Happy Thanksgiving! Black Friday Sales and Cyber Week deals have arrived early! Rounding up the best sales and deals in beauty, fashion, home and more. If you have any great deals or sales you’ve found that I missed please share in the comments!
Big Retailers
Anthropologie – 30% off (select items excluded), discount applied in cart, extra 40% off sale items
Bloomingdale’s – Take 25% off items labeled “BLACK FRIDAY TAKE 25% off” through 11/26
Neiman Marcus – Save up to $500 off purchases with code THANKFUL, includes beauty, fragrance, grooming – ends 11/24
Diptyque – 3 Piece Holiday Gift set with trio of a Baies mini candle (35g), Feu de Bois mini candle (35g), and a set of three Diptyque gold Basile ornaments on purchases $175+ with code CYBER23
Jo Malone – Choose a limited-edition 4-piece gift in an exclusive pouch with any $100 order, plus a full-size 30 ml cologne with orders $200 (automatically applied at checkout)
The Sephora Savings Event is here starting with early access for Rouge Members! I’m putting together a few updated “best-of” shopping guides and today’s roundup covers the Top 5 in Lips for every category from lip liners, lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, glosses and more. If you’re not a Beauty Insider you can sign up now for free here to get access to the Savings Event. Use code TIMETOSAVE during these dates (exclusions apply):
There are so many good lip liner formulas these days. My top 5 favorites are below.
Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 ($21, color Pinky Brown shown) has the best long-wear lip liner formula. They glide on with full coverage pigment and I love that they’re packaged in a twist up format with a removeable sharpener at the base. My favorite shades are Pinky Brown, Terracotta, Honey Beige and Sandy Beige.
Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil ($29, color Structure shown) is another great formula with the best colors. Structure is the perfect neutral brown, Nude Venus is a perfect peachy nude, Buff is the best nude pink.
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil ($22, Wherever Walnut shown) is another great classic pencil. The formula can be used on eyes, brows and lips – they are easy to blend with a matte finish. Wherever Walnut seems to be the most popular color, but I also really love Up & Down Tan and Anywhere Caffeine. They launched a really cute Mini Artist Pencil Set ($35) which has their best-selling shades.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat ($25, Pillow Talk shown) is my most-worn lip pencil. Pillow Talk is my lips but better shade. I also love Pillow Talk Medium and Iconic Nude.
Sephora Collection Lip Liner To Go ($6, Light Brown shown) is a mini lip pencil perfectly sized for the smallest clutch or pouch. I have a couple colors and Light Brown is my favorite everyday neutral.
Best Lipstick Formulas
Sephora carries so many great lipsticks. Narrowing down my top 5 was really hard as I can list at least a dozen formulas I think are excellent. Here are the best ones I reach for the most.
Armani Lip Power ($45 each, Shade 109 shown) is one of the best creamy opaque smooth lipstick formulas I’ve tried. There are lots of great colors but 109 is the best everyday pink in my opinion. They also launched this in a Matte Formula too (lots of great nudes, I love Shade 111 Matte).
NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Hydrating Lipstick ($32, Orgasm shown) is my favorite formula for a shine lipstick. Pigment is impressive for a shine formula. They have a comfortable hydrating feel that feels like a balm. My favorites are Orgasm which is a peach pink gold, Breathless a beige nude and Dolce Vita which is a classic rose.
Gucci Care Glow and Shine Lipstick ($47, Sally Soft Honey shown) is another great shine lipstick formula. Pigment is very good with these and I love the glossy finish. Sally Soft Honey is the best everyday pinky nude. Call It a Day is the best mauve (great for fall). I also love Julie Blush for a bright peachy shade.
Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick ($39, Nude Venus shown) is hands down the best matte lipstick formula I’ve tried. It’s smooth, opaque, doesn’t look dry on the lips and the color selection is outstanding. They have a good range of neutrals, reds, bolds, browns – my top 3 shades are Nude Venus (peachy nude), Christy (pink nude) and Divine Rose (rose pink).
