Monthly Archives

July 2016

Giveaway Loving Right Now

Loving Right Now + Gift Card Giveaway

July 22, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! It’s been one of those weeks I thought would never end and I am relieved that it’s almost the weekend. Thank you to everyone who shared what you wanted to see on The Beauty Look Book blog in my last giveaway post. It’s always great to hear feedback on what you’ve liked and also what you would like to read more about. There were a lot of requests for features on a wide range of topics and I am beyond flattered so many of you want to know what I think about well basically anything! Most popular requests were for higher end skincare (I did not realize you guys liked the skincare posts!), budget-friendly cosmetics, full skincare routine, current hair care routine, more hauls, favorites roundups, inside my purse posts, shoe features, tutorials, makeup storage, more travel (so happy many of you loved this), time management, exclusive promo events and videos!

Since reading your requests, I’ve started to pull items for a full summer skincare routine and hair care routine post. I do tend to test a lot of products on myself to review for you so my routine changes frequently – but I will pull my favorites and include items I’ve used up. A few notes:
  • Nordstrom Anniversary Sale hauls posted on the blog, makeup picks here and fashion and skincare items hauled here
  • Exclusive promo savings for readers via Space NK US here – my apologies for those who were not able to use the code on Oribe, after several e-mails to the team, they’ve fixed the code and it works on all Oribe items (full size and travel sizes)
  • Antica Farmacista is doing a special online promo code, enter code ANTICABLB at checkout for a mini body butter with any online order!
  • Summer bronzer edit posted here (many of you have been asking for this for weeks!)
  • On videos I am hoping to do some in the future!
  • Loving right now/favorites in this post here today!

Right now for skincare, hair care and the home, I’m loving the following:

  1. Chanel Fresh Body Cream is a summer go-to for body lotions. It smells lightweight and fresh and even though a tub is pricey. I use it sparingly but it has lasted a long time. It hydrates without feeling sticky and won’t interfere with perfume. My wallet is crying at the thought of having to buy again but I think it is 100% worth the splurge.
  2. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover is what I use right now to remove mascara and eye makeup, its gentle but effective and doesn’t feel greasy. You can find it in two sets for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in the Chubby Lash Set and Take the Day Off Set
  3. Antica Farmacista is a line I just discovered and I really don’t know how this has passed my radar for so long, I received a few samples and the line is exquisite! My favorite item is the Cucumber and Lotus Flower Candle which is the perfect cooling relaxing scent for the home, I am going to need this one in all formats, detailed review next week – if you have any favorites from the line let me know! If you order online they’re offering a free mini body butter with any order, use code ANTICABLB
  4. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Ample Angora Volumizing Mousse is something new to me, I will say up front I typically hate mousse products because they’re usually sticky and make my hair hard to comb/brush, this one is really good though. I have naturally thick hair and find most volumizing products don’t really add that much volume to my already thick hair (I have tried dozens of sprays, creams, lotions, shampoos etc.) This one combined with heat styling of the T3 PROi Dryer (best dryer ever, thanks RaeView for recommending to me!!) gives serious volume all the way through from roots to ends.
  5. La Mer The Tonic is a toner I alternate with the SK-II Clear Treatment Lotion, I like both but reach for the La Mer more these days to help remove impurities after cleansing and rebalance the skin. The formula has been a go-to for years and often times I try others in attempts to find a more affordable option, but this one never fails me.
  6. Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash is a favorite for every day multiple times a day. It’s one of the few I can use frequently without it stripping my skin. I’ve tried and repurchased all her cleansers and this is the only one that won’t irritate my skin on tender skin days. My brother has acne-prone skin that is even more sensitive than mine. I bought him this one to try and it’s one of the few he says is gentle enough for his skin (he’s in his early 20s). Also available in a larger 16 oz size with a pump and her Clinic Solutions Kit (I bought this for travel).

For makeup and fragrance:

  1. Hourglass Ambient Luminous Light Palette is nothing but pure love, it’s a Nordstrom Beauty Exclusive for this year’s Anniversary Sale and I think it is perfect. If you already own the palette from last holiday or the individual colors you can skip this one. Also there’s a new marble palette that’s coming out for holiday that you might want to wait for as previewed on @gossmakeupartist’s Instagram (it looks dreamy but I think the colors are different!). My review + swatches in this post here.
  2. Chanel Aqua Glossimers for summer are sheered out glossimers new for summer. Review on all the shades in this post here. These are nice for an effortless wash of shine and a hint of color.
  3. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Sugarcane is a perfect baby pink that covers the lip entirely, I also like Honeycomb which is a perfect nude, swatches + review of the neutrals in this formula can be found in this post here
  4. MAC Sunblessed Cremesheen (in the Nordstrom Sunblessed Kit) is a great pinky nude on me even though it looks more peachy in the tube. Swatched on my lips here.
  5. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips are almost too hot to handle. I adore her Matte Revolution formula and was thrilled to see more neutrals and brights launched in her Hot Lips Collection. All the shades purchased by me and swatched in this post.
  6. NARS Long Hot Summer Eyeshadow Palette (review soon) is an exclusive to NARS online and boutiques. This has great neutrals deep enough for medium to tan skintones. I’ll review and swatch this soon.
  7. Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is the perfect white floral summer fragrance. I love it. Review here.
  8. YSL Glossy Stain 07 is a ripe juicy peach that has enough color to be more than a neutral but isn’t too bright so it will suit neutral makeup lovers (also in the Nordstrom Rebel Nudes Set)
I’m hosting one more Nordstrom eGift Card Giveaway! I’m giving away 3 $100 USD eGift Cards to Nordstrom. Details as follows:
  • Open internationally
  • You must be 18 years old or older
  • Enter through widget
  • Entries will be collected through Sunday 7/24/2016 11:30 AM PST
  • Winners will be selected at random via the widget, emailed Sunday evening

