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July 2019

Beauty Favorites

July Favorites

July 31, 2019

July Favorites Shelfie Sabrina | The Beauty Look Book

I have a roundup of July favorites! I’ve included a mix of everything from makeup, skin, hair and a few accessories. We are slowly settling into our new place and we absolutely love everything about it – the house, the neighborhood, location etc.

Skin and Hair

Eye Makeup

Lip Favorites

  • Pat McGrath LUST Gloss* in Peach Perversion and Faux Real are my top picks for her lip gloss for an effortless ultra smooth shine, I really think all her shades are amazing, especially the sparkle ones! (swatches here and here)
  • NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tint in Orgasm is the prettiest lip oil I own right now, it’s one that always gets compliments too! I absolutely think this is a must for everyone, it’s also available in a mini in this super cute Orgasm Mini Set (on my lips here)
  • Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb is the most versatile gloss I have, it goes with everything whether I wear it alone, with the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner or on top of any lip color, you can see all three shades + beauty looks in this post here

Scent

  • Byredo Black Saffron is a sweet berry and black violet mix, I’ve been loving the minis I have and think I’m going to splurge on the full size again!
  • Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in Biarritz (travel size) is a purse-friendly size of the Chanel Les Eaux perfumes, this one is the lightest and softest citrus, perfect for Florida weather – you can find the three original ones in the minis on Chanel.com and a Le Voyage Set as well
  • Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in Riviera* is the latest addition to the Les Eaux line, if you love citrus you’ll really love this one! It has a little more punch and kick to it compared to the Biarritz, to me Riviera smells like a spa scent!

Nail Polishes

The most frequently asked question I receive DAILY (yes daily!) is “what polish are you wearing?” – even on old photos from years ago. If you want to know my top 5, there’s a good chance I’m wearing one of these shades. This month’s favorites:

  • Essie Topless and Barefoot has been one of my go-to neutral colors but I could never get Essie to last more than a day on me until I tried the Essie Speed Setter Top Coat. It seems like other brands of top coats aren’t compatible with Essie and cause major shrinkage (at least in my experience). With any nail brand I usually recommend you stick with the same brand for base/color/top.
  • Chanel Le Vernis in Organdi* is also a classic staple with the perfect mix of pink and beige (swatches here and also here)
  • Chanel Le Vernis in Afterglow* is the best barely there sheer cool beige nude (review here)

Accessories

  • Real Techniques Makeup Brushes – I can’t rave enough! They’re soft, well made, plush and perform really well. Ones I have listed in this post here.
  • Tory Burch Perry Mini Bombe Bag in Black has been in such heavy rotation I decided to order a second one in Perfect Sand and I absolutely love it! The sand one is exclusive to Toryburch.com right now. You can see the full review + OOTD look here. The material is also available in a Small Tote and 13-Inch Laptop Tote size (both have also been on my radar).
  • Tory Burch Gemini Link Canvas Bag is another one I’ve had on my radar for a couple months now, I was torn between the Light Umber and Ivory/Blue color. I opted for the neutral tan and also love this. It’s slightly larger/taller than the Perry Mini and has one open compartment versus the separated zipper sections. Since it’s taller and more open inside I feel like it can fit more things easily. The material is really sturdy and looks like it will hold up well. If you can’t do mini bags this also comes in a Tote Version.
  • Chloe Mini Marcie – I still love this one! I love all things mini, this one is going to be a favorite for a long time to come. Review here.

 

 

What were your favorites this month?

Press samples have a * next to them. All other items purchased by me.

7 Comments
Lips

Top 5 Favorite Lipstick Brands

July 29, 2019

National Lipstick Day 2019 Best Lipstick Formulas

It’s National Lipstick Day and I wanted to roundup my top five favorite luxury lipstick brands to celebrate. It was challenging for me to narrow it down to just five since there are so many great lines with different formulas, finishes and price points. I picked the brands I wear the most frequently these days.

