Transforming myself with Dumont takes close to 40 minutes of intense focus, but the moment I glance into a compact mirror, I’m taken aback by the reflection reminiscent of a Margaret Keane artwork. It’s a mix of fear and amazement—my brows, eyes, and lips appear larger than life. I feel more confident, yet equally anxious about revealing this new me. I overhear my spouse softly telling our nine-month-old son, “You must be curious about that woman!”
“That woman” is in a rush, so I grab a top from One Of—known for creating the most coveted party attire—and slide into my black Kallmeyer jeans before heading downtown to meet my friend Monica, who has flown in from Los Angeles.
The confidence surges as I sport more lip liner than usual. I manage to snag a last-minute dinner reservation at The Corner Store—a hotspot that even Taylor Swift has graced twice. Still, as I leave the apartment, I tiptoe past the doormen like I’ve just undergone a dramatic makeover. I opt for sunglasses on the train, and keep them on as I enter the restaurant. Despite the cloudiness and the damp sidewalk, I refuse to remove my shades until I reach Monica. With a theatrical flair, I take them off, and her gasp confirms my transformation, even as the room buzzes with women equally stunning.
At the bar, I spot three women sporting dark, lustrous lipstick and two more with Creamsicle-hued eyeshadow that looks like sun-kissed shimmer. I’m about to order a glass of wine when Monica interrupts me. “You’re in cocktail mode,” she declares, leading us to opt for martinis instead.
An hour into our chat, I lose myself in conversation, momentarily forgetting that I’m like a walking disco ball. It occurs to me that I’ve danced in this realm before—not at The Corner Store, but in my own version of Glitterland. At my engagement party, makeup artist Suzy Gerstein transformed me with a cobalt blue eyeliner that felt more like a work of art, paired with a lavish Prabal Gurung dress loaded with sparkling embellishments that jingled with movement. The compliments flowed, and I felt like a star throughout the event. On another occasion, during a gathering in Los Angeles, Liz Lash saw the backless dress I had chosen and immediately adorned my eyes with a stunning mauve shadow, which I adored. At The Corner Store, I straighten my posture. Two enchanting nights of glamor and joy—why shouldn’t I indulge in another? Later, MAC’s global senior artist Deney Adam remarks, “Makeup is about how you feel, not just what you apply.” And in that moment, I truly feel radiant.
