M: What is the format of the class going to be like?
L: I find that some of the best, most interesting seminars and workshops I’ve been to allow me to be so engrossed in the story they tell that I’m not getting lost in just a bunch of facts and theories. I want to take you on a journey through my experiences, how I came to learn things, and what that has ultimately led to. And through that we’ll discuss the actual structure of the skull & the shape of your face, both from a medical perspective as well as an artistic point of view. It’s so important to understand both. I’ll also be going over the LJMA ideals of beauty and what beauty means, and we’ll touch on actual technique too. Because like I said, if you understand the where and the why, the how to do it becomes easier to figure out.
M: Who can benefit from contouring? And would you say there’s difference to be learned about contouring for day vs. night?
L: Everyone can benefit from contouring. Every single person. Who isn’t going to look better with beautiful dimension in their face? The thing is, contour can be so beautiful and so subtle. You just have to know your face and how the light and shadow affects it. And daylight vs the light we perceive at night is totally different. You get to decide the depth of it and how it is going to enhance your beauty.
M: That is beautiful! So what kind of knowledge can attendees expect to walk away with?
L: A completely new way of seeing their own face, because they’ve never examined it the way I am going to make them examine it. Women don’t do that. When you work in makeup, you understand that. But most women don’t. Some do, and that’s great! But I want people in my class to really feel their face and understand what is there! I have some really great tricks up my sleeve to show them exactly why light and dark work the way they do, and how to apply that to their own face and how they do their makeup. I can’t wait!
M: So once you understand the why & the where of it all, then comes the what & the how. When it comes to products, what is essential to achieving a great contour?
L: Definitely a neutral cream or powder slightly deeper than your skin tone, not too red or blue but mostly neutral/grey. Too warm-brown and it can look too red. And since shadows coming from light naturally have a cooler toned cast, a product with too much red will look too artificial. The warmer tones are going to come naturally from your skin.
M: That makes perfect sense. So I’ve had a sneak peak at your contouring secrets but now I really want to know what your favorite products for yourself are.
L: Well my favorite is my contouring powder, obviously! I actually use Bobbi Brown’s Grey powder eyeshadow. I use it as a brow powder, eye shadow, contour, and as eyeliner with a damp brush. I’m all about multi-taskers! Other than that I really do love Bobbi Brown’s Corrector and Concealer, but I recently started using Tarte’s Creaseless Concealer and let me tell you it really does not crease! I love it. I contour first, then brighten under my eyes and conceal…I just go…[Lindsey then starts making tick-tock noises and motioning around her face and excitedly pointing to different areas]…done! Easy. Don’t write that. [Laughs as I tell her I’m totally going to narrate that entire demonstration] Okay write that! Oh and then blush. A good pinky blush. I’m wearing Dollface by Tarte lately. So contour product to shape, concealer to awaken and brighten, and blush to bring life into the face.