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Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick Summer Shades review and swatches. Skin Flixx, Naked Kiss, Lady Stardust, Skinsane, Full Fantasy, Love Train, Flesh3, Blood Rush, Emmanuelle

If you forced me to only wear one brand of lipstick the rest of my life I would pick Pat McGrath. She completely changed my outlook on matte lipsticks and also glitter sparkle lipsticks. I love all her formulas including the Lip Fetish Lip Balms which are a great option for those who want a hint of color. My top five favorites:

  • BlitzTrance Skinsane (swatches here)
  • BlitzTrance Love Train (swatches here)
  • BlitzTrance Emmanuelle (swatches here)
  • MatteTrance in Christy (review here)
  • MatteTrance in Omi (review here)

P.S. I’m testing out her new Skin Fetish Foundation in Medium 15 and Light Medium 14 along with her whole system. Review very soon but I’ve been doing some previews and demos on Instagram stories if you want to get a sneak peek!

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Chanel

Best Red Lipsticks from Chanel

Chanel is as classic as it gets. For anyone looking for a classic red or pink lipstick, Chanel hands down has it all. There are pink reds, orange reds, coral reds, brick reds, blue reds – you name it. There’s something so special about buying your first Chanel lip product. Formula breakdown:

  • Rouge Coco – is the hydrating classic formula, to me it has a medium satiny finish.
  • Rouge Allure – is the one I consider the most classic and iconic. Creamy formulas with a natural luminous sheen and medium to full coverage.
  • Rouge Allure Velvet – is a formula Chanel describes as a “luminous matte.” It’s a velvety finish version of the Rouge Allure. The bold reds are among the best long wearing colors I’ve tried.
  • Rouge Allure Ink – matte super lightweight lip ink stain, bold shades have the best color payoff, this formula is probably the most weightless one I’ve ever tried!
  • Rouge Coco Flash – ultra glossy sheer lipsticks that are great for a swipe and go effortless kind of color, my favorites are Jour and Flash (haul picks swatched here).
  • Rouge Coco Gloss – cushiony, hydrating, super lush high-shine glosses perfect to wear alone or on top of a lipstick (swatches here).

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Charlotte Tilbury

Favorite Charlotte Tilbury Neutrals Lipsticks

Charlotte Tilbury makes some of the best wearable neutrals. I ordered products from their website long before they launched in the US – all sight unseen too! Her lipsticks and it was love at first swipe. I really like all of her formulas. My top favorite colors:

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Tom Ford

Best Tom Ford Lipsticks Bad Lietenant, Autoerotique, Mustique, Carriacou, Sable Smoke

Tom Ford lipsticks are among the most expensive and luxurious ones I’ve tried. I still remember when they first launched a small handful of colors in the white packaging. Pink Dusk Lip Color was my first shade and is still one of my favorites. When I’m tan I opt for slightly deeper neutrals. Many of my favorites in the Boys and Girls were limited-edition and have been discontinued, but my top picks you can still find now:

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MAC

Best MAC Neutrals Patisserie, Velvet Teddy, Nippon, Mehr

MAC was the first mid-to-high end lipstick brand I was into! They have the most diverse shade range I’ve seen and so many other brands have followed. It is hard to narrow down my top picks. I’ve tried so many of the colors. The ones I recommend the most and just bought fresh tubes of include:

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Lipstick Organization

Lipstick Makeup Storage Ideas

Last but not least, I have a quick peek at two storage organization favorites. I bought an Acrylic Lipstick Tower from Impressions Vanity a few years ago when they were carried at Nordstrom. You can still find the tower online at Impressions Vanity in a few different variations and colors. I also use Lipstick Organizers from the Container Store and keep them on my shelf or in drawers.

Hope you liked the roundup! There are still a lot of other brands I use and love including Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche, Hourglass Confession, NARS Audacious, L’Oreal Color Riche Shines and so much more. Narrowing it down to my top 5 was hard since I truly love playing with all brands and formulas of makeup. I’d love to hear what your favs are!

