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Another week, another awards show—but this one smells particularly sweet. It’s the annual Fragrance Foundation Awards, given to outstanding olfactory offerings from the past year. Here are some of the standout honorees you can find at Nordstrom.

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Men’s Fragrance Winners:
Fragrance of the Year (Prestige): Tom Ford Noir
Consumer Choice Award: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò pour Homme
Fragrance of the Year (Luxury): Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud
Media Campaign of the Year: Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men Sport

Women’s Fragrance Winners:
Fragrance of the Year (Luxury): Balenciaga Paris Florabotanica
Consumer Choice Award: GIRLFRIEND by JUSTIN BIEBER
Fragrance of the Year (Prestige): MARC JACOBS Dot
Media Campaign of the Year: Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme

And now Taylor Swift (wearing Emilio Pucci to the awards show) can add to her abundant collection of pop and country music awards her very own Fragrance Celebrity of the Year award.

(Images courtesy of Emilio Pucci and The Fragrance Foundation)

Fresh in theaters, The Bling Ring tells the true-life tale of a group of L.A. teenagers who burglarize the homes of celebrities they hope to emulate by helping themselves to their extensive designer stashes. Two of the movie’s lead actors, Katie Chang and Israel Broussard (both teenagers themselves), were in town for the Seattle International Film Festival and stopped by Nordstrom Bellevue Square to sign posters. With fans—some lining up as early as 11am for the 6pm event—standing by, we caught five minutes with the budding stars, who graciously answered our burning beauty questions.

Hero Ready for their close-ups: The official movie poster and a promo still shot of Katie and Israel.
(Images courtesy of SIFF)

BEAUTY 24/7: Israel, you’re from Mississippi and you’ve talked about how fashion was not a big concern for you. What about the whole grooming thing—did you rock the hair gel or use a blow dryer or anything like that?
ISRAEL: No, not really; I kind of just wore whatever and set my hair…free! People used to tell me I had a squirrel’s nest on my head. I definitely wasn’t that into it. It’s different now, though.

So tell us—what do you use now that you never thought you’d use, that you’d never tell the guys back home about?
ISRAEL: I do put on makeup every now and then—foundation I guess you call it.

Really? Just to go out to the mall?
ISRAEL: (laughs) No, when I’ve got work to do, like tonight. It just clears up the skin, makes it look better, so why not?

Katie, what’s your beauty routine now versus how it was before?
KATIE: I started wearing makeup way too early, like around sixth grade. Imagine me as an 11-year-old walking around with sparkly eyeshadow—I looked awful! Now I use more natural colors and eyeshadows and a natural powder because I don’t like to look made up all the time—especially now that I’m living this life where I get my makeup done a lot. When I do my own makeup I like to look like myself.

And how about your hair?
KATIE: In January I cut off six inches and it was the best thing ever. I tend to curl it with my straightener—you know, wrap it around the straightener and pull it down—or sometimes, like tonight, I have a bun. This is my bad-hair-day look!

Fresh faces: Katie and Israel at Nordstrom Bellevue Square. (P.S. Katie’s hair looked totally fine.)

Katie, you grew up in Chicago—talk about Midwest beauty.
KATIE: It’s funny, the first day I was in L.A. to do the movie, I went to Whole Foods at 6am to get some food, and there was this woman in full ‘face’ and stiletto heels. It was just so foreign to me! People in the Midwest try to look nice, but we’re not as glitzy and glamorous as New York or L.A. My friends and I like a lot of lipsticks and stuff—we focus more on that than our eyes.

So are you a lipstick or a gloss girl?
KATIE: I’m a gloss girl. My best friend is a ‘stick girl, so it’s a bit of an issue.

Israel, what was the weirdest part of the makeup experience on set for you?
ISRAEL: I didn’t really find it that weird. I just considered myself a rag doll for the wardrobe and hair and makeup people, and just let them do their thing—I trusted them. I didn’t like how they sprayed sunscreen on me every morning though—it was freezing!

