Beauty Behind the Blog: The Classic Brunette

Today I'm back with my another installment of Beauty Behind the Blog with an interview of Sami from The Classic Brunette!

Name: Sami

Blog: The Classic Brunette

Age: 22

THE BASICS

Who taught you about beauty?

My mom wasn’t super into makeup and beauty when I was younger, but my grandma definitely was! I was always going with her and my sister to get our nails done and would always watch her put on her blush and lipstick. Other than that I love watching YouTube makeup tutorials and teaching myself by experimenting with various products.

What is your favorite thing about beauty?

I love that it lets me be creative and increases my confidence. We all have insecurities, but I like that beauty and makeup allows me to emphasize my features that I truly love. Although I definitely don’t rely on makeup and beauty for confidence, it’s nice to know that I can always give myself a little bit of a boost.

Do you have a favorite beauty blogger?

I don’t really, but if I had to pick I would say Katey McFarlan from Chronicles of Frivolity, although I would just say she’s my favorite blogger in general, ha!

What is your best beauty secret?

Embrace your natural beauty! Confidence comes from within, and you should always embrace who you are!

Do you create any DIY beauty products?

I haven’t, but I really want to! I have a lot of pins on Pinterest saved for the day that I actually attempt to do this!

What is your favorite natural beauty product?

I have these sugar scrubs from a company called Spa Thyme and they’re made from all natural products and I love them! They smell so good!

SKIN

What is your skin type?

Normal/Dry

What is your basic skincare routine?

I’m lucky enough that I don’t have to do too much with my skin. I wash my face in the shower every morning with Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser and after my shower I apply a small amount of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion since my skin always feels dry. If I feel a zit coming on I’ll use Mario Badescu Drying Lotion on the problem spot and hope it goes away!

What is your biggest skin issue?

Dryness is probably my biggest issue! Every time I shower my skin feels like it’s lost a lot of moisture. But again, I’ll just put on some lotion and be good to go. I’m very lucky that this is my biggest problem!!

What are your must have skincare products?

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser! And I also love the face masks from Tony Moly. The Red Wine Mask Sheet Pore Care is very relaxing!

What is your favorite skincare splurge?

I honestly don’t think I have one! I’m a college girl on a budget, so I just haven’t been able to really splurge on anything yet!

What is the first thing you do when you get a breakout?

Like I said above I love Mario Badescu Drying Lotion! I put a little on a q-tip and put it on the spot where my breakout is. If that doesn’t work, I use the acne treatment from BioClarity which is a little stronger. If it’s just a red spot, I actually use toothpaste and leave it on while I sleep!

MAKEUP

What is your everyday makeup look?

I normally don’t use foundation, but will use a light BB Cream just for SPF and a little bit of coverage. After that I go in with Benefit My Brow Pencil, Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel, and Benefit 3D BROWtones Instant Color Highlights on my brows to get them filled in. For my eyes, I am obsessed with my original Urban Decay Naked Palette and I use it every single day. I do what I call a nude smokey eye, and put the lightest shade all over my lid and up to my brow, then go in with a nude color on the lid, and a sparkly brown/gold on the crease. I blend that all out, add mascara and I’m done!

What is your go to makeup look when you go out?

I would say that my going out look is just an amped up version of my daily look! This time I use foundation, and a contour kit that I actually got at Marshalls (remember, college budget girl!). I do my contour, but focus more on highlighting, since I think it works better for my paler skin. Then I use my Urban Decay Naked Palette and do a darker smokey eye, repeating the same steps as above just with darker shades. If I’m feeling up to it I might add winged eyeliner and some glitter liner at my upper lash line. I add lipstick, mascara, and I finish off my look with Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent so all my hard work doesn’t melt off while I’m out!

What are your must have makeup products?

Obviously my original Urban Decay Naked Palette since I use it for everything! But I also never go out without mascara! My two favorites are Urban Decay Perversion and Maybelline Falsies Lash Push Up! SO GOOD.

What is your favorite makeup splurge?

I think it has to be the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent. It keeps my skin from looking shiny, and makes my makeup last all day! Also any YSL lipstick. The pigments are gorgeous and the formula is so smooth!

What is your best makeup trick?

Okay I might get a lot of heat for this one, but sleep in some makeup if you know you won’t have time for it the next morning. I never do this with foundation or any face makeup, but I do this all the time with eyeshadow and mascara. I’ve had people tell me this is going to ruin my skin, face, etc. over time, but nothing has happened to me yet! It saves me so much time in the mornings!

HAIR

What is your hair type?

Oily at the top, dry at the bottom. Is there a name for this?

What is your basic hair care routine?

I’m so simple with my hair! I wash it probably way too much, then just kind of leave it alone! I very rarely add product or style it, just because I don’t have enough time! If I’m going out I might curl my hair, but normally I’ll just braid it and spray with hairspray to get some slight waves. Nothing too drastic.

What is your biggest hair issue?

Knots. My hair is very thin, but there’s a decent amount of it and it always ends up with little knots all over. Hairdressers have joked that if they just look at my hair it will get knots! I normally solve this by brushing through it every few hours.

