Can you believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving? Or that Christmas is only a month away? I know I sure can’t. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to start buying the gifts for everyone on your list. And if you have anyone who is beauty obsessed, Nordstrom has the best beauty gift sets from the best beauty brands, including some of my personal favorites!
I’m sure I’ve overshared how much obsessed with Fresh Beauty I am, and have even mentioned their products in other Nordstrom Beauty posts. I stan. They have some of the cutest holiday gift sets whether you’re looking for something to put in a stocking or under the tree.
Briogeo is one of my go-to, Black female owned, haircare brands. I don’t know anyone who has tried their Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask and not absolutely loved it. With the Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo, it’s such a great duo to gift!
I know we’re not going out as much or even at all really, and when we are, we’re staying face masked up. But, that doesn’t mean we aren’t taking care of our lips. I still wear lip gloss on Zoom calls and lip balm around at home. In addition to Fresh Beauty, Nordstrom has MAC Lipstick, Kiehl’s Lip Balm, and Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss sets, that I’d for sure be happy to receive.
Have you signed up for The Nordy Club yet? If not, you’re missing out. It’s free to join and you earn points towards Nordstrom Notes when you shop, which you can use to spend with Nordstrom later. They also have free shipping and returns as well as curbside pickup.
Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Nordstrom and ShopStyle, and contains affiliate links.
I have learned to value my self care far more than ever before. In doing so, I’ve found that I feel my best when I look my best.
I’m so happy to share that I’m partnering with Nordstrom and ShopStyle to share my Nordstrom summer beauty picks.
This summer, I am determined to get my summer glow on, even while staying in place at home. So, thanks to Nordstrom, I’ve restocked and refreshed my makeup and skincare routines.
This month I’m highlighting bronzers and all over shimmer, which are perfect for summer.
My personal favorite product for all over shimmer is the Nars Monoi Body Glow. I apply it directly after a relaxing shower or a soothing bath, for an instant glow. If you’re looking for an even more natural looking glow, you’ll love the Nars Monoia Body Glow II. They both smell amazing!
As much as I love a good glow and value my time spent in the sun, products with SPF are essential. If I’m wearing makeup, my favorite summer foundation is this Lancôme long wear liquid one with SPF 15 and for my lips (which have been sunburnt before) I swear by the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Rose, which is also SPF 15.
In addition to a getting a good glow and making sure to have some sun protection, I made sure to restock on some of my favorite everyday products. Even when I don’t wear a full face, I try to do my eyebrows. For my daily brows, I use Brow Wiz, clear brow gel (also available as a set) and the NARS Soft Matte Concealer.
I also made sure to link to some of my summer skincare faves, because makeup is great, but taking care of your skin is even better.
And, I also really love that Nordstrom has free shipping and returns as well as curbside pickup and Club Nordy, with which you earn points for every dollar you spend and get exclusive access!
In case you don’t live in New England, just let me tell you it gets cold! Like, frigid. The temperature can go from 60 degrees one day, to 20 (or less) the next.
These sudden drops are the worst!
To combat the cold weather, I’m a big fan of bundling up. Layers on layers on layers on layers. Think thick cozy sweaters, long sleeved bodysuits, and boot socks. Mostly because I’m a big baby when it comes to being cold.
And so is my skin. Trying Clarins Hydra-Essentiel serum and moisturizer has helped keep my skin moisturized in spite of how quickly the temperature and weather changes. So much so, that it stays hydrated all day.
So many people are surprised when they find out my age, and comment on my skin and how young it is. That is not case in the winter time. Well, at least, not before discovering Clarins Hydra-Essentiel products. So now, my skin can be quenched and radiant year-round!
If you remember nothing else about me, just know that I completely and utterly adore Katherine Heigl. If there’s a movie and she’s in it, I own it. And have probably watch it over a thousand times.
When I was planning my trip to visit Gabby in Nantucket, I realized that I didn’t have any travel skincare. Sure, I had a ton of random samples, but nothing that really went together.
I mean, the set has literally everything you need when you’re traveling. It even comes in it’s own cosmetic case!
