4 Stunning Makeovers — for Women Who Really Deserve Them

We enlisted fashion expert Mary Alice Stephenson, hairstylist Patrick Melville, and makeup artist Sarah Lucero to treat them to an unforgettable makeover that celebrates their beauty, inside and out.

Heidi Woolever: Partner at Edgemere Farm

Her Mission:
Nine years ago, Woolever, now 44, left her Washington, D.C., teaching job for greener pastures, moving to Maine with her husband to raise sheep. After her divorce in 2013, she realized her country skills could benefit city folk: "I was inspired by an article about a girl who lived in a New York City shelter with no access to real food," she says. Not long after heading to the Big Apple herself, Woolever met a man who was converting a lot in Far Rockaway, Queens, into farmland. She jumped in and, in 2014, opened a farm stand that sells vegetables and herbs to residents of the low-income neighborhood and accepts government vouchers as payment. Woolever hopes fresh food can help give other communities a fresh start. "Creating urban farms generates more jobs," she says, "and everyone deserves affordable healthy food."

Her New Look:
The clothes: This Terani Couture gown was a big change from Woolever's dirt-friendly getups: "I normally wear Carhartts and T-shirts." The showstopping cape makes a statement on its own; gold jewelry adds even more glamour.

The hair and makeup: Melville started with damage control, cutting three inches of dead ends, and added soft layers around Woolever's face. Once he toned down her sun-bleached streaks, he painted on butterscotch highlights. To accentuate Woolever's glowy skin, Lucero kept her makeup light: a caramel BB cream, shimmery taupe shadows, gray liner, and mascara.

Her reaction:
"A whirlwind of changes led me here. I dropped teaching to raise sheep. I dropped sheep to start farming. Now I'm all gussied up. What an experience! "

To learn more about Woolever's work, go to EdgemereFarm.org.




Woolever on the farm, prepping veggies and hanging with a rooster.

Gown, Terani Couture; Earrings, Sarah Magid; Bangles, (from top) Vita Fede, Sarah Magid, Elizabeth and James; Rings, (from left) RLM SoHo, Stella & Dot.

Her Mission:
After DeAngelis, 48, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, she hoped to supplement her treatment with alternative therapies—but to her surprise, she found nothing that met her needs. Undaunted, she remedied the problem herself, starting You Can Thrive!, which offers free or low-cost massage, reflexology, acupuncture, and other services to women with breast cancer. "After a few visits, their pain and stress decrease and quality of life increases," says DeAngelis, who believes in treating the whole person, not just her disease.

Her New Look:
The clothes: DeAngelis traded her typical neutral outfits for something more sultry. The flare of the mermaid skirt on this daring Jovani dress perfectly balances the bold one-shoulder detail. And she loved the sexy fit: "I feel like Jessica Rabbit!"

The hair and makeup: DeAngelis's nearly waist-length hair needed shape, so Melville trimmed four inches, blended in long layers, and applied copper highlights that show up whether her hair is curly or straight. To complement her dress, Lucero created a custom lip color (combining dusty rose and mauve) and cheek color (blending peach and maroon).

Her reaction:
"I've had a rediagnosis and a long journey through a double mastectomy this year. I needed to feel like a queen for a day!"

To learn more about DeAngelis's work, go to YouCanThrive.org.


DeAngelis performs Reiki on a patient in New York City.

Gown, Jovani; Necklaces, (from top) SparklePop, Sequin; Gold Bracelet, Alexis Bittar; Leather Bracelet, Trina Turk. On models: Trunks, Tani USA.

Her Mission:
As a mom and former owner of Extra-Ordinary Moments, a business that provided unique children's birthday parties, Leake set out to do the same for homeless kids. In 2010, Extra-Ordinary Birthdays was born. Now partnered with eight Washington, D.C.–area shelters, the 2015 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree gives each birthday boy or girl an "hour of magic" with gifts from their wish list and a personalized cake. She says, "I want these children to know that regardless of circumstances, they are special."

You can vote for the L'Oréal Paris 2017 Women of Worth from October 10 to 28 at WomenofWorth.com.

Her New Look:
The clothes: She's around kids, crafts, and cake all day, so Leake, 57, favors flats, a denim shirt, and an apron. "I am always covered in icing!" she says. With this red-hot Jovani gown, she traded sweet for spicy. A plunging back, dramatic bell sleeves, and a sweeping train update a simple but elegant silhouette.

The hair and makeup: To style her straightened hair, Melville applied a texturizing cream without alcohol, which can be drying. He pinned back the hair at the crown and brushed the rest into a pony, which he wrapped around the base to create a loose bun. For a polished look, Lucero used black eyeliner on Leake's upper lash line, plum and peach blushes, and a mix of berry and true red on her lips.

Her reaction:
"I just caught a glimpse of myself and thought, Who is that person? I feel so glamorous!"

To learn more about Leake's work, go to ExtraOrdinaryBirthdays.org.




Leake, armed with presents, celebrates birthdays at Barnaby and Chesapeake Houses in Washington, D.C.

Gown, Jovani; Earrings and Bracelets, Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz; Ring, Janis Savitt.

Her Mission:
When her now husband adopted an older mutt five years ago, Stanton, 31, didn't know Susie was going to change her life—but she did suddenly realize that many senior dogs need homes. She created a Facebook page to spread the word; when she wasn't busy with her PR job, she'd visit shelters and post about adoptable canines. Within six months, Susie's Senior Dogs had become Stanton's main focus. To date, the organization has found families for about 700 dogs nationwide. "I love hearing people's stories," says Stanton, who shares some of them in her new book, Susie's Senior Dogs. Helping vulnerable animals has become her purpose, and she owes it all to Susie: "Caring for that wonderful old girl helped me find my greatest passion."

Her New Look:
The clothes: Stanton spends her days in "shelter clothes"—T-shirts and jeans—but she looked entirely at ease in a strapless Elizabeth Kennedy silk faille gown. An edgy necklace, a waist-defining metallic belt, and crimson leashes for her pups finished off the stunning look.

The hair and makeup: Stanton was happy to try a radically different style, so Melville cut eight inches from her dark blonde hair and created a layered bob with buttery highlights. To emphasize her large brown eyes, Lucero used brown and gold shadows before applying a deep burgundy liner along her top and bottom lashes.

Her reaction:
"I love my new hair! It fits perfectly into my shelter life...but my dogs didn't recognize me at first!"

To learn more about Stanton's work, go to Facebook.com/SusiesSeniorDogs.




Stanton and her furry clients, Donna (top) and Jasmine, from Animal Haven feel the love.

Gown, Elizabeth Kennedy; Belt, Reiss; Necklace, Sequin; Rings, Vince Camuto; On dogs: Collars and leashes, Canine Styles of New York

For four years now, fashion expert Mary Alice Stephenson (seated) has teamed with O to give makeovers to deserving women through her organization, Glam4Good, which provides uplifting experiences for everyday heroes and people in need. "We use style and beauty to honor courage, raise self-esteem, and ignite joy," she says. "Fashion has the power to do all that. These aren't just makeovers—they're life-changing moments for remarkable women."