When you're busy cooking holiday meals for 500, who has time for a manicure? These phenomenal women spend most of their waking moments taking care of others—and often rebuilding lives. So in the spirit of the season, for one unforgettable day, hairstylist Ken Paves, fashion stylist (and founder of Glam4Good) Mary Alice Stephenson, and makeup artist Sarah Lucero took very, very good care of them.
Erica Ford, Age 48 (Before)
Founder, LIFE Camp, Inc.
Her Rescue Mission: As a teenager in Queens, New York, in the 1980s, Erica watched the crack epidemic claim the lives of friends and neighbors. She vowed to do something to stem the carnage. Her foundation, LIFE (Love Ignites Freedom through Education) Camp, Inc., promotes violence prevention in schools, with programs that range from group counseling to hip-hop yoga. "If kids can find something positive inside, they'll quit taking out their pain on themselves and each other," Erica says.
Above: Erica leads an all-ages yoga class on the playground of the Baisley Park housing project in Jamaica, Queens. "It's important to show young people there's a bigger world out there than what's on their block," she says.
To learn more about Erica's mission for peace, go to PeaceisaLifestyle.com.
Her Beauty Treatment
The Clothes: Erica wears at least one orange item every day—it's the signature color of peace. Her uniform is a T-shirt and jeans or a sweat suit (accessorized with Nike sneakers). This dramatic, mermaid-style Misha Nonoo gown in Erica's favorite shade shows off her knockout figure and would ensure that she'd stand out in a sea of black at corporate functions.
The Hair and Makeup: Erica began going gray at 19, when she started helping troubled young people. "I've named each one of these gray hairs after a kid I've worked with," she says. Ken loved Erica's color and brightened it with a low-peroxide toner that reduced yellowing and added shine. After her hair air-dried, he smoothed the curls around her face with a small-barreled curling iron. Erica's makeup is polished yet low-key: metallic gold eyeshadow, almost imperceptibly shimmery pink lip gloss, and a sheer berry-red blush.
Her Reaction: "As a child, I was teased constantly about my looks; no one ever told me I was pretty. When I saw myself in the mirror today, I couldn't help but cry. For the first time in my life, I thought, "I am somebody." I have never, ever, in my entire life, felt so special."
Dress, Nonoo. Necklace, Anton Heunis. On her right wrist: Gold and crystal bracelet, House of Lavande. Brass bracelet, Anton Heunis. On her left wrist: Brass and crystal bracelet, Anton Heunis. Charm bracelet, Lulu Frost.
Melissa Rioux, Age 30 (Before)
Manager, COLOR Club at Publicolor
After graduating with an art degree, Melissa had an epiphany: "I realized that making my own art satisfied only one part of me. I have a collaborative nature and I really wanted to help others." She found her opportunity in Publicolor, an organization that creates art-based programs to help at-risk kids engage with their schools and their community. Melissa oversees COLOR Club, an intensive yearlong curriculum offering academic tutoring, career workshops, and weekly painting projects that transform schools with vibrant color. "I didn't grow up in an affluent home, but it was always rich in the arts," she says. "That exposure was such a gift; I love being able to pass it on."
To learn more about how Publicolor uses art to inspire young people, go to Publicolor.org.
Her Beauty Treatment
The Clothes: Melissa usually wears casual-but-polished separates from Madewell and J.Crew with moccasins and her signature tortoiseshell glasses. "I try not to look too precious—I'm always that person who's, like, 'Yes! I'll help you unload the van!' " A one-shoulder Lotusgrace dress is flirty and feminine, with a full skirt that balances Melissa's broad shoulders. Punky spiked jewelry keeps the flounce factor in check.
The Hair and Makeup: Melissa was in sixth grade the last time she colored her hair. "I didn't know what I was doing," she says. This time around, Ken painted on golden highlights for a natural, beachy effect. He trimmed away the wispy, not-exactly-even ends—Melissa cuts her own hair—to add fullness. Melissa usually forgoes makeup and was thrilled to get a tutorial. Because her eyes are deep set, she doesn't need dark eye shadows to create contours. A rich purple liner along her top and bottom lashes helped elongate her eyes, and a lavender cream shadow brightened her lids. A creamy coral blush brought a flush to her naturally luminous skin.
Her Reaction: "To be told—for an entire day—that you're beautiful? What an incredible feeling!"
Dress, Lotusgrace, $585. Necklaces, Anton Heunis. Belt, B-Low the Belt. On her right wrist: Black wrap bracelet, Fenton Fallon. Ring, Anton Heunis. On her left wrist: Metal chain bracelet, Fenton Fallon. Clear bracelet, Alexis Bittar. Fate bracelet, Stella Flame.
Angeline Alvarez-Davis, Age 43 (Before)
Education Site Director, Head Start
Raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, Angelina knew she wanted to make an impact in her community; she began working as a substitute teacher in a Head Start program there while still in college. Twenty-five years later, she's the education site director and has helped hundreds of low-income families find the resources they need, from education to health care. When Hurricane Sandy decimated the area last year, Angelina's work became even more urgent. With more than four feet of water in her school, she went door-to-door to check on families, and rallied help from individuals and organizations—like the family charity Baby Buggy, a longtime supporter of her Head Start site—to turn the space into a relief center. "Our families are still rebuilding; many remain displaced or living in shelters," says Angelina. "Our team will continue to do anything and everything we need to do for them. I always tell the parents: Your children are my children—all 111 of them."
For more information about Head Start, go to NHSA.org. To find out how Baby Buggy helps families in need, go to BabyBuggy.org.
