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May 7, 2013

Guest Post: What I Learned from My Mom

Co-founder of Fresh, Lev Glazman shares a personal note on how something as simple as fragrance can not only influence a life’s path, but also strengthen a bond between two people.
HeroFresh co-founders, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg

Mother’s Day always reminds me of what I learned from my mother. Through all the hardships of Russia―especially when the Iron Curtain was still up and women were not exposed to or given any access to things that were available to the rest of the free western world―the fact that she always wanted to fearlessly maintain her individuality and self-expression taught me a lot about staying true to myself and believing in what I do. One memory of this in particular stands out…

Growing up in Communist Russia, the only fragrance available was Red Moscow. Only the bravest women, my mother included, would find a way to get their hands on a forbidden French perfume: They had to buy from smugglers, because buying anything not Russian-made was illegal. These ladies risked being arrested for buying these foreign fragrances—it was worth it to preserve their individuality and femininity. They had the courage to do it.

When I was just six years old, I remember going with my mother to the black market so she could get a French perfume she loved; it amazed me how much she was willing to risk to buy it. This was a defining moment in my life: I realized the importance that fragrance plays in people’s lives and how it can instantly make them happy and feel special.

I think we are all inspired by our own mothers, and the idea that any woman could feel beautiful through fragrance had a lasting impression on me.

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April 26, 2013

Debra’s Signature Fragrances & Our Spring Scent Event

I don’t think anything sets the mood more for being flirty, sexy, fun, fresh or sophisticated like a captivating aroma. The right fragrance can leave such an indelible mark on our lives, which is why most of us are selective when choosing a scent for a meaningful moment: a first date, a prom, a wedding, a date, an anniversary. We know from that event forward, each time we encounter that scent again, it will take us back to that very memory in our life.

It’s for all these reasons and more that I am excited about our upcoming Spring Scent Event—the perfect time to discover a new fragrance to help celebrate those memories yet to be made.

Hero

Now through May 1, our stores will be offering an exclusive floral glass tray (pictured above) with any $125 women’s fragrance or home fragrance purchase.

Selected stores will also be offering bottle engraving to personalize your fragrance purchases, while others will offer a floral bouquet as an additional gift with your fragrance purchase. All stores will have something going on, so be sure to call and/or visit your favorite Nordstrom store to find out about all of their special offerings.

Speaking of special moments, I’d like to share a few of my signature fragrances that will always have a place in my fond memories.

Tom Ford Noir de Noir | Chloé Eau de Parfum | Jo Malone Lime Basil & Madarin

My favorites for my husband:

John Varvatos Classic | Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb | BLEU DE CHANEL

What are your signature scents? Let us know which special moments they remind you of!

—Debra Redmond, National Beauty Director

P.S. Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is right around the corner (May 12th to be exact); this would be a great time to come in and try a new fragrance for you and pick up something extraordinary for her!

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April 15, 2013

Bases, Covered: Choosing the Right Foundation

With the ever-expanding maze of options in the foundation field (BBs and CCs and minerals, oh my!), it’s no wonder many of us feel fuzzy about choosing the right coverage. That’s why this month our Nordstrom beauty team is focused on covering all the bases, with a quick-ref foundation guide to what works for each face. It’s a cover story worth checking out.

Along with coverage, finding the perfect shade can leave us in the dark as well. We talked to Beauty Stylist Shanilton Jackson (at Nordstrom Galleria at Tyler in Riverside, CA), who gave us three bright ideas:

1. Look at the skin on the underside of your wrist to determine your undertone (cool vs. warm).

2. Choose a foundation color with the same undertone.

3. Make sure your shade also works with your chest area so you have a seamless match.

Want more expert tips and advice? Drop by the Beauty counter at your favorite Nordstrom store—or check out our Beauty Stylist page for info on what we have to offer or to Live Chat.

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April 4, 2013

Debra’s Beauty Picks: April

Spring is here, and I couldn’t be happier! I’m also excited to share a few of my faves this month that I just felt you should know about.

kate spade new york ‘live colorfully’ eau de parfum: A fresh blend of bright florals and warm Tahitian vanilla give this scent just enough spice to keep it warm and inviting. At once, the effervescent top note of mandarin is an unexpected sweet surprise that makes ‘live colorfully’ the perfect complement to the bright and festive fashion we’re seeing this season.

Clinique ‘Moisture Surge’ CC Cream. The latest in skincare technology, CC creams are products that help with color correction. One use, and you’ll see a natural, rosy glow in seconds—not to mention instant hydration and protection against premature aging caused by the environment and UV damage. I love Clinique’s version, for its build-able coverage that still feels very lightweight.

