NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE JULY 20 - AUGUST 5

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The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public sale on Friday, July 20 and runs through August 5. There are so many amazing things available, and it is definitely one of the very best times of the year to shop. I have selected some of my favorites that I either already have, want, or have ordered from this sale!

Important Dates: July 20-August 5: their biggest sale of the year opens to the public.Click on the individual product links for detailed information about each of the items featured.

SHOP THE SALE:

WOMEN | MEN | KIDS | HOME | BEAUTY EXCLUSIVES | DESIGNER

Here are some of my TOP BEAUTY PICKS:

Charlotte Tilbury Pretty Glowing Skin Palette $75.00 ($153.00 value from Nordstrom)

DIPTYQUE Candle Set $55.00 ($75.00 value from Nordstrom)

NUFACE® White Trinity® Anniversary Facial Toning Kit Sale $217.75 ($325.00 value from Nordstrom) (REVIEWED HERE)

HOURGLASS Ambient® Lighting Blush Palette ($65.00 from Nordstrom)

ARTIS The Elite Smoke Complexion Set $98.00 ($144.00 value from Nordstrom)

AVEDA Must-Haves Set $45.00 ($68.00 value from Nordstrom)

RMS BEAUTY Glowing Set $86.00 ($136.00 value from Nordstrom)

Rodin Olio Lusso Lavender Absolute Skin Care Duo $89.00 ($125.00 value from Nordstrom)

MOLTON BROWN LONDON Pink Pepperpod Body Wash $35.00 for 17 oz. ($50.00 value from Nordstrom)

ARCONA Magic Black Ice Exfoliating Mask ($68.00 for 2 oz. from Nordstrom)

CHARLOTTE TILBURY The Pretty Pink Lipstick Set $60.00 ($90.00 value from Nordstrom)

SIMPLEHUMAN Eight Inch Sensor Mirror with Brightness Control Sale $134.00 (After Sale $200.00 from Nordstrom)

LAURA MERCIER Essentials Eye & Cheek Palette $65.00 ($125.00 value from Nordstrom)

CHARLOTTE TILBURY The Gift of Glowing Skin Set $75.00 ($128.50 value from Nordstrom)

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Beauty Exclusives!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of my very favorite events, and one in which I tend to purchase a lot. Here are some of my favorite picks!! (Affiliate links).

YOU MUST BE A NORDSTROM CARDHOLDER TO GET EARLY ACCESS!

Early Access for cardholders began July 10, 2013

Double Points July 10-18 on your Nordstrom Card

Clarisonic 'Mia 2- Orchid' Sonic Skin Cleansing System (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($199.00 Value) $149.00

Kiehl's Since 1851 Jumbo Creme de Corps with Pump (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($107 Value) 33.8 oz. bottle and 2.5 oz. travel bottle. $75.00

NARS 'Voulez Vous' Cheek & Eye Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive) $59.00

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne (6.7 oz.) (Nordstrom Exclusive) $190.00

Nordstrom'Fantasy' Makeup Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($150 Value) Sale: $28.90

After Sale: $42.95

Clarins 'UV Plus HP' Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40 Duo (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($80 Value) $57.00

Dior '5 Couleurs' Star Eyeshadow Palette (Constellation) (Nordstrom Exclusive) $61.00

M·A·C 'Illustrated' Lip Bag (Pink) (Nordstrom Exclusive) $39.50

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Brightening Basics Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($180 Value) $120.00

Rebecca Minkoff 'Erin - Why Limit Happy to an Hour?' Leather Pouch Sale: $49.90 ($75.00 after sale)

Kate Somerville 'Kate's Essentials' Kit (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($204 Value) $98.00

Laura Mercier 'Flawless Colour Favorites' Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($146 Value) $85.00

• Arcona ‘Triad’ Toner Pads Two-Pack (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($64 Value) $30.00

stila 'divine shine' lip glaze set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($110 Value) $25.00

3LAB Anniversary Sale Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($460 Value) $225.00

Giorgio Armani Eye Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($115 Value) $85.00

Thalgo 'Absolute' Rehydrating Serum (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($79 Value) $49.00 ($70.00 after sale)

Yves Saint Laurent 'Must Have' Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($127 Value) $75.00

AMOREPACIFIC 'Brightening Recovery' Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($700 Value) $450.00

Bobbi Brown 'Telluride Glow' Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($153 Value) $85.00

Erno Laszlo 'Favorites' Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($123 Value) $78.00

Laura Mercier Touch Up Brush Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($133 Value) $65.00

....And so much more! You Need to be a Nordstrom Cardholder to gain Early Access! Affiliate Links. Stock images courtesy of Nordstrom.

