In her 17 years as a makeup artist, Molly Farris has watched many trends come and go. But lately, the shift she’s noticed has been less about what’s added and more about what’s left out. “People want to look like themselves,” she says. “Just a little more polished.” Here’s her advice on how to get a look that works for all occasions, and is perfectly you.
The first thing to change, she says, is in your skin. Instead of a full-coverage foundation, Farris reaches for a skin tint or skips it altogether, spot-concealing only where needed to even things out while keeping a natural texture. Cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter blend into the skin rather than sit on top of it, helping avoid the dryness that powder can accentuate. A light layer of translucent setting powder—pressed in, not brushed on—keeps everything in place without flattening the finish.
The eyes are next. Heavy shadows and bold colors have taken a back seat to soft neutrals or even nothing at all. For clients who still want definition, Farris uses subtle eyelid contouring rather than obvious color. The result is a look that feels finished, but still familiar.
By evening, the goal isn’t more makeup; it’s a few shifts that add definition. Rather than layering on, a heightened look can be achieved by placing it differently. One of the easiest ways to do that is through the eyes. Tightlining—placing eyeliner between the upper lashes rather than above them—adds depth without taking up lid space. It’s subtle, but evident in the way it frames the face. “It’s always the biggest ‘wow’ factor when I show someone,” she says. “It just makes everything look more defined.”
Lashes are another easy upgrade. While many people avoid them, Farris says that "false lashes are very easy once you get it down!” A simple lash, paired with that tightlined eye, is often enough to carry a daytime look into the evening. What doesn’t change is the overall approach—light layers, natural skin, and nothing that feels overdone. The goal, whether it’s 10 a.m. or 7 p.m., is the same: a face that looks like your own, just slightly more refined for wherever you’re headed next.
On Instagram @mollyfarrismakeupartist | 210-630-8509
Models Mary Giacona, Kelly Bailey
Molly’s Must-Haves
- Start with skincare. Clean, moisturized skin does most of the work and makes everything else look better.
- Daily sunscreen (with one exception). “SPF all day, every day… unless you’re going to be photographed,” she says. Most sunscreens have ingredients that create a “flashback” effect, which can cause a white cast.
- Setting powder. Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder is Molly’s go-to. Press it in with a velour puff for a smooth, natural finish.
- Natural-looking concealer. Tower 28’s concealer blends easily and works well with lighter coverage routines.
- One reliable eye pencil. Makeup Forever’s pencil in the color “Wherever Walnut” is a staple that belongs in everyone’s toolbox.