Happy long weekend! I’ve rounded up the Labor Day sales that popped up in my inbox this week in case you’re looking for a comprehensive guide. I’ve split the list by category. If you find any great sales you’re shopping that I missed let me know in the comments!
Happy Friday! Rounding up the best Memorial Day Sales on my radar! Let me know if you spot any other good ones! I’ve reposted a photo of some of my favorite summer essentials from Eric Javits (above). I still really love the Hampton Straw Hat and Squishee Isla Stra Bag (now in more colors). Both on sale for 30% off on their website!
RETAILERS
BLOOMINGDALES – take an extra 50% off clearance (discount applied in bag), runs May 24-30, also save 15% off select beauty products from Bobbi Brown, NARS, Laura Mercier, MAC and more
MACY’S – 25-40% off Memorial Day Sale, for beauty 10 Days of Glam with 50% off Daily Beauty Offers now through 5/30
NET-A-PORTER – Memorial Day 30% off shopping event
NORDSTROM – Half Yearly Sale up to 60% off through June 5, for beauty tons of products marked down or price matched in their BEAUTY SALE page
KATE SOMERVILLE – free full-size ExfoliKate Cleanser when you spend $80, use code EXFOLIKATE
KIEHL’S – 3 deluxe gifts when you spend $65 or 5 deluxe gifts when you spend $85, no code needed, also offering 15% off 2 hair and body products or 20% off 3 hair and body products with code SAVEMORE
We’re back from another week in Miami and we had such a great time in the sunshine! Today I’m sharing my vacation makeup essentials featuring favorites from Nordstrom. They carry most of my go-to brands and beauty staples. I love browsing their New Beauty Launches on a weekly basis for the latest!
The zip around case is the perfect size for essentials. Quality is great and they have other prints available too. The flat one is also nice and perfect to hold beach essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, perfume etc. I love the sleek and streamlined design. Also love being able to see inside through the sides since the material is slightly see-through.
I love the Chanel CC Cream because it has the perfect texture and coverage (I blend it with a sponge) and has a high SPF. It’s one that lasts all day and looks good in photos.
The YSL Touche Eclat ($38) is a nice brightener for under the eyes and works to conceal redness around my nose. I use the classic Touche Eclat most of the time, but they also have a Touche Eclat High Cover version ($38). It has more coverage and in my experience it’s just as good, just more pigmented.
I love trying new bronzers each season. My go-to bronzer of the moment is the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Powder in Deep ($58). Anytime someone asks what bronzer I’m wearing it’s this one! For my no-fuss natural looking blush I love the NARS Orgasm Blush ($30) for a pretty flattering soft peachy pink with gold shimmer. The Tom Ford Soleil Highlighting Duo in Reflects Gilt ($89) has been a long-time staple I really love too. I also use this on the eyes sometimes!
Eye Makeup Favorites
For the eyes I think the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad Crème in Tiger Eye ($89) is the perfect palette for a pretty vacation eye look. I brought 3 eye palettes with me on my trip and this was the easiest to use for a quick eye look. My current favorite eyeliners are the Sisley Phyto-Khol Star ($62) in Sparkling Bronze and Black. They have lots of colors and the formula stays put all day (also available in a Matte Version). I always pack the Tom Ford Eye Defining Liquid Pen ($59) for a liquid liner. My favorite mascara right now is the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl ($29.50).
Lip Favorites
For lips I tend to pack way too many lip products even though I usually use 1-2 shades on vacation! I’m all about the shine lipsticks and absolutely love the Sisley Phyto-Rouge Shine ($60) for a hydrating lipstick with a glossy finish. Dior just launched their new Addict Shine Refillable Lipstick ($39) and they have so many good colors. I picked up a few of the neutrals and immediately fell in love with their classic Nude Look 100. They also have a few Couture Cases in Silver, Denim and Pink available separately. You can interchange them which is super cute and fun! (Haul + review on what I picked soon.)
I’m currently testing several new sunscreen formulas and will have a roundup soon. The one I liked the best during my trip was the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion ($49). It has a clear transparent finish (no white cast), has a good dry down, blends in easily and has the longest lasting power on me. It’s easy to reapply without feeling goopy or thick.
I’ve started to get into scrunchies for hair accessories and splurged on this chic Saint Lauren Bandana Scrunchie. Spendy but I love it. Lots of other cute Hair Accessories at Nordstrom that are more affordable in hair clips, scrunchies, scarfs and more.
For hair styling products I found the dpHUE Color Fresh Leave-In Conditioner ($28) to be the best multi-tasker for me. It worked to detangle, condition and smooth the hair while doubling as a good heat protectant for my hair dryer.
