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      I Look at Beauty Products All Day—These Are the Deals I’d Snag During the Nordstrom Sale

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      High-end beauty products rarely go on sale. To be honest, I think it adds to the allure; they’re less attainable and expensive and beautiful and obviously, my favorite thing on this very earth. But when they do go on sale, it’s often hard to sift through what’s actually good and what should probably stay miles away from your shopping cart. You might wonder, “Well, there has to be a reason this is on sale, right?!” Often, I’d agree with you, but the one exception is Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale.You’ve likely heard about it a million times by now, but the Nordstrom sale is filled with incredible beauty products, from makeup to body care to gadgets to skincare and more, and they’re all on a pretty hefty discount. Most of my day (honestly, during work and during my free time) is spent looking at, testing, researching, sourcing, and pining after beauty products. I have a pretty good handle on what’s out there, what has positive reviews, and what is absolutely worth your money. So, I did what any good editor does, and I sifted through every beauty product in the Nordstrom sale to see what was actually worth it. If I had an endless amount of money (er, an incredibly high Nordstrom credit card limit), these are what I’d pick up. Some of them I love so much I’d even recommend them at full price, and some are just a deal you can’t beat.

      Anastasia Beverly Hills
      Brow Bae-sics Kit

      If you’ve ever, IDK, been on the Internet, you’ll know that Anastasia Beverly Hills makes the best brow products. It’s what makeup artists and celebrities and everyone with good brows has in their arsenal. This deal is outrageous—at $45, you’re almost getting the brow gel totally free. If you’re a fan of these two products, this is a deal you can’t miss.

      Jumbo Creme de Corps Bottle with Pump

      Another deal you just cannot miss, this jumbo size moisturizer from Kiehl’s sells out every single year. It’s their best-selling body cream, known for being a lightweight, all-over body moisturizer that sinks in quickly and gives lasting hydration to the skin, in a jumbo size that will last you until next Anniversary Sale. If your skin is as dry as ever from the summer sun (and preparing to be even drier when the cold air comes in!), you’ll want a heavy-duty moisturizer like this in your collection.

      Full-Size Gold Lust Dry Shampoo & Dry Texturizing Spray Set

      I look at the Anniversary Sale as a time to invest in items at a lower price point than I would typically want to spend on something, and I love getting high-end beauty products on a major discount, like this set from Oribe. Quite possibly the sexiest dry shampoo and dry texture spray on the planet, these products have been at the top of my wishlist for years. With this set, you save over $30. If these have been on your wishlist too, now’s the time to try!

      Set of 5 Travel Size Limited Edition Scented Candles

      Nordstrom considers candles a beauty product, and so do I. Diptyque is not an inexpensive line, but your home looks 10x prettier when you have one of these candles in it (I don’t make the rules!). Instead of investing in one candle, this sampler lets you try all of their most popular scents (Feu de Bois will become your favorite fall scent!) for less than what you’d spend on one candle alone. This set is an Anniversary Sale exclusive, so don’t let this deal pass you by!

      Charlotte Tilbury
      Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Set

      Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick is the best-selling lipstick in the world for a reason, and if you’re going to splurge, why not snag the entire collection? I love this lip liner with my whole heart; it’s natural and easy, and it doesn’t rub off on the inside of my mask. And the lipstick and gloss, in the same gorgeous neutral-pink, are perfect to bring in your bag for when you need a pick-me-up (or you just have to touch-up after all that mask sweat).

      Midnight Blue SinglePass Curl 1.25-Inch Professional Ceramic Curling Iron

      If you’ve had your eye on a new hair tool, now’s the time to get it. T3’s products are expensive, but the quality is there. You’ll save over $50 picking this up in the sale, which is what ultimately put it on my personal wishlist! In one pass, you’ll have polished curls that last all day and never look frizzy—which is major if you’re like me and hate curling your hair and it falling in 30 minutes.

      Bobbi Brown
      Full Size Vitamin Enriched Face Base Duo

      UM, HELLO. DEAL ALERT. Two of these face primers for the price of one??? Add to cart immediately. This primer is impeccable for those with dry skin. It’s a mix between a moisturizer and a primer, so it soothes and hydrates your skin while gripping onto makeup. Grab one for yourself, and give the other to your BFF for the holidays!

