Beauty Vanity: Molly Sims
The model and actress shares her best beauty game.
By By Kerry Pieri; Photographer: Katie Friedman
She was just too pretty not to end up famous in some way—or many. Molly Sims has held titles of model, actress, founder of a lifestyle site, wife and mom—with a book deal. Naturally, this Southern girl has picked up some beauty tricks along the way. Here, Sims shares her best beauty game, shot on location at the Fitzgerald Suite at the Plaza Hotel in NYC.
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Beauty Vanity: Molly Simms
What's your first beauty memory?
Probably with my mom and she would call blush 'rouge' because we're southern and she would let me wear it and that's all she would let me wear. Also, she would always wear Diorissimo, which is a Dior fragrance. I'd sneak in her room and try it on.
What is the southern mentality on beauty?
Well it's interesting—you've got to remember I'm a kid from the eighties. My mom is really pretty and she has these gorgeous ice blue eyes, but she thought that if you wore blue liner, that would make them come out more. You know women don't go out of the house without their makeup on, which was really what I grew up with.
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What are your absolute beauty essentials?
Bobbi Brown cream blush in pale pink, and it used to be Bobbi 'summer tan' but now 'chocolate milk' has replaced it. I just love cream blush because my makeup tends to sink —so that's why I use that with a little bit of powder so it will last all day. I love the Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer. Ever since my Vegas days I use RCMA concealer/cover-up because it's great for TV and just an overall awesome concealer. It's not chic, it's not cool, but it works. I love Rene Furterer dry shampoo spray, but sometimes I use both, the powder and that because the powder makes you blonder and gives you a little bit more of a thickness. I love the Sarahpotempa beachwaver; I've been addicted to it for a year now. I love the Hourglass veil mineral primer, I have a little to-go thing in my bag and it's always so good.
Also pictured: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, $20.50, sephora.com; Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder, $60, sephora.com; Chanel Precision UV Essential, $52, chanel.com.
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What's your fragrance game?
I love Azure Lime, I'm addicted to Tom Ford and I mix them. You wouldn't really think they go together, lime and wood, but it's so good. I get more compliments on it because it's not too feminine. I definitely go against being too fruity or floral. I don't believe that when you walk into a room someone should notice your perfume.
Also pictured: Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme, $57, leonorgreyl-usa.com; Original Scent custom fragrance .5 oz, $40, originalscent.com.
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What's your nighttime routine?
It depends on my acne because I have cystic acne, so it really depends on what phase we are with it— if I can take off my makeup with oil. I love the Klorane face wipes with blue cornflower, those are great when you have a lot of eye makeup on, and also spa water from the pharmacy— its just like a water but it takes off everything. The best self-tanner on the market is Avene.
Do you have a facial go-to?
I'm kind of old school, I still love a triple-oxygen facial from Bliss. I'm not a huge fan of microdermabrasion. I'm dying to try Dangene—I just don't have time, it takes like three hours. But I've heard great things. And I still like Tracie Martyn, I think she does really well. And I also think if you want to go a little bit different, Terri Lawton is really good.
Also pictured: Rene Furterer Paris Naturia Dry Shampoo, $27, skinstore.com; H. Gillerman Organics Natural Rest Travel Remedy, $48, hgillermanorganics.com.
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What's your hair story?
Oh lord, I love hair. I've been every color under the rainbow. When I had no money and I started out, it was the Clairol espresso color dye in a box, dark and gothic looking. And then I cut it all off and went short, that was in like the mid '90s. Then I wanted a change because I had done modeling with dark hair for 7 years and until 2000, I had never been blonde. And they fought me against it and fought me against it. But I did this French Vogue cover and it was kind of blonde. My hair is fine, so you have to really build it up. I like prep spray from Bumble and Bumble. I also like this wet brush from the Dry Bar, it's yellow and it's not so hard on my hair because you know I color every 6 weeks. I'd color every 5 if she'd let me [laughs] but I've been with Tracey Cunningham, my colorist, for about 10 years. If I have to cheat on her, I feel so bad.
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Has your beauty routine changed at all since becoming a mom?
It's a lot quicker. [laughs] I mean I've always taken off my makeup, but I think I've taken off my makeup less times in the last two years than in my whole life because you're so tired and you're just like 'Oh god.' What's one trick you learned from a master makeup artist? Charlotte Tilbury did my makeup for French Vogue and she was like 'I'm just going to put 6 coats of mascara and Vaseline on your eyes' and I've always put Vaseline on my eyes ever since that moment.
Pictured: Lorac Cobra Mascara, $20, loraccosmetics.com; Sue Devitt E-Z Eye Rollerball Eye Shadow, $9, barneys.com; M.A.C. Cosmetics Full Lash Curler, $20, maccosmestics.com; Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright, $20, sephora.com; Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara Volume, $28, beauty.com.
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What is your travel philosophy?
Everyone says drink a lot of water, but I think you have to not drink so much water that you become puffy the next day, I've definitely done that before. I put moisturizer on my face and I put the rose balm By Terry on my lips the whole flight— that really helps me. I don't do the water spritz because I think it dries you out even more. That is the worst thing you can do. I also don't travel without makeup on, I definitely curl my lashes and put some mascara and cover up on; But I don't go on a flight with a full face or anything like that. I don't know how some celebrities do that.
Also pictured: Dior Airflash Matte Touch, $49, sephora.com; Dior Airflash CC Primer, $49, sephora.com; Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, $52, hourglasscosmetics.com.
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How do you care for your hair?
I like Leonor Greyl for blondes and for breakage, like if you're out in the sun during the summer, put it in your hair and let it sit—put your sunglasses on and pull it all up in a bun and you're good to go. I think blondes have to moisturize more and they should more often, but they're so afraid of looking oily. Best tip I can give any blonde is to use the Malibu Crystal Gel. Its like $1.95 at the drugstore and it makes you blonde and takes out all the residue from your hair. It's so good. And I'll tell you another thing, kind of my go-to right now, I'm not trying to sound all eco, but its coconut oil. It's really good for the ends of your hair and for your body. And my go-to shampoo is Kerastase, it's the cream one with the orange top.
Also pictured: Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden Therapist's Secret Facial Oil, $65, amazon.com; Caudalie Paris Divine Oil, $49, sephora.com.
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What's your beauty approach to the red carpet?
Honestly, pretty. You know, they always want you to wear color and they have things they want you to do, but pretty is it for me. Definitely wear the lashes, because it does help and it does look very different than when you're just hanging out. I was with Kourtney Kardashian and I was like 'How do you do it every day? —full makeup every day.
Who are your beauty icons?
I always thought Jackie Kennedy was so elegant. With her less is more; she always looked like she had something on but didn't. I like it when you can't see the makeup.
Pictured: Chanel Glossimer in shades 188, 185 & 181, $29.50, chanel.com; Nars Lip Gloss in Salamanca & Easy Lover, $26, narscosmetics.com.
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