Laura Mercier ‘Folklore’ Baked Face Powder. A mixture of cool and warm tones with flecks of infused highlighters that creates an overall warmth and glow to the skin, for just the right amount of radiance. Everyone will be asking, “Why does your skin look so good?” Apply to the tops of cheekbones, across the forehead and down the nose.

Jouer Crème Eyeshadow Crayon. AKA a lifesaver on days when you don’t have a lot of time. Easy application allows quick and controllable placement. The fast-drying formula is also crease-proof and fade-proof. And when life does offer you those extra minutes, you can use this on top of your eyeliner (both top and bottom lids) to create a sophisticated, smoky eye. The shade I crave? ‘Renaissance,’ a deep plum/berry hue.

Lipstick Queen ‘Invisible’ Lip Liner. I am totally obsessing over all the beautiful shades of bright pink, coral and red that are adorning our lips this season. What I’m not crazy about is the amount of time it takes to find the perfect lip liner to complement these intoxicating colors. However, the search has ended! No makeup bag should be without this lip liner. Its silicone base creates a defined lip that prevents lipstick from unwelcome migration, and best of all, it’s mechanical, so no sharpening!

M•A•C ‘Fashion Sets’ Nail Lacquer. Speaking of bright shades, ‘Ablaze’ was the standout fiery coral nail lacquer on the runways this spring. With its complementary companion lipstick shade, also called ‘Ablaze,’ these two haute shades are sure to sizzle on the streets!

Trust me when I say there are many more I’d love to talk about. But remember, if you aren’t sure where to start finding your own new favorites, take a moment to set up an appointment with one of our beauty stylists (1.800.7beauty). These people are experts across all brands and would be more than happy to make suggstions and give you samples of the products that are right for you. If you aren’t able to make it into the store, no worries—you can chat with one of our online beauty stylists instead.

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March 29, 2013

What’s New to Love This Month

Two of our beauty stylists are teaming up this month to bring you their top picks in Nordstrom Beauty. Meet Allyson White at the Walnut Creek store and Joy Schmitz at the Bloomington store.

Dior ‘Diorskin Nude’ Compact Foundation. With the weather getting warmer, we all should be setting our foundation with a powder. Personally, I prefer a loose powder, but this is one of my favorites. It keeps my skin feeling hydrated and gives a radiant glow without that mid-day shine. If you don’t use a liquid foundation, you can still use this powder alone to create a sheer matte look.

Tocca! I am so excited that Nordstrom is now carrying Tocca. They offer a variety of unique scents in perfumes, body washes, lotions and candles. I love the Canele da Viaggio travel candle set. It offers four mini-size candles—‘Cleopatra,’ ‘Grace,’ ‘Havana’ and ‘Kyoto’—wrapped in Tocca’s signature blue box. It’s the perfect hostess gift! Tocca also makes solid perfumes that are great for travel or just to keep in your purse for use on the go.

NARS Satin Lip Pencils. NARS’s newest lip product is a must! The pencils have a creamy, comfortable texture that gives a beautiful sheen to the lip—similar to a gloss but without the stickiness—and they make for an easy application of lip liner and lipstick in one. In a a range of 13 colors, from nude to a deep burgundy, there is something for everyone! A favorite for me is ‘Luxembourg’—a bright watermelon shade.

Nordstrom Nail Color. Nails are the biggest trend in beauty, not to mention one of my favorites! I am a nail polish junkie! Nordstrom has recently launched its own brand of beauty products, one of them being nail polish. With 28 colors available, there’s definitely one for you, whether you prefer a natural shade or something a bit more adventurous.

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March 28, 2013

Keeping It Real @ Our Spring Beauty Trend Show

With last weekend’s Beauty Trend Show (at Nordstrom Bellevue Square, near Seattle) so close to home base, we jumped at the chance to join 700 women who—like us—would happily line up at 8am on a Saturday. For beauty. But before you judge, take a look at why this awesome event was worth waking up for…

Runway fun. With a live DJ and Nordstrom’s national beauty director Debra Redmond (below, far right) as emcee, we were treated to a runway-style show with trend talks, models and giveaways from Guerlain, Bobbi Brown, Yves Saint Laurent, Clarins, Dior, Clarisonic and bareMinerals®.

Special guest Kate Somerville—yes, THE Kate Somerville, skincare guru and facialist to the stars—was there to introduce her amazing new RetAsphere™ 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream. She was down-to-earth and warm, and quickly made us feel like old… er, longtime friends. (Stay tuned for our full interview with Kate, pictured below, coming soon!)

Debra gave her behind-the-scenes report from New York’s Spring 2013 Fashion Week, getting up close and personal with the audience.