YSL Rouge Pure Couture Caring Satin Lipstick ($45, N5 Tribute Nude shown) is a new formula and after trying a few shades I have to say I am REALLY impressed. It has an ultra smooth formula that glides on the lips with absolute perfection. I’ll have a full review on the shades I picked up soon.
Best Liquid Lipstick Formulas
Gucci Transfer-Proof Matte Liquid Lipstick ($47, Grace Cinnamon) is a beautiful formula. Grace Cinnamon is the perfect nude pink shade with smooth coverage and a super lightweight texture.
Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Longwear Liquid Lipstick ($27, OG Backtalk shown) is the best long-wear liquid lipstick in the sense that once it sets it does not budge or transfer. OG Backtalk is a really pretty mauve. I also think Text Em is the best rose pink shade ever made.
Tom Ford Lip Luxe Matte ($59, Naked Haze shown) is another exceptional formula. I’ve only tried one shade in Naked Haze which is a great everyday nude pink. I plan on picking up one or two more during the Sephora Savings Event. Texture is lightweight and coverage is smooth and really good.
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer Liquid ($45, Shade 100 Forever Nude) is another great long-wear formula that is also transfer proof. I have this in a couple shades and they really do stay put without transferring. Shade 100 Forever Nude is perfection.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick ($15, Shade 70 First Date shown) is a budget-friendly Liquid Lipstick with an impressive color selection. Formula is full coverage with a creamy satin finish. I love that these feel super lightweight on the lips and they don’t look dry. All Sephora Collection items are 30% off during the Sephora Savings Event.
Top 5 Lip Glosses
I’m 100% a lip gloss girl at heart. Here are the best top 5 formulas I reach for the most.
Lawless Forget the Filler ($26, Cherry Vanilla shown) is the best smoothing lip gloss that plumps without any tingle. I like the darker/bolder shades for a lush lip look. They are on the thicker side but I love the finish. Cherry Vanilla is the best sheer red I’ve ever tried. Juicy Watermelon is the prettiest bright pink. They also launched a few shades in a Jumbo Size ($38 each) and for holiday they have a cute Mini Dreamy Darlings Plumper Set ($27).
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss ($40, 12 Rosewood shown) is my most-worn lip gloss formula for the color and texture. I splurged on nearly all of the shades and can easily say they were 100% worth the splurge.
Fenty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($21, Fenty Glow shown) is another favorite. It’s been a favorite since the day they launched Fenty Glow. Every color is wearable and super flattering. I love the smooth texture and shine. I think every color is a must-have.
Pat McGrath LUST Gloss ($29, Nude Venus shown) is another great smooth texture gloss. Nude Venus is the best peachy pink color with pretty good coverage. Flesh Fantasy is a pretty beige pink. Divine Rose is a stunning plum pink.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss ($33, In the Buff Shown) offers hydration, color and shine in one. Finish is very comfortable and they are great for vacation (or beach) no-makeup days where you want a little bit of color to look polished.
Most-Worn Tinted Balms/Sheer Lips/Oils
Last we have a look at the best tinted balms. A lot of these double as sheer lipsticks.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump ($24, White Peach shown) is a formula I always have in my bag. Every single color they’ve launched is super wearable. They’re smooth in finish and I love how they feel on the lips. During the holiday season they have a lot of great value sets and limited-edition shades. If you’re a fan of the Maracuja Lip formula definitely check out the 2023 Best of Maracuja Juicy Lips Set.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter ($24, Vanilla Beige shown) is another formula I carry in every single purse. I also have the clear one on my night stand. Each shade has a different scent to match the color name but they aren’t overpowering. Love the cute Mini Lip Butter Set too which I think would make a super cute gift.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil ($22, Revealed shown) is one of my favorite tinted lip oil formulas. It actually doesn’t feel thick like you’d expect from an oil. Every single shade is beautiful. The one I get asked about the most is Revealed which I’m wearing in this post.
