Hauls Archives - Page 3 of 7 - The Beauty Look Book

New Spring Beauty Launches Worth the Splurge

March 5, 2021

Happy Friday – I’m excited to share a roundup today with 10 new spring beauty launches I think are worth the splurge! I have a mix of makeup for eyes, lips and cheeks that I’ve been testing out recently and have teamed up with Nordstrom to share a look at some of my favorite haul picks.

(Top photo wearing MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35, Gucci Pressed Powder in Shade 5, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette in Golden Nudes, Laura Mercier Blush in Fresco + Bellini, Charlotte Tilbury HappiPeach)

Foundation + Powder

MAC recently launched their new Studio Fix Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation and it is amazing! It’s a solid cream foundation described as a lightweight sweat and humidity-resistant foundation with medium coverage and a natural matte finish. It’s like a foundation dream come true! Coverage is medium and it smooths the skin in the most beautiful way. This one lasts all day, melts beautifully into the skin, covers my imperfections and dark spots. I like that it doesn’t cake or crease and looks nice and fresh all day. Shade-wise I picked up both NC30 and NC35, I can wear either shade (wearing NC35 in this post).

Bare skin vs MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35:

As a lover of cushion foundations, I couldn’t be happier to learn that Chantecaille launched a new one. The Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation is a water based formula with medium dewy coverage and long lasting power. I like that it is both blurring and smoothing at the same time – when you press it into the skin it melts in nicely and is easy to blend. Once it sets it stays put and does not budge. The Shade in Wheat is my perfect match.

The Gucci Poudre de Beaute Mat Naturel Pressed Powder has finally arrived in the US! It’s a sheer medium powder that is lightweight powder that sets foundation in a very natural way. You can use the sponge for more coverage but I like applying with a brush. It’s nice for touch ups and feels comfortable on the skin. It has a floral scent but it did not irritate my skin. I have been using Shade 04 or 05 and both work for my skin tone.

Cheeks

I’ve written about a number of different blush favorites from NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel and a few other brands, but my latest obsession is the Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion Powder Blush. I’ve been loving Fresco for a perfect natural soft tan with a hint of shimmer. I recently bought Ginger which is lighter and it gives the prettiest soft tan peach glow. There are four newer shades that are perfect for that natural glow. Guava is a light pale peach, Bellini is a pretty bright light peach, Watermelon is a pale pink with a light pearl finish, Passionfruit is a softer pink. If you want a good soft natural blush that won’t oxidize or look muddy, I highly recommend checking out the colors from Laura Mercier.

Eye Makeup

Two new eye discoveries include the Bobbi Brown Real Nudes Eyeshadow Palettes in Golden Nudes and the Gucci Stylo des Yeux Eye Pencil in Noir. The Bobbi Brown Golden Nudes palette has the perfect mix of neutrals in golden and brown tones for a polished eye look. If you want shimmers that aren’t super frosty or too trendy this one is a great one to look into. The middle shade looks orangey but on the eyes it’s perfect to warm up the eye for a summery look!

A number of you have asked for a smudge-proof eyeliner and I think I’ve found a new favorite. The Gucci Stylo des Yeux Eye Pencil in Noir is smooth, ultra pigmented and once it sets it does not budge. I picked one shade in black to try, but based on how long it lasts I think I’m going to try a couple more shades.

Neutral Lips

You girls know I’m such a huge nude lip lover! I picked up some new shades to try. The new Rouge Dior Lipstick in 100 Nude Look (matte) combined with the matching Contour Lip Liner in 100 Nude Look is my perfect everyday neutral. The matte lipstick is a full coverage weightless matte that has a smooth finish (no tugging!). The lip pencil is a long wear formula that helps extend the wear of the lipsticks.

Bobbi Brown added some new shades to the Crushed Lipstick formula and I picked up Buff which is a lighter neutral pink beige. It has smooth medium-to-full coverage and it comes in a wide range of shades and undertones. I really like this one! I swatched these next to a few others from MAC for reference including the classic Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy, new Powder Kiss Lipstick in Teddy 2.0, Powder Kiss Liquid Lip in Date Maker, and Lip Pencil in Subculture.

If you’re looking for a tinted balm with lots of pigment, definitely check out the Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balms. This a rich glossy balm with lots of color. Crystal Happikiss (soft pink) is one of the sheerer ones but still shows up on my lips. Happi Peach is a pretty pigmented peach. Pillow Talk is a soft rose (this formula is warmer than the lipstick version). Enchanting Kiss is the prettiest rose pink. Lasting power is medium since it’s a balm but if you add a lip liner underneath you can extend the wear. They’re comfortable and hydrating with a subtle vanilla scent.

Makeup looks wearing MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35, Gucci Pressed Powder in Shade 5, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette in Golden Nudes, Laura Mercier Blush in Fresco + Bellini.

