Tuesday Tip: Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Every year, in July to be exact, Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale. This is a sale like no other...their brand new fall merchandise is marked down for two weeks and then the prices go up on August first. You can find boots for fall, cute tops, jeans, accessories and more for great prices. One of my favorite things to check out during the sale are all of the beauty products. Most lines launch a limited edition item or set for the sale. Other lines pull their best selling products and put them in a set together...this is a GREAT time to buy products you love at a marked down price, or try something new.

A few of the sets I'm loving are:

Bobbi Brown 'Tortoise Shell Beauty Kit: this set includes a shimmer brick and gel liner (two products I mention here and use often) in addition to other great items



Kiehl's Powerful Moisture Restoring Set: This set has five items, two are favorites of mine, Avacado Eye Cream and Ultra Facial Cream. It is a $116 value and is only $76 during the sale.



Estee Lauder's free gift with purchase is full of products you will actually use and the bag they are in is adorable! The gift with either eye shadows or blush (and other fun things) is yours with a $35 purchase.

To see all of the beauty exclusives click here. Happy shopping!

Tuesday Tip: Be Patriotic

In honor of the Fourth of July (one of my favorite holidays) being yesterday, I have for you my favorite red, white and blue products. There are so many things I love about July...the intense heat, the season, having barbeque's and going to the beach...why not celebrate the Fourth of July all through the wonderful month of July?!

Red:

There's nothing better than a fabulous shade of true red lipstick...while there are many out there one that has been worn by celebs and looks awesome on is MAC's Russian Red. Remember to line your lips (I prefer to use a neutral color) so that your rockin red lipstick doesn't go anywhere!

Pair that lipstick with these adorable red shoes...I definitely can't resist red pumps.



White:

When it comes to white what else can I talk about but my Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?! I'm such a fan of Kiehl's. This face cream is light enough for daytime use, but rich enough for night time...I really couldn't live without it!

Once you've applied your moisturizer and fabulous makeup you are going to need some amazing accessories. When it comes to accessories there are two items I am obsessed with...scarves and watches. I got my white Michael Kors watch a couple of years ago and it is still one of my favorites. Whether you choose a bulky watch (like mine) or a thin band, Michael Kors, Fossil, or ToyWatch a white watch during the summer is a must. You can pair it with a casual sporty look to dress your outfit up, or wear it with the perfect summer dress for night time.



Blue:

Blue nail polish, whether dark like OPI's Russian Navy, or light like Essie's barbados blue can be so fun during the summer. If you feel a little silly with it on your fingernails just use it on your toes...remember with dark colors or fun colors like blue sport it on shorter nails.




What would go better with blue nails than a fabulous pair of blue jeans...since jeans are another obsession here are some of my favorite brands that you should check out the next time you are at the department store or at your favorite boutique: Paige Premium Denim, J Brand, True Religion, Easy Money Jeans, Hudson and Miss Me....yes I do love jeans!

Happy Fourth of July, and happy summertime!

Tuesday Tip: Use an Eye Cream

If you are reading this blog then you need to be using an eye cream. I started using an eye cream at age 21 and as far as I'm concerned I should have started at 20...the skin around your eyes is thinner and dryer than the rest of the skin on your face. There is more wear and tear around the eyes, just think about when you tug on your eyes to apply eye makeup or remove it, or when you just rub your eyes because you are sleepy.

Using an eye cream keeps this delicate area hydrated. By using an eye cream at a young age you will be preventing wrinkles. As you get older and see fine lines and wrinkles you can switch to a more intense cream that will reduce the appearance of those lines. No matter what your age you need an eye cream. I promise once you get in the habit of using one you'll be hooked. Here are a few great options that will moisturize (I use eye cream at night year round, but in these extra cold months I apply it in the morning as well.)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream (this was my first eye cream to use)

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado (my current favorite)

Dermalogica Total Eye Care (great skin care line, can be bought at Sephora and some department stores)

When applying you only need a pea size amount, use your ring fingers to lightly apply the eye cream around your eyes. Start under the eyes and go around to the inner part of your eyebrows.

Tuesday Tip: Necessary Night Cream

Winter is here and my skin is CRAVING moisture, so I'm sure your's is too. During these cold months it is even more important to be moisturizing your skin twice a day. In the morning you need to be using your daytime moisturizer with at least SPF 15. Before you go to bed you need to use a night cream, something richer than your daytime moisturizer that will actually give back moisture to your face. I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's, as you know, and I love their Ultra Facial Cream. This can be used in the day, but is a rich enough formula for night time. Each line has different options for night creams, so you can find one for the stage your skin is at. If you are in your 20's 30's you need to use one that will really moisturize, this will help prevent dehydration lines that make you look older than you are and help prevent the aging process. As you get in your 40's and up you need to be using something that will firm your skin and reduce signs of aging (not that any of you fabulous readers have those signs). You can spend anywhere from $20 to $200 and up on a face cream, so here are a few of the top ones and my favorites.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Cream: This has been compared to top face creams on the market and you can buy it at a drug store. It has a bit of a fragrance, but works well!

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (and other products): You won't be disappointed with Kiehl's- great products at a great price point.

Creme de La Mer: You have to warm this between your fingertips before applying so it can give it's "soothing" effect. This is a top selling face cream, so if you are willing to spend $100+ it is a superb choice!

Giorgio Armani Crema Nera: A 1.7 ounce jar is $275, but I absolutely love this face cream! It has a different texture than your basic face cream, and during the time I used this I loved the way my skin looked and felt. It is classified as "anti aging" but anyone can use it, after all aren't we all trying to look younger?!

Other lines worth checking out: Neutrogena, Clinique, Lancome, Philosophy and Bliss

Remember, even if you have oily skin you need to moisturize...you must! Many moisturizers and creams on the market are oil free, so look for those.

Tuesday Tip: Buy Sets

With the holidays coming up every makeup line will be offering gift sets. This is the perfect time to get multiple products or limited edition products for a great price. Makeup lines often create gift sets for department stores, Ulta and Sephora. Here are a few gift sets that look like loads of fun!

Benefit's "Her Name Was Glowla" (at Sephora)This set is full of products that will give you a glow, use them together or individually.





Kiehl's 'World of Kiehl's' Set (at Nordstrom) This is one of my favorite skin care lines, great quality at a great price point.


Clinique's "Double the Kisses Gift" Set (at Dillard's) Three lip shades in a cute pink bag, what could be better?!



There are many more sets out there and many more to come in the next two months, so keep your eyes out for gift sets! You'll get more for your money, or possibly an irresistable and irreplacable limited edition product!