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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Wishlist + Recommendations

July 9, 2021

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Wishlist Beauty Exclusives

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 is starting very soon and I have my initial wish list and recommendations roundup for you today! All the items for sale in Home, Women, Men, Activewear, Beauty Exclusives, Kids are up online for preview already. You can start previewing items online by category and start saving items to an online wishlist.

Nordstrom Card Holders have early access depending on tier. Key Dates for access are as follows:

  • Icon Early Access July 12 – 27
  • Ambassador Early Access July 14 – 27
  • Influencer Early Access July 16 – 27
  • Open to Everyone July 28 – August 8

I’ve gone through the Beauty Exclusives and Home Section and have split all the things on my radar by category. There’s a lot to sort through! I found it helpful to browse by category filter Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance, etc. to help me find things by interest and price.

I’m still in the process of narrowing down my shopping list! A lot will probably change depending on what I see in person in store next week. A number of you have asked me to flag things I find interesting or new/exclusive so I hope this helps!

MAKEUP

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Beauty Exclusives

One / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve / thirteen / fourteen / fifteen / sixteen / seventeen

This area is where most of my wishlist items are with the limited-edition colors, palettes and sets. I always buy the neutral MAC Lip Sets each year because they make the best colors. This year Tom Ford Beauty has two eyeshadow palette sets and I’m nearly certain I’m buying both the Cognac Rose Eye Color Quad Set and Coquette Eye Set.

Charlotte Tilbury has a new Instant Look Palette called Sunset Dreamscape which sounds pretty! Also NARS has an interesting Pleasure Trip Cheek Palette (Wanderlust, Lucky Star, Wild at Heart) and an Afterglow Lip Shine Trio.

I’m personally well stocked on staples from Laura Mercier, MAC and Bobbi Brown – but if you’ve been eyeing anything, they have some good value sets which makes it a nice time to try some luxury beauty!

 

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HAIR CARE + TOOLS

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Beauty Exclusives Hair Care and Tools

One / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve

Three things I highly recommend in this category are the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray + Gold Lust Dry Shampoo Set ($64 on sale, normally a $96 value separately), Riki Skinny 10x Lighted Mirror (on sale for $130, normally $210), and the Olaplex Bond Maintenance Trio (on sale for $84, normally $126).

For mirrors I own both the Riki and Simplehuman and I love both. To apply makeup I usually use the Riki because it’s easier to see the entire face while the Simplehuman one is magnified and better to see detail areas. My Favorite Makeup Mirrors reviewed in this blog post for more info/details.

 

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SKINCARE

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Beauty Exclusives Skincare

One / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve

Skincare value sets are always plentiful during the sale! I’m buying the Kopari Coconut Melt Duo for myself for sure 🙂 If you’re looking to splurge on La Mer or Sisley they often have good value sets where you can get a little more for your $$$. I love the Sisley Black Rose Infusion Cream for a lightweight water cream. They have a pretty good set this year!

If you don’t own a Nuface Device they have some good sets on sale! The NuFace White Trinity Kit is on sale for $199 (normally $339) although if it’s not in your budget right now I will say they usually have good sales and sets available during the holiday season too (so no need to rush).

 

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FRAGRANCE

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Beauty Exclusives Fragrance

One / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve

I love the Diptyque and Jo Malone options this year! They have good variations this round! I love the Do Son Perfume + Hair Mist Duo (looks so cute). Andrew’s favorite hand soap from Le Labo Hinoki is available in a Jumbo Size.

Tom Ford has a Travel Size Soleil Fragrance Atomizer with 3 different scents in Soleil Blanc, Soleil Neige and Soleil Brulant. I think this is going to be one I pick up since I haven’t tried two of them and think it would be nice to have them in travel size format.

 

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FOR THE HOME

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021 Home Exclusives Sale

One / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve / thirteen / fourteen

The one brand I get the most excited about every sale is Barefoot Dreams! I live in these blankets. I have one wrapped around me right now as I’m typing out this post. They have such good sales this time of year and I stock up for Christmas gifts. This year they’ve added a number of new patterns and colors which look really fun!