      Living Proof
      Jumbo Size Perfect hair Day Set

      This is the set to beat all sets, everyone. Not only does it include our editors’ favorite dry shampoo of all time, but also two jumbo sizes of Living Proof’s best-selling shampoo and conditioner. You will never run out of this shampoo and conditioner, which is made for all hair types and adds weightless moisture to your hair without over-stripping. Our editors love this shampoo and conditioner to keep their hair fresh for as long as possible, and then topping it off with the dry shampoo for clean (looking!) hair for days and days.

      Dr. Dennis Gross
      Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Set

      If you know anything about the skincare universe, you’ll have heard of these. It’s a daily peel system that uses AHA, BHA, and mandelic acids to exfoliate and renew the skin, plus an extra pad that immediately hydrates and nourishes. These are a favorite amongst makeup artists because they exfoliate and hydrate your skin in two simple steps, prepping it for a smooth makeup application. While they’re known for being great, they’re not known for their price. This set comes in at a whopping $252, but you save over $90 picking them up in the sale. This set includes a full-size of the peel pads, a travel-size package, and a travel-size cleanser from Dr. Dennis Gross.

      Cura Professional Digital Ionic Hair Dryer

      I recently got a T3 hair dryer, and it was the biggest upgrade from a drugstore one I picked up on a whim years and years ago. I noticed an immediate difference after using it just once. My hair dried faster and with less frizz, and the biggest difference was how healthy my hair felt afterward. I hated blowdrying my hair for years because I despised the fried, crunchy texture it left on my hair. Turns out, I was just using a dryer that wasn’t right for my hair type. You’ll save 80 bucks snagging this in the sale, and I promise you won’t regret it!

      Mario Badescu
      The Essentials Set

      This essentials set from Mario Badescu includes all of our editors’ favorite products from the line. It’s already a great price, so why not pick it up at a discount too!? We all love the facial spray to set makeup and refresh our face throughout the day. Plus, the Drying Lotion is a must-have if you get cystic or hormonal acne (read: period breakouts).

      White Trinity Facial Toning Kit

      NuFace is one of the best beauty gadgets I’ve ever tried because it *actually* works. It uses microcurrents to target the muscles in the face to keep working and produce more collagen, as well as tightens and sculpts the face. Whether you’re worried about fine lines and wrinkles or just want to tighten up your face a bit, this product works both immediately and over time, meaning you’ll notice a difference right away and bigger changes over time. I am really self-conscious about the contours of my face, and using this once a day really helped boost my confidence. This system comes with everything you need, such as the Gel Primer (tip: don’t try to NuFace without this because it will feel like you’re being electrocuted!) and the charging stand.
      This is currently sold out (it’s such a great deal, guys), but keep checking because things might come back in stock!

      All-Star Hair Heroes Set

      Say hello to my favorite hair product of all time but now, at a discount! Briogeo is one of my favorite hair brands because all of the products are clean, effective, and not-cheap-but-not-outrageously-priced-either, ya know? I bought a tub of the Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioner almost two years ago, and I still have about five uses left. It lasts truly forever on my short-to-medium length, fine hair, but I’m sure thick and curly/coily hair would get plenty of uses out of it too. This set also includes their Scalp Scrub (another favorite of mine—it smells like peppermint, makes your scalp tingle in the most satisfying way, and lifts build-up from dry shampoo and other hair products) and a full-size of their leave-in conditioning spray. I’ll be picking this up to replenish my deep conditioner (I will never be without this, y’all) and get a few extras at a discount!

      Veil Mineral Primer & Translucent Setting Powder Duo

      Hello, meet another favorite product of mine! My favorite face powder on earth is Hourglass’s Veil Translucent Setting Powder. If you have dry skin that gets cakey and dehydrated when you put powder on it, this is the powder-saving-grace for you. This set includes the travel size (which is normally $18), but don’t let that fool you: it lasted me over a year of daily use before I ran out! This set also includes the Veil Primer, an oil-free weightless primer that reduces the look of pores and smoothes the skin before foundation. It’s one of Hourglass’s best-selling products that I’ve never tried, so I’m intrigued to pick it up in this sale!

