After a few weeks of testing, I finally have a review of the new Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks ($20) and Lip Liners ($15). I tried 6 of the 10 shades and while I love the colors, I have mixed thoughts on the formulas which I’d give a solid B to B+.
The Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks are creamy mattes. Formula has an almost buttery creamy feel with a matte finish. Pigment is rich and full coverage and hugs the lips. I love the packaging which has a pop-up cap with a flat end so if you lay them on a table they won’t roll off. I think the colors in this launch are beautiful and also love that they are unscented.
I’m not usually a fan of the matte lipsticks on me because they end up looking too dry for my taste. I do love mattes from Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath, and Chanel and I had high hopes for the new formula from Rare Beauty. On my bare lips the Rare Beauty lipsticks look dry. If I prep with a lip primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer it makes a world of difference for a better smoother application and look. Straight out of the tube I give these a B. With a bit of primer or smoother underneath they’re better.
The color range is stunning, but I really wish they made these in a cream or even glossy finish. I ordered mine sight unseen (they’re all in Sephora stores by now). The online swatches look darker and bolder than in real life. A lot of these will vary depending on your skin and lip tone since they’re neutrals. Since they’re full coverage my natural lip does not show through in any of these. Colors I hauled:
Talented is a neutral beige
Creative is a medium pale peach nude
Worth is a cool toned muted mauve
Humble is a rose pink mauve
Lively is a warm pink peach
Fun is a warm rose
I have the similar thoughts about the Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liners. I love the concept of a matching lipstick and liner and like the thoughtful packaging (these are twist ups). These are matte but still glide on the lips with a nice smooth feel. I give these a higher rating than the lipsticks. They’re a tiny bit tacky feeling to the touch once they’re applied on the lips but it does dry down to a smooth matte. I like that they help the lipstick adhere better and stay put longer. Lasting power is very good.
In terms of lip liners formula comparisons I think the Huda Beauty and Makeup By Mario formulas are better. They glide on better and don’t look as matte. However the Rare Beauty lip pencils are much better than the Kosas Hotliners which I think are hard as a rock and smell like old Crayola crayons.
Bottom line: I love the colors, the packaging, pigment. I don’t love the matte finish because I find them a little dry looking on me, but I shouldn’t dock points off them because they’re designed to be matte. If I could have tried and swatched them all in person I would have skipped Talented and Creative, they pull a little pale on my skin tone, especially since I’m tan right now.
If you like matte lipsticks I think you will like these. If you have dry lips definitely prep with some kind of primer or balm first.
I’m back with a packing roundup! We took a week off for a mini getaway to Key West. It’s been five years since we’ve visited and this trip we took my in-laws with us. We took the Key West Express from Fort Meyers this time. Overall it was crazy hot and humid during our time but we still had a lot of fun! It was a relaxing trip, we did a lot of walking.
A quick look at the hotel we stayed at. Andrew and I booked a 2 bedroom cottage at The Capitana Key West. It’s one of the newer hotels and we really liked it! Super clean, nice modern design, daily housekeeping, cute pool and lounge area. It is 2 miles outside of downtown so you will definitely need a car or golf cart of some sort as it’s too hot to walk that far. Here’s a quick look. If you want to see the inside, I did a mini room tour on Instagram I’ll post below.
For packing Andrew and I packed up 3 Away Bigger Carry-Ons (there was a size limit for luggage on the ferry). I still really love these suitcases and highly recommend them. The Bigger Carry-On is the perfect size to pack essentials for an extended weekend getaway. I also really love their Packing Cubes – both Andrew and I use these. For longer trips we have and like the Medium Suitcase. Their Accessories selection is pretty good these days too! I bought Andrew the Large Toiletry Case and he approves of the design, material and quality!
What I packed below (each item is clickable to take you directly to shop the item):
I didn’t manage to get photos of every outfit I wore but here are a few snapshots.
