Before
Sara Frazier Miller, 27
Founder and Executive Director,
A House on Beekman
Her Rescue Mission
When Sara came from Dallas to New York City for college, she saw poverty for the first time. Motivated by her Christian faith to do what she could to help, she moved to the South Bronx, one of the poorest areas in the country, just before her junior year. Her nonprofit, A House on Beekman, provides the community with a preschool, a summer camp, an after-school program, and more. Sara now oversees a staff of 15 and raises funds, plus she's always on call to hear her neighbors' concerns.
"Seeing how resilient the kids are inspires me," says Sara, (pictured left) with a few of the 150 children participating in A House on Beekman's programs. "They keep fighting even though the deck is stacked against them. That motivates me to continue helping."
Her New Look
The Clothes: "If I have a meeting with an investor, I'll maybe wear a cotton dress," says Sara. The rest of the time, it's skinny jeans (Levi's are her fave) and tees. This glamorous Rubin Singer gown adds curves to Sara's willowy figure, and the bold chartreuse shade sets off her creamy skin and new haircolor beautifully. Jewel-tone accessories add an exotic touch.
The Hair and Makeup: Sara was game for a radical new do. Patrick transformed her chin-length light brown bob into a sweeping platinum pixie. After blow-drying it smooth, he applied a little dry shampoo to give her new style some texture. To suit her skin tone, makeup artist Sarah chose a smoky eye in shades of cocoa and copper instead of a harsher black. Sara's lips got a coat of opalescent gloss for a touch of sparkle.
Her Reaction: "I feel so undeserving to be cared for like this. And my hair! It's given me a fresh confidence. I would never have thought the hip, cool, trendy girl could be me."
Dress, Rubin Singer. Earrings and cuff, Swarovski.
Before
Penny Mann, 50
System Director of Volunteers and Guest Services,
Bon Secours Charity Health System
Her Rescue Mission
Penny is the resident morale booster and troubleshooter for Bon Secours Charity Health System in New York. She started a Smile Patrol to visit sick patients; she's also the one whom people in the community call when they need help with anything from getting a Christmas tree to paying a bill. "We can be so busy that we don't see what's going on around us," says Penny, whose four sons and their families all live with her and her husband. "I try to pay attention." Being the rock for so many takes up most of her nights and weekends. But the payoff is worthwhile, she says: "You see people breathe a sigh of relief."
Penny (pictured left) is making the rounds (while playing Pharrell Williams' "Happy" on her phone).
Her New Look
The Clothes: "It's important to feel beautiful whether you're a size 24 or 14," says Penny, who weighed 320 pounds before she had lap band surgery six years ago. She prefers pantsuits and kitten heels at work; off duty, she favors pieces with a little bit of stretch. "I don't want to look like I've squeezed myself into anything," she says. This elegant Jovani gown flatters Penny's figure, and the iridescent colors are a subtly stunning twist on basic black. Cocktail rings and showstopping earrings add polish without competing with the dress.
The Hair and Makeup: Penny wanted to hide her gray, so Patrick dyed her salt-and-pepper hair a medium brown. Then he reshaped her cut, taking out the poufiness on top and giving her a sleeker, face-slimming silhouette. He used a small round brush while drying her hair and worked pomade through it for a piecey effect, which gave her ultrashort style some pizzazz. Penny's makeup look is sun kissed: bronzer all over instead of foundation, warm peach and merlot shadows, and coral blush.
Her Reaction: "Today I feel appreciated!" she says. "Being looked after by all these people means more than I can say. It's the best day I've ever had."
Dress, Jovani, $640. Earrings, Kara Ross. Ring (left), Stephanie Kantis. Ring (right), Wouters & Hendrix.
Before
Jessamyn Rodriguez, 38
Founder and CEO,
Hot Bread Kitchen
Her Rescue Mission
After a friend misheard and thought Jessamyn's job interview with Women's World Banking was with Women's World
Baking, Jessamyn, a former United Nations policy analyst, got the idea for Hot Bread Kitchen, a nonprofit that trains women for baking careers and helps them launch new food businesses. The program offers hands-on instruction, in addition to classes in English and skills such as résumé writing and interview prep. "Seeing women empowered by even a small amount of knowledge and then coming into themselves is deeply satisfying," says Jessamyn, who has two children under age 4.
"Being able to see my original idea at work is very gratifying," says Jessamyn (left) at Hot Bread Kitchen's retail store, Hot Bread Almacen, in East Harlem, New York. Trainees not only make and bake HBK's signature breads—varieties include Armenian lavash, grindstone rye and challah—but they can also sell their creations.
Her New Look
The Clothes: Since giving birth to her second child last year, Jessamyn has gravitated toward comfy dresses that don't hug her middle. "I'm wearing looser styles until I get my body back," she says. Sporty and feminine, this Pamella Roland dress emphasizes Jessamyn's toned arms, while the flared skirt draws attention to her slim legs. Dark metallic jewelry keeps the vibe more edgy than girly.
The Hair and Makeip: Painting on caramel highlights brightened the area around Jessamyn's face and camouflaged her grays. Patrick applied a volumizing spray and a styling glaze to Jessamyn's wet hair before blow-drying it and curling it with an iron. Afterward, he combed through the ringlets, leaving only a hint of wave. Sarah used a bronze shadow to play up Jessamyn's hazel eyes; a metallic berry gloss amplified her natural lip color and emphasized the rosiness of her cheeks.