Nordstrom Trend Show at Topanga Canyon April 27, 2013: Overview & Pictures (What a Lovely Day)

Nordstrom knows how to have a fashion show and a beauty event in a big way. In fact, this big party is simply not to be missed. Nordstrom does an exemplary job making their guests feel special, pampered and beautiful- and this is to say nothing of their peerless customer service that occurs every single day. It is for this reason that they continue to amass loyal patrons for life. Indeed, they pulled out all of the stops and rolled out the Red Carpet for all of their guests during their legendary Trend Show. Therefore, when Nordstrom contacted me to be a part of this extraordinary event, I  loaded up my cameras and headed off for a full day of fun and pampering!

The Trend Show day starts off early in the morning with the guests arriving at around 7:00AM, and after being graciously welcomed they are seated for the Fashion and Beauty Trend Show. Here they are introduced to the hottest fashion and makeup trends of the season as they line the catwalk in eager anticipation of what's to come. After being thoroughly enchanted by all of the on-trend offerings of the season- all of the guests are whisked off to the cosmetics department to experience firsthand many of the hot trends that they had just seen during the show. In the deft hands of the Nordstrom beauty experts and the international makeup artists, who are flown in from the far reaches of the earth to pamper the attendees, they are treated to facials and makeovers that would make even the most jaded fashionista and beauty aficionado swoon. I wouldn't classify myself as jaded, but I was swooning nonetheless!

In anticipation of my arrival, and unbeknownst to me, Nordstrom Management (thank you Amie & Cindy) greeted me and treated me as though I was part of the Royal Family (of Nordstrom that is), and their attention to detail, courtesy, generosity, and delight in setting up a luxurious beauty itinerary for me simply cannot be overstated. Let me just say it was pure unmitigated joy from beginning to end, and while I was already a happy customer for life-- this day really reminded me whyl! 

Eden is holding the Clarisonic Opal, while Jason holds the Clarisonic Mia

After much handshaking, and many hugs- I was led over to the Clarisonic counter where the delightful and beautiful Eden indulged me in the most amazing eye treatment! She used the amazing Clarisonic 'Opal-Black' Sonic Infusion System on each eye for about 30 seconds, and what a difference a minute makes! 

The Opal Sonic Infusion (pictured above) is a, "breakthrough in eye care that uses proven technology to apply serum better than manual application. Opal gently delivers Anti-Aging Sea Serum beneath the surface and, in just one minute, provides more than 7,500 gentle micro massages to instantly hydrate, smooth and brighten the eyes when used with Anti-Aging Sea Serum." It felt fantastic during the treatment, and my eyes looked amazingly hydrated, lifted, and rested afterward. All I can say is that I really want one of these! I can't live without my Clarisonic, and suspect that I will feel just the same way once I have the Opal as well.

I was then lead over to the 3LAB counter where the lovely Cheri gave me a full facial which included their amazing mask. Cheri first removed all of my makeup, and used the 3LAB Perfect Balancing Toner to remove all traces of my makeup (avoiding my eye area), she then applied the 3LAB Perfect Mask to my face and left this miracle sheet mask on my skin for about 15-20 minutes. She then removed the mask and massaged the excess serum into my skin. This mask is, "a technologically advanced purifying sheet mask that lifts, firms and brightens skin. Infused with Nano-Claire GY™, the world's first bioengineered growth hormone for younger, firmer skin. Provides a unique delivery system for highly progressive ingredients to penetrate deep below the skin's surface, delivering exceptional levels of scientifically advanced, efficacious anti-aging ingredients that synergistically lift, firm and brighten skin...." All I can say is that it made my skin look and feel gorgeous and radiant- it was truly amazing.

Cheri then applied the the 3LAB Super "h" Serum which is "an advanced treatment serum that contains Nano-Claire GY™—the world’s first cosmetic grade synthetic growth hormone that supplements the growth hormones lost with age. It features PhytoCellTec™ Malus Domestica, stem cells from a rare Swiss Apple proven to delay chronological aging, and EUK-134...antioxidant proven to stop and reverse the signs of past damage."

In the next step, Cheri applied 3LAB The "M" Cream Ultimate Lift  and it felt divine. This unbelievably popular cream is, "M"iraculous, "m"arvelous, "m"agnificent and works in a "m"inute! A luxury skin de-stressing cream that works to increase resiliency and cellular turnover while giving the skin a naturally radiant glow from the inside out." 