That wraps up my new beauty roundup! If you’ve been looking at any of these newer launches I hope you found the swatches and review helpful! You can find all of my picks at Nordstrom.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions my own. All items featured purchased by me.

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Hauls Sephora

Sephora Haul

February 24, 2021

I’m back with a Sephora haul roundup! I’ve been trying a few new things over the past several weeks and have a comprehensive roundup on some new makeup, skincare and hair care tries. This is more of a combination of several hauls in one post. I feel like my testing process can take a while on some of the things!

Hair Care

My hair salon recently started carrying Kerastase and my stylist uses their line on my hair when I get a cut + toner treatment. She’s used both the Kerastase Resistance Serum Therapiste for Severely Damaged Hair and Kerastase Resistance Ciment Themique Blow-Dry Primer for Damaged Hair when she blow dries my hair. I’ve used both in the past many years ago. I like them both for a leave-in heat protectant and sealant.

The Blow Dry Primer is a heat protectant and helps protect hair from breakage. The Serum from what I’m told is a heat protectant and also repairs damage and can also be used on the scalp. To me they both perform the same – I alternate between the two. By now my highlighted ends are almost all the way grown out and I feel like it’s a lot healthier now. I don’t get as much breakage and these two products definitely help on the ends.

I also picked up a mini of the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil Serum as a finishing product to add shine. I think it’s a good one, but still prefer my Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Oil. Also Kerastase oils and serums are heavily fragranced, and I think it’s hit or miss depending on your preferences.

The IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Anti-Frizz Smoothing Spray was a mini from a beauty insider bonus. I also had this a few years ago but go through so much product to try and test out I don’t often repurchase the smoothing or styling products. This is a nice smoothing spray that is supposed to mimic the results of a keratin treatment (which I’ve never had). You mist over damp hair evenly and then blow dry in sections to seal in the product with the heat. I’m still undecided about this. I like it but it’s not 100% love. It looks like they recently added two other items the Good Behavior Smoothing Balm and Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray which look interesting.

I also ordered the T3 Clip Kit and extra Slip Scrunchies. I’m always losing my hair ties and hair clips as I am forever leaving them in random places around the house. The clips are similar to the ones from the Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips. I use these to hold up hair in sections while I dry out portions. I like them! They’re easy to use, sturdy and functional.

Makeup Haul Picks

For makeup I hauled a bunch of lip products from Fenty including Fenty Lil Gloss Bombs Mini Lip Duo + Keychain Holder. Pink Dragonfly is a shimmery rose gold color I hope they make in a full size version. It also comes with Fenty Glow which is one of my favorite colors.

I picked up 3 of the Fenty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream in Fenty Glow (pretty soft pink), Mauve Wives (light purple), and Fruit Snackz (berry). They are all creams with a high shine. Pigment is medium to full and finish is semi thick but not sticky. I like Fenty Glow the best. I am forever hoping I can find a lilac purple lip I can pull off but have yet to find one. I think it’s just not my color. Swatches of the newer ones next to a few others I have:

Dior added a new shade of the Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss in Ultra Pink. It’s a pretty fresh pink with a hint of shimmer. I may purchase a backup of this one because it’s limited edition and I like how fresh and pretty it looks on the lips.

The new Lancome Lash Idole Mascara was a total miss for me. Based on a poll I did on Instagram, 75% of you also did not like it. For me it didn’t really do much for my lashes. It didn’t hold the curl, it flaked, didn’t add a lot of volume.

The Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is a new favorite. A lot of you wanted swatches so I’ve added them below. I like that it has a good mix of warms and neutrals. The colors for me are perfect everyday kind of shades. The shimmery colors are best as a topper for me to wear on top of the mattes to add a glimmer to the lids. I like to dab the lighter colors on the lids with fingers, the medium and deeper shimmers apply well with fingers or a brush. I think pigment and texture is pretty good! It’s one I can see myself wearing the rest of the year if I had to stick with 1 palette for an entire year, this would be it.

A number of you had asked for my thoughts on Rare Beauty. When it launched I had zero interest in the line, but my bestie convinced me to try some things. I had high hopes for the Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balms but found them so sheer they barely show up on my lips. Formula is nice and smooth and if you need just a hint of color they’re nice. I can see these being better suited for those who don’t wear a lot of makeup or people just getting into makeup. If you like to wear lip liners and then add a bit of gloss on top these are nice to add shine and hydration.

The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blushes exceeded my expectations. I tried two in Nearly Rose and Nearly Apricot. In general I am not a fan of cream products for my normal/combination skin. They rarely last and get greasy looking within an hour or so. These have a nice dry down so when they’re blended they almost have a matte finish. Colors are easy to wear and naturally flattering. Lasting power is pretty good as we have mild climate right now. However since they are creams I don’t really expect them to have good lasting power once the weather warms up here in Florida.

