Ulta Beauty’s 21 Days of Beauty Event is live and runs through March 27th with 50% off tons of items with different beauty deals every day and also weekly steals. I shared a come shopping with me video on Friday with the deals on my radar. In case you missed the first day there are still lots of new sales coming every day. I think this is the first time I’ve seen such big discounts of 50% off.
Ulta has their upcoming deals listed on their website so you can preview the sale and also plan your shopping in advance. Here are some I have on my radar (there are tons more online):
Also wanted to let you know I will be co-hosting a Webinar with LTK and Ulta Beauty on March 11th. We’ll be talking about my creator journey, some industry insights and I’ll be sharing favorites for a spring makeup refresh. I know some of you have followed along from the very early days before I even showed my face online! But if you’re new, are thinking about becoming a creator and want some tips on how to get started you can RSVP here.
I have a Sephora haul with a look at some new launches along with some repurchases I made recently. I shared a mini haul on Instagram Stories a week ago and a number of you asked for a blog review with swatches so I have them rounded up today! You can watch the quick haul and try-on here if you still want to see the items in action!
New Spring Lip Launches
I hauled quite a few of the new lip launches and there are so many I haven’t had a chance to try all of them yet. If you want a more detailed review on any of these let me know in the comments!
Makeup by Mario launched a new Hydrating SuperShine Lip Gloss ($26 each). These are sheer glosses with a thick texture. I have mixed feelings about these. I think the tones he created are stunning but the pigment is very sheer and texture is on the thick side with a sticky feel. I don’t mind the formula, but the colors pull so sheer on me and I would have really loved to see more color payoff. I picked up Sunlit, Watermelon, Rose Crush, Rosewater, Perfect Pink with the brightest one Watermelon being my favorite color. They have a strong vanilla scent I find pleasant.
Dior reformulated their Addict Lip Glow Balm ($40) yet again and while I find all the reformulations a little confusing, I have to say the newest version is really good. A few past options have been a little waxy feeling but this 2025 version applies smoother and is noticeably more hydrating on me. I picked up a few shades in Candy, Mahogany, Soft Nude and Rosewood. So far I’ve only had a chance to play with Candy which is a shimmery pink and has a subtle color shifting effect for a warm pink on my lips. These have the same minty feeling with a slight cooling sensation.
below left to right: Candy, Rosewood, Soft Nude and Mahogany
Huda launched a mini collection of lilac pink items and I picked up two of them. I love the idea of lilac pink makeup but find I can rarely wear the colors. This collection has changed that for me! The Faux Filler Lip Gloss ($21) in UUU Baby is one of the best sheer pinks I’ve ever tried and I am in love with the Huda Blush Filter ($23) in Ube Cream.
I tried the liquid blush in store over the summer and thought they would be too dewy but I have to say I’m really loving the pink one and might check out more. It blends out so nicely and easily. It does look dewy on the skin but so far it’s been staying put very well. You can see them in action here. I added swatch comparisons to her other pink glosses which I really love (they’re smooth and truly non-sticky).
Complexion / Face
I never really knew how to make the Saie Glowy Super Gel Illuminators ($16 to $28) work for me until a few of you told me you mix it in with your foundation and I’m in love with the result. This dry season I’ve been wanting my bases to be a little more glowy and a little more sheered out and these gels from Saie do just the trick.
They launched a new shade in Warmglow which is a champagne gold. I restocked the mini in Roseglow which is a lovely pink shimmer. I wish they made a medium in-between size because I find the regular size too large while the minis get used up too fast.
If your foundation has been looking or feeling a little dry but you don’t want to switch up your skincare, I recommend adding 1-2 pumps of this into your liquid foundation.
New Hair Pick + Some Repurchases
I picked up the mini of the K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo ($24 for the mini) at the checkout area as an impulse buy and I really like it. It’s different from most dry shampoos I’ve tried. The formula seems more liquid/fluid when you spray it on the hair (ie it’s not really an aerosol). I love that it’s clear and doesn’t have any white cast on my hair. Does a great job at absorbing excess oil on Day 2 hair. It kept my hair looking refreshed throughout the day. I don’t know how long it lasts past 24 hours because I’m still the type of person who has to wash her hair almost daily (I’ll go 2 days max without washing my hair). Overall really love this.
