Nordstrom Archives - The Beauty Look Book

New Spring Beauty Launches Worth the Splurge

March 5, 2021

Happy Friday – I’m excited to share a roundup today with 10 new spring beauty launches I think are worth the splurge! I have a mix of makeup for eyes, lips and cheeks that I’ve been testing out recently and have teamed up with Nordstrom to share a look at some of my favorite haul picks.

(Top photo wearing MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35, Gucci Pressed Powder in Shade 5, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette in Golden Nudes, Laura Mercier Blush in Fresco + Bellini, Charlotte Tilbury HappiPeach)

Foundation + Powder

MAC recently launched their new Studio Fix Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation and it is amazing! It’s a solid cream foundation described as a lightweight sweat and humidity-resistant foundation with medium coverage and a natural matte finish. It’s like a foundation dream come true! Coverage is medium and it smooths the skin in the most beautiful way. This one lasts all day, melts beautifully into the skin, covers my imperfections and dark spots. I like that it doesn’t cake or crease and looks nice and fresh all day. Shade-wise I picked up both NC30 and NC35, I can wear either shade (wearing NC35 in this post).

Bare skin vs MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35:

As a lover of cushion foundations, I couldn’t be happier to learn that Chantecaille launched a new one. The Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation is a water based formula with medium dewy coverage and long lasting power. I like that it is both blurring and smoothing at the same time – when you press it into the skin it melts in nicely and is easy to blend. Once it sets it stays put and does not budge. The Shade in Wheat is my perfect match.

The Gucci Poudre de Beaute Mat Naturel Pressed Powder has finally arrived in the US! It’s a sheer medium powder that is lightweight powder that sets foundation in a very natural way. You can use the sponge for more coverage but I like applying with a brush. It’s nice for touch ups and feels comfortable on the skin. It has a floral scent but it did not irritate my skin. I have been using Shade 04 or 05 and both work for my skin tone.

Cheeks

I’ve written about a number of different blush favorites from NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel and a few other brands, but my latest obsession is the Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion Powder Blush. I’ve been loving Fresco for a perfect natural soft tan with a hint of shimmer. I recently bought Ginger which is lighter and it gives the prettiest soft tan peach glow. There are four newer shades that are perfect for that natural glow. Guava is a light pale peach, Bellini is a pretty bright light peach, Watermelon is a pale pink with a light pearl finish, Passionfruit is a softer pink. If you want a good soft natural blush that won’t oxidize or look muddy, I highly recommend checking out the colors from Laura Mercier.

Eye Makeup

Two new eye discoveries include the Bobbi Brown Real Nudes Eyeshadow Palettes in Golden Nudes and the Gucci Stylo des Yeux Eye Pencil in Noir. The Bobbi Brown Golden Nudes palette has the perfect mix of neutrals in golden and brown tones for a polished eye look. If you want shimmers that aren’t super frosty or too trendy this one is a great one to look into. The middle shade looks orangey but on the eyes it’s perfect to warm up the eye for a summery look!

A number of you have asked for a smudge-proof eyeliner and I think I’ve found a new favorite. The Gucci Stylo des Yeux Eye Pencil in Noir is smooth, ultra pigmented and once it sets it does not budge. I picked one shade in black to try, but based on how long it lasts I think I’m going to try a couple more shades.

Neutral Lips

You girls know I’m such a huge nude lip lover! I picked up some new shades to try. The new Rouge Dior Lipstick in 100 Nude Look (matte) combined with the matching Contour Lip Liner in 100 Nude Look is my perfect everyday neutral. The matte lipstick is a full coverage weightless matte that has a smooth finish (no tugging!). The lip pencil is a long wear formula that helps extend the wear of the lipsticks.

Bobbi Brown added some new shades to the Crushed Lipstick formula and I picked up Buff which is a lighter neutral pink beige. It has smooth medium-to-full coverage and it comes in a wide range of shades and undertones. I really like this one! I swatched these next to a few others from MAC for reference including the classic Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy, new Powder Kiss Lipstick in Teddy 2.0, Powder Kiss Liquid Lip in Date Maker, and Lip Pencil in Subculture.

If you’re looking for a tinted balm with lots of pigment, definitely check out the Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balms. This a rich glossy balm with lots of color. Crystal Happikiss (soft pink) is one of the sheerer ones but still shows up on my lips. Happi Peach is a pretty pigmented peach. Pillow Talk is a soft rose (this formula is warmer than the lipstick version). Enchanting Kiss is the prettiest rose pink. Lasting power is medium since it’s a balm but if you add a lip liner underneath you can extend the wear. They’re comfortable and hydrating with a subtle vanilla scent.

