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2014 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive Highlights – Early Access for Cardholders

July 10, 2014

The 2014 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has arrived for Nordstrom Cardholders. Early access starts today July 10 and runs through the 17th. You will need to sign into your online account linked to your Nordstrom Card in order to shop the sale online or see sale prices. There are over 200 Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives for the Anniversary Sale along with some Gift With Purchase Items as well. (Some of the GWPs are available at select stores or online only.) The focus seems to be almost exclusively on value sets rather than exclusive collections. Here are a few select items I wanted to highlight (left to right, top to bottom):
  • Chanel Dentelle Précieuse Illuminating Powder ($80) is finally in the US as a Nordstrom Exclusive, it’s currently not listed as an Anniversary Exclusive online (although that is what my sales associates have told me)
  • La Mer Refreshing Collection ($295) includes the Moisturizing Soft Cream Smooth, Weightless Cream (1 oz.), the Moisturizing Soft Cream Smooth, Weightless Cream (1 oz.). Eye Balm Intense (0.17 oz.) and 1 Hydrating Facial Mask
  • NARS Dolce Vita Lip & Nail Set ($52) comes with a Dolce Vita Lipstick, Dolce Vita Lipgloss and Limited-Edition Dolce Vita Nail Polish in a lacquered keepsake box
  • NARS Schiap Lip & Nail Set ($52) comes with Schiap Lipstick, Limited-Edition Schiap Lipgloss and Schiap Nail Polish in a pink lacquered box
  • NARS Limited-Edition Cheek Palette ($49) comes in a black mirrored compact with Orgasm, Laguna, Mistinguette and Goulue
  • Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Color Set ($85) comes with a 12-pan eyeshadow palette, Full-size Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner in Black and Full-size Smokey Eye Mascara in Black
  • Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Killer Cheekbones Set ($110) comes with a Powder/Sculpt Brush and Bronzer/Highlighter compact
  • Lancôme Mascara Wardrobe ($39.50) comes with minis of Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner in Noir (0.4 oz.), Cils Booster XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base (0.07 oz.), Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara (0.07 oz.), Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Mascara (0.13 oz.), Définicils High Definition Mascara (0.07 oz.) and Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (1.7 oz.)
  • Kiehl’s Since 1851 Creme de Corps Home & Away Duo ($75) has one Creme de Corps with Pump (33.8 oz.) and one Travel-size Crème de Corps (2.5 oz.)
  • Deborah Lippmann Recipe for Love Set ($29) comes with You Got Me (0.27 oz.) a dusty dove grey crème, Make Someone Happy (0.27 oz.) a blooming blush bling glitter, Let’s Stay Together (0.27 oz.) a mysterious mauved plum crème
  • Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Hair Set ($85) has Moisture Repair Shampoo (16.9 oz.), Moisture Repair Conditioner (16.9 oz.) and Oil Treatment (1.7 oz.)
  • Diptyque Baies & Figuier Candle Set ($120) comes with two 6.5 candles in Baies and Figuier with a wick trimmer and candle snuffer
  • Laura Mercier Flawless Expressions Set ($85) has an Eye and Cheek Palette, Deluxe-size Caviar Stick in Rosegold (0.03 oz.), Full-size Full Blown Volume Suprême Mascara in Black (0.2 oz.) and Full-size Lip Glacé in limited-edition Gilded Rose (0.15 oz.)
  • Giorgio Armani Ultimate Eyes to Kill Set ($85) includes Smooth Silk Waterproof Eye Pencil in #1 (0.03 oz.), Eyes to Kill Mascara in #1 (0.23 oz.), Flash Lip Lacquer in #107, Perfection Eye Makeup Remover (1.35 oz.), Luminous Silk Foundation in #5.5 (0.17 oz.) and Fluid Sheer in #7 (0.17 oz.)
  • Jo Malone Cologne Collection ($88) comes with six 0.3 oz mini spritzers of Nectarine Blossom and Honey, Orange Blossom, Blackberry and Bay, Pomegranate Noir and Grapefruit
  • Lorac Nude Skinny Eyeshadow Palette ($15) is a seven pan palette with warm nude shades
  • MAC Look in a Box All About Coral ($39.50) comes with Lipstick in Passion Charge (luster finish), Lipglass in Stoke the Flame (frost finish), Veluxe Pearlfusion Eyeshadow in Collective Chic and Technakohl Liner in Brownborder
  • MAC Look in a Box All About Pink ($39.50) comes with Lipstick in Embrace Me (matte finish), Lipglass in Unlimited Style (frost finish), Veluxe Pearlfusion Eyeshadow in Fabulous Three and Technakohl Liner in Photogravure
  • MAC Look in a Box All About Beige ($49.50) has two blushes, six eyeshadows and two lipsticks in shades of soft tan, copper and pewtered bronze
  • L’Occitane Shea Butter Softness ($48) includes Ultra Rich Shower Cream (2.5 oz.), Milk Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap (3.5 oz.), Shea Ultra Rich Body Lotion (16.9 oz.), Shea Butter Hand Cream (0.3 oz.) and Shea Butter Foot Cream (0.3 oz.)

