ActressJanel Parrishgot her start on Broadway when she wasonly 6 years old.
Since then, she’s worked to become a star on the big screen, too.
After tackling the role of the mischievous Mona in Freeform’sPretty Little Liars, her acting career exploded.
Fans have taken notice of just how fabulous this actress is off screen, too.
Along with herPretty Little Liarsco-stars, Parrish has become a major makeup inspiration.
Today she’s even partnered with Ziploc to help give our makeup bags a whole new look.
I really wish that I could be there.
I mean, in this COVID world, right?
To be able to attend virtually is the next best thing and still really cool.
Thankfully, I’ll have help this year.
And tell me a little bit Ziploc partnership.
And so I was like, yeah.
So that’s my Hot Mess makeup line, it’s just the makeup that I own.
That’s already just a whole mess.
So they have amazing Ziploc accessory bags.
From my makeup bag, I always have to have a good mascara.
I’m obsessed with all of the L’Oreal ones, they’re just like my go-to.
I like to use two, that’s my trick.
So I like to put the volumizing one on.
Sorry, no, the lengthening one on first and then the volumizing.
I always have a good lip balm in there and sunscreen because we got to protect that skin.
I mean, I guess the only difference is that you’re getting glammed up as yourself, right?
It’s perfect for that.
And so it’s kind of fun to create looks based on what I’m feeling that day.
Because that’s how I’m feeling.
And makeup is all about expressing yourself.
So that’s what’s really fun about it.
When did your love for makeup really begin?
She had the most beautiful wooden makeup table.
I was kind of a rebellious child, this is when I was like 5 or 6.
She would always tell me, “Janel, don’t touch my makeup table.”
Because I’d go in there and I’d mess everything up.
So one thing I really love is contouring because I have a round face.
So I’m like, “Tell me how to contour.”
Wet a beauty ball blender, oh sorry, and get the nose.
Wet a beauty ball blender and to blend it upwards.
You want to create up, and it’s just changed my life.
I love that trick.
Yeah, I need to try this!
I’m horrible at contour.
You just blend everything up.
Even into the hairline, you don’t want to blend down, up.
Just to give your face a nice little lift.
It’s pretty simple.
It’s kind of like this.
I love a good brow.
If I do anything, I’m going to do brows and lashes.
What is a major makeup don’t for you?
I know you said blending down.
Anything else like that?
Blending down, for me, it’s like too much blush.
But the two circles of blush.
What is the best beauty advice that you’ve received?
Oh, probably less is more.
It’s just such a beautiful ending to Lara Jean’s story.
There’s so many big life moments in this movie.
I think it’s also the most romantic of all the movies.
What’s been your favorite part about playing Margot?
What was it like working with the cast?
Especially through three movies.
I’m sure you guys have grown close over that.
Honestly, a dream.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
The second the three of us sisters met, we immediately bonded and just loved each other.
And when we’re on set together, it’s just like one giggle fit after another.
We just have so much fun.
It’s just like, it’s like summer camp and it’s been so much fun.
How did landing the role of Mona really affect your acting career?
I think it gave me one.
I feel like that was the first big thing I’d ever done.
I learned so much about acting and the business just by being on that show.
I kind of grew up on that show, it was all of my 20s.
But really just the learning experience and the exposure.
I’m so grateful to that show.
What was your favorite part of playing Mona?
Yeah, I agree.
I mean, the writers gave me so much to play with.
I think my favorite thing about her was how unpredictable she is.
She just, she was always five steps ahead of everybody else.
Is there any way that you kind of prepared for that role?
I know it was a high school student, and I know you were homeschooled.
Was there any way that you kind of like got into Mona’s mind?
Just being there on that set and looking around, you’re like, you feel nuts.
Just kind of putting myself into her shoes and into her thought process and just playing.
I love doing that.
Oh yeah, we still have group chats.
We have aPLLgroup chat and we have aPLL: The Perfectionistsgroup chat.
And we’re all still so close.
How did you feel about getting a spin-off of the series oncePretty Little Liarsended?
I mean, you know what?
We’re all just so grateful that we’re the O.G.
PLLs and we’re excited to see this new iteration of Liars and see what they do with it.
I know you have a permanent reminder of playing Mona because you and other castmatesgot tattoos.
Was there anything you took from Mona’s wardrobe or a prop or anything that you still have?
I have my Camp Mona sweater from Season 2.
And I love it so much.
It’s so much fun.
So you wear it, like, all the time?
At home, yeah.
I would be too embarrassed to wear it out, but I love wearing it at home.
Craziest thing I’ve ever done, but it was so much fun.
And I loved it.
I was like, “I am a dancer now?
I’m an athlete now.”
Because you have to be those things.
Even if it’s four months of your life, that’s what you are.
And I loved it.
And you did it.
And I feel like you have to be kind of an athlete to do that because of training.
I mean, you’re going for hours a day, right?
14 hours a day, basically.
Oh, my goodness!
But you want to do it, that’s the thing.
You want to do the work.
I mean, I’m lucky enough to have grown up on stage and I think that definitely helped.
And just the fact that I just love performing, it feels like home, so.
How did you feel when you found out that you got third place at the whole show?
I mean, that’s, three’s my lucky number.
So I wasn’t surprised whatsoever.
Having tackled Broadway and TV, what’s next for Janel Parrish?
I know you’re shooting in Vancouver right now.
So what’s coming up next for you?
What projects do you have in the works?
I’m shooting a sweet romantic comedy.
I’m really excited about the Ziploc Hot makeup line, or Hot Mess makeup line.
I think it’s going to be really, really cool, and people are going to love it.