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you loving right now? Did you haul anything good from the Nordstrom sale or any other places recently?

Press samples featured include Shu Uemura, Antica Farmacista, Bite Amuse Bouche.
25 Comments
Sales

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Haul – Skincare and Fashion Picks

July 21, 2016

By request, I’ve rounded up my skincare and clothing haul picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Today is the last day for early access and the public sale starts tomorrow July 22nd. Although I did shop the sale early, many items sold out in stores near me so I ordered a few items online. My husband did not want to go in store (like most men I think) and since he knows his sizes, he gave me a list of things to order online for him. He tends to stick with classic staples.

First up are my picks. For clothes I had a lot on my list to check out but ended up getting only a few items including:

I tried on a few more items in store including the Trouve Drape Front Leather Jacket in Black and Brown Saddle. I found the XS fit perfectly across the shoulders and the arm length was good (rare for me with leather jackets, they’re always so long!). It’s definitely one of the more affordable jackets with super soft leather. It’s still on my wishlist but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I fell in love with the Whiskey color of the Marc New York by Andrew Marc Felix Stand Collar Leather Jacket but they didn’t have my size in store to try and the collar was on the large size for my preference. In terms of leather jackets, Vince makes my favorite ones but they are quite the splurge and since I don’t think I could keep anything suede nice for long I will save for a regular leather one.

A quick look at the Trouve Drape Front Leather Jackets in two colors and the Rag and Bone Split Back Tank (ordered once I got home).

Rest of what’s on my radar/wishlist:

For skincare I picked up the Foreo Luna Play which comes in one color at Nordstrom. I thought it was an Anniversary Sale Exclusive but appears that it’s not (you can also get it at Sephora and other retailers in different colors). It’s a mini sized device that has 100 uses and is non-rechargeable but at the price I think it’s worth it. I have yet to test it out, but it was too cute to pass up. I’ve shown it next to my Clarisonic Mia Fit (c/o) which I received a few weeks ago but is currently on sale at Nordstrom marked down on mega sale. The Pink Mia Fit is currently on backorder online but Nordstrom.com will still let you put it in your cart at the sale price. White Mia Fit and Blue Mia Fit are both still in stock online.

La Mer has a Gift With $350 Purchase so I bought the new Cleansing Micellar Water to try out along with the Revitalizing Collection set. I did not realize the Nordstrom set had the regular Creme de La Mer instead of the Moisturizing Soft Cream that I typically use. I haven’t used the set yet so I’m debating whether to give the regular cream a go or exchange it for my Moisturizing Soft Cream. If you have normal/combo skin let me know if you’ve tried the regular cream and what you thought.

I look forward to the Moroccan Oil offerings each year. Last year they had supersized shampoos and conditioners and I stocked up on a few. This year’s Moroccan Oil Hair Care Set has the dry oil, moisture shampoo and conditioner and moroccan oil. These are among my favorite shampoo and conditioner products out of all the ones I’ve tried. My husband likes the smell so much he decided to use it to wash our dogs and I almost died when I found out.

Husband’s fashion picks that have arrived so far include the Cole Haan Owen Sport Sneakers (which aren’t on sale but hubby wanted them) and the Ted Baker London Alex Slim Fit Bomber Jacket. He’s usually a Large (he’s 6’3″) and we found Size 5 worked best.

Other items we are waiting for in the mail, he stocked up on jeans from AG (he likes the Protege fit), Joe’s (classic fit) and 7 for All Mankind (Austyn fit). Image is interactive so you can click directly on the icons to shop them on Nordstrom.

For those curious about my skincare and fashion picks, I hope you enjoyed this roundup in a his and hers edition. If you have any input in the La Mer I’m all ears! It looks like there’s a new Moisturizing Soft Lotion that just launched at Nordstrom too. I’m torn between keeping or exchanging the set because it’s such a good deal, but I suspect the regular creme might just be too heavy for my skintype.