Blushes seem to have taken over the spring launches right now. I picked up a few of the YSL Make Me Blush Powder Blushes ($45 each) and shared a demo here. These have two finishes right now: matte and shimmer. I prefer the shimmer ones but they’re all very good. The formula is soft and pigmented but they are really easy to blend and build. Pigment is easy to control so if you just want a hint of blush you can get a more diffused look.
Natasha Denona also launched her Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo ($42 each) which has a highlighter and cream blush in one compact. I’ll review and swatch them all soon.
Patrick Ta added four new shades of the Major Headlines Double-Take Duo ($38 each) but I’m probably going to pass on these (I still think his shade Not Too Much reviewed here is the best neutral).
Urban Decay launched their Face Bond Luminizer Waterproof Glow Drops ($34 each) and I’ve been loving the Space Cowboy shade for the perfect champagne glow highlight and PCH is a really pretty one too. These are multi-taskers you can use a number of ways. I am still experimenting with these but thought I’d share quick swatches here.
Neutral Eyeshadow Palette
I’ve been wearing the Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Palette ($29) in a few looks and a number of you asked for swatches. I actually picked this up last year but realized I never swatched it on the blog. I really like the tones and the mix of mattes and shimmers. There a few true mattes in this palette and then some that have a tiny bit of sparkle embedded in them. The pure mattes are smooth and buttery with excellent pigment and color payoff. The mattes that have a tiny bit of sparkle pull sheerer but you can still build them for full pigment.
I do think the shimmer and glitters are prone to fall out if you don’t pat them on the lids or pack them on. You’ll have to do some clean up from the fall out but for me the good news is that once they are on the eyes they don’t migrate.
As much as I like it, I do think there are better options out there for quality. If you’re looking for a good everyday neutral with mattes and shimmers I still think the Natasha Denona I Need a Nude or I Need a Warm and the Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes are better buys. I know the Too Faced palettes have been around forever but out of all the launches over the years, it’s still a solid staple of mine.
That wraps up my Sephora haul roundup! Let me know if you want a detailed review on any of these. I will have a full blog post on the YSL and Natasha Denona blushes soon!
What have you hauled this January? Any good finds, new loves or misses?
With the Sephora sale in full swing I’m sharing my favorites in skincare, body care and fragrance today. As a beauty creator I am fortunate to be able to try a wide range of products. I love trying new skincare but to keep my list edited I’m focusing on my tried and true staples, ie products I repurchase over and over again. Dates and details below, use code SAVINGS if shopping online! (some exclusions apply):
Rouge members 20% off: 11/1 – 11/11
VIBs 15% off: 11/5 – 11/11
Insiders 10% off: 11/5 – 11/11
All Sephora Collection 30% off: 11/1 – 11/11
Makeup Removers and Cleansers
For removing makeup double cleansing is still a must to effectively remove all traces of makeup or sunscreen. I love a good cleansing oil but my favorite isn’t sold at Sephora (it’s this one from Chanel). I do have several solid balm makeup removers I love which I’ll list below.
Farmacy Green Clean is one of the best makeup remover balms. I love the classic one and this is the one I always keep stocked at home, but their limited-edition scented ones are always so fun for me to try.
Elemis and Clinique also make great solid cleansing balms, but I feel like the Farmacy one is the best and most effective.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is the best everyday cleanser for me and Andrew. After trying dozens of cleansers over the years I have to say this has the best consistency to clean the skin without drying it.
Serums and Moisturizers
I’ve been neglecting essence treatments this year but I think I need to start using one again since they really make a difference! I just repurchased the La Mer Treatment Lotion for the sale.
I would rank the La Mer and Charlotte Tilbury in my top 2 right now. Those are the two formulas I packed with me in October. While La Mer is quite the splurge, I do think it has been worth it for me. I have repurchased the Moisturizing Soft Cream multiple times and also bought one to gift to my sister-in-law for Mother’s Day and she loves it.
With any of these formulas I highly recommend checking out a travel set or value set to try first. I always find it helpful to try something in a smaller size to sample before committing to the full size. Some great options:
Several of you asked me if I use retinol or tretinoin – I do not. I have really loved the Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Retinol Serum in the past but haven’t repurchased in a while. Right now I’ve been loving La Mer’s new Rejuvenating Night Cream. I’ve been using this for several months now and every other night (it is suitable to use nightly though) and I 10/10 love it.