      Pure Silk Queen Pillowcases

      This set of two pillows is an Anniversary Sale exclusive, meaning you can’t get it anywhere else! We love these pillows (and their hair ties, their headbands, their face masks—literally drape me in Slip everything) to keep our hair in place and damage-free while we’re sleeping, reading in bed, lounging, or whatever else you like to do in bed. They’ve kept my fine hair from breaking in the back (does anyone else deal with this? my stylist scolds me for ponytails every time), but our long-haired editors love that it doesn’t snag and pull out their hair while sleeping. Not to mention, they just look chic AF. White not your speed? They have this absolutely gorgeous caramel shade too!

      Kate Somerville
      ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

      I got a sample of this exfoliator years ago, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It combines a gentle physical exfoliant with lactic acid to exfoliate chemically too. Your face will feel baby’s butt smooth after using this, making it a great primer for a hydrating or brightening mask. This is certainly a splurge, but you’re saving almost $200 by getting it in the sale. Consider this your fix while you can’t make your spa appointments, and the price actually doesn’t seem so bad. (It’s all about tricking your brain, people.)

      Yves Saint Laurent
      Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Set

      To unbox this gorgeous set of YSL lipsticks would be the little treat I need to get through the next months of social distancing. Honestly, that’s all it really is. The products have fantastic reviews, and these two shades would work on a variety of skin tones. The gifting potential is high—imagine your mom’s face when she opens this up on her birthday. Best daughter award, and she doesn’t even have to know you bought it on sale.

      Beauty Blender
      Electric Feels Set

      Surprise, surprise: Beauty Blenders go bad. But the trick is to always have extras on hand so you’re never without it, and this set makes it really easy. It includes two of their original famous sponges and their solid cleanser, for less than the price of two sponges on their own. My favorite way to use a beauty sponge like this is to pat it across my entire face when my makeup is done to take away any of the powder finishes and leave my skin looking hydrated and airbrushed.

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      Fall Fashion Is Here—28 Pieces You Can Snag on Amazon

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      Fall fashion is something that I look forward to literally all. year. long. Here in Chicago, the amazing days of 60 degree temperatures, falling leaves, and crisp air are relatively short-lived (90 degree days in September and snow on Halloween, anyone?), but that doesn’t stop me from pretending for at least all of September and October. As much as I love fall fashion, I simply can’t afford to spend a ton of money on new pieces that will round out my wardrobe for the season with current trends and fresh looks. I often find myself turning to Amazon for affordable pieces that are still on-trend—and I am truly the queen of having an Amazon wishlist that is approximately eight miles long. 
      Here are all of the fashion pieces worth buying for fall (and don’t forget to sign up for Amazon Smile to donate to your favorite cause while you shop!): More

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      Drop Everything: Madewell Just Launched a Secret Sale With Up to 80% Off

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      Any Madewell sale is like Christmas coming early (I wait year-round for discounts at Madewell to purchase any denim), but a secret sale of major deals? Our excitement truly cannot be contained. This isn’t just your average end-of-summer sale. No, this is a Secret Stock Sale that Madewell has never done before (I’m a sucker for exclusivity). How did they know we needed such a major mood-booster!?Whether you want to stock up on fall basics, finally try out the trendy pieces you wouldn’t pay full-price for, or just need a little wardrobe upgrade (AKA you’ve worn the same sweatpants every day for five months), now is the time, people! Since all good things must come to an end, this sale definitely won’t last long, so get it while it’s hot (or you know, in stock). Run, don’t walk, to the Madewell Secret Sale and shop all the best items below. 

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      I Got to Preview the Nordstrom Sale—Here’s Everything I Tried On

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      Nordstrom’s 2020 Anniversary Sale has officially kicked off, and it’s time to prioritize what we’re vying to add to our carts before items begin selling out (the rush!).While the sale looks a little different this year, it’s chock-full of its usual fabulous pieces that can be worn year in and year out (with the addition of plenty of cozy options to get us through this winter in isolation). I was able to stop by Chicago’s Nordstrom store and (very, very safely) check out some of the things that are discounted this year. To absolutely no one’s surprise, my wish list grew by multiple pieces, and the entire experience reminded me just why this sale is so damn good. 
      These are the things I tried on, accompanied by plenty of opinions on everything from fit to feel. (Unless I state otherwise, I’m wearing a size small in everything.)