Makeup looks wearing MAC Studio Fix Tech in NC35, Gucci Pressed Powder in Shade 5, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette in Golden Nudes, Laura Mercier Blush in Fresco + Bellini.

That wraps up my new beauty roundup! If you’ve been looking at any of these newer launches I hope you found the swatches and review helpful! You can find all of my picks at Nordstrom.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions my own. All items featured purchased by me.

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Base Makeup Nordstrom

Makeup Favorites for a Natural Flawless Glow

January 22, 2021

Some of the most frequently asked questions I get are “what do you recommend for the best glow foundation?” and “what are you wearing that makes your skin glow?” I love a base that looks glowing but natural – like my skin but a bit better. Based on the messages and comments I’ve received from you, it looks like many of you do too! I thought I’d do an updated roundup of my glowy makeup favorites! I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share my top picks.

I’ve included my top picks for foundation, concealer, liquid highlighter and glow powders. For me I love layering product for a natural look. I’ll usually apply a light-to-medium coverage base all over and then add product as needed to help correct things like dark circles, dull skin, scars or acne.

Best Glow Foundations

I have three favorite glow foundations and to me they are all suitable for a wide range of skin types. My most-used base is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear shades 6.5 or 7) for a natural long-wear medium buildable coverage foundation with a subtle glow. I always set with a powder to make sure it stays locked in place.

I also highly recommend the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation (I wear Latte 3N1.5). This has a tiny bit more radiance and is easier to build coverage compared to the Armani. Although it has a dewy finish as long as you set with a powder this too also has long lasting power and stays put looking fresh for hours. I like that they have different undertones for each shade category making it easier to find a match whether you’re warm, neutral or cool.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (I wear B40 or BD41) is another favorite for medium dewy coverage. It has enough pigment to cover dark under eye circles for me (although mine are moderate in color) and also covers sun spots. It is fragranced though so if you’re sensitive to fragranced products I would do a patch test first. Out of all the bases I wear this is the one that gets me the most compliments!

On low maintenance days or good skin days I really love the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (I wear 3N1 Sand) for the best all-around sheer coverage base with moisture. It has sheer coverage and evens out the skin in the most natural way.

Below wearing the Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation

Best Way To Add a Natural Highlight

For that lit from within kind of glow I can’t rave enough about the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter. I like this because you can add glow to the foundations you already have and you can also control how much glow you want. It’s a versatile product you can wear under foundation as a glowy base, over foundation as a highlighter, under the eyes where you want to brighten. I usually apply under the eyes or on the cheek bones (similar placement to where you would put a concealer to brighten). I blend with a beautyblender sponge and it gives the skin more dimension and life. I’ve worn a number of different colors depending on what look I’m going for. Right now I like 3 for brightness and 4.5 for a closer match to my skin tone.

I also like the Armani Fluid Sheers and Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid to mix in with foundation for added shimmer.

My favorite way to apply the Hollywood Flawless Filter in Shade 4.5 (you can blend with a brush or sponge)

Best Powder Glow

I’ve been a fan of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder for a long time! I think they’re versatile to use as a finishing powder or a soft highlight. For my medium olive skin, Dim Light works as an all over setting powder (even though it has a pink tone) and Radiant Light works as a very soft candlelight warm soft bronzer (to warm up the complexion).

The palettes come with me on almost every trip I’ve been on. The original Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette has been a good one to use as a soft diffusing powder. Original has Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light. I recently bought the newer Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II which has Soft Light, Radiant Light, Golden Bronze Light – it’s a deeper option which I really love. I think it’s going to be a more versatile option for me since I tan easily.

Powders are soft and melt into the skin. I also love the Armani Neo-Nude Powders for a good glow. Sometimes it can be a bit too glowy so I recommend applying with a light hand or layering with your regular matte powder.