Eye Treatments
I have a few eye treatments I love from Sephora. The La Mer Eye Concentrate Cream is my go-to right now. It has the best consistency and texture for me – not too thick and not too thin. It helps with fine lines and hydration.
I have used pore clearing and detox masks the most this year out of any face mask or treatment. I have three I think are 100% worth checking out. Innisfree Super Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask is one of the most gentle pore masks I’ve tried and I’m obsessed. Caudalie Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask is also excellent but it’s on the stronger side (absorbs a LOT of excess oil). A few readers recommended the La Mer Deep Purifying Mask to me earlier this year. I decided to give it a try and it 10/10 lives up to the hype from you! It is quite the splurge and currently sold out online but you can always add the notification restock alert to your account if you’re interested.
I love trying different body washes and shower creams. I don’t have any loyalty to a particular formula or brand as I love trying new ones all the time. I will say I gravitate towards ones that can be unisex or have that clean smell because Andrew likes to use them too. Our top three most repurchased formulas are the Ouai Dean Street Body Wash, Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Play Body Wash and Jack Black Turbo Wash. I will say that for winter the turbo wash is a little too drying so we’ve switched it out for the Necessaire Body Wash in Santal (love this Body Wash Discovery Set they’ve launched this year).
For a shower oil Andrew loves the L’occitane Almond Shower Oil. We used to love the Shea Shower Cream but they changed the formula/scent recently and it has an unflattering floral scent to it now.
That wraps up my current skincare and body care favorites! I know finding the best skincare can be overwhelming as it really takes time to try and see if something works for your skin type or needs. I really wish there was 1 single brand I could use all of my skincare from. If I had to pick just one I think Drunk Elephant has the best variety and range.
If you’re looking for recommendations I hope you found this post helpful!
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint – one of my most-reached for skin tints that has a very fluid texture and sheer finish, I wear Shade 4 or 5
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow – has a little more coverage than a traditional skin tint, but the best CC+ cream I’ve tried because it’s not as heavy as most, I wear Medium Tan
All of my favorite skin tints are reviewed in this Best Skin Tints for Summer post (note not all of them are available at Sephora, but it has all my shades + swatches listed).
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick – one of the newest foundations I’ve tried and love, it blends out easily and feels weightless on the skin, I wear 2.5N or 3N, application in action here
I feel like I don’t have new favorites for powders except for those Hourglass Palettes which are sold out online. There are 3 favorites I have with shimmer and 3 more that are more satiny/matte.
Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion – a classic formula that will work for any skin type or age, particularly beautiful if you don’t want to wear shimmer
That wraps up my makeup favorites for the holiday savings event! What’s on your list/radar?
I’m going to be hosting several giveaways this holiday season! Kicking it off with a $250 egift card for Sephora (US site) to one Beauty Lookbook reader! It is open to anyone 18+ and to enter for a chance to win, use the widget below to enter. Best if you open this on a desktop browser or Chrome. Giveaway ends 11/5/2024 11:45 PM est. I’ll pick a winner from the entries within 48 hours and announce on this blog post and email them directly from [email protected].
Sharing a roundup of what I tested this month from Sephora! I shared a demo featuring some of the new items on Reels here and several asked for more detailed thoughts + swatches. I’ve rounded up 20+ new launches I tested from Sephora in August. Some included are press samples, some are things I picked up.
New Base Products
The Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick ($52) is pure love. Formula glides on seamlessly to the skin and has a nice lightweight finish that isn’t too dewy or drying. Coverage is medium but does a great job at evening out the complexion in a beautiful way. I am normally a 2.5N or 3N in their liquids (which tend to oxidize and darken). I tried both in the Foundation Stick form and like 3N the best. For me this is better than their liquid foundations and in terms of a foundation stick one of my favorite formulas. Lasting power is very good when set with a powder. I love how it looks on the skin. Swatched below next to the Forever Skin Glow and Forever Matte.
