Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndsay Simon.
Lyndsay, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was in the 3rd grade, a classmate at school rushed over to me with a vibrant violent colored eyeshadow that she brought from home After spreading the color all over my eyelids, strutting around the classroom like it was a runway, and getting a note sent home to my mother about the incident, I was driven to prove that makeup is an art form. Throughout high school, I would wake up early every morning excited to go to school to flaunt my makeup look of the day, often sporting bright colors and textures, and of course, heavy eyeliner (Hey, it was the 2000s after all!) I would experiment with makeup any opportunity I got, even trying my hand in special effects using wax and blood to turn my dance company into zombies before a reenactment of “Thriller” on the town common. Not realizing makeup artistry could be a serious career, (this was far before the days of YouTube, Instagram, and Beauty Gurus popping up all over the internet) I went off to college and you guessed it: BOMBED. I knew this was a sign to follow my heart and make the leap, even though all of my friends were in college and my father was not convinced. After completing a full course in Orlando, FL for makeup and special effects and training under seriously talented artists in the industry, I was ready to be a big, famous makeup artist myself! When I realized that is exactly the opposite of how things work, I choked down my ramen noodles and instant mashed potatoes and did makeup on anybody I could get my hands on. Since moving back to Boston 5 years ago, I have had opportunities that I could have never imagined. I have pampered women on the most important days of their lives, rocked out on set for music videos, stained my clothes with the blood of decomposing zombies, made up celebrities and influencers who inspire me, and created editorial stories with teams who have visions and dreams that give you goosebumps. That eyeshadow could have been just another impulse buy, but it really did change my life! -Said every woman ever after a Sephora binge.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The makeup industry has recently taken a large turn with the uprising of the over-filtered and instant gratification of social media. Although apps like Instagram and YouTube have created an amazing platform for talent to be showcased, in many ways, it has done more harm than good. When I first began in my career, clients would bring me inspiration photos from magazines and the red carpet flaunting timeless beauty looks. Now, clients seem to be interested in achieving the unrealistic, photo shopped, cookie-cutter-contoured looks of the insta-famous that dominate the internet. I educate my clients so they understand that what they are seeing is not real, and that layers upon layers of makeup would look absolutely crazy in person. Most times, they don’t even like the overly edited parts of face and prefer the more natural beauty that we create. Another struggle the industry has recently been faced with is the influx of people choosing makeup artistry as a career. With social media making people rich and famous from modeling and demonstrating products, becoming a makeup artist is increasingly popular job choice. Companies are popping up that can send an artist to your house with the click of a button for cheap. For more seasoned artists with years of experience who use the best hygiene practices and top professional brands, it is effecting our businesses as people are paying less attention to quality. I love to guide new artists to grow their career the old fashioned way: practice on every age, skin color and face you can get your hands on (not just yourself), network and build your portfolio with photographers, and work for companies that value you as an artist and individual. I am so thrilled makeup is becoming increasingly popular, but no matter what, we will always stay true to our real and unfiltered beauty vision.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lyndsay Simon Beauty story. Tell us more about the business.
Three short years ago I started Lyndsay Simon Beauty, a luxury makeup and hair company servicing on-location beauty needs for events, weddings, proms, and even nights out. My team and I will come to your home or hotel and get you and your loved ones ready for your big day and create a personalized look based on inspiration from your outfit, likes, dislikes, and comfortability level. The most important thing we concentrate on is always making sure we hear each of our clients out. We have all had at least one terrible experience at a salon or makeup counter where the artist did the opposite of what we wanted. Our artists design each look with the client by getting to know them and what makes them feel beautiful as an individual. Creating relationships and friendships with each person who sits in our chair is so important to us. Since we are going to be in your personal bubble for an hour, we kind of want you to like us! We strive to make connections to keep our clients coming back for every special moment in their lives. I have recently opened a studio in Allston, MA where clients can make appointments to be glammed up before a night out, learn how to recreate the looks they love, and get educated on healthy daily skincare regimens.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Most people close to me could look at what I have achieved in my career as being “good luck”, but I don’t think I would use that word. It seems lucky that on slow weeks, I clean and organize my makeup kit or studio and 5 minutes later, BOOM, I get a phone call for a really cool job. I’ve met people in a grocery stores who happen to be looking for a makeup artist for their wedding in one of my favorite locations. I wouldn’t call this luck because I am continuously staying present and open to meeting new people who can feel and relate to my passion for my craft. I always say that my job is 50% artist and 50% therapy. People are drawn to authentic, positive energy! In this industry, it is all about who you know, and no one wants to work with a know it all. You can hustle all you want, but at the end of the day, people aren’t going to want to spend a work day with you if you don’t have a connection. I think just being real keeps good opportunities flowing into my life.
Pricing:
- In Studio Makeup: $85
- In Studio Makeup and Hair: $150
- In Studio Makeup Lesson: $175 for 90 minutes (includes a $50 product credit)
Contact Info:
- Address: Lyndsay Simon Beauty
119 Braintree Street #303
Allston, MA 02124 - Website: www.LyndsaySimonbeauty.com
- Phone: 508-572-7005
- Email: lynsdsay@lyndsaysimonbeauty.com
- Instagram: LyndsaySimonBeauty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lyndsaysimonbeauty
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/lyndsay-simon-beauty-boston
- Other: www.LyndsaySimonShop.com
Image Credit:
Erika Leman, Mark Elsey, Dawn Kingston, Theresa Wall Duggan
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