Day of Beauty, Phase II

Afghan women dress to the nines for weddings. The “look” typically includes sequins, big hair, and makeup an inch think. I now had my sequins, but would still be an embarrassment to the bride unless drastic action was taken. So my next stop was a salon, where my hair was blown out, teased, and twisted into an elaborate bun with corkscrew curls tumbling down the sides.

“You look like Titanic!” the Afghan hairdresser exclaimed.

I hope she meant Kate Winslet and not the ship.

After the hair, I let myself get talked into Afghan wedding makeup. This involved four crates of paints, powders, and sponges, and an assistant who held me down during the eyebrow defoliation.

Traumatized but glamorous, I returned to the guesthouse and downed two glasses of Chablis.

I was ready for my close-up.