More Beauty Stocking Stuffer Suggestions

The holiday hustle and bustle isn't quite done yet, but you only have a few days left to polish off that shopping list. Buying beauty gifts can be so daunting, but there are quite a few cute little gifts you can add to someone's stocking. Here are just a few ideas to take the load off whatever's left of your shopping duties. These are sure to elicit a few "Ooohs" and "Ahs" and earn you a place on the awesome gift giver list.

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick ($22 each) / MAKE UP FOR EVER Extravagant Glamour Set  ($38) / L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set ($20) / The Body Shop Shower Moisture Gift Set ($7) / Tarte Limited Edition Lash Set ($19) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Eye Palette ($16) / Holiday BeautyBlender ($20) / Philosophy Purity Made Simple™ Ornament ($10) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Cheek Palette ($16) / Atelier Cologne perfume miniature duo ($18) + Nordstrom Atomizer ($5)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick: Soft, buttery, long-wearing all packaged neatly in a gunmetal chrome tube. It's hard to go wrong with this lipstick line. The hardest part is choosing a color, mostly because they have so many great ones to choose from. Only you know the person you're shopping for, but some nice neutral work-for-everyone shades include Naked (nude with a little pink) and Fiend (rose). If your giftee is bold check out Anarchy, F-bomb, or Jilted. It will be hard to pick just one (read: not buy them all). You may even need one (or 5) for your stocking. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set: Soft hands and lips will make a great gift this holiday season, especially since so many people are experiencing ridiculously cold weather. I'm partial to the L'Occitane line because it feels so luxurious (and sounds fancy because it's French). My favorite is the rose scented line, but this set comes in a variety of scents, so choose whichever you think is best. 

Tarte lash set:  Everyone wants enviable lashes, right? How fun to reach into your stocking and pull out this little gilded set. All it needs is a little pouch so you can carry them with you anywhere. 

Beauty Blender: Does this gift need any explanation? The Beauty Blender has enjoyed quite a bit of fame for a reason. I doubt any beauty lover (even if they already have one) will turn this away. A flawless makeup finish is always appreciated. 

Purity ornament: Listen up. This will make my holiday gift list every year for as long as Philosophy will put it out on the market. I love this face wash. It cleanses and tones and is gentle on your skin. I didn't believe the hype until I used it myself. My skin was noticeably softer, even before I started pairing it with my Clarisonic. The travel-size version is a great way to introduce your friends to this gem and it lasts a long time. 

Stila cheek and eye palettes: I love that Stila released these little sets this holiday season. You'll get to choose different ones for eyes, and while I love all the colors they offer, I keep gravitating toward that cheek set. Both or either will make a great gift because the quality is outstanding. Bonus: Adorable packaging. 

Make Up For Ever Extravagant Glamour set:  This is a phenomenal deal. Three full sized products at a reasonable price (valued at $63). If you have a bold glamour puss on your list, this will have her jaw on the floor. A full-sized bright red lipstick, smokey lash mascara, and waterproof black liner? Yes. Please. If I had a mic, I'd drop it. 

Atelier Cologne perfume mini duo set: I got this for myself recently. The full-size equivalent of each of these mini's is more than $100. I had to see why. They smell amazing and linger on your skin for a whiiiile. This set comes with the vanilla and blood orange perfumes. Yes, the mini's are tiny, but they have the same amount of product as most roller ball perfumes. Pair this with an atomizer ($5 at Nordstrom) and they'll make perfect purse or travel companions. 

Haul: Sephora VIB Sale & Nordstrom Mascara Madness Event

As you may already know, Sephora hosted its VIB sale on Veterans Day weekend. The sale started on Thursday (11/7/13) and ran through Monday (11/11/13). During the sale VIBs (and a guest) could shop all weekend and get 20% off their entire purchase. You could use the discount voucher multiple times in store and online, which I did (of course).

I had to hit up two Sephora's and their website to get the things that I wanted (even though my haul wasn't even that big) so that little feature is a godsend in my opinion. I had a few generous Sephora gift cards burning a hole in my wallet and it was time to go spend them.

Hooray for minimal out of pocket expenses! (And that is why I hang on to my gift cards people)

That same weekend, Nordstrom (possibly my favorite retailer - Lord help my bank account) was hosting their Mascara Madness event, which took place on Saturday (11/9/13). During Mascara Madness it's buy two get one free mascara all day long. You can mix and match any combination of mascaras and still qualify. Try new ones. Stock up on old ones. Be brand loyal or spread the love. Whatever you want.

My husband remembered that I'd off handedly mentioned this sale (as a Nordstrom card holder he also got an email reminder) and wanting to cheer me up (if you recall, we had a sad incident last weekend), took me mascara shopping. This was definitely a treat. You guys know that I normally stick to drugstore mascara. I get stressed out at the thought of tossing out a half used tube of high-end mascara when the shelf life elapses (that's why I stick to this mascara trick).

But, who am I to turn down such a sweet gesture? Not crazy, that's who. (OK, maybe makeup crazy)

So off we went. Check out my haul video to see all the goodies I bought -- partially because I'd planned to and partially because I was sad and trying to take my mind off things. All items are listed and linked below.

Items purchased:

YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Mascara in Hight Density Black - $30
YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara in Fetish Black - $30
Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara in Steel Black - $30 (This was my freebie)

Hourglass Ambient Light palette - $58
This palette includes:
Dim light: A neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.
Incandescent light (limited edition): A pearlescent powder that highlights the cheekbones and brightens the complexion with a celestial glow.
Radiant light: A sun-kissed golden beige that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and also extends a summer glow.
Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer with SPF 15

Clinique Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Serum - $49.50
Sephora Skin Perfect CC Cream in Light - $26
Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil - $15
Korres Radiance Revealed Wild Rose Brightening Duo - $48 (This is a great deal. The Wild Rose night cream is $48 when you buy it alone. That means you get the facial cleanser for free. It's normally $24. Both items are full size!)

