When Molly decided to volunteer to be our next Makeover Story participant I was stoked! Molly is a social worker based in Portland. She has been working with youth and families for over eight years. You should hear her stories—so inspiring. When she's not working, she stays busy hanging out with friends and her boyfriend, hiking, rock climbing and enjoying everything that Portland has to offer. One thing I admire about Molly is how much of her life is focused on others. She's such a wonderful lady, so I was excited to spend some extra time with her developing her Makeover Story.
When I asked Molly what her goals were for this project she said, "Change is a huge part of who I am, but when it comes to style I felt that mine had stayed the same since college." Molly was looking to update her look, keeping her modern lifestyle in mind. Here's her before look…One of our goals for Molly's Makeover Story was to find looks that suited her body type without making her look younger. Molly is a (beautiful) petite lady. She mentioned that she sometimes gets mistaken for being a teenager at her job (where she works with youth), so she wanted to find looks that felt modern and grown up, without being old. The first thing Molly did was choose new glasses and get her hair cut, adding bangs. These small changes made a huge impact on her overall look, framing and showing off her pretty facial features. Bangs and a few layers ended up being a great option for Molly, because they look cute without losing any of her current hair length. She can easily put her hair up in a quick ponytail if she's headed out for a run, or she can style her hair down for a causual evening out.For Molly's first look I choose items that could be layered without feeling bulky. I love this coat on Molly because the short hemline helps to lengthen her frame. This stripe dress is super chic but still casual enough to wear almost anywhere. We paired this look with tights and boots to give her a slightly more dressed up look—for a date night or an evening out with friends. In look two I choose an oversized sweater with a bold black and white pattern, paired with black leggings and geometric patterned shoes. Molly said she felt like she could wear this outfit anywhere. It's super comfy but still really pretty with all the bold patterns. I also added this cute green purse to give her a pop of color in her outfits.Helping Molly update her style was way fun! Thank you so much Molly, you're awesome. xo. Emma
See all our past Makeover Story features here.
Molly's Outfit details- Look One: coat c/o Ruche, dress/H&M, tights/Target, shoes c/o ShoeMint, necklace c/o JewelMint, purse c/o August Wrinkle, glasses c/o BonLook. Look Two: sweater/H&M, leggings/Target, shoes c/o ShoeMint, purse c/o August Wrinkle, glasses c/o BonLook.
104 Comments
How fun! She looks great. The bangs/glasses combo totally changed her face.
Lovely (:
I really love look number 2 the August Wrinkle purse is just lush
Such a great makeover. She looks adorable!
wow, I love all her outfits! and the glasses!
What a transformation without changing her too much. Its amazing how just a couple of items really changed up her look without taking away her natural beauty!
Nice job!!
http://run2thewild.blogspot.com/
so so cute!
Molly you look lovely! I love look #1!!
She is SO CUTE! Great makeover, beautiful lady!
She looks great! I’m loving that green purse.
What a beautiful result, she’s beautiful!
Whoa! Amazing. She’s so beautiful to begin with, and you guys did a wonderful job!
Really great. I like both lokks. Have a nice friday.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
That’s a great makeover, congrats!
http://www.theironyou.com
Love those last photos – Molly looks great 🙂
Such a lovely makeover ! Love so much the final result ! Well done !
XX Luba
:: Well Living Blog :: Back to Chanel´s classics + FURLA BAG GIVEAWAY
http://very-well-living.blogspot.com
I adore look 1!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
What a great makeover, I like look one!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
I LOVE the second look. Love how you mixed prints with the sweater and shoes. She is adorable.
Wow, what an amazing makeover! I love the second look the best. Her hair change totally made a huge difference. It’s amazing what a few changes can do! She seems like a lovely lady. 🙂
<3 Samantha
http://samlovesmakeup.wordpress.com
I love this story! I love the boots in look 1!
Sabrina
http://bbutterflybrain.blogspot.de/
i love her makeover!