Last but not least, I really love the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine ($43, Shade 162 shown) and YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($39, 15 Showcasing Nude in hand, 13 Flashing Rose in background). Both have a balm-like formula. The Rouge Volute Shine has more slip with a sheer glossy finish while the Candy Glaze is thicker and feels like a jelly finish. Both are really phenomenal for formula and color.
That wraps up my extensive best-of lip shopping guide! If you’re looking for the best of the best in lip formulas I hope you found this round up helpful. Happy Shopping!
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Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsored this post.
Sharing an updated roundup of the best of the best in makeup from Sephora! Today’s roundup focuses on favorites for the face, eyes and cheeks. I’ll have a dedicated lip roundup going live tomorrow because it’s going to cover the best in every category.
Primers
I’m not really into primers because with skincare layering and SPF I don’t really want another layer of product on my face, but here are two that I love. Both are available in minis if you want to try a smaller size before committing to the full size ones.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is the best multi-tasking moisturizer and primer in one. It’s hydrating, smooths out the skin, and doubles as a foundation primer. It’s the one I have used up multiple times and keep going back to.
I have so many foundation and base favorites. I’ve tried to split my recommendations by type/coverage/finish level because I know some of you like super light coverage while others need satin finish or full coverage.
Hydrating Tints/Bases
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint is one of the best sheer skin tints (emphasis on sheer). Coverage is very light and finish is dewy and glowy. It does have enough pigment that you need to find a good match but it looks very natural on the skin. I wear Shade 4.
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops is the best glowy hydrating base. It’s the best for dry skin in my opinion but on the sheer side so you definitely need to add some concealer for more coverage (or layer a stick on certain areas you need more color). I found the shades of the drops match the stick formula.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation is a great hydrating foundation with medium coverage. It’s not so hydrating that it looks too dewy or emollient but it is definitely on the hydrating side. I wear N280 or W310.
Natural Looking Bases
Too Faced Born This Way Healthy Glow Skin Tint is my favorite new base of the year. It has natural medium coverage, lightweight feel and looks like skin but better. It has a nice satin dry down with a subtle glow. If it’s separating on you I highly suspect it’s your moisturizer that is not compatible with this formula. I wear Warm Beige.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Foundation is the best CC Cream I’ve tried (aside from the Chanel one that is temporarily discontinued). I like that it’s not super thick but has substance to it so it’s still creamy. I’ve tried all the It Cosmetics foundations and this is the best one in my opinion. I wear Medium Tan.
Patrick Ta Major Skin Crème Foundation Powder Duo is the best solid cream foundation I’ve tried. I really like the powders that come with this too because the pigment level is low so it acts as a natural setting powder without adding color (also does not oxidize). Colors run darker than described in my opinion. I’m typically a medium or medium tan but in this formula I wear Light Medium 1 or 2.
Medium Coverage
Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick is the best natural looking foundation stick I’ve tried. It’s easy to blend and evens out the skin perfectly. I wear Shade V, VI or VII depending on how light or tan I am. Most of the year I wear Shade VI. See it in action in this reel here.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a classic formula I think everyone needs to try. Has a natural glow and the perfect amount of coverage. I wear Shade 6.5 most of the year.
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation is a favorite but I don’t think it’s universally loved. It does have medium coverage that is a bit more opaque than most so a little goes a long way. It’s easy to blend and doesn’t take much work to buff out. I do think your skincare needs to be good though (ie don’t apply this on super dry skin, make sure it’s well moisturized). I am a match to Santa Fe right now, but also wear Sahel and Vanuatu.
Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation is another classic. Anytime I wear this I wonder why I don’t wear it all the time. Has natural finish and whenever I think of a classic solid foundation this formula is THE one. I wear Light Medium 14.