Dior also launched the Forever 24H Skin Contour Stick Sculpting Stick ($47) which has a beautiful formula. It’s a satiny semi matte finish, smooth, easy to blend and soft. I love the formula but undecided on the shades. 02 Tan is very dark and warm while 03 Medium is very dark and so cool-toned it looks very ashy and grey. For my skin tone I prefer the shades from Westman Atelier, Charlotte Tilbury or Rare Beauty for a soft contour. I also still swear by the Chanel cream bronzers as a soft contour even though they’re more of a bronzer. Out of the two I prefer the warmer one, but on me it’s VERY warm.
Rare Beauty True to Myself Pressed Powder ($30) is a beautiful soft finishing powder. I tried two shades in Ivory and Natural and felt Ivory was the better match. It’s sheer and very lightweight – you definitely get more coverage and lasting power if you apply and press with a puff vs a brush. I really like this but I still prefer my Charlotte Tilbury or NARS Light Reflecting Powder.
Tower 28 launched their GetSet Blur Powder* ($28) in four shades. I was able to try the Translucent Trestles and Palisades Pink. 10/10 impressed with the translucent shade. The pink one looks a little chalky on me (color-wise). Formula has a very nice blurring effect and has a pretty good amount of lasting power when applied with a puff.
NARS added a new Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer* ($42) and Light Reflecting Hydrating Makeup Setting Mist* ($36). I LOVE the primer – it’s nicely hydrating and really makes a difference in priming the skin for better looking application of foundation and concealer. The color is slightly pearly but in a soft luminescent way that isn’t too shimmery. The Light Reflecting Mist has a very fine mist dispenser for a soft finish. It’s a nice one but not groundbreaking.
Ilia’s new cream bronzer the Sunshift Cream Bronzer ($38) is pretty good. I picked up two colors in Rise and Ray and love the way they look on the skin. These are soft luminous shimmery creams that add a pretty glow to the complexion. To me they’re more like highlighting bronzers rather than a traditional bronzer, but I love how it looks. If you don’t like shimmer though, I wouldn’t recommend this as it’s very glowy.
Ilia also launched a Sculpting Brush ($36) with this bronzer. It’s an angled brush that’s super soft and plush. 10/10 recommend checking it out.
The NARS Talc-Free Blushes aren’t new but I tried another shade in August that I really like. Deep Throat is a pretty soft peach. Unfortunately I don’t have the original version to compare, but it’s one I think the new one seems more satiny without the shimmer. I swatched it next to a few other peach tones from NARS and Armani.
Phlur launched three new Hair and Body Mists*. Two are available at Sephora in Coconut Skin and Caramel Skin. Both are really beautiful and if you love gourmand sweet scents I recommend checking them out. I was really surprised that I preferred the Caramel Skin over Coconut Skin since I am more of a coconut lover. Phlur also has a third new one that is actually a Phlur Exclusive called Heavy Cream. It’s a delicious creamy sweet scent that is hard for me to describe but it’s like soft whipped cream. Unfortunately that one is already sold out.
All that said though, for a gourmand I still think their Vanilla Skin is the best one for a gourmand scent. It’s actually one of the best vanilla scents I’ve tried.
New Lip Testing
There are lots of new lip launches these days, but not all of them are hits for me. I’ll start with the misses. I love the Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumpers ($26) especially Cherry Vanilla. Always excited to see new shades but the new ones in Daisette and Candy Sky were a miss for me. Daisette is a nice one if layered over other lipsticks or liners as a transparent shimmer lavender pink, but on it’s own it is very pale. Candy Sky is a pale frosty nightmare that is very thick and unflattering. In the tubes these are both so sooo pretty. I was sad I could not really wear either shade.
A number of you asked me to compare the Glossier Lip Line Lip Pencils ($18) to other recent launches. I haven’t had the best luck with recent lip liner launches from Kosas, Hourglass or Too Faced to name a few but the Glossier Lip Liners are 10/10 thumbs up. I like both the formula the colors – they have a little tugging on the lips, but it’s not too bad and the formula is long wearing.
Make Up For Ever launched a new formula of lipliner called the Artist Color Extreme Waterproof ($26). I’m not sure if this is replacing their regular lip liner but I picked up Wherever Walnut since it seems to be their most popular shade in the original formula. I was pleasantly surprised to find I like this new formula better. The new formula doesn’t smell as pencil-y (if that makes sense). It’s creamier and it glides on smoother and easier. Color is slightly different but pretty close.
