I always wanted to be a Cover Girl. So when Cover Girl invited me to be their guest to get #InstaGlam for the VMAs and a day of primping, I felt like a long-held dream had come true.

But who knew that award show prepping and primping for a Cover Girl started so early? Even though the awards were to start at 6pm, my day started with an 8:30 am pickup from my delightful driver, Sam, who pumped the old school R&B while eating a homemade cupcake I had brought him from home.

Next, I arrived at the W Hotel Westwood for a full day of primping with Cover Girl. I grabbed a cup of coffee and nibbled on a bit of breakfast as I showed my Adriana Papell gown to my celeb hairstylist for the day, Derek Peter (a coif god whose clients have included Chrissy Teigen, Katie Lowes and Kristen Bell) and told him of “my vision.” What was my vision exactly? Well, while most people opt for short and hip for the VMAs, I wanted to go old school glam to match my powder blue, floor-length Adrianna Papell gown. Think 60s-era Elizabeth Taylor meets 90s-era Catherine Zeta Jones. Derek knew JUST what to do. So he was off and running, giving me a slightly messier Veronica Lake wave. While my hair was pinned to set the waves, I grabbed a mimosa and headed over to sit in celeb makeup artist, Sage Maitri’s chair (an uber-talented makeup artist whose clients include Judy Greer, Hillary Kerr and Busy Phillips). After seeing my dress and Derek’s hair, Sage had a vision as well – sexy retro glam with a pop of blue-violet on the eye and a deeper mauvey-berry lip.