Laurie Lombardi – Professional Make-up, Beauty Advice
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am a self taught makeup artist for sure. The bulk of my training is from books and online tutorials. I didn’t always know this was for me. I got out of high school and went to school to become a chef.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: It’s such a great business, and you meet so many amazing people. Also, its incredibly easy to start your own business, but surprisingly hard to find that first client.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: I think this depends on the person. I have real passion for makeup application, but feel that school is not right for me; at least right now.
Q: Did you always wanted to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
A: I went to college to become a Chef right out of high school, but eventually found that this wasn’t for me. I spent a good 2 years “finding myself” and decided to do what I’m naturally drawn to. I find that while we are so driven by celebrity, I’m inspired by everyday life.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: That end result, seeing the client look in the mirror and feel better, even if its just minimal makeup. That feeling is fantastic.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty is endless; limitless, really. Good, soft lines, and a minimalist approach. Real beauty is so strong it can seep down to the heart, why cover that up?
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I looovee Clarins Instant smooth perfecting cream. A great face primer. Bare Escentuals makes fantastic eyeshadows with brilliant pigments. I also use Makeup Forever concealer palettes everyday. I could go on and on.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: During my consultations I usually ask the client to exfoliate a week before the date, and use a good moisturizer every night and day that compliments their skin. For my own skin problems, I have severe acne, so to control that I’m using Neautrogena Skin ID, and Burt’s Bee’s blemish stick.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Don’t exfoliate more than once a week. And DON’T leave your makeup on over night.
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?
A: I had been to a dermatologist for my acne product, and I had the worst reaction to the medicine. It looked like I had severe sunburn. It was awful.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup? What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her skin?
A: Choosing the wrong bronzer can be a big mistake. If you have fair skin, go for a bronzer with a slight silvery look to it, like Kohl’s FLIRT foxy bronze bronzer. The coppers are for more tan skin. Try FLIRT’s Sweet Desire.
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: Gold hues are huge for summer now. I love it. I haven’t really seen anything in the bad category yet, I’ll get back to you on that.
Q: Do teenage girls need to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: I use tons of drugstore stuff, like Covergirl and Almay. It’s just about finding what works for you. Also, Eyes Lips Face or elf.com is fantastic, everything for a dollar.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: I have blue eyes, so I’m definitely guilty of playing up the eyes. I also love the look of sunkissed dewy skin.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Use darker concealer for underneath your eyes, to avoid that deer in headlights look. And get a palette with green in it for redness. Choose the foundation that compliments your skin. I love mineral makeup because I have combination to oily skin, but if you’re dryer M.A.C makes a great studio fix liquid makeup. Apply blush or bronzer only where the sun hits your face naturally; apple of cheese up to hairline, tip of your nose, and forehead.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: A darker lipshade or a little more shimmer to your eyes is a flawless way to go from day to night.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Real women want to look like real women but more polished. Its so simple, but models have to look airbrushed to perfection.
Q: In terms of eyeliner, if you had to choose between a pencil, liquid, or creme/gel based, which one would you choose? Why?
A: I buy them all, because, frankly, I have a problem haha. But I love liquid for the top lash line, and coastal scents have fantastic gel liners. And many times, I’ve used a dark eyeshadow with a wet eyeliner brush to line the bottom lash line.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: I use them both, usually a lipstick with a clear or light gloss over it to add some sheen.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: I’m not experienced in this situation.
Q: What brand/type of concealer is your favorite for covering up the after effects of a late night out i.e. under-eye circles, blemishes?
A: Makeup Forever concealer palettes are great.
Q: How about airbrush spray makeup trend? Are these products better or easier to use than standard sponge or finger application? If yes when would you recommend using them?
A: I think airbrush application is great when you have a model that is walking the runway, and needs to be made up quickly and more efficiently. When applying makeup for a prom or a wedding, I believe that the experience should be more intimate, less about the spray gun foundation. It takes definite finesse to operate the machinery.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A:“You did exactly what I was thinking.” I love that; its so important to make sure that each client walks away happy. I explain everything as I’m doing it, so that they can mimic it later on if they’d like. Communication is everything.
Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
A: My life goal is to eventually have my own makeup line, and to expand my business with other makeup artists, and perhaps hair stylists. The one thing I can say, is that I never gave up on what I believed in. If you have a difficult client, that is asking something of you that you don’t believe in, don’t be afraid to speak your mind.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Ask whoever you can find to sit down and let you draw on their face, and take lots of pictures to see how light reflects off of what makeup you use. Go to vistaprint.com and get yourself some business cards or promotion cards. Spread your name around and get on myspace, facebook, and twitter.
Don’t limit yourself to any type of events. I always say if you need a makeup lesson, have a hot date, or a wedding I’ll be there.
Visit Laurie’s Facebook here.
I saw the Riversol products in the Emmy swag bags as well as in numerous Canadian beauty mags. All the make up artists swear by dermatologist Dr. Rivers skincare line. Samples or products? Where can you help me find them?? I want them for my fashion and film make up kits.