Get Glam with Heather McMahan for the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event (Exclusive)

McMahan took PEOPLE behind the scenes as she got ready for her N.Y.C. show, benefitting the Garden of Dreams

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan at Garden of Laughs . Photo:

Heather McMahan

If you've ever wondered what goes into prepping to be the only woman on the bill for a huge comedy show, just ask Heather McMahan.

The comedian hit the stage on Wednesday in New York City for Garden of Laughs, a show benefitting the Garden of Dreams foundation — and she was the only funny lady among a group of funny men. That meant she had to be on top of her game from the moment she woke up, and she brought PEOPLE along for the entire day to see the whole process.

Ahead, get ready with McMahan (and find out her favorite preshow eats) and her glam team, makeup artist Kasey Spickard and hairstylist Zuleika Acosta, before she hit the stage alongside her fellow comedy icons.

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01 of 15

Where It Starts

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan's makeup.

Heather McMahan

"As you can see, it takes a lot to paint this face. Those brushes work MAGIC, especially when it’s for a 5 a.m. wakeup call!"

02 of 15

Preshow Eats

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Rubirosa pizza.

Heather McMahan

"The only way to pregame playing Madison Square Garden is with pizza from Rubirosa."

03 of 15

Multitasking

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan eating pizza.

Heather McMahan

"Can’t say I’m not a multitasker!"

04 of 15

De-Puffing

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"Kasey (aka @thefacebykase) working his magic on these undereye bags."

05 of 15

And Curling!

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"Don’t forget to curl your lashes, even when you are wearing fake ones!"

06 of 15

It Takes a Village

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"Looks like I am getting ready for a production of Cats, but we trust the process."

07 of 15

Almost Ready

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"The moment of zen is brought to you by Kasey and Zuleika. Fun fact: I love to listen to Spotify’s 'golden hour' playlist when I get ready. It’s my only moment of calm before the chaos begins!"

08 of 15

The Bigger the Hair ...

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"I’m a Southern gal so bring on the big hair."

09 of 15

Finishing Touches

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan getting ready.

Heather McMahan

"Putting on the finishing touches. Total glam time: 90 minutes."

10 of 15

Serving Lewks!

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan.

Heather McMahan

"Glam is looking absolute fire tonight. I really wanted to bring the heat, being the only female comic performing at MSG’s Garden of Laughs tonight."

11 of 15

Perfectly Pink

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan's outfit.

Heather McMahan

"Was really feeling the pink! I took a TikTok AI quiz and it said I’m a warm tones girl so we leaned in and hey, I think it was right!"

12 of 15

Love You, Mean It!

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan with her glam team.

Heather McMahan

"My N.Y.C. glam team. I cannot say enough good things about these two. They make me feel like a star and I just love their energy. Kasey and Zuleika, love you, mean it!"

13 of 15

Smile!

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan at Garden of Laughs.

Heather McMahan

"Made it to Madison Square Garden! Having a little giggle to get out the nervous energy before I take the stage!"

14 of 15

Everybody's Here

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan at Garden of Laughs.

Heather McMahan

"Just me and the boys! Honored to be a part of this wonderful event for an even better cause. The Garden of Laughs benefits the Garden of Dreams foundation helping young people experiencing hardships by mentorship, networking and educational opportunities."

15 of 15

Slay!

Get Glam with Heather McMahan at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Event
Heather McMahan at Garden of Laughs.

Heather McMahan

"Let’s give it up for the final look. Slay, as the kids say!"

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