Over the winter we had some pretty cold weather here and Lucy finally got a lot of use out of her Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Dog Sweater (some of you might remember seeing it on stories). She’s a Jack Russell Terrier about 18-20 pounds. They recommend a Medium for her, but when I bought hers there was only Large Available. It works for her with room to spare, but she’s probably more of a Medium. They have a cute Leopard Pattern Dog Sweater and a Solid Version too.

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I’ll have a haul post with swatches in the upcoming days after I’ve shopped the sale!

I’m hosting a few giveaways during the sale (not sponsored or affiliated). This first one I’m giving away three $100 eGift Cards to Nordstrom. Three different people will each win $100. All you have to do to enter is complete at least 3 of the steps in the widget below. The more steps you complete the more entries you receive. Giveaway will run July 9, 2021 through July 14, 2021 11:59 PM EST. I’ll select three winners at random and contact them via email them 1 day after the giveaway ends. Winners must respond within 3 days or another winner will be selected in their place. Open internationally but you must be 18 years+ to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

New Summer Beauty Essentials

June 16, 2021

Summer Beauty Essentials from Nordstrom

Summer beauty season is one of my favorites for makeup launches. I love the colors brands usually launch this time of year and have some new discoveries to share from Nordstrom today.

Above wearing: TEE Rag and Bone / BASE Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free in 3N1 / POWDER Sisley Blur Expert / CHEEKS NARS Orgasm on the Beach Palette / EYES NARS Eyeshadow Quad in Singapore / MASCARA NARS Climax Extreme / LIPS NARS Afterglow Lip Tint in Orgasm + Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Lip Gloss in Wild Card on top

Summer Beauty Essentials from Nordstrom

Tinted Moisturizers

Best Tinted Moisturizer for Summer

One of the most frequently asked question I get is, “What is the best tinted moisturizer for summer?” My top picks include:

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (I wear St Moritz) for the best tinted moisturizer that really doesn’t feel like a tinted moisturizer, has medium coverage and SPF30

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (I wear 3N1 or 3W1, has SPF 30) for the best glowy natural looking tint to even out the skintone in a natural way, I also love that they re-introduced this in the Oil Free Formula as well (has SPF20) . I like both variations, but find myself loving the regular version the best – sometimes it is nice to have options!

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint with SPF 30 is my go-to for no-makeup makeup days or beach days when I want just a little glow and subtle coverage (I wear Medium or Medium Plus)

New Color Correctors

NARS Radiant Creamy Color Corrector

The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger has been a holy grail go-to for me for as long as I can remember! It’s the best versatile concealer for under eye brightening and natural coverage. NARS just launched their new Radiant Creamy Color Corrector designed to counter discoloration. I have pink-red tones around my nose area and occasionally mild blue-purple tones under the eyes. I tried both Light and Medium and found they worked well for my needs. I apply on top of moisturizer, top with my foundation and it does not alter my base color. They have a shade chart recommending which color to use:

  • Light to counter pink-red or blue-grey
  • Medium for red-brown, yellow-brown, blue-purple
  • Medium Deep for purple-brown, blue-grey
  • Deep for blue-brown and blue-black

Texture is creamy, opaque but easy to blend. It stays put when set with a powder just like their Radiant Creamy Concealer.

NARS Radiant Creamy Color Corrector vs NARS Ginger Concealer swatch

Summer Cheek Palette

NARS Orgasm on the Beach palette review

I have so many cheek palettes at this point I did not know whether or not the new NARS Orgasm on the Beach Palette would be a repeat of what I already own. They’ve once again managed to create a beautiful palette with gorgeous glowy shades in highlighter, blush and contouring colors. It’s glowy but not too glowy and I think it was 100% worth the splurge. They have that finely milled metallic texture but it’s a smooth shimmer. Colors blend right into the skin seamlessly and I absolutely love every single shade (even that bold red one!).