Did you hit up the VIB sale or Mascara Madness event? What did you get? Comment below and let me know!

Nordstrom Nail Polish Remover Pads

* Products featured were provided by Nordstrom as press samples *

Photo credit: Nordstrom

Here's a confession: I have a nail polish addiction. 

In case you haven't noticed, I rarely meet a nail polish I don't want. Like right now. There's a new nail polish post on this blog every week (check them out here). And while the chances of my going through an entire bottle of nail polish are slim (too many bottles, not enough time), I do go through a lot of nail polish remover. 

So when Nordstrom gave me a few sample packets of their individually-wrapped nail polish remover pads, I thought I'd put them to the test. After all, I can always use on-the-go polish remover, especially since I loathe looking at a chipped manicure. 

I love the idea of travel-friendly, pre-soaked nail polish remover pads. They're great for keeping in your purse, gym bag, car, desk drawers, and suitcase to deal with nail polish emergency situations. Right now, you're probably asking yourself what constitutes a nail polish emergency. Humor me. They exist. 

Consider this: You're headed to a job interview. You looking pristine and polished. You're ready to make a good first impression. Then your gorgeous manicure chips on your way in. Clean, properly filed, bare nails beat a sloppy manicure any day. Don't make it seem like you don't care about the details.

But I digress. 

The problem I've had in the past with pre-moistened polish remover pads is that they were rarely potent enough to remove all the polish from all my nails. Either they didn't have enough acetone on them or it the formula simply wasn't strong enough. This isn't necessarily a problem when you're carrying more than one. But when you're down to the last one, it's kind of a bummer.

Clearly, Nordstrom's polish remover pads had to dispel some of my pre-conceive notions. But before we get into how they performed, here's a little info on what the product claims (from the packaging).

One pad cleans all 10 nails!
Each pad is enriched with protein to help restore the natural healthy appearance of nails.
Directions: Use saturated pad to gently remove polish, leaving your nails clean. The formula conditions cuticles and nails. Wash hands before and after use.
Ingredients: Acetone, aqua, glycerin, fragrance, alcohol denat, benzyl benzoate, denatonium benzoate, retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, benzophenone-1

Here's what I found after a few uses:

• The packaging is easy for you to tear open, but not so flimsy that it will rip in your bag.
• The felt pad is sturdy, generously saturated with nail polish remover, and didn't leave any fibers behind like cotton swabs do. 
• One pad indeed removed polish from all my nails with enough to spare. It even easily removed tough colors like green and blue (but used up all of the pad). 
• I needed more than one pad when dealing with glitter polish. But in my opinion, glitter nails are a different animal. 
• The pads were potent enough to remove polish easily, perfect if you're used to using professional strength acetone. 
• Didn't dry out my nails and cuticles! Usually, when a polish remover is this strong, it leaves my hands moisture starved. These pads are truly wipe and go!
• Smells like acetone

Overall, I was really impressed with these pre-soaked nail polish remover pads. They did the job quickly and lived up to their claims. I loved that my nails didn't feel dry after polish removal. My usual experience with nourishing polish removers is that they're not quite as quick to dissolve polish as my trusty acetone. And while there are some decent ones out there (only a little extra rubbing required) I end up going back to the drying strong stuff. What can I say, I want polish to melt off fast. These pads lived up to my demands.

I'd definitely pick up a pack of these in the future and while I'm there I may just grab an actual bottle of Nordstom's nail polish remover.  What do you think? Would you consider picking these up to keep in your purse or take on your next trip? 

Nordstrom nail polish remover pads retail for $5.95 for a packet of 10. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nordstrom Beauty Bash Recap

If you've never been to a Nordstrom special event, you should really consider it. I've now attended three of their events, and they never disappoint. From gracious hosts to amazing raffle prizes and a fun ambiance, Nordstrom knows how to throw a soiree.

I was recently invited to attend the Nordstrom Beauty Bash, which kicked off their anniversary sale. I took my friend Ling with me and we perused all the fall beauty merchandise and peeked at all the great beauty deals. You can see some of them in this post about my top anniversary sale picks.

The DJ provided a party ambiance with fun, upbeat music that even had some people shakin' their booties.

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by Sarah, the night's MC and gracious host. She was super friendly and gave me the details on the fun we had in store. She whisked me away to the Dr. Dennis Gross counter for a little facial. Perfect, considering I'd been eyeing some of his products recently while on a trip to Sephora.

After a quick chat with Stacey, the Dr. Gross skin expert, we decided I should have a little mask treatment since I'd already had a minor peel done at my doctor's office earlier that day. It was fantastic! We started off by washing my face with the All-in-One cleanser with toner, which made my skin feel clean but not tight or dry. It's meant to cleanse your skin, remove makeup and impurities, and maintain your pH balance all in one step. It's potent, but gentle, and seems to be a great multitasking product.

She followed my cleansing with the Clarifying Collodial Sulfur Mask, which felt cool on my skin, didn't have a sulfur smell, and can (is intended to) be worn over night to pull any impurities out of your skin. Ever gotten a facial and gone home with your skin feeling great, only for it to fade once you wash your face at home? Blame it on all the minerals and heavy metals in tap water. Don't worry, you don't have to start washing your face with a bottle of Evian. Just apply this mask once per week, wear it over night, and watch your skin look more radiant.

