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Nordstrom Anniversary 2016

What's In My Bag

The Fall Transition Makeup Bag

September 19, 2016
Fall Beauty Makeup Bag - The Beauty Look Book

As we transition to the fall season I feel a shift in my mood for makeup to cooler tones and my fragrance preference has changed for deeper more complex kinds of scents. I always look forward to new launches and beauty trends for fall and this season has brought quite a few smaller mini collections rather than color-themed launches (with a few exceptions). There doesn’t appear to be any “it” color this season and if right now you’re unsure of what to wear for the upcoming fall season I say go for anything! I really don’t think you can go wrong with any color this season whether it’s shopping your own stash or adding a new lip or nail color. Mauves and plums will always be a classic go-to for the fall and will be wearable all the way through winter. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to round up some of my favorite timeless and classic colors. If you can’t wear purplish plums on the lips or cheeks, you may want to opt for light to neutral mauves or reddish plums which I feel are easier to pull off.

Since everyone has different interests and preferences for what they like in beauty, I’ve split the beauty recommendations by category for lips, cheeks, nails, eyes and fragrance. Many of you have asked for a full dedicated feature on fall fragrance for perfumes and one for home fragrance – I promise to have one on each very soon! I’m testing a few more items and will hope to have reviews over the next two weeks.

Up first are the lip recommendations, my personal favorite. Quite a few of you have asked for neutral light pink-mauve lip recommendations for colors that won’t turn too blue or fuchsia on the lips. I have a wide range from light to deep that I like.

Shown above:

  1. MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande II Lipglass is a really pretty soft neutral mauve lipglass. It has a tiny bit of shimmer and looks very natural on the lips.
  2. MAC Lipstick in Modesty has been a classic light pink mauve lip color. It’s similar to Syrup which is another very pretty color. Modesty has a bit more warmth with more pink. The coverage is more opaque as well. They’re very close – some of my friends have told me they can’t wear Syrup because it’s a bit too cool toned, in that case opt for Modesty!
  3. Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector #07 is a sheer tinted balm. It’s also a light mauve color and the formula is a really good one to add a hint of color + hydration.
  4. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colors are relatively new to me. I discovered them this year and Bobbi is one of the newest shades that is a grege-beige color that doesn’t wash me out. It’s creamy and gives the lips full coverage with one swipe.
  5. Diptyque repackaged their Nourishing Lip Balm in tube format this season. It has a nicely hydrating formula that’s thick and coats the lips with a veil of moisture. In terms of clear squeeze tube balms I think the AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment is still my favorite for sensitive lips that can’t tolerate scent. Both are very good though.
  6. Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector #08 is a pretty warm deep plum red. Finish is sheer to medium. The color is deeper and brighter than the rest of the shades in the formula so this shows up better on the lips.
  7. Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color in Desert Rose is a super creamy rose berry kind of shade. It’s a lush full coverage formula and very comforting on the lips. 
  8. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink just launched in eight shades. Most are very bright and vibrant – I bought the only neutral which isn’t plum or mauve. Amoureux is a pinky peach color. The verdict is still out on this one. I’ll have a more detailed review soon but for now below is a sneak preview swatch.
  9. Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Recit is one of the prettiest plum reds I’ve tried before. This formula is excellent and I highly recommend it. All the shades are phenomenal in that range.
  10. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Neutral Rose is one of the most classic kinds of warm pink rose colors I can think of.

Next are cheeks. I’m sure by now many of you are already well stocked on plums or mauves for lips. For me finding a coordinating cheek color has been tricky. I used to always gravitate towards peaches, corals or bronze for the cheeks for the summer and finding a good versatile cheek color to go with any variation of plum/mauve was tricky but I have managed to find three.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure is one I find goes well with the lighter mauve lips or darker lips. For something a bit more neutral with brown and pink mixed in is Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Sex on Fire. It has the prettiest soft glow to it (not overly shimmery) so it wears very naturally on the skin while adding color and depth. MAC Blush in Plum Foolery is a classic shimmery plum. The gold shimmer adds an interesting warmth to the skin which I find naturally flattering. In the event you don’t do shimmer on the cheeks, you may want to check out MAC Breath of Plum for a matte version.

For a good natural highlight and contour, I don’t think it gets more classic than the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. It goes with everything for me and I love the packaging. The texture is really soft and blendable so it won’t give you a harsh contoured look or sharp frost.