I’ve never received so many questions as I have about shoes! Here are the highlights on sizing and comfort:
Tory Burch Double T Sport Slide is one of most comfortable sandals I’ve tried. I’ve owned this pair for a couple years now (also seen here and here). They’ve held up really well even though I’m not the most careful with my feet. While it doesn’t have arch support there’s a cushion in the sole which makes them really comfortable on the feet. They run true to size (I’m a 6.5 in most sandals). Comfort is 10 out of 10.
Ancient Greek Sandals Eleftheria Sandal are a recent splurge and I love the minimalist look. They’re very sturdy and I like that they stay on the feet. The straps are not adjustable so it was pure luck that they fit me perfectly. I wish the straps were adjustable though – it seems like having a perfect fit isn’t always going to happen since everyone has different widths for feet, ankles, toes etc. Comfort is 8.5 out of 10 for me. These come in whole sizes and the Size 7 works perfectly for me.
Chloe Woody Slide Sandals are ones I think are super cute, but comfort is a level 7 out of 10 for me. They’re not painful but they’re also not ones I want to walk around all day in. These come in whole sizes only and I wear these in a 37.
Veja Venturi Sneakers are cute for that chunky sneaker trend and I find them very comfortable. They’re very comfortable to walk in around all day. Sizing reviews seem to be mixed (it may depend on color). For these I wear them in a US 6/ EUR37.fendi
Fendi Feel Slides were a splurge and I love them. They’re very comfortable and I had no issues (no break in period). There is a slight arch support inside and the sole has some beveled edges to hug the feet (so there’s no sliding around inside). Even with sweaty feet they stayed on. Sizing is big and wide. I have narrowish feet so I took these in a Size 36. I could have probably gone down to a 35.5 but the 36 is very comfortable. I would recommend going a 1/2 down from your regular size or buy from a retailer that has a good return policy.
For beauty packing I packed up products in 2 different cases this time. For skincare and haircare I splurged on the Louis Vuitton Nice BB Case and love it. I just bought it so I’ve only been able to use it once on this trip. I’ll be able to share more thoughts as we travel more! Packing Reel sharing what fits inside below.
For makeup I packed everything in the Calpak Mini Cosmetic Case. This had been sitting in my online shopping cart for many months. I finally decided to order it in Caramel and love it. Super roomy even though it’s the “mini” version. There’s a bigger option available too!
I don’t always pack hair tools but with the humidity in the Keys I wasn’t going to take any chances on the hotel dryer. I packed up the T3 Micro Aireluxe and the ghd Platinum+ Styler. Both were great! I will probably switch up the dryer for a different one next time (this one took up a lot of room) but will 100% travel with the hair straightener. It’s perfect to smooth out the hair in the morning.
Last thing I wanted to highlight is how I pack my jewelry. I usually wear my necklaces while traveling since I haven’t found a travel case that works for chains (they always end up getting tangled). But for everything else the Mejuri Travel Case is perfect to store rings, three pairs or earrings and thicker chains. It’s also available in black.
Have you been traveling this summer? We have been itching to travel more but Ollie is not yet ready to go with us (hopefully soon). He’s been in puppy training the past 2 weeks so the timing worked out for us to have someone watch/train him this time. We really wanted to bring him but we’re glad we did not (it was too hot and the ferry ride was too long for him!). He’s learning so much! If you’ve traveled this summer let me know where!
If you want to see the places we visited you can check out my Key West highlights on Instagram @beautylookbook.
By popular request I have my summer sunscreen roundup with all the formulas I’ve tried and loved recently! I have mainly used formulas from Supergoop!, Shiseido and Chanel but finally put more formulas to the test. My skin is very sensitive to extreme heat and sunscreen so I test with extreme caution. Here is what I’ve tried and thoughts. Up first are formulas for the body!
This is my all-time favorite sunscreen for the body. It’s the best I’ve tried that has a velvety dry down, longest lasting even in water and easy to spread even over wet skin (although I recommend applying on dry skin). It also helps protect against heat. It’s also formulated to use on the face but I use this one only on the body, neck, arms, legs. Love this value duo at Sephora.
