Name: Laurie Leopold
Location: Chicago, IL
Day job/current gig: I work in public relations as an account supervisor for an agency in Chicago.
Hangouts online: 312beauty.com,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (guaranteed at least one Boston Terrier picture each week!) and Pinterest
Current favorite product: RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sacred — the perfect daytime red!
Beauty inspirations: The current J. Crew catalog, Lana Del Ray in Fashion Canada’s summer issue, Jessica Chastain always.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Natural
What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?
My go-to complexion staples are RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up and Living Luminizer. I love Urban Decay neutral eye shadows, especially the new soft gold Easy Baked and NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Capartes. For lips, the ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioners take the cake! And In My Room is the perfect, wear-with-everything neutral.
When did you start getting into makeup?
I started young with an impressive Bonne Bell collection and regularly rode my bike to Walgreens to buy eye shadow starting when I was 13. But it wasn’t until after college that my makeup bag really started overflowing.
What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?
Two products: bronzer and highlighter. A few strategic dabs and sweeps of each, and I can pretty much forgo all other makeup.
What’s your favorite beauty tool?
The Sultra Bombshell has changed my hair game. Before I discovered it, my super-straight hair could never successfully hold a curl. It is unbelievably easy to use — so long as you use the provided glove! Trust me, you only need to make that mistake once.
What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?
Don’t tug or rub your eyes, ever. My sister-in-law shared this with me at 15, and it stuck with me. I credit this nugget for keeping the wrinkles at bay. 

What’s your skincare routine?
In a word, extensive. I love my facial oils! I always remove my makeup with an oil-based cleanser. Lately I’ve been using a new cleansing oil from Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics that smells like papayas. I layer on my serums and moisturizers in the a.m. and p.m. and use Kahina Giving Beauty Brightening Serum every morning, followed by RMS Beauty Oil or Weleda Wild Rose Facial Lotion and a healthy amount of SPF. When I need more intense moisture, I reach for my La Bella Figura Rainforest Hydration Treatment. It’s a thicker balm, but when you massage it with your fingers it turns into an oil.
It’s heavenly. I save the masking and relaxing for Sundays — lately with Osmia Organics Detox Mask, which also doubles as an exfoliator.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?
Lip tattoos! Temporary, of course, because I am relatively conservative with anything of a permanent nature (see hair dye sins below). While I totally appreciate these, I don’t think it’s something that looks good on me.
Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?
Most days, I wear a neutral eye. Neutral cream color all over, soft brown in the crease and black liquid liner with lots of lash. It’s my go-to easy natural look.
Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”
I’ve made several poor decisions with hair dye. In my teenage years, I bleached my hair to a horrid shade of orange. Not on purpose, of course.
It was bad. And then there was my early 20s where I dyed my hair black. I thought I was so fly at the time, but I just look pale and washed out in all the pictures.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
Nordstrom, Anthropologie and LOFT are my big three. BaubleBar for jewels — to the point where I’ve made multiple orders in a single week — and Spirit Beauty Lounge, Birchbox and Sephora for beauty.
Anything else you want to share?
Yes! One of my newest discoveries has me really jazzed. For years, I’ve been searching for a natural mascara that actually works. After many tubes of smeary, smudgy, flaky and disappointing formulas, I finally found one that rivals nearly all others — natural or otherwise. Kjaer Weis Mascara is not only 99.8% organic, it plumps up my lashes and lasts all day without flaking. Bonus: it smells like roses.
Aahhh! Another blogger enabling my want for a Boston Terrier! I need to check out that mascara. I too have been disappointed by naturals but refuse to give up 🙂
Alison, Having a Boston is the BEST! So much personality and sass. Give the Kjaer Weis a try – it’s great overall (not “great for a natural product” which I love!)
Love how this turned out, Karen! And Betty is THRILLED to be sharing the same internet space as Tabs:)
Aw, Betty is so cute!!
Monica
Thanks, Monica! She says thank you:)
Great advice from your sister! I don’t remember when I first heard or read about how bad rubbing your eyes can be, but it always stuck with me too and I am always very gentle with my eye contour. The longer those wrinkles stay away, the better!
Thank you, Laurie, for mentioning our new cleansing oil. It is loaded with papaya oil and papain-thrilled that you enjoy the scent.
Totally crushing on Betty! My first dog love was a Boston Terrier and they are just an amazing breed.
Alison, get yourself a little Boston TERROR! We have 2 girls like sweet Betty and they are such joy. Laurie, thank you for the great ideas!
Betsy, aww, thanks:) Betty is a sweetheart (and a terror – haha!) Bostons have the best personalities. She’s tricked me into thinking she is a human.
I love that necklace so much…I searched for it on Baublebar to no avail. Undaunted, I sleuthed around and finally found it at J Crew–on sale! WOO and thanks for helping to end my search for the **perfect** statement necklace for me. 🙂
That one actually IS from J Crew — I snagged it at the Factory store not too long ago. It is perfect! You will love!
I am so excited to get that mascara! I haven’t found anything even remotely near “organic” or “all natural” that works either. My favorite is Fairydrops, but the list of ingredients still makes me cringe when I think about them. Thanks!
Stacey, I have been on a mission for a good natural mascara for what feels like ever. Kjaer Weis nailed it – it performs better than some of my not so naturals. Plus, I love the refill option!
I have 2 Boston Terriers. Betty is so cute. They are the best dogs ever!
Siobhanne – TWO Bostons?! You are a lucky mama! I’ve got my hands full with just one. They are the best.
We totally have the same makeup style.
Cute dog!
Thanks, Amy:) She is my heart – love my pup! And you have great taste (lol!)
I think not rubbing at eyes is the best beauty tip too!
Hey Laurie! I loved your post! I’ll have to try the RMS luminizer. For those of you who are searching for a good natural mascara let me recommend Besame Cosmetics vintage mascara. It’s all natural and stays perfectly! It also smells like gingerbread cookies! It’s made in California by Gabriela Hernandez. They specialize in vintage beauty cosmetics. They’re a delicious beauty secret! :). Cheers from Kansas!
I am LOVING this series, Karen!! GREAT idea!
Laurie, LYLASGS – Love Ya Like A Skincare Guru Sistah! Your posts always inspire me to think more about skincare, and it was you who first introduced me to One Love Organics! For that I will be forever grateful! 😀
I cannot imagine you with black hair! Think you may need to post some for the next edition of throwback Thursday. 😉 Hugs to you and Betty!