I still haven’t reviewed the Prada Beauty lip products yet on the blog but I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve tested so far. The Moisturizing Lip Balm ($50, refills $40) has an incredible formula that glides on like a dream. It feels very comfortable and is beautifully hydrating. These are incredibly expensive, but I really love the U001 Astral Pink pH Reactive shade. The color will most likely look different on everyone but I love the subtle blue pink it gives me. You can see it in action here.
Eye Makeup Testing
I have a love/hate relationship with the YSL Couture Clutch Eyeshadow Palettes ($68). I think the colors, formulas and textures are incredible, but I think they are incredibly over-priced for the amount of product you get (review + swatches of other shades here). I picked up one of the newer ones in 710 Over Brun as I love neutral tones and this one is beautiful. It looks warm in the compact and in photos but on my skin it pulls more neutral. The texture is incredibly soft and smooth. I love the pigment and colors. I still think it’s very overpriced and the colors are probably dupeable with shades from the Natasha Denona Glam Palette (which I think is a much better buy) – but the formula and performance is a solid A+.
I’ve been on the hunt for new brow products and the Glossier Boy Brow Arch 2-in-1 Longwear Pomade Eyebrow Pencil ($24) is a solid win. I tried both Warm Brown and Cool Brown in store and could not decide which one was best so bought both. After testing them at home I think Warm Brown looks best. It has a really good consistency to fill in like a pencil but has a clay complex to hold pigment in place. I love the way it’s designed with both a fine and flat tip. This might just be the best brow pencil I’ve ever tried.
Hair Care
I have several new loves for hair care this month. I’m forever trying different pomades and sticks to tame my flyaways. I mentioned earlier this year that I started to get a lot of hair growth after starting a topical Minoxidil. The hair is still growing back which is incredible but the flyaways are a menace especially if you have thick hair! When the Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick ($23) popped up at Sephora I knew I had to try it. It really does work to tame flyaways and helps give you that ultra sleek hair look but it’s very easy to overdo and in the summer heat, I 100% have to wash my hair daily when using it. I personally prefer the R+Co Dart Stick as it’s not as shiny looking but you still have to wash your hair daily after use.
Kerastase Elixir Ultime has been repackaged into a newer updated package. The full size is now refillable. I personally cannot tell any difference between the original and new formula. To me they perform the same. I do like the look of the newer bottle packaging (especially the travel size), but several of you pointed out that the new version is more expensive with less product ($62 for 75 ml now vs $51 for 100 ml before).
I really love the Kerastase Premiere line and finished up everything except the Huile Gloss since I go through the wash/mask products very quickly. I love this hair oil, it’s a nice one especially for ends if you feel like they are a little dry or dull. It’s a repairing oil and I think it’s done an excellent job for making the ends look better without weighing down the strands. For me this is a little richer in formula compared to the Elixir Ultime.
dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream Taming Wand ($18) is a nice product to have. It’s the same styling cream but with a wand applicator. It’s great to tame flyaways and smooth the hair. For me it doesn’t hold the thick and short flyaways (they’re so thick they stick straight up unless it’s a waxy pomade), but it does tame the other longer strands just like the cream, but in a wand form you can brush through the hair.
I’ve started curling my hair again with the BaByliss Nano Titanium Pro Curling Wand in the 1 ¼ inch size* ($74.99). This is also my hair stylist’s favorite brand for curling tools. I love the wand size and length and there are multiple heat settings to suit a wide range of hair types. I set mine to 395 and it’s the perfect temperature to get long lasting curls on my thick hair.
I’ve tried both the Curling Iron (with the clamp) and Curling Wand. Both are very easy to use and I love that they have longer barrels for my long hair. 10/10 recommend – see it in action here. I think I want to try the rollers next!
That wraps up my August Sephora beauty testing. There’s still quite a lot I didn’t get to this month. I’ll be swatching and reviewing more things as quickly as I can including new NARS, Laura Mercier, YSL, Makeup by Mario and Natasha Denona.
What did you try and love this month? Doesn’t necessarily have to be from Sephora! Let me know what beauty loves you found this month!
Happy Friday! I shopped the Nordstrom Sale earlier this week and have swatches of my beauty haul picks. Here are the beauty sets I picked up. Also since a lot of the sets this year are discounted bundles of permanent items I swatched a few more of the sets since I already own a lot of the colors.
