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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!

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March 27, 2013

Tips & Secrets: Clé de Peau Beauté & Amanda Seyfried

Lucia Pieroni, makeup creative director at Clé de Peau Beauté, shares advice, inspiration and insider secrets to the winning looks of Amanda Seyfried—the brand’s newest face.

Beauty 24/7: Now that you’ve got over eight years under your belt with Clé de Peau Beauté, what do you love most about working there?
Lucia: It’s a brand that I truly believe