What is your must have hair product?

The only product I really use is hairspray. I love Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray. It works and it smells like vanilla!

What is your favorite hair care splurge?

Again, I don’t use too much! So I don’t really splurge on anything!

How do you style your hair everyday?

Most days I brush it and go! If I want to add a little bit of styling I will put it in braids, spray it with hairspray and wait a few minutes for some subtle waves. I’m lucky that I have straight enough hair that I don’t have to do much with!

How do you style your hair when you're going out?

When I go out I might curl it, but normally I’m so impatient that I just let it be natural. Sometimes I just have my best friend and roommate do my hair for me because she’s so much better at it!!

What is your best hair trick?

I love sleeping in braids and waking up with wavy hair. This works best if my hair is wet, but I’ve done it with dry hair as well. The waves last all day, and they are practically perfect! Plus, it doesn’t take much effort!

BATH AND BODY

What is your basic body care routine?

I always exfoliate in the shower! After exfoliating I either use an all-natural soap (I have a rose goat milk soap from a beauty subscription service called Scently Box and I am obsessed!) or a body wash. Then after showering I either apply lotion or body butter to keep my skin soft.

What is your must have body product?

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It is my savior. I put it everywhere! I also love finding natural soaps that smell delicious. I’ve found that local farmers markets always have good ones!

What is your favorite body product splurge?

I feel like I’m not very helpful in the splurge department, haha! I think the most expensive thing I buy is body butter from The Body Shop!!

What is your basic approach to nutrition and dieting?

Moderation. I am in no way the picture of health, because let’s be honest carbs are my best friend. I just try to limit the ‘bad’ things like sweets and fried foods, but I’m not going to restrict myself if that’s what I’m craving. I try to keep a good amount of fruit and vegetables in my meals, because that way I know that I’m at least getting something good in my body three times a day.

What is your current workout routine?

I go to Zumba twice a week and I love it. I have absolutely no rhythm though, so it’s rough watching myself in the mirror knowing that I’m not doing the moves right! But it’s such a fun way to exercise that I don’t feel like I’m actually working out. That was an issue I had in the past. I would try a new workout, and wouldn’t go because I just dreaded doing it! I also go on nightly walks with my roommate that last from a half hour to an hour just to have some movement every day. We also do it late at night so it tires us out before bed and I’ve been sleeping a lot better because of this!

A huge thank you to Sami for sharing a look into her beauty routine!  Do you use any of the same products?  Let me know below! 

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with #HowIFall, Hello Monday, Weekending, and MIMM.

Recent Reads

I have always loved reading, but I had a hard time finding the time to read for fun when I was in college.  Since graduating though I have been able to get back into it and I read three books last month and am halfway through a fourth.  Below I have for you mini reviews of each book and let you know which ones you should definitely read!

The Underwriting by Michelle Miller

When the worlds of Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and elite colleges come together something juicy is bound to happen.  This debut novel by an author who worked and lived in all three of the aforementioned worlds is sure to keep you on your toes.  While it is a thriller I found it to be less "scary" than other novels in its genre, which is something I liked.  Throughout the book looms a murder mystery that left me dying to know who the killer is, but leaves you hanging in suspense until the last minute.  In addition to this murder mystery there are numerous other compelling storylines going on that include power plays, sex, relationships, and lots of money and really keep your attention.  

Recommendation? I enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend giving it a read even if thrillers aren't your typical genre of choice.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This page turner is the definition of a thriller and much to my surprise I couldn't put it down.  The novel is a chilling read and the story could be straight out of an episode Law & Order: Special Victims Unit or Criminal Minds.  This book centers around the twenty year old unsolved mystery of a young college girl's disappearance and the aftermath.  It tells of how a family is ripped apart by the disappearance and how the family, especially the missing girl's sisters, is preyed upon and their issues further exacerbated by one person.  All of their eyes are opened though when that person, one of the sisters' husbands, is killed and their lives are all turned further upside down by what they learn next.

Recommendation? I would absolutely recommend it, however, if you don't like thrillers then this may be too much for you.  This book though has officially turned me onto thrillers and I read it in only two days because I needed to know what happened!

Don't Try to Find Me by Holly Brown

Touted as a cautionary tale for parents of teenagers this debut novel is what I would categorize as a "light" thriller.  This story is about a teenage girl who runs away from home and across the country to be with a boy that she met on Facebook.  The book focuses on the girl leaving home and the full scale social media campaign that her parents launch to get her back.  The narration alternates between the girl and her mother detailing both of their experiences in the time in which the girl is away from home.  In my opinion though this book focuses more on the familial relationships than anything else, which made it boring.  There's a (very) brief period of suspense, but that was not enough to hold my interest and throughout the book I found myself annoyed with both the mother and the daughter.

Recommendation? I would not recommend this one at all.  It felt like it took me forever to get through just because I was so bored and it did not hold my attention.  Compared to the other books I've read this was a snoozefest.