Concealer

For concealer I love a good creamy formula that I can use under the eyes and blend easily. I usually try to pick a color close to my skin tone so it’s not too contrasted. Although I have olive golden skin, I often like pink or peach ones under the eyes to counter dark circles. My top picks include:

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – best creamy versatile concealer to brighten under the eyes, I wear the Shade Ginger
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer – I wear 3N now, 3W when I am more tan in the summer
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer – has a more emollient finish and creamier feel compared to the NARS and Laura Mercier, for Kosas I wear either Tone 5 or 6
Cle de Peau Radiant Corrector For Eyes – most opaque concealer but still blendable, has a satin-matte dry down, but still has a creamy feel
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Stick Duo – I wear shade 3N, this a newer launch and has two sides for brightening and concealing, it has a really nice formula and convenient packaging to take with you on-the-go!

Wearing:

Foundation – Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation in Latte
Powder – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II Soft Light (all over)
Cheeks – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II Radiant Light + Golden Bronze Light
Eyeshadow – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Eyeshadow Palette in Diva Lights
Eyeliner – Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl Eyeliner in Bedroom Black
Lips – Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Lip Gloss in In the Buff

I hope you found this roundup helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Or if you want to share your favorites for a glowing makeup look I’d love to hear about them too!

You can find all of my picks at Nordstrom.

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

Glowing Makeup Look I’m Loving Right Now

December 28, 2020

Happy Monday! I have a new glowing makeup roundup today featuring a few new launches alongside my favorites. So many of you love a pretty glow and I’m excited to partner with Nordstrom to share one I’ve been loving lately. I’m covering the entire look from my base, eyes, lips and cheeks!

Foundation + Base Essentials

Having a good base is one thing that makes me feel more confident and put together. I have a lot of foundations I love and rotate between but the one I’ve reached for the most is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I’m currently shade 6.5). It has medium buildable coverage to even out the skin but looks natural and lets the skin show through in a natural way. I love how natural the glow is too!

For concealer the best of the best is from Cle de Peau. The Stick Concealer (I use Ocher or Buff) is best for spot concealing as it’s very opaque and a little goes a long way. For under eye brightening or concealing the Radiant Corrector for Eyes is better for me as it’s more fluid, easier to blend, but still very opaque and covers well. It will stay put and does not crease if you set properly with a powder.

For powder you all know I love the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in the Translucent shade and the new beige color Honey. If you want the best no-fuss setting powder Laura Mercier is the way to go! However pressed powder is my format of choice – it’s not as messy, you can use it on-the-go, it’s easy to keep it in your purse and in general it’s easier for me to use. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder is my go-to and I wear the shade in Medium.

My Favorite Glow Product

The best thing I can recommend to anyone who wants that lit from within kind of glow is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter Primer and Highlighter. I’ve gone through so many of the Shade 4 and Shade 3 to highlight and add dimension to the skin. It’s a multi-tasking product that you can use as a dewy primer, add it on top of your foundation or use as a highlighter on cheeks or eyes. It comes with a sponge tip applicator which I use to swipe on the face and then I blend/buff it out with a beautyblender to melt into the foundation where I want added glow or brightness.

They have just added some more shades in the line to fill in some of the gaps. You can use a shade to match your skin or 1-2 shades lighter to highlight and brighten the skin. I also use one shade darker for days I want more warmth in the glow. I picked up shades 2.5 and 4.5 and swatched them for you. For reference I wear her Magic Foundations in Shades 6.5, 6.75 or 7 depending on how tan I am. I find that the Hollywood Filter in Shade 4.5 is perfect for a subtle glow that isn’t too dramatic or contrasted with my skintone. Shade 4 still works for me too. (More shades available online.)

Eye Makeup Staples

For eye makeup staples, the best liquid eyeliner is the Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen (although Cle de Peau is also really quite excellent). It has two sizes for applicators so you can control how precise or bold you want the line to be. It does not smudge, it’s easy to use, has super rich deep pigment and it lasts a long time. For an ultra dark smokey line the Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl Eyeliner in Bedroom Black is one of the darkest ones I’ve tried. It’s easy to blend/smoke out with a smudge brush for a sultry look.

For a good mix of matte and shimmers the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Palette has been a really pleasant surprise. It looks a little boring in the compact but it has everything you need for a complete eye look. Pigment is smooth, rich, easy to blend – it’s everything I could want in a single compact!

New Charlotte Tilbury

The latest from Charlotte Tilbury is the Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter Palette and I am so excited to share a look. I bought both shades and will have a more detailed look later but for now I have swatches of Star Aura. It is beautiful eye palette with finely milled shimmers. The colors have the prettiest sparkle to brighten the eyes and open them up. I did find I needed to add a liner to complete the look, but I love how it melds into the skin and just makes your eyes glow.