I have my eye on two things: the Chanel Highlighter and NARS Dolce Vita Box Set, but that may change once I see the items in person. I love the look of the Diptyque sets since you basically get the candle snuffer and wick trimmer for free with the purchase of the two candles. My mom loves L’Occitane and Bobbi Brown so I might pick up a couple sets for her since her birthday is this month.
What do you have your eye on for the sale? Will you be shopping the sale for early access?
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Summer Skincare Cleansing With the Clarisonic Aria

July 2, 2014

I’ve been experimenting more with skincare this year and wanted to share some of my favorite items along with a few new discoveries. I have sensitive acne prone skin that is mostly normal. Most of my life I’ve maintained a clear complexion with a simple gentle foaming cleanser + toner and weekly mask. The past couple of months my skin has been going through a mess with seasonal weather changes, a change in my workout routine along with some added stress. My holy grail go-to foaming cleansers from SK-II and Dior simply were not enough to cleanse my face completely at the end of the day causing clogged pores and break outs. Over the past few months I’ve added a few more steps to my skincare cleansing routine and my skin has finally started to clear up and improve in texture and clarity.

Added Step 1 came from a recommendation from one of my favorite Nordstrom Chanel artists. I’ve added a step to remove long-wear makeup by using a gentle but effective cleansing oil or cleansing water to break down every trace of makeup on the face. Cosmetic companies have developed amazing innovations in makeup to make it long wearing and last all day through the night. Some of these long-wear formulas don’t come off completely with a regular cleanser and remnants will clog pores. They need extra work to remove where a cleansing oil or water will help break down makeup. My current favorites are MAC Cleanse Off Oil and Caudalie Cleansing Water. I alternate depending on what kind of makeup I’m wearing. On full makeup days, cleansing oil is needed. On tinted moisturizer days I use the cleansing waters.

Step 2 has been the addition of the Clarisonic Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing System from Nordstrom which has made a huge difference in clearing up my skin and getting it back to normal. My friends and family have been telling me for years that I should invest in a Clarisonic device because according to them “it really works.” I’ve always been intrigued by the concept but was overwhelmed by all the options. Also since I have had pretty good skin I didn’t see the need to spend money fixing something that was perfectly fine. Given my recent skin flare ups, I needed a change and this has been a really good solution to return my skin to it’s normal state by using it 2 to 3 times per week.

If you’re new to Clarisonic, here’s a quick rundown of each device they have for facial cleansers. You can read more about Clarisonic Technology here. These Clarisonic tools are designed with a patented oscillating sonic technology creating more than 300 movements per second to help loosen oil and dirt in your pores with the motion the outer and inner brushes create. It’s designed to exfoliate the skin and clear and tighten the pores.

There are currently four different devices for the face, each device comes in a wide variety of color options ranging from white, to colorful pink, lavender blues and classic black. All the options come with the Sensitive Brush but have different brush head replacement options depending on your needs. The kits also come with a sample size of one of their cleansers. You may want to consult a product specialist to find out which one will suit your specific skin needs. I like using the Live Chat with Beauty Stylists on Nordstrom. They’ve been super helpful in the past (they’ve even helped me locate discontinued items in stores).

  • Mia $99 is a one-speed tool, this is designed as a starter brush, comes in a small portable size
  • Mia 2 $149 – $169 comes in several different kit options, this took is sized similar to the Mia, it has two speeds and comes with a protective travel case for storage, the Mia2 has the most color options available to choose from
  • Aria $199 is slightly longer and sleeker in design compared to the Mia/Mia2, the Aria has three speeds, this one comes with a USB-Enabled Universal Voltage pLink Charger and regular plug so you have more charging options (if you’re on the go), it also comes with a charging/drying stand
  • Plus $225 is the deluxe version of the Clarisonic for face and body, it comes with two different brushes and a Universal Voltage Charging Cradle

After hours of online researching, it was a tie between the Mia2 and Aria. I liked the compact size of the Mia 2 and the fact that it came with a super cute protective case and so many color options,. I also found the price point reasonable. However I also liked the sleek look of the Aria along with the drying stand and charger options. I ended up purchasing the Aria since it had more options for brush speed and the convenient stand.