Wow, that’s interesting they think about things like sunscreen when they’re making a movie.
KATIE: They took care of us! They realized we’re just kids…

You two grew up in the age of YouTube/Facebook/Instagram where everyone is constantly posing or on display. Do you think that helped you feel more comfortable on set?
KATIE: I was definitely more conscious about how I looked, which angles looked good and which didn’t. It’s difficult when you’re trying to act and let go of yourself and be your character. I wasn’t that comfortable being on camera initially, but I definitely wasn’t unfamiliar with it. It was just like taking a picture and thinking about how it’s going to look on Facebook.

Israel, what about you?
ISRAEL:
I’m very self-conscious. I don’t like having mirrors on set, to see myself after I’m all dressed up and, um, beautified, if you will. But I have been paying more attention to how I look, definitely, especially since the movie came out—even back home.

Speaking of which: Katie, you still live at home; Israel, you don’t—what do you miss most about it?
ISRAEL: I miss my family, my little brother.

You can share all of your new grooming tips with him when you go back.
ISRAEL: (laughs) Yeah, right!

—Stefanie Frank

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Our Beauty Stylist Rebecca Davies at Stoneridge Mall created two stunning wedding makeup looks. Check out the face charts she put together for a traditional bride and a more modern bride—including product recommendations to re-create the looks.

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Traditional Look


Modern Look


Tips & Tricks:
Before applying your makeup, make sure to polish (exfoliate) and prep your skin. For polishing the skin, I would definitely recommend using a CLARISONIC. The CLARISONIC will remove dead skin cells from the surface of the face, letting your foundation and makeup glide on more evenly. This Smashbox primer is amazing for every skin type. Primer fills in the lines and pores, giving a smooth finish to the face. It will also help control oils throughout the day, making your makeup last longer.

When highlighting the face, the NARS Multiple Stick in ‘Copacabana’ gives the cheekbones added glow to make the skin feel and look brighter and more flawless (shown in the traditional look above).

If you’re the type that doesn’t like reapplying lipstick but desires long-lasting color, try CHANEL Rouge Double Intensité Ultra Wear Lip Colour. There are a variety of colors that look and feel amazing on the lip.

What bride doesn’t want to look her most beautiful on her wedding day? We tapped Beauty Stylist Elina Dugan (pictured above) at our Corte Madera, California, store to flash back on the products that helped her put her best face forward on her special day. Elina was so excited to take on this assignment because it helped her “take a walk down memory lane and relive the getting-ready process of my wedding day.”

Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin.
1. In preparation for my wedding day, I began using the Clarisonic Plus on my face and body a few months before the actual ceremony so that my skin could really reap the benefits of using this great product.

2. Glow Pads by Dr. Dennis Gross give the complexion a sun-kissed glow, without that fake orange look. Because they provide a gradual color and exfoliate the skin with each use, you have complete control of the depth of the tan you want to achieve. The topical Vitamin D in the glow pads really gives the skin a healthy radiance and tone.

Primer for the face and eyes is the key to a smooth and long-wearing makeup application.
3. My favorite is the foundation primer Radiance by Laura Mercier, which evens out the skin tone with a gorgeous rose gold pigment and perfects the texture of the skin. It’s beautiful when applied to the neck and décolleté, if you want to even out the skin tone without applying makeup there.

4. Oily skin types will love Laura Mercier’s oil-free primer, which has oil controlling properties. For the eyes, I love Laura’s Eye Basics, which not only evens out the texture and skin tone of the eyelid but also makes your eye makeup water resistant.

The day you’ve dreamed of is finally here!
5. Let’s face it, preparing for a wedding can be stressful and cost you hours of sleep, so under-eye concealer will become your best friend. I’m such a fan of La Mer concealer for its whipped and creamy texture, its hydrating properties and its ability to reduce darkness in the eye area over time. It’s great to get skincare benefits from your makeup!

6. Setting your foundation with a loose setting powder will give your skin a satin finish and ensure a long wear. YSL Radiant Powder is a wonderful product and also comes in a compact version, in case a touch up is needed.

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7. Waterproof mascara is a lifesaver, especially during those tender, tear-jerker moments. Inimitable Waterproof by Chanel is great because you can still get incredible volume, length and definition, but it will really stay throughout the day and evening.