I think my favorite from the Rare Beauty line is the Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight. These come with a sponge tip applicator you can dab onto the cheekbones or anywhere you want a highlight. I like that the finish blends out to a very thin finish and nice dry down so it’s not emollient. Transcend is a pretty rose pink and Flaunt is a soft copper gold. They’re glowy in a very nice way!

Below wearing the Nearly Rose Melting Cream Blush + Transcend Liquid Luminizer and Nearly Rose Glossy Lip Balm. Brush is the Real Techniques Brush 200 (available at Target, Ulta, Walmart).

Swatches of my Rare Beauty haul picks, top to bottom:

Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm
Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush
Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight

For bases I have been playing around with the Urban Decay Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator Foundation in Shade 50 for a few weeks now. It’s a creamy medium coverage base best suited for normal to dry skin. I love the color and finish! It looks very natural and gives the skin a healthy kind of glow. Unfortunately it’s a bit too heavy and dewy for my skin type. If you have dry skin I think you will love this. For me I prefer the Chanel CC Cream for a similar finish/coverage (I wear Shade 40 in the Chanel). The Chanel has a similar texture in the sense it feels semi thick on the skin, but for me the Chanel lasts a lot longer.

Last thing for makeup is the Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder. This comes in a pretty decent range of colors. I have four to show you below. Two were sent as press samples and I thought they might be too light so I ordered the next two darker shades. The finish is sheer and very lightweight. I do think it’s best for normal combination skin – if you have super dry skin it may be too matte for you unless you use a very dewy base underneath. My best match is either Feathery or Comfy. It sets foundation in a very lightweight and natural way with a sheer finish. I still prefer the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush or MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder better for a pressed setting powder but this new Kosas formula is still very good.

Skin + Fragrance

To wrap up my haul I have a couple skincare items I wanted to talk about. Fresh launched their Kombucha 2-in-1 No-Rinse Cleanser & Prebiotic Treatment and I really like this as a cleansing water. I’ll use this as a first step to remove face makeup before I workout and then follow with a regular cleanser. I also use this after I cleanse (almost like a toner) to make sure all my makeup is removed. Even with regular cleansing sometimes the long-wear makeup is still left on the skin. This is why I always double cleanse if I’m wearing sunscreen or makeup. I really like this one – it’s soothing and hydrating without leaving a film on the skin.

Farmacy launched their new Whipped Greens Oil-free Foaming Cleanser a few months ago and as a huge fan of the Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser and Green Clean Balm, I had to try this one. It’s a nice foaming cleanser but I found it a little too drying for my skin right now. We are still in the dry season here and it’s a little too stripping for my face. I have used up quite a bit of this though – I’ll use it after a sweaty workout to clean out my pores. In general I think it’s a good one – but one that will probably be better for my skin once the humidity and heat returns to Florida. For winter it’s a bit too strong.

Last we have a look at two fragrances. I love a few of the REPLICA perfumes and when Bubble Bath launched I was super curious and ordered the travel size. Perfume is so personal so I hope you won’t be offended if you love this one when I say that it’s not for me. I found it too powdery and very soapy and it did not mix well with my skin. For a fresh scent I prefer their Lazy Sunday Morning or their Beach Walk for a summery scent. For me this was a miss although based on the online reviews it seems to be very popular.

One I do really love is the new Atelier Cologne Lemon Island. I have a number of their scents that I like to keep in my purse with me. I don’t consider myself a lemon lover when it comes to perfumes but this one has a really interesting mix of lemon, jasmin and vanilla with a salty feel. I think it’s a really nice scent to wear for warm weather and since I live in Florida I think it’s perfect!

That wraps up my Sephora haul. Hope you enjoyed reading! If you’ve hauled anything new or restocked on anything fun let me know in the comments!

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Press samples include the Fresh Kombucha No-Rinse Cleanser, Kosas Cloud Set in Breezy + Feathery, Atelier Cologne Lemon Island.

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Fashion Hauls

Cozy Slipper Try-On Haul

December 11, 2020

Happy Friday! We made it through another week and I cannot believe it is almost Christmas time! I have a cozy slipper try-on haul roundup with my hits and misses. I tried several different styles and here are my thoughts on each style plus sizing. If you have any favorites I would LOVE it if shared your loves! It’s rarely cold enough to need slippers here in Florida although we’ve been through several years of cold seasons and my toes have been in need of something to keep them warm at home.

