Model Lindsay Ellingson Talks Wander Beauty
Model Lindsay Ellingson shares beauty tips and her favorite makeup artists. (Photo: Lindsay Ellingson)
After New York Fashion Week, model Lindsay Ellingson took a break from the catwalk — this season she modeled for Misha Nonoo and Sophie Theallet — and stopped by the Yahoo Beauty offices for a Periscope chat about her new brand, Wander Beauty. The cofounder and creative director revealed her reasons for starting the makeup line, how she got her big break, her inspiration behind Wander’s new Paris collection.
Post-Periscope, however, we had a few more burning questions for the long-lashed model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel, like who she looks up to and which makeup artists have made the biggest impact on her. Thankfully, she obliged.
Yahoo Beauty: How long does your personal makeup routine take?
Lindsay Ellingson: It depends on what I’m doing. If I’m doing an event, I love getting ready — I always say it’s three-quarters of the fun. On a typical morning, I take my On the Glow Blush ($42), I put it on my cheeks and illuminate my face, and throw on some mascara. It’s pretty simple. And I’m also obsessed with my brows, because they were over-plucked years ago back in the ‘90s. We have a brow pencil called Frame Your Face Micro Brow Pencil ($21) and I never leave home without my brows done.
Which makeup artist have you worked with who made the biggest impression?
Tom Pecheux. I worked with him recently — he did the makeup for Sophie Theallet — and he’s just always so sweet on top of being such a talented makeup artist. When you want to feel pretty on the inside and out you can rely on Tom Pecheux to do that. He does the prettiest makeup that’s so effortless. I’ve worked with him for years, and every time I see him he’s just the sweetest. And I also love Dick Page. His approach to beauty is so unique; I always learn techniques. Backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show he applied lipstick on our cheeks before the foundation, so it ended up looking like our own natural flush of our cheeks glowing through rather than blush, so that was really cool. I do that a lot now with our On the Glow, like if I want a toned-down look I’ll use it under my foundation. He’s also again a very nice normal, down-to-earth guy but so talented.
Lindsay Ellingson shares her take on beauty. (Photo: Lindsay Ellingson)
He’s full of tricks! Backstage at Narciso Rodriguez he actually used the same cream shadows on the eyes, cheeks, and lips.
Whoa, that’s really cool. Talk about a multi-tasker! I think that the beauty industry is kind of changing in that sense — for instance, our lipsticks, you can put them on your cheeks and blend them in as a cheek stain. I think it’s great that we’re heading toward a more natural, effortless look, which is what Wander Beauty is.
What’s the craziest makeup look you’ve ever had for a shoot or show?
Crazy in a good way! It was Pat McGrath — one of the couture shows for Christian Dior and we had this amazing makeup. It was like glitter all over our eyes, I think it was 2008. I was wearing a royal blue gown — I felt like a princess on the runway with this amazing glittery jeweled makeup, and I know that’s kind of a trend right now. That was one of the most elaborate makeup looks I’ve ever had.
Do you ever not recognize yourself in the makeup?
No, I love it, I love transforming. I love when a makeup artist can completely transform me into a whole other person — it gives you a different attitude and feel. It’s lots of fun. I think being a dancer I had to kind of transform when I was onstage, so it kind of feels like that for me. I learned a lot from that — and what not to do!
Lindsay Ellingson’s makeup line, Wander Beauty. (Photo: Wander Beauty)
Who are your role models or those you find inspiring?
Misha Nonoo is one I look up to, the designer. I think it’s amazing that this year she did the Insta show. The money she would be spending on renting a space she donated to Women for Women. She created a totally new trend for NYFW and donated to charity, which I thought was so inspiring. She’s so sweet and talented. And my sisters are incredible — one is off in Alaska filming documentary films and the other is a dietician and yoga instructor in Texas. Like, we couldn’t be farther apart, but we’re so close. I really look up to them and what they’re doing.
Whose career would you like to emulate?
Natalia Vodianova. She’s been my favorite model since I started modeling. I think she’s incredibly talented, and what she does for Naked Heart Foundation where she builds playgrounds in Russia, and she’s always running marathons. She’s always doing things for other people and for the community.
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