What people often fail to understand, including a lot of writers is just because a woman character is tough, doesn't mean she doesn't ever want to dress pretty or be called pretty. It's part of the appeal, they don't have to always be punching the MC in the arm, I hate dresses mode to be strong.
A tough strong merc character who never wears makeup, showing up in a dress to a ball and trying to hide her embarrassment and enjoyment of being complimented by the MC will always be PEAK.
She can then punch him in the arm.