Permanent Makeup

A Novel by Terra Ziporyn

Maxine has spent her life mastering the art of transformation—first in South Africa, now in her Annapolis skin‑care salon. Her daughter Dodie, a social worker devoted to helping women rebuild their lives, wants nothing to do with Maxine’s world of cosmetic reinvention.

But when Dodie hides a domestic‑violence survivor in Maxine’s salon, mother and daughter are forced into an uneasy alliance. Their improvised rescue mission exposes old wounds, unexpected strengths, and the dangerous secrets both women have tried to outrun.

Told jointly by two unforgettable women, Permanent Makeup raises questions about who we are, what we can make of ourselves, and whether, in the end, we can escape our origins.

About the Author

Terra Ziporyn is an award‑winning novelist, playwright, and science writer whose work explores the intersections of identity, family, and the forces—cultural, political, and personal—that shape our lives. The author of several books on health and medicine, including The Harvard Guide to Women’s Health, Alternative Medicine for Dummies, and, most recently, Educating the Exhausted, she is also the writer of the novels Time’s Fool, The Bliss of Solitude, and Do Not Go Gentle.

Her newest novel, Permanent Makeup, draws on her long‑standing interest in women’s lives, intergenerational relationships, and the hidden stories behind the roles we perform. Terra is the Executive Director and Co‑Founder of Start School Later, a national nonprofit advocating for healthy school hours. She lives in Severna Park, Maryland, with her husband and is the parent of three grown children.