I’ve loved and used this formula since the day it launched (have also repurchased numerous times). It has superfine light reflecting particles (it’s smooth, no chunky texture) and adds the prettiest shimmer and to the skin. Love that it’s smooth and hydrating.
This was one of my latest splurges – for me it was hard to find as it was almost always sold out but seems to be back in stock a few places. It’s one of the most expensive sunscreens I’ve tried and it is pure love. It glides on the skin smoothly. Has an anti-oxidant complex to nourish and hydrate the skin. Has a very subtle sunscreen scent which smells like summer to me. Love that it has a pump applicator. There is also a Soleil Superieur face version which I’ve used and loved before but it’s also quite expensive.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.5%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (8%)
This formula wins for the best scent. It has a nice smooth application. No pilling. Smells like a fun summer vacation. I love how the formula wears and performs. Two things though: I do wish it had a higher SPF and it doesn’t apply well on wet skin. If you’re in the water or super sweaty you will need to towel off before applying otherwise it doesn’t adhere. It has coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3.0%, Zinc Oxide 8%
This formula is Andrew’s favorite and the only body sunscreen he uses. It’s the longest lasting even in water and with sweat. It’s one I order in bulk because Andrew goes through so much. Anytime we have guests in town we give them a bottle of this Jack Black formula (or Supergoop!) to use while they’re here because it’s the best at protecting skin and preventing sunburns.
It’s also available in 3-Pack of Minis at Jack Black. The only downside is that it’s so effective it is very hard to remove at the end of the day. You’ll have to give your body multiple scrubs with a washcloth or sponge. I’ll sometimes have to use a cleansing oil all over and let it sit to break down the formula before using a regular body wash. Andrew’s favorite is the Jack Black Turbo Wash (which I also borrow from time to time). The Big Sir Body and Hair Cleanser is also pretty good.
If you’re looking for the men in your life to up their grooming game, I highly recommend Jack Black. They have some good starter sets. I’ve bought this for Andrew, his brother, my brother, etc.
Sun Care Face Formulas
For the face I have stuck with a very small select group of formulas for the past three years. I am very sensitive to heat and sunscreen. With the wrong formula my face often reacts with red spots and flare ups when exposed to extreme heat. I still get review requests every week to review/test different formulas from you! This year I finally branched out and tried more after careful research and am thrilled to report that I have some new winners.
I’ve loved and used La Roce-Posay for a long time. It’s one that most of you love and use too. Three formulas I started using recently include the following:
The Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF 60* ($30.99) has a lightweight texture and semi-matte finish. It’s a white fluid but has no white cast on my skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%.
The Anthelios Mineral Tinted SPF 50* ($34.99) is an excellent mineral formula I actually like and love. I find most mineral formulas don’t work for my skin type with the texture, but this is a really good one with a brown-beige tint. It disappears into the skin. Active Ingredient is Titanium Dioxide 11%.
The Anthelios Melt-In-Milk SPF 60* ($24.99 to $36.99, face & body, chemical sunscreen) is a great formula for the body. 100% recommend. Has a high SPF, melts into the skin, absorbs quickly. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%. See them in action below!
The Tatcha formula works under makeup nicely and it has a velvety feel. The packaging could use a bit of work as the product sometimes will squirt out of the top once you open it. I haven’t had any flaking issues that you see online (not yet). This is more fluid in texture compared to their Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35.
The Summer Fridays formula is a really nice one I found works with me. Reviews seem to be mixed – definitely try a patch test first. I don’t think it’s the best long-wear formula if you’re outside for an extended period of time.
The Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 ($55) and CC Cream ($55) have been in my top picks for years. I love the ultra lightweight texture of the UV Essentiel and I don’t sweat a lot on my face so this works for me (it didn’t work for Andrew, he sweats more). Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium dioxide 3.8%, Zinc oxide 17.1%.
