For Dana Epstein, Director of Communications at DevaCurl, attending CEWF’s Beauty of Giving Luncheon to support the philanthropic work of Laura Geller and Cancer & Careers with her DevaCurl family “was an honor in and of itself.” The icing on the cake, recalled Dana, was when her boss, Colin Walsh, CEO of DevaCurl, bid on and won a weekend in Los Angeles to attend the InStyle/Warner Brothers After Party for the Golden Globes. The “cherry on top” was when Colin generously decided that since Dana heads up Communications, she and her famous head of curls should represent. While the upcoming trip was appreciated, Dana had exactly four weeks to prepare. But like a pro she pulled it off. Here, she talks about her experience.

I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills two days before the Globes, and it was clear that the party had already begun. And when I say party, I mean barricaded streets lined with an insane amount of international paparazzi, news helicopters flying above, red carpet everything and A-List celebrities everywhere. In just the first few hours, we’re talking about a spa locker room moment with Sienna Miller, plus several legendary elevator run-ins with the likes of Ben Affleck, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling—who by the way, happens to be one of the most gracious gentleman I have ever had the pleasure of riding an elevator with. And yes, I’m a huge La La Land fan so seeing Ryan and Emma together IRL was surreal.

Prior to the party, every detail of the winning package was carefully orchestrated. The gorgeous Instagram-worthy invitation and an almost too-good-to-eat chocolate replica of a Golden Globe was waiting in my room, along with a very thorough itinerary of car service information, spa appointments and hair and makeup times. I knew the weekend was going to be one I would revel in and cross off my bucket list with enormous gratitude.

Getting ready for this event was akin to Cinderella preparing for the ball. Except in this modern day version I was able to tune in to see all the nominees and presenters on TV while Glam Squad showed up to do my makeup. I opted to do my own hair exclusively with DevaCurl (of course!) because I like my curls how I like them and this wasn’t the night to take any chances. My dress was Gucci and my diamond jewelry by Allison Daniel Designs.

The InStyle/Warner Brother’s party was a whirlwind with a “who’s who” of Hollywood royalty. I literally felt like I was the luckiest extra cast in a movie about an awards show. I was rubbing shoulders with Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Kerry Washington, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen! Sipping champagne next to Viola Davis, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mandy Moore and Vince Vaughn! Hobnobbing with Sofia Vergara, David Schwimmer, Kristen Wiig, Evan Rachel Wood, Heidi Klum and Jon Voight! I can keep going on and on but the biggest win was the fact that even my four teen and tween daughters were impressed that I was breathing the same air in the same room at the same time as Kendall and Kylie, Nick and Joe Jonas, Hillary Duff and Lea Michele.

Unlike Cinderella, luckily no one demanded that I return home by midnight because this party went all night. Without “stalking,” I captured the highlights on DevaCurl’s Instagram Stories for our 162K followers who seemed as thrilled as I was to get an inside peak at this extraordinary evening. Unfortunately, those incredible images disappeared in 24 hours, but I feel lucky enough to have the unforgettable memories to hold on to forever.