What I really like most about the set (other than the was it makes my face look and feel), is how luxurious everything in it smells! Seriously, I felt like I was at the most amazing spa.
When I was in high school I wore long sleeves and jeans, most of the time. Not for any religious reasons or anything like that, which would be one thing, but I just lacked the confidence to show any skin.
And that was when my skin was pretty much still in it’s peak condition.
I’ve since outgrown that.
But, now that I am older, so is my skin.
Trying different skincare products is something that I do to cope with aging. Cleansers, micellar waters, creams…
I had NEVER tried an exfoliating moisturizer before.
Finding clean beauty products to use in lieu of other more toxic ones can be scary. Scary enough to make you want to just not. But, Follain makes buying healthier makeup easy.
They have really helped me.
After attending a summer beach day ready makeup event at their Beacon Hill location, I decided I wanted to also do a better job of sharing some of my favorite Follain finds with all of you!
I’d only heard of Farmaesthetics because I’d received a sample in the swag bag from attending the Lady Project Summit. I didn’t think anything of it, until I’d used the Herbal Hydration Complex mask a few times. Not sure where to get it when I ran out. Then I saw it at Follain.
I also sampled the lavender lotion, which can be used for body and face. The description on the website says that they’d probably bathe in it if they could.
I have tried a number of different skincare products, but I have to say that When Face Masks are some of the best. So, I was beyond thrill to partner with When to share about my experience with their face masks.
After trying, I found that each of the masks felt and worked pretty similarly. Not surprising, since the main ingredients are essentially the same. Opening a packet and taking out the mask inside initially makes you think what have you gotten yourself into. These masks are thick! But after you remove the paper and whatnot, you are left with what is still a pretty thick but completely manageable product.
This is no 10 minute mask, so I highly recommend using these when you have some serious downtime. Like most masks, these feel a little cold on your face. And this is where I found the masks started to vary. I found that 10:00 PM stayed cool and left my face looking younger. Not years younger, but definitely less tired. Whereas, Snow Magic seemed to warm up a bit. It made my skin feel kind of tight and let my face with more of a healthy glow.
It’s no secret that I like to tweak my skincare a ton, trying new products to find the ones that work best for me and my skin. While I tend to gravitate towards whatever is new or trending, sometimes it’s nice to get advice from a professional.
Dr. Anthony Youn is a top plastic surgeon, but his book The Age Fix is all about how to keep your skin healthy and looking young without surgery.
He shares everything from DIY face mask recipes, to quick makeup fixes. My personal favorite part is the section on what to eat for your best skin. I haven’t been able to fully commit to giving the suggested meal plan a try.
It is on my to do list, though.
For now, I’ve been making a serious effort to drink more water (adding lemon slices has been a huge help, in addition to opting for seltzer water instead of soda every once in a while).
Also, fruit. Apples, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, blueberries. I really like fruit, so making sure to start my day with at least one of something was a pretty easy transition.
Since I’m also trying to use healthier beauty products, I figured baby steps are probably in my best interest.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyBioreFizz #CollectiveBias
Bioré introduces a new product and just like that spring cleaning takes on an entirely different meaning for me!
In the winter my skin can be very very dry.
But as the snow starts to melt, that changes. And so does my skincare. The new Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser and Cleansing Pore Scrub are exactly what my combination skin has been needing.
Both products exfoliate my dry flaky skin, without irritating it. The Cleansing Pore Scrub is unlike any product I’ve ever used, here’s how you use it:
Start by pouring some of the scrub (about the size of a quarter) into your hand, after wetting your face.
Then add water and watch as it really start to fizz!
Apply the “fizz” to your face and then gently massage it and feel it as penetrates your pores. What I really like about this product is that you have complete and total control over the level of exfoliation.
Too coarse?
Add more water.
Want to dial it up a bit?
Add more powder.
Rinse.
And then just pat dry with a face towel.
Now you’re all spring clean!
While the scrub is super fun to use, for daily use, I recommend using the Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser.
If you have oily skin, as I tend to in the summer, you should try Bioré Charcoal products instead.
All of which is available to pick up on your next trip to Walmart!
How much do you want to try out the new Bioré Baking Soda Pore Scrub?