Reality fab. After the show, we moved to the main cosmetics floor to see how the trends would translate among all the different brands. Spring Trend #1, a “flawless, luminous, barely-there makeup look,” may sound doable if your first name is Gwyneth, but for some of us, that’s the “Well, I’m out,” cue to move along. Not today…

Everywhere we looked, beauty fans were literally glowing with gorgeous, natural-looking bases. Longtime Dior skincare devotee Susan (above, left) had never tried the brand’s makeup line, but she was beaming after stylist Cathy used ‘Diorskin Airflash’ Spray Foundation to help her look cover-ready.

A bold brow was Spring Trend #2. April, a stylist for Anastasia Beverly Hills (a.k.a. “The Brow Expert”) was layering Tinted Brow Gel over a dark brown pencil to soften the color, a look inspired by Versace’s “Gold Leaf Brow” seen on the runway in Milan. At the Estée Lauder counter (below), we saw a slightly more toned-down yet still prominent brow, combined with that dewy skin of the day.

Spring Trend #3, “Color Crush,” was all about peachy corals, sweet pinks and pops of psychedelic hues. At NARS, stylist Melissa (below, right) used ‘New Lover’ Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil to top off her customer’s look, which she described as “fresh and clean for spring, and easy and quick for her in the morning.”

As usual, things were a bit wilder at M·A·C, where stylist Deena (below, left) told us, “I like to use one bold pop of color and keep the rest of the features more neutral. I’m also playing with textures—on her eyes, I’ve done a slash of aqua on the lower lid with a wash of matte purple on top. Her lips are neutral but glossy to give her face some balance.” We loved the slightly-out-there-but-not-over-the-top look.

Last stop: Chanel, where Sherry (below, left), a stylist with the brand for 26 years (!) was showing Chanel first-timer Christina how to look fresh and current for her wedding in July. “In the Northwest,” Sherry told us, “women aren’t as used to wearing these bright pinks and corals, so I help customers translate the trends and give them the confidence to wear them.”

“As an artist,” Sherry added, “I like to share with my clients the tricks of the trade. We can all look at a magazine and see end results, but I want to take the mystery out of it.”

That sound bite perfectly sums up the mood and the mission of the morning: a few blissful hours spent playing with makeup, being treated (and styled) like a star and walking away with on-trend looks that work with real life. Oh, and presents—who wouldn’t line up for that? (We may camp out for the next show.)

Interested in learning more about spring beauty trends, picking up expert styling tips and joining the fun? Events are happening at Nordstrom stores around the country! Find one near you, and make your Beauty Trend Show reservation today.

—Stefanie Frank

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March 6, 2013

Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show: Join the Party!

What to my wondering eyes should appear right on my doorstep the other day? My March Vogue, Elle, InStyle and Cosmo (BEST DAY EVER). So many great reads, so little time!

The changing of the seasons is one of my favorite times: putting away our winter wardrobes and layering up for spring with loads of color. I can’t help but think a new wardrobe will need new makeup to go with it—so what’s a girl to do?

Fortunately for me and all of you, our Spring Beauty Trend Events have just kicked off. In case you have never attended one of our events, let me be the first to invite you! Trust me when I say that this is something you don’t want to miss.  We gather what we learned behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week—including all the insider tips and the final runway looks—and we bring it all to you in these fun and fantastic beauty-packed events.

Over the next few months, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from industry experts during one of our 32 shows and/or by attending one of our Pretty Party events hosted in 91 of our stores. Really, we want to make sure you don’t miss this!

I’ve gone ahead and started your spring checklist for you: Radiant skin. Check. Coral blush. Check. Pink, berry-stained lips. Check. Bold brows. Check. Where to learn how to achieve all of this and more? Nordstrom Beauty Trend Events. Double check!

Make sure to reserve your spot today. We look forward to seeing all of you there!

—Debra Redmond, Nordstrom National Beauty Director

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March 1, 2013

Debra’s Beauty Picks: March

With spring just around the corner, our National Beauty Director, Debra Redmond shares her essentials for warmer days to come.

March 20th is the first day of spring, and honestly, it cannot get here fast enough!! I am inspired by all the fabulous, vibrant colors that have graced the red carpet over the past couple of months and the simply irresistible florals, lace and flirty ruffles that I see popping up in magazines as spring’s must-haves. So, I feel the obligation to declare, “Mother Nature, I AM READY!!”

To get a jump-start on the season, here are a few key items that will take you from getting ready to getting noticed this spring season.

See by Chloé: In building my fragrance wardrobe, I wanted something that smelled like spring. Something that was a little flirty mixed with a little fun and overall just made me feel good when I smelled it.

