Could You Pull Off Model Makeup?

DAY 3
Beach Bunny
AS SEEN AT BEHNAZ SARAFPOUR
I wake up with a pimple on my nose and red eyes from rubbing off all the makeup. I head to Behnaz at 9 a.m., where I'm in for a full makeover: hair, makeup, and nails. Mane man Ashley Javier gets started with a jumbo curling iron. Then he flatirons the roots and ends (yes, the same part he just curled) to stretch out the waves. Finally, he decides my hair looks perfectly "unfinished and not coiffed."

"We're going for Brigitte Bardot at the beach," says makeup artist Gucci Westman, who layers bronzer and blush over my apples. Add liquid liner, lots of lip gloss, and a couple of coats of CND sheer pink Nail Gloss, and I'm ready for the runway — er, front row. Settled into my seat in full maquillage, I start to wonder: Will people think I'm a wannabe?

MC RECOMMENDS: 10. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer in Medium; 11. Lancôme Magique Blush in Peach Melba; 12. WIN THIS Clairol Herbal Essences All That Shine Clear Shine Booster. We're giving away 250 sets at marieclaire.com/clairol.*

Dancing Queen
AS SEEN AT BABY PHAT
At 3:30, I head backstage at Baby Phat. Makeup pro Lisa Butler applies a rosy powder all over, and I have Rachel Roy flashbacks, this time with glitter. Butler describes the look as Barbie meets Dynasty, but I think it's more Cirque du Soleil. Turns out, MAC did work with the Canadian troupe to develop some of their eye-catching shades. Great, so I'm wearing clown makeup.

While waiting for my friend Tanji, I hover near the CND booth to check out the fake nails adorned with the Baby Phat logo in tiny gold beads. These talons are fierce! When Tanji finally arrives, we slip into our seats, and fortunately, the crowd is more interested in the boldface names (Mary J., Mya, Djimon Hounsou) than in my red face. But Tanji can't stop giggling. That's what friends are for.

MC RECOMMENDS: 13. Guerlain Ombre éclat 4 Shades Eye Shadow in Fleur de Feu; 14. Jemma Kidd Crushed Jewel Creme Duo in Imperial Topaz; 15. Custom Baby Phat nail by CND.