8. Lips should look soft and kissable, so I prefer La Laque Fever Lip Shine by Lancôme. This pigmented gloss will stay on for hours and comes in a great variety of shades, so it’s suitable for any skin tone.

Now that you’ve got the beauty basics down, head over to the Wedding Suite blog for a few gown ideas!

It’s Weddings Week here on the Nordstrom blogs! We’ll be getting you all prepped for the big day—whether you’re in the wedding or attending as a best-dressed guest.

First up, something simple and easy to overlook in all the planning: a bride’s nails! Everyone’s been asking to see that ring already, but on the wedding day, it’s serious showtime. Our Flagship Spa Nordstrom manager, Constance McCarty, and her team of manicurists shared these tips and trends for wedding-worthy hands.

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Constance recommends that the bride starts prepping nails one month ahead of time. Come in for a natural manicure, and then come back two weeks prior to the wedding to do a test run of any nail art or embellishment the bride would like for her wedding day; this can always be removed if she’d like to make it a surprise for the wedding. Lastly, the bride and her bridal party should visit once more 1 to 2 days prior to the event for final application.

We’ve also put together a handful of our favorite nail trends that translate beautifully into making a bride’s big day even more special.

Image via Venus Loves Virgo

Bling Finger. This is great for young brides, and the ornate designs complement an indoor church setting nicely. Jeweled, studded and textured nails add perfect drama to the look. For a version that’s easier to maintain, try a simple coat of glitter or a nude color on all nails with a wedding color on your ring finger.

Image via Nature Nails

White Lace Detail. This is perfect for a more modern bride planning an elegant, classic wedding. The details look great for photos and fit all nail shapes and sizes.

Colorful Texture. The Nordstrom Ciate Caviar Collection is ideal for the bachelorette party, bridal shower, any post-event parties or for a surprising, colorful touch on the wedding day.

Reverse French Manicure. This classic look is popular among brides. It’s a clean, chic style that is also easy to maintain. Get the look with Essie colors.

Image via: The Prepster Diaries

Gold Glitter. Adding glitter is perfect for a playful bride who wants to feel glamorous. The glitter will give you that extra sparkle in wedding photos.

Fashion and screen stars dared to go bare at this year’s Council of Fashion Designers of America’s annual awards ceremony, where the nude lip was a fresh departure from the ubiquitous reds, hot pinks, and corals at the rest of this season’s A-list events. This style can be tricky for nighttime galas, where the lighting is low and the haute couture can easily outshine its wearers—but these lovelies pulled it off with panache. Here are four of our favorite looks—each with slightly different tones to match any complexion—and the naked truth (well, our picks at least) for getting them.

Actress Kerry Washington bloomed in a lemon yellow Jason Wu duchess gown from his 2014 Resort collection, and her Lancôme Rouge in Love Lipstick in Delicate Lace with its hint of shimmer gave her a clean, fresh and natural glow.

Indie darling Greta Gerwig carried the neutral hue of her Boy. by Band of Outsiders suit through to her makeup, with a slightly pinkish nude that was elegant but not overpowering. To get her look, try Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick in Nude Beige.

Model/actress Erin Wasson’s cutout gown from Alexander Wang needed just a hint of unfussy color to complete this cool, modern look. She nailed it. For the same barely-there, matte accent, try Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipstick in Bare Nude.

Aussie cover girl Jessica Hart gleamed in an earthy, me-Jane-goes-glam Rachel Roy ensemble, and her shiny, slightly peachy nude gloss added playful texture to her subtle sub-tropical glow. Let your lips shine like hers with Gorgeous Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Candy.

3-Step Lip Prep. Since the nude lip look is more sheer, make sure to follow these simple steps for a camera-ready kisser:

1. Exfoliate any dead skin flakes on and around your lips, using a lip scrub like sara happ The Lip Scrub in Sparkling Pink Grapefruit.

2. Prime with a specially formulated lip primer to fill any lines and create a smooth surface. We like Miracle Skin Transformer Lip Rewind Advanced Peptide Lip Treatment SPF 20.

3. Line with a clear lip liner to keep color from feathering. Dior Rouge Nude Collection Contour Lip Liner is perfect for a nearly-nude mouth.