Hi everyone! It’s been a little quiet on the blog as we’ve been enjoying the summer! I know the summer season is close to an end but for me it seems like it just started. I’ll be back next week with some new beauty reviews. In the meantime by popular request I’ve put together a roundup of my favorite sunglasses! I’m sharing the styles and colors I wear the most frequently from Ray-Ban, Tom Ford and Celine. Finding a pair that fits my face size and shape is tricky – most aviators don’t fit well and I still haven’t found a cute pair of oversized sunglasses that are flattering (but they seem to look cute on everyone else!). Here are my Top 7 favorites with style code and color names so you can find the exact same pair in case you’ve seen something you liked on my Instagram stories @beautylookbook.
I bought these in Miami last year at the Celine store and they were quite the splurge but I love them! I had normally gravitated towards brown or lighter pink sunglasses but love how the black color goes with everything. They are round and very sturdy but the lens is flat (while most of the styles I have are slightly curved). I haven’t had any issues with scratches or stretching but I keep these in the case at all times I’m not using them.
Other details above: Top, at the Salty Donut in Miami wearing a tank from Re/Done. Bottom, poolside wearing a Tory Burch Costa Bandeau, older color, similar here
This pair was one of my more trendy purchases. The Celine sales associate recommended this style for my face shape but I didn’t buy them until a year later when I had some Nordstrom notes from points saved up and ordered them from Nordstrom. I love them! I feel like Celine makes really sturdy sunglasses with some weight which makes them feel more luxurious to me. They also make this style in a non-polarized version but in different color variations.
I had these on my wishlist for many many months. I was lucky and found these on sale early in the spring when a number of retailers were marking things down 25% or 30% off site-wide. I saved over $100 off and was thrilled. The size is perfect for me!
I ordered these from Shopbop for the color and love how neutral and versatile they are. The 51mm lens is smaller in width than some of my other styles but still works for my face shape and size. They also make this color in the 53mm Phantos style if you prefer a wider lens.
Other details: Hamptons Sun Hat from Eric Javits in Black, Swimsuit Beachbunny, Lip Oil in Primal Instinct from NARS.
This is a smaller version of their WayfarerII with a 52mm lens versus the regular 55mm lens. For size, I think both sizes work but I have a slight preference for the wider ones because they cover more of the face and give more shade to the eyes. Larger ones shown if you scroll down to the last photo at the bottom. For the type of lens I don’t have a preference for polarized vs non-polarized lenses and have a mix of both options. I do notice there is a stronger contrast and sharpness in color to what I see with polarized lenses although they tend to be more expensive than regular ones.
This is the style and color I get asked the most about. I think you girls love the brownish/red color of the frames! Anytime I wear them so many of you send messages asking for the style number. I like the shape and style because it’s more round versus rectangular. The color of the lens is almost a happy kind of color when you look through them. As usual with Ray-ban this is also available in a polarized option. If you are looking online and notice prices are different with a certain style – check to see if you’re looking at a polarized option (they tend to be priced a little higher).
These are my most-worn sunglasses. I feel like the polarized version isn’t widely available (except for Ray-ban) but you can still find this in the non-polarized option in a wide range of colors (non-polarized option is also less expensive).
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Hope you found this roundup helpful! For me my favorites are from Ray-Ban for the price, quality and classic styles. I do own a few older designer styles from Chanel and Gucci but find I don’t wear them as much anymore and in recent years haven’t really looked into the newer options. If you have any favorites please let me know in the comments! I’m still in search for aviators that work for me – I had a couple of Marc Jacobs rimless options years ago but have worn them so much they are pretty scratched up now and I can’t wear them anymore.
Shop the post:
Hope you are all doing well! Beauty posts to resume next week.
With summer in full swing I thought I’d put together a summer sandal roundup with my favorite nail polish pairings. I’m all about flat sandals for comfort and love how easy they are to wear for a casual summer look. When it comes to shoes I tend to find a couple styles I like and buy them in multiple colors. The basic white, neutral, tan and black colors are the most versatile for me as they’ll go with pretty much any color for outfits.
I’ll make a note on sizing for each style I’ve tried below. I’m usually a 6.5 or 36.5 in most brands for sandals like Tory Burch, Splendid, Joie, Hermes, UGG, Cole Haan. For sneakers depending on brand I usually size up to a 7 in Nike, APL and Saucony. For all of these I either try to shop directly from the brand if I know my size or somewhere like Nordstrom that has an easy return/exchange policy in case the shoes do not fit.