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

This is the book I'm currently reading and am finding it to be an intriguing mystery so far.  Another thriller, this book is about the kidnapping of a prominent Chicago judge's daughter, the impact it has, and the aftermath of her return home.  It shows the toll a high profile life can take on a family and that what is seen in the media is not always what is true.  It definitely leaves you guessing and I cannot wait to finish it and see what happens!

Recommendation? So far I would recommend it!  It's very interesting and makes me want to keep reading.

What books have you been reading recently?  I'm looking for some new recommendations so if you have any please share them!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Friday Favorites

Favorite Winter Look The Day After the Storm in Pink Faux Fur by Quartz & Leisure

We're heading in to Spring and we've been lucky enough to experience some very warm weather recently, but it is still winter and will still get cold again.  This look is super chic and works perfectly for this time of year.  Not to mention that jacket is just incredible!

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Favorite Jewels Rings from Natalie Marie Jewellery

I stumbled across these beauties on Pinterest and fell absolutely in love.  These rutilated Quartz pieces are gorgeous and are very "me."  I especially love the rose gold and pale pink one as it combines my two favorites.

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Favorite DIY How to Knit a Hat

I learned how to knit when I was a kid, but have gotten away from it in the past few year because of school.  Recently I've caught the knitting bug again and decided that I want to learn to create something more advanced than the basic scarves I know how to make.  This DIY from Wool and the Gang looks so easy and is the perfect place to start.  I cannot wait to use this tutorial to knit a hat!

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Favorite Beauty Product Live Beautifully Whipped Lip Butter in Double Vanilla

I talked about this lip balm I got in my Black Sheep Box in Wednesday's post.  This Live Beautifully Whipped Lip Butter in Double Vanilla is my latest beauty obsession.  First off this stuff smells incredible, it's so good sometimes I just open the jar to smell it.  Second, it's crazy moisturizing and feels amazing on your lips.  If you love lip balm, are in the market for a new one, or are a fan of anything vanilla this is a must have. 

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Favorite Shoes Guava Powder Rose Sandals

These were another Pinterest find that I could not stop swooning over.  They are also another very "me" piece that would go perfectly with my wardrobe.  I love everything about these especially the color and unique feather detail.  These would be great to wear all through spring and summer!

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What are your favorites this week?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Friday Favorites, Friday Favorites, Fab Favorites, Oh Hey Friday!, and Five on Friday.

All Natural Beauty with Black Sheep Box

If you've been following along for a while then you know that natural beauty is a favorite of mine and I make it a priority to use natural products when I can so when Black Sheep Box approached me to do a collaboration I jumped at the chance!  Black Sheep Box is a nature inspired beauty and skincare subscription box that creates their products in small batches with organic, sustainably sourced ingredients.  As you may also know I have a lot health problems and even more allergies (food, seasonal, environmental), which is why using natural products is so important to me and is a philosophy I share with Black Sheep Box.  On their website their founder, Nicole, explains, 

"My journey started in 2010 when my first child was born with (what seemed like) too many allergies. Even the big brands that touted “hypoallergenic” were not helping our baby’s skin! I was on a constant rotation of products until we finally settled on eco-friendly brands with simple ingredients that didn’t irritate skin. After months of searching and testing what worked, it was then that I discovered the value of small batch, handmade products. By the time I had my second child in 2012, I’d gone to the extreme of making everything at home (and cloth diapering, but that’s another story altogether)! My husband thought I was a little bit crazy at the time, but soon after he jumped on my ‘natural bandwagon’. Through all of our endeavors, we strive to source products and ingredients that are clean, simple and earth-friendly."

Black Sheep Box's products are all natural with easy to read (and understand) ingredients that still feel super luxe.  You have three options to purchase their products, which allow you to really choose what works best for you.  There's the Luxury Skincare Box in which you get three to five organic skincare and soap items, the Soap of the Month Box in which you are surprised each month with a bar of soap, or you can purchase products individually.

Each month I get the Luxury Skincare Box and so far I've recieved boxes for December and January.  I love subscription boxes because it is so much fun getting a new one to open each month!  This one is also even more fun because I am a skincare product junkie and love trying new ones!

In December's box there was a body scrub, soap, lip balm, and candle.  The Cocoa Mint Body Scrub smells amazing and did a great job of sloughing away dead skin.  The soap was Lemongrass Honeysuckle, which I was excited for because I always think all natural soaps are so fun.  The Passionfruit & Guava Candle is a pretty hot pink and has a crisp fresh scent.  My favorite in the entire box though was the Whipped Lip Butter in Double Vanilla, it smells incredible, is super buttery, and makes my lips so soft!

In December's box there was a facial mask, "bath tea," Lemongrass Honeysuckle soap, and hair tie.  The French Clay & Eucalyptus Facial Mask is great for acne prone skin and I was really happy to try the herbal bath tea soak because I had never used one before!

If you love all natural beauty products, subscription boxes, or are a skincare junkie like me then you definitely need to check out Black Sheep Box and try one of their subscriptions!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Midweek Inspo, WIWW, Oh Hey Girl!, I Feel Pretty, and Trendy Wednesday.