1 // Fuzzy Open-Toe Slippers

Women’s Cross Band Slippers Soft Plush Open Toe House Shoes from Amazon in New Camel and New Cream ($24.99 each) – I’m usually a 6.5 in most shoes, based on the reviews I ordered the 5-6 and it fits perfectly. I have narrow-ish feet and these fit me perfectly. They are a little snug but will loosen up a little with a couple of wears. Love that they’re breathable, soft, fluffy, anti-skid and have a nice foam cushion on the base.

Above also wearing: James Perse Relaxed Crop Pullover in White, Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Leggings in Chestnut, mirror from West Elm, mirror in background from Anthropologie, Sheepskin Rug from Pottery Barn

2 // Ugg Fluffette Slippers

Ugg Fluffette Slippers in Goat ($89.85) – These are fluffy and comfortable on my feet, but they’re not the softest. I ordered a 7 based on the reviews and agree that you should probably size up a ½ size if you’re in between sizes. Compared to other ones I tried the Fluffettes aren’t as soft. I wish I had opted for their classic Scuffette II but Andrew said they looked hideous on my feet so I did not buy them.

Also wearing: Lululemon Align Leggings in the 21” Crop Length (also love the 25” Length)

3 // Naked Cashmere Mules

Naked Cashmere Mule Slippers in Mink ($95) – I bought the S/M and they fit but are slightly big on me. These have the best cushiony sole out of all the ones I tried, but the front is semi-wide/loose. They don’t fall off my feet but I would have liked them a little more snug. The upside of them being a little loose on me is that my feet don’t get too hot or sweaty as air can circulate around the sides. Since they are cashmere you can’t machine wash these.

The ones I bought unfortunately have sold out, but you can still find them in the Love Mule Slipper style and Emory Mule Slipper. If you want a Bootie style they still have their Da Booties in stock.

Also wearing: Everlane Perform Legging in the Ankle Length (prefer the Lululemon Align or Alo Yoga 7/8 ones), side table from West Elm, tray from Nespresso, mug is Le Creuset, hot chocolate stirrer from Trader Joe’s

4 // APL Shearling Slide

Also wearing: Everlane Perform Legging in the Ankle Length

APL Shearling Slide in Pristine/Black ($150) – I’m the biggest fan of all things APL and when they launched their shearling slide I ordered them immediately. The Pristine/Black is my favorite of the colors I ordered and it’s still available in most sizes. I hope they restock the other colors. I wear their sneakers in a Size 7 (same size as I wear in Nike) and I wear the Slides in a 6 because I have narrow feet. They’re an exact fit for me although if they made ½ sizes it would be even better. Andrew is a 12 or 12 ½ for sneakers and wears the slides in a 12.

5 // Madewell Sherpa Scuff Slippers

Madewell Sherpa Scuff Slippers ($45) – These are still available right now at Zappos (I ordered mine from Madewell but they sold out there). These are probably my favorite out of the ones I bought. They’re basic but soft and cushiony. They do run wide but on me they’re comfortable and cozy. You can also find similar options in their Suede Scuff and Recycled Faux Fur Quilted (at Madewell, Shopbop and Nordstrom).

Above also wearing: Everlane Perform Legging in the Ankle Length, glass side table from West Elm, boucle chair and ottoman from Article

My favorites are the ones I ordered from Amazon and Madewell. The Uggs are my least favorite. I might exchange them for the Scuffette even though Andrew doesn’t approve of the look. I’ve bought him the men’s version before and he liked those on his feet lol.

I’m sure by now you’ve already found your favorite cozy at home slippers, but in case you’re looking for some new ones to try I hope you find this roundup helpful!

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Hauls Sephora

Mini Sephora Haul

December 9, 2020

I have a mini Sephora Haul to share – I ordered some things online for their Sephorathon promo that ends today 12/9. I restocked on a couple things and also bought some items I had my eye on. Use code SAVE2020 online at Sephora to save depending on tier. You can also use the code in store (ends today) – it’s a one-time use promo:

Rouge Members Save $25 off a $75 purchase
VIBs Save $20 off a $75 purchase
Insiders can Save $15 off a $75 purchase

P.S. for those who want to know, opening image details: nail polish is Essie Expressie Crop Top and Roll, side table is West Elm, chair is the Article Turoy Boucle Chair

Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser – one of my favorites to help prevent acne. I’ve raved about this one so many ties, it’s REALLY the best one to help with acne-prone skin. I ran out (even though I had recently restocked), stopped using it and started getting a wave of breakouts. It could have been from a number of things (hormones, stress, extra sweat) but when I use this I feel like it truly helps keep my breakouts under control, especially with the mask wearing.

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Sol de Janeiro Hand Sanitizer Spray is back in stock at Sephora. It doesn’t leave a sticky film and I love how it smells just like their body cream/shower gel. I ordered a couple more because I’m obsessed. The current version has a clear bottle (original one had a tinted bottle). Makeup bag below is from The Daily Edited (large size), also reviewed here.