As we let the mask sit on my face and steamed my pores, Stacey also tested out the Alpha Beta daily peel pads and Active Vitamin D Serum on my arms, giving my skin a radiant glow. We finished off my mini facial with their Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution (to help fade dark spots) and Hydra-Pure Firming Eye Cream.

Sara kept the crowd amped up, especially when she announced the winners of the raffle prizes. 

After my time at the Dr. Gross counter, I was taken to the blow-out bar, where I got to test out Living Proof Straight Styling hairspray and have my blow out touched up. I was impressed by how well this product worked. I'd freshly blown out my hair before coming to the event, but this spray really helped give it a sleeker finish and even seemed to seal some split ends that were showing through (I'm due for a hair cut). And while I was impressed with the product while sitting in the chair, it wasn't until I got home that I was really convinced. For the next two days, I was able to quickly and easily touch up my hair with a blow dryer and get sleek (but still voluminous) results with very little effort. I may actually need to go back and buy it just for it's ability to make retouching my blow out so much easier. Alas, I had to wash my hair, so now the effect is gone and I'm actually missing it.

Customers enjoyed getting their hair touched up at the blow bar station. 

We finished off our beauty bash experience with a makeover at the Smashbox counter where I got to try out the new Halo foundation. It gave a nice medium coverage that looked natural and gave my skin glow without looking oily. Our makeup artist was a blast in a glass and since we were right by the DJ's speakers, we had a little mini dance party.

My friend Ling getting her pretty on with a smokey sultry eye look at the Smashbox counter. 

Other fun things to do at the event included visiting the eyebrow station to get a quick lesson on how to properly fill your brows and nail station where you could get a quick polish change and test out polishes from lines like Ciate and Butter London.

Goodie bags with great product samples were prominently displayed and available to everyone. 

And of course, we can't forget all the fun free goodies that are up for grabs when Nordstrom throws an event. Everyone who attended could take home baggies with perfume and skin care samples. There were so many, people could actually take two and there would still be enough. Plus, the raffle included awesome, full-sized products for people to win. One of the prizes was a Chanel Ultra Correction Lift night cream (retails for $165). I wish I'd been the lucky girl to take that one home. How luxurious. And, how generous!

Aside from the fun of spending a few hours playing in the beauty department with my friend, it was also great to meet new bloggers and reconnect with others. I was happy to see Judi from Judixo, whom I met at the Spring Trend Show in April. Plus, I got to meet Courtney, of Phyrra Beauty and Genia from GeniaBeMe Beauty Blog. It's always nice to meet local bloggers. Let's be honest, there's really only so much lipstick talk my friends can tolerate, so it's nice to meet people who have a similar love (obsession) for all things beauty.

Special thanks to Nordstrom for including me and my friend in their event. If you've never been to a Norstrom event, make it a point to visit their next one. They're always a lot of fun and Nordstrom is a gracious host. Make it a girls day and bring your friends! Who knows, maybe I'll see you there!

FTC: I was invited to this event, and got to attend for free. 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

I love Nordstrom anniversary sale time. There are always some pretty awesome deals. This year is no different. As a Nordstrom card holder, I got early access to the sale, which gave me a little time to compile a list of some of my favorite items I think you might just want to check out.

Beauty

1. Clarisonic Mia package ($149) - I'm of the opinion that everyone needs one of these in their life. The gentle sonic cleansing will really help improve your skin. Not only will it help you get a better clean, and hence reduce pesky blemishes, it'll also enhance your skin's texture and overall look. And with this deal you get an extra replacement brush, a carrying case, travel bag, and two travel-size cleansers -- all for the price of getting the Mia. By the way, the replacement brush head itself runs $25 each. Plus, you can choose from a variety of fun colors. My favorite its Jade.

2. Clarisonic sensitive skin replacement brush pack ($75) - If, like me, you already have a Clarisonic, you should definitely consider picking up this replacement brush pack (it also comes in the deep pore cleansing version). It's basically buy 3, get one free. Plus, you get a cute carrying case. That's a whole year worth of replacement brushes!

3. Purity Made Simple duo ($50) - This was on my list of picks last year and it's such a great deal, it made it on to my list this year. I love this face wash. It's gentle, it tones, it makes my skin feel really soft (even before I got a Clarisonic), and it doesn't over dry. I've yet to find a suitable drugstore alternative for this. It appears no one's been able to duplicate it's awesomeness. With this duo, you'll have enough Purity face wash to last you all year long. You get a 32 oz bottle (with a pump) and a free full-sized 8 oz bottle (a $20 value). 

4. MAC Illustrated face kit ($49.50) - Not sure my pick list would be complete without a MAC item. What can I say? I love their kits. I'm especially fond of this year's adorable packaging, designed by Rebecca Moses. I'm really digging the brown kit, which offers a really nice neutral color selection that includes four shadows, a blush, and two lip glosses. Kudos to MAC for also including a little plastic cover to protect the glosses from getting covered in powder. The kit also comes in plum. 

5. Lanvin Me perfume set ($98) - OK, I bought this set on the first day of the pre-sale, so how could I not include it in my picks? Hear me out. I know $98 isn't cheap. But with this set you get the 2.6 fl. oz. bottle (reg. price $98), plus a 1 fl. oz. bottle (reg. price $55) for free, and I received a small 0.25 fl. oz. travel-size vial (think the size of a roller ball, but this one is an atomizer). I'd been holding out on purchasing this perfume because I had sticker shock. But when I saw this deal, I couldn't wait any longer. P.S. If this isn't your scent of choice, they have a similar deal with Jimmy Choo Flash as well as some other great perfume deals. 

Don't forget to check out Nordstrom's Beauty Bash at a Nordstrom near you. Click here for details. 

