Beauty Journal: Haley Thompson

Welcome to the debut of my new interview series, Beauty Journal! We all want to know each others beauty secrets, so why not ask? I'll be grilling some of my favorite beauty-obsessed women about their skincare routines for the benefit of us all! First up is my dearest friend, Haley. Not only is she my oldest and best friend, but her makeup game is always on point, she prioritizes her skincare, and is an all-around bad-ass. I don't think I know anyone who is on top of her shit as much as Haley is, which is why she is the perfect subject for our first interview!

Tell us about yourself!

Oh, hello! My name is Haley and I am a clothing designer in Los Angeles, CA. Like Lourdes, I’m originally from Westlake Village and we first met in Kindergarten. It was a small, private school with small classes, so we were pretty much inseparable K-8 grade. We went to different high schools and colleges, but remained best friends over the years. She is my soul sister and to prove our friendship, we got matching anchor tattoos for our 20th anniversary of being best friends! I graduated from FIDM with a fashion degree in 2005 and I’ve been climbing the corporate ladder ever since. I have a dog named Wyn and a cat named Olive, who are pretty stinkin' cute. They surprisingly get along and even wrestle with each other.

Were you into makeup while you were growing up?

I was never really that interested in wearing makeup when I was a preteen until one day my mom came home from the drug store with an eyeshadow compact and subtly hinted that I start using it. It was metallic bronze and I wasn’t really sure how to apply it, but I’d would rub it on top of my eyelid with either my finger or the applicator. In high school, I became more interested in makeup and the Mac Store became my favorite treat. I only wore MAC eyeshadow and I started building a proud collection. I usually bought purple tones because they complimented my green eyes. I would line my top eyelid with a brown eyeshadow and just enough would accidentally fell to my lower eyelid, which gave me a light smokey eye. I never really got into lipstick growing up, but I was obsessed with MAC’s lipglass and couldn’t leave home without it.

When did you start wearing makeup or developing a skincare routine?

Since I was starting to wear makeup, I was also breaking out; nothing crazy, but a few pimples here and there. I’m not sure if it was my age or the makeup, but my mom was proactive about it and she really good about teaching me the importance of washing my face every evening and morning. She would buy me cleansers and toners from the local beauty supply and I followed the directions religiously. To this day, regardless of how tired I am, I always wash my face before bed.

What are your skincare and beauty priorities?

I started getting facials when I was about 20 and my aesthetician, who I still see, put me on a strict, yet simple, routine. Cleanser, toner, and moisturizer with SPF. Financially, I couldn’t get facials regularly and I was still breaking out, even on the strict routine. My aesthetician and I decided that I should try cutting out refined sugars from my diet and it really helped. I also started to eat as clean as possible; more veggies, berries, and grilled chicken or fish. I cut back on mac ‘n cheese, grilled cheese, and ice cream-- please note the phrase “cut back”. I definitely still indulge in cheese and dairy, but not as much as I used to. Oh, and no soda and no juice, unless it’s fresh/cold-pressed.

Fortunately, I can now afford to get a facial or a peel once a month. Though it adds up, I justify it as an investment to my skincare and anti-aging. Sometimes I get sucked into what products celebs are using and I’ll go buy it, but then when I see my aesthetician, she’ll say, “WTF did you do to your skin?!” She always knows when I stray from the routine and I can’t get anything past her. She always says that for my skin, “less is more” and it’s really true. Anti-aging and acne prevention have been my main skincare goals ever since. Now that I’m in my 30s, enough already with the pimples!

What’s your daily skincare routine?

Every morning I wash my face with IS Clinical Cleansing Complex, then tone with IS Clinical Copper Firming Mist, following by a moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 30. If I have a pimple, before moisturizer I’ll put on a little bit of Aczone (Rx from dermatologist). I’ve always had an oily T-zone and a dermatologist recommended that I use a mattifying gel called OC8. It’s pretty amazing and I bought it on Amazon. Then I put on my make up!

When I get home from work, I always wipe off my face with makeup remover cleansing cloths. My skin is really sensitive, so I use the basic night-time ones from CVS. Before bed, I wash, tone, and slather on a hydrating cream. If I have a pimple or break out, I put on a thin layer of a Benzoyl Peroxide gel that has sulphur in it. It’s 10% benzoyl and really strong, so a little goes a long way. It smells from the sulphur, which is why I only use it at night. I also use an eye cream, by IS Clinical. I recently bought a salt body scrub and I’m pretty obsessed with how soft it makes my skin, so I’ve been using it every few days in the shower. It’s “sweet almond and coconut” scent and absolutely divine.

What’s your signature beauty look?