Concealer
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam is THE BEST CONCEALER I think I’ve ever tried. If I had to use only one the rest of my life this would be it. Coverage is really good and texture is still easy to blend (which isn’t the case for all opaque concealers). I have several different shades I rotate depending on how bright I want to go. I can wear Shade N5 to N9.
YSL Touche Eclat is the best lightweight hydrating brightening concealer. It’s great for under the eyes to brighten and bring the complexion back to life. Very expensive but 100% worth the splurge. I wear Shade 3.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Concealer is another favorite. It live up to the hype 100%. It’s creamy and the wand picks up a good amount of product so you don’t have to layer or swipe a million times to get good coverage. In action here.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is the concealer I think I’ve used the longest. It’s for sure a classic and one I think is universally loved. By comparison to other formulas though I do think the sponge applicator could use an update. It’s small which is nice for detail application, but sometimes I feel like I have to really pump the product to get enough on the applicator.
Gucci Multi-Use Concealer is one of the best new concealers I’ve tried this year. Full review + swatches of lots of shades in this post here.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Pressed Powder is my holy grail pressed powder. It has the perfect amount of color to give the skin a flawless finish. I wear Medium. I hope they never change the formula and that it stays around forever.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is the setting spray I’ve been using the most lately. There are lots of great formulas from Gucci, Urban Decay, Omorovicza etc. I’m not really committed to one single formula, but the Charlotte Tilbury is one I’ve been using a lot.
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder is another favorite. I don’t think it will be everyone’s cup of tea because it has a stiff finish. I really love it for a natural finish – when you swipe it on the skin you will literally see your face transform into a smooth finish. It’s like magic.
Cheek Bronzer/Contour
I love a good bronzer and there are so many great formulas. Here are the ones I love from Sephora.
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick is one of the best creamy bronzer sticks. I wear a couple shades and really like the formula and undertone. They’re creamy, satin in finish and easy to blend. I wear either Happy Sol or Always Sunny.
Westman Atelier Face Trace Cream Contour Stick is another great natural contour. I wear Truffle which is a nice neutral-warm brown shade. It’s easy to blend, natural looking and smooth. If you’re new to Westman Atelier I highly recommend checking out one of her Holiday Trio Sets (one has Biscuit, one has Truffle).
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light is the best naturally glowy bronzer. I do recommend opting for the Ambient Lighting Cheek Palettes though because they have a bronzer included. I like Jellyfish or Leopard the best from this year’s options.
Dior Rosy Glow Blush is another powder favorite. I like Pink, Coral and Rosewood. You can read the full review here. I wear the pink one the most out of all the shades.
NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush is my favorite natural looking liquid blush. I like that the pigment isn’t too opaque so it’s more forgiving on the skin. If you want a super opaque liquid blush Rare Beauty is the way to go (they have lots of great colors, I think this Mini 4-Piece Set is a great way to start).
I have so many favorites for highlighters but I think if you’re looking for the best of the best, Tom Ford Beauty is the way to go.
Tom Ford Soleil Neige Glow Highlighter is new for holiday in two shades. I didn’t think they were worth the steep price but the most I wear them, the more I like them. They’re absolutely beautiful on the skin and I think the Rose Irise is the better one but they’re both stunning. Swatches in this post.
Tom Ford Soleil de Feu Glow Highlighter is from spring/summer and it’s available in two options. I bought and love Oasis for that gorgeous champagne bronze glow. Review here.
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Duo in Moodlight is a classic that’s been around for years but I think the newer Peachlight is even better. If you’re looking for something with a pink or peachy sheen rather than your standard champagne I think Peachlight is really flattering and more modern looking.
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wands are also holy grail material. I think Pinkgasm and Pillow Talk are the best ones but they are really all so beautiful. Definitely lives up the hype and the colors are SOOO good. If you don’t know that you want to commit to the full size I recommend checking out the Superstar Glow Kit Mini Duo which has Spotlight and Pinkgasm.