 

What are your favorite lipstick brands and formulas?

Press samples featured include lip colors from Chanel and Pat McGrath.

9 Comments
Budget Beauty

Best New Budget Beauty Buys

July 26, 2019

Best Budget Beauty Buys | The Beauty Look Book

I can’t believe another month has flown by! It has been a busy summer for us with the move and we’ve had lots of company visiting us from out of town to take advantage of the summer beach weather in Florida. Today I have an updated budget beauty post for you! There are several things I bought recently that I’ve promised an update on and I’ve teamed up with Walmart to share the latest with you. I have a round up of my best beauty buys and added to my top shelf.

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Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss Solar Coral and Blissed Out | The Beauty Look Book

I’ve always been a gloss girl and the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses are my lastest discovery! I love that they have a smooth glossy shine and no scent. As much as I love a good budget lip buy, sometimes they’re too heavily fragranced with either a strong lipstick or plastic kind of scent. These have been going through a repackaging (same style tube, just slightly different exterior so the tube may look different. I bought a couple to try in Solar Coral 243 (bright peach cream) and Blissed Out 246 (shimmery peachy gold rose) and am obsessed! I need to try more colors. I’m wearing Solar Coral in this post.

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L’Oreal Summer Belle

L'Oreal Summer Belle Bronzer 01

L’Oreal is one of my favorite budget beauty brands and the Summer Belle collection is exclusive to Walmart. It took me a while to track these down because they kept selling out but it was worth the extra effort and searching! The stand outs to me are the two cheek products. I think the bronzers are a must.

L'Oreal Bronzers, Bronze Please! Walmart Exclusive vs True Match Lumi Bronze It

The Bronze Please! La Terra Sun Powder is for Face and Body and has a soft almost creamy feel. They’re very natural and you can build it for more color. I can wear either 01 Portofino or 03 Amalfi. They are softly scented with a sweet summer like scent but it’s not overpowering. There’s a tiny bit of gold shimmer mixed throughout but it’s a sparse kind of shimmer so the bronzer is not overly frosted. It gives the skin an almost airbrushed bronze effect. I swatched it next to the True Match Lumi Bronzer in 02 Medium for reference. I find the True Match option a little more red based and a little more powdery.

L'Oreal Blush Please! Summer belle highlighter blushes

I also picked up both shades of the Blush Please! Shimmering Blush in 11 Blushin In Riviera (peach gold shimmer) and 12 Blushin In Saint-Tropez (shimmery brown rose pink). Both are on the high shimmer side and they give the skin a very luminous glow. For me they are more highlighter material but I think they’re really fun and beautiful on the skin. Pigment is incredible and intense but you can easily blend and buff out.

Adding the peachy Blushin In Riviera below

L'Oreal Blush Please! Summer belle highlighter blushes

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Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighters Molton Gold, Molton Peach and Molton Topaz

I discovered the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in the Molton Gold formula in the spring and loved it so much I bought a few more. They’re amazing. If you want the best budget highlighter with a smooth buttery texture and extreme glow, the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is IT! I love the Peach and Topaz shade.

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Real Techniques Brushes

Real Techniques Brushes

Last but not least are the Real Techniques Brushes. I bought the Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set and think the brushes are excellent quality! They’re super soft and sturdy. I also bought the fluffy Ultra Plush Powder Brush and it’s made the top of my list for powder or bronzer. My niece has asked me for some brush recommendations. I’ve given her a few over the past year but am going to order her a few of these sets. I also recently bought the Brush Cleanser Set which I’m still testing and will keep you posted as I try other similar types of silicone pads.

