Back to Fall Styling: Two Tone Jeans and Urban Boots

 Jacket: thrifted | Shirt: TJ Maxx | Jeans: Aeropostale | Brooch: vintage | Boots: Matisse | Sunglasses:  Guess | Hair:  by Jana 

My girl Jana is in town and besides being a top hairstylist {check out the amazing relaxed, curls she gave me}, she can take a mean photograph. She's my artist soul sister and whenever we get together, there are many adventures made. My plan is to force convince her to move here so that we can take NYC by a storm. She has a wandering heart, so what better place to be than the city that never sleeps? 

These boots are the comfiest I have ever worn and you can bet they will mold to my feet this season. As much as I love fall being here, I can't ever stop wearing a bold lip color. It helps when I get very pale {not complaining!} and on the days the sun doesn't shine. Lesson here: bold lips work all year.

Are you ready for fall?

How to Make Your Foundation Stay On Longer

How do you keep your makeup from sweating off in this gosh awful heat?

For me, I like a face primer to keep the makeup from running all over my face. And let me tell you I sweat like a man. So it's very needed!

Two of my favorite primers are from BareEscentual's and  Smashbox.

Tip: Using a foundation brush rather than your fingers to apply the primer, will help you to use less product and give a more even coverage. Thus making a smoother foundation for your foundation to go on :)

Now you are ready to face the sun without dread! Ok that is wishful thinking. If you live anywhere like NYC, you're dripping the moment you leave the house. Here's to better looking makeup at least!

Bridal Makeup

After practicing  bridal makeup today I thought I would share. The lashes are not a favorite after using them, however I was pleased with the overall look.

Would you wear this look at your wedding? Or for some other special event?

Makeup Photo a Day 55: How to Get Eyeshadow in Your Crease

 The key to effectively getting a specific color in your crease without spreading it everywhere on your eyelid, is a a dome eyeshadow brush [see photo below]. It's a wonderful, rounded brush that tapers at the end-hence the name dome-and it's an important brush to own! There you have it. That's how the magic happens.

Makeup Forever Flash Palette Lips

 It was a day to create something new. Nothing one sees ordinarily on the street, but a coming together of abstract lines and obnoxious colors. This is the creation.

Don't pretend you are immune to the creativity gene. It lives in every human and manifests itself in different ways.

Let your creativity manifest.

Makeup Photo a Day 54: Coco Rocha Inspired Smokey Eyes

 I saw a beautiful Instagram image of Coco Rocha's makeup for the 2013 Met Gala and was inspired to do this smokey eye. 

I saw a clearer image of Coco's makeup later and realized mine is a bit different, but who cares. It was inspired by, not a copy cat look. 

I have to say I felt like I was in my 30's and on my way to the Gala while wearing this look.

Some people think makeup is frivolous, a waste, or only for the vain.  That is absolutely not true!

It allows us to explore, create, alter, and play with the already smashing face (or body) we possess. 

Makeup is for the creator. 

What will you create today?

And now the funnies: 

Noooo way.

How to Make Your Mascara Last {a Little} Longer

You should get rid of your mascara 2-3 months after you purchase it. During that time, the mascara sometimes dries a little from the exposure to air and becomes "clumpy". If your mascara is still safe to wear but needs a little revival, here is a tip to keep it going.

1. You need artificial tears and of course your mascara.
2. Simply put 1-2 drops of artificial tears in your mascara.
3. Using the mascara wand, push it in and out of the mascara gently to mix the eye drops.
4. Tada! Now your mascara can last a bit longer.  But don't forget to throw it out when it expires!

Makeup Photo a Day 53: Smiling Makes Your Face Prettier

Well it does.

No matter how flawless your makeup appears, if you have a sour face, you look horrid. True story.


So smile today and let your adorableness shine through whatever makeup you have on.

Mollie

Makeup Photo a Day 52: Tips for Wearing Bright or Colorful Makeup

Spring makeup is such fun! I love color and I need to wear it more. Enough with the neutral trend ladies!

I know wearing color seems brash, or only for the tweens but there are ways to streamline it into adulthood.

First, you can use a small amount of color in a contained area. You don't want to look like you stepped out of an 80's film. Try wearing a bright colored eyeliner either on top or on bottom, but not both.

Second, color mascara is making a comeback. It's subtle, but super fun. And you would be surprised how many people don't notice it.

Third, always remember a colorful lipstick is the easiest way to add color without looking like you've completely changed your normal look. And there is a plethora of colors from which to choose these days.  Peach, pinky peach, bubblegum pink, violet red, coral red, cherry red, rose pink. You get the picture.

And fourthly, have fun! This is not permanent. And unless you are a celebrity, your picture will not hang in the "she wore what??" page of a magazine, forever a hallmark of your descent to being a D-list celeb.