For eyes I love a good neutral shimmer whether it’s tan, taupe, pink or bronze. Two favorites have been the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows in Himalia (tan) and Telesto (bronze). For fall NARS launched a shimmery warm pink Rigel. These work well as an easy all over wash to brighten the eyes. Mascara wise I’ve raved about the Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara. I just bought a second tube for my on-the-go makeup bag. It thickens, volumizes, holds the curl and doesn’t smudge. It has a big fluffy brush which grabs my skimpy lashes and coats them evenly. I’m so glad I discovered it! Lash curling is always a must and I still find that the MAC Full Lash Curler has been performing really well for my eye shape.

Three shades shown above swatched below alongside a few other colors:

For nails I have yet to see an “it” polish color for fall. I think the two classics you can never go wrong with are a good vamp in which case Chanel Vamp is a classic or a classic nude pink. For me the two best neutral nude pinks are Chanel Organdi or Tom Ford Sugar Dune (paler on me). A new dark almost-black shade called Gris Obscur launched with the Lip Inks. I spotted it in store at counters so it should be available online very soon.

Last but not least are a few fragrances. As mentioned above I’ll have a full fall fragrance line up but these are three I’ll be transitioning from season to season. First is the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb which I still think is the perfect date night fragrance and the one my husband loves the most on me. It’s one I consider very mainstream but one I think is just so so good in a spicy floral kind of way. I love that the Travel Spray version is indeed a spritzer versus the roller-ball format. Replica Lipstick On is one of the prettiest feminine fragrances that smells like vintage makeup. It’s hard to describe in words except that it makes me feel girly without having that overly sweet smell. Le Labo Santal is one I recognize instantly on anyone who wears it whether they are male or female. I actually prefer it in candle form for the home but I love all things with any kind of sandalwood in them. 

What colors and scents are you wearing right now as we transition to fall? Are you embracing any on trend makeup shades or wearing classics? There are lots of great new fall beauty launches and each one has been unique in it’s own way.

Would love to hear what you’re keeping in your fall transition makeup bag or routine right now! For more recommendations Nordstrom has their Fall Beauty Trend Event section with Ultra Pretty Neutrals and Bold Shades of what is trending now at their stores.

Many thanks to Nordstrom for teaming up to sponsor this post. Press samples featured include the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors, Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo, Chanel Vamp and Organdi and Replica Lipstick On.
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Sales

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Haul – Skincare and Fashion Picks

July 21, 2016

By request, I’ve rounded up my skincare and clothing haul picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Today is the last day for early access and the public sale starts tomorrow July 22nd. Although I did shop the sale early, many items sold out in stores near me so I ordered a few items online. My husband did not want to go in store (like most men I think) and since he knows his sizes, he gave me a list of things to order online for him. He tends to stick with classic staples.

First up are my picks. For clothes I had a lot on my list to check out but ended up getting only a few items including:

I tried on a few more items in store including the Trouve Drape Front Leather Jacket in Black and Brown Saddle. I found the XS fit perfectly across the shoulders and the arm length was good (rare for me with leather jackets, they’re always so long!). It’s definitely one of the more affordable jackets with super soft leather. It’s still on my wishlist but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I fell in love with the Whiskey color of the Marc New York by Andrew Marc Felix Stand Collar Leather Jacket but they didn’t have my size in store to try and the collar was on the large size for my preference. In terms of leather jackets, Vince makes my favorite ones but they are quite the splurge and since I don’t think I could keep anything suede nice for long I will save for a regular leather one.

A quick look at the Trouve Drape Front Leather Jackets in two colors and the Rag and Bone Split Back Tank (ordered once I got home).

Rest of what’s on my radar/wishlist:

For skincare I picked up the Foreo Luna Play which comes in one color at Nordstrom. I thought it was an Anniversary Sale Exclusive but appears that it’s not (you can also get it at Sephora and other retailers in different colors). It’s a mini sized device that has 100 uses and is non-rechargeable but at the price I think it’s worth it. I have yet to test it out, but it was too cute to pass up. I’ve shown it next to my Clarisonic Mia Fit (c/o) which I received a few weeks ago but is currently on sale at Nordstrom marked down on mega sale. The Pink Mia Fit is currently on backorder online but Nordstrom.com will still let you put it in your cart at the sale price. White Mia Fit and Blue Mia Fit are both still in stock online.