This is great! I LOVED your every day makeup routines(I like Sarah’s), do you think you could do a special occasion/Christmas series? A little holiday glam!!!
I totally love the sweater in the second look!!
xo Dani
This is such a nice feature! She looks lovely.
Esther x
http://www.esther-aw.tumblr.com
I think Molly looks more beautiful and sophisticated (without trying so hard) in the “before” picture … She looks like a natural beauty …
Great! I love the first look.
LUXESSED
Wow. Awesome makeover! I love those geometric shoes too!
I love this makeover! She looks absolutely gorgeous!
I love her first outfit – so sophisticated! I need a makeover – I look like a bad stereotype for my profession (librarian). LOL
she is just soooooo precious
Love the glasses and haircut, it is amazing how simple changes can make such a difference!
-Zoe
Molly, you are super pretty!
With and without the makeover. 🙂
Love this!! She sounds like such a special person.
Wow! Now she do look beautiful, I also like the hair and her glasses.
I love this make over story! She is super cute.
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/
Oh wow, so jealous! What a great makeover!
OMG I love those black ShoeMint boots so much I just immediately went to the website and bought them!! Merry Christmas to me! 🙂
Aww…This is pretty cool!! I think she looks great!! My favorite TV shows are makeover ones…She is rocking that stripes dress!! =)
http://chloemoonergo.blogspot.com
this is gorgeous! you look beautiful before AND after 🙂
xx Emily
This is so fun and sweet! She looks really awesome in that first look, those glasses made a surprising difference (not that she wasn’t already beautiful). Definitely a great modern update without being super trendy.
Strive to Thrive,
Nic
http://www.Thriving-Wives.com
I am in love with both of these looks but especially the first one; that coat is perfect. Molly is gorgeous!
Catherine Denton
http://catherinedenton.com
awesome!!
Valentina
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
i have the same h&m tshirtdress! 🙂
http://www.mamajulesbrussels.blogspot.com
That is amazeballs, Molly looks so gorgeous! I’m so happy for her! You guys did a great job! xx
http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com/
Great haircut choice! Loved the first look and her glasses are great, she totally rocks them! Amazing makeover!! Congrats!
http://pilanaandcompany.blogspot.com.ar/
Oh yes, She looks really cute! I love it!
It’s official. I am in love with that bag.
Wow! What a transformation!!! That striped dress outfit looks SO good on her, the new hairdo and glasses are definitely working in her favor 🙂
I love that you guys are giving back to some very noble people.
Keep up all that great work 🙂
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
She looks super cute! The striped dress and glasses are adorable. I’d love to see her in some red lipstick; I think it’d go great with the black and white colour combo she’s got going on!
-Lindsey
http://ettu-tutu.blogspot.com
holy crap!! sweet transition!
Nicely done!
Oh my gosh, Molly is just too, too cute. She looks super in the outfits you guys came up with!
Molly, I LOVE your new look! Congrats, and props to you Emma for making this happen.
wowzers!!! great job with the beautiful mess team!! pretty girl before and after!! love the bangs.
She’s killin it! Great makeover
What I would give for a makeover like hers! I am also petite and work with children. My daughter is 3 and I get mistaken as her sister all the time. I’m definitely taking these tips and going shopping!
What a beautiful result, she’s beautiful!
this is a fabulous post! i love the makeover! also i would wear this and I love the inspiration.
http://messperfectblog.blogspot.com.au/
Those glasses are beautiful! + She looks stunning in those outfits. What an amazing makeover!
Molly is so pretty! She looks so chic in the striped dress.
As a long time reader of AMB and a social work student, I love this feature! Way to recognize someone who does so much work for others through the nature of the profession. Thanks for the great style inspiration and for featuring an inspiring woman as well!!
cute! 🙂 love the first look 🙂http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
She looks so much more professional, and you hit the nail on the head: older but not grandma older;) just sophisticated! Gorgeous job!
love this transformation! can i ask what her lip color is? love it!
she looks amazing! so happy for her!
http://www.styleandshades.blogspot.com
I love when you guys do makeover stories! This one is especially awesome, because I’m studying to be a social worker as well, so her quote about change is so true.