Find more lipsticks, lip liners, lip glosses and lip prep products perfect for YOUR kisser.

~ Images courtesy of Jason Wu, Boy. by Band of Outsiders, Alexander Wang and Rachel Roy.

Need a little inspiration in finding the perfect gift for your dad? Four of our Beauty Stylists are giving us a sneak peek at what they’re giving this year. (Here’s hoping their dads aren’t reading, and we don’t ruin any surprises!)

Alesha Gerner, The Mall at Wellington Green, FL
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My father is an entrepreneur, business owner and a father of 4 girls who keep him on his toes. For him, Terre D’Hermès is the perfect cologne. This fresh scent is wonderful for a crisp Northeastern Ohio day, beginning with orange, grapefruit, spices and ending with cedar and vetiver. The Terre D’Hermès Gift Set is a great value at $110 and includes a cologne spray, after-shave balm and shaving foam, all in a beautiful box. This gift set would brighten any Father’s Day!

Cassi Coulter, Mission Viejo, CA

I love my dad! I want him to be around for many more Father’s Days to come. So, in light of his recent skin cancer diagnosis, I would buy him Kiehl’s Facial Fuel UV Guard SPF 50+. It is oil-free, water/sweat resistant and fragrance-free; it’s also light on the skin with no greasy residue. I would also love to lavish him with Bond No. 9 Bleeker Street—a fresh and masculine scent that wears well all day.


Duncan Smith, Westside Pavillion, CA

The perfect gift for Father’s Day this year is the new Kiehl’s Facial Fuel “Heavy Lifting” Moisturizer for men. My father has never been one to really take care of his skin. Just recently he has started to complain about “looking old.” So, when this product launched, he is the first person that I thought of. This multi-tasking cream addresses moisturizing, firming, lifting and anti-aging; it’s also lightweight and doesn’t require a lot of steps to see dramatic results. PERFECT! And when paired with a black Clarisonic Aria, this will get him looking and feeling younger in no time.

Megan Dugan, St. Louis Galleria, MO

My dad is the hardest guy to shop for! He’s a business owner and farmer. His motto growing up was that he would “never have a job that required him to wear a suit,” and it worked out for him! Every year he would be happy just to get some new Gold Toe socks, but I keep finding ways to sneak in some of my personality into his everyday, simple style. I’ve never seen him without a mustache, but the rest of his face is always clean shaven, so I always like to get him new things to use to shave with.

This year I’ll be putting together a goody basket with some Clinique Cream Shave, Kiehl’s After Shave (an alcohol-free herbal toner), Kiehl’s Hand Salve (“manly” hand cream that doesn’t feel greasy and lasts through washes) and some Jo Malone Amber & Lavender Cologne. Jo Malone made this scent specifically for her husband for their 10 year anniversary. If someone makes a fragrance for you, that must mean you’re a pretty great person; I think it would be perfect for my wonderful dad!

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What are the CEW Beauty Insiders’ Choice Awards? They’re basically the Oscars of beauty, voted on by 5,500 industry pros (hence the ‘Cosmetic Executive Women’ moniker) and given to their picks for best products of the year. Here are some highlights from the 19th annual awards ceremony, held recently in New York.

Best Anti-Aging Skincare: philosophy full of promise dual-ended serum

Best Bath and Body: Bliss fatgirlsixpack Tummy-Toning Gel

Best Acne Treatment: GlamGlow SUPER-MUD Clearing Treatment

Best Cleanser: Fresh Rose Cleansing Foam

Best Eye Treatment: Lancôme Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye-Illuminating Youth Activating Concentrate

Best Moisturizer: Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator

Best Sun Care: Elizabeth Arden PREVAGE Triple Defense Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50+++ (a Nordstrom exclusive!)

Best Lip Makeup: Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick

Congratulations to all the winners!

~ Top image courtesy of CEW

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When it comes the business of beauty, Candace Duong plays by her own rules. This Braintree, Massachusetts-based Beauty Stylist got her start in the industry as a part-time beauty consultant and quickly realized she preferred a makeup station to the office of her 9-5. On a mission to help women find the confidence they need to live and express themselves freely, Candace shares just why she set out to blaze her own trail in beauty.

