Nails

May 13, 2013

Nail Art: Create the Cheetah with Katie Hughes

Katie Hughes, butter LONDON’s Global Color Ambassador, gives us a step-by-step guide on creating the cheetah-inspired nail art using colors in Sun Baker, Poole and Torch.

1. Prep by removing all oils from the nail. Do this by sweeping a cotton ball with acetone over the nail surface.
2. Use butter LONDON’s Nail Foundation for a base coat.
3. Apply one coat of the Nordstrom-exclusive color in Torch all over the nail.

4. Paint the tip of a makeup wedge with Sun Baker.

5. Lightly pat the wedge onto the tip of the nail for a subtle fade effect.
Tip: “This fade will work best if Torch is almost dry,” says Katie.

6. Once dry, use a dotting tool or bobby pin to draw little Cs or unfinished circles across the nail with Poole, adding a few stray dots for effect.

7. Let Poole dry, then finish with butter LONDON’s ‘Hardwear P.D. Quick’ Topcoat. And voilà, you’re done!

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: butter LONDON, Interviews, Katie Hughes, nails

April 5, 2013

M·A·C’s Keri Blair: Favorite Nail Trends for Spring ’13

Keri Blair, M·A·C Senior Artist, reveals her favorite spring nail art trends.

Nail trends for spring/summer ‘13 definitely complement the makeup statements we’ve been seeing on the runway in a very distinct way this season. After working backstage at New York, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, I am happy to report that there is something for everyone to keep your pointers looking polished and playful.

NUDE TREND: Nude shades are so right now; think mannequin-esque with a focus on elongation. This look is refined, pampered and polished to perfection. Backstage at Just Cavalli (pictured above), Marimekko and A.F. Vandevorst, I was tasked with the duty of creating foundation for the nails using M·A·C Nail Lacquer in shades Quiet Time, Skin Creme, Delicate and Faint of Heart. You can mix various nudes to create the exact foundation shade that best suits your style.

METALLIC TREND: Ever-expanding technology in the beauty industry has taken glitter to a whole new level. More refined particles and smoother textures make this trend wearable for all ages. Creating expensive-looking metallic nails like I did at Veronique Branquinho (pictured above) is achievable with M·A·C shades like Screaming Bright and Soiree; the pigments create a more reflective finish.

Tip: Creating a short nail shape comes off chic!

BLUSH TREND: At shows like Blumarine (pictured above) and Elie Saab, nail colors were used in the same way a makeup artist would apply blush to the face. Pastel shades—soft yet rich—donned nails to romantic perfection. I’m a fan of the M·A·C ‘Fashion Sets’ lacquers in colors like Ablaze, Silly and Embrace Me that embody this trend completely.

DIY tip: Mixing a high-gloss topcoat like M·A·C’s Overlacquer with your desired polish creates a mimicking color that acts like a highlight, producing one standout color!

OPTICALS TREND: Being a self-confessed nail-art junkie, this post wouldn’t be complete without including one of my favorite trends of the season: optical nails. The nails at Gareth Pugh (pictured above), Ruffian and Kenzo blended the concept of optical art, accessory and organic color blocking. Think almond-shaped architecture, ombre color application and the use of nail color as an accessory to clothing. For this look, I like colors like M·A·C’s Limited Edition Nail Lacquer in Deep Sea, as well as hues like Rougemarie and Morange.

My advice: Don’t be afraid to change up your nails like you would your lipstick. Nail lacquer gives you an affordable way to complete and play with your fashion story!

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

1 COMMENT

Click For More: Expert Advice, Keri Blair, MAC, nails

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.

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: Debra Redmond, Debra's Picks

April 1, 2013

Spring Trend: We’re Crushing on Coral

We corralled everything coral into this month’s Beauty’s Most Wanted—including tips from Debra Redmond, our national beauty director, on how to wear spring’s prettiest shade. Check out our Coral Crush!

Chantecaille Lip Gloss ‘Dragonfruit’ | Bobbi Brown Blush ‘Nectar’ | Estée Lauder Lip Pencil ‘Coral’

M·A·C Lipstick ‘Vegas Volt’ | Dior ‘Vernis’ Nail Lacquer ‘Riviera 537′

6 COMMENTS

Click For More: Beauty Trends, Coral, Debra Redmond, Spring trends

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.

2 COMMENTS

Click For More: Dior, NARS, new at nordstrom, Nordstrom Nail Color, Stylist Picks, Tocca

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: Debra Redmond, Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event, Nordstrom Video, Pretty Party, Spring trends, Video

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: Debra Redmond, Debra's Picks

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: Beauty News, Beauty Trends, Diane von Furstenberg, fall beauty trends, Keri Blair, MAC, makeup, nails, new york fashion week, Runway Trends

February 14, 2013

Backstage Beauty: Nails at NYFW Fall/Winter 2013

Nails are grabbing the spotlight for fall 2013 in a big way. We heard numerous times backstage that a designer had specifically requested certain colors to complement their look–especially since they view nail color as the must-have accessory for everyone. Other key buzzwords we were hearing backstage: matte, textured, elongated, almond shape and edgy.

Let’s break down the three uber trends we saw backstage.

Essie for Carolina Herrera

Nude: If you’re more classic with a taste for short nails, take a traditional approach by rounding out the nail and polishing it off with a nude color (this trend is a continuation from the spring runway).

JINsoon ‘Auspicious’ for Vera Wang

Dark & Matte: We saw dark shades of black and vampy red tones. The texture for this trend is key–the matte finish adds an unexpected element.

Deborah Lippmann ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ for Cynthia Rowley with Matte Topcoat

Long & Pointy: Channel your inner femme fatale with this longer, pointier nail trend.

Debora Lippmann black nails and pyramid studs for Kate Spade.

The shape can be either almond (more rounded point), stiletto (long narrow point) or talon (resembling a claw). The reason for the change in nail length? Simply put, it slims the fingers and gives the hand a personality that is at once sophisticated and vampy.

Deborah Lippmann ‘Satin Red Boxers’ (available fall 2013) for Badgley Mischka

Whether you are sporting nude, dark, matte finished or pointed nail, the long and short of it is: nail color is the accessory no hand should be left without.

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: Backstage Beauty, Beauty Trends, nail trends, Nordstrom at Fashion Week, Nordstrom at New York Fashion Week

February 6, 2013

Debra Redmond’s Fashion Week Beauty Bag

Our national beauty director, Debra Redmond, is giving us a peek into her Fashion Week beauty bag. From runway shows to after parties, she’s schooling us with her secrets to surviving fashion week while still looking fabulous!