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White Wide Strap Sandals + Bright Red Orange Polish
Sizing & Fit: Runs true to size (I wear a 6.5). These are comfortable with a slight cushion in the sole. I’ve worn these out for several hours at a time and love them. No break in period. Strap is comfortable and soft with an elastic cutout in the back strap so it can move with your foot. Also worn in my Miami Travel Diary (last year). They’ve held up really well over time!
Polish:Smith and Cult Poppy Papi* ($18 at Smith and Cult, Beautylish) – Smooth opaque coverage with two coats. It has a slight translucent feel as it is more like a jelly. Love how fast it dries and sets. Reminds me of a slightly more red version of Chanel Espadrilles (discontinued).
Sizing and Fit: True to size with a squared off toe, thin leather lace up style with a cushioned footbed. I normally don’t like square toe sandals but found these super cute! I’ve only had these for about a month now but I love how they feel. Super comfortable and chic! Also available in a few other similar styles Marg (two straps at the front, one buckled ankle strap) and Monty (no ankle straps).
Polish:Chanel Le Vernis in Bleu Pastel* ($28 at Chanel.com, left foot) is one of my favorite light blue polishes. It’s like a soft washed baby blue with a warm undertone. Reviewed and swatched on the hands in this post here.
Olive and June Honest and True* ($8 at Olive and June, right foot) is pretty close in color to the Chanel option, the Olive and June one is a bit deeper and more blue in undertone. Full coverage with two thin coats.
Other Details: Towel by Dusen Dusen (old style), Mita Visor is from Helen Kaminski, Black Sunglasses Celine
Sizing and Fit: True to size, I wear a 6.5. These were quite the splurge and I had them on my wishlist for so long. I splurged on these for my birthday and love them. They have a couple grips on the sole so it prevents you from sliding around on slippery floors or tiles. I think they’re really well made and they aren’t painful on the feet. However there’s no cushion or padding so your mileage may vary on wear.
Polish:Chanel Le Vernis in Cruise ($28 at Chanel.com) is part of the Les Beiges 2020 Collection. So many of you loved how bright and summery this orange was. I think it goes best with white or tan sandals. It has full smooth coverage with two coats. It’s the closest match to the color of a real orange – super glossy and shiny in the finish too!
Sizing and Fit: The Millers fit true to size on me as well, but I can wear either a 6.5 or 7 – both are really close in fit. My right foot is a little bigger than my left foot and sometimes I will opt for a slightly larger sandal if the fit is really close. The Tory Burch Millers are my favorite sandals that I wear almost all the time. The large medallion helps it stay on the foot better than a traditional flip flop and the leather material makes it a little more dressy.
The Bleach color may be a bit hard to find in your size as it’s been marked down on a number of sites so it sold out really fast. The good news is there are multiple colors available (many also marked down) so if you’ve been eyeing these there’s a good chance you can find it on sale! I saw it restock a couple times – so you may want to check back on sites like Nordstrom or Tory Burch.
Some of you have asked whether the regular leather or patent is better. I’ve found the patent lasts longer and is more resistant to wear, however if you get caught in a rain storm (which happens frequently in Florida) they can get pretty slippery on the foot.
Polish:Dior Vernis in Diorcharm 675 on the toes ($28 at Dior) is a pretty bright red coral with a hint of shimmer. I used to be the biggest fan of Dior nail polishes and still think the formula is phenomenal. The new colors seem harder to find these days, most of the fun colors only launch at Dior.com (at least in the US). The formula is a one-coat wonder and I love the brush.
OPI We Seafood and Eat It* ($5.25 at Ulta) is a fun cream coral red color. I think OPI makes some of the best more budget-friendly colors and the formula lasts a long time on me.
Sizing and Fit: True to size, I wear a 6.5 in these! Details above listed under the white sandals – I had to buy in multiple colors.
Polish:OPI Samoan Sand ($5.25 at Ulta) – one of my most worn light beige nude cream polishes. Goes with everything! Swatched on the hands with my other favorite neutrals in my Top 5 Best Nude Nail Polishes post.
Sizing and Fit: Runs True to Size, I wear a 6.5. These are in my Top 2 most comfortable sandals I have. I love them so much I bought a backup pair just in case they become discontinued. I’ve had these for over a year and have worn them almost to death but they’ve held up really well. They have a platform about 1 inch so it’s not too chunky or hard to walk in. The sole molds to the foot giving you support and making it easy to wear. Also shown in a few outfits in my Miami Travel Diary (from last year).
Polish:Smith and Cult Kundalini Hustle* on the toes ($18 at Smith and Cult) is a pure poppy red with a slight blue undertone. I love that it’s a bright red that doesn’t darken too much when it dries.
