by gasps of amazement. Their reactions were exaggerated, but this was simply the dramatic flair typical of noble social circles.
Speaking of drama, weren't operas and similar entertainment still non-existent at this time?
Hmm, another potential business opportunity. Wei Wei's thoughts momentarily drifted.
After making its rounds, the mirror returned to Countess Nelson. Truthfully, once the initial shock wore off, the women's attention shifted to their appearances—and their dissatisfaction with their current makeup.
They had all tried to replicate Queen Mirabelle's recent glamorous look. The eyebrows were easy enough to imitate, and while their blush and lip colors weren't as vibrant or varied as the Queen's, they could achieve a similar effect.
But the eye makeup eluded them, and their powder never looked as natural as the Queen's. After seeing her flawless look, they couldn't help but feel their attempts fell short.
"Dear Wei, how do we use all these?"
Countess Nelson had already eagerly opened one of the ceramic rouge boxes, revealing a lipstick as vivid as rose petals.
The other ladies crowded around, equally curious.
Wei Wei smiled. "Explaining would take too long. Would any of you like a live demonstration?"
The women exchanged glances, tempted but hesitant. The issue was obvious—trying out the makeup would require removing their current layers first, and none wanted their bare faces exposed to scrutiny.
One lady suggested, "Why not let the young ladies try? They don't usually wear much makeup, so the results would be more noticeable."
Whether this logic held water or not, most agreed.
As mentioned earlier, only two unmarried young ladies were present at the salon: the hostile Miss Clive and the freckle-faced girl.
Wei Wei glanced between them. Under Miss Clive's smug, expectant gaze—as if certain she'd be chosen—Wei Wei turned to the freckled girl. "May I ask your name?"
The girl answered timidly, "I'm Daisy. Daisy Nelson."
Countess Nelson added, "She's my husband's niece, currently under my care."
Wei Wei didn't pry further. She gave Daisy a friendly smile—the girl reminded her of the timid Dolores from earlier—and, to Miss Clive's visible shock, said, "Then I'd appreciate your cooperation, Miss Daisy. Would that be alright?"
Daisy instinctively touched her face. At her age, she shouldn't have been wearing makeup, but her freckles were so overwhelming that she slathered on thick layers of powder in a futile attempt to conceal them.
The thought of washing it all off in front of everyone filled her with dread, but she knew she had no say. Swallowing her reluctance, she agreed.
As the Nelson maid prepared warm water and a towel, Wei Wei intervened. "Penny, please assist Miss Daisy."
Penny curtsied and retrieved a wooden box and a dark glass bottle from the cosmetic case. Approaching Daisy, she said, "Allow me, Miss Nelson."
Daisy nodded, watching as Penny first poured an oily substance onto a small cotton cloth and massaged it onto her face.
Wei Wei explained, "This is cleansing oil, specially formulated to remove makeup without leaving residue."
Many ladies nodded knowingly. Removing makeup had always been troublesome—some even went months without properly washing their faces. But with the rise of essential oils, which required clean skin before application, traditional soap often proved too harsh and ineffective.
After rinsing off the oil, the maid brought fresh water. Penny then took a fragrant, solid block from the wooden box and continued cleansing Daisy's face.
Wei Wei continued her commentary. "This is a beauty soap, gentler than regular soap. It nourishes the skin, has antibacterial properties, and leaves a subtle fragrance—perfect for bathing."
The woman's eyes lit up. This was far superior to ordinary soap, both for its mildness and its scent.
After several rounds of washing, Daisy's face was completely clean.
Now, everyone could see her freckles in all their glory—dense clusters covering her cheeks, nose, and even her forehead, leaving barely any clear skin visible.
Countess Nelson sighed. "Daisy's freckles have lightened quite a bit, thanks to your essential oils."
This implied Daisy's condition had been even worse before.
No wonder the girl, around Wei Wei's apparent age, remained unmarried. As a cousin of the Nelson family without inheritance rights, she wasn't a desirable match, and her looks did nothing to compensate.
Now bare-faced, Daisy kept her head down as Penny led her to a sofa-like lounge chair for skincare.
"Before makeup, the skin needs proper nourishment," Wei Wei explained. "Otherwise, frequent makeup application can accelerate aging."
Penny applied a homemade mask—a blend of milk, essential oils, and honey. The ingredients (except the oils) had been prepared by the Nelson maids, and Wei Wei mixed them openly, sharing the recipe's whitening benefits. She even casually mentioned other DIY masks using eggs, lemon, apple, and other common ingredients.
The ladies listened raptly, mentally taking notes. Even Miss Clive, though pretending disinterested, absorbed every word.
Seeing Wei Wei's poreless complexion, they all assumed these masks were secret and vowed to replicate her regimen.
Wei Wei: '…If it makes you happy.'
After the mask, Daisy's skin felt noticeably improved—no dryness, just smooth hydration. Her mood lifted slightly, but only slightly.
Skincare didn't stop there. Wei Wei had instructed Penny to perform a full routine to showcase future products. After the mask came toner made from floral water, an eye cream of tremella and pearl powder, and a traditional Chinese-inspired facial balm. (An essence was still in development so that step was skipped.)
This comprehensive regimen left the noblewomen awestruck. They'd never seen such specialized products, each with distinct benefits and visible results. One lady dabbed some balm on her hand, marveling as her dry skin softened and fine lines seemed to fade.
As for Daisy, by the time the routine ended, her complexion had visibly brightened, and her enlarged pores (from years of heavy powder) had tightened.
Someone immediately asked Wei Wei, "When will these go on sale? Can we pre-order?"
They all recognized Wei Wei's sales pitch but were more than willing to play along.