I’m not the type of girl who can leave the house with just mascara on. I have a lot of pink in my skin tone and I’m self-conscious about my skin clarity. I use Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation and I’ve been using this one for over a year. It’s definitely my fave because it doesn’t make my face shiny or break out, it lasts all day, and looks pretty natural. I strictly use non-comedogenic products on my face, which has really helped to reduce the congestion in my skin, as well as break outs. I use NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes-- lucky for me, I have good genetics and dark circles are not a huge issue. I set the concealer and my t-zone with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder and then apply blush-- I use NARS. For my eyes, I really love the Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Stick in Rose Gold. It’s so easy to use and it’s a great base for powder eyeshadows, or alone. Then I’ll dust a little bit of a tonal eyeshadow on top and finish with mascara. No eyeliner. I used to do a skinny cat eye with liquid eyeliner, but decided I wanted to go with more a natural look for everyday. I use Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara and it really is the best, natural-looking mascara. I recently had my eyelashes tinted for the first time. I was so scared to do it, in fear of going blind, but it was no biggie. I loved the idea of not having to wear mascara every day and it really made my eyes pop! Eyelash tinting probably won’t become part of my routine, but I would definitely do it again. Lastly, I brush my eyebrows and finish with a brow gel. I have some serious eyebrows. In high school, a girl once told me I looked like Groucho Marx, but my grandmother always said I had Brooke Shield’s eyebrows. I then started to get my eyebrows waxed and shaped and the woman who did them would say in a thick Italian accent “these things grow like weeds!” I’ve been getting my brows done regularly ever since, but it became an expensive investment. I was going every 4 weeks and only going to the best eye brow artists in town because I didn’t trust anyone else with them after having a few horrible experiences. Earlier this year, I read about Kristie Streicher, the creator of the "feathered brow.” She embraces the full, natural brow and I realized that’s what I needed to do; I’ve been seeing her ever since and only go every 6-7 weeks. Life-changing! For lips, I wear the Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh and it’s the right amount of color. I love that there’s SPF in it and it doesn’t leave a weird taste in your mouth, which most SPF chapsticks will do.

For a night out I’ll do all of the above except use a darker eyeshadow, maybe a cat eye, and a red lip, depending on my outfit.  

What’s your secret weapon?

Facials and peels have really been the best for my skin. My aesthetician developed her own peel and it’s a “no downtime” peel, which is convenient and the results are really amazing. I try to get a facial every 6 weeks, with a peel in between each appointment. I’m not brave enough to try Botox yet, but I know friends who get it regularly and they look great. I think people should do anything that makes them feel beautiful.

What’s your favorite pizza topping?

My current fave has ricotta cheese, heirloom tomato, and pesto.

Wyn in all his majestic glory. Haley's eyebrows in all their majestic glory.

Hair: Do you change it often or do you have a signature look that you stick with?

I was born a toe-head that evolved into a dirty, mousy blonde. I slowly started doing blonde highlights, which became blonder and blonder over the years. I usually have a chin-length bob with a side-swept bang. Whenever I try to grow out my hair, I get impatient with the awkward stage and chop it off. Having a blonde base, last year I decided to dye my hair a soft pink and it felt really natural for me! Working in a creative industry, it was totally acceptable and everyone loved it-- even my parents. It washes out after a month or so and I switch back and forth between blonde and pink. My hair is pretty fine and due to the bleach, my hair can get quite crunchy and damaged. I’ve found that Pureology shampoo and conditioner keep my bleached locks the softest. Every other week, I use a purple shampoo to brighten the blonde. I recently started putting coconut oil on my hair-- just once a week and I’ll leave on for an hour or two before rinsing out. I think it’s helping. Also, since it’s been so hot, I’ve been letting my hair air dry. While my hair is damp, I run Leonor Greyl oil through my hair-- it smells amazing and gives my hair a nice shine. It’s pricey, but I bought it over a year ago and still have a third of the bottle left. I put it on dry hair, too, when I don’t feel like using other product. If I’m going to blow dry my hair, I spray Davines Melu Shield first, which helps protect from the heat. When dry, I mix some gloss by Kenra with Davines Invisible Serum and run through my hair, which gives my hair some texture. I try to wash my hair every 2-3 days and in between, I spray with dry shampoo. My faves are by Rene Furterer and Klorane-- they smell really good and work the best on my hair. I like to alternate between the two so my hair doesn’t get used to them.

Do you have any bad beauty habits?

I’m a picker! I love doing extractions on myself, which I know is a really bad habit. I have a good technique that doesn’t give me scars and it feels so rewarding. Sorry, not sorry.

If you have one, who or what is your beauty inspiration?

I’m a fan of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller for all things beauty and style. I also loved my grandmother’s beauty routine. It was so simple: wash face, put on Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (the famous yellow one), a little bit of concealer or powder, and her signature red-orange lipstick. I hope someday my routine could be that simple.

If you were stranded on a desert island with three products, what would they be?

Sunscreen, Chapstick, and contacts/glasses.

1994 in our dance team outfits.

How do you pamper yourself?

With a demanding, stressful job, I love me some “Haley-time.” In moderation this includes naps, pedicures, red wine, dark chocolate, and going out for yummy meals. I really love Thai massages-- bend me like a pretzel and fold me like a lawn chair and I’m happy. I also get acupuncture a few times a month, which has had so many great benefits to my overall health and well-being.

And lastly, what’s the worst beauty trend you ever tried?

It’s a tie for when I went through an emo stage in high school and dyed my hair almost black and a few years ago when I decided to get hair extensions. They were done really well and great quality, but they just weren’t for me and I only had them in for a few months.

Thanks, Haley!