All Clarisonics come with some kind of sample-size cleanser. I’ve tested three (two have been from Nordstrom GWPs). My favorite is the Deep Pore Daily Cleanser and I’ve been working my way through 2 mini tubes. A little goes a long way and it’s gentle enough for my sensitive skin but really deep cleans without drying out the skin. After using this your skin won’t feel tight, nor will it feel like there is a film left over. I’ve also used the Clarisonic with my go-to foaming cleansers SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser and Dior Purifying Foam Cleanser. Both are thicker in texture than most Clarisonic options, but they are still flexible enough to use with the device.

Close up of the Aria hand held, it has a sleek slender design so it fits nicely into my small hands, it’s easy to hold and although it has some weight, it’s not too heavy.

The Sensitive Brush that the Clarisonics come with shown below. I find it gentle and soft, on the face it almost tickles because it’s so soft. On the nails currently is Chanel Tutti Frutti Le Vernis.

I’m still a newbie with the Clarisonic Aria. I’m nearing the end of Week Three of testing it out. I’ve been using the Sensitive Brush it came with and find it very gentle on the skin, my preference is for the Delicate Speed (the softest one) and after reading some rather scary reviews, I decided to ease into it. My first week I used it twice, the second week I upped usage to three times. Even though I find the Aria to be very gentle I’ve read one needs to be careful not to overdo the exfoliating. The first two weeks I didn’t see much of a difference in the skin although I found it made the skin feel really soft and clean. At the end of the second week and into the third my skin has started to make its way back to normal. (Let me know if you want updates in the future at the 2 month or 3 month mark.) The drying stand is super convenient for storage. Overall I’m really happy with my purchase and am already looking into the other brush options now.

Have you used a Clarisonic or any of the different brush heads or cleansers? I have read so many different reviews, I would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences. The Pedi Sonic Foot looks incredible, but I usually prefer to have my toes manicured at a salon.
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. For more information, please refer to my Disclosures page.
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Deal Alert: 10% Off Select Beauty Brands and Items at Nordstrom through June 10

June 5, 2014
Nordstrom is having a special promotion going on in stores and online where select items and brands are marked down 10% off for a limited time, now through Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Brands qualifying include Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Dior, Lancome, Laura Mercier, Kiehl’s, NARS and more (select items only). Click on the Beauty Sale Section to see which items qualify. (In stores you may have more options, my local counter was offering Chanel at the discount for a limited time.) Some items I found qualifying shown below.

http://rstyle.me/n/h3p6mubf6

Happy deal shopping!
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GWP

Nordstrom Triple Points Beauty Gifts March 19 – 23

March 19, 2014
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Nordstrom Triple Points for card holders starts today and there are a lot of gift with purchases online and in store. I have my eye on the Burberry set with has a lovely metallic case as a gift. Some other gifts that look interesting:

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Do you have anything on your wishlist that you’ve been saving for? 
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NARS Final Cut Collection | Adelaide Illuminator

January 26, 2014

NARS Adelaide Illuminator ($30 for 1.1 oz/30ml) has been on my radar for several months. I saw some sneak peeks on Specktra and almost died of excitement when I found out there would be a shimmery pink highlighter. Adelaide is currently exclusive to Nordstrom with an official release date of February 1st. As many others have noted, Adelaide is a very shimmery pink and almost glittery. I usually do not like glitter on the cheeks but this illuminator is almost like a grown-up version of glitter. I have to use sparingly and swipe it lightly over powder blush to give a highlight. I found it lasted all day over a powder blush – right now my skin is normal but slightly dry. There was no shimmer or glitter fall-out. It stayed put on the skin from morning to night. If you don’t like any sign of glitter on the cheeks you may want to try Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer #8 instead which is similar but paler in color (scroll down for swatches).

Swatched below you can see that Adelaide blends out to a cool sparkly pink on my olive skin. For me it’s pigmented enough to wear as a very soft blush but I prefer to layer over a powder blush with a very light layer.