My most-worn sunscreen is the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50. It’s a tinted product with medium coverage and wears so well on my skin. Lasts all day. It is on the semi-thick side so application is key. It’s not one I recommend applying with fingers. Use a sponge to work it into the skin and blend. This method works best for me when applying any CC cream. So many of you have told me you have kept referring to my review from 2018!
Active Ingredients: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%
Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands for sunscreens in general. I love all of their chemical formulas and one mineral. My recommendation for formula would be based on your skin type and preference. Each one has a different texture and purpose.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* ($30 to 42) was one of the highest rated/most loved formulas from you based on messages I received on social. So many of you love this skincare line and after finally trying it this year I 100% agree. No white cast on me (although there is a very subtle white tint), no pilling, lasts on the skin. Definitely reapply every hour (as with all formulas) but love that it’s not sticky or goopy and it doesn’t have any smell or weird sunscreen scent.
Both are great formulas for the face. The Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen has a beautiful hydrating feel. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and slightly plump. It has enough moisture that I can use this as a moisturizer.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%.
The Shiseido Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Sunscreen is also a recent winner. It has a more fluid thin texture with a velvety dry down. Super lightweight, long lasting, has a slight pale peachy pink tint when you apply it on the skin but disappears after blending.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a skincare roundup and with summer in full swing I have an updated routine with my favorites for clean and clear skin. With the heat, sunscreen and extra sweat my skin is prone to getting clogged and irritated. If you also experience the same issues during the summer, I have my current go-to’s I swear by from Nordstrom. These are my favorites to help clear out the pores and keep skin looking fresh!
Cleansers
Long time readers know I’m a fanatic about cleansing my skin. Keeping skin super clean and making sure I remove all traces of sunscreen and makeup at the end of the day is essential but with long wear makeup formulas it can be tricky. I rotate cleansers and use different formulas for morning vs afternoon.
Using a good makeup remover whether it’s a cleansing balm or cleansing oil is always a must. It helps break down foundation, concealer, blush etc.
I really love the Chanel Sublimage L’Huile En-Gel De Demaquillage Gel-To-Oil Cleanser ($110). I love it because it’s less messy than a regular liquid oil. The gel melts right into the skin and has that signature Sublimage scent (obsessed!). It makes the skin feel super soft and smooth and clean!
I always follow with a toner to help rebalance the skin and make sure all traces of cleanser and makeup are removed. My two go-to’s right now are from Kiehls and Sisley. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($12 – $20) helps moisturize the skin and refine texture. I also swear by the Sisley Balancing Floral Toning Lotion ($115) which is the best alcohol-free formula I’ve used.
For texture and resurfacing, the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads ($59) have been the best resurfacing pads I’ve tried. There’s no stinging, no uncomfortable residue, and really works for smoother skin. You can use these daily but I use them 2x per week.
Pore Cleaning Masks
To keep the pores clear and clean I use Glamglow. The Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment ($25-86) is one I cannot live without (Value Set for $69 here). Anytime I feel like pimples or clogged pores are surfacing I use this and it’s the most effective AHA and BHA acid mask for problem skin. Charcoal helos absorb excess oil and toxins. Apply a thin layer and leave it on for 5-20 minutes (I usually leave it on for 10). Rinse thoroughly.
I also really love charcoal based masks/cleansers and the Glamglow SUPERCLEANSE Clearing Cream-to-Foam-Cleanser ($32) and SUPERSMOOTH Acne Clearing 5-Minute Mask ($34) are essential for my summer routine. Both are gentle enough for me to use daily but I usually have these in rotation 2-3x per week. Andrew loves these too. They’re great to absorb excess oil without stripping the skin.
I rotate with oils and moisturizers but really love the Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream ($220) right now. It’s the perfect lightweight moisturizer for a fresh glow. I use this as a first layer then add the Sisley Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel ($210) on top for my perfect smooth base. They’re quite the splurge but there’s nothing quite like either!
For eye treatments I love the Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid ($165). It’s another expensive buy but 100% worth the splurge if you want a really nice lightweight eye cream. Right now Nordstrom has the Black Rose Set for the Anniversary Sale which has the full size cream, eye fluid and mini black rose mask ($230 on sale, $415 value).