Dior Nude Collection: I don’t usually wear a lot of color on my nails, which is why I am obsessing over Dior’s Nude collection. I’m loving ALL 4 shades–on the hands or on the toes–pure perfection!

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in ‘Bonbon’: As a gloss, it’s sheerer than a lipstick, but it packs just the right amount of punch to give me the color I want for spring.

Nordstrom Cosmetic Duffle: I love the energetic pink color and the most, and it’s the perfect size to hold a lot of product without taking up a lot of space in your handbag.

Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscope Blush Kit: What I adore about this kit is I have multiple options; worn by themselves or paired with another shade or two, you can create a customized cheek with a pretty finish.

–Debra

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February 27, 2013

What’s New to Love from Nordstrom Beauty

Each month we’ll be bringing you the best of what’s new in beauty at Nordstrom, from eye candy to the gentlest skin smoother. To start us off, Beauty Stylist Candace Duong from our South Shore Plaza store gives us the inside scoop on her fave new items.

Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes: Every girl’s dream come true–it glides on like silk! Use your Smashbox Crease Brush #10 to blend for best results. My favorite color is Ample Amber. When my eye makeup feels BLAH, I just apply it on top of my crease area. It gives me that instant lift I need.


Smashbox Lights on Lips 5-Piece Set: This is the perfect emergency backup or a great starter kit for a makeup novice. I use the face highlighter as my “shimmery eyeshadows” as well as a bronzer for a pretty glow.

The best part? You choose the lip color that works for you. I went with Fuchsia Flash, because I love that pop of color.


Agent Provocateur Pétale Noir: “Sexy” is the best way to describe this fragrance. Start with the body elixir then layer with the parfum. The sweetness of the elixir is flirty and makes skin feel like silk. The spiciness of the perfume is uber sexy and mysterious.

For best results, spray on before getting dressed–it’s a scent that you will want to linger all day long.


La Prairie Cellular Mineral Face Exfoliator: If you want to improve your complexion, this is worth the investment. This exfoliator gently refines and reinvents the skin by removing dead skin cells while delighting the senses with its rich and silky texture.

Remember to use two to three times a week to see immediate and long-term benefits.

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February 20, 2013

M·A·C Cosmetics at New York Fashion Week FW13

M·A·C Senior Artist Keri Blair shares highlights from New York Fashion Week.

“The words New York and Diane von Furstenberg (DvF) are both synonymous with chic. Having the opportunity to be a part of the makeup team for the DvF show is always an exciting part of my Fashion Week.

For fall/winter 2013, Diane mixed two of my favorite things: glamour and rock ’n’ roll. The makeup, designed by key makeup artist James Kaliardos, was young and fresh with a bright, bold pop of pink on the lips.

To achieve this look, start with a veil of foundation—such as M·A·C Face and Body Foundation—to create a luminous and fresh complexion. Then place a soft, creamy highlight around the cheekbone using M·A·C Cream Colour Base in Pearl or Luna (tap it in with your ring finger). Curl your lashes and apply M·A·C Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash from the root to tip of the lash. Now for a pucker with punch: prep your lips with M·A·C Lip Conditioner and blot off excess. Use a lip pencil—such as Embrace Me or More to Love—to mimic the Process Magenta Chromagraphic Pencil we used at the show by carefully outlining your lip shape. Then use the side of the pencil to gently fill in your entire lip. Use a lip brush to smooth out the texture, and MWAH, you are runway-ready!

Walking into the Ruffian studio is like an escape to fantasy fashion camp. Mood boards, fabric samples, reference books and model comp cards line the walls, tables and racks. Partnering with Brian and Claude is one of the highlights of my fashion season.

Three seasons ago, I made a transition from backstage makeup artist to key nail artist for this amazing show. This season, I conceptualized a gothic, veiled snakeskin nail that was inspired by Ruffian’s seasonal references of the illustrations of Antonio Lopez, Scottish moors, opium dens and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Using M·A·C Nail Lacquer in Nightfall, I painted the underside of a gorgeous oval elongated nail tip. Then, using two coats of M·A·C Nail Lacquer in Nocturnelle, I painted all of the nails black and let them dry. Once dry, I applied a generous layer of M·A·C Overlacquer to each nail individually and placed a small piece of tulle on top of each nail, gently pressing down the sides with a nail stick. When dry, I used a small pair of scissors to trim off the excess tulle. For the flare nail, I adhered a small flat-back cameo using Overlacquer as the glue and then formed a small tulle veil, which I placed at the base of the nail. Spend a little time in your local craft store to find these materials.

This fall, I think we will see a play on deeper, darker, textured nails. Don’t be afraid to mix, layer and paint to your heart’s content.”

Find Keri on Twitter for more dish on all things beauty: @MAC_Keri_B

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