Luna
When we arrive, I'm blown away by how beautiful the Palace is. I don't get much time to admire the exterior, though, because we're quickly rushed inside for makeovers.
Maids scrub every inch of me, and it feels incredible. I try to keep myself clean but I'm an Eight, okay? Getting a warm bath and a solid meal is basically the height of luxury.
After that, a woman asks me what kind of style I'm going for, and I have no idea what to say.
"I mean, I'm and Eight. Or I was," I say, remembering that, as one of the Selected, I'm a Three now. "I'm not really used to having a choice about fashion.
She nods. "Okay then." She inspects my face. "You have lovely eyes."
I smile. "Thank you."
"Let's draw attention to that. Jenny, love, can you do her eyeliner?" she asks one of the maids. "Make her eyes really pop."
By the end of the makeover, my eyes are adequately "popping", my hair's been put into an elaborate braid, and I'm wearing a gorgeous violet gown. I feel beautiful.
Emani
The makeovers are truly the one part of this whole process I feel prepared for. I'm a model. Makeovers are my forte.
It really doesn't take a lot of effort on my part to get the look I want. They ask me how I want to look, and all it takes is six words for them to know exactly what I want.
"Make me look like a Queen," I say.
Amber
There is only one detail of my makeover I refuse to compromise: I will not let them take my glasses. Other than that, they can do whatever they want. But I detest wearing contacts, and I'm afraid that without my glasses I'd look like an entirely different person.
You'd be surprised how much convincing it takes. The maids and designers seem very determined to take my glasses away and replace them with contact lenses.
Eventually, they back off, figuring it's not worth the trouble. My makeover is over fairly quickly, and I still feel like myself. After I'm done with my own makeover, I sit back and watch everyone else transform.
Chloe Hoffmann's makeover is simple, but it gives her an indescribable air of elegance. Or maybe that's just her personality.
Elodie Simone, in a simple pastel blue dress, gives off a similar vibe of elegance, but something about it is . . . softer, somehow.
Alison looks soft and feminine, as does Freya Galeson.
Valarie's makeover might be the most dramatic. Her bold makeover and deep red dress give a clear message: she's not here to mess around.
Emani Jeffer's look is very regal. A lot of the girls here look a little uncomfortable in their new dresses and makeup, like they're not quite used to them yet, but Emani looks completely at home. Benefit of being a model, I suppose.
Luna Silverwood looks downright ethereal. I can't believe she used to be and Eight. She looks like some kind of powerful fairy from a different world.
And me? I think I just look like me, except . . . more. After we got over the whole glasses thing, it seemed liked the maids and designers found the things that make me look like myself and found ways to draw them out.
It's really not a bad feeling.