Did you haul any skincare or fashion goodies during early access or are you shopping the sale tomorrow? Let me know what you found!
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Base Makeup Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick and Foundation Brush Review

July 20, 2016

 

Hourglass just launched a new foundation called the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick ($46 for .25 oz/7.2 g) which is a new product described as having the full coverage of a concealer, fluid texture like that of a liquid, and weightless feel like a powder. It’s a concentrated formula that combines foundation and concealer in one that you can build for full coverage but looks natural on the skin. Also launched with 26 shades of foundation include the Vanish Foundation Brush ($46) designed to buff and blend the new foundation formula to flawless smooth perfection. Both have launched at Sephora, Nordstrom, Hourglass Cosmetics and is currently on pre-order at Barney’s New York.

 

 

I received two shades in Ivory and Warm Ivory to test out based on the note that I currently use NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tints in Groenland and St. Moritz mixed together. When I first saw both shades and swatched them I suspected they would both be on the light side for my skintone, but Warm Ivory warms up to give an exact match for me right now. The chart above breaks down the color options and ranges. I would say the sequence of names is accurate from light to dark, but the color swatches are not. For me Warm Ivory is definitely darker than Ivory but the card makes it look like the opposite.

 

First a look at the foundation. These come in compact triangle-shaped twist up sticks designed for precise application. I tested both shades out and found both work well for a good match which surprised me because they looked really light compared to other foundations I use. I tried it three different ways. Here’s the before and after with Warm Ivory swiped and then buffed. In these photos I put around 3-4 swipes per side of the face and then buffed it out with the brush.

 

 

Method 1: Apply all over the face with 4 swipes per side over Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream and set with NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation in Punjab. The result was an oily mess within a couple of hours although I was outdoors for lunch in 85 degree weather on a hot day with mild humidity. This usually happens with all foundation sticks on my skin though if I use them all over the face.

 

Method 2: Apply on top of AmorePacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra Gel + Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, then set with NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation in Punjab. I have not really used the Hourglass Primer a lot because I feel it’s best suited for more oily/combo skintypes compared to mine. I have accumulated quite a few minis and a friend recommended I try it for summer. She was right, it extends the wear of foundation especially in warmer weather. This combination lasted all day, even through being outdoors in the afternoon for a few hours. By evening, makeup was a tiny bit dewy on the nose, but it stayed put without any creasing, melting or budging.

 

Method 3: Apply a light base such as any of my regular foundations all over, I tried it with my NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tints. Moisturizers used on separate days included the Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (primers skipped on these days). Use the Hourglass Vanish Foundation stick like I use most of my foundation sticks along the T zone and areas I need more coverage and buff in. Then set with powder. This method also worked well in terms of lasting power.

 

A look at the product itself with swatches, Ivory next to Warm Ivory. In the tubes they look yellow/olive toned pre-swatching. Once you swatch they appear a bit more neutral.

 

 

Comparisons to two other foundation sticks:

  • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation is currently my favorite stick foundation of choice. I had planned a summer base roundup and then samples of two foundation formulas arrived so I wanted to put those to the test before doing my roundup. This so far is the best full coverage foundation I’ve tried that covers dark spots but still looks natural. My shade match is 123. Initially I was matched to 128 (as seen in this story here) but I can change skin color quickly if I’m outdoors for an extended time (or lose it as well) so I alternate between the two.
    • The MUFE stick offers more coverage but has a more emollient texture (not greasy though). Product is also larger at 12.5 g.
  • Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick for many years was my go-to for foundation sticks (original review here). I’ve gone between two shades, 4 Bisque and 5 Natural. To this day I still think this is an exceptional product – but I cannot wear this all over the face. The best way for me to use this is on top of regular foundation on areas I need coverage. For my skintype which is normal combination, the all over the face method results in a very dewy mess within a couple of hours – with or without any primer. Coverage is smooth and easy to build for a flawless finish. A little goes a long way – it has a foundation makeup scent that is hard to describe almost like cardboard or paper that I’ve found in some foundations and for some reason I find really soothing. A single stick has lasted me well over a year and the product did not go bad.
    • For the TF vs Hourglass, the Tom Ford is probably better suited for normal to dry skin types, it is more dewy in finish, feels slightly thicker but not too thick, it also has more product at 15 g.

 

 

Sticks swatched side by side, note my arm is not the same shade as my face. Right now the MUFE 123 matches perfectly. Hourglass Vanish in Warm Ivory blends out to a more matte finish compared to the others.

 

 

A closer look at the twist design of the stick:

 

One more shade of swatches with NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in St. Moritz (darker option) and Groenland (lighter option):

 

 

A quick note on the brush. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to use. It reminds me of my Marc Jacobs The Face II Brush (full review on foundation brushes I love here) in the sense that it’s angled to match the contour of the face. The Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush is more compact, has a smaller head, but just as soft and a bit easier to move along the face because it’s slightly less dense. It’s super soft and fits in my hand perfectly. I haven’t tested it with liquid foundations but I have with the other foundation sticks – it’s amazing. I highly recommend it.