La Mer is always a nice luxurious treat. I splurged on the La Mer Luminous Renewal Set ($95) from the NSALE which has travel sizes of the Cleansing Foam, The Treatment Lotion, Renewal Oil and Moisturizing Soft Cream. If you have dry skin they also have this set with the regular Crème de la Mer in the Radiant Hydration Set (also $95).
The last thing I wanted to highlight is a new try! La Mer recently launched The Micro Peel ($270). It is a leave-on resurfacing peel treatment with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs to polish the skin and clear pores. I just started using it at night 1x to 2x per week. It has a bi-phase formula so you shake the bottle to activate the formula and mix contents. Use on clean skin and don’t rinse. You can add moisturizer on top if you want but I’ve been applying it on its own. It has a minimal tingle and I really like it so far. Will keep you posted as I can test more!
Sunscreen is also a very important part of my summer skincare routine but I’ve saved that for a future post (coming very soon!).
You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own. All products purchased by me.
Summer is in full swing and I’m excited to share a look at some of my favorite luxury beauty staples this season from Neiman Marcus. They have so many of my all-time favorites, I’ve restocked on a few favorites from them for an upcoming trip! I’m excited to share a look at some of my tried-and-true beauty staples today. They’re having their Summer Beauty Gift with Purchase Event going on now through 7/22!
The La Mer Face Mist is the ultimate skin refresher to hydrate the face with a soothing veil of hydration. It has a lovely cooling sensation on the skin with a fresh and relaxing scent. I love bringing face mists on travels with me and this one is coming with me on vacation.
I’m obsessed with trying all kinds of lip balms and a tried-and-true staple of mine is the La Mer Lip Volumizer. It’s a lip serum with a plumping effect but I love this as a lip balm. Makes the lips feel smooth, hydrated and lush. I often wear this as a night time lip mask.
I’ve owned a few smaller Mason Pearson brushes for over a decade and can say they’re 100% worth the splurge. I had been eyeing the full-sized Popular Mix Brush and it finally popped back in stock at Neimans and I snapped one up immediately. It’s now currently on backorder, but I highly recommend it. It has a mix of bristle and nylon and works to stimulate the scalp, brush hair in way I’ve never seen in any brush and gives the hair a super smooth look.
I like to have a hair clip or scrunchie on hand so I can tie my hair up when I’m on vacation. I splurged on the Balmain Hair Couture Medium Hair Clip and it’s a beautiful one! It’s the perfect size and exactly what I was looking for.
If I had to pick one lip product to wear this summer it would be the Hermes Hermesistible Infused Lip Care Oils. I love every single color, but my two favorite shades are Beige Sapotil (one I’m wearing in this post) and Corail Bigarade. They are each scented with a unique scent. The formula is nourishing and I love the tint.
Out of all the bronzers on the market I would have to say my most worn bronzer is the Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer in Gold Dust (I also like Terra for a lighter neutral cool-toned option). It has a soft almost gel to powder formula that adheres to the skin. Looks super natural and is the best way to warm up the complexion for a soft bronzed glow. My favorite bronzer brush is the one from Laura Mercier.
The last splurge I wanted to highlight is the Cle de Peau Cream Blush. I have loved and used this formula for quite some time and just splurged on Shade #3. It’s a really lovely bright peach that brings the complexion to life. A little goes a long way and this cream formula is one of the few that I truly love.
If you’re looking for some summer staples I hope you found this roundup helpful! Neiman Marcus is also having their Summer Gift With Purchase Event now through 7/22. Spend $150 or more for an assortment of beauty samples and a step up gift with a purchase of $200 or more. Here’s a peek below.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is in full swing right now and one of my favorite hair styling tools is part of the sale for their Beauty Exclusives! I was recently able to test out the ghd Platinum+ 1” Styler and it’s my new holy grail styling tool for getting a smooth sleek look. It’s a versatile tool that you can also use to curl your hair. Available in Black and White on sale for $187 (33% off, normally $279).