      Every year for the sale, Nordstrom releases that year’s version of this suede BlankNYC jacket (and the faux-leather one below). I bought this jacket last year and I truly wear it to death. I reach for it at least once a week, and the color paired with both light-wash and black denim is incredible for fall. If you’re only looking to buy one or two things, I absolutely couldn’t recommend this more. I know I’ll be wearing this for years to come.

      The same goes for this jacket. I bought mine four years ago during the sale and still wear it all the time when the temperatures are chilly (I actually own a much more expensive leather moto jacket as well and am always surprised to find myself reaching for this one just as much, if not more.) There is truly nothing bad you can say about it—it’s amazing quality (it doesn’t feel stiff or artificial like many faux-leather jackets can), the fit is perfect, and it can go with anything. It’s a fool-proof buy.

      This blazer was one of the first things that caught my eye in the sale, and it did not disappoint. It’s the perfect oversized option to wear all fall and winter long, and the length and fit are ultra-flattering. If I didn’t already own so many blazers, this would be a no-brainer purchase for me.

      This is something I hadn’t seen online, but when I saw it in-store, I couldn’t wait to try it on. This is an amazing basic to add to your cart during the sale. It’s thin enough that it can be worn under jackets or your parka without sweating to death, but the subtle puffy sleeves and higher neck make it exciting enough to wear on its own too. I generally wear a size small, but I am wearing an extra small here, and it fits perfectly.

      This year, Nordstrom added tons of cozy items to the sale, all of which are perfect to stock up on for the long, quarantined winter ahead—and this sweater is no exception. It is incredibly soft and is perfect to invest in if you want a few loungewear items that feel more like real clothes for work-from-home days.

      I had my eye on this fun, sherpa North Face jacket, and it was even cozier in person. I could see myself wearing this all. the. time. It’s like the North Face jacket I had in middle school but adult and chic and strikes that perfect, mid-warmth level of jacket that you need for October and November.

      I can’t say I’ve ever tried a pair of ponte paints on before, but this pair made me kick myself for having never picked up some for work. They are exactly the same consistency as a legging but look like a real, sophisticated trouser. Paired with any color of sweater and a pair of booties, these could be a perfect fall uniform (and dare I say they’re comfortable enough that I could actually see myself wearing them to work from home).

      As we’ve established about a million times before, I love a puffy sleeve, so I couldn’t have gotten my hands on this faster. I found this super flattering and, again, unique enough that I could throw it on with jeans and feel like I’m actually wearing a real outfit. This material is super soft, and I love the shade to have a winter white moment.

      I never have shopped the athletic wear during the sale, so this year I made a point to try some out. Everything I have on here is Zella, and boy, it was good. This jacket is one of my top priorities to buy during the sale—it is so thick and flattering and is one of those things I always wish I owned. This higher-necked sports bra is also incredible—super easy to be paired with some high-waisted leggings and worn as a top. And lastly, these are fool-proof black leggings. All of these items are hyped for a reason: they’re amazing quality, and since athletic wear hardly goes on sale, this is the time to get them.

      I snagged this cropped Topshop sweater with visions of wearing it with leggings to work from home in mind, and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s super soft and I love that it’s cropped but not too cropped. It’s a perfect opportunity to swap out some old sorority sweatshirts for an option that’s a little more adult.
      These sweatpants are one of the most unique materials I have ever felt—they literally feel like a legging turned into a pant. I felt very put-together in them, which is something sweatpants don’t ordinarily make you feel. 

      I’ve been dying to try this style of Levi’s for a while. They’re pegged as a wider fit than a classic straight leg, which I was excited about for my legs that are prone to making a straight fit look more like a skinny. Oh man, did I love these. They’re very high waisted, which I was worried about as I have a shorter torso, but I was obsessed with the fit from the second I put them on. These are, dare I say, the jeans of my dreams. 10/10, one of the things I will absolutely be purchasing. More

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      People Are Sleeping Less in Quarantine—Here Are Our Favorite Concealers to Pretend We Are