Top Glowing Cheek Products

My most used cheek products this holiday season for a pretty glow have been from Charlotte Tilbury and Hourglass. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Bronzer in Medium is the most natural looking matte bronzer – it has a super soft finish and on me it’s impossible to overdo. I’ve had a soft spot for the Hollywood Superstar Glow Highlighter this year too. I have so many highlighters it’s hard to find one that I think is unique enough to make it special. This has a soft pink peach tinge to it mixed in with the opal shimmers and is so flattering on the skin!

For cream blushes the Cle de Peau Cream Blush #4 has remained my go-to for the best soft peachy pink blush that looks natural and lasts all day. It’s hard for me to find a cream product that won’t just melt off the skin and this one works the best out of all the cream blushes I have tried.

For a natural glowy blush the Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic blushes are the best ones out there. I’ve bought nearly all of the colors and love Ecstasy (shown) for a peachy pink shimmer and Love Glow (for a nude) the most.

The best cheek palette I’ve tried this year is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Sculpture Palette. Anytime I wear it I get compliments for the natural glow it gives the skin.

(I’m wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer, Cle de Peau Cream Blush #4, Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter in this post.)

Favorite Lip Color of the Year

Last but not least the best lip color of the year for me has been anything Pillow Talk from Charlotte Tilbury. I love the Lip Cheat Lip Pencil, Matte Revolution Lipstick, Collagen Lip Bath and Jewel Lips. These get me the most questions on Instagram stories and readers are always asking “what’s on your lips?” – it’s always one of the Pillow Talk shades! (Top I’m wearing is also from Nordstrom Treasure and Bond.)

That wraps up the roundup for my glowy makeup look! I hope you found this roundup helpful in case you’re looking for some new items to shop for or incorporate into your routine. You can find all of my favorites from Nordstrom. Don’t forget to check out their Gift with Purchase page too.

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If you have any glowy makeup favorites let me know in the comments!

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Armani Fragrance Nordstrom

Armani My Way Eau de Parfum

December 4, 2020

I’ve been playing with some new fragrances this holiday season and one of my latest discoveries is the Giorgio Armani My Way Eau de Parfum. Armani has been a favorite since the day it launched and I’m excited to partner with Nordstrom to share a look at this beautiful fragrance alongside some of my go-to makeup staples.

The Armani My Way Eau de Parfum is something I would describe as a bright sweet floral. If you like tuberose and jasmine you will love this. It also has notes of bergamot, orange blossom, vanilla, white musk and cedarwood, but to me the floral notes dominate. It has a slight fruity undertone to it which makes it sweet, but not too sweet. Lasting power is quite amazing – just a few spritzes lasts all day long. It’s definitely one that lifts and brightens the mood – it’s a happy kind of scent!

A few of my makeup staples from Armani include:

Luminous Silk Foundation – among the best of the best for a natural glow foundation with good lasting power, medium coverage and a wide shade range! My match is usually 6.5 or 7 depending on time of year. I am wearing Shade 7 in this post.

Luminous Silk Concealer – one of the best opaque full coverage concealers that is still easy to blend. I wear shade 6.5 for brightening and spot concealing. A little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot.

Eyes to Kill Mascara – I’ve tried this in both the Classic and Wet Waterproof formula. Both have been staples for years for that defined volume and length.

Fluid Sheer – The Fluid Sheers were my very first Armani purchase back when I discovered the line. I really love Shade 2 for the perfect champagne glow. Right now since I’m more tan I like Shade 11 because it’s such a pretty soft bronze. I apply them as a highlighter on the cheek bones.

Wearing my favorites listed above. Also wearing the Eye Tint in Shade 44, Neo Nude Powder in 5.5, A-Blush Liquid Tint in 32, Ecstasy Mirror Gloss in 101.

Armani My Way is available in a few size options and sets. Mine is the 1.7 fl oz/50 ml option for $97.00 (retail). If you’re looking for a gift for someone who already has everything, you can’t go wrong with gifting them their favorite fragrance. It’s something they can always use! If you love sweet florals I think this is worth checking out.

Available at Nordstrom.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

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Hauls Nordstrom

Fall Beauty Staples + New Finds

October 21, 2020

I’m excited to share a roundup of my fall beauty staples with some new finds from Nordstrom! I am thrilled to report that I have found a new holy grail hydration duo for hands and lips. Also by popular request I ordered a few of the new YSL lip stains to swatch and try for the season. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom today to share some new favorites along with a few staples that are going to be versatile throughout the year.