Makeup Photo a Day 51: Obsessive Compulsive Tip Tar NSFW

 I finally bought not one but four Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars at The Makeup Show.

They're so powerful! The color is like a punch in the face. I'm wearing NSFW.

Have you tried the OCC lip tars?

Greek Yogurt: The Best Face Mask Ever

I would be doing a disservice to all if I didn't share my biggest skin secret. To start, I learned this from a lady who had the BEST skin I have ever seen. I always marveled at her bright, tight, barely wrinkled, super luminescent skin. One day she told me that Greek yogurt was the secret to her youthful skin [she's in her fifties]. You can bet I ran to my fridge after that to see if I could get the same results.

It's insane how healthy my skin feels after I do this mask. I have tried many masks and washes all to no avail. They left me with a "that's all?" feeling. NOT THIS ONE FOLKS.

How to do it:
1. Wipe plain greek yogurt all over your face.
2. Keep it on for about 10 minutes or until almost all the way dry.
3. Standing over the sink, rub it off in an upward motion with your fingers. This helps the dead skin cells to slough off, like an exfoliator.
4. Rinse the remaining yogurt off with hot water.
5. Splash cold water over your face to close pores. [And it just feels good]

Don't be silly like me and let your hair on the mask. But hey, maybe my hair is getting healthier too.

This is me sans makeup right after washing the mask off. My skin feels incredible right after.

Please tell me you're going to try this!

Makeup Photo a Day 50: What to Wear to The Makeup Show

This was my look for day two of The Makeup Show. It made me feel my age [I tend to have a baby face, especially in photos], and quite glamorous.

I made several friends and learned valuable information on products, makeup application, social media and branding yourself; and I had the great pleasure of hearing artists such as Beau Nelson, Michael Devellis, James Vincent, Sara Faella, and bloggers Lianne Farbes [The Makeup Girl], and Felicia Walker Benson [This That Beauty] speak.

Can't say enough about The Makeup Show NYC!!!

#feelingglam

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 49: Bushy Eyebrows and First Impressions

This is a toned down version of makeup after yesterday's shoot. Nik and I had dinner at some new friend's house and while in the bathroom I noticed how over-the-top my eyebrows were [Close up they were theatrical ].

So much for first impressions!

Do something terribly sweetastic this weekend, ok?

Molls

Painted Face: Romantic Dead

 I found this image on Pinterest and was captivated by the haunted look in her face coupled with the off putting warm toned makeup on her cheeks. She looks as though she is being buried, but her skin is radient and full of lively colors. So I wanted to play! Here's my take on the shot:

Growing Back to My Young Self

Do you know what growing up did to me?

I stumbled across old FB notes I penned and thought "who is this pretty cool chick who has a big heart?". Not arrogantly. I simply admired her courage to write her beliefs, her ability to dream huge, and her I-don't-give-a-damn-what-others-think attitude. 

I liked her. 

Then I realized that she was ME. 

It seemed like a version of me from a parallel universe. I barely remember believing that openly or loving so fearlessly. 

What happened to me? 

I thought I was a dreamer, who would never "grow up" and would have the golden heart of a child.

I think it started at 15 when I began to believe the lie that I was ugly, chunky, and not good enough for anyone to love. It started when I picked up a razor and decided that cutting was the only way to cope with emotions that were too big for me. It started when I drove to a river and let thoughts of suicide torment me enough to drive there over and over. Wanting to die. 

It started when I let my beauty be numbed with lies like "You feel too deeply and no one can ever understand you". Or "No one would care if you died". "You wouldn't be missed at all". "Life would be better if you never were born". "Your family won't notice you've gone." 

Where did that imaginative girl go?

Did she shrivel up? Did she let her vast amount of emotions take her down? Did she DIE?

For amazing reasons and people in my life, I am still here today in one piece. But I wondered after reading those notes, did I allow years of pain to wound me too deeply to be the me God created?

I closed up and closed myself off emotionally for a long time; and it has taken a lot of work to come out of the shell of protection I made for myself. Pain caused me to fear vulnerability because I saw it as the catalyst to pain. And so I walled up.

But I keep seeing the spring sun shine over the walls I made and I want to go out and play. I want to be that young, spirited girl, who was uninhibited by life's ups and downs. I want to be HER again.

Writing this was certainly a way for me to open up and come out of that fog. That's why I started the tag "vulnerability" for posts. Some days I need to write from the depths of my heart and share with you, my dear readers. I hope this new posting style will encourage you, provoke a new way of thinking, and allow you to be vulnerable in your life as well. It can make us uneasy at times. But the great life lessons always start with unrest. It's how we grow.

Do you know what growing up did to me? I think it tried to knock me down for good. But thankfully I serve a God who doesn't let that unnerve him. And he made sure I am standing on my own two feet, ready to make someone laugh with my silly imagination.

Welcome back, dreamer.


How did growing up affect you?