 

Overall thoughts:

  • The Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick does indeed offer a seamless smooth finish. It’s easy to blend and does not look cakey, nor does it emphasize pores.
  • Coverage is medium to full depending how much you layer. It does a good job at smoothing out dark spots or under eye circles, but I still prefer spot touch ups on blemishes and under eye with other concealers. (My favorites rounded up here.)
  • Lasting power will depend on your skin type and what products you use underneath. If you can normally wear foundation sticks all over the face without any issues this will probably work the same for you. I have never been able to wear a foundation stick all over the face with the exception of the MUFE Ultra HD Foundation Stick.
  • Best ways for me to wear the Hourglass Vanish Foundation stick was over the Mineral Veil Primer or over areas after applying regular foundation.
  • On color matching, I suspect based on the online stock swatches and chart that Sand might be a better match for me on my more tan days now that it’s summer, but Warm Ivory works for a very good match – no tweaking required. Even though this is a full coverage product and I do recommend finding a match as close as possible, there is a natural quality to the finish that makes it forgiving even if it’s not a 100% match. Warm Ivory swiped on my skin looks about 1-2 shades too light but as with most foundations you need to blend it out to see if it works. It matches my face to my neck well. I will check out the shades in store later this week though – if Sand is a better match I will let you know.

 

That wraps up my review of the latest from Hourglass. You can find both the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick and Foundation Brush at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Hourglass Cosmetics right now. For the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale there is an Hourglass GWP going on (featured in this post).

 

Have you tried the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick yet? It launched online last week – so if any of you have ordered or tested let me know! If not, have you tried other Hourglass Foundations? Which ones?

 

Both the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick and Foundation Brush provided for review consideration.

 

31 Comments
Hauls

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2016 Beauty Exclusives Haul

July 18, 2016

 

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year has quite a lot to offer for beauty exclusives. I’ve been a busy bee all weekend swatching and photographing my haul and today I have close ups and swatches of the palettes and sets I picked up. Early access goes through the end of 7/21 for card holders and the sale goes live for the public on 7/22. This beauty haul is quite extensive so grab a cup of tea or coffee or maybe a snack. While browsing the Beauty Exclusives section I noticed quite a few items weren’t available at stores near me so I ordered a couple items sight unseen. For those who can’t get to a store and need to order online I feel your pain about not being able to see things in person, I hope these swatches help! Don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase listings too, there are some nice gifts available, I’m glad I checked for the La Mer and Hourglass gifts.

 

First a quick look at the Early Access Sections in store, walls of skincare from a wide range of brands. Skincare sets this year are priced at really good values/savings.

 

 

A look at some of the gift with purchase sets (full list online), there are some lines that give you options to choose from with different sets:

 

 

If you’ve been wanting to splurge on a Clarisonic, the sale is one of the best times to do so because they offer them at a discount. The Mia Fit is marked down to $153 from $219. The Alpha Fit for men is also marked down to $153. My husband loves his and recommended I buy another one for my brother.

 

 

 

Onto my haul picks. In this post I’ve focused primarily on the makeup and palettes. I did pick out a few hair care items and skincare sets, I’ll post those in a separate post if you’re interested so let me know in the comments. Bobbi Brown has several Bobbi On Trend Sets. It’s been a while since I’ve explored her line but the options were too good to pass up.

 

The Sultry Bronze Eye Set has an eyeshadow palette with 6 colors (Pale Cream, Bikini Bronze Metallic, Seashell Shimmer Wash, Beach Bronze Shimmer Wash, Frappe and Smokey Brown), Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Truffle, and Eye Opening Mascara in Black. The palette has 6 easy to use neutrals and the eyeliner is a nice alternative to black. I had low expectations for the mascara because I usually do not like mascaras in sets, but I was beyond impressed. It volumizes, thickens, defines and did not smudge all day. Thumbs up! There is a cooler-neutral toned option called Sultry Topaz which is also very pretty.

 

For lips there are two options Pink Lips Set and Nude Lips Set. I picked out the Nudes which has her Art Stick in Brown Berry (neutral nude peach), Sheer Lip Color in Pink Buff (perfect neutral pink) and Lip Gloss in Pink Sunset (sheer sparkling pink). I have lip swatches of all the lip items I picked out at the bottom of the post. Many of you like the lips lined up side by side for reference.

 

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury launched an exclusive Instant Look in a Palette called the Seductive Beauty for what she calls The Dolce Vita Look with deeper shades compared to her original. I was not impressed with the first one and found it sheer and chalky for my complexion. I am happy to report the Nordstrom Exclusive is a lot better, shows up on my skintone and is not chalky at all. The texture has the same softness for the powders but pigment is significantly better. The Nordstrom set comes with a mini mascara.
 The Nordstrom Seductive Look Palette:

 

 

Original Natural Look vs Nordstrom Seductive Look swatched side by side:

 

 

Diptyque has the cutest 5-piece set available for the sale. These are the baby sized candles you can’t purchase individually in the 1.2 oz size (these are smaller than the 2.4 oz versions). This is the perfect way to try the line as it has the best Diptyque scents available. It would also make a great hostess gift.

