Behind the Brush with Swan Beauty’s Make-up Master, Lindsey Regan Thorne
When Swan Beauty President Leigh Humphrey approached Lindsey Regan Thorne about joining forces to launch a digital beauty concierge business, the seasoned makeup artist and beauty blogger immediately fell in love with the concept. Thorne shares her insights on beauty, some favorite products and what it means to “mask and multitask”.
How did your career path lead you to Swan Beauty?
I worked for a global architecture and interior design firm for a couple of years before leaving in 2011 to dedicate myself to my makeup and hair business, “Be Pretty”, that I had started on the side. My goal was to teach women how to achieve a look they love and to share my favorite tips, tricks and tools. It started as a blog and grew through blog posts and Instagram. I eventually hired a team of makeup artist and hair stylists, and we traveled the country for events like weddings and photo shoots.
When Leigh approached me about Swan, it felt like the perfect next step for me. A big part of “Be Pretty” was educating women – I did tons of makeup lessons and product reviews. At Swan, we strive to educate our customers on the best makeup and skincare products available as well as how to apply them. It is a highly personalized process for each client.
When did you discover your love for makeup?
My grandmother had the most the most beautiful Estee Lauder and Clinique makeup and a collection of gorgeous antique makeup brushes. I remember watching her apply her makeup, and she would let me experiment with it, too. She always let me play with her lipstick in church!
As a teenager, I discovered a love of painting and took a lot of art classes in college. I started doing makeup for my girlfriends after college before we went out on the weekends and realized that it wasn’t so different from the painting classes that I loved, just with lipstick and eyeshadow instead of charcoal and watercolors!
As the mother of a young daughter, what do you hope to teach her about beauty?
Beauty starts in your heart and is apparent in how you treat others. It’s not in your outward appearance but in the inner core of who you are. I don’t ever want her to feel like she has to pile on lots of makeup to feel beautiful. Being kind is more beautiful than any physical attribute.
What is your skincare routine?
I put on a face mask before my feet hit the floor! I call it masking and multitasking – the mask is on while I make my kids’ breakfasts and get them out the door. I try to mask three mornings a week before washing my face. After cleansing in the mornings, I apply vitamin C serum, eye cream, moisturizer and sunscreen before applying makeup. At night, I double cleanse to make sure all of my makeup has been removed then pat dry with a microfiber cloth. I follow that withretinol, eye cream, neck cream, moisturizer and lash serum. I also derma plane once a week.
What are your “can’t live without” products?
Sunscreen, foundation (use as concealer too), blush, mascara.
Favorite product of the moment?
The Neo-Bronzer by Kevin Aucoin – I love it. It gives you a multidimensional look and adds warmth to your skin. It acts as blush, bronzer and highlighter and can be used for any age and any skin tone. It comes in a little compact but delivers a big bang!
What have you learned in your two years with Swan Beauty?
It can be easy to play the doubt game, but the support of my followers and clients carried me through the early stages at Swan. It is such a joy to see customers I’ve known from recent years or high school friends ordering our products and following my advice. It is encouraging to know they trust me and continue to support me.
Advice you would give your 16 year old self?
I was such a worrier! I worried so much about pleasing others that I wasn’t able to live in the moment. I would probably tell her to continue to work hard and dream big and enjoy the process. If you listen to your heart, follow your intuition, have faith and believe in yourself, you can do anything!
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