"Never underestimate the healing power of a sequin," says Mary Alice Stephenson, who styled the women on these pages and is the founder of
Glam4Good, an organization that works with nonprofits to provide "life-changing makeovers" for people in need. Some of her recent exploits? Dressing more than 50 economically disadvantaged New York City girls for prom, taking 200 mothers and daughters affected by Hurricane Sandy on a shopping spree at a pop-up store filled with designer duds, and orchestrating couture runway shows at which the models were residents of a Midwest homeless shelter. "Our work is about creating a pampering, queen-for-a-day experience for women so they can build confidence," says Mary Alice, who launched Glam4Good in 2011. That's a concept that needs no embellishment.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
A day of beauty—makeup, haircut and color, manicure, pedicure—is restorative. But a whole new beauty regimen can be revolutionary. We sent these five women home with tools they can use to continue pampering themselves: a personalized selection of makeup from Stila Cosmetics, hairstyling products from Color Wow, brow pencils from Eliza's Eyes, and nail polish from Chanel. To carry the pampering into the new year, each woman received six gift certificates from Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa in New York City's Plaza Hotel for a monthly facial or massage.
Next: See the behind-the-scenes shots from these makeovers
