Molly Gordon’s Sparkly Venice Film Festival Makeup Was Inspired By the Women of the ’90s

I would love to get dinner with Molly Gordon. Any time, any place would do, but I certainly wouldn’t mind if the dinner we attended was held in honor of Armani and took place in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival.

On Friday, August 29, the 29-year-old did exactly that. I had other plans (sad!), but was able to connect and hear how her getting ready process went. We all know that’s the best part, anyway.

“Choosing my outfit for tonight was very instinctual. I saw this beautiful blue mermaid fabric in the fitting room and ran towards it. It was a top, not a dress, but my stylist Jared Ellner and I were like, ‘Ooo could we make it a dress?'” Gordon tells Byrdie. “I’ve never worn something like this.”

With that perfect, shimmering piece secured (her favorite part was its dimensional fabric), it was time to craft some glam to match. Keep reading to discover the makeup products that went into Gordon’s look, how her beauty philosophy has changed over time, and her favorite way to get un-ready.

The Inspiration and Collab Process

“I’m really excited about how the dress feels kind of ’90s, so I think I wanted to feel sexy and glamorous like the iconic women of the ’90s,” Gordon explains.

While Ellner and makeup artist Melissa Hernandez pulled some cool references for her to peruse, the Oh, Hi! actor really just wanted to let the “geniuses do their work.”

“Getting to work with someone as brilliant as Melissa is such a gift, so I just said, ‘Whatever you want, but make it sparkly!'” she says.

The Makeup

First came the face. Hernandez painted Gordon’s already pretty complexion with Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 3 and 4, and Luminous Silk Concealer in shade 3.75. Her glow came courtesy of Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer in shade 100 and Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder in shade 100 while the flush was thanks to Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in shade 62 and Luminous Silk Glow Blush in shade 51. Lastly, they applied a touch of highlighter:Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter in shade 1.

For her glittering silver eye makeup, they used Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow in shades 1S, 22M, and 67S. A swipe of Smooth Silk Eye Pencil opened up her big blue eyes even more, while Vertigo Lift Mascara added major flutter.

Then there was the lip combo, which wasn’t a combo at all. Instead, Hernandez used one single, perfect lipstick: Lip Power in Selfless, a medium-beige mauve shade.

Her Favorite Product

Like so many, Gordon is in a committed relationship with Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s her favorite product that Hernandez used and—not to say foundation is boring—but to count it as your favorite means it must be good.

“It’s been a staple for me for so long, whether it be for red carpet or it’s what I always use when I’m on camera when I’m acting because it’s the most buildable foundation,” she says. “You can make it more natural or build it to create more coverage, it’s a very special product.”

Molly Gordon’s Getting Ready Routine

“We are always dishing and it’s like a group therapy gab session. Wine, great music, whether it’s the new Sabrina Carpenter music that just came out, or we just put on Aretha Franklin which was so fun,” Gordon says. “A lot of people say glam is their zen time to kind of get centered, but I’m always talking the entire time!”

Molly Gordon’s Beauty Philosophy

The writer and director’s beauty philosophy has changed over the years. Right now, she’s just trying to tune into how she feels at any given moment.

“Sometimes I don’t wear any makeup and my hair is crazy and I want to lean into feeling as raw and real as possible, and sometimes I want to be super glamorous,” she explains. “If I’m feeling cheeky, I might want to go cheeky with my glam!”

The Last Thing She Did Before Heading Out

“I’m going to blow out the candle,” says Gordon of her pre-dinner plans. The next step was grabbing her Armani beauty Luminous Silk Concealer and “most importantly” putting on deodorant.

How She Gets “Un-Ready”

After an event, Gordon’s first priority is to “get fully naked”

“[I] get into bed and unpack the fun of the night,” she says. “I usually order food and then wait way too long to take my makeup off.”