We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynn Simpson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lynn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started out doing makeup in retail for brands like Chanel and MAC. I loved my job at MAC. It was such a fun atmosphere to work in with like-minded creative people. I learned so much from all of my co-workers and trainers. But I didn’t love the retail schedule. So I knew eventually I wanted to work on my own as a freelance Make-up Artist. My best friend, who was also a Make-up Artist at MAC, and I decided to make a wedding makeup website and try to build a wedding business that way. We gave ourselves a year to build up our clientele so we could eventually leave our full time positions at MAC. It’s funny how the universe works. A few days after creating the website, I got a call to go on tour with Ashlee Simpson. And I ended leaving a couple weeks later for a two month tour.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been a Make-up Artist for over 20 years. It makes me so happy and proud to help women feel their most beautiful and confident. I love working one-on-one with my clients, and now I’m very excited to have my new line of products called Preface Cosmetics. It feels like the perfect extension of my work- to give my clients some products to help them with their glam at home when I’m not there to help them. My first products to launch are Wink Ink liner and lashes. In recent years, false lashes have become so popular, but they are not the easiest to apply on yourself. Wink Ink liner is a game changer! The lash adhesive is built into the liner. So you just line your eye as you would with liquid liner, and attach a lash directly to the liner. It’s so quick and easy. Wink Ink comes in black and clear, so if you’d like lashes without the look of eyeliner, clear is the way to go. I also have 4 styles of lashes, from natural to dramatic there’s something for everyone.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the beaches in SoCal, so I would definitely recommend a few beaches in OC. I grew up going to Huntington Beach every day in the summer. Still love to stop by Jan’s Health Bar and grab lunch and a smoothie. There are so many great food halls now too- check out Steelcraft in Garden Grove, or Rodeo 39 in Stanton, or LBX in Long Beach. Being half Vietnamese I love eating in Little Saigon. The best food and flavors are there for sure. For my newbies to Vietnamese food, I love taking them to Brodard. They have a little bit of everything to try there. Also Vox and Gem are amazing Vietnamese/Asian Fusion. For delicious treats and dessert I highly recommend Paderia Bakery in Fountain Valley.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without the mentorship of a dear friend and business coach, Annie Vovan. I actually met Annie when she was a client of mine. She was always so encouraging even as a client. As a coach, she really gets the life and struggles of being a mom and also a business person or mom-preneur. She supported and encouraged me to follow my dreams of building my own makeup line. And I have a lot to thank her for helping me do just that.
Website: YourPreface.com
Instagram: Lynnsimpsonmakeup Prefacecosmetics
Facebook: Facebook.com/prefacecosmetics
Image Credits
Dimitry Louiseau Gem Padamada Jax Pages