My favorite brush to use with this is the NARS Angled Brush (discontinued) but I also love the Laura Mercier Angled Cheek Brush for this palette.

NARS Orgasm on the Beach palette swatches

NARS Orgasm on the Beach palette Makeup Look

Cream Blush

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Sticks

For cream blushes I rediscovered the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Sticks and I love these for a very natural glowing look. I have owned a number of these in past years and repurchased No 20 (soft beige brown color I’m wearing below), No 23 (soft pink) and No 24 (soft peach). These are sheer to sheer-medium in coverage so they’re going to give you a subtle flush of color. They have tiny bits of shimmer in them to give you a glow, but they’re not too shimmery.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Sticks swatches No 20, 23 and 24

Below wearing Shade No. 20 and Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Lip Gloss in Sweet Talk

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 20

Eyeshadow Favorites

Best Bronzey Gold Eyeshadows for Summer

I love bronzey shimmers year round, but especially during the summer. I shopped my stash and started wearing the NARS Eyeshadow Palette in Singapore which has the perfect summer mix (similar vibe to Tom Ford Honeymoon). As a topper I would still say after all these years the Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows are absolute must-haves. For cream shadows that stay put once they set, I recommend Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks in Golden Pink or Golden Bronze. And of course my holy-grail all over wash shimmer the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Color Stick in Rosegold.

Best Bronzey Gold Eyeshadows for Summer

Best Lip Tints

NARS Afterglow Lip Tint in Orgasm and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre

For an effortless kind of lip you can wear to the beach, pool, or anywhere you are this summer, I would say that my top must-have is the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm. This is a color shifting product so it will enhance your natural lip color and hydrate at the same time. This is one of the most flattering shades I’ve tried and even though it looks slightly different on everyone, it’s holy grail material for me.

I also love the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustres to add shine and glow to any lip pencil or lipstick. Ibiza Nights or Blondie are my favorites to add shimmer and dimension to your lip.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Jelly Stick and Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss

Bobbi Brown makes some of my favorite natural colors for lips. I picked up one of the Crushed Shine Jelly Lipsticks in Honey and love how creamy and opaque it is. It’s the perfect swipe and go kind of lipstick with really good coverage. I wish they had more colors in this formula! For those of you who like an oil, I am still really loving the Crushed Oil-Infused Lip Glosses as well. The peachy color Wild Card is the one I think is the prettiest for summer. It’s a good hybrid lip oil and lip gloss, not too slippery and has a nice cushiony feel without being sticky.

That wraps up my first look at some summer makeup must-haves! You can find all of these at Nordstrom. If you’re shopping online also don’t forget to check out their Gift with Purchase Page. They rotate the gifts frequently!

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Sponsored by Nordstrom. As always all opinions are my own.

Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

Soft Bronze Makeup for a Natural Glow

April 23, 2021

Soft Bronze Makeup Look Picks from NARS, Dior, Hermes

As the weather warms up I can’t help but be excited to wear warmer bronzy tones. I’ve been playing with a few new launches for summer beauty and today I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some favorites for a soft bronze makeup glow.

Soft Bronze Makeup Look Picks from NARS, Dior, Hermes

BASE

Best Summer Tints Chanel CC Cream, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

For a good makeup base I always love trying new formulas that launch this time of year, but my usual go-to’s have been the Chanel CC Cream (for high SPF and good coverage, I wear B40) or the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (I wear 3N1 Sand or 3W1 Bisque) for no-makeup makeup days.

A number of you asked for a review of the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (with SPF30) and it’s one I used to wear a lot. They recently extended the shade range and I think it’s a good base that doesn’t really feel like your traditional tinted moisturizer. It’s more of a sheer-medium coverage base with a minimal dewy effect which I actually like better. My color is St. Moritz. (What I’m wearing in this post.)