Shoes

Halogen Leesa Flat (sale price $59.90)

Nike Free 5.0 V4 Running Shoe in leopard (sale price $66.90)

I love a good animal print, especially leopard. And, while I think leopard is year-round print, I can't help but notice I gravitate toward it more in the fall and winter. And really, do either of these shoes need much justification? They are totally adorable. A word to the wise, the leopard running shoes run small, so size up. 

Apparel

Zella live-in capris (sale price $28.90)

A good, affordable pair of workout leggings can be hard to find. You want (or at least I do) a wider waist band to give a flattering and slimming look (and reduce muffin top). But most importantly, you want it to keep your private parts covered. And by that I mean, you don't want it to go see through once you start moving around. Yep. I said it. And I think many women out there don't know this happens. I see them at the gym often, doing squats or any other variety of exercise that requires bending down or cause the legging material to stretch and expose their lady parts. So, I'm putting everyone on alert. When you buy workout leggings, do the squat and bend test in front of the mirror. Yes, it looks awkward, but at least you'll avoid some unintentional exposure. Let me tell you, some of those cheaper pairs go so sheer you may as well be doing squats without pants on. I'm not exaggerating. Picture that for a moment.

These Zella live-in capris pass all those tests. And, while they're on sale, the price point is much easier to swallow. I have a hard time paying a lot of money for a pair of pants I'll be purposefully sweating (like crazy) in. In my mind, it's like spending a fortune on clothes only to go paint a house. And while I feel these are worth the price, I'd prefer to grab a few pairs at a discount. 

BB Dakota faux leather bodice dress in blush and leopard ($64.90)

I love how this dress combines the toughness of leather with the daintiness of the chiffon-like skirt. I think this dress would be great for fun night's out, dates, cocktail parties, and maybe even a fall wedding (depending on the dress code of course). And the price point is pretty great too. I can't decide which I like better, so I included them both.

Rubbish faux shearling lined slouchy jacket ($64.90)

I love a good slouchy casual jacket and I'm really digging the camo print on this one. Plus, the lining is removable, so I can actually get some wear out of it in Florida since our winters are a bit balmy and our fall doesn't really exist. 

What do you think of these picks? Did you shop the pre-sale or do you plan to shop the anniversary sale? What are some of the items you're planning to get? 

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale & Beauty Bash

It's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale time, or as I like to think of it, Christmas in July. While every other retailer is marking down their Spring and Summer merchandise, Nordstrom is marking down selected new Fall items. That's right, you get to pick up some great fall staples early and at a discount. How awesome is that?

So here's the skinny. The Anniversary Sale runs July 18 - August 4, but if you happen to be a Nordstrom card holder  (P.S. You can have a Nordstrom debit card and that counts too if you don't like to use credit cards) you get early access starting today and running through July 18. You can bet your bottom I'll be there early to pick out a few things for myself and the hubs. Check out the early access details here.

To kick off the Anniversary Sale fun, the Beauty Department is hosting a Beauty Bash Friday July 19 or Saturday July 20, depending on your location. To find out the dates and times of your local Beauty Bash click here.  For those of you in the Tampa Bay area, Nordstrom International Plaza is hosting their bash on Friday, July 19 from 5-8 p.m. Call and make appointments to get makeovers by your favorite brands so you can get a fun new beauty look for the fall. Beauty Bash participants will enjoy:

• DJ entertainment
• Chances to win fabulous beauty prizes
• Fragrance samples so you'll be ready to switch up your signature scent for fall and winter
• Makeup application

I'll be there. Will you? What are you looking forward to the most for this year's Anniversary Sale? I scored some gorgeous boots last year. This year I'm in the market for  a new watch and fragrance. But we'll see what else strikes my fancy while I peruse the Fall goods.

Happy shopping!

Manicure Monday: Nordstrom Nail Colors

Nordstrom recently joined the nail polish game, releasing its own line of nail polishes earlier this year. The line is meant to stand side-by-side with other high-end polishes like Butter London and Deborah Lippman. In fact, at my store, you'll even find them displayed next to each other.

I first spotted the line in stores in March and I was drawn to their great color selection (27 colors for their first release). I didn't purchase any that day because they were having an event, the store was packed, and the hubs didn't really want to wait around (couldn't blame him, it was a mad house). But when I visited again during the Spring/Summer Beauty Trend event last month, I couldn't resist. Crowds be damned. I needed to take some of them home.

I have to say, I was impressed by the color pay off and quality of the polish. It can definitely go head to head with some of its more expensive competitors. Here are a few things you might want to know about Nordstrom's polish line:

• They retail for $8.50 each or 2 for $15
• They're toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, and camphor free
• They're meant to be long-wearing, fast-drying
• They reinforce and protect your nails

The polish packaging is a square bottle with a square top. Simple, but cute and similar to Cover Girl's polish packaging. I like it because it's sturdy and it won't topple over easily (like some thinner bottles - ahem Julep). It has an average-sized brush, which is great for me because I feel it gives me better control over the polish application compared to the wider brushes some brands have been releasing lately.  However, because the bottle top is large and square shaped, it makes the brush handle seem short and it feels odd in my hands during application. But that's nothing I couldn't get used to quickly.

When it came to polish application, Nordstrom got it right. The polish itself is thin compared to OPI and OCC, but comparable in consistency to Butter London and Zoya. It's just a hint watery, but in a good way because it goes on really smoothly and doesn't feel like tar. But the best part is that even with the thinner consistency this polish packs a punch.

The color pay off you get with one coat is impressive. And while one coat leaves it just the slightest bit sheer, it's still smooth and vibrant. The second coat of polish makes your manicure completely opaque. Your nails feel harder and stronger but the polish doesn't feel heavy or thick.