Foundation, Concealer and Powder

For my foundation I’ve been reaching for three things recently. For a minimalist natural glow the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is the best I’ve tried and one I’ve repurchased multiple times. For extra coverage or a long-wear formula I love the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion (I wear Dusk 3W1) or the Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation (I wear Natural 6.0 and Sable 6.5). These three are my no-fail go-to’s I think will suit a wide range of skin types.

Concealer-wise I think the Cle de Peau Concealer Stick is the best for full coverage. I currently wear Buff to spot conceal because it’s an exact match for my skin. If I want brightening I’ll go with Ocher. For under eyes the Cle de Peau Corrector for Eyes is an opaque but easy to blend formula with a brush applicator. This is what I’ve been using under eyes recently to conceal dark circles and brighten the under eye area. I think it’s 100% worth the splurge. If you want something more affordable you can’t go wrong with the ones from Laura Mercier and NARS – they’re versatile and have a nice shade range.

For powder long-time readers know that the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium is my holy grail and I still love it. I’m also a huge fan of the Sisley Blur Expert to give the skin a soft diffused evened out finish. This is my second compact and although spendy I think it’s a great product to give the skin a luminous matte look.

For touch-ups I think the Charlotte Tilbury Air-Brush is one of the softest retractable powder brushes I’ve ever tried. You can use it for bronzer or powder. I like that it has a protective cap.

The Best Cheek Palette

I’ve been really loving the Hourglass Sculpture Ambient Lighting Edit Palette. It’s the one cheek palette I brought with me on a recent trip and I used it the entire time. It has everything I need in one compact! I love how natural and flattering the glow is. I’ve been pairing it with the No 28 Lip Treatment Oil in Bare (also love Adorn and Cameo) for a healthy pink glow.

Eye Makeup Staples

For eye makeup I get so many requests for a good all-matte neutral-cool palette recommendation. This can be harder to find these days as most palettes have warm shades or something with shimmer. The Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Mink Mirage is the best neutral-cool matte quad. It has classic colors that you can wear everyday. Colors are smooth, opaque and easy to blend. I find myself reaching for this a lot! You can dress it up by adding more of the deep brown or black for a smokey look.

For mascara I’ve been really impressed with the NARS Climax Extreme – it gives length, volume and holds the curl with no smudging on me. It has an extreme dark pigment which coats the lashes in a bolder look.

Another product I use weekly is the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold. It’s my go-to all over base color to add a bit of glow. They just launched a Mini Caviar Stick Set for holiday with Au Naturel (cool-neutral beige), Rosegold (shimmery champagne, the color I use almost daily as a base), Intense Moonlight (sparkling taupe) and Magnetic Pink (metallic pale pink). If you’re new to the formula I think the minis are a nice way to try different colors.

New YSL Lips

YSL launched new Water Glow Lip Stains which are a gloss/stain hybrid that lasts long and leaves a glow. I picked four shades to try and think they’re lovely! They do darken and deepen once they set for a bolder color. I am wearing 207 Illegal Rosy Nude in the opening photo of this blog post. Other colors I picked include 203 Restricted Pink (healthy brighter pink), 202 Insurgent Red (brown red) and 211 Transgressive Cacao (plum mauve). They leave a stain on the lips but it’s not impossible to remove at the end of the day. Overall look to me is more glossy than a traditional stain but I really like these. They have that signature sweet YSL lip scent.

While at the counter one of the beauty stylists recommended the Lip Pencil in 04 Rose Fume which is the most perfect pink mauve I think I have ever seen. It’s creamy and smooth and I can’t wait to use it more this season.

Cozy Scents for Fall

The weather has definitely shifted and fall has arrived although it’s still warm here. My go-to citrus scents seem a bit out of place so I’ve been wearing the new Jo Malone Fig and Lotus Flower Cologne (perfect fig scent) and started wearing my Byredo Bal D’Afrique again (mix of bergamot, vetiver and cedar). I think both are unique and long-lasting.

My top two candles for the home are Diptyque Santal (soft creamy sandalwood) and Baies (blackcurrant and rose). They make the home smell cozy and they both brighten the mood in different ways! Holiday sets just launched and the Mini 5 Piece Set is always a great way to sample them if you haven’t tried them before! It also makes the cutest gift.