Eye Makeup
I still swear by my Top 5 Eyeshadow Palettes I rounded up two years ago. Half of you have told me this is boring, the other half have said it proves these have withstood the test of time. I agree with both sides. I really wish I had something new to share every month for the eyes but palettes are tricky because it’s so rare that I am in love with EVERY single shade in a palette.
If you’re looking for something new and fresh, I say the Natasha Denona I Need a Nude is the best palette of the year (I think it’s better than the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes). I really think anything from Natasha Denona is a solid win – if you’re new to her line this is a great time to splurge/save all at the same time. Her formulations are the best of the best.
I still really love the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Palettes. This year they added some great new variations including Lumiere D’Hiver (swatches here), Hazy Sensuality and Golden Hour (review here). These three are the best ones and they all launched this year.
The Sephora Savings Event starts Friday 10/27 for Rouge Members and I’m rounding up my best-of favorites and recommendations. This is Part 1 focusing on my skin care, body care and fragrance favorites within the last year – so for those asking for an updated list, this is for you! Here are my favorites by category.
Use code TIMETOSAVE during these dates (exclusions apply):
Rouge Members – save 20% off 10/27 thru 11/6
VIB Members – save 15% off 10/31 thru 11/6
Insiders – save 10% off 10/31 thru 11/6
Sephora Collection is 30% off for all members
Cleanser/Makeup Remover
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Balm – This is my all time favorite makeup removing balm. It’s a solid cleanser you apply on dry skin, massage and then rinse off with warm water and a wash cloth. I’ve really liked their limited-edition scented ones which surprisingly do not irritate my skin. I loved the Strawberry Shortcake Clean. I plan on ordering their Tea Harvest Green Clean Trio.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator – This is the one of the best rice-based powder cleansers I’ve used. It’s a classic and great for clearing out pores and exfoliates gently. Add water to activate and turn it into a paste and massage + rinse. I do believe they have a few different variations of this but I’ve only tried the classic version.
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser – This is my favorite gentle everyday cleanser. It’s one I’ve repurchased the most in the last year. I like that it’s not drying but gets the skin squeaky clean. Anytime one of my nieces or friend’s kids ask for a recommendation for cleanser, this is the one I gift them.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser – Another favorite I keep stocked at all times. It’s a thicker liquid but lathers up well with warm water. Keeps skin clean but also soft.
Jack Black Acne Remedy Balancing Foam Cleanser – This is Andrew’s favorite but he only uses it 2x per week (he alternates with Kiehl’s or Turbo Wash which is technically for the body, but he uses it on the face too). It has 0.5% Salicylic Acid and keeps his skin clear and free of blackheads and pimples from sweat/sunscreen/etc.
Toner/Treatments/Masks
La Mer The Tonic is one of my top 2 favorite toners. I’ve tried a lot of different formulas and this is the one I keep repurchasing. My other favorite is the Sisley Floral Toning Lotion but it’s not available at Sephora.
Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer is a new to me toner I just started trying and I really like it. It’s the first hydrating toner I’ve actually liked. It’s a milky cream formula but doesn’t leave a sticky film on the skin.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial is the best at-home AHA + BHA resurfacing treatment. I’ve kept my skin pretty clear the past year with proper face cleansing and I keep my brushes super clean so I haven’t had many issues with clogged pores. This is one I’ll use once every other week.
Sunday Riley Good Genes is hands down THE best lactic acid treatment. Anytime I feel like my skin is getting a little bumpy from clogged pores or feeling a little dull this brings clear glowing skin back to life within a few days.
I rotate moisturizers depending on season. The La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream is my go-to this year. They reformulated it earlier this year and it’s even better than before. For a luxury moisturizer Augustinus Bader is also very good.
La Mer Eye Concentrate Cream is what I’ve been using most of the year. I love the little ball applicator which has a nice cooling effect on the eyes. A little goes a long way, I feel like this little jar could last me a VERY long time.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is the best lightweight moisturizing cream. I think it’s great for both men and women. If you’re looking for a great starter moisturizer this is the one I recommend. Kiehl’s has a lot of great starter sets – I highly recommend them!