La Mer has a Gift With $350 Purchase so I bought the new Cleansing Micellar Water to try out along with the Revitalizing Collection set. I did not realize the Nordstrom set had the regular Creme de La Mer instead of the Moisturizing Soft Cream that I typically use. I haven’t used the set yet so I’m debating whether to give the regular cream a go or exchange it for my Moisturizing Soft Cream. If you have normal/combo skin let me know if you’ve tried the regular cream and what you thought.

I look forward to the Moroccan Oil offerings each year. Last year they had supersized shampoos and conditioners and I stocked up on a few. This year’s Moroccan Oil Hair Care Set has the dry oil, moisture shampoo and conditioner and moroccan oil. These are among my favorite shampoo and conditioner products out of all the ones I’ve tried. My husband likes the smell so much he decided to use it to wash our dogs and I almost died when I found out.

Husband’s fashion picks that have arrived so far include the Cole Haan Owen Sport Sneakers (which aren’t on sale but hubby wanted them) and the Ted Baker London Alex Slim Fit Bomber Jacket. He’s usually a Large (he’s 6’3″) and we found Size 5 worked best.

Other items we are waiting for in the mail, he stocked up on jeans from AG (he likes the Protege fit), Joe’s (classic fit) and 7 for All Mankind (Austyn fit). Image is interactive so you can click directly on the icons to shop them on Nordstrom.

For those curious about my skincare and fashion picks, I hope you enjoyed this roundup in a his and hers edition. If you have any input in the La Mer I’m all ears! It looks like there’s a new Moisturizing Soft Lotion that just launched at Nordstrom too. I’m torn between keeping or exchanging the set because it’s such a good deal, but I suspect the regular creme might just be too heavy for my skintype.

Did you haul any skincare or fashion goodies during early access or are you shopping the sale tomorrow? Let me know what you found!
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Hauls

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2016 Beauty Exclusives Haul

July 18, 2016

 

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year has quite a lot to offer for beauty exclusives. I’ve been a busy bee all weekend swatching and photographing my haul and today I have close ups and swatches of the palettes and sets I picked up. Early access goes through the end of 7/21 for card holders and the sale goes live for the public on 7/22. This beauty haul is quite extensive so grab a cup of tea or coffee or maybe a snack. While browsing the Beauty Exclusives section I noticed quite a few items weren’t available at stores near me so I ordered a couple items sight unseen. For those who can’t get to a store and need to order online I feel your pain about not being able to see things in person, I hope these swatches help! Don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchase listings too, there are some nice gifts available, I’m glad I checked for the La Mer and Hourglass gifts.

 

First a quick look at the Early Access Sections in store, walls of skincare from a wide range of brands. Skincare sets this year are priced at really good values/savings.

 

 

A look at some of the gift with purchase sets (full list online), there are some lines that give you options to choose from with different sets:

 

 

If you’ve been wanting to splurge on a Clarisonic, the sale is one of the best times to do so because they offer them at a discount. The Mia Fit is marked down to $153 from $219. The Alpha Fit for men is also marked down to $153. My husband loves his and recommended I buy another one for my brother.

 

 

 

Onto my haul picks. In this post I’ve focused primarily on the makeup and palettes. I did pick out a few hair care items and skincare sets, I’ll post those in a separate post if you’re interested so let me know in the comments. Bobbi Brown has several Bobbi On Trend Sets. It’s been a while since I’ve explored her line but the options were too good to pass up.

 

The Sultry Bronze Eye Set has an eyeshadow palette with 6 colors (Pale Cream, Bikini Bronze Metallic, Seashell Shimmer Wash, Beach Bronze Shimmer Wash, Frappe and Smokey Brown), Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Truffle, and Eye Opening Mascara in Black. The palette has 6 easy to use neutrals and the eyeliner is a nice alternative to black. I had low expectations for the mascara because I usually do not like mascaras in sets, but I was beyond impressed. It volumizes, thickens, defines and did not smudge all day. Thumbs up! There is a cooler-neutral toned option called Sultry Topaz which is also very pretty.

 

For lips there are two options Pink Lips Set and Nude Lips Set. I picked out the Nudes which has her Art Stick in Brown Berry (neutral nude peach), Sheer Lip Color in Pink Buff (perfect neutral pink) and Lip Gloss in Pink Sunset (sheer sparkling pink). I have lip swatches of all the lip items I picked out at the bottom of the post. Many of you like the lips lined up side by side for reference.