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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils have been on my radar as I used to use and love Peyote and Naked2 a lot. These have a smooth texture with a lot of great neutrals. I ordered 1993 (90’s-ish brown), Rush (rose pink), and Naked2 (nude pink). I swatched it next to Liar (deeper rose) and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk.

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Lawless The Little One Eyeshadow Palette was on my radar and I have mixed feelings about this one. I haven’t had a chance to try it on my eyes yet since it just arrived but upon swatching it I feel like the powders have a LOT of powdery kick up. Also the colors look a little dry/chalky on the skin with my arm/hand swatches. The Anastasia Beverly Hills or Natasha Denona Palettes seem to have a much better texture and color payoff. I will keep you posted once I get a chance to try it on my face.

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Last I ordered the Too Faced Hangover Rx Pillow Talk Balm. I had this one a while ago but gifted it away (brand new) to a friend and decided to buy one for myself again. It has a cushiony feel, glides on nicely, smells almost like a minty pina colada with a cooling sensation. Tingle is minimal. So far I really like it!

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Did you haul anything during the Sephorathon promo? Or did you already shop a lot during Black Friday/Cyber Week?

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Hauls Nordstrom

Fall Beauty Staples + New Finds

October 21, 2020

I’m excited to share a roundup of my fall beauty staples with some new finds from Nordstrom! I am thrilled to report that I have found a new holy grail hydration duo for hands and lips. Also by popular request I ordered a few of the new YSL lip stains to swatch and try for the season. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom today to share some new favorites along with a few staples that are going to be versatile throughout the year.

Foundation, Concealer and Powder

For my foundation I’ve been reaching for three things recently. For a minimalist natural glow the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is the best I’ve tried and one I’ve repurchased multiple times. For extra coverage or a long-wear formula I love the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion (I wear Dusk 3W1) or the Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation (I wear Natural 6.0 and Sable 6.5). These three are my no-fail go-to’s I think will suit a wide range of skin types.

Concealer-wise I think the Cle de Peau Concealer Stick is the best for full coverage. I currently wear Buff to spot conceal because it’s an exact match for my skin. If I want brightening I’ll go with Ocher. For under eyes the Cle de Peau Corrector for Eyes is an opaque but easy to blend formula with a brush applicator. This is what I’ve been using under eyes recently to conceal dark circles and brighten the under eye area. I think it’s 100% worth the splurge. If you want something more affordable you can’t go wrong with the ones from Laura Mercier and NARS – they’re versatile and have a nice shade range.

For powder long-time readers know that the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium is my holy grail and I still love it. I’m also a huge fan of the Sisley Blur Expert to give the skin a soft diffused evened out finish. This is my second compact and although spendy I think it’s a great product to give the skin a luminous matte look.

For touch-ups I think the Charlotte Tilbury Air-Brush is one of the softest retractable powder brushes I’ve ever tried. You can use it for bronzer or powder. I like that it has a protective cap.

The Best Cheek Palette

I’ve been really loving the Hourglass Sculpture Ambient Lighting Edit Palette. It’s the one cheek palette I brought with me on a recent trip and I used it the entire time. It has everything I need in one compact! I love how natural and flattering the glow is. I’ve been pairing it with the No 28 Lip Treatment Oil in Bare (also love Adorn and Cameo) for a healthy pink glow.

Eye Makeup Staples

For eye makeup I get so many requests for a good all-matte neutral-cool palette recommendation. This can be harder to find these days as most palettes have warm shades or something with shimmer. The Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Mink Mirage is the best neutral-cool matte quad. It has classic colors that you can wear everyday. Colors are smooth, opaque and easy to blend. I find myself reaching for this a lot! You can dress it up by adding more of the deep brown or black for a smokey look.

For mascara I’ve been really impressed with the NARS Climax Extreme – it gives length, volume and holds the curl with no smudging on me. It has an extreme dark pigment which coats the lashes in a bolder look.

Another product I use weekly is the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold. It’s my go-to all over base color to add a bit of glow. They just launched a Mini Caviar Stick Set for holiday with Au Naturel (cool-neutral beige), Rosegold (shimmery champagne, the color I use almost daily as a base), Intense Moonlight (sparkling taupe) and Magnetic Pink (metallic pale pink). If you’re new to the formula I think the minis are a nice way to try different colors.

New YSL Lips

YSL launched new Water Glow Lip Stains which are a gloss/stain hybrid that lasts long and leaves a glow. I picked four shades to try and think they’re lovely! They do darken and deepen once they set for a bolder color. I am wearing 207 Illegal Rosy Nude in the opening photo of this blog post. Other colors I picked include 203 Restricted Pink (healthy brighter pink), 202 Insurgent Red (brown red) and 211 Transgressive Cacao (plum mauve). They leave a stain on the lips but it’s not impossible to remove at the end of the day. Overall look to me is more glossy than a traditional stain but I really like these. They have that signature sweet YSL lip scent.