BRONZER

NARS Summer Solstice Bronzing Cheek Duo

NARS Summer Solstice Bronzing Cheek Duo vs Laguna

There are a number of new bronzers out and I will have a roundup soon. If I could pick one classic for my skin tone it would be the NARS Bronzing Powders in Laguna or Laguna Matte. Both offer a soft tan bronzed effect on the skin without looking orange. If you’re fair and have trouble finding bronzers light enough in color you might want to check out their lighter shades in Vallarta (matte formula) or San Juan (regular formula).

They recently launched a few items in the Summer Solstice collection and I ordered the Summer Solstice Cheek Duo which smells amazing like their body oil glow! It smells like a tropical vacation. The Duo has an ultra sheer finish and texture which is perfect for me. I think it’s lovely for a super soft diffused kind of glow. If you want a more subtle bronze or contour this is perfect. For a bronzer brush I really like the Laura Mercier Bronzing Brush for a fluffy large option. (This duo is what I’m wearing in the photos in this post.)

NARS Laguna Bronzer Swatches

EYE MAKEUP

Copper Bronze Eyeshadows Laura Mercier, Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury

For eyes I’m a huge lover of one-and-done bronze copper tones, especially cream shimmers. My favorites are the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow in Copper (best neutral copper that isn’t too warm), Hourglass Scattered Light in Burnished (love the sparkle on this), Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Bette (I wear these weekly). For liner if you want definition but don’t want something has harsh as a deep black or brown, I highly recommend checking out the Sisley Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof in Sparkling Brown. It is a gorgeous shimmery brown with silver flecks and glides on without tugging.

Swatches below with a few others added in the Hourglass Scattered Light in Foil and Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade in Lion for reference (more gold than bronze).

Copper Bronze Eyeshadows Laura Mercier, Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury swatches

NARS Summer Solstice Eyeshadow Palette review

I also picked up the NARS Summer Solstice Eyeshadow palette and think it’s a winner. The texture and pigment is incredible with every shade. It has a good mix of shimmers, metallic, sparkle and mattes. Red tones can be a bit intimidating but I decided to give this one a chance and it’s a solid winner.

NARS Summer Solstice Eyeshadow Palette review

NARS Summer Solstice Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Soft Bronze Makeup Look Picks from NARS, Dior, Hermes

LIP PICKS

Spring to Summer Lips Dior and Hermes

For lips instead of bronze to match bronzer, I love wearing warm beige, peach or gold tones so the look isn’t too monochromatic. I’m a huge fan of the Dior Lip Maximizers for plump and shine. They are nice throw on the lips for a polished look. I love 16 Nude Shimmer which is a sheer gold beige. I just hauled the newest one for summer 23 Shimmer Bronze which is a coppery almost orange shade with a hint of shimmer.

If you want shine with a bit more pigment and color the Dior Addict Stellar Glosses are really nice. I have a number of colors in this formula and really love J’Adior, D-Light and Mirrored.

Hermes Satin Lipsticks are pure luxury. Beige Kalahari is a neutral pink beige and Beige Tadelak is a peachy color perfect for summer. Both are easy to wear and I think will be flattering for a wide range of skin tones.

Spring to Summer Lips Dior and Hermes swatches

Dior Lip Maximizer Nude Shimmer, Bronze Shimmer, Hermes Lipstick Beige Kalahari and Beige Tadelak

That wraps up my roundup for soft bronze makeup favorites I’m loving right now. I am particularly impressed with the NARS Summer Solstice Cheek Duo and Eyeshadow Palette.

Makeup Breakdown + Other Details:

 

Soft Bronze Makeup Look Picks from NARS, Dior, Hermes

Soft Bronze Makeup Look Picks from NARS, Dior, Hermes

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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post.

Hauls Nordstrom

New Spring Beauty Launches Worth the Splurge

March 5, 2021

Nordstrom Spring Beauty Launches MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown | The Beauty Lookbook

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)

Nordstrom Spring Beauty Launches MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown | The Beauty Lookbook

Foundation + Powder

MAC Studio Fix Tech Cream NC35, Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion, Gucci Pressed 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:

MAC Studio Fix Tech Cream Foundation 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.

Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion Powder Blush

Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion Powder Blush swatches

Eye Makeup

Bobbi Brown Real Nudes Eyeshadow Palettes in Golden Nudes

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!

Bobbi Brown Real Nudes Eyeshadow Palettes in Golden Nudes swatches

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.

Gucci Stylo des Yeux Eye Pencil in Noir

Neutral Lips

Rouge Dior Lipstick and Lip Liner in 100 Nude Look

Dior Nude Look Lipstick and Liner and Bobbi Brown Crushed in Buff

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.

Neutral Lip Swatches Dior, Bobbi Brown, MAC

Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balms

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.

Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balms swatches

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.

Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balms makeup looks

Nordstrom Spring Beauty Launches MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown | The Beauty Lookbook

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.

Base Makeup Nordstrom

Makeup Favorites for a Natural Flawless Glow

January 22, 2021

Glowing Makeup Favorites from Nordstrom

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.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Volume II

Best Glow Foundations

Best Glow Foundations Chanel, Armani, Laura Mercier

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

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation Latte 3N1.5

Best Way To Add a Natural Highlight

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter

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.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter swatches

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

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer and Highlighter 4.5

Best Powder Glow

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Volume II

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.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Original vs Volume II

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Original vs Volume II swatches

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Volume II

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

Best Concealers Cle de Peau, Laura Mercier, NARS and Kosas

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Stick Duo 3N

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:

Best Concealers Cle de Peau, Laura Mercier, NARS and Kosas

Concealer Swatches Cle de Peau, NARS, Laura Mercier

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume II Look

Wearing:

Best Glow Foundations Nordstrom

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.

Beauty Favorites Nordstrom

Glowing Makeup Look I’m Loving Right Now

December 28, 2020

Glowing Makeup Favorites from Nordstrom

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!

Charlotte Tilbury Star Aura Palette

Foundation + Base Essentials

Best Foundation, Concealer and Powder from Nordstrom

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

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Review

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.)

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter 4.5

Eye Makeup Staples

Eye Makeup Staples Tom Ford Eyeliner, Charlotte Tilbury and NARS

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

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter Eyeshadow Star Aura

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.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter Eyeshadow Star Aura Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter Eyeshadow Star Aura swatches

Top Glowing Cheek Products

Best Glowy Blushes and Highlighter Palette Charlotte Tilbury + Hourglass

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.)

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Highlighter

Favorite Lip Color of the Year

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lips

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.)

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution and Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Glowy Makeup Favorites from Nordstrom

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.

Shop the Glowy Makeup:

 

 

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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.

Hauls Nordstrom

Fall Beauty Staples + New Finds

October 21, 2020

Fall Beauty Staples, YSL Water Stain Glow 207 | The Beauty Look Book

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.

Fall Beauty Staples from Nordstrom | The Beauty Look Book

Foundation, Concealer and Powder

Best Foundation, Concealer and Blurring Powder | The Beauty Look Book

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.

Cle de Peau Concealer, Sisley Blur Expert, Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush

The Best Cheek Palette

Sculpture Ambient Lighting Edit Palette

Hourglass Sculpture Ambient Lighting Edit Palette and Bare Lip Treatment Oil

 

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

Eye Makeup Staples Tom Ford Mink Mirage and NARS Climax Extreme Mascara

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.

Tom Ford Mink Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

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.

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick Mini

New YSL Lips

YSL Water Stain Glow Lips | The Beauty Look Book

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.

YSL Water Stain Glow Lips swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Cozy Scents for Fall

Best Scents for Fall Diptyque Santal, Baies, Byredo

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

La Mer The Rejuvenating Hydration Set

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.

La Mer The Mini Miracle Broth Set

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.

La Mer Hand Treatment

Fall Beauty Staples from Nordstrom | The Beauty Look Book

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.