 

Hourglass has launched an exclusive palette called the Ambient Luminous Light Palette which has Luminous Light, Luminous Flush and Luminous Bronze Light. I already own the shades individually but could not pass on the set because it’s perfect for travel. There is a gift with purchase I took advantage of (I ordered 3 palettes, one for myself, two as gifts).

 

Palette swatched next to the individual colors I own to show that the colors in the palette are indeed the same color, pigment and quality as the individual ones:

 

 

NARS has quite a few options for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. All the sets are seriously good – it as really hard to narrow down my pick given all options. I picked out the Survival Kit 1 which has Naiad Eyeshadow, Kalahari II Eyeshadow, Off Limits Blush, Mata Hari Blush, a mini Lip Gloss in Party Girl and a mini Audacious Mascara. This set is the most neutral and easy to wear option. Outer Limits Blush looked very shimmery upon first swipe on my face, but adding the matte Mata Hari on top softened the frost in a nice way.

 

 

 

YSL Rebel Nudes has three lip products in a black zip pouch. I actually already own all three items in the set but a friend asked me to pick it up for her as she was worried it would be sold out by the time the public sale started. I swatched the colors from my own stash, I think this set is a really good one. It has Glossy Stain in 200 Plump Up (clear which does plump and tingle), Glossy Stain 07 Corail Aquatique which pulls a brighter peach on my lips, and Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick 47 Beige Blouse which is one of my favorite pink nudes for everyday.

 

 

Nordstrom has an exclusive Dior Anniversary Collection that seems to be more spring-like rather than summer or fall. The offerings are still really pretty. I picked up three of the Flash Luminizer Radiance Booster Pens in 003 Apricot (my match) and two of the shimmers in 500 Pearly Vanilla (gold) and 800 Pearly Pink (shimmering opal). These take about 40 clicks to get product going the first round (just as an FYI). I have only tested for a few days so I can’t say yet if I think they are worth the splurge. I do like 003 under eyes as a medium coverage brightening under eye concealer. The shimmers help add radiance anywhere you want a soft glowy shimmer.

 

There is a new Addict Hydra-Gel Core Mirror Shine Lipstick which is the first time I’ve tried the new formula. Baby Dior is a sheer peachy pink in the tube but applies a sheer pale cool pink on my lips. It’s hydrating and smooth with a glossy finish.

 

There are also two nail colors in the collection in Ruban and Steel Grey. I was hoping to swatch these on the nail for you but I just broke three of my nails so arm swatches will have to do for now.

 

 

Last but not least are two options from MAC. First is the C’est Chic Eyeshadow Palette which I am seriously tempted to buy for myself. The one I have shown below is a gift for a friend (her birthday is this month) and it has all mattes in neutral to warms and plums. She saw this and asked for it specifically. The one MAC set I picked up for myself is the Look in a Box Sunblessed Kit which has a full sized Frost Eyeshadow in Deception (plum taupe), Fluidline in Blacktrack, False Lashes Mascara and Cremesheen in Sunblessed (peachy nude). I think all four items in the set are excellent, the mascara doesn’t really give me a false lash look, but it’s a good defining deepening mascara that adds a bit of volume and doesn’t smudge. I believe the eyeshadow and lipstick are exclusive to the set.

 

Lip swatches:

 

 

That wraps it up for my massive Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Haul! I hope you found the swatches and detailed photos helpful to help with your shopping decisions. Definitely browse the options online first, especially the gift with purchase options. I think I missed out on a few because I didn’t realize there was a Bobbi Brown GWP available and my sales associate did not know either. There is a lot to choose from and these sets and savings are offered only once each year.

 

I’m really impressed with the offerings this year and am pleased with all my purchases. Out of all the color options for makeup, I think you really can’t go wrong with anything. Lots of value sets to pick from. My top 3 favorite items I hauled include the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette Set, Bobbi Brown on Trend Nude Lip Set and Hourglass Ambient Luminous Light Palette. If I did not already own all the lip items in the YSL set, the Rebel Nudes set would also be added to my favorites list.

 

Have you shopped the sale for early access yet? What did you haul? Or are you waiting for the public sale on the 22nd? Let me know in the comments!
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always all opinions my own. All items selected and purchased by me.
37 Comments
Sales

Space NK Explore Promotion – Early Access for Beauty Look Book Readers 7/17 to 8/2

July 17, 2016

Space NK is hosting their Summer Explore Promotion again and they’re offering Beauty Look Book readers early access a week before the offer starts for everyone else. For those new to Space NK’s Explore Offer, every season they offer either a gift with purchase or savings deal to explore something new. This round you can save $20 off orders $100 or more at spacenk.com/us with code BEAUTYNOW at checkout. The code is valid now through 8/2/2016. Offer valid online only.