While at the counter one of the beauty stylists recommended the Lip Pencil in 04 Rose Fume which is the most perfect pink mauve I think I have ever seen. It’s creamy and smooth and I can’t wait to use it more this season.

Cozy Scents for Fall

The weather has definitely shifted and fall has arrived although it’s still warm here. My go-to citrus scents seem a bit out of place so I’ve been wearing the new Jo Malone Fig and Lotus Flower Cologne (perfect fig scent) and started wearing my Byredo Bal D’Afrique again (mix of bergamot, vetiver and cedar). I think both are unique and long-lasting.

My top two candles for the home are Diptyque Santal (soft creamy sandalwood) and Baies (blackcurrant and rose). They make the home smell cozy and they both brighten the mood in different ways! Holiday sets just launched and the Mini 5 Piece Set is always a great way to sample them if you haven’t tried them before! It also makes the cutest gift.

Must-Have Skincare Treats

I picked up two sets from La Mer and am in LOVE! The Rejuvenating Hydration Set has a mini Hand Treatment which is super silky and hydrating and a full sized Lip Volumizer which is a hydrating lip serum. The Lip Volumizer is more of a plumping product versus a balm but it feels smooth and softens my lips. You can use it under balm or lip color, but for me it feels smooth enough to use as a balm. I have been a huge fan of the La Mer Hand Serum and decided to give this set a try because it has a mini of the Hand Treatment. I think once this is used up I’ll splurge on the full size.

The Mini Miracle Broth Set is another one I picked up, mainly for a recent vacation as it has 4 minis of the Cleansing Foam, Treatment Lotion, Regenerating Serum and Moisturizing Soft Cream. It worked well for our trip and I think it’s a great starter set to try their products. There are different variations during the holiday, so I’d recommend finding one with the lotion or moisturizer formula you prefer. I really like the Soft Cream or Soft Lotion so this one was perfect for me.

That wraps up my fall beauty staples post! I have quite a bit in rotation right now but wanted to put together an edited roundup of the things I’ve been reaching for the most. As always I’d love to hear what you have in rotation right now! Or if you have any new beauty finds let me know in the comments! If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase page.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. All items purchased by me. As always all opinions are my own.

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Hauls Nordstrom Sales

Best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Deals 2020

August 19, 2020

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens up to the public today! Today I’m rounding up the best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty deals with my haul picks for makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair. Starting today they will also be launching Daily Deals with special savings and promos for beauty. Also if you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase section as they update it frequently. My haul picks are primarily focused on makeup sets – I think there are some really good bundles and palettes this year!

NARS Sur La Plage Full Size Lip Balm Set $49 – NARS has some really cute sets this year and I was pleasantly surprised to find this super cute trio! The Afterglow Lip Balm formula is one of my favorites and this year the Sur La Plage Set has three full size lip balms in Orgasm (classic pink), Marabella (sheer poppy coral) and Baja (sheer pink red). The clutch is super cute for summer too.

Marabella swatched on the lips (other shades swatched if you scroll down)

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NARS Mini Oil-Infused Lip Tint Duo $24 – Another favorite is the NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints and for the Nordstrom Sale they have new shades in mini-form! Beausoleil is a sheer shimmering gold and Solstice is a sheer clear strawberry pink. They have a sheer wash of color and on me they don’t transform the lip color. I love lip oils in general and think this is a cute way to try the formula.

Left Solstice (sheer pink), right Beausoleil (sheer gold)

Swatches of both lip sets below:

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NARS Vacances Face Set $49 – This palette is a winner for me. It has three easy to wear eyeshadows and a neutral rose blush. The eyeshadows are Alhambra I (shimmery champagne), Comporta (metallic nude champagne copper) and Rhodes (metallic plum). The blush is called Behave which is a matte rose. If you’re looking for a no-fuss everyday palette that can be worn year round I this one is really nice!

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Bobbi Brown Full Size Extra Lip Tint Duo $29 – As a fan of balms I almost always buy the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint sets every year. The set this year has Bare Pink (color-transforming, on me it transforms into a flushed bright pink) and Bare Rose (soft rosy pink). They’re comfortable without feeling thick.

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Bobbi Brown Full Sized Vitamin Enriched Face Base Duo $60 – If you’re a fan of Bobbi Brown skincare there are some really good bundles and value sets. The Vitamin Enriched Face Base has been a staple for years that doubles as a moisturizer and primer. For the sale they have a set of two 1.69 oz jars for $60 ($120 value).