Cheri then chose the WW Eye Cream since I had gotten little sleep the night before, and as a result had dark under eye circles, and this miracle eye cream banished those dark circles. This super potent eye cream is, "A moisture intense treatment for wrinkle-smoothing, brightening, and reducing under eye circles. It features 3LABs™ patented age reversal ingredient Nano-Claire GY™ for more youthful looking skin around the delicate eye area." 

Cheri followed this up by massaging the 3LAB Perfect Neck Cream into my neck and décolleté. This cream is, "a hydrating, firming cream that contains advanced anti-aging ingredients including 3LAB's bio-engineered growth hormone to help fight the signs of aging. It also contains effective skin contouring and slimming ingredients that help to reduce the appearance of neck fat and double chin while potent protectors help to even out skin tone and minimize the signs of past environmental damage." This neck cream radically improved the moisture level of my neck, and the textural difference was truly remarkable. 

Cheri then applied the 3LAB Perfect Lips, "an advanced lip treatment that addresses fine lines and wrinkles using anti-oxidants, vitamins and botanicals to add volume for healthier and fuller looking lips," that had this lip product fan losing her composure! Note to self, must get this! Cheri handed me the mirror to look at my skin, and I was shocked to see the level to which I was glowing and radiant. My skin was soft, supple, hydrated, and gorgeous. 

Cheri applied the cult-status 3LAB Perfect BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ in No. 02 Medium, and this BB Cream is the BB Cream of BB Creams! It is an "exceptional blemish balm that illuminates while fighting aging, soothing irritation and protecting against harmful external aggressors." It was formulated to: treat fine lines/wrinkles, minimize discoloration, brighten, encourages skin-cell renewal, protects against oxidative stress, and provides clarity. I must have this! 

With a few skilled sweeps of her makeup brush, Cheri added a touch of Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder Quad in Pink Rose to my cheeks and sent me on my way. It was an amazing facial, and Cheri is extraordinarily knowledgeable, skilled, talented, and lovely. My skin looked and felt amazing, and I want everything that she used on me!! Cheri was very generous and gave me the gorgeous gift with purchase that 3LAB had especially for the event. Trust me when I tell you that I am coveting every single product that I received! Thanks for making my skin glow, Cheri! N.B.: Mask fanatics must try the 3LAB Perfect Mask!

The beautiful Cheri with all of her lovely 3LAB skincare products

The very nice 3LAB Gift with Purchase that Cheri sent me home with. The small unlabeled jar is a sample of the 3LAB BB Cream that Cheri made for me.

I then walked over to the Arcona Counter, a local Los Angeles skincare company that "formulates active and pure products that work to transform all skin types and concerns." In addition to selling their products at Nordstrom, Arcona also has an amazing Spa in Santa Monica. 

A gorgeous collection of Arcona Skincare!

Adina showing me an Arcona exclusive set

At the Arcona counter I played with all of their products and spent quality time with my good friend Adina who is an amazing aesthetician who also works with Arcona. After much needed catching up she sent me off to my next stop, but not before giving me the lovely Arcona gift with purchase.

In the lovely land of Arcona! 

The Arcona Gift with Purchase that I was sent home with!

I then experienced what every girl with curly hair should experience: the wonders of Deva Curl. If you are like me, and often do battle with misbehaved curls and frizz- then Deva Curl is well worth your consideration.

Cal Ellis had me sit down in his chair, and he gave me the full Deva Curl experience. He sprayed my hair down (using several of their products) and then added some clips to the top of my head to ensure lift and well-formed curls. He then proceeded to blow dry my hair with their hairdryer outfitted with the the most unique and inventive hand-shaped diffuser. My hair was so well behaved after Cal worked his magic, and I was absolutely elated!

The DevaFuser Diffuser and Hairdryer is now definitely on my wish-list- especially after he unveiled the results! See for yourself! This fabulous tool is "the first dryer and diffuser created specifically for curly and wavy hair! The DevaCurl hairdryer guarantees softer, shinier, frizz-free curls. The innovative hand-shaped DevaFuser diffuser delivers 360-degree airflow to gently dry curls." The results were astounding, and now I really really want this hairdryer- it's a must have for those of us with naturally curly hair!

Now you know I wasn't exaggerating when I told you that I have curly hair!

I'm not wearing any makeup save for the 3LAB BB Cream and the Laura Mercier blush that Cheri applied.