Several of you asked for a detail of what I hauled during my recent New York trip. You can find a full recap of their Prince Street store here in this post. There was a lot to explore from a wide range of brands. I was particularly impressed with the haircare selection in the store and picked up a couple things from Ouai and R+Co. I made a mental note of what I wanted to try so I could order when I got back home (I didn’t want to carry a lot of liquids back home with me, however I did end up shipping a big box home).

First a quick look at their amazing haircare selection. It’s literally Oribe heaven. Travel sized minis galore of multiple brands and formulas too.

Another look at more brands to choose from including Sachajuan, Gloss Moderne, Malin + Goetz and more (you can click to view a larger image):

Featured in the top picture are a few staples along with a couple new items I’ve tried in case you need recommendations or thoughts:
  • Diptyque Baies is not a haircare item, but it’s one of my favorite home scents, since Diptyque rarely goes on sale, these savings promotions are always a nice time to splurge on something and save a little.
  • Oribe Cleansing Cream (repurchased) is one of my favorite weekly shampoos to help restore moisture and cleanse at the same time
  • R+Co Park Ave Blow Out Balm is a product you work through damp hair before you use a blow dryer, I’m always eager to try new products like these because I heat dry my hair most of the time, this smells light and fresh and did give my hair a better look after blow drying, hair was left thicker, fuller and frizz-free and very smooth, the ends still needed a touch up, but for the rest, I really like how this works
  • Ouai Finishing Creme is described as a lightweight lotion for your hair that you can use as a heat protectant from styling, smoothing cream for dry ends or to add texture, I found it has a strong floral scent with a slightly thick texture, it gives the ends a more polished look with a tiny bit of shine but definitely helps add texture to the hair, by comparison the Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream has a thinner texture and adds weightless shine to the ends with a more glossy looking finish
  • Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is a favorite, even though the full size is a better buy, I always end up repurchasing the travel size because it’s easier for me to store or carry with me
  • Ouai Treatment Masque comes in a pack of 8 individually sealed packets, it has a rich perfumed kind of scent, I used it as a mask, left it on for about 10 minutes then rinsed it out, it left the hair feeling super soft and shiny (after drying), I’m not the biggest fan of the packets for packaging, but it’s perfect to take one with you for travel or to the gym vs a huge tube, the product is a thumbs up, would love if this came in a large jar or squeeze tube

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=MeQoh28EORo&subid=&offerid=417140.1&type=10&tmpid=11586&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.spacenk.com%252Fus%252Fen_US%252Fhaircare-1%252F

Terms and conditions as follows:

‘Explore Something New’ offer comprises $20 to spend on any product on the website www.spacenk.com/us. Your order must total $100 on full price/non-sale products before delivery has been added. Promo code BEAUTYNOW must be entered in the promo code box on the shopping bag page, before checkout, for the offer to apply. One use per customer and promotional codes cannot be applied retrospectively. The $20 discount will be applied at checkout where the order total equals $100 or more. This offer can be used in conjunction with our free shipping over $50. This offer is only available online between 12am Sunday July 17th, 2016 to 11:59pm Tuesday August 2nd, 2016 EST. This offer applies online only on the us.spacenk.com site, not the UK site and is not available in-store. We reserve the right to end it early or extend it without notice. Please note that all sale items, gift card purchases and promotional items are excluded from this promotion. The offer is not refundable and there is no cash value/alternative. The offer cannot be exchanged in-store or online for another product. This offer applies online only and is not available in-store. The offer is restricted to one per customer.

Many thanks to Space NK for extending this to Beauty Look Book readers. If you have anything on your radar whether it’s new haircare, skincare, beauty, fragrance from Space NK – let me know! I’m always eager to try new haircare products to help tame my naturally frizzy hair. I’m looking for a good wave spray, the Oribe Apres Beach Spray has been a good one that I just used up, debating whether to repurchase or try something new. Any recs greatly appreciated!

Update: Code now works! Sorry for the delay!

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Bronzer + Blush Roundup

Summer Bronzer Edit

July 16, 2016

By popular request, I’ve rounded up some new bronzers I’ve tried this summer along with tried and true favorites. Bronzers are probably one of most favorite makeup products – there’s just something about a glowing tan that I love. Living in Southern California we have warm sunny weather almost year round. I do use sun protection for the face and body, but living here there’s just no avoiding the sun – but I love it.

I’ve pulled an extensive list of bronzers and split them by type. It’s by no means a comprehensive list of all the bronzers on the market, nor is it a list of all the bronzers I have tried or own (that would be a post a mile long). I have picked out the ones I thought were either new and interesting, tried and true or new found loves. A quick note before I go into the details – I have medium olive toned skin with normal/combination skin. I prefer warmer bronzers as cool-toned bronzers often look ashy or grey on my complexion. Foundation shades most reached for include the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in 6 + 7 mixed, NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Groenland and St. Moritz mixed. I love bronzers of all types whether it’s liquid, powder, shimmer or matte.