Wei Wei smiled apologetically. "Not all will be available yet. Floral water will launch soon, but the rest will take time. Sardinson's population is small, and we lack the manpower for mass production."
Hearing only one product would debut soon, the women's faces fell. Before they could protest, Wei Wei swiftly changed the subject.
"Shall we begin the makeup? Miss Daisy, please sit here."
Now it was Wei Wei's turn to work her magic.
Daisy's freckles posed a challenge. Traditional whitening foundations would only accentuate them, but Wei Wei had prepared concealer and multiple foundation shades. After painstaking layering, the freckles were nearly invisible—unless someone inspected her face up close.
The downside? The base was thicker, and the foundation shade was slightly darker than the pale ideal favored by the nobility.
Yet even with just the base applied, Daisy already looked transformed. Without the distracting freckles, her delicate features shone through—a sweet, even pretty face with striking green eyes like sunlit lakes.
Wei Wei worked like an artist, her brushes sculpting Daisy's face with each stroke, each adjustment bringing a more breathtaking change.
Unlike Queen Mirabelle's smoky eyes, Wei Wei gave Daisy a soft, youthful look—lightly arched brows, pink and lavender eyeshadow, subtle eyeliner with feathery false lashes, and a peachy lip color that radiated freshness.
These were Wei Wei's personal treasures, precious because once used up, she'd have to recreate them from scratch.
When she finally stepped back, the freckle-faced girl had been reborn as a sweet, angelic beauty who looked years younger.
Daisy blinked her watery green eyes in confusion. She'd kept them closed throughout and had no mirror to check her progress.
'At least it can't be worse than before,' she thought resignedly.
The room had fallen silent midway through the transformation. Now, the women stared, half-convinced their eyes deceived them.
Wei Wei broke the silence, handing Daisy the mirror. "What do you think?"
Bracing for disappointment, Daisy looked—and froze.
For a moment, she didn't recognize the lovely girl in the reflection. 'How beautiful,' she caught herself thinking wistfully, 'if only I looked like her.'
Then realization struck.
'That's me?!'
Her hands trembled as she clutched the mirror, staring in disbelief. Hesitantly, she touched her cheek, watching the girl mimic her movement.
"Of course it's you," Wei Wei confirmed. "Do you like it?"
'Like it?' Daisy's eyes welled up, but she fought back tears, terrified of ruining her makeup. She could only nod fervently.
"I never imagined I could look like this. It's like I'm a different person. Thank you, Miss Wei!"
"You're too kind. I'm glad you're pleased." Wei Wei retrieved a rose perfume from the case—made from dried flowers. "Just a final touch."
Without a spray nozzle, the perfume had to be dabbed. As soon as the bottle opened, an intense floral aroma filled the air. Wei Wei applied a drop to Daisy's wrists and behind her ears.
Instantly, Daisy carried a captivating scent.
The stunned noblewomen finally snapped out of their trance, inhaling deeply. "Roses! So much stronger than essential oils. It's like standing in a rose garden! Dear Wei, what is this?"
"Perfume. It'll launch alongside the floral water," Wei Wei said, lifting the bottle. "The varieties are limited now, and quantities scarce. If you want some, watch for the release."
Countess Nelson immediately asked, "No pre-orders? For friendship's sake?"
'What friendship?' Wei Wei mused but kept her tone polite. "Pre-orders aren't possible, but 'for friendship's sake', I can gift you this bottle."
She handed over the prototype perfume.
Countess Nelson accepted it gleefully. "I knew you were generous! I adore this scent!" She promptly dabbed some on herself.
Wei Wei guided her on application and precautions, while the other ladies watched enviously. Compared to the Countess, they barely knew Wei Wei—if they couldn't secure pre-orders, neither could they.
Their jealousy quickly redirected toward Daisy.
They lavished praise on Wei Wei's skills and her cosmetics, having witnessed an "unattractive" girl transformed into a radiant beauty. This was even more astonishing than Queen Mirabelle's makeover—after all, the Queen had already been stunning.
For the first time, Daisy didn't shrink under scrutiny. She held her head high, smiling confidently, her entire demeanor luminous.
The only other unmarried girl, Miss Clive, seethed with resentment—toward Wei Wei for "snubbing" her, and toward Daisy for "stealing" her chance. She convinced herself Wei Wei had deliberately avoided her out of jealousy.
Wei Wei ignored her, now surrounded by women clamoring for makeup tips and even trying to buy the samples outright. She patiently reiterated that production would only begin after her return to Sardinson.
Their disappointment was palpable. One lady sighed, "I heard your wedding was originally scheduled soon. Will delaying it cause issues?"
Wei Wei: "We've postponed it. With so many recent invitations, leaving now would be impolite."
"What a shame." The lady's regret seemed genuine—and tinged with self-reproach. Her family had sent one of those invitations. If they hadn't, Wei Wei might already be back in Sardinson, speeding up the cosmetics' release.
The others shared the sentiment. Too late to rescind invitations now, but they could at least avoid sending more.
"I hope you return soon to wed. Earl Williams must be eager."
The speaker's pointed glance at Miss Clive carried a smirk, clearly mocking her.
Miss Clive turned livid, humiliated but unable to retort—not when the jab came from an elder.
Her mother, equally constrained (and currently arranging her daughter's marriage to another suitor), could only shoot her a warning glare and pretend nothing happened.
Wei Wei noted their reactions thoughtfully but let the moment pass. The woman's focus remained on her cosmetic case. If they couldn't buy the products yet, perhaps they could persuade her to sell the samples.
After all, she'd been generous with Countess Nelson…