Here are the four colors that I purchased:

Sinful Colors base coat, two coats of Bikini Pink, China Glaze Fast Forward top coat

Bikini pink is a bright and vibrant medium, warm-toned creme pink, aptly named, since it reminds me of the shade of bright pink you often see during the summer on beach towels and bikinis. I'd say it looks like a color you'd see in a Florida sunset, but more opaque.

Sinful Colors base coat, two coats of Bloom, China Glaze Fast Forward top coat

Bloom is a beautiful, soft barbie pink, kind of like a pink hibiscus flower.  Also a creme finish, this hue gives your nails a candy-coated finish.

Sinful Colors base coat, two coats of Firecracker, China Glaze Fast Forward top coat

Firecreacker, also a creme polish, is a red-toned coral. It's bright and gorgeous and reminds me of Butter London Macbeth and Sinful Colors Thimbleberry (check them out here). The main difference is that Firecracker is more coral than red. When I compared them side by side on my nails, the difference was apparent.

Sinful Colors base coat, two coats of Jazzy Jade, China Glaze Fast Forward top coat

I was totally drawn to Jazzy Jade because it's such a fun hue of green. Like the other three, Jazzy Jade is also a creme finish (if you haven't picked up on this, creme finish polishes are my favorite) and jade is an appropriate color descriptor.

I absolutely loved this color and that's probably because it's nearly identical to one of my favorite green polishes: Sinful Colors Rise and Shine. Check it out below.

Sinful Colors base coat, two coats of Rise and Shine, China Glaze Fast Forward top coat

 The main difference between Rise and Shine and Jazzy Jade is that Jazzy Jade is a true creme and Rise and Shine has a subtle shimmer. It's so subtle, in fact, that I never noticed it until I held both polishes next to each other and I even had trouble getting the shimmer to pick up on camera.

My only complaint with Jazzy Jade is that it stains like crazy. When I removed the polish it stained my nails (even with a base coat) and fingers. I had green fingers for a few days before it faded off my skin. But thankfully, a quick buffing removed the stain from my nails.

Here's a photo of my stained fingers after several rounds of acetone. Pretty, huh?

All in all, I think Nordstrom did a great job with its polish line and I'm likely to purchase more colors down the line. I'm looking forward to seeing what other colors they release in the future. 

How about you? What do you think of Nordstrom's polish line? Are you likely to pick up a few shades of your own? 

Shopping Guide: Affordable Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts

1. JC Penney Bib Necklace ($22) & Bangle Set ($9) | 2. Pave Station Bangle ($38) | 3. Black & White Frame ($20)  | 4. Abstract Print Sheer Scarf ($18)

The clock is counting down to Mother's Day and you still haven't quite gotten your act together and gotten dear ol' mom a gift. Don't worry, you're not alone. Getting someone, especially mom, a great gift can be a daunting task. But just because you procrastinated, doesn't mean your gift needs to reflect it. You still have time to get mom a gift and make it look like you put a little thought behind it. After all, it's the thought that counts, right? We just want to make sure it doesn't seem like an after thought.

With that in mind, we put together a quick shopping guide to give you some ideas you can easily go pick up at the store (unless you want to spend extra cash on expedited shipping). You know, in case you're not comfortable getting mom any of the beauty gift suggestions in our post last week (check it out here). Best of all, none of these ideas will break the bank. All of them clock in under $40, because mom taught us to be savvy shoppers.

1.  Statement jewelry. J. Crew popularized the bubble necklace, but with a hefty $150 price tag for costume jewelry, it wasn't exactly accessible to everyone. But you can help mom be stylish on a budget. JC Penney has bubble necklaces on sale right now for only $22. And if mom is so on trend that she's been rocking a bubble necklace already, don't worry. JCP has other cute statement pieces available to choose from, all at reasonable prices.

If necklaces aren't her style, consider adorning mom's wrist. Bracelet stacking is quite the look these days, but sometimes picking the right bracelets to stack together can be tricky. Done wrong and your wrist looks less like a party and more like the aftermath you dread having to clean up. Make it easy to pull this trend off by purchasing bangle sets that are already put together for you like the one pictured above, which by the way is only $9.  P.S. You can also find great statement jewelry at reasonable prices at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

2. Dainty accessories. Listen, jewelry is a popular gift for a reason. But if your mom is not one for big bold pieces, consider some cute dainty options like the pave hear bangle from Nordstrom. It's a beautiful timeless piece and the heart is simple but classic. Check out Nordstrom, JC Penney, TJ Maxx, Khols, and other retailers for similar items.

3. Give the gift of memories. Maybe you're tired of giving mom jewelry and feel like giving her something a little more personal. Except now you've waited so long, you don't know if that's even possible. Don't worry, there's still time. Go through your computer and find some of your favorite photos of you with your mom (or family shots). Bonus if they were taken on some fun family outing/occasion. Then run to your nearest photo center, have them printed up, and put them in pretty frames. You can find some awesome designer decorative frames at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods (we're talking anything from $7-$15). The black and white one pictured above is from Pier 1. Mom will love the sentiment. Plus, the decorative frames will give the gift that extra oomph.

4. Scarves. If the typical jewelry and flowers doesn't really do it for you anymore. Try giving mom a fun and colorful accessory, like the LuLu abstract print scarf pictured above. Scarves make awesome gifts and they are totally in fashion for Spring. Think of getting a style that makes a statement with bold colors, fun prints, or both. But, since the weather is warming up, make sure the scarf you pick is made of a light weight fabric. She'll be able to pair it with numerous outfits to give them a little pop of color or flair and she can even wear them in her hair. I love how beautiful scarves look all wrapped up in a box. The best part is that you can find lots of beautiful styles at a variety of price points. The LuLu scarf pictured above is less than $20, but looks like you spent more.