What is the best beauty advice you were given growing up?
CANDACE DUONG: My best friend of 14 years, Mindi, has always encouraged me to be different, step outside of the box and do what makes me feel happy. She was the first to introduce me to hair coloring, tweezers, lip gloss and French manicures. Mindi went to school for fashion design and is a total fashionista; she is never scared to try something different. I totally look up to her when it comes to beauty and following your dreams.

Which element of your job do you most enjoy?
CANDACE: Being the GO-TO person! I love being able to educate others on products and show people my tips and tricks. It’s so rewarding to help women feel good from the inside out, whether that’s answering questions or telling a customer that their beauty routine is on point. Growing up, I never thought that I would be the person that people would ask for beauty advice, and it feels great to be considered an expert in my field.

Need a quick in-store makeover? If the answer is yes, Candace has you covered!

What is the biggest beauty mistake you see women make?
CANDACE: Wearing too much makeup is never ok! Too many times, I have had to show a woman with a flawless face [that she doesn’t need] full coverage foundation. Makeup should enhance your natural beauty and not mask you. Plus, if you have amazing skin, you need to show it off!

When you are not at work, how do you like to spend your time?
CANDACE: I love to relax on my days off; I enjoy doing yoga in my living room and take my time drinking tea on my balcony. Wednesdays are my sleep-in days; I never get out of bed earlier than noon on a Wednesday. I believe my body and mind need the maximum hours of sleep at least one day a week to restore and rejuvenate.

Revamping your beauty routine doesn’t have to be extreme. It can be as simple as a learning a new nail design.

What is your advice to aspiring beauty stylists?
CANDACE: Share your knowledge and learn from others! You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from one another when you’re willing to be open-minded and step outside of your comfort zone. And that’s not just with coworkers—I’ve learned so much from my stylish customers over the years!

Nordstrom Beauty Stylists are professionally trained across all our beauty, fragrance and men’s grooming brands to handpick the perfect products for you. If you’re in the Braintree, MA area, stop by and say hi to Candace (and get some of her beauty expertise!) at our South Shore Plaza store. You can also Live Chat with an online Beauty Stylist now, or call 1.800.7beauty to schedule an appointment in store.

June 4, 2013

Beauty on the Scene

Sometimes, the most everyday objects can inspire your beauty routine. We asked three Beauty Stylists to take note of the colors and textures they see daily and to then pick a product on their radar that celebrates the beauty around them.

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Freshly Polished: Lancôme ‘Vernis in Love – Aquatic Summer’ Fade Resistant Gloss Shine Nail Polish

“I’m so in love with these new bold shades from Lancôme’s summer collection,” says Candace Duong, Beauty Stylist at the Nordstrom South Shore Plaza store in Braintree, Massachusetts. “You have to try Simply Aqua. It’s such a fresh hue, you’ll want to wear it with your favorite floral dress! And the best part about Lancôme’s nail polish is that one brush stroke will cover most of your nail bed, so one coat will do the trick.”

Need to Put Out a Fire? Kiehl’s Since 1851 ‘Skin Rescuer’ Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator

“Let’s start first by talking about the texture. This product melts over your skin, leaving a cooling sensation. Great for reducing visible signs of stress, fatigue, dehydration, blotchiness and redness,” says James Webb, Beauty Stylist at the Nordstrom Fashion Valley store in San Diego, California. “I like to use this product in the morning after I wash my face and before I use my serum. It doesn’t leave your skin greasy, and when I use the Skin Rescuer on my clients, their makeup gildes smoothly and keeps everything in place.”

Scents To Make Your House a Home: NEST Fragrances ‘Grapefruit’ Scented Candle and NEST Fragrances Diffuser

“The new NEST candles, fragrance and diffusers are AH-MAZING!! These home scents are moderately priced for such a beautiful product,” says Tannah Ives, Beauty Stylist at the Nordstrom Thousand Oaks store in Thousand Oaks, California. “Not only do all the scents smell wonderful—they are perfect as gifts and great for any home or office!”

Take notice of what’s new and fabulous in the world of beauty.