Finding the right shade or formula for you will depend skin undertone (pink or yellow), skin tone (fair, light, medium, tan or deep), skin type (oily, dry, combo, etc.) and also things such as shimmer or formula preference.

Up first are some matte bronzing powders. Several of you have asked for recommendations on more affordable options. Two lines I’ve tried I think are excellent are the Colour Pop and Benefit.

Shown above:
  • Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed (reviewed here) is a deep warm matte bronze, I think this is best suited for deeper skintones, on me it’s a bit dark, but good for days I want a more dramatic look.
  • Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Bronzer in Skinnydip is a soft light neutral matte bronze that looks like a skintone color for me, for those with fair skins who find most options too dark, this might be a good option to look at.
  • Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder (c/o) is a classic that is neutral so it will work with a wide range of skin undertones, it’s one of the best more affordable matte bronzers I’ve tried.
  • Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer Tantric (c/o, on the face here) is another well-loved one by me, it’s huge! The color and pigment is semi sheer but buildable, so if you’re looking for one that is impossible to overdo, this is a good one.
  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Terra and Bronze Age (c/o review and both shown on the face here), Terra is one of the few wearable cool-toned bronzers I can wear, Bronze Age is one of the darkest bronzers I own, it’s a deep warm golden color, if you need something deeper try the Chanel Les Beiges Summer Duo reviewed here.

Next up are more luminous glowy bronzers ranging from a soft shimmer to high shimmer.

Shown above:

  • Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Bronzer in Poolside (medium-deep bronze) and Paradise Cove (cool-toned neutral) both have a soft luminous finish. They have a unique formula that I thought would be powders but are more of a bouncy gel cream. The price is affordable but the amount of product you get pretty small at 4.2g. Still I think these are fun and easy to build.
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light (reviewed here) is a soft luminous highlighter + bronzer in one. More details on the review linked above. It’s almost identical on my skin to the lighter version Luminous Bronze Light which happens to be the shade in the Nordstrom Hourglass Luminous Light Palette.
  • Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow in Medium- Dark (review + look here) is a gorgeous bronze and orange shimmer duo. It’s more dramatic on me, but still wearable. For tan to deeper skintones I think you will love this one. More details in the review linked above.
  • Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Sunlight is one of the latest additions to the celestial powder line, it’s not really a bronzer, but on my skintone it is. It’s a medium to deep golden shimmer that gives my skin a golden sunkissed look. (It’s also coming soon in the Celestial Skin Liquid formula, available for pre-order.)
  • Edward Bess Black Sea Golden Hour Mousse Bronzer is something I bought while in New York. It’s the most beautiful warm golden coppery shimmer I’ve ever seen. It’s a mousse formula that is super lightweight and easy to blend. I swatched it with a heavy hand below but once you blend it on the skin it becomes a more soft glowy gold that gives the face a beautiful golden glow. I highly recommend it.

Liquid bronzers up next. I have used and liked the Armani Liquid Summer Bronzers but didn’t love it enough to repurchase (even though they added more shades). A few more affordable options below.

Shown above:

  • Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (c/o) come in 4 highlighter shades and 2 bronzers. I’ll have a post on the entire collection soon, but for now a quick peek at the bronzers in Sunset and Sunkissed. Both are neutral to cool toned. Sunset offers a deeper bronzed look. If I look in the bottle there is a sheen but on the face it looks more creamy. Sunkissed is my skin but better. These have been swatched heavily but blend out nicely and are very easy to layer and blend.
  • Benefit Dew the Hoola (c/o) looks super orangey in the swatch, but let me assure you, it is not orangey on the face. It is on the warm and peachy side but I think that’s what makes it work. It’s sheer but buildable and dries to a semi-matte finish. I’ve worn it alone or with a tiny bit of powder blush layered on top.
  • NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer is another new one that looks super warm and almost orangey in the swatch but often times with any kind of cheek product what you swatch on the hand/arm looks very different on the face. I love this one because it’s fluid and blends into a very soft finish on the cheeks. It leaves a soft sheen without looking greasy. I almost hate posting these swatches because I think they will deter many of you from trying it, but I really urge you to try if you have a NARS counter near you. It’s one of the most natural looking bronzers I’ve tried that is visible but looks like your skin, just better and with a bit more life.