Biossance Squalane+ Vitamin C Rose Firming Oil is my go-to face oil. I’m typically a cream kind of person for moisturizers. This one is soothing, hydrating and firming. It feels like it really sinks into the skin. I use this at night.
I don’t have a lot of skin care tools that I’ve used consistently in the past few months. I’m looking to step up my game again but the one tool I really love is the BeautyBio Cryo Skin Icing Dual-Ended Roller. The stainless steel chills skin and really helps for depuffing and tension. I like that it has two sizes in one. A few weeks ago I had the worst tension headaches and swelling and this tool helped a lot.
Body Care
I love splurging on body care! I haven’t done a lot of roundups on this category but here are my favorites.
Jack Black Turbo Wash is Andrew’s favorite and I use this one too. It’s the best effective body cleanser to remove sweat, sunscreen and excess oil but doesn’t strip the skin. They have several different scents in the body wash but the Turbo Wash is the most effective.
Herbivore Botanicals Hot Coco Coconut Oil Body Scrub is something I bought recently and I LOVE IT. It’s on the small side but super fun. It’s very hydrating and I think I might order a couple more during the sale.
Herbivore Botanicals Cloud Milk Coconut Firming Cream is my current obsession for body moisturizer. I am super picky with body creams because I don’t like to wear anything that feels sticky or heavily scented (I’m normally a body oil kind of person). This is heavenly and the coconut scent is perfect – not too light and not too heavy. It has a very smooth texture. 100% recommend.
That wraps up my absolute favorites in skin/body care from Sephora! Stay tuned for my makeup favorites! I know I covered a lot but I wanted to be thorough. If I had to rank my Top 5 must-haves in this category they would be:
La Mer Sheet Mask
La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream
Beautybio Cryo Face Roller
Herbivore Botanicals Cloud Milk Cream
Sunday Riley Good Genes
What’s on your wishlist for the Sephora Savings Event?
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!
I shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale at my local store in Tampa and ended up finding a lot of great things from the beauty exclusives offerings this year! It was really fun to see everything in person although lots of the shoes and clothes were already sold out. My store also didn’t have most of the tops or denim on my radar in stock. If you’ve shopped the sale I’m curious to hear what the stock was like at your local store.
Here’s what I hauled and a few things I tried on. There’s lots in this roundup!
Accessories
I picked up these Cubic Zirconia Earrings in the2ct size ($29.99 on sale) and think they’re really pretty. They’re sparkly and the price is great. They have lots of size options available in store. You can find them in the gold stud or silver stud options.
I found some great sunglasses on sale this year! The quality is hit or miss depending on brand and style but I bought two pairs from Tom Ford. I really loved the Alistair 56 mm Gradient Style.
They have 3 colors and all 3 are priced differently. The Blonde Havana/Blue Gradient ($287.99, after sale $430) fit perfectly (bought these). I also loved the darker red/brown in Red Havana/Brown Polarized ($299.99, after sale $535) were really cute too. Also available in Shiny Black/Smoke ($299.99, after sale $535).
They had some men’s sunglasses mixed in, which could be unisex, but on the Nordstrom website they’re under the Men’s Sale Accessories. I also bought the Tom Ford Milla 59 mm Gradiant Aviators ($179.99, after sale $575) in the Gold Blue Gradient (lots of options available).
Also tried on the Tom Ford Leo 52 mm Retro ($246.99 on sale, after sale $370). It’s available in Shiny Black, Brown Wood/Black and Tortoise Havana. I ended up passing on this style as I already own a few Celine Sunglasses in a similar style.
My store was nearly sold out of all the Celine sunglasses but I did try the Celine Bold 3 Dots 58 mm Flat top ($289.99, regular $450) which were not really my style. I also had my eye on the Burberry 56 Square Sunglasses ($169.99 on sale) but they ended up feeling very flimsy.