 

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury launched an exclusive Instant Look in a Palette called the Seductive Beauty for what she calls The Dolce Vita Look with deeper shades compared to her original. I was not impressed with the first one and found it sheer and chalky for my complexion. I am happy to report the Nordstrom Exclusive is a lot better, shows up on my skintone and is not chalky at all. The texture has the same softness for the powders but pigment is significantly better. The Nordstrom set comes with a mini mascara.
 The Nordstrom Seductive Look Palette:

 

 

Original Natural Look vs Nordstrom Seductive Look swatched side by side:

 

 

Diptyque has the cutest 5-piece set available for the sale. These are the baby sized candles you can’t purchase individually in the 1.2 oz size (these are smaller than the 2.4 oz versions). This is the perfect way to try the line as it has the best Diptyque scents available. It would also make a great hostess gift.

 

Hourglass has launched an exclusive palette called the Ambient Luminous Light Palette which has Luminous Light, Luminous Flush and Luminous Bronze Light. I already own the shades individually but could not pass on the set because it’s perfect for travel. There is a gift with purchase I took advantage of (I ordered 3 palettes, one for myself, two as gifts).

 

Palette swatched next to the individual colors I own to show that the colors in the palette are indeed the same color, pigment and quality as the individual ones:

 

 

NARS has quite a few options for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. All the sets are seriously good – it as really hard to narrow down my pick given all options. I picked out the Survival Kit 1 which has Naiad Eyeshadow, Kalahari II Eyeshadow, Off Limits Blush, Mata Hari Blush, a mini Lip Gloss in Party Girl and a mini Audacious Mascara. This set is the most neutral and easy to wear option. Outer Limits Blush looked very shimmery upon first swipe on my face, but adding the matte Mata Hari on top softened the frost in a nice way.

 

 

 

YSL Rebel Nudes has three lip products in a black zip pouch. I actually already own all three items in the set but a friend asked me to pick it up for her as she was worried it would be sold out by the time the public sale started. I swatched the colors from my own stash, I think this set is a really good one. It has Glossy Stain in 200 Plump Up (clear which does plump and tingle), Glossy Stain 07 Corail Aquatique which pulls a brighter peach on my lips, and Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick 47 Beige Blouse which is one of my favorite pink nudes for everyday.

 

 

Nordstrom has an exclusive Dior Anniversary Collection that seems to be more spring-like rather than summer or fall. The offerings are still really pretty. I picked up three of the Flash Luminizer Radiance Booster Pens in 003 Apricot (my match) and two of the shimmers in 500 Pearly Vanilla (gold) and 800 Pearly Pink (shimmering opal). These take about 40 clicks to get product going the first round (just as an FYI). I have only tested for a few days so I can’t say yet if I think they are worth the splurge. I do like 003 under eyes as a medium coverage brightening under eye concealer. The shimmers help add radiance anywhere you want a soft glowy shimmer.

 

There is a new Addict Hydra-Gel Core Mirror Shine Lipstick which is the first time I’ve tried the new formula. Baby Dior is a sheer peachy pink in the tube but applies a sheer pale cool pink on my lips. It’s hydrating and smooth with a glossy finish.

 

There are also two nail colors in the collection in Ruban and Steel Grey. I was hoping to swatch these on the nail for you but I just broke three of my nails so arm swatches will have to do for now.

 

 

Last but not least are two options from MAC. First is the C’est Chic Eyeshadow Palette which I am seriously tempted to buy for myself. The one I have shown below is a gift for a friend (her birthday is this month) and it has all mattes in neutral to warms and plums. She saw this and asked for it specifically. The one MAC set I picked up for myself is the Look in a Box Sunblessed Kit which has a full sized Frost Eyeshadow in Deception (plum taupe), Fluidline in Blacktrack, False Lashes Mascara and Cremesheen in Sunblessed (peachy nude). I think all four items in the set are excellent, the mascara doesn’t really give me a false lash look, but it’s a good defining deepening mascara that adds a bit of volume and doesn’t smudge. I believe the eyeshadow and lipstick are exclusive to the set.

 

Lip swatches:

 

 

That wraps it up for my massive Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Haul! I hope you found the swatches and detailed photos helpful to help with your shopping decisions. Definitely browse the options online first, especially the gift with purchase options. I think I missed out on a few because I didn’t realize there was a Bobbi Brown GWP available and my sales associate did not know either. There is a lot to choose from and these sets and savings are offered only once each year.

 

I’m really impressed with the offerings this year and am pleased with all my purchases. Out of all the color options for makeup, I think you really can’t go wrong with anything. Lots of value sets to pick from. My top 3 favorite items I hauled include the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette Set, Bobbi Brown on Trend Nude Lip Set and Hourglass Ambient Luminous Light Palette. If I did not already own all the lip items in the YSL set, the Rebel Nudes set would also be added to my favorites list.

