Princess Lessons by Meg Cabot

I.
A Note from
Her Royal Highness Princess Mia

    Real princesses always try to look their best—but, um, my best is probably totally different from yours. There are lots of different kinds of beauty. Like those models we see on magazine covers? A lot of people might hold them up as, like, the epitome of perfection and all of that, but just remember, in France it’s considered beautiful not to shave under your arms.
    So you see, beauty is really relative.
    Princesses, like people, come in all different shapes and sizes. There is no one look that is right for everyone. Having a healthy body is way more important than having a body that looks good in low-rise jeans. And of course being a nice person is the most important thing of all. Throughout history, princesses have been remembered not for the waist size of their 501s, but for the good deeds they performed while they were on the throne.
    There’s one thing that looks good on everyone, though: confidence. Have confidence in yourself and your looks, and others will see your outer beauty as well as the inner.
    That’s what everybody keeps telling me, anyway.
PRETTY PRINCESS

    by Paolo,
owner and proprietor of Chez Paolo, New York City

    I, Paolo,
am the one who turned the Principessa Amelia from Ugly Duckling into Swan. You,
too, can look like a princess, if you follow Paolo’s simple
rules.
    Beauty is molto importante , but so
often overdone! A princess’s look is bella , healthy, and well
groomed. Fresh is the goal, and mascara, blush, and gloss are
the tools that will get you there.
    Everyone—especially I,
Paolo—loves to play with makeup. But remember, a mask works only at Halloween!
Do not slather on foundation or eyeshadow unless you want to
scare your populace (also, your parents won’t like it so much, no?). Natural
and bella is the way Paolo urges all you little principessas to go. If you want
the dramatic look of black kohl and scarlet lipstick, join your school drama
club (I spit on kohl). And do not come crying to Paolo if all the little
princes, they run from you in horror. Only if you follow Paolo’s way can you be
assured molto perfetto !

PRINCESS ESSENTIALS
    What every
principessa should have in her handbag (besides cab fare, breath mints,
emergency tiara, and hairbrush):
    â€¢ Lipstick or gloss
    â€¢ Pressed powder compact (to get rid of shiny
nose)
    â€¢ Concealer (for dark circles under eyes due to that
late-night romantic tryst, no? Also for blemishes)
    â€¢ Eye pencil

    What every principessa should have
in her bathroom (besides a phone and small television so she can keep abreast
of world events even while bathing the royal body):
    â€¢ Facial cleanser, exfoliator (or use a washcloth, but gently!), and
moisturizer
    â€¢ Astringent, toner, acne medication, beauty
masks
    â€¢ Foundation, concealer (for dark
circles/blemishes)
    â€¢ Eye shadow, liner (no kohl—Paolo spits
on kohl!)
    â€¢ Blush (natural color—unless you want to look
like a clown principessa)
    â€¢ Mascara
    â€¢ Manicure set (nail polish, nail file, nail cutter)
    â€¢ Hair products (shampoo, conditioner, styling products,
etc.)

PAOLO’S PRINCESS BEAUTY REGIMEN

    The look for royals? Fresh and clean! To get it, follow the beauty
routine I designed for the Principessa Amelia:
    1. Wash face morning and night with gentle cleanser. Follow with
exfoliant, if needed (even royals get blackheads! No joke!), and blemish
product or moisturizer.
    2.
Wash hair with gentle shampoo once a day, or every other day. Follow with
conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb to get out tangles. No one wants to see a
bald principessa!
    3.
Hair products such as mousse or gel, used sparingly, can help control a mane
gone wild or give body to thin hair. Find the product that works best for you
by consulting a professional hair stylist, like me, Paolo, or by experimenting
at home.
    4. Bathe or
shower daily. Principessas are known for smelling nice,