Image via Nick Glimenakis

Makeup Photo a Day 48: Find Your Red Shade

Everyone has a shade of red lipstick. Whether you have found it or not, yours is out there.

FIND YOUR RED.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 47: Daytime Rock Star Look

 I wanted to look like I woke up after a long night of entertaining fans on my tour. I'm a rock star, ya know?

I took a cotton swab and rubbed under my lower lashes to get the dirty, messed up look.

Now if only I had musical abilities to make this work.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 46: Deep Side Part with Hair Pin

Did you know? Hair pins are ok to show this season! I'm not a huge fan of the trend but sometimes it is annoying to finagle a pin in my hair in an attempt to hide it.

And deep side parts were on the runways this season. Donna Karen, Rag and Bone, and Marc Jacobs to name a few. So if your hair is fine and difficult to hold a side part this far over, you can sport TWO trends at once.

Who knew?

Molls 

Makeup Photo a Day 45: How to Get Rid of Under Eye Circles or Shadows

While I am very blessed to have minimal darkness under my eyes, after three days of 15 hour shoot days and very little sleep, I can look pretty exhausted.

This is my FAVORITE makeup tip of all time because it's so simple and so many people "suffer" from this.

Here's the secret key to getting rid of darkness!

Because the darkness under eyes is usually a blueish tone, you must use blue's complementary color ORANGE. Yes, orange is the secret. I used the shade from my Ben Nye concealer palette, but I've also used orange shaded lipsticks and lip pencils. It's a great thing orange is so hot right now!

You'll need to mix a very small amount of the orange with your concealer. I use a smaller amount of orange than the swatch in this picture. I just wanted to get a clear picture of it.

 I dab a small amount of the orange on my fingertip and mix it into my concealer. [Mixing the colors on your hand softens them from your body heat and prepares them for your skin. That way you're not pulling the skin around your eye much. It's very sensitive skin!]

It's extremely minimal [you don't want to see it!] but you can see under my left eye [if left and rights confuse you like me, it's the eye on the right side of the picture. Don't make fun.]

Another tip: PAT ever so softly, DO NOT rub or pull the skin to blend it. It will weaken the skin and over time, will wrinkle you prematurely.

I hope this helps you tremendously!

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 43

Nik and I gussied up to watch Mad Men at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, only to find out it started an hour later than we thought. It was too late for us to be out (early Monday!) so we went to CVS for an errand. Who says you can't dress up for the everyday?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 43: Navy Smokey Eye and Red Lip

Feeling a little Asian inspiration for this look. I decided to bring my bottom liner out for a more graphic look.

Gotta have the dramatic days.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 42: Wear Lip Liner as Lipstick

I'm wearing lip liner as lipstick. NO ONE EVER KNOWS.

#tips

Put a little gloss on it to keep it moisturized if you need. ta da!

Makeup Photo a Day 41: Easy Makeup for Green Eyes

My eyes vary between blue and green but more often than not, they're green. Either color, gold eyeshadow is one of my favorites because it makes my eyes sparkle and P-O-P.

 Tip: I added brown liner around the outside of my eye in a half football shape to add dimension.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 40: Natural Lips and Full Eyebrows

As much as I love bright colors, there are days I love a natural looking lip. Especially when paired with as bushy a set of brows as I can manage.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 39: Blue Eyeliner and Pink Lips

I. Can't. Contain. My. Joy. Over. Spring. Weather.

In other news, here's a tip for spring makeup. You CAN go bright on the eyes and lips without looking overdone.

Just sweep a nude or sheer eyeshadow over your entire lid. This keeps the eye relatively neutral to balance out the liner and lips. Then choose two bright complementing colors. Here I went with almost pastel light shades of pink and blue. Then I kept my eyebrows and cheeks very soft. It's all about balance.

What are you going to rock for Spring?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 38: Simple Makeup

Today was beautiful because Nik and I cooked and cleaned together like the partners in crime we are. It's a grand thing to create stability in your life. It gives purpose and allows you the freedom to have more time for the activities you love.

Here's to growing up!

Molls

How To Brighten Your Eyes With Makeup

Not gonna lie, I've wanted to do videos for a while and this is my first blog video ever! So all those interviews I've practiced doing since I was a kid are going to pay off :)

I hope this is an easy tip that will give you new idea for makeup!

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 37: Mediterranean Blue Eyeshadow Crease

 I have definitely been influenced by the spring 2013 makeup trends and the blue eyes is my favorite at the moment. Dior, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, Versus, and Moschino were among the many designers to strut the blue eyes down their catwalks.

I joked on Instagram yesterday, "They call me the Fashion Warrior" because I feel extremely fierce wearing this look. And yet I feel completely myself and not overdone at all. I suppose that says something about my style.

Are you going to try blue eyed looks this spring?

Molls

via Elle

via Harpers Bazaar