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Budget Beauty Shelfie Favorites

That wraps up some of my favorite new budget buys and tries! In case you missed past posts, you can check out some of my go-to staples here and here. Do you have any recent budget beauty favorites or new tries? I still swear by the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara and love that they now stock Bioderma which I always keep on hand. Let me know if you’ve tried anything new! If you have any good budget lip glosses you love that don’t have a heavy scent let me know what I should check out next 🙂

 

Many thanks to Walmart for partnering to sponsor this post.

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Beauty Tools

Favorite Makeup Mirrors

July 24, 2019

Best Makeup Mirrors for Your Vanity: Simplehuman and Glamcor

Today I have a roundup of my favorite light-up mirrors for makeup application that I think are worth the splurge. If you don’t have consistently good natural light in your home or have a fully enclosed bathroom with no windows having a mirror with good lights makes a world of difference with makeup application. I’ve opted for smaller or more portable ones because they’re easier for me to move around. The ones with magnifying options are amazing for detail things like tweezing brows, applying liquid liner or mascara, etc. In today’s review:

  • Simplehuman 8 Inch Sensor Mirror Pro in Rose Gold
  • Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide
  • Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror by Glamcor
  • Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror

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Simplehuman 8 Inch Sensor Mirror Pro

Simplehuman Round Sensor Pro Mirror 8 inch

The Simplehuman 8 Inch Round Sensor Pro ($250) is one I bought from the Nordstrom sale a couple years ago. I have the 8 Inch Round Sensor Mirror Pro in Rosegold featured in this post. For this year Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale option is the silver color $150 on sale (regular price is $250).

  • Mirror itself is 8 inches with 5x magnification
  • Comes with a magnetic 10x detail mirror which you can remove and attach in the back when not in use (so you don’t lose or misplace it)
  • Multiple light settings which are enabled through the simplehuman app (link your mirror or devices)
  • Settings can be adjusted to turn off at different intervals (from 5 seconds to 10 minutes)
  • Height is either 14 or 17 inches depending which way you flip the mirror

There are different light settings but I’ve only used the auto brightness auto setting. For me the best part is the magnifying mirror which makes a world of difference to see your face up close! I love that these simplehuman mirrors are so well made. They aren’t flimsy like the plastic ones and since they are on the heavy side they’re super stable.

The 10x magnifying attachment is nice to have but not a must for me. If you’re also like me and don’t think you’ll need it there are options that come without this feature.

If you’re in the market for one of these, I recommend looking at the Simplehuman website first to do some research to check out the different models. There are several variations of the 8 inch round option and it’s nice to get all the specs and side by sides from their website and check what the latest model/version is. Some have an adjustable base, others have different magnification specs. Their products are available at multiple retailers so you can definitely shop around if you prefer other stores for points, shipping options or to see in person etc.

My 8 Inch Round Pro in Rose Gold below

Simplehuman Round Sensor Mirror Pro Review Rose Gold

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Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide

Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide View Review

As much as I love the round mirror and the magnifying power, the downside is that it’s hard to see your entire face. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to see your whole face rather than just a close up detail. The Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide* does the trick with larger rectangular panels. It is quite the splurge at $400 (available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Simplehuman and all Simplehuman retailers). Right now it is on sale at Nordstrom during the Anniversary Sale for $250. This one had been on my wish list for years and I held off for on this purchase because we did a lot of moving and traveling a couple years ago. Soon after we settled down into a new place I was ready to make the splurge but the simplehuman team reached out and gifted one. It was perfect timing. I am beyond thrilled to finally own one! I find the adjustable side panels really convenient so I can see the sides of my face easily. It’s large and on the heavy side but still easy to move around.

  • Wide sensor mirror with three panels
  • Middle panel measure approximately 10 inches tall by 13 inches wide (light strips are almost an inch wide each)
  • Side panels measure about 5.25 inches wide by 13 inches tall
  • Side panels are adjustable
  • Entire mirror bevels
  • Height is a little under 16 inches tall
  • Has different light settings and can mimic natural sunlight
  • Includes a magnetic attachment round mirror with 10x magnification

There are a few downsides to this mirror which aren’t a huge deal, but some I thought I’d mention based on my experience. One is the round magnetic mirror can only attach at the bottom portion of the center panel, it would be nice to move it around different areas. It is also fingerprint prone around the edges, but then again most mirrors are, so it’s not a deal breaker! It is on the heavy side but for me this is a must so it doesn’t get knocked over. I have a very naughty cat that likes to climb over everything and knock things over.

Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Wide View Review via The Beauty Look Book

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Riki Skinny Mirror by Glamcor

Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror review via The Beauty Look Book

above with lights off

Another mirror I use everyday is the Riki Skinny Mirror by Glamcor ($195, available at Beautylish). It has a wide panel, lights around the edges and is skinny/compact enough to travel with. The stand and edging is plastic making it super lightweight but it’s still sturdy enough to have some weight. I’ve tried some mirrors from a few other brands to see if I could find a more budget friendly alternative. You can definitely find options for less, but to me they felt too lightweight and very flimsy.

  • Measures 9.5 wide by 13 inches tall, mirror portion is about 10 inches tall
  • Has five brightness settings
  • Comes with a 3x magnetic mirror attachment
  • Has a magnetic phone clip if you want to film yourself or take selfies
  • Comes with an adjustable stand

Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror review via The Beauty Look Book

above with lights on

The Riki mirror came packaged in a large sturdy cardboard box and everything was well protected with inserts so it arrived in perfect condition. I kept the box for a year or so but have since tossed it. Every time I travel I always wish I had this mirror with me. I haven’t figured out a way to pack it yet, but next time I do I will be sure to keep you posted.

I like this one because it’s easy to see my whole face. The stand makes it easy to adjust. I love that it’s lightweight but has a high quality mirror and light system. It’s held up remarkably well and the mirror hasn’t scratched even though it’s gone through a lot of moving. It is definitely a splurge and you can find cheaper alternatives on Amazon. I had a few that I tried from Impressions Vanity that were a fraction of the price. They’re good for the price, but the quality and stability is just not the same. For me this was worth the splurge 100%.

Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror review via The Beauty Look Book

There are other variations as well including a Riki Cutie and Skinny Pink Set, a Riki Tall Version (super spendy), and a Cutie Compact version.

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Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror

Favorite Spring Lip Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip

Last but not least is one that I’ve received so many questions about. I try to tag and label everything when I can but sometimes miss things here and there. This really isn’t a makeup mirror so it’s not part of my top three, but I get so many questions about this Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror I thought I’d do a quick FAQ. I bought the smallest version from Anthropologie online. It comes in a few other colors and size options. Mine is the 3′ option and measures 39.25 inches high and 39 inches wide. It is pretty heavy at 75 pounds. When I bought it I could not lift it myself, but thanks to some consistent weight training I can lift it all by myself now! I think it was 100% worth the splurge!

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Simplehuman Round Sensor Mirror Pro Review Rose Gold

For those who have been asking for an updated mirror roundup and review I hope you found this helpful! If you’re in the market for Simplehuman mirrors the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a really good time to save on them. They do have a few deals during the holidays and past readers have found good coupons for Bed, Bath and Beyond.

 

If you have any makeup mirror favorites let me know in the comments! Would love to hear about the ones you’ve tried and your thoughts!

 

19 Comments
Hourglass Cosmetics

New Hourglass Scattered Light Shadows + Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo

July 22, 2019

Hourglass Haul New Scattered Light and Nordstrom Eye/Lip Duo Spark | The beauty look book

There are some new items from Hourglass that just launched! I hauled three of the four new Scattered Light Eye Shadows ($29 each) in Ray, Rapture and Burnish along with the Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo ($48, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale exclusive).