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Tom Ford Eye Color Quad and Mini Lip Color Set $88 – Another splurge I buy religiously is any Tom Ford beauty set from the sale. They usually have an eyeshadow palette with mini lipsticks bundle and this year the set includes Burnished Amber Eyeshadow Quad, Casablanca Lip Color (classic rose mauve) and Scarlet Rouge (deep red). I decided to give the eyeshadow quad a try which has a shimmery gold, warm pink red, deeper plum red shimmer and a shimmery copper. The overall look is on the warm side but I think it will be really lovely for fall.

Below wearing the Burnished Amber eyeshadow quad and Scarlet Rouge lip color

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Charlotte Tilbury always has some great sets to pick from! I really love the Glowing Gorgeous Eye Secrets Set with full-sized items. It has two Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows in Golden Eclipse and Star Gold (one of my favorites) along with their Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara. I use her cream shadows almost daily alone or as a base.

Her cult classic Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set is my absolute must-have from the sale. The Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk always gets me compliments whenever I wear it and is a soft rosy pink. I use her Pillow Talk Lip Cheat and Matte Revolution religiously – the set is priced at $68 ($91 value).

Below wearing all three of the Pillow Talk lip items layered together

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Oribe Full Size Gold Lust Dry Shampoo and Dry Texturizing Spray Set $64 ($96 value) is a great deal if you like dry shampoo or texturizers. I alternate between both and usually have some minis on hand. The full sizes are the better buy though and with the sale this is a great time to save as they’re pretty pricey at full price!

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Fragrance and Hand Care – I have a few Fragrance and Hand Care picks that I think are great options to put on your radar.

Le Labo Santal 33 and Another 13 Eau de Parfum Duo $98 is a cute sampler set with two perfumes. I love Santal in the candle form and used to use the perfume a while ago. I thought this was a nice way to try two of their scents.

Creed Les Essentiels Fragrance Trio $175 – I bought this for Andrew. Aventus is his signature scent (I’ve bought him many bottles and the flacons too). He has a few of his own atomizers already and I’m always on the lookout for sets like this for him to try other scents. If you’re looking for a really good cologne set this is THE BEST one. Aventus literally stops people on the street who pass us by – they always want to know what he’s wearing!

Supergoop! Handscreen Sunscreen Set $44 ($66 value) – I have tried to make a better effort to wear sunscreen on my hands. It’s one area I neglect for sun protection. I bought two of these sets and am sending one to my sister-in-law. The minis are perfect to throw in a small bag.

Le Labo Hand Soap Jumbo Size in Basil $40 – This is Andrew’s favorite hand soap formula. We just used up last year’s Hinoki scent and he asked me to repurchase this year’s which is Basil.

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That wraps up my Nordstrom Beauty Haul favorites! I have a couple more things on the way that I ordered including the Diptyque 5-Piece Travel Set and T3 Luxe Brush Set which I think are great values but didn’t receive them in time for this roundup. Quick recap: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to the public starting today and runs through August 30th. They will have different beauty deals every day so check back on their site for the daily special and possible restocks if something you had your eye on is sold out.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions my own. All items purchased by me.

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Hauls Nordstrom

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Try-On Haul + Beauty Picks

August 6, 2020

I have my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale try-on haul along with a peek at my beauty exclusives purchases today! My local store in Tampa is on the smaller side but they still had a pretty good selection for the sale. There are always more options online so I ended up ordering a couple items online too (haven’t arrived yet). The store was very clean and easy to shop. Staff and customers and product displays were all very spread out. Associates were really friendly and helpful – one of the best parts about shopping at Nordstrom, they always make it a fun experience.

Home Picks

Andrew and I took a few snaps while we were browsing. You can see more on my Instagram Stories Highlights @beautylookbook (I created a Nordstrom Sale bookmark). One of my first stops was the home section to check out the Barefoot Dreams. I already knew I wanted to buy one of the printed In the Wild options (bought the Stone/Cream). We picked up one of the Loop Fringe Blankets to try. I ordered one of the Leopard Dog Sweaters for Lucy.

In the Wild print in Stone/Cream ($119.90 on sale) and the Loop Fringe Blankets ($119.90 on sale) from Barefoot Dreams. Regular Cozy Chic Throw is on sale for $88.90.

Accessories

There were some cute purses and accessories but I decided to opt for a few shoes instead. Shown below is the Tory Burch Carson Croc Embossed Leather Crossbody Bag (on sale for $149.90) and some of the earrings and sunglasses on sale.

For accessories I bought one hat on sale, the Brixton Lera Straw Fedora. I think it’s super cute but accidentally grabbed a Medium which is a little too big so I’m ordering the next size down.

