Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Every year Nordstrom has some great products at their anniversary sale.  This year since I have a Nordstrom account, I was able to shop before the sale officially started.  It was cool being invited in the draped off areas to see the sales items in advance.  I mainly stopped in for the cosmetics and checked out shoes also.

I picked up Ciate London's Denim Manicure kit.  This is going to be a great fall nail design.  The Nail Polish paints on a great denim look with one coat.  I will have to test the dazzle portion of the kit very soon and show you all the results.

It comes with Paint Pot in Regatta that drys to give a textured matte denim look finish.  It also comes with glue, studs in gold, bronze and copper, and gold and white stitching nail transfers.

Every year I would normally purchase my limited edition MAC items from the anniversary sale.  Since the quality of MAC eye shadows has changed and I usually have similar colors I have purchased less down through the years.  I was intrigued by the collection this year.  I tested the eye products and was not that impressed.  Packaging is cute but shadows were similar to colors I have from MAC in the past.  The quality is still better than some brands but not a "must have" for me.   MAC always has great lip products so I decided to purchase the nude lip bag only.  

The nude lip bag included Naked Proof Cremesheen Lipstick, Drawn to Chic lipglass and Boldly Bare lip pencil.  The Rebecca Moses illustrated bag has a vinyl feel with a cute lips and ribbons design.  

Some other products that would be great to pick up for yourself or as gifts:

 Mario Badescu "Hello to Clear" Skin care set

 Kevyn Aucoin Beauty 'Iconic Eye' Set

 La Mer Limited Edition Large size  (Product Value compared to actual price is worth the purchase if this is one of your must have products)

Anastasia Beverly Hills "Hold On" Brow Gel Anniversary Duo is a great buy I thought about purchasing also.  They did not have it in my local store but I am still debating on purchasing it online.

I could go on and on with all the great buys they have just in cosmetics... Trish McEvoy, NARS has 2-3 sets that are beautiful and Kiehls Jumbo Creme de Corps is a great buy when you compare the value to the actual price.

If you picked up anything from the sale or plan to please comment and share your views on the products, etc.  

BCBLLC

Monday Makeup Must Have: Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers

Hey Divas!

I am always in search of the best foundations and concealers for my kit and myself.  If the skin is not flawless in the shoot then flawless eyes and lips will not matter.  I truly believe you have to master creating a great looking canvas first. With the right products, tools and artists this can be achieved. Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer is one of the must have gems for your kit and yourself.

I purchased four of the Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancers(KA SSX) a few years back on a whim when Sephora decided to stop carrying the line(I guess because many consumers didn't know this product truly is a gem).  I ordered SX 13 assuming it would be the best match for my skin.  It is close but a little too red when I am not tanned.  I also purchased a SX 14, SX 15 and a second SX13 for my kit.  They ran out of the lighter shades before I could purchase them all.  At 75% off you know I tried to get them all or at least more to mix and match.

left to right( SSX 3,5,13,14 and 15)

There are a total of sixteen shades, SX 1 - SX 16.  I purchased SX 3 and SX 5 directly from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty at The Makeup Show Chicago this past June.  It was one of my first stops.  I may purchase SX 1, SX9 and SX 16, so that I can have the lightest and darkest plus a more mid color.   

I have used these on various shoots and shows and the models love the way their skin looks and feels with this product.  They mix well with other products also and can be used as concealers, foundations or tinted moisturizers.  You need to use very little to have full coverage(less than a pea size).  A little goes a long way. 

Half my face done with SX5 and SX13 mixed

SX5 & SX13 mixed

No foundation on this side

I have combination oily skin and with proper skin care and after 7-8 hours of wearing as a foundation I have not been oily and still maintain a majority of the product on my skin. As long as these remain on the market I will continue to purchase Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers for my freelance kit and my personal kit!

Check out www.KevynAucoin.com to find out more out this and other Kevyn Aucoin products.

If you have this product or have tried it please let me know what you think. :)

XOXO
BCB