Most little girls grow up, dreaming of becoming a princess or something…but, me?
I grew up, dreaming of award shows and living the Hollywood life.
Well, dream granted!!!
Never have I been reminded of that dream coming true more than when I was asked to attend a behind-the-scenes look of The Grammys with Cover Girl and attend the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammys gala at The Beverly Hilton, the night before the big event.
While I would attend The Grammys and an after-party with friends the following afternoon, my pre-Grammys party was strong on Sunday, thanks to my friends at Cover Girl.
My Cover Girl Grammys glam experience started with a behind-the-scenes tour of Staples Center, where The Grammys would be held the following day.
We walked the red carpet, saw Kendrick Lamar rehearse for a bit, and rode up the “escalator to heaven” where winners go to the press room after they win their Grammy(s).
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And, the day just got better and better.
To prepare for Clive’s party, Cover Girl sent over the Glam Squad to do my makeup and get me all dolled up with some of their prettiest products.
I wanted my makeup to be as fun as I felt (hey, ABS by Allen Schwartz deep plunging neckline!), and wanted to channel a little bit of that little Dawn who used to dream of such a magical day, back while was singing in chapel in my school days.
Look I was going for? Award-season Sandra Bullock. After all, my first Hollywood job was being her stand-in in Miss Congeniality in Austin, so it only makes sense that my dream would come full circle, in FULL color!
So, we stuck with a perfect, perky pink lip with Cover Girl Colorlicious Oh Sugar! Vitamin Infused Balm in Sprinkle, dewy, glowing skin thanks to Cover Girl TruBLEND Liquid Makeup foundation, a pop of natural color on the cheeks with Cover Girl TruBLEND Blush in Medium Rose, defined eyes with Cover Girl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Roses, and lots of lashes, thanks to Cover Girl Plumpify Lash Blast Pro.
The best part? Each of these products is $10 or under!!!
That evening, I attended what was – quite honestly – the best event of my life: the Clive Davis pre-Grammys Gala.
I sat at the table with Cover Girl, Procter & Gamble and three other influencers who were as over the moon to be there as I was.
So, with all of the events I get to attend, why was this one so special?
Well, here’s but a small selection of some of the artists who performed: Dave Grohl, Beck, Barry Manilow, Melissa Etheridge, Fetty Wap, Earth Wind and Fire, Adam Lambert, Jack Antonoff of Fun, Andra Day, Elle King, Meghan Trainor, Chicago, and the piece de resistance…CARLY SIMON! Yes, you heard me.
CARLY. SIMON.
She sang “You’re So Vain,” and the whole room of wall-to-wall celebrities were dancing and singing right along with me.
It was one of those life-making moments I shall never forget.
I was happily surprised after the 6-hour gala to see that my makeup hadn’t budged a bit, so I decided to do the whole makeup routine again for The Grammys the following evening, when I attended with my friends, Mike & Aphrodite Camello. Changing it up a bit from straight strands to beach-waved locks, I was going for an Emmylou Harris meets Loretta Lynn country vibe to celebrate all of my friends in from Nashville who were nominated.
Afterwards, I hung out at The Mavericks’ after party at Velvet Margarita with my Grammy-nominated friends, The Mavericks…
and one of my dearest friends, director Trey Fanjoy (who also happens to be not only an award-winning video director herself for Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, but also the wife of Eddie Perez, the guitarist for The Mavericks.
And, while my Cover Girl makeup lasted beautifully and flawlessly all night long…
after 4 days of non-stop going and glamming, it was time for this girl to say good night.
‘Til next year, Grammys.
Can’t wait to do it all over again, Cover Girl.
xoxo,
Dawn