Must-Have Skincare Treats

I picked up two sets from La Mer and am in LOVE! The Rejuvenating Hydration Set has a mini Hand Treatment which is super silky and hydrating and a full sized Lip Volumizer which is a hydrating lip serum. The Lip Volumizer is more of a plumping product versus a balm but it feels smooth and softens my lips. You can use it under balm or lip color, but for me it feels smooth enough to use as a balm. I have been a huge fan of the La Mer Hand Serum and decided to give this set a try because it has a mini of the Hand Treatment. I think once this is used up I’ll splurge on the full size.

The Mini Miracle Broth Set is another one I picked up, mainly for a recent vacation as it has 4 minis of the Cleansing Foam, Treatment Lotion, Regenerating Serum and Moisturizing Soft Cream. It worked well for our trip and I think it’s a great starter set to try their products. There are different variations during the holiday, so I’d recommend finding one with the lotion or moisturizer formula you prefer. I really like the Soft Cream or Soft Lotion so this one was perfect for me.

That wraps up my fall beauty staples post! I have quite a bit in rotation right now but wanted to put together an edited roundup of the things I’ve been reaching for the most. As always I’d love to hear what you have in rotation right now! Or if you have any new beauty finds let me know in the comments! If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase page.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. All items purchased by me. As always all opinions are my own.

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Hauls Nordstrom Sales

Best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Deals 2020

August 19, 2020

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens up to the public today! Today I’m rounding up the best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty deals with my haul picks for makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair. Starting today they will also be launching Daily Deals with special savings and promos for beauty. Also if you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase section as they update it frequently. My haul picks are primarily focused on makeup sets – I think there are some really good bundles and palettes this year!

NARS Sur La Plage Full Size Lip Balm Set $49 – NARS has some really cute sets this year and I was pleasantly surprised to find this super cute trio! The Afterglow Lip Balm formula is one of my favorites and this year the Sur La Plage Set has three full size lip balms in Orgasm (classic pink), Marabella (sheer poppy coral) and Baja (sheer pink red). The clutch is super cute for summer too.

Marabella swatched on the lips (other shades swatched if you scroll down)

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NARS Mini Oil-Infused Lip Tint Duo $24 – Another favorite is the NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints and for the Nordstrom Sale they have new shades in mini-form! Beausoleil is a sheer shimmering gold and Solstice is a sheer clear strawberry pink. They have a sheer wash of color and on me they don’t transform the lip color. I love lip oils in general and think this is a cute way to try the formula.

Left Solstice (sheer pink), right Beausoleil (sheer gold)

Swatches of both lip sets below:

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NARS Vacances Face Set $49 – This palette is a winner for me. It has three easy to wear eyeshadows and a neutral rose blush. The eyeshadows are Alhambra I (shimmery champagne), Comporta (metallic nude champagne copper) and Rhodes (metallic plum). The blush is called Behave which is a matte rose. If you’re looking for a no-fuss everyday palette that can be worn year round I this one is really nice!

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Bobbi Brown Full Size Extra Lip Tint Duo $29 – As a fan of balms I almost always buy the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint sets every year. The set this year has Bare Pink (color-transforming, on me it transforms into a flushed bright pink) and Bare Rose (soft rosy pink). They’re comfortable without feeling thick.

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Bobbi Brown Full Sized Vitamin Enriched Face Base Duo $60 – If you’re a fan of Bobbi Brown skincare there are some really good bundles and value sets. The Vitamin Enriched Face Base has been a staple for years that doubles as a moisturizer and primer. For the sale they have a set of two 1.69 oz jars for $60 ($120 value).

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Tom Ford Eye Color Quad and Mini Lip Color Set $88 – Another splurge I buy religiously is any Tom Ford beauty set from the sale. They usually have an eyeshadow palette with mini lipsticks bundle and this year the set includes Burnished Amber Eyeshadow Quad, Casablanca Lip Color (classic rose mauve) and Scarlet Rouge (deep red). I decided to give the eyeshadow quad a try which has a shimmery gold, warm pink red, deeper plum red shimmer and a shimmery copper. The overall look is on the warm side but I think it will be really lovely for fall.

Below wearing the Burnished Amber eyeshadow quad and Scarlet Rouge lip color

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Charlotte Tilbury always has some great sets to pick from! I really love the Glowing Gorgeous Eye Secrets Set with full-sized items. It has two Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows in Golden Eclipse and Star Gold (one of my favorites) along with their Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara. I use her cream shadows almost daily alone or as a base.