Chanel Le Vernis in Gitane* on the tips ($28 at Chanel.com) is a bold bright red. It’s a true neutral red so it’s not too warm and not too cool. When it comes to red polishes I think Chanel does it best!
Sizing and Fit: True to size, I usually wear a 6.5 in these. This color and style is the one I’ve worn the most. The quality is exceptional and I love how it goes with everything. I’ve worn these so much I have gone through several pairs already – with most people I do think they will last a lot longer. I’ve shortened the life span by wearing these pretty much everywhere – on trips, while moving, in the rain etc. I try to take better care of my other shoes to make them last longer.
Polish:Chanel Le Vernis in Coralium 562 on the toes ($28 at Chanel.com) is my most-worn coral nail polish. Anytime you see a peachy coral on my toes, it’s most likely this one. It has a hint of pink to so it’s not a pure peach/orange. (Also reviewed here.)
Chanel Le Vernis in Turban 524 on the tips is similar but has more pink. I think both of these are my perfect go-to’s for summer. (Turban also reviewed here.)
Polish:Essie U’V got me faded on the toes ($9 at Ulta) is part of the summer Sunny Business collection. It’s a pale lilac color with a white base so it’s pastel. On my fingers it looks paler than on my toes for some reason. If you want a deeper lilac with shimmer the Essie Spring in Your Step is slightly darker.
Olive and June Fierce and Loving* on the fingers ($8 at Olive and June) is a lavender color with a more pinkish tinge. Two coats covers the nail entirely. I love how fresh and pretty this one is!
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Black Miller Sandals + Hot Pinks
Sandals:Tory Burch Miller in Black Leather (also available in patent black)
Sizing and Fit: True to size!
Polish:Chanel Le Vernis in Camelia* ($28 at Chanel.com) is my most-worn deep pink. It’s a classic go with everything color! I know a lot of you like brighter pinks versus deeper pinks. I think OPI Strawberry Margarita* is a few shades lighter and brighter for the perfect bright summer pink.
Sizing and Fit: Varies depending on style. I took these in a Size 6/36 because the straps fit better on my foot for this color combination and it fits my foot as well. These are the fanciest sandals I own and I was debating whether to buy the leather or patent jelly version (cheaper but slightly different style). I’ve only worn these out one time – I have been waiting for a more special occasion to wear these but we have been staying at home more so I haven’t really taken them out. Can’t wait to wear these more! I find they stay on the foot pretty well.
Polish:Essie Talk to the Sand ($9 at Ulta) is a pale cream with a slight peach/pink tinge. I looked up swatches online and I think it’s so interesting how this looks different on everyone depending on your skin tone and undertone. On me it looks more peach on the fingers, on the toes is almost looks like a pink-white, on some others it looks more peach or beige. It has a lot of contrast with my tan skin tone so if you’re fair it will most likely look less white against your fingers/toes.
Sizing and Fit: These are the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever worn – but they’re more of a casual sport slide rather than an everyday sandal. I have these in multiple colors (like I do with all my shoes) and wear these in a Size 6. They only have these in whole sizes and since I have fairly narrow feet the next size up was too wide for me. In their sneakers I wear a 7 for APL and Nike because I like extra room for movement, socks and swelling with activity. I also bought these for Andrew and he wears a 12 in APL sneakers and the slides – so for him they were True to Size (he’s usually a 12 or 12.5 in most brands).
I’d recommend reading the sizing reviews on their website if you’re a half size. They’re so comfortable I’ve been able to walk long distances in them without any issues. To clean them you can put them in the washing machine or hand scrub the sole if they get super dirty. Just make sure you air dry (don’t put in the dryer).
Polish: Olive and June Honest and True on the left, Chanel Resplendissant on the right
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I hope you enjoyed this sandal review and polish swatch roundup! A lot of you have asked for DIY pedicure tips – unfortunately I haven’t found anything that I’ve loved. All my mani/pedis these days are DIY. While I have my hand care routine down, I don’t have a good pedicure routine. I’ll link my tools, top and base coat below. But for scrubs and pumice stones I haven’t found any really good ones yet.
What is your favorite polish color to wear for summer? I think I need to try more purples and perhaps a yellow.
Shoes and Accessories:
Polish Colors:
Press samples have a * next to them. Other shades purchased by me.
Rounding up all of the Memorial Day Sales happening now for beauty! Included a few others for home and fashion. If you have any others to add let me know in the comments!