I’m excited to share a closer look demo of how to use ghd Platinum+ Styler. After having tested so many brands of heat tools over the years I can say this one is my favorite for straightening!
The ghd Platinum+ Styler is a 1-inch flat iron set at one temperature of 365 degrees fahrenheit. I’ve always used tools with multiple heat settings but learned that ghd has scientifically proven this is the optimum temperature for long lasting style that will also keep hair healthy with the least amount of damage. It will keep your color protected and hair healthy too. The temperature is at the right temperature for effective styling so you can style your hair sections in a single pass.
ghd calls this tool their “ultimate smart styler” because it has “ultra-zone technology.” Sensors are active across both plates and they monitor the heat 250x per second to ensure the temperature remains consistent depending on your hair thickness and the speed at which you use the styler.
I love that it heats up quickly (in 20 seconds), has an automatic shut off mode after 30 minutes and has a wishbone hinge which makes it easy to hold and use. The plates are gloss coated so they glide along the hair easily – no tugging or snagging.
Look 1: Sleek and Smooth
For a smooth, sleek and shiny hair look I first spritz on a heat protectant on dry hair. I tried the ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray ($25) and really like it! It dispenses an ultra-fine mist and coats the hair evenly with a few spritzes. I like that it’s light enough in finish that it doesn’t weight the hair down at all.
Spritz and comb through, then straighten hair in small sections. Below is a look at the finished result! Most people think I have naturally smooth shiny hair but it’s not the case at all. I have thick unruly frizz prone hair. It takes a lot of work and product to keep it looking smooth. This straightener makes styling my hair so much easier.
Look 2: Curls
You can also use the ghd Platinum+ Styler to curl the hair. I usually wear my hair straight whether it’s air dried, blow dried or straightened. I had quite a few mishaps with curling irons in the past which usually resulted me burning my forehead and fingers (even with gloves). A few tools I’ve tried have been so hot they fried my hair off. The ghd Platinum+ Styler has been perfect for someone like me. It has a rounded edge around the plates and they act like a buffer so there’s no contact with skin (no forehead burns, yay!). I can also hold the outside tip without getting burned. The hinge is easy enough to clamp and close around the hair that you don’t need to hold the end but sometimes it’s nice to – especially if you want to do a back and forth for an almost crimped-like beach wave.
To curl I section and clip hair up to curl in layers and sections. I hold the tool upside down and loop sections around the iron away from the face. Once looped just clamp and slowly drag the tool through the hair to the ends. An angled hold and faster speed will give me looser more natural looking curls.
Curls last all day with this tool, even in this Florida humidity although they do relax slightly as time goes on (which I actually like for a more lived-in look).
I really love the ghd Platinum+ Styler! I plan on taking it with me on every trip from now on. You can find it on sale at Nordstrom for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale now through July 31st. Available in both black and white for $187. I highly recommend checking it out!
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Many thanks to ghd and Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
Today I have a roundup of what I checked out from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives! I was happy to find some good deals and sales, but like most of you, was a little disappointed that the newness was limited. I was hoping for some new pretty palettes, new colors, innovative formulas but most of the makeup items were repeats of existing items packaged into sets.
That being said I do think there are still some great deals to be found. If you’ve had your eye on a simplehuman mirror, ghd flat iron, or T3 hair dryer it’s a great time to save. Or if you’re new to luxury beauty and wanted to try some popular colors like the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk or Westman Atelier there are some nice bundles!
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury launched a number of Pillow Talk sets. The Pillow Talk lipstick is one of my favorite go-to lip colors. The Pillow Talk Lip Kit ($59, value is $92) has full sizes of the Matte Revolution Lipstick, Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick and Lip Cheat Lip Pencil. It’s a pretty good deal and makes for a nice gift!
Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk + the Eye Pencil Duo and Cheek Products
Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk
The Pillow Talk Cheeks Set ($54, retail value is $80) has a full-size Pillow Talk Beauty Light Wand and Cheek to Chic Blush. Both are beautiful everyday staples you can wear year round.
I also picked up the Pillow Talk Eye Shadow Pencil Duo ($35, retail is $58). I love the Colour Chameleon pencils and really love the colors in this kit. The Pillow Talk shade is a gorgeous shimmery pink and the deeper color is a nice plum. Lasting power is really good once these set (recommend blending quickly).
Hourglass & Westman Atelier
Hourglass and Westman Atelier both have repeats in their palettes and sets this year. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Essentials Palette ($68) has Dim Light, Diffused Heat and Luminous Bronze Light. All three colors are easy to wear for an effortless polished look. I already own all three shades individually and in other palettes but bought this as a gift.
Westman Atelier’s Weekend Set ($138) has three colors in a bundle. I already own all the colors so I didn’t buy it again, but did swatch it below for those of you who haven’t tried them yet.
There is also a Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm Duo ($57) which Popsicle (bright red) and Nana (nude pink). I really love this formula!
The Essential Lip Wear Set in Pink has some really nice options for fall. It has the Soar Lip Pencil, Nowstalgia Lipglass and Cozy Kisses Lipstick.
The Essential Lip Wear Set in Neutral has Boldly Bare Lip Pencil, Bare Blanket Amplified Lipstick and Glass Half Full Lipglass (full sizes). The lipstick + gloss colors in the neutral kit pull more warm/orange on me than neutral.
The Lipglass Mini Trio has Hygee Honey (cream beige nude), Cozy Rosy (cool pink) and The Pleasure is Mine (neutral pink).
Bobbi Brown
I picked up one set from Bobbi Brown. The Dual Ended Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick Duo ($34) is nice, especially for travel! The colors in this set looked perfect for fall although all the colors are repeats. Colors are easy to layer and are also pretty much budge-proof once they set.
Fragrances & Skincare
There are tons of fragrance sets and jumbo sizes available too. I picked up the Le Labo Discovery Set since I love having minis in my purse with me on-the-go. Tom Ford has their Soleil Shimmer Body Oil Duo ($75) in the Soleil Blanc and Soleil Neige scents. I love these for a glow and shimmer. The scents are really beautiful too. I already own both of them so didn’t purchase the set again.
Le Labo has jumbo sizes of their Hinoki Shower Gel and Hand Soap. Both Andrew and I love these so I bought another one of each. For skincare I picked up the La Mer Luminous Renewal Set ($95) for travel minis.
Hair Tools & Hair Care
For me Hair Care and Tools have the best deals for the sale. Oribe has repeats of previous year sets with the Gold Lust Set ($90, I restocked on this) and the Dry Texture + Dry Shampoo Set ($65).
T3 has their Airluxe Hair Dryer* on sale for $133.99 (regular price $199.99) and SinglePass 1.25 Inch Ceramic Curling Iron* on sale for $113.90 (full price $169.99). The Hair Dryer is a really nice one and has multiple heat and fan settings.
Mirrors
I’ve received a number of questions about the simplehuman Sensor Mirror and Riki Loves Riki Lighted Mirror. I own both and use both. I use the Riki mirror almost everyday since I like to be able to see my whole face when I do my makeup. The simplehuman mirror is better for detail because it’s magnified. They’re both great. I’ve owned both for over 5 years and they’ve held up really well.
That wraps up my look at the Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives! Even though there are a lot of repeats I think there are still some great finds.
Shop the Post
As promised I’m hosting a giveaway! (Not sponsored or affiliated.) One reader will win a $500 eGift card to Nordstrom. All you have to do is enter is complete all the steps in the widget below.
Open internationally
You must be 18 years or older to qualify
Complete ALL the steps in the widget (partial entries will be disqualified)
Giveaway will run through July 14 and ONE winner will be selected by me at random through the widget
Selected winner will be emailed by me on July 15th and must respond to email within 72 hours or another winner will be selected in their place