Her cult classic Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set is my absolute must-have from the sale. The Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk always gets me compliments whenever I wear it and is a soft rosy pink. I use her Pillow Talk Lip Cheat and Matte Revolution religiously – the set is priced at $68 ($91 value).

Below wearing all three of the Pillow Talk lip items layered together

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Oribe Full Size Gold Lust Dry Shampoo and Dry Texturizing Spray Set $64 ($96 value) is a great deal if you like dry shampoo or texturizers. I alternate between both and usually have some minis on hand. The full sizes are the better buy though and with the sale this is a great time to save as they’re pretty pricey at full price!

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Fragrance and Hand Care – I have a few Fragrance and Hand Care picks that I think are great options to put on your radar.

Le Labo Santal 33 and Another 13 Eau de Parfum Duo $98 is a cute sampler set with two perfumes. I love Santal in the candle form and used to use the perfume a while ago. I thought this was a nice way to try two of their scents.

Creed Les Essentiels Fragrance Trio $175 – I bought this for Andrew. Aventus is his signature scent (I’ve bought him many bottles and the flacons too). He has a few of his own atomizers already and I’m always on the lookout for sets like this for him to try other scents. If you’re looking for a really good cologne set this is THE BEST one. Aventus literally stops people on the street who pass us by – they always want to know what he’s wearing!

Supergoop! Handscreen Sunscreen Set $44 ($66 value) – I have tried to make a better effort to wear sunscreen on my hands. It’s one area I neglect for sun protection. I bought two of these sets and am sending one to my sister-in-law. The minis are perfect to throw in a small bag.

Le Labo Hand Soap Jumbo Size in Basil $40 – This is Andrew’s favorite hand soap formula. We just used up last year’s Hinoki scent and he asked me to repurchase this year’s which is Basil.

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That wraps up my Nordstrom Beauty Haul favorites! I have a couple more things on the way that I ordered including the Diptyque 5-Piece Travel Set and T3 Luxe Brush Set which I think are great values but didn’t receive them in time for this roundup. Quick recap: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to the public starting today and runs through August 30th. They will have different beauty deals every day so check back on their site for the daily special and possible restocks if something you had your eye on is sold out.

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions my own. All items purchased by me.

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Hauls Nordstrom

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Try-On Haul + Beauty Picks

August 6, 2020

I have my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale try-on haul along with a peek at my beauty exclusives purchases today! My local store in Tampa is on the smaller side but they still had a pretty good selection for the sale. There are always more options online so I ended up ordering a couple items online too (haven’t arrived yet). The store was very clean and easy to shop. Staff and customers and product displays were all very spread out. Associates were really friendly and helpful – one of the best parts about shopping at Nordstrom, they always make it a fun experience.

Home Picks

Andrew and I took a few snaps while we were browsing. You can see more on my Instagram Stories Highlights @beautylookbook (I created a Nordstrom Sale bookmark). One of my first stops was the home section to check out the Barefoot Dreams. I already knew I wanted to buy one of the printed In the Wild options (bought the Stone/Cream). We picked up one of the Loop Fringe Blankets to try. I ordered one of the Leopard Dog Sweaters for Lucy.

In the Wild print in Stone/Cream ($119.90 on sale) and the Loop Fringe Blankets ($119.90 on sale) from Barefoot Dreams. Regular Cozy Chic Throw is on sale for $88.90.

Accessories

There were some cute purses and accessories but I decided to opt for a few shoes instead. Shown below is the Tory Burch Carson Croc Embossed Leather Crossbody Bag (on sale for $149.90) and some of the earrings and sunglasses on sale.

For accessories I bought one hat on sale, the Brixton Lera Straw Fedora. I think it’s super cute but accidentally grabbed a Medium which is a little too big so I’m ordering the next size down.

Quick side note on another sale find. This isn’t part of the Nordstrom Sale but it’s too good to pass up. Many thanks to one of my readers Lisa C who let me know that favorite hat the Eric Javits Hampton Hat is on sale on the Eric Javits website. They’re having a summer sale sitewide for a limited time. In case you had your eye on one now is a great time to save. They’re fairly expensive but I think they’re the best hats that actually shade your head and face from the sun. I never get a scalp or head burn when I wear this. With other hats the sun always shines through.