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
wow!! great makeover!! love both looks!! she looks fab with bangs!! I adore he geen purse!
Awesome Blog you have, I will be following all your updates. Please visit my fashion website http://www.shopaddictiveretail.com
gorgeous! and her cheekbones are amaaaazing.
– caroline @ http://www.thecopperavocado.com
wow! two amazingly cute looks,im in love with the glasses as well..it suits her well
Oh my gosh, going to H&M tomorrow in hopes to find that sweater!
You did a great job!I like both outfits,although number 2 is a little bit more my style!
I adore the black & white sweater,the green bag and the sneakers!Awesome Look!
xoxo
Great makeover!!!!She looks adorable!
Oh I love her new style! And the bangs and glasses, so cute.
She looks beautiful and sweet! 🙂 such a good change!
love,
Pili.
http://inavintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2012/12/university-shots-in-woodcut-classroom.html
You guys did an AMAZING job! That haircut is perfect on her, as well as the outfits. Loveeee.
I love these makeovers!! Molly looks so comfy yet chic in her new styles!! Any way I could get a makeover? 🙂
Such beautiful bone structure, wowza!!! Nice work everyone!
The bangs look really good on her! Love the first look, great job!
http://www.thisblogisnotforyou.com
LOVE this makeover! She looks fabulous!
jennybodell.blogspot.com
Very cute outfits! I’m feeling like I could use a makeover!
This is great! I’m petite and Asian and get mistaken for being 5-10 years younger than I look! So far, I’ve found few tops that actually make me look my age and it’s great because most of them are the type you can dress up or dress down! Now I have few more ideas to add to my closet! 🙂
Aw she looks great!
She’s really cute. I like a lot of the makeover pieces, but in general I like when things are a little less put together so I’d mess her up a bit or change up/remove on or two things in most of them, less dramatic glasses maybe, but that’s my taste haha. I love that sweater with the plus signs : )
great makeover, love the bangs!
Well done, she looks amazing!
She looks beautiful!
WOW! She looks amazing! I think the secound is the best :)! And her hair and the new glasses! LOVE IT!
Well done!
Loveeeeeeeee all the style, She looks beautiful with her new style..
She’s gorgeous and the dress looks lovely on her!
That’s fantastic! Beautiful make over!!!
Cx
http://mixedmediumstheatre.blogspot.co.uk/
She was super cute before, but I love the final looks 🙂 Those glasses are perfect for her
xo Jac
thesunshinedistrict.blogspot.com
I love everything about this makeover. I would happily live in both of these looks. In fact I own the striped dress in black and white!
-Emily
http://from-small-beginnings.blogspot.ca
Love it! She looks fab~
I really need a makeover like woahhh buddy yeahhh 😉 haha fo serious though. someday! how does one get a makeover from you? I’d probably have to live in your town, huh? lol
Fun! Love the dress, sweater and bag! 🙂
XO Nat
http://www.natinlove.com?cm=1
how she looks so cute!
http://aimlesslylove.blogspot.com/
how she looks so cute!
http://aimlesslylove.blogspot.com/
What a cute makeover! I adore both looks. Great job!
Hi there! I know this really is kind of off topic but I was wondering which website platform are you utilizing for this web site? I’m getting tired of WordPress simply because I have experienced problems with hackers and I’m taking a look at alternatives for one more system. I’d be awesome if you could level me inside the path of a good platform.
http://www.beatsbydre-spiderman.com
fantastic styling- really simple chic looks. I personally think Molly looks much better without the fringe, although she’s so gorgeous she can rock both.
These looks are great. Definitely a change! I think she looks younger than you first started.