Staz Lindes. Courtesy of YSL Beauty.
Becoming the face of a beauty brand as big as Yves Saint Laurent is no mean feat. For Staz Lindes, the daughter of Hal Lindes of Dire Straits, it’s just another notch on her belt. Already following in her father’s footsteps as a guitarist and adding model and photographer to the equation, Lindes is effortlessly cool.
You were discovered in a bowling alley, are a keen photographer and, of course, share a love of music with your father, Hal Lindes of Dire Straits. How do you spend your free time?
When I’m not working, I love to trawl through the thrift shops of LA 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 mom and my dad, music has always been a big part of my life. I remember driving along in the car with my mom as a child and listening to her favorite songs from The Everly Brothers, The Cure, and Elliott Smith. I think I’ve probably loved music ever since I was in my mom’s stomach – apparently, I was dancing to Jimi Hendrix as soon as I could walk! As for photography, 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 Saint Laurent Spring 2016 catwalk and you’re a new YSL Beauty makeup ambassador. What are your earliest memories of the brand, and what message do you think it conveys to women today?
It’s an incredible honor 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, so it’s very close to my heart. I remember the first time I visited Paris with my mother – we spent hours trying on 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 1960s. I’d even go to the hairdresser and ask for the same cut! Catherine Deneuve, Betty Catroux – these were the very actresses that M. Saint Laurent dressed – so I’ve always felt a strong affinity 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 M. 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 makeup – whether it be designer or vintage pieces from thrift shops, my cupboards are overflowing and always speak to my own sense of style, rather than generic trends.
Staz Lindes walks for Saint Laurent Spring 2016. Indigital
Modern-day beauty is about creating your own look with products that perform on-the-go. What are your YSL Beauty heroes?
When I’m not working and just hanging out LA, I like to keep my makeup super simple. The Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lip & Cheek Duo is great for adding a healthy flush to my complexion and a subtle lip color. 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 color from time to time. No. 3 Call 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 Vernis à Lèvres range is a great way of doing this as you can play with both color and texture – or even layer them together to create your own, unique shade. I love the Vernis à Lèvres classic in No. 9 Rouge Laque for its intense, high-shine color. 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.
“Sporty,” “fresh” skin has been a key trend on the catwalks for the last few seasons. As the new face of Touche Éclat, how do you like your skin to look, and how do you prep the perfect skin canvas?
I love my skin to look fresh, clean, and natural – the perfect pared-down canvas for the bolder eye and lip looks I often wear. For me, great skin is about layering a serum underneath a moisturizer, then using makeup to accentuate your best features, rather than masking any perceived flaws.
That’s one of the reasons why I love the original Touche Éclat – a true beauty icon. It’s quick, easy, highlights your cheekbones, brows and Cupid’s bow, and is the perfect size to take everywhere in my bag. The new Touche Éclat Cushion is a great way of continuing the legend and creating a naturally dewy complexion overall. It’s also a super smart product that’s really in keeping with the current trend for Korean-inspired makeup.
Staz Lindes on set with YSL. Courtesy of YSL Beauty.
The healthy living, clean eating lifestyle movement is also huge right now. What do you do to keep yourself happy, healthy, and motivated?
LA 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 – including probiotics, Viviscal hair supplement, vegetable collagen, fish oils, and wellness tonics when I’m traveling. 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 makeup help you to feel powerful in this situation?
When I’m performing, I love to experiment with super bold lip and eye colors. I often wear the Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream Liquid Lipsticks as they deliver an intense color stain that really lasts, even when I’m singing.
That ritual of putting on my makeup before going on stage really helps get me in the zone and 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!