Hourglass Golden Rose Ambient Lighting Palette
The Hourglass Golden Rose Ambient Lighting Palette ($64) is probably my favorite thing I picked out, although not a must-have if already own a lot of palettes from Hourglass. The shades include Celestial Strobe Light (shimmery champagne), Iridescent Rose Blush (medium rose), Dim Infusion Blush (soft coral) and Golden Bronze Light (soft bronze). I think all the colors have been in at least one palette before, but I love the combination and think this is a pretty one.
The Sculpt and Gloss Set ($45) has two permanent colors of the Phantom Glossy Balm in Mist and Sculpt Lip Liner in Flaunt. The colors are really pretty. I’m still not the biggest fan of the lip liner formula, but the color is good. (Review + swatches of the formula in this post here). The duo set is offered at a nice discount for the sale. I already own both shades but I swatched them for you. I’m wearing both below.
NSALE 2024 Lip Sets
There are lots of lip sets offered during the sale. If you’ve had your eye on any or need to restock I think this is a great time to try one. Otherwise I’d say wait until holiday since all the colors in these sets are permanent and there will most likely be some more interesting options come fall.
YSL Loveshine Lip Duo ($60) has two shades Shade 44 Nude Lavalliere and 150 Nude Lingerie. These are permanent shades. In case you haven’t kept up with the YSL Beauty launches, the Loveshine formula replaced the Rouge Volupte Shine formula this year. Full review + swatches here.
Tom Ford Beauty Luxe Gloss Duo ($90) is a beautiful duo of neutrals in Inhibition (beige tan) and Sunrise Pink (soft rose). Both are permanent and since I used mine up quite some time ago I thought it would be nice to restock and buy these. They’re glossy, lush and moisturizing.
Trish McEvoy Lip Trio ($60) has three beautiful wearable pinks. I don’t think this is actually part of the Anniversary Sale but it a new set and it was displayed with all the other NSALE Beauty Exclusives. Either way I’m glad I picked it up. It has a Lipstick in Perfect Pink (soft bright cool pink), Easy Lip Gloss in Babe (creamy powdery pink) and Long-Wear Lip Liner in Barely There (neutral nude). The kit has shades I can see myself wearing on a regular basis. I love the consistency and pigment.
NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Duo ($45) has full-size lipsticks in Dolce Vita (soft rose) and Devotion (beige nude). I love this formula and have already used up Dolce Vita. Both have a very comfortable feel one lips. Perfect amount of color and shine. This is one of my favorite lip formulas.
Westman Atelier Sets
I shared a look at the Westman Atelier Sets earlier and added swatches. All the shades are permanent. For those who love that glossy glass skin or dewy look you will love these. The Summer Bronze Trio ($115, PR gifted) has full sizes of Lit Up Stick in Nectar, Baby Cheeks in Dou Dou and the Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator in Peau de Soleil.
I love the Lit Up Stick and Baby Cheeks. The Liquid Super Loaded is too dewy for my taste even if I mix in with a moisturizer, but it performs exactly as described and I know a lot of you love it.
The Petite Lit Up Stick Duo ($40) has two permanent shades in Brulee and Nectar. Love these for travel or to pop in the purse for touch ups on the go.
Eye Bundle Sets
There are lots of eye bundles with permanent shades. The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick Trio ($54) has Shell, Moonstone and Smokey Topaz. The Laura Mercier Effortless Eyes Trio ($60) has Burnished Bronze, Dune and Rosegold. A number of you messaged me you wished they launched new colors for the sale instead of offering the same repeated shades every single year. I 100% agree with you. I’ve swatched these anyways in case you don’t have access to these in person.
Charlotte Tilbury Sets
Charlotte Tilbury has bundles of permanent best sellers. I picked up the Charlotte Tilbury Blush & Glow Glide Set ($88) which has Pillow Talk Highlighter, Pillow Talk Matte Blush and Pinkgasm as a gift. I’ve added swatches of a few more items for comparison/reference.