Here is Adelaide blended and sheered out with a foundation brush:

Swatches below compared to NARS Maui Multiple and Armani Fluid Sheer #8:

As others have noted, the shimmer and glitters are noticeable. I half love it. I tested during the work week for multiple days. Half of the testing days I felt it was too over the top, while the other half I thought it was subtle enough for the office. I recommend testing before buying if you’re unsure about the shimmer. On my olive skin it shows up and brightens the skin with the combination of pink and silver glitter shimmers. Perhaps I just need to be braver with shimmer and sparkles sometimes.
NARS Adelaide retails for $30, it’s a limited-edition color, available now at NARS.
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Diptyque Nordstrom

Diptyque Candle Set x10 | Nordstrom Exclusive

November 23, 2013

Diptyque has some wonderful holiday offerings this year. There are a number of gorgeous sets along with three new holiday scents (review to come soon). This year Nordstrom has an impressive exclusive 10 Piece Set ($130 for 10 candles). The set contains Diptyque’s iconic scents from the line’s 50-year history that includes two signature scents created each decade. Each candle is in the set comes in the baby size usually only found in gift-with-purchase events (I’ve never seen the baby sizes sold for sale individually). The candles are 1.2 oz each with approximately 12 hour burn time. While the set is expensive, it makes a stunning luxurious gift for the holidays. Sometimes you can’t really tell if you’ll like a scent until you burn it. This set offers a way to sample a wide range of scents without having to buy the full sizes.

The ten scents in the set include: Thé, Cannelle, Roses, Jasmin, Baies, Tubereuse, Figuier, Feu de Bois, Ambre and Patchouli.

There is a beautiful handout included with a timeline highlighting each scent featured in the set.

I haven’t had a chance to try each candle yet (I’ve been busy burning the three holiday ones). It will most likely take me weeks to try each one to see if I like them enough to buy individually. I will however provide an overview of the scents.

I’ve purchased all the floral scents individually in the past.

  • Baies is a floral scent (one of their best sellers) which is a mixed bouquet of roses and blackcurrant leaves
  • Jasmin is a soft jasmin scent (smells like the real thing)
  • Roses smells like soft roses without being too harsh or floral
  • Tubereuse smells like the tubereuse flower
  • Patchouli is the best Patchouli scent I’ve smelled, it’s not too herbal or woody, it’s a warm earthy scent that seems to have a slight hint of soft vanilla
  • Figuier is a warm fig-wood scent, it’s a fresh fig and one of my favorites in the line
  • Feu de Bois is a smoky firewood scent with a hint (very slight) of blackberry
  • Ambre is a warm incense-like scent with a mix of wvetiver and patchouli,
    enhanced with radiant anise seed, insolent spices, mysterious incense,
    cistus and tonka bean, it’s not my favorite but I will have to burn to really tell
  • Cannelle has a mix of warm, dry, spicy, and aromatic bark from the East, it has a fresh scent
  • Thé is a dark strong tea smelling scent with a herbal feel

Overall a lovely and impressive set. It would make the ultimate gift for fragrance aficionados. You can always break down the set and use the baby candles as add-ons or stocking stuffers for the holiday as well. I’m enamored with the whole boxes set and can’t wait to try each in the upcoming months. Diptyque candles are among my favorite, although priced at the high end for scented candles worth every penny. It’s something you have to try to really see what the fuss is about. Once you try these there is no going back to other brands (although I still adore lower priced candles from Henri Bendel and still love Jo Malone and Fresh for higher end candles).

Here’s a quick comparison of the sizes of the candles in this set. (I’ll call them the baby size.) The baby sizes in this set are also sometimes found in gift with purchases which is the 1.2 oz size. The small size is the 2.4 oz ($28 each). Regular sized candles are 6.5 oz ($60 each). More detailed comparison to come in a follow up post.

The 10 piece set is exclusive to Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com (limited for the holidays). You can’t beat free shipping and beautiful packaging. If you have a Nordstrom near you with Diptyque, you may want to call the fragrance department to check if they have any upcoming events. I received a mailer for their yearly customer appreciation night. There are usually events in early December at stores and they often have gift with purchases so it will be a good time to take advantage of the gift offerings if you have a list of items you’ve been saving up for. In my experience minimum buys tend to be around $100 to $150ish.

Have you purchased any Diptyque sets this year? Diptyque fans – what are your favorite scents?

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