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New Scattered Light Eye Shadows

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray

I’ve been such a huge fan of the Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows. I bought all five original colors reviewed here and use them on a weekly basis. They make for the prettiest shadow toppers to add some pop and dimension. Sometimes I’ll mix a couple together or just layer on top of powder shadows. In case you missed the original review, these are glittery pigments that adhere well to the lids. They’re ultra sparkly I was beyond excited to see new shades make their appearance online. I bought three of the four (skipped the green one):

  • Rapture is a cranberry with gold shimmer
  • Burnish is a shimmery gold bronze
  • Ray is a medium smokey bronze champagne with loads of glitter

Out of the three Ray is the most sparkly and glittery. Rapture and Burnish seem to have smaller finer sparkles, even smaller compared to the original five shades. I tested all three and absolutely love them. There are similarities between some of the original shades. Burnish is less yellow than Foil. Rapture is more red/pink than Blaze.

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray swatches

New Hourglass Scattered Light Ray, Burnish and Rapture

Swatches of all the scattered light eye shadows I own. 100% worth the splurge.

Hourglass Scattered Light Eye Shadow Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Eye and Lip Duo

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019

The Nordstrom x Hourglass 2019 Anniversary Sale Set has an exclusive lip gloss called Spark and I was really interested to see what it looked like (my Nordstrom did not have this in store). It’s a pale milky peachy pink cream that’s high maintenance for my pigmented lips. If you’re light or fair skinned or can wear ultra light colors you’ll have no issue with this. Since I have a darker natural lip this ended up being super streaky on me. It will blend out and smooth out with a pencil underneath or mixed. I feel like this one would have been amazing had it been a shimmery color (kinda along the lines of Impact or Cosmic). For me Sublime is easier to pull off without the streaks.

I tried the Caution Extreme Mascara again and this round find that I really like it. I wasn’t 100% thrilled with it when I first tried it a year ago. I feel like it’s working a lot better for me this try.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark and Caution Mascara

For foundation reference I’m wearing Armani Luminous Silk in Shade 7. For the Hourglass Foundations I’m in between shades, closest match in the Vanish Seamless Liquid is Beige (review here). Spark is swatched below on bare lips.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark lip gloss

If I could do this over I would have passed on this set and just bought the mascara. The gloss is too pale for me and too similar to Sublime/Child in the same formula and for me the best neutral nude in this color family is still Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Faux Real or Bobbi Brown Lychee Baby.

Comparisons below:

Nude Lip Gloss Swatches

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Hourglass Haul Picks new Scattered Light and Spark Lip Gloss

Overall love the new Scattered Light Eyeshadows and hope more come out. The Spark Lip Gloss is a pass for me. It’s one of those shades that will streak after I apply if I touch my lips together or drink from a cup. I am willing to try to make it work with lip liner and extra blending, but for me I think there are easier to wear colors that are similar.

The new Scattered Light Eye Shadows should be available at all Hourglass counters soon. Available now at Nordstrom, Sephora and Hourglass Cosmetics. The Eye Lip Duo is exclusive to Nordstrom for the Anniversary Sale.

 

 

Did you check out either of these new launches?

 

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Hauls Nordstrom

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Outfit + Shoe Haul

July 19, 2019

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Haul Picks Tory Burch, Paige, Madewell

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally open to the public today! I have a roundup of my fashion and shoe picks that I hauled with a few try-on photos and hits or misses. I kept my fashion picks edited since most of the offerings are for pre-fall and fall season. I absolutely love the leather and faux leather jackets but living in Florida it’s only cold enough a handful of days to wear. Contrary to popular belief we do get some cold days, in the winter it hits around the 40s or 50s. I suppose it’s all relative since in the same time it’s much much colder elsewhere! I found some cute camisoles, picked a few longer sleeve tops and some jeans.