The All Saints Ida Crossbody Bag ($199.99 on sale, after sale $319) was also cute but my store only had the Pampas White Color (both colors are still online).
Shoes
The Nsale sneaker section was pretty good but I am pretty well stocked right now so decided to pass. The 327s were already sold out and they’re no longer on the website. I do think you might have luck finding them in store though if you have a Nordstrom near you. Below a look at the:
The clothing section was very limited at my store. They didn’t stock all the colors or styles. I’m petite and a lot of the XS and XXS sizes were already gone.
This Pistola Oversize Muscle Tee ($44.99) comes in a really pretty purple color but the fit was off. I love the look of muscle tees on others but for me it just doesn’t look right.
This Madewell Alna V-Neck Sweater ($59.99) was really soft and airy, I loved the feel! It runs big though and I felt the XS was too big for me.
Beauty Haul Picks
Onto the big haul! I ended up with more than I anticipated. Here is what I bought with swatches.
Byredo Eau de Parfum Les Triples Set ($95, value of $104) was at the top of my list with Mojave Ghost, Bal D’Afrique and Gypsy Water. All three are phenomenal scents. The minis are 8 ml each and do not come with atomizer sprays but have a twist off cap. I 100% think all minis should come with sprays. I bought it anyways – the minis are cute! Below a look at the Full Size 50 ml vs 8 ml minis.
The Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Duo ($32 on sale, $64 value) has two full-sized options with the Telluride Crushed Lip Color and Free Spirit Oil-Infused Gloss. I love both formulas. I think the colors are great wearable neutrals. This was a no brainer even though I already own Free Spirit, I really love the formula.
MAC lip kits did not disappoint even though there are repeats with the lipliners. I really love the Treasured Lip Kits ($30 on sale). The Neutral Option has Powder Kiss Lipstick in A Way With Words and Lip Liner in Soar. The Pink Set has Powder Kiss Lipstick in Forgotten Bloom and Lip Liner in Dervish. I LOVE the Pink Set!
The At First Lipglass Set ($28 on sale) has two really pretty neutrals I can see myself wearing a lot. Rose Recollection is a neutral pink with gold shimmer and Pleased to Be Here is a stunning gold shimmer.
Charlotte Tilbury has yet another Pillow Talk Lip Kit ($62 on sale, $92 value). I neglected to realize I already own the Jewel Lips Gloss but the set is really nice if you don’t already own the lipstick or liner. Swatches below of all the Pillow Talk shades in different formulas below including the Lip Lustre, Collagen Lip Bath and Blur Lips.
Westman Atelier Petite Lit Up Stick Set ($40) has really cute minis in Nectar and Brulee. The set is kinda spendy for the size but I think it’s a nice way to try them out. They’ll be really easy to use up or throw in a travel bag without taking up too much space.
For skincare I splurged on the Augustinus Bader On the Go Refresh Set ($140). I’ve tried both formulas and really like them. I do think they 100% live up to the hype. This set also comes with a mini Eye Cream which I have not tried but am excited too.
Tom Ford Beauty launched the same set as a previous set with the Day Classics Eye and Lip Mini Set ($90). It comes with a full size Eye Color Quad Crème in Tiger Eye, mini Lip Colors in Casablanca and West Coast. I already own the quad and can confirm it’s a great everyday neutral with easy to blend texture and color payoff.
I also bought the Vacation Inc Duo ($28) with the Classic Lotion SPF 50 and Chardonnay Oil with SPF 30. We can never have enough sunscreen here so I didn’t mind stocking up on this set.
A few other things worth mentioning: The Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Set is a pretty good deal ($52 on sale, value of $78). The minis are pretty generously sized. It has #8 which is a pale frosty pink and #10 which is a gorgeous golden bronze shimmer. Both are really quite beautiful. I already own so many highlighters I decided to pass on this set.