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      This season of life has come with a lot of surprise challenges. Who knew I’d stay up all night listening to Taylor Swift for days on end? Or that I’d learn the problem with my finances all this time was actually me going out to eat every other day? But the most surprising of all is that even though I spend the most time at home as ever, I get significantly less sleep. And I know I’m not the only one! The Sleep Foundation explained that everything from raised anxiety to changes to daily life to extra screen time can cause our sleep to decrease in length and quality. So we know we’re not sleeping, and while there are definitely a few healthy, natural ways to get that under control, you know my style: I’ll show you how to Band-Aid the problem for a little bit. What better way to hide all the sins of yesterday than concealer!? Until you can get those glorious few hours of sleep, these will save you for any shopping trip, meeting, or virtual happy hour you have planned—and they’ll do it without looking cakey, dry, or heavy on your face. Here are our favorites (and a reader-favorite!): 

      Best for dry skin:

      UOMA Beauty
      Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer

      If concealers typically make you feel parched under the eyes after a few hours, you need a creamy formula that keeps its moisture all day long, and Uoma’s Stay Woke concealer does just that. It’s hydrating right from the start and blends seamlessly into your skin or any foundation you might have underneath it. The creaminess doesn’t take away from the coverage though, so you’ll be sure to cover up those dark circles in a cinch.

      Best for oily skin:

      Shape Tape Concealer

      As someone with dry under eyes, I never found love with this concealer, but I can see how it would be an absolute dream for oily skin (and also, it’s one of the top-selling concealers in the world, so maybe it’s me!). When I’ve used it on the parts of my complexion that get oily, it stays put all day long and doesn’t move, which is exactly what you want in a concealer. It boasts full-coverage, all-day wear that causes minimal creasing.

      Best for high-coverage:

      Juvia’s Place
      I Am Magic Concealer

      Of all the concealers on this list, this ranks as the highest coverage. If you’re rocking deep, dark circles, this will be your saving grace. However, the high-coverage doesn’t result in cakey or dry under eyes either. Instead, you’ll notice a smooth canvas that barely needs set with a powder. Coming in at 24 shades, you’re bound to find one that works best with your skin tone.

      Reader and editor-favorite:

      Radiant Creamy Concealer

      This concealer is basically makeup royalty. It’s in the makeup bag of most celebrities, beauty editors, and normal people alike. Our editor Maddie once said it best in our annual empties: “It’s super natural looking while still giving the perfect amount of coverage, and never creases or looks dry (even on my crazy-dry skin). I’ve been loving putting a little of this under my eyes and on blemishes when I work from home to put a little put-together and awake. I love that I can wear it on its own without it ever looking like I’m obviously wearing concealer. This was an obvious re-purchase for me—I’ll never be without it.”

      Best at the drugstore:

      Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer

      This isn’t the first time I’ve raved about this concealer. It’s my favorite concealer I’ve ever found at the drugstore, and I think it’s ideal for all skin types. It has a natural matte finish, but don’t let that deter you dewy girls: it still looks gorgeous and natural when paired with your favorite dewy moisturizers, foundations, and highlighters. I love this all over my face to spot conceal as well because the coverage is amazing and it blends out to look just like my skin. At under $10, go ahead and buy your summer and winter shade.

      Best splurge:

      Armani Beauty
      Power Fabric Concealer

      I know this one is a little on the pricey side, but I couldn’t leave it out because it’s basically the only concealer I’ve worn the past five months. It is everything you want in a concealer: light, natural, hydrating, creaseless, and blendable. The price might put an ache in your neck for a second, but you only have to use a little bit so the concealer goes a long way. I also use it as a foundation sometimes, and that is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. I feel a little fancy and extra confident every time I use it, and that’s worth double the price to me!

      Most long-wearing:

      Fenty Beauty
      Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer

      Fenty Beauty has to make its way into basically any roundup because the products are truly made for everyone. I could have given this “Best Shade Range” or “Best for Special Occasions” or “Best for All Skin Types,” but the magic of this concealer lies in its staying power. Dab it on the under eyes and without setting it, it lasts hours upon hours. If you set it (ideally with the Fenty powder, which I can vouch for, and it’s one of the best!), it’s over for your under eyes. Dark circles who? Never met her. This concealer has all the properties of those above, but how long it lasts without creasing or separating is what makes it stand out. If you have a hard time with concealers rubbing off on you, try this. More