Tip: Make sure the fabric is soft and feels nice against the skin. It will give the scarf the appearance of being super luxe (even if you only spent $20). If you have the budget, spring for great fabrics like silk and modal.

What do you think? Are these gifts you'd consider giving your mom?

Happy shopping. And don't forget to give your mom a huge hug and thank her for being so great.

Shopping Guide: Mother's Day Beauty Gift Ideas

1. Assorted nail polishes | 2. Origins Great Start Gift Set ($58) | 3. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom perfume ($29.95) | 4. Spa Treatments | 5. Clarisonic Mia ($119)

Mother's Day is around the corner. And sometimes finding the perfect gift for mom can be overwhelming. How can we show her how special she is to us with just one gift? The truth is, it's probably  not possible for one gift to show that much love and affection. But it is possible to make mom feel like the special lady she is.

With that in mind, I put together a few beauty-related ideas that might help you tackle the Mother's Day gift task and can fit various budgets.

1. A little polish, a lot of fun.. Help mom keep her tips and toes looking fresh with a little mani-pedi date. Mom will get the pampering she deserves, and you can give her a nice relaxing hour on a budget. Mani-pedis vary in price, depending on where you go, but you can find services at various price points. Just make sure the place you pick is hygienic and safe. Make her gift even more special with a little mother-daughter bonding. Go with her and get your tips and toes done too! Help her mani-pedi last by giving her a few of her favorite nail polish colors as part of her gift. You can find some great quality options at the drugstore.

2. The gift of beautiful skin.  If you're stumped for something new, consider replenishing some of her stand-by favorite skin care products. Lots of brands have great gift sets for Mother's Day, like the Great Starts value set by Origins shown above (includes Planstscripton anti-aging serum, eye cream, and Starting Over age-erasing moisturizer with mimosa for $58, a $98 value). You'll give her something she already loves and save her the trouble of having to get it herself. Or, you can always pick out something new to add to her skin care regimen. Think moisturizing masks, rosewater toners, or body oils. Just make sure they suit her skin type.

3. Fragrance: a tried and true stand by. Like skin care, fragrance can be a very personal experience. But if you know your mom well, then you'll probably be familiar with the scents she loves. Consider restocking her favorite perfume or finding a new option with similar notes to expand her horizons. My mom loves  Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance. With the new variations the brand recently released, she may just find a new (but somewhat familiar) fragrance in her future. Plus, since scents have a funny way of attaching themselves to memories, you're mom will always remember you when she smells her new perfume. And best of all, you can find great options without breaking the bank. For example, the new Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom fragrance is only $30.

4. Well-deserved R&R. Mom does a lot for us, she deserves a little pampering. And a day of relaxation makes for a memorable gift. A gift certificate for a massage at a local spa, may be just what mom needs. If springing for a hot-stone massage is more than your wallet can muster, check out the rest of the spa menu. Neck and shoulder massages and facials might just carry a smaller price tag, while delivering similar relaxing results.

5. High-tech skincare. If you have a bigger budget and a beauty-loving mom, give her the gift of softer, younger-looking skin with a Clarisonic. This beauty gadget has a cult following for a reason and mom is sure to appreciate receiving it. She's gotta wash her face, right? You have a variety of options to give, starting with the Clarisonic Mia, which retails for $119. Plus, when you get it directly from Clarisonic, you can even have it engraved. If your mom already has a Clarisonic, set her up with a year's supply of replacement brushes. You can buy a 4-pack for $75 (it's like buy 3, get one free), and possibly even still have some money left over to take her out to get her nails done.

If none of these suggestions tickle your fancy, don't forget that Mother's Day is about showing mom some love and affection. You don't have to break the bank to make memories. Just make sure you spend some quality time with her and show her that you care.

Makeup Tips from Vincent Longo & Water Canvas Foundation & Blush Review

I had the pleasure of meeting makeup artist to the starts, Vincent Longo, this past weekend while attending the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show. If you don't know who Vincent Longo is, you'll certainly recognize his body of work. He's made up such famous faces as Jennifer Lopez, Molly Sims, Michelle Williams, Claire Danes, Mina Suvari, and many more.

Vincent Longo talks about his Water Canvas makeup line and demos his blush the beautiful model at the runway show

Longo visited the Trend Show to showcase the latest in his beauty line -- his Water Canvas foundation and blush line, which I had the pleasure of trying out after the show. This cream-to-powder product is designed to feel ultra-light, be buildable (sheer to full coverage), and impart a real-skin finish (not to moist, nor too matte). I can vouch for that. After Carlo, a Vincent Longo makeup artist, did my makeup at around 11 a.m., I wore it all day and well into the evening and I couldn't feel it and got a lot of compliments on the finish.

About the product line:

• Contains 75% Microwater, which is a natural botanical seaweed polymer, to maintain the skin's moisture balance, and silica to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Has vitamin E to protect the skin
• Is long lasting
• Can be touched up throughout the day (if you need to) without caking. (The amazing part is you can apply this over your existing makeup. I know, he actually demonstrated it on me during my one-on-one)
• The packaging has patented technology to seal out air each time you close the jars to keep the product from drying out. (Note: Always remember to close your products when not in use. These have such a high water concentration they will definitely evaporate and dry out if you don't close them correctly. Luckily, it has a nice snapping sound to let you know you've fully closed it)

Vincent Longo demonstrates how to blend eyeliner to give your eye a cat-like lift. 