The color I am wearing below is Cream. I also own it in Black. Throwback photo to one of our Miami trips last year.

Shoes

I tried on some shoes from Tory Burch including the Leigh T-Logo Sneaker ($149.90) and picked the black color. They run true to size for me. I’m a 6.5 in most shoes and the Tory Burch Millers. I sometimes size up for sneakers but even with socks I felt the 6.5 was the best fit.

There are some cute Tory Burch Leigh Slides ($139.90 for the tan, $149.90 for the printed ones). These ran a bit wide and big so I opted for a Size 6 which fits perfectly. I think they’re really cute but the strap is a little stiff so they are a little uncomfortable. I’m spoiled by how nice on the feet my APL Slides are (which are a completely different material, but still the most comfy sandals/slides I own). I may end up returning the Tory Burch slides. I’m not sure if they just need to be broken in but will make the decision before I wear them out.

Try Ons in Store

A few dressing room try-ons with notes on sizing. For reference I’m 5’3″. Most ankle jeans end up being full length on me.

Try On 1 (left): Vince Strip T Shirt (wearing XXS but ended up buying XS) | Rag & Bone Nina High Waist Ankle in Camden Wash (Size 26)

Try On 2 (right): ATM Schoolboy Cheetah Slub Cotton Tee (XS) | Mother Looker High Waist Fray Skinny Jeans (Size 26)

In all try-on photos wearing my own sneakers APL Techloom Breeze (in Size 7, same size for me as I wear for Nike sneakers).

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Try On 3 (left): Frame Puff Sleeve T-Shirt (XS, didn’t end up buying) | Mother Denim Looker Ankle (Size 26)

Try On 4 (right): Rails Ingrid Raw Hem Chambray Shirt (XS, ended up ordering a white one instead of this one) | STS Blue Emily Stretch Denim Skirt (Size 25, could have also worn a 24 but they didn’t have that size in store)

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Try On 5 (left): Rails Collins Military Jacket in Sage (XS) | STS Emily Denim Skirt (Size 25)

Try On 6 (right): Rails Hunter Plaid Shirt in White/Peony (XS) | Rag & Bone Mid-Rise Cate Ankle Skinny in Stevie (Size 26) this color wasn’t part of the Anniversary sale but was marked down (SA pulled the for me to try the size) the darker wash color Cate Ankle Skinny in April is part of the Anniversary Sale (fit didn’t end up working for me).

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Try On 7 at Home

Below wearing the Alo Yoga New Moon Tank in XS. These are super soft and lightweight. They run long on me so I will sometimes tie it on the side to shorten it. Other items I’m wearing aren’t part of the sale. They had a wide selection of Nike, Zella and a few other brands. I still find my favorites are from Lululemon or Alo Yoga so I decided to pass on most of the items this year.

Also wearing: Alo Yoga Biker Shorts in XS (not on sale), Adidas Mini Logo Hat, sneakers APL Techloom Pro (Size 7).

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Beauty Shopping and Haul Picks

Last but not least a look at some of the beauty options and what I hauled. I did order a couple more things online and I’ll have a separate beauty haul post later. Sets from Bobbi Brown, Oribe, Olaplex and La Mer. Tons of value sized options from Kiehl’s and Drybar to name a few.

What I hauled from MAC, Bobbi Brown, Olaplex and Charlotte Tilbury. I’m pretty excited about the Olaplex trio as I go through bottles of these frequently.

Quick swatches of the MAC Lip Sets: Love Me Pink Trio (I’m Doin Me Lipstick, Edge to Edge Lip Liner and Twinsies! Lipglass) and the Love Me Neutral Lip Trio (Inseparable Lipstick, Dervish Lip Liner and My Other Half Lipglass).

Quick swatches of the Charlotte Tilbury Gorgeous Glowing Eye Secrets with Golden Eclipse (new) and Star Gold Cream shadows alongside the Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Trio.

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That wraps up my shopping and try-on haul! Hope you found it helpful. Would love to hear what you bought or have on your wishlist if you’re shopping the sale.

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I’m doing an eGift Card giveaway open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Simply enter through the widget below and complete at least 2 of the entries. The more steps you complete the more entries you will receive. THREE different winners will be selected via the widget below to win a $100 eGift card to Nordstrom (US). Giveaway will run through 8/11/2020 11:45 PM EST. I’ll select 3 separate winners within 48 hours and email them directly. Selected winners must respond to the email within 48 hours or another person will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

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