Her Beauty Treatment
The Clothes: "I'm self-conscious about my hips and butt, so I wear things that cover them up—usually dark slacks or jeans," says Angelina, who sticks to a mostly neutral color palette. Slinky and fire-engine red, this Gabriela Cadena gown is everything Angelina thought she couldn't wear. It hugs her tiny waist while flattering her hips, and the strategic draping makes her petite figure look tall and willowy.
The Hair and Makeup: Red lights on Angelina's commute afford her just enough time to apply black eyeliner and mascara. Sarah showed her why it's worth investing a few more minutes. Navy eyeliner, traced all the way around Angelina's eyes, defined their almond shape, and a creamy nude lipstick made her mouth appear fuller. To create her new bombshell hairstyle. Ken trimmed about seven inches, wove in highlights, and had Angelina trade her curl-crunching gel for a mousse. The result: touchable hair that frames her features.
Her Reaction: "To have all of this positive attention focused on me felt so amazing! I never thought I could feel bold enough to chop off my hair or wear a clingy dress that shows off my figure."
Dress, Gabriela Cadena. Earrings, Ben-Amun. Bracelet, Glynneth B.
Sara Alize Cross, Age 37 (Before)
Founder, Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue
Her Rescue Mission: When Sara volunteered to foster a rescue dog in her one-bedroom apartment in 2011 she never imagined it would lead her to found an organization, Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, responsible for saving about 1,000 dogs from high-kill shelters in the rural South. But one dog led to another, and the work became all-consuming. Many shelters give stray dogs a 72-hour window to be rescued, "so I'm always jumping from emergency to emergency," says Sara, who spends her days frantically coordinating with shelters, vets, and potential foster families. The stress has taken its toll. "I've gained 25 pounds and have thousands of dollars in credit card debt," she says. But she has no regrets: "Being able to alleviate suffering is incredibly empowering."
"I didn't set out to start a dog rescue, but when you see suffering and you know you can do something about it, it's very hard to turn away," says Sara, who has been responsible for as many as six dogs at a time.
To learn about the Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue foster program, go to BadassBrooklynAnimalRescue.com.
Her Beauty Treatment
The Clothes: "I'm pretty much always in jeans and a T-shirt with flip-flops or sneakers," says Sara, who has had a harder time finding clothes she likes since gaining weight. A sparkly Tracy Reese dress flatters Sara's hourglass figure: The bow belt emphasizes her waist, while the calf-length skirt ends at the slimmest part of her leg, making her look leaner.
The Hair and Makeup: After years of intense work, Sara was ready to lighten up and get a little playful. So Ken brightened her hair—and her complexion—with golden highlights. Makeup artist Sarah opened Sara's eyes by lining them in deep brown, then blending a gold shadow over her lids. Peach blush and lip gloss complete the fresh, glowing look.
Her Reaction: "I'm usually covered in dog hair and driving sick animals to the vet. I never imagined being pampered in such an extravagant way! This is a new beginning for me—I have a great rescue team in place now, and I'm really going to try to take care of myself again."
Dress, Tracy Reese, $998. Earrings, R.J. Graziano.
Marjorie Bibbons, Age 58 (Before)
Founder, Healing Hands Helping Broken Hearts
Her Rescue Mission: Eight Christmases ago, Marjorie decided to show her family that giving could bring them more joy than a glut of presents. So she and her daughter cooked dozens of meals and delivered them to local shelters. Marjorie's nonprofit, Healing Hands Helping Broken Hearts, now feeds at least 500 people at a local church every Thanksgiving and Christmas; almost all of the funding comes out of her own pocket. The rest of the year, Marjorie delivers donated clothes and blankets to shelters and housing projects. After Hurricane Sandy hit, she received such an influx of donations that she sold her dining room furniture to store it all. Although Marjorie was laid off from her accounting job last year, she is confident that she'll be able to continue to do this work. "God will provide what I need to keep going," she says. Her approach is passionate, grassroots, and, she hopes, in the same spirit as her idol, Mother Teresa. "She never stereotyped anyone or took anything for herself," says Marjorie.
To learn more about Healing Hands Helping Broken Hearts, go to Facebook.com/JamaicasHealingHands.
Her Beauty Treatment
The Clothes: Marjorie favors boot-cut jeans and sneakers for everyday and loose, knee-length dresses and heels for church. "I like to wear things that are comfortable. I don't like to wear anything too short or tight," she says. This bright green, one-shoulder ABS by Allen Schwartz dress skims rather than hugs her curves, while the generous floor length gives her the coverage she prefers.
The Hair and Makeup: For years Marjorie had been hiding her gray at home with a jet-black permanent dye; the effect had become harsh and inky. Ken lightened the shade to a softer, more flattering deep brown. He took the roundness out of her cut, cropping the hair close on the sides and adding a little height at the crown. Sarah set off Marjorie's dark eyes by layering copper eye shadow over a rich aubergine. Peach-toned blush helped neutralize her undereye shadows, and a sheer cranberry gloss enhanced the fullness of her lips.
Her Reaction: "Being recognized for what I do makes me want to work even harder—and put extra effort into my appearance! I'm more confident and productive when I'm happy with the way I look."
Dress, ABS by Allen Schwartz, $490. Earrings, Anton Heunis. On her right wrist: Cone bracelet, Sarah Magid. Ring, Alexis Bittar. On her left wrist: Gold bracelet with crystal squares, Lele Sadoughi. Black and gold bracelet, Vince Camuto. Gold and crystal ring, Kara by Kara Ross.
Fashion Crusader
"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