After the runway show, Longo held two master classes, where he walked event participants through a full-face makeup application. I sat in on one of the sessions and he shared some great makeup application tips that I just have to share with you:

• When you apply your eye makeup, start with your eyeliner and use it shape your eyes. Using a pencil liner, line close to your lashes then flick it out at the outer end (like a cat eye, but not dramatic). Then use a small stiff brush to blend it out using light upward strokes. Once it's blended, follow with your eye shadow application. The blended liner will create a shadow that gives your eyes and upward lift. 
• Apply the darkest shadow to the same area where you applied the pencil, starting from the outside (to deposit the most color out there) and work your way in. Then apply the middle color from your outer corner (to meet your liner) and working it into the crease (to create a V in your outer corner). Then apply the lightest color to your lid by patting it on with the brush. Blend after each step. 
• When you smoke out your bottom lash line use light downward strokes with your brush to feather the shadow. It will give it a softer, smokier look than if you use horizontal strokes. 
• When filling your eyebrows, work from the outside in. Identify the peak of your brow, then fill in from that point out. After you do that, fill in the inner part of the brow. This will keep you from over filling, avoiding the dreaded caterpillar-brow look. 
• Apply your lipstick or gloss before you apply blush. It will bring color to your face and keep you from over applying color on your cheeks. 
• When lining your lips, line the cupids bow first. Then, when you fill in the outer part of your top lip, slightly arch the line (rather than drawing a straight line from the cupid's bow to the outer corners) to create a pouty look. Be careful not to exaggerate the arch, keep it along your lip line to avoid obviously over drawn lips. 

My Vincent Longo Water Canvas product purchase: Water Canvas Foundation ($57) in #09 Natural Tan and Water Canvas Blush ($44) in Swan Lake

Finally, I'd like to share with you a quick review of the Water Canvas products I purchased. Both feel amazingly light on the skin, which still totally shocks me. I do not feel like I have makeup on at all. But I look fantastically put together. The consistency of these cream-to-powder items is incredibly soft and light. And the most awesome part is that they feel cool to the touch when you apply them on your skin, making them  really refreshing to apply. It feels like someone gently patting a cool damp cloth to your face. 

I've always shied away from cream foundations because they just looked heavy and intimidated me. If you're like me in this respect, have no fear! These feel nothing like the cream products you've seen before. 

To apply, use a disposable makeup wedge (or a beauty blender if you prefer) and tap it into the product lightly. Vincent recommends tapping it around the outer perimeter. Swiping it will pick up too much product. Then apply using patting motions on your skin. Using the sponge will give you medium coverage. For full coverage wait until the first layer dries, then apply another layer strategically where you need it. For sheer coverage, use a damp makeup wedge. 

• There really is no need to use a powder to set this, since it's cream to powder. 
• It gives you the perfect finish. Not too dewey (which for those of us with combo or oily skin can make us look greasy) and not too matte (which can sometimes age us). 
• I can't emphasize this enough: The finish looks like your skin, but better: perfectly moisturized, even, with a healthy glow (not a greasy glow). You'll look like you've followed all the beauty rules you're whole life.
• It's long lasting. I wore mine for more than 8 hours before needing a touch up.
• If you feel the need to do touch ups, you can. Right over the makeup you have on. Without causing cake face. I tried this just to test it out in the areas where I usually need a touch up - between by brows where oiliness and friction with my glasses usually wears my makeup down. The results looked flawless. (Color me shocked. Seriously.)
• Swan Lake is the perfect blush color for everyone. A beautiful shade of rose that gives you what Longo describes as "that new love flush." He's right. It's such a naturally beautiful color. I saw him apply it on various skin tones throughout the day and it made everyone look radiant. 
• It's oil free and moisturizing enough for all skins. I have combination skin. My forehead is dryer than the rest of my face. It moisturized my dry areas and didn't make my oily areas look greasy. 
• If I had to compare Water Canvas blush to another blush, I'd say it's close to the Sephora Double Contouring cream blush, but better..Water Canvas is much more moisturizing and looks more skin like. It's also more user friendly (easier to blend and sheer out, and more difficult to over apply). Not to mention (ok, I'm mentioning it), the Sephora cream blush doesn't offer that refreshing feeling on the skin (you might think I'm crazy now, but once you try it you'll want every makeup product you own to feel this way).

Now, I realize these are on the pricey side, especially if you stick to the drugstore items. I've never paid this much for foundation or blush (until now). But let me tell you, it's completely worth every penny. I'm so incredibly impressed by this makeup line that I'm practically jumping with excitement. It's like I found Jesus in a makeup compact (so that's where he's been!). I'm convinced that Vincent Longo is a makeup genius. 

Do you think you would try the Water Canvas makeup line? What aspects of it make you interested in checking it out? 

Nordstrom 2013 Spring/Summer Beauty Trend Show

The verdict is in: flawless skin is your must-have beauty accessory for spring and summer. So said many of the brand representatives at the 2013 Spring/Summer Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show, which took place this past Saturday, April 20.

What's the Beauty Trend Show? Well, as Nordstrom would describe it, it's like NY Fashion Week for beauty. For $20, customers can attend the show where they will be eligible to win amazing prizes (think Clarisonics, skin care items, makeup, and perfumes), sign up to have their makeup done by makeup artists from their favorite brands, and learn all about what's in (and what's new) for the season during the runway show.

Plus, they can apply the $20 they spend on their ticket toward any beauty purchase made at the event. A lot of brands will have special value sets that are only available that day, offering you a better bang for your buck. Just remember, while you will find some great deals and awesome gifts with purchase, we're still talking about high-end products. If you're searching for bargain basement prices, you won't find them here.

In short, it's a fun-filled day of beauty and shopping for the beauty addict in all of us.  And people show up in droves to be a part of the fun. This year, I saw a lot of girls sitting at the makeup stations having their makeup done for prom.