In my excitement I forgot to buy the YSL Rouge Volupte Duo ($55) or the Lash Clash Duo ($39). Both are great value sets. I have so much makeup to work through right now I’m 100% ok that I forgot to add to my buy pile.
For the guys in your life I 100% recommend Jack Black especially the Body Best Sellers ($49). It has three great cleansers that guys can use on body and hair (who doesn’t love a multi-tasker?). Andrew swears by the Turbo Wash and he also loves Big Sir. He says he’s not the biggest fan of the All-Over formula but I’ve tried it and I think it’s ok. Turbo Wash is hands down the best one.
That wraps up my shopping haul for this year’s Nsale! I posted a BEAUTY REEL with a closer look at more Beauty Exclusives if you want to see more!
What did you end up buying this year? Did you find anything good!
The NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE 2023 is almost here starting on Tuesday July 11th with first access for Icon Nordy Club Members. They’ve already launched the preview online so everyone can browse and save favorites to a wishlist.
Here are the dates and info for the NSALE. I am at the Ambassador Level so I’ll be shopping on the 12th.
Icons early access July 11 – 16
Ambassadors early access July 12 – 16
Influencers early access July 13 – 16
Open to Everyone July 17 – August 6
I went through the entire catalog and saved a bunch of favorites I want to check out. I’ve shopped the sale every year for as long as I can remember. I always look forward to their Beauty Exclusives for new launches and special edition sets or colors. I have to say this year I have mixed feelings about the beauty offerings. They seem to have more value sets and discounts on bundles rather than truly new or innovative colors.
I have a feeling that many of these will be on sale during the holiday season so I don’t think there is any rush to go-buy-now unless you already have them on your wishlist anyways. Whether you’re shopping in store or online, PLEASE check out the Gift With Purchase Page before you shop. In store associates don’t always know about the gift offerings and I often miss out and don’t realize that until I get home. Make a list or screen shot the gifts on your phone to show the sale associate helping you. Nordstrom updates the GWP page regularly – right now there isn’t much listed but they always add tons of special offers once the sale starts.
There are some really good fragrance sampler sets from Byredo, Creed, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Jo Malone – all of which I think are great for those who want to try scents out at their leisure vs splurging on a huge bottle. I have my eye on the Byredo Eau de Parfum Trio (it will be interesting to see how small they are in real life, they’re 8 ml each).
If you’ve had your eye on Vacation Inc Sunscreen, I think this SUNSCREEN Duo is a must.
Shop the Skincare, Hair Care and Fragrance Sets
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ACCESSORIES AND HOME
Barefoot Dreams is on sale and I will be buying a few. The ones we currently own have seen better days, especially since Ollie loves them a lot. It’s the perfect time for me to buy some fresh new ones.
Tons of designer accessories are on sale this year. To be honest the designer sunglasses on sale aren’t always the best quality like the regular offerings, but I have been really happy with previous year’s Celine.
Shop the Sale Accessories and Sunglasses
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WOMEN’S TOPS
Lots of cute tops and sweaters for fall! It’s too hot to think about cozy wear but there are cute options to shop for the upcoming season. It has been a long time since I’ve worn a leather jacket. I never have the occasion to wear one but this nude one from L’Agence is just SO beautiful.
Shop the Post
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ACTIVEWEAR
There are always lots of great deals on active wear. I’m a pretty loyal fan to Lululemon or Vuori for workout tops and shorts, but I also really like Zella and Free People. My favorite New Balance sneakers are on sale too with lots of styles available including the 574 and 327 in different colors.
Shop the Active Wear
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Are you shopping the Nordstrom Sale this year? What’s on your wishlist! I’ll be posting a haul as soon as I can after the 12th!
As always I’m hosting a giveaway as my way of thanking you for following me! I’ll be giving away 1 eGift Card to Nordstrom (US site only). It’s open internationally but know that the gift card will be for the US site. 1 winner will be selected on Friday. To enter complete ALL THE STEPS in the widget below. Partial entries will be disqualified.