Quick side note on another sale find. This isn’t part of the Nordstrom Sale but it’s too good to pass up. Many thanks to one of my readers Lisa C who let me know that favorite hat the Eric Javits Hampton Hat is on sale on the Eric Javits website. They’re having a summer sale sitewide for a limited time. In case you had your eye on one now is a great time to save. They’re fairly expensive but I think they’re the best hats that actually shade your head and face from the sun. I never get a scalp or head burn when I wear this. With other hats the sun always shines through.

The color I am wearing below is Cream. I also own it in Black. Throwback photo to one of our Miami trips last year.

Shoes

I tried on some shoes from Tory Burch including the Leigh T-Logo Sneaker ($149.90) and picked the black color. They run true to size for me. I’m a 6.5 in most shoes and the Tory Burch Millers. I sometimes size up for sneakers but even with socks I felt the 6.5 was the best fit.

There are some cute Tory Burch Leigh Slides ($139.90 for the tan, $149.90 for the printed ones). These ran a bit wide and big so I opted for a Size 6 which fits perfectly. I think they’re really cute but the strap is a little stiff so they are a little uncomfortable. I’m spoiled by how nice on the feet my APL Slides are (which are a completely different material, but still the most comfy sandals/slides I own). I may end up returning the Tory Burch slides. I’m not sure if they just need to be broken in but will make the decision before I wear them out.

Try Ons in Store

A few dressing room try-ons with notes on sizing. For reference I’m 5’3″. Most ankle jeans end up being full length on me.

Try On 1 (left): Vince Strip T Shirt (wearing XXS but ended up buying XS) | Rag & Bone Nina High Waist Ankle in Camden Wash (Size 26)

Try On 2 (right): ATM Schoolboy Cheetah Slub Cotton Tee (XS) | Mother Looker High Waist Fray Skinny Jeans (Size 26)

In all try-on photos wearing my own sneakers APL Techloom Breeze (in Size 7, same size for me as I wear for Nike sneakers).

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Try On 3 (left): Frame Puff Sleeve T-Shirt (XS, didn’t end up buying) | Mother Denim Looker Ankle (Size 26)

Try On 4 (right): Rails Ingrid Raw Hem Chambray Shirt (XS, ended up ordering a white one instead of this one) | STS Blue Emily Stretch Denim Skirt (Size 25, could have also worn a 24 but they didn’t have that size in store)

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Try On 5 (left): Rails Collins Military Jacket in Sage (XS) | STS Emily Denim Skirt (Size 25)

Try On 6 (right): Rails Hunter Plaid Shirt in White/Peony (XS) | Rag & Bone Mid-Rise Cate Ankle Skinny in Stevie (Size 26) this color wasn’t part of the Anniversary sale but was marked down (SA pulled the for me to try the size) the darker wash color Cate Ankle Skinny in April is part of the Anniversary Sale (fit didn’t end up working for me).

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Try On 7 at Home

Below wearing the Alo Yoga New Moon Tank in XS. These are super soft and lightweight. They run long on me so I will sometimes tie it on the side to shorten it. Other items I’m wearing aren’t part of the sale. They had a wide selection of Nike, Zella and a few other brands. I still find my favorites are from Lululemon or Alo Yoga so I decided to pass on most of the items this year.

Also wearing: Alo Yoga Biker Shorts in XS (not on sale), Adidas Mini Logo Hat, sneakers APL Techloom Pro (Size 7).

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Beauty Shopping and Haul Picks

Last but not least a look at some of the beauty options and what I hauled. I did order a couple more things online and I’ll have a separate beauty haul post later. Sets from Bobbi Brown, Oribe, Olaplex and La Mer. Tons of value sized options from Kiehl’s and Drybar to name a few.

What I hauled from MAC, Bobbi Brown, Olaplex and Charlotte Tilbury. I’m pretty excited about the Olaplex trio as I go through bottles of these frequently.

Quick swatches of the MAC Lip Sets: Love Me Pink Trio (I’m Doin Me Lipstick, Edge to Edge Lip Liner and Twinsies! Lipglass) and the Love Me Neutral Lip Trio (Inseparable Lipstick, Dervish Lip Liner and My Other Half Lipglass).

Quick swatches of the Charlotte Tilbury Gorgeous Glowing Eye Secrets with Golden Eclipse (new) and Star Gold Cream shadows alongside the Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Trio.

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That wraps up my shopping and try-on haul! Hope you found it helpful. Would love to hear what you bought or have on your wishlist if you’re shopping the sale.

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I’m doing an eGift Card giveaway open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Simply enter through the widget below and complete at least 2 of the entries. The more steps you complete the more entries you will receive. THREE different winners will be selected via the widget below to win a $100 eGift card to Nordstrom (US). Giveaway will run through 8/11/2020 11:45 PM EST. I’ll select 3 separate winners within 48 hours and email them directly. Selected winners must respond to the email within 48 hours or another person will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

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