One of the best parts of the show, in my opinion, are all the great tips you can learn from all of the professionals that help make your skin care and makeup routine easier and more effective. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw my tweets about all the fab products and tips various brands shared during the show. But if you missed it, never fear, I'll be sharing some of those tips, trends, and photos from the event with you today. You'll know just what to expect for next year's event, and who knows, maybe I'll see some of you out there!

A few of the makeup set ups  scattered throughout the Nordstrom Beauty section ready to offer customers makeovers

When I first walked in, my eyes were greeted by a sea of bright pink. Rows after rows of makeup tables were set up throughout the beauty department, ready to makeover hundreds of customers in one day.  I'm glad I got early access so I could share photos with you before the chaos ensued. Customers make appointments weeks in advance to secure some time with their favorite brands. And once the event starts, it's hard to get a good photo with all the crowds. 

Models strut down the white carpet during the trend show to showcase colorful spring fashion 

But before all the makeup and shopping can start, there's a runway show to attend. During the show participants get to see fun spring fashion. But most importantly, you get to hear directly from all the brand representatives about their latest and greatest products and trends for the season. They'll also share  great tips to make trends work for you. And while last year we heard all about the bright pink lip, this year it was all about a flawless canvas. Brands were there to tell you how to achieve a flawless complexion (through skin care regimens, serums, and potions) and how to fake it until you make it (hello concealer, BB's, CC's, and airy foundations!).

Bobbi Brown's Rogelio Reyna poses by the Dark Circle Emergency Kit display

I had the pleasure of meeting Rogelio Reyna, director of artistry and education for Bobbi Brown, just before the show started where I had the chance to ask him what his most vital piece of advice was for clients (and everyone) when it comes to their makeup application. His response: focus on a flawless complexion, but keep it looking fresh and natural. And does that come as any surprise? Bobbi Brown is all about achieving skin perfection. 

So how does one accomplish this? Reyna recommends that everyone use both a corrector and a concealer to help mask any imperfections. The proper corrector will cancel out blue, red, and purple tones and allow your concealer to work better. 

He provided an excellent example to illustrate his point. If you're planning to paint a dark wall in your house white, you can't just go in with the white paint and cover the dark color. What will happen if you do is that the color will still show through and make your white paint look dull and muddy. Instead, you first apply a coat of primer, which helps cancel out the dark color and keeps you from packing on too many coats of paint. 

Think of corrector as the primer for your concealer. And always remember: Prep (moisturize), correct, conceal, and set!

Colleen McCory of Trish McEvoy talks Triangle of Light and tells the crowd about contouring concealing and highlighting

Speaking of using concealer to achieve a flawless complexion, Colleen McCory from Trish McEvoy shared the secrets to properly concealing, contouring, and highlighting the face. Her biggest piece of advice: apply concealer in a triangle shape to avoid the dreaded reverse raccoon eyes.  P.S. How cute is her outfit?

While we're discussing makeup tips, Lancome shared a great piece of advice. For all you ladies who aren't big on wearing lipstick, but find yourselves drawn to it anyway -- try applying it using your fingers. Dab it on so that it looks like a stain. This will give you a lighter finish and a stain effect that will last longer and be much less high maintenance.

And if any of you struggle with shaping and filling your brows, Alishia from Anastasia Beverly Hills (one of the foremost authorities on brows) has a tip for you. Follow the natural structure of your brows (stop fighting them!) when you're shaping them. And don't over tweeze. In fact, she said, the less you tweeze the better. Rmember full, well-shaped brows are youthful and help frame your face. 

Alex Chantecaille extols the benefits of rose water. 

Alex Chantecaille from Chantecaille cosmetics was also at the show sharing their  secrets to beautiful skin. For Chantecaille it's all about skin care that is inspired by nature and infused with flowers. And their favorite ingredient to beautify your complexion: rosewater, which helps soothe and hydrate your skin, and reduce redness. Rose water is a beauty secret that's been around for ages because it's effective. They've even infused their Faux Cils Longest Lash mascara with rose water because it moisturizes your lashes, which makes them stronger, less likely to break, and more likely to grow longer.

Ciate speaker tells the crowd how to keep their nails on trend, while rocking the most adorable and perfect spring-white dress. 

Want to stay up on spring trends with your nails? Ciate informed us that nail foils are all the rage this season. You can apply them to your entire nail for a cool aluminum-like finish or apply flecks of the foil  to your polish for a cool shards-of-stained-glass effect. 

I only wish I would've captured her amazing manicure. It was just fantastic - a beautiful sky blue polish with multi-colored pastel caviar nail accents. 

Karen DeLauro, Nordstrom Regional Beauty Director, kept the crowd pumped as the trend show MC and her outfit changes were fierce. 

After the show, I had the pleasure of visiting the Vincent Longo counter for my one-on-one makeup consultation, where the Vincent Longo himself demonstrated the proper way to apply his cream-to-powder blush on yours truly (gasp!). 

The one and only Vincent Longo applies blush to my face. Somebody pinch me!

Later on, I also sat in on Vincent's master class where I learned so many great makeup application tips, they merit their own post (so stay tuned!).  What I can tell you today is that his water-canvas foundation and blush give you amazing, buildable coverage that looks and feels like second skin. I wore it all day and it felt light as a feather and looked incredible. I received lots of compliments from complete strangers. 

All in all, this event is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet brand representative and get great tips and advice. The crowds can be a bit overwhelming, but if you go in knowing what to expect it's a lot less jarring. 

My advice: go with a game plan and know your personal preferences and needs. This will keep you focused and ensure you'll be happy with your purchases. Everything is going to look and seem amazing and the crowd hubub can make you feel a little pressured. Just remember stay true to yourself and you'll end up with products that will work with your needs and preferences (and keep you coming back for more).