After Cal finished my hair I had to rush off to the Burberry Counter (Oh twist my arm) to get my makeup done by the celebrated Internationally renown Makeup Artist , John Trau, who was flown in from New York City exclusively for this event. 

My 3LAB facial gave John the perfect canvas for my makeover. John was so pleased by my natural glow after my 3LAB facial that he opted to give me a more natural makeover to perfectly accentuate my magically glowing skin. 

These are the products that John chose:

On my face: Burberry Sheer Luminous Foundation in Trench No. 5 mixed with Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Base (truly such an amazing product). The end result was a gorgeous luminous glow.
On my eyes: Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in *Pale Barley No. 22 (wash of color on my lid) and Mulberry No. 24 (in my crease) He lined my upper lid and waterline with Burberry Eye Definer Eye Shaping Pencil in Midnight Ash No. 03. Then John applied Burberry Effortless Mascara Volumising Enhancer in Midnight Black No. 01.
On my cheeks: John applied Burberry Warm Glow Natural Bronzer in Nude Glow No. 03 as a blush in conjunction with Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in *Blossom No. 05 (yes, the blush that legends are made of)-it is the perfect pinky coral. The result of this pairing was a perfect sun kissed natural looking face!
On my lips: Burberry Lip Definer Pencil in Nutmeg No. 06 with Burberry Lip Glow Natural Lip Gloss in Heather No. 02- a stunning combination of color, shine and texture!

The look was stunning, and perfectly on-trend! To say that John is a gifted and talented Makeup Artist is an understatement of the highest order!

*Note: Neither Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley, nor Burberry Light Glow Blush in Blossom have been discontinued. These iconic shades will be back in stock in the coming months. 

Now if I hadn't been so preoccupied with taking more pictures- I would have thought to ask one of my friends to take a picture of the stunning makeup artistry that John performed on me! 

More from the magical world of Burberry! Left to Right: Jason Rivas & John Trau

The gorgeous Elina (Burberry Beauty Advisor and Makeup Artist) and the dashing Jason (Burberry Business Manager and Makeup Artist). These two talented Burberry aficionados are truly la crème de la crème.

The phenomenal Burberry Gift with Purchase (above)

My Burberry purchases for the Trend Event (Top to Bottom and Left to Right):

Burberry Lip Definer Pencils in Nude Beige No. 01 and Rosewood No. 07 ($27.00 each)

Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in Rose No. 03 ($42.00)

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Smokey Grey No. 01 ($59.00)

Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in English Rose No. 23 ($30.00)

This was a crowded and well attended event, and while the aisles were crowded- people were happy and friendly.

There were so many people at the MAC counter, and in the aisles!

Giorgio Armani Beauty has a dedicated stand-alone boutique at the Topanga location, and it is utterly breathtaking! It is sure to make you swoon. I am always overcome by the desire to add to my Armani collection each time that I walk into this boutique! 

So many Armani delights!

Note the new Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers on the right! No. 08 and No. 09 are calling to me!

The stunning Laura Mercier Folklore Collection

Sheila having her makeup done at Laura Mercier, and the talented makeup artist demonstrates their famous tightlining technique.

There were so many gorgeous things to see, and virtually all of your favorite lines had amazing gifts.

There were people and packages everywhere. Music was playing and people were smiling- it was basically a festival for makeup! It was a veritable Nordstrompalooza!

This was an amazing event, and I simply cannot underscore how much fun it was to attend. A very special thank you to Colleen, Amie, and Cindy (Nordstrom PR and Nordstrom Management) for sending me to this extraordinary event. I have nothing but unmitigated gratitude for Jason, Elina, Eden, John, Cheri, Adina, Sheila, Cal, and everyone else who went so far out of their way to ensure that I had an amazing day! A+++++ Nordstrom, A+++++!

I highly recommend attending the Nordstrom Trend Show, if you can. For an overview of all upcoming Nordstrom events click here and simply enter your zip code.

This is neither a sponsored post, nor did I receive monetary compensation for covering this event. I was invited by Nordstrom, and given free admission to an event that has a cost to the public that is redeemable toward cosmetic purchases. Some of my Gifts with Purchase were a result of my personal purchases, and others were kindly given to me by the vendors/Nordstrom. All opinions expressed are categorically my own. All of the links are unaffiliated, and merely furnished for your convenience. Stock photo and video courtesy of Nordstrom. Bottom line, I wanted to share this amazing event with you!