Last but not least, the three I consider classic staples:
  • Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer in Daydream is my holy grail of all bronzers. It’s soft and luminous just like the name implies, it’s impossible to overdo, not too shimmery and warms up the skin beautifully.
  • NARS Laguna Tiare (limited-edition Tiare version shown) is a classic with a scented twist for summer. It’s the same as the classic Laguna but has a summery tiare scent added in a special limited-edition packaging. The original was one of the first high end bronzers I splurged on and it lasted for what seemed like forever. It’s a classic soft luminous medium bronze that doubles as a soft contour powder. In the event you don’t want something scented or want this in a palette form, there are a few Nordstrom Sets you may want to check out including the Cult Survival Kit or the Nordstrom’s Best Cheek Palette.
  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Gold Dust is another classic, it was quite the splurge when I first bought it because they only had the large size which is over $90. They’ve since launched smaller versions for the past couple of years which are still pricey but more affordable and nice to travel with.

For those who were asking for a summer bronzer roundup, I hope you found this helpful! I focused mainly on stand alone bronzers rather than ones in palettes. If you have any favorites please share them in the comments along with your skintone, maybe 1 foundation shade you use for reader reference.

Press samples featured indicated with c/o.

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Giveaway

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2016 Wishlist + Gift Card Giveaway

July 14, 2016
http://rstyle.me/n/buqbkrubf6
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today for Nordstrom card holders! If you’re like me you’ve probably been wondering if there will be any additional beauty exclusives that aren’t been listed in the catalog. I took a quick look online to create a wishlist of what to check out. Some I’ve ordered online but I hope to browse the sale in store today or tomorrow. I will have a full report on what I end up hauling. In the meantime here’s what’s on my radar.

Above 1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8  /
9  /  10  /  11  /  12  /  13  /  14  /  15

I find the best way to shop the sale is to sort things by category, make a wish list of what to check out and then narrow down final picks from there. For the sale there are so many cute shoes and boots – walking through the shoe section in store is always overwhelming for me so I find sorting/filtering online first is the best way to help me figure out what to look for.

For beauty the Nordstrom sale always has a lot of sets, palettes and large value sized products as Beauty Exclusives. Be sure to check the available Gift With Purchase options as well to plan your buying for qualifying min buys. Some are online only. I’m thrilled to find that the catalog gave us a teaser and that the actual list of products for the sale is a lot bigger.

For makeup, there are tons of palettes and sets. I have the Hourglass Ambient Luminous Palette in my cart right now. Charlotte Tilbury launched a new Instant Beauty Look Palette set called The Dolce Vita. If you’ve been eyeing the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick in Beige Blouse it’s in the Rebel Nudes Lip Set at a value price. If you’re like me wondering what Chanel would offer as an exclusive, this year they have the Take Shape Brow Set with the Brun Duo (reviewed/swatched here). NARS has four exclusives with three survival kit sets and one Nordstrom’s Best Cheek Palette.

The fragrance department always has value priced sets. If you have any favorites and want to stock up, it’s best to search during sales or holidays to get more bang for your buck. Diptyque has a 5-Piece Mini Candle Set for $55 which would be a great way to try out the line if you’re new at a more affordable price. I think it would also make a cute gift!

Skincare and body care are also about value buys and sets. If I could recommend one set, it would be this Kate Somerville 3 Steps to Glow Set. The Retinol Dermal Quench is life changing and the moisturizer option is a good one to smooth and comfort skin. If you’ve been contemplating a Clarisonic, the sale is one of the best times to buy one. The Mia Fit (previewed here) is on super sale in three colors and the Alpha Fit for men is also on sale.

Shoes are mainly focused on styles for fall. Lots of boots but there’s a lot to choose from for sneakers and fitness. These Stuart Weitzman Perfection Booties boots are marked down to $349.90 from $595. I am hoping they won’t be too tall in the heel because I love the style/color.

For clothing I’m all about stocking up on denim or finding good deals on leather jackets (real or faux). Paige makes the best jeans in my opinion (they hold everything up) and the Transcend line has the softest fabric that holds shape with minimal stretching. The Verdugo Ankle Style is perfect for petite girls so you don’t have to get them hemmed.

Accessories and bags have lots to choose from as well. This Sole Society Tote is super affordable, looks sturdy and perfect for travel.

As a thank you and a way to give back, I’m hosting a giveaway for my readers. I am giving away five $100 eGift Cards to Nordstrom.com. Entries will be collected through the widget at the bottom of the page. Note since I’m giving away eGift Cards, the selected winners will receive the prize by e-mail. Here’s the rundown:
  • Open to anyone 18 years or older, international too!
  • Submit entries through the widget below (there are multiple ways to enter)
  • Entries will be collected through Sunday 7/17/2016 10:45 AM PST
  • Winners will be selected at random through the widget, contacted by me via e-mail by Sunday evening and must confirm/respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected
  • Five distinct winners will be selected and be sent a $100 USD eGift Card to Nordstrom (you can use it online or in stores) 
  • Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have anything on your radar for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale? Eager to hear what’s on your wishlist! Are you shopping the sale for early access or will you be shopping on the 22nd? P.S. If you have any of the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors I reviewed yesterday there’s a pretty awesome Nordstrom x Clarins GWP for early access!

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