Makeup Photo a Day: Embracing Orange

 I love the color orange, especially in makeup. However, my skin tone disagrees with my affection. I have to use more yellow foundation and powder to "hide" the pink in my skin in order to wear orange toned lipstick or eye color.

Now the foundation/powder still matches my skin so it's not like I'm caking on a different color altogether. It's simply a different undertone that's not 100% my skin color. It's a bit of an art but you can do the same in order to wear a color that doesn't naturally flatter you. Like I said, it's an art, but it's amazing how you can change your skin in a non-permanent way.

Is this something you would try?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 33: Focus on Your Skin

 I had the pleasure of seeing a friend perform in The Basset Table. It is the most delightful play I have ever seen, probably due to the terrific performances. I had more mascara on earlier in the night but when you can't stop snickering, it keeps running.

I had only 12 minutes to dress, style my hair and do my makeup so I kept it simple.

Tip: If you are rushed for makeup time, focus most on your skin. Having a clear complexion (naturally or with makeup) is extremely flattering. Nothing is worse than working hard on eye makeup or great lip liner and foregoing to clean up the skin.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 32: I Can Be Beautiful Too

An ad for Pretty Little Liars popped up on Netflix right before I opened this photo of me.
Can I just admit how I began to scrutinize everything about my face and found it less than desirable. Stupid comparison gene!!!

Oh wait, that's not a gene. I have to remind myself I was made completely unique in all my dorkiness and that I too can be beautiful.

What do you do to remind yourself of your unique beauty?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 31: No Foundation

Can I tell you a secret? Today is the first day in probably over a year that I did not wear foundation. Mostly due to insecurities and breakouts, I felt the need to cover up. Actually it was always a light amount but nonetheless, I couldn't go out without my coverup.

 But today is a day of freeeeeedom!!

And I feel beautiful. Here's to feeling comfortable in your own skin. Cheers.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day 30

I'm sick of makeup ads that dictate brown eyes must use golds, green eyes must use purples, this color eye must use this color eyeshadow, etc. I understand the marketing reasons and such but it's gotten old.

I have green eyes and today I wore a blueish emerald eyeshadow. It's  green shadow. On green eyes.

Don't be afraid of colors based on your eye color. Explore!

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Twenty Eight

Being sick and stuck inside for four days does things to you. To combat this I needed some serious color on my face to cheer me up.

Is anyone else drowning in a sea of damp, grey-ness?

Tip: When you're going with a lot of color in your makeup, it's a good idea to try and stick to 3 colors. I used robin's egg blue, hot pink, and a pinkish purple and made sure to BLEND well. I used the same shade of pink on my lips as on my eye so no colors were "fighting" each other.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Twenty Seven

This is my face right before I got a haircut. It says "Gee, I'm sick of my lack of hair shape."

I always wear slightly more intense makeup when I go to the salon because I feel like a wet dog looking in the mirror. So the makeup reminds me that I am a woman.

Be prepared for tomorrow as I  reveal my new 'do. It's much shorter! Minds will be blown.


Molls

Outfit Day: Polka Dot Dress

On a snowy day this was my wishful thinking outfit. One step outside and the circle skirt went SWOOSH up in the air around my waist. I'm looking to spring days when I can prance around OUTside in this.

[hat: thrifted | jacket: thrifted | dress: Grey Dog Vintage | Tights: Target | Boots: Nine West | Rings: vintage, Piccadilly Market

Makeup Photo a Day 24

Some days you just smile.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Twenty Three: RGB

 I love using contrasting light/dark colors so today I decided to  combine a spring and winter look. Since we're in between cold and warm weather in NYC. It's very disconcerting I tell ya. I can't take this wind anymore!!

Have a lovely Tuesday, peeps.

Molls

One Piece Multiple Ways: 3 New[ish] Ways to Wear Your Jeans

1. Cuffing your jeans isn't some new phenomenon but it's a great way to change the look of your favorite pair of denim. These are boot cut jeans but I roll them just as you would a pair of skinnies. And it means they're not crazy tight on my leg.

2. Pair your rolled up jeans with a tailored dress coat and wear it unbuttoned for a casual look. It feels dressy without being stuffy.

3. Pair a simple top with a full or stretchy skirt that you can tie up on one side. It gives you a interesting silhouette but is still very flattering with dark wash jeans and a fitted top. Don't forget to cuff your jeans!

It was snowing and really gosh awful outside, hence the indoor backdrop. Just ignore the ribbon hanging behind my back :)

Would you try any of these styles?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Twenty Two

 Have no fear, today is the last no makeup day. No more scary faces, ok? My skin feels great and it was refreshing to not need to scrub my face before bed. Sigh. But that's all over now. Yeah for makeup!

Makeup Photo a Day Twenty One: No Makeup [Again]

This weekend has been splendid. It's been cold so we've stayed inside and hosted game night, finished season 1 of House of Cards [I can hardly wait for season 2], and had a great deal of coffee.

So it was the perfect time to let my skin breath. I better have glowing skin by Monday!

Do you ever take a day to let your skin breath?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day: No Makeup

 I didn't wear makeup yesterday because my sweet friends came over and lent me their faces. So I forgot about my own as I was completely absorbed in learning how to play with new skin tones. And it was hilarious.