Full haul linked below:

 

Try On 1: J.Crew and Madewell

Nordstrom Jcrew Tippi Sweater Multistripe in Navy

I found a cute sweater from the sale from J.Crew! It’s called the Tippi Sweater in Multi-stripe in Navy Sapphire. I opted for a size up from my normal size in Small for a more relaxed look. On the left I tried on the Madewell 9-Inch Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans (also on sale) which I really loved, but own a pair almost identical so I passed on these. On the right I have my Agolde Parker Shorts (not on sale) and my fav summer Sam Edelman Sandals (true to size, also not part of sale).

Outfit Try On 2: Leith and Madewell

Nordstrom Leith Camisole and Madewell Denim

Above I have on the Leith Side Drape Camisole for something red and drapey from the sale. I could have gone with an XS or S, I’m wearing the Small above and it’s what I bought. Denim is Madewell Ripped 10-Inch High Waist Crop Skinny Jeans which ran a little too short for my taste. I opted for a different pair from Paige (see below).

Outfit 3: Rag and Bone

Nordstrom Rag and Bone Anniversary Sale Try On

I really love all things Rag and Bone! I bought a pair of jeans from the sale a couple years ago and even with regular wear and washing they held up really well and don’t stretch out with wear. Above I’m wearing the Astrid Polka Dot Camisole in XS and the Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans. I bought both!

Outfit 4: Treasure and Bond x Rag and Madewell

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Treasure and Bond

I love blue and white stripe shirts but finding one with a loose weave and good drape that doesn’t consume my petite frame is hard. My favorite ones are from Joie (super spendy) but this Treasure and Bond Dobby Stripe Boyfriend Top is a nice cheaper dupe. I find the line runs big and often have to wear XXS (as shown above). Also paired with the Madewell jeans I tried on in Outfit 1.

Try On 5: Blank NYC

Nordstrom Blank NYC Record Breaker Collarless Faux Leather Moto

Someday I will be live in a city again where I can wear leather jackets. I thought this Blank NYC Record Breaker Collarless Faux Leather Moto Jacket was so cute. I love the crop style and color. This is in an XS. I thought it was a steal at $64.90 but since it would not get much wear here I decided to pass. I did seriously consider it for fall for upcoming travel though!

Try On 6: Paige and Frame

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Paige and Frame Denim

I think the Nordstrom sale has the best designer jeans available! I buy a pair from Paige every year. Out of all the brands I think it’s the best and most flattering. On the left is the Paige Hoxton Ripped High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans (true to size but relaxed fit, I bought these in 26). On the right are the Frame Le Skinny Chew Hem Ankle Jeans (size 27), I also decided to buy these and love the length.

Shoe Picks: Tory Burch and Adidas

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shoe Haul

I bought four pairs of shoes from the sale. One I’m undecided on. I love Tory Burch sandals and of course fell in love with the Everly T-Strap Sandals. I found they ran true to size and bought my usual 6.5 size in the black and red. I wasn’t going to buy the red but both Andrew and the sale associate said it looked good and that it was still neutral enough to not be crazy bright. Most of my shoes are black, tan or some kind of neutral! These are bold for me.

I thought the Everly Sandal was a good moderate heel sandal at 2.5 inches and bought them in Tan/Gold. I found my regular size 6.5 fit well but I’m undecided about these. I feel like my Ugg Kari Sandals (worn here) are a lot more comfortable and easier to wear. Granted the styles are completely different, but for a nice tan sandal I love the Uggs a lot more.

Adidas are new to me as I’ve been more into Nike and APL. I bought the Swift Run Sneakers (they run large, I sized down 2 sizes from my normal sneaker size) and think they’re really nice! Andrew got matching ones in the men’s and we both are really impressed with how stable they are for weight training. I am looking for other non-sale colors to haul this weekend.

Try on 7: Sunglasses

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Burberry Sunglasses

I usually find at least one pair of sunglasses from the sale that I love. This season all the Kate Spade offerings were really similar to ones I already own. I loved these Burberry Check 57MM Polarized Gradient ones thinking they’d be a good dupe for the Tom Ford Lauren ones I’ve been eyeing for months. I did think they were super cute but they felt a little loose in the fit (I tried on several pairs to make sure). I decided to save for the Tom Ford ones or opt for another pair of Ray Bans.

