The former first lady honored longtime makeup artist Carl Ray.

Since leaving the White House, Michelle Obama has swapped out her sleek blowouts and sheath dresses for her now-signature waist-grazing braids and an edgy, cool girl wardrobe. The former first lady has rocked denim-on-denim, leather bustiers, and thigh-high boots during her post-presidency reinvention—and on Tuesday, the Becoming author showed she’s not done pushing sartorial boundaries as she posed in a semi-sheer black dress with a bold zipper running all the way down the bodice and skirt.

In her December 9 post, Obama made a punk rock-inspired style statement while getting her glam finished by longtime makeup artist Carl Ray. The star wore a black long-sleeved dress with a completely sheer mesh material covering her chest and arms and a zipper accent that embellished her top and skirt. The LBD’s strapless taffeta bodice hugged her curves with a waist-cinching matching belt. Pulling her black hair back into a voluminous high braided style (now one of her signature post-White House hairstyles), Obama accessorized with chunky abstract hoop earrings that almost grazed her shoulders.

Showing off a night out-ready glam look, Obama also gave her longtime makeup artist Carl Ray a shout-out amid the release of his new book The Look. The mom-of-two revealed that Ray has “been by my side since Barack and I were in the White House,” crediting him with helping perfect her signature elegant beat during her time as first lady. Post-White House, Ray has helped Obama transition to a more bold glam—and she illustrated the Washington, D.C.-based artist’s range as she shared a photo of him touching up a surprisingly moody beauty look. Obama stunned with bold arched brows, a silver-gray smoky eyeshadow, and feathery faux lashes. Tightlined black eyeliner, sculpted cheekbones, and a nude lip finished off her look.

“He is truly an artist: Every time he picks up a brush, he brings vision, precision, and care, making sure I show up looking my best every time I’m in the spotlight,” she wrote, adding, “I’ll always be so grateful for his incredible talent, his calming presence, and his loving heart.”

Ray previously opened up about meeting Obama and doing her makeup for the first time shortly after her husband former President Barack Obama was sworn into office. “I showed up at the White House and was escorted to a small salon where I met and did Mrs. Obama’s makeup for the first time. Mrs. Obama asked how I was, and I replied that I was so nervous. I remember her making me feel extremely welcome and offering me water,” he recalled in a 2021 interview with People.

Ray said his ethos is all about “enhancing a woman’s natural beauty,” explaining, “When done right, it instills self-confidence and can empower a woman because when you look good, you feel good.”