Her Reaction: "Today is definitely a switch from the kitchen," she says. "I'm not used to people lavishing time on me. But it's validating to see images of myself looking gorgeous!"
Dress, Pamella Roland. Necklace, Miriam Haskell. Left: Black bangle, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. Lucite bracelet, Alexis Bittar. Ring, Tuleste. Right: Black bangle and black bracelet, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. White gold cuff, Kara Ross. Shoes, Chloe Gosselin.
Before
Susie Coston, 50
National Shelter Director,
Farm Sanctuary
Her Rescue Mission
For 14 years, Susie has been rehabilitating neglected and abused farm animals—including cows, pigs and chickens—in New York and California through her work with Farm Sanctuary. "These types of animals aren't as well protected as cats and dogs, and all the ones we rescue have been abused," says Susie, who doesn't mind her 13- to 16-hour days. "When you take animals that are in terrible shape and see them become happy and part of a herd—that's the most fulfilling thing."
"Taking any animal away from a terrifying situation allows its personality to come out," says Susie, shown here with turkeys at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. "I want people to see animals as I see them—as sentient beings who feel emotions."
Her New Look
The Clothes: Farm life is not exactly conducive to high fashion. "I'm always dirty," says Susie, who majored in fashion merchandising in college, a fact that now cracks her up. "I get most of my work clothes from Goodwill because I'm just going to ruin them." There's nothing workaday, however, about this va-va-voom Carmen Marc Valvo dress with flattering flounces that balance Susie's pear-shaped figure. Chunky gold jewelry—including bracelets worn on both wrists, Wonder Woman–style—adds an unexpected twist.
The Hair and Makeup: Patrick dyed Susie's light chestnut hair a much darker chocolate, which brought out her greenish gray eyes. To further emphasize her features, he softened the layers around her face and curled her hair with an iron to create loose waves. Sarah showed Susie how a little bronzer on her forehead and cheeks could enhance her complexion. Neutral eye makeup in wheat and taupe accentuated her new haircolor, as did nude lipstick with pale pink gloss.
Her Reaction: "The amount of time it takes to get this look is shocking!" she says with a laugh. "But today felt really good, and it was fun to learn how to pose in front of the camera. It's the polar opposite of my regular life."
Dress, Carmen Marc Valvo, $940. Necklace, Lulu Frost. Left: Cuff, Kara Ross. Right: Cuff with Swarovski crystals, Auden Design. Bracelet, Kara by Kara Ross.
Before
Denise Warren, 57
Founder,
CHOSEN
Her Rescue Mission
After noticing the number of obese children in her neighborhood in Queens, New York, Denise was inspired to start CHOSEN (Childhood Obesity Shall End Now), which offers free exercise classes and wellness education for kids. (She also runs a fitness class called Body by Denise for adults.) Denise is so committed to getting others in shape that she hasn't had a vacation in seven years. "I get my satisfaction from seeing results, like the 12-year-old who was 270 pounds and is now down to 140," she says. "There's nothing as gratifying as that."
Denise (left, teaching an all-ages group fitness class in Queens) says exercise is only part of her mission. "It's also important to educate kids about nutrition and health and help them make better food choices."
Her New Look
The Clothes: Denise doesn't really distinguish between her work and weekend wardrobes—it's basically all workout clothes all the time. But she does admit to one indulgence: "Shoes. I love booties, platforms and color. I like to go a little extreme." This mermaid-style Pamella Roland halter gown shows off Denise's amazing arms and gives her boyish figure a boost. A wristful of gold bangles is a fresh alternative to silver.
The Hair and Makeup: Patrick warmed up Denise's lush brown hair by giving it a reddish cast with single-process color. Then he trimmed the ends and straightened her hair with a flatiron. Sarah focused on wine and berry makeup: Burgundy shadow all over Denise's lids gave her eyes added depth, and rosy blush created a glowy effect. The finishing touch? Blackberry lip gloss.
Her Reaction: "This dress makes me feel like a princess. No, wait—a queen!" Denise was uncomfortable posing at first, but credits the O glam squad with helping her relax. "I'm learning to like myself more and not allow critics to live in my head rent-free," she says. "And I'm trying to learn how to accept care, not just give it."
Dress, Pamella Roland. Left: Brass ring, Jennifer Fisher. Onyx ring, Wouters & Hendrix. Right, from top: Cuff, Wouters & Hendrix. Bracelet, Andrew Hamilton Crawford. Bangle, Lizzie Fortunato.
Photo: Courtesy of Bliss Spa
Care Package
It's easy to feel pampered at a photo shoot, where an entire team of pros is dedicated to making you feel gorgeous. But we want our five heroes to feel cared for all year. So we sent them home with a few perks: makeup from
Stila Cosmetics, skincare and hair products from
Aveeno, brow essentials from
Eliza's Eyes, and nail polish from
Chanel. Plus, each received a yearlong
Bliss spa membership, which includes a monthly massage or facial and discounts on Bliss, Elemis, and Remède products, along with other spa services.