Last but not least I did try on a bunch of workout fitness tops and bottoms. I found the vast majority of the tops either weren’t fitted well or ran super long. I did buy the Zella Zip Go To Hoodie because it’s lightweight and super soft! They didn’t have my size in store, it runs big, I bought both the nude and grey in XXS and love them. I had high hopes to find some good deals for fitness but no matter where I look, I always go to Lululemon for quality staples.

I hope you enjoyed this haul post! More beauty reviews to follow soon from the sale. I did place another online haul and bought a new Barefoot Dreams blanket which I think is the best thing I bought! Did you haul Anything yet?

 

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Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit + Easy Smokey Eye Palette

July 17, 2019

Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives

Charlotte Tilbury has two limited-edition sets for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I posted quick swatches here but have a more detailed look at both today. There’s a Pillow Talk Full Size Lip Kit ($60) and an Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini ($55 for 6 shades). Both are beautiful and I highly recommend them!

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Trio and Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Above wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette, Pillow Talk Lip Kit (all 3 layered), Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade 7, camisole from Leith

Pillow Talk Lip Kit

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit Nordstrom

The Pillow Talk Lip Kit has three full size colors of her Lip Cheat Lip Liner, Matte Revolution Lipstick and a Lip Lustre Lip Gloss all in her cult classic shade Pillow Talk. I’ve been a huge fan of her lip pencil and lipstick! I’ve reviewed and featured them many times before and wear both often. Anytime I gift something to a close friend who’s new to luxury beauty or wants a good everyday lip, I give them the lipstick and gloss. It’s universally flattering in my opinion and although it will look different on different skin tones it’s easy to wear for a good everyday rose pink.

The Lip Lustre Gloss is currently only part of this set, I’m hoping it will launch separately eventually. The color matches the lipstick and liner in undertone, but on my skin it pulls about 1/2 to 1 shade lighter compared to the lipstick. It’s still a good neutral that doesn’t wash me out, but since I’m tan now with the summer sun, it’s a lighter nude pink. Coverage of this gloss is opaque full coverage with a high shine finish, yet does not feel thick. It has a slightly tacky feel like many glosses do, but it’s not the stickiest I’ve tried. If you can’t do traditional gloss the smoothest cushiony shines are still going to be the ones from Marc Jacobs or Pat McGrath.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit Nordstrom

I was 100% certain I’d find a dupe, I could not. Swatches of some neutrals I was able to dig out of my boxes while I still unpack below including:

Swatch comparisons neutral lip glosses

Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini Nordstrom Review

The Easy Smokey Eye Palette has six colors in warm rose tones. There’s a mix of matte and shimmer and the pigment is phenomenal. It has an ivory shimmer, rose gold shimmer, matte rose, shimmery rose copper, matte warm terracotta, soft matte warm brown.

Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini Nordstrom Review

I compared it to the Holiday 2018 Stars in Your Eyes here and I don’t think you need the one from Nordstrom if you already own the holiday version. They are not identical but are similar.

Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom x6 Eye vs Holiday 2018 Palette

A few of you asked how this compares to her Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Quad reviewed here. I think I’m one of the few who did not like her Pillow Talk quad – the colors give me a horrible pink-eye look, it’s worse in real life! I was truly surprised to find the Nordstrom Easy Smokey Eye Palette works because it pulls warmer, but I think it’s the variation in undertone that makes it easier to wear. I love mini 6 pan palettes like this one because it has enough for a full eye look while still being compact and easy to store or travel with. Pigment of the Nordstrom version is a million times better too.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk vs Nordstrom Eye Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Trio and Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Overall I think both are beautiful sets to own. Quality is great, colors are easy to wear, both are solid winners. You can find them available as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Beauty Exclusives offerings while they last. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchases page.

 

Have you tried either yet? What did you think?

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