A Fresh Face Staz Lindes
The daughter of Hal Lindes from Dire Straits is now a musician herself. She recently was selected to be the new make-up ambassador of YSL Beauty. Here we learn about her beauty secrets as well as her music career.
You were ‘discovered’ in a bowling alley, are a keen photographer and of course, share a love of music with your father, Hal of Dire Straits. Can you tell us more about how you like to spend your free time?
When I’m not working, I love to trawl through the thrift shops of L.A. looking for vintage military or leather jackets. When I’m feeling more outdoorsy, I go to the beach for a swim or hike in the hills. At night time, I often have band practice or go to other gigs – there’s a huge music scene over here. Thanks to both my mum and my dad, music has always been a big part of my life. I remember driving along in the car with my mum as a child and listening to her favourite songs from The Everly Brothers, The Cure and Elliot Smith. I think I’ve probably loved music ever since I was in my mum’s stomach – apparently I was dancing to Jimi Hendrix as soon as I could walk! As for photogra- phy, I picked up a camera when I was 13 and have carried one around with me ever since. I love to shoot nature or portraits in a really honest, candid way – nothing too staged!
You walked the YSL SS 16 catwalk and are now YSL Beauty’s new make-up ambassador. What are your earliest memories of the brand and what message do you think it conveys to women today?
It’s an incredible honour to be the new face of YSL beauty. I’ve been working as a musician for years, but this feels like a real career high point. I have fond childhood memories of discovering the brand as a child, so it’s very close to my heart. I remember the first time I visited Paris with my mother – we spent hours trying on endless different perfumes in a department store. The one I finally chose was YSL Paris Eau de Toilette, a scent that to me, captures the very essence and allure of the city. Even as a teenager, I was inspired by the natural style of the iconic French actresses and models of the ‘6os. I’d even go to the hairdresser and ask for the same cut! Catherine Deneuve, Betty Ca- troux, these were the very actresses that Mr. Saint Laurent dressed – so l’ve always felt a strong affin- ity with the brand’s aesthetic and muses. As I’ve grown older, I’ve begun to appreciate its signature play on masculine/feminine style with the classic tuxedos and tailoring. For me, it’s a label that allows me to be who I want to be on any given day. Whether I want to look pared-down or dressed up, it allows me to express my individuality in a way that’s always chic and luxurious. There’s a really cool quote from Mr. Saint Laurent that sums up how I feel about style: “I love clothes, I don’t care about fashion”. That’s so me! I’ve always loved clothes and make-up, whether it be designer or vintage pieces from thrift shops, my cupboards are over-flowing and always speak to my own sense of style, rather than generic trends.
Modern day beauty is about creating your own individual look with products that perform on-the-go. What are your YSL BEAUTY heroes?
When I’m not working and just hanging out in L.A., I like to keep my make-up super simple. The Baby Doll Kiss&Blush Lip and Cheek duo is great for add- ing a healthy flush to my complexion and a subtle lip colour. I also love to carry a few shades of Tint-in-Balm with me to hydrate my lips and switch up the subtle hint of colour from time to time. No. 3 (Cali me Rose), No. 4 (Desire Me Pink) and No. 8 (Catch Me in Orange) are always in my handbag. At night, if I’m playing or going to someone else’s gig, I like to wear a strong statement lip. The Ver- nis a Levres range is a great way of doing this as you can play with both colour and texture or even layer them together to create your own, unique shade. I love the Vernis a Levres classic in No. 9 (Rouge Laque) for its intense, high shine colour. Vinyl Cream in No. 401 Rouge Vinyl has a milkier feel on the lips and lasts for hours and hours. The Pop Water in No. 2 (Rouge Splash) is great if I want a glossy, transparent finish.
To me, the Spring 2017 range is super cute, super playful and perfect for women who want to have fun with their make-up whilst still getting that luxury, couture feel. The Kiss&Blush Duo in No. 1 (From Marrakesh to Paris) is a really cool way of using blush to contour your cheeks and creating either a regular or ombred lip look using the two, complementary shades. I use the new Couture Eye Palette Collector (The street and I), along Dessin du Regard Arty Duo #10 to create a vibrantly-co- loured eye. I don’t like to play it safe! Then I’ll create a clash with my nail colour. The new La Laque Couture in No. 82 (Asphalt) is cool, dark and edgy for spring and summer.
The healthy living, clean eating lifestyle movement is also huge right now. What do you do to keep yourself happy, healthy and motivated?
L.A. is famous for its healthy lifestyle, so I like to think of myself as a pretty clean eater. I avoid gluten, dairy and sugar and have been a pescatarian for 10 years. You’ll always find fish, eggs and greens that I like to buy at my local farmer’s market in my fridge. I also drink a ton of water every day and take a whole range of supplements – in- cluding probiotics, Viviscal, vegetable collagen, fish oils and wellness tonics when I’m travelling. When it comes to working out, I like to follow YouTube videos or Pilates DVDs at home.
You’re a performer who is often in the limelight on stage. How does make-up help you to feel powerful in this situation?
When I’m performing, I love to experiment with super bold lip and eye colours. I often wear the Vernis a Levres Vinyl Cream Liquid Lipsticks as they deliver an intense colour stain that really lasts, even when I’m singing. That ritual of putting my make-up on before going on stage really helps get me in the zone and making me feel powerful. When I’m out there, I feel powerful, free and strangely peaceful. Sometimes I get so lost in the moment that I’m surprised when I look up and see a crowd of people staring at me!