The Pillow Talk Lip Kit ($65) has the Lip Cheat, Lip Blur and Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk. I do think the Lip Liner and Matte Revolution are staples. I’m not a big fan of the Lip Blur Formula, it feels like it just sits on the lips and it’s not transfer proof at all. I didn’t pick up this set as I already own the individual items but I swatched them in case you haven’t tried all 3 yet.
I’ve been using the Magic Cream a lot lately and used up two jars in the past year so I picked up the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Face & Body Duo ($90) since I wanted to replenish them.
Fragrance Sets
The Byredo Les Triples Set ($95) is the same as last year. The bottles are super cute but they don’t come with atomizer spritzers. If you don’t mind the dabber style, these are nice. I prefer the Atomizer Spray Trios like this one or this one instead, although the glass isn’t as thick or sturdy as the bottles. They do make separate leather cases to hold the atomizers but they are fairly expensive. Full size vs minis for comparison below.
I was SO close to buying the Parfums de Marly Fragrance Trio ($435) with miniatures of Delina, Delina La Rosee and Delina Exclusif. I’m not really a rose fragrance fan but after trying the discovery set earlier this year I fell in love with all 3 (I like La Rosee the best). It’s actually still in my online shopping cart, but I already own so many perfumes I decided to pass (for now).
Tools and Devices
Last but not least, I picked up the NuFace Trinity+ Starter Kit ($265). It’s been on my radar and the sale price seemed pretty good. I haven’t tried it yet but am really excited to (I used to own the older version). My face definitely needs some toning and I have high hopes this will help.
Another tool I recommend on sale is the ghd Platinum Plus Styler. It’s a straightener but I also use it to curl my hair. It’s on sale now and I still use it all the time. You can see it in action here.
I went on the Ambassador Access day and by the time I was in store nearly everything on my clothes, shoes and accessories wishlist had sold out in my size (or sold out completely). I did pick up two Barefoot Dreams Blankets in the Checks and Stripes Pattern and CozyChic Blanket in Pearl. I love having fresh new ones on hand.
For this week’s Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway the winners are SuzanneG, SarahK and GayleG – please check your emails! You will have received one from sabrina@thebeautylookbook!
Did you buy anything from the Nordstrom sale this year? Let me know what you picked up!
The Nordstrom Anniversary sale starts this week with early access for cardmembers. They launched an online preview of this event and I’ve rounded up the highlights for their Beauty Exclusives, clothes, accessories and more.
The Anniversary Sale happens once a year. Nordstrom Cardmembers have early access depending on what tier you are. Access dates are as follows starting July 9th this week:
There are a lot of options available and since things tend to sell out quickly I recommend going through each category that interests you and start building a wishlist. There’s an “Add to Wish List” button on each individual product page. Simply click the heart icon and it will save it to your Wishlist Page in your account. That way when your access date starts you can easily add things to cart.
For my beauty lovers there are lots of NSALE Beauty Exclusives. I’ve shopped the sale every single year and over the years they’ve seemed to shift the offering themes to discounted bundles and value sets (or sizes) vs. new exclusive colors or things you can only find during the sale.
I went through every category and still found quite a few things to put on my wishlist. There are a lot of luxury brands that have value sets I think are worth checking out, especially if you’ve had something like La Mer, Parfums de Marly, Armani Beauty, Jo Malone, Augustinus Bader, Oribe etc. on your radar.
Whether you’re shopping in store or online, be sure to check out the GIFT WITH PURCHASE page! Once the sale starts Nordstrom updates this page regularly. They don’t always have all the gifts in store (some are online only) and even in store in the associates don’t always know about brand specific GWPs.
Here’s what I’ve put on my radar by category. Quick note: since many of these are bundles or value sets of “best sellers” know that similar options will probably launch come the holiday season. Still it’s a nice way to save.
There are tons more in each category, especially women’s clothes and home so be sure to browse each section before the sale starts!
I’m hosting a few giveaways this month! A few will be here on the blog and a few on Instagram so be sure to follow me and check out my stories for the details on how to enter!
My first giveaway is going to be a $100 NORDSTROM eGift card for 3 current e-mail subscribers. No need to do anything extra to enter as I really appreciate those who have already subscribed and are loyal readers. I’ll announce the winners on my haul post this upcoming week which will be live on the 11th or 12th and I will contact the 3 winners by e-mail (they will be contacted from my [email protected] email address). Good luck!
