Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Bender.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been servicing the beauty industry since 2010 as a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for the film and T.V industry, I’ve worked with the likes of Hilary Duff, Mena Suvari, Zoey Deutch, Lydia Hurst, Lea Thompson…the list goes on. I’ve transformed countless faces from beauty makeup’s to injury simulations to creating monsters with prosthetics and special makeup effects. I not only loved helping others feel good about themselves and boosting their confidence to perform in front of camera, but I loved the process of it all. The birth of an idea, the creative process of creating something non physical into the physical and captured on film. I was fortunate enough when I was a student at the Makeup Designory to be mentored by Mark Shostrom (known as the Julia Child of Special Makeup Effects) who took me under his wing to further expand my craft and knowledge of the industry, which was a big deal to me considering I was just a small town girl who moved from Placerville in Nor Cal to LA. Shortly after I graduating from MUD, I was 1 of the finalists competing in the special makeup effects category for an international makeup artists trade show. I didn’t win…but knowing that my makeup was seen by the legendary Dick Smith made it worth the while. From there I started working on set and officially planted my feet in LA. It wasn’t until the shut down of covid and the movie set I was working on, with producers I have worked with on many past films, that I realized I was just done with it all. My last living grandparent passed right when we began filming and with the strict covid protocols I was torn. Stay isolated, continue working, miss out on supporting my family and honoring my grandfather, or let production know what was going on and see what comes out of it. I went to the line producer who I had known for years and we came to the agreement that my assistant would man the couple days I would be gone and was instructed that we not speak about this to anyone- he will handle it. I went up north for my grandfathers funeral stayed the night and came straight back, The day I came back I was tested positive for covid 19, I was asymptomatic ( later on lost my taste), told to not return to set and received a phone call from the producer screaming at me blaming me for putting everyone at risk. I did my due diligence by letting one of the producers know, my position was covered by my assistant and I was given the green light. My last grandparent passed away, I was fired from the film and now had to isolate myself for 2 weeks. It was honestly the straw that broke the camels back considering the reality of doing makeup in the industry is 10% makeup and 90% being everyone’s beck and call and coordinating with production. The hurry up and wait, the talents personal assistant without pay. Where was the art in it all, what good and difference am I really making?
I always covered up the skin and my curiosity switched to what I was really working with under the layers of makeup. That’s when I made the pivot to really understand and treat the skin, rather than concealing it. I enrolled to obtain my license in 2020 and never looked back.
In 2021 I was checking all the boxes for Endometriosis, an auto immune, inflammatory disease. I was in a medical loop hole and was told conceiving a child (which my husband and I had been trying for years) would be extremely difficult, that they needed to surgically remove my left ovary and fallopian tube. I had no answers and a lot of questions. For one, there is no real knowing of what causes endometriosis. Without the knowing how do we find the solution? From there I was obesssing over finding the answers. I read and listened to countless articles and podcasts, forums of women sharing their experiences. I opted out of surgery because in my mind if it’s an inflammatory disease, why would I elect for a surgery that… causes inflammation let alone not knowing if it would be successful?
It’s a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it has exposed me to learning more about how our body functions and how our body systems are connected and work with each other. I was fascinated and it connected a lot of dots that propelled me in my skincare practice. That’s when I realized how much our skin reflects our overall well being. That disease means our body is in a state of “dis ease” and how we treat our body, and feed our body makes a huge difference and our skin, which is our body’s largest organ, is a messenger and serves a really important purpose.
I started delving into holistic therapies, learning about our nervous system, muscular systems, lymphatics, acupressure and facial reflexology. This led into structural integration and the realization that it’s not all goo and products, it’s much deeper. The body works in correlation with itself. It’s energy and matter.
While I was obtaining my license and the covid shutdown eased up, I worked as a receptionist at a facial and massage spa with the promise of becoming an esthetician once I received my credentials.
I couldn’t wait to start working with clients and be in the treatment room. I quickly made my mark from receptionist to “Elite” esthetician within a year. However my knowledge and values didn’t align with product sales quota, strict timing and lack of cleanliness the spa provided. I wanted my own environment where I could really connect, educate and service my clients with my values on my terms. The act of service, not selling. I took a huge leap when I signed my lease here at Pacific City but it was a non negotiable. I needed my own place and I knew in my heart that there were people out there that needed me too.
It’s not easy being a small business owner however doing what I truly love, making connections with others and providing a service that truly makes a difference is all worth while. Like my mom told me, my passion is my purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The obstacle is the way. One of the best pieces of life advice my husband has given me “Do the hard things” and he couldn’t be more right. Being a small business owner, especially a solo one, comes with many bumps in the road. I wear every hat, I’m human and I’m constantly learning, navigating and rerouting, mistakes are naturally just part of it. What I have learned is that nothing good comes easy and challenges are something to learn and grow from. The biggest obstacle I have faced has been business ownership itself. I’ve been in management positions before and have been exposed to business operations but I never went to school for it, I’ve just been learning as I go and doing what makes most logical and sense.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lindsey Bender Esthetics?
Lindsey Bender Esthetics is more than a skincare studio, it’s a sacred space where skincare and healing meet. I specialize in integrated, holistic facials & facial massage helping clients release tension, reconnect with their self and restore their natural glow from within, What sets my work apart is the integration of nervous system regulation into skincare, working with the underlying tissues and systems to bring upon balance and understand the root cause. Imbalances and stress often show up on our skin before anywhere else. My services are customized and tailored for my clients goals and well being.
I’m most proud of building a brand and offering services that reminds and teaches others that radiant skin isn’t just about products or a quick fix, its about being present, connected and understanding that our skin is a messenger that tells a story about our overall wellness and how we can work with it.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I’ve always been an observer and visual learner. I was never the attention seeker. I went with the flow and was lucky to have an amazing older sister who I learned a lot from. I moved quite frequently and learned to adapt quickly. As a kid- even to this day I’ve always been creative whether it be with painting, makeup, bulding, sculpting, sewing, I’ve always kinda been a jack of all trades. Curious and eager to learn. I loved working with my hands and to this present day, shows with my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.LindseyBenderEsthetics.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/lindsey.bender.esthetics