BEAUTY SALES
Antica Farmacista – Save 20% off sitewide through Monday with code MEMORIALDAY
Beautylish – Spring into Summer Event, save up to 50% off bundles
Becca Cosmetics – 30% off Sunlit Bronzer and 5 deluxe samples with purchases of $75+
Bite Beauty – 4-piece set on every $40+ order including: mini Agave+ Intensive Lip Mask in Agave, mini Outburst Longwear Lip Stain in Orange Fizz, Kiss Printed Makeup Pouch & Round Mirror, use code: SUMMERNOW ends 5/25
Bloomingdale’s– Memorial Day savings 30-50% off select items, extra 50% off marked items
By Terry– 20% off sitewide with code GLOW20, through the weekend
Clarins – Save up to 30% off select products, choose 5 travel sizes with any $100+ order, use code MDW20
I cannot believe it is already May! It seems as though summer will almost be here and I feel like it was just yesterday the new year arrived. I have a quick roundup today featuring five new things I have been just started testing but wanted to put on your radar. A lot of you have been asking me about a couple of these I previewed on Instagram stories so I hope this will answer all your questions!
1 / Gisou
First I wanted to let you know that Gisou restocked their Mini Series Set ($55 available online at Gisou). I’ve loved their Hair Oil and a few other items from the line. I had been wanting to try their hair mask and heat protectant spray so when they launched a minis set I thought it was a perfect way to try. The set sold out within one day when it launched but just restocked. I plan on buying the full sizes of the Heat Protectant Spray – I think it’s a really nice one! (You can also find the full size items at Revolve, but minis and travel sizes are exclusive to Gisou.)
2 / Glossier Hand Cream
Glossier launched Hand Cream in the cutest most creative packaging I’ve ever seen. And of course it’s PINK! My DMs have been flooded with questions about the formula. You want to know is it actually good and not just worth it for the cute packaging? I bought two and at $18 each I do think they’re worth it. It has a semi thick texture but absorbs into the skin easily. It has a soft dry down so there’s no sticky residue – similar to the Chanel Hand Cream. The Glossier does smooth the skin, offers a nice lightweight veil of moisture, but it is very lightweight and not super rich. It has a soft pleasant perfumed scent like a watered down version of their perfume. The packaging has the perfect amount of flexibility to squeeze easily but still bounce back and retain its shape. I like it for lightweight hydration, but if you need a lot of moisture I still think L’Occitane or Chanel will be better.
3 / Fresh Petal Soft Lip Cream
Fresh added a couple new things to their rose skincare line including the Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum (still testing) and the Rose Petal-Soft Lip Cream. I immediately started using the lip cream the day it arrived and am 100% in love. I think it’s a super nice hydrating soft cushiony balm. Think By Terry Baume de Rose but softer and not quite as thick in texture. I love how the Fresh Rose Petal-Soft Lip Cream feels and it has a soft pleasant rose scent.
4 / Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation
Ever since the Armani Neo Nude Foundation popped up online so many of you have asked for a review. I ordered Shade 6.5 online sight unseen and it’s a perfect match right now. It has a thin easy to blend texture with medium coverage. It’s supposed to give the skin a glow effect but on me it looks very matte. I like how it looks natural on my face but I still prefer the Luminous Silk Foundation formula and finish as it has some glow/luminosity. For a matte finish base I find the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation is still better – I like the way it blends and sits on my skin. Still I do think the Neo Nude Foundation is a nice lightweight base that is easy to blend and looks natural, I just find other bases better. It has silicone and alcohol in the ingredient list (which is hit or miss for my skin depending on how high up it is on the list). It did not irritate me but your mileage may vary.
Here are swatches next to the other 6.5 shades I have and wear:
Luminous Silk Foundation
Neo-Nude Foundation
Luminous Silk Concealer
Power Fabric Concealer
5 / Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto Liquid Balm
Last is a sneak peek of the Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto Liquid Balms. I managed to order a few shades before they sold out on Sephora for the recent sale. I’ll have a full review soon, but I like these SO much better than the stick version (which I actually hated). I’ve been playing around with 001 Perfect Pink (soft pink that turns a soft flushed pink) and 17 Nude Chill (perfect beige). They have a semi thick but non-sticky finish. The liquid balm has a cushiony feel with shea butter and has a slight plumping feel but minimal tingle. I really like how easy to apply and love the pigment. More to follow soon as I’m still waiting on a couple other shades to arrive but I really like these!
That wraps up my Five Things Roundup today! Hope your week is off to a good start and hope you’re all hanging in there! Sending you lots of love and good vibes.
Fresh Rose Skincare provided for review. Other items purchased by me.