I love painting faces.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Nineteen: Day to Night Makeup

 I was going straight to a friend's I-got-a-new-job celebration after work and needed something to last. And some color to pump up the jam.

Pump up the jam? Really, Mollie? No. I had a lovely time though.

I dropped a deeper lipstick in meh bag to amp up the look that night.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Eighteen: No Makeup Makeup

When you are a fabulous person and choose to make breakfast AND lunch for someone special, you are likely to forget about makeup. Until. Right. Before. You. Leave.

Not that happens to me. I just chose to have a casual makeup day.

Molls

Taking Style Tips from Kelly Framel aka The Glamorai

 I don't normally copy an outfit outright but Kelly Framel of The Glamorai is one of my favorite stylish ladies and this photo of her captured my attention months ago. I sought out pieces in my wardrobe that were similar and worked them together. I was quite pleased with the outcome.

Have you ever copied an outfit with your own flair?

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Seventeen

Still obsessed with this Pantone for Sephora emerald liner. Notice I swiped it across the top of my eyelashes too :)

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Sixteen: Pantone Emerald Liner

I received the Pantone emerald eye liner sample with a Sephora purchase and LOVE the color. So today I decided to give myself 60's lower lashes but with COLOR. [I mixed a little of the green into my lipstick in order for the pink to match the green tone]

I felt bright and cheerful all day.

Molls

Outfit Post Outtakes & Learning Vulnerability

I originally decided to post these because I was hyper and thought they were hilarious and assumed other people needed a hearty laugh too. Bring on the next morning and I was very hesitant about this post. Vulnerability is difficult, dear ones. And daytime brings about a clarity that night shoots out the window. I did not want to show these photos.

Then I heard this TED talk titled The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown. Please listen to it. 

Before it was even finished, I jumped on this post to write a little more.

I want to be a vulnerable blogger, makeup artist, wife, friend, human.  That doesn't mean I HAD to post these. But for me, I feel a great need to look perfect on the outside. I'm a makeup artist and aspiring creative director! It's how I'm supposed to be, right? Expect perfection.

But no, today I choose to show these hilarious photos for two reasons. 1: To allow myself to be vulnerable and 2: because laughter is extremely healthy.

>>>

I asked Nik to take some outfit shots of me and this is what ensued. I call it "Bad Day to Be a Blogger".

 Not all shots turn out well. Or even ok. But at least we had a great afternoon in Battery Park. Thanks Nik! [But I am never asking you to take outfit photos again.] I love you.

And you're welcome for these.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Fifteen: Daytime Date Makeup

Don't you love how I'm taking a picture of my makeup and the top half of my top lip is wiped clean. Sometimes lip stains don't work and I look like a goober.

Here's to getting most of our makeup right.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Fourteen: Peaches and Cream

It was so spring-y yesterday that I couldn't help but do a peach colored theme on my face. (That's probably a weird way to phrase that). Tones. I used peach tones. Anyway, it's a great color scheme for most skin tones and it can add a healthy glow. Even if you're pasty from winter, which I am.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Thirteen: Pink Shades

 I can now consider myself a true modern woman. I CAN SUCCESSFULLY CURL MY HAIR WITH A STRAIGHTENER.  This was once thought impossible for The Mollie Parks. No more I say. No more.

In other news, I'm still into pinks on the eyes. I think it's my way if trying to convince women that it IS indeed a possible makeup look. I'll let you know if if I change the world in that regard.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Twelve: Daytime Smoky Brown Eyes

Today's look was mildly inspired by a look created by Gucci Westman. I cannot find the image but it was stored in my brain's hardrive THANKFULLY.

A tip for getting this clean line at the top of the shadow-Q-Tips. They can smudge or create a precise line. Love them.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Eleven: 60's Eyes

Today was a day for color! And that's all I have to say. Except also I love sixties eye makeup. It's extra spicy.

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Ten: Purple Eyeshadow

 I have those days where I do all of my makeup and then decide I don't care for it [even if it looks great]. Today was one such day and I didn't have time to change it. I call it an "off day". Also my hair is driving me nuts so that made it more off. End of whining. The world needs less of that.

What do you do to counteract the negative feelings of an off day? I tried telling myself I looked beautiful in a mirror and reminded myself it would be washed off in a few hours :P

Molls

Makeup Photo a Day Nine: [Almost] No Makeup

Well there are days when no makeup is needed (Ok I'm wearing a sheer foundation) to allow the skin to breathe. I realize I look like a teenager but who cares. I love makeup, but some days call for a break.

Molls

Painted Face: Antonio Soares' Marc Jacobs S/S '13 illustration

This week's Painted Face edition comes from a piece by illustrator Antonio Soares. His work focuses so well on the makeup of his muse that I found this to be perfect for PF. This particular piece was inspired by the Marc Jacobs S/S '13 collection. I'm obsessed with his work now and can't wait to see his success blossom.

Makeup Photo a Day Eight: Date Night makeup

 I haven't worn black liner in a while and decided it was perfect for a date with Nik. To change up my normal matte lip, I applied an uber shiny gloss first and let it sit to moisturize my pout. For the final touch I lightly layered a hot pink lipstick over. This is a way to wear lipstick without really looking like you are. It's a lighter way to apply and it's very sexy for a date :).

Molls