 

Have you shopped the sale for early access yet? What did you haul? Or are you waiting for the public sale on the 22nd? Let me know in the comments!
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always all opinions my own. All items selected and purchased by me.
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Giveaway

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2016 Wishlist + Gift Card Giveaway

July 14, 2016
http://rstyle.me/n/buqbkrubf6
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today for Nordstrom card holders! If you’re like me you’ve probably been wondering if there will be any additional beauty exclusives that aren’t been listed in the catalog. I took a quick look online to create a wishlist of what to check out. Some I’ve ordered online but I hope to browse the sale in store today or tomorrow. I will have a full report on what I end up hauling. In the meantime here’s what’s on my radar.

Above 1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8  /
9  /  10  /  11  /  12  /  13  /  14  /  15

I find the best way to shop the sale is to sort things by category, make a wish list of what to check out and then narrow down final picks from there. For the sale there are so many cute shoes and boots – walking through the shoe section in store is always overwhelming for me so I find sorting/filtering online first is the best way to help me figure out what to look for.

For beauty the Nordstrom sale always has a lot of sets, palettes and large value sized products as Beauty Exclusives. Be sure to check the available Gift With Purchase options as well to plan your buying for qualifying min buys. Some are online only. I’m thrilled to find that the catalog gave us a teaser and that the actual list of products for the sale is a lot bigger.

For makeup, there are tons of palettes and sets. I have the Hourglass Ambient Luminous Palette in my cart right now. Charlotte Tilbury launched a new Instant Beauty Look Palette set called The Dolce Vita. If you’ve been eyeing the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick in Beige Blouse it’s in the Rebel Nudes Lip Set at a value price. If you’re like me wondering what Chanel would offer as an exclusive, this year they have the Take Shape Brow Set with the Brun Duo (reviewed/swatched here). NARS has four exclusives with three survival kit sets and one Nordstrom’s Best Cheek Palette.

The fragrance department always has value priced sets. If you have any favorites and want to stock up, it’s best to search during sales or holidays to get more bang for your buck. Diptyque has a 5-Piece Mini Candle Set for $55 which would be a great way to try out the line if you’re new at a more affordable price. I think it would also make a cute gift!

Skincare and body care are also about value buys and sets. If I could recommend one set, it would be this Kate Somerville 3 Steps to Glow Set. The Retinol Dermal Quench is life changing and the moisturizer option is a good one to smooth and comfort skin. If you’ve been contemplating a Clarisonic, the sale is one of the best times to buy one. The Mia Fit (previewed here) is on super sale in three colors and the Alpha Fit for men is also on sale.

Shoes are mainly focused on styles for fall. Lots of boots but there’s a lot to choose from for sneakers and fitness. These Stuart Weitzman Perfection Booties boots are marked down to $349.90 from $595. I am hoping they won’t be too tall in the heel because I love the style/color.

For clothing I’m all about stocking up on denim or finding good deals on leather jackets (real or faux). Paige makes the best jeans in my opinion (they hold everything up) and the Transcend line has the softest fabric that holds shape with minimal stretching. The Verdugo Ankle Style is perfect for petite girls so you don’t have to get them hemmed.

Accessories and bags have lots to choose from as well. This Sole Society Tote is super affordable, looks sturdy and perfect for travel.

As a thank you and a way to give back, I’m hosting a giveaway for my readers. I am giving away five $100 eGift Cards to Nordstrom.com. Entries will be collected through the widget at the bottom of the page. Note since I’m giving away eGift Cards, the selected winners will receive the prize by e-mail. Here’s the rundown:
  • Open to anyone 18 years or older, international too!
  • Submit entries through the widget below (there are multiple ways to enter)
  • Entries will be collected through Sunday 7/17/2016 10:45 AM PST
  • Winners will be selected at random through the widget, contacted by me via e-mail by Sunday evening and must confirm/respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected
  • Five distinct winners will be selected and be sent a $100 USD eGift Card to Nordstrom (you can use it online or in stores) 
  • Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have anything on your radar for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale? Eager to hear what’s on your wishlist! Are you shopping the sale for early access or will you be shopping on the 22nd? P.S. If you have any of the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors I reviewed yesterday there’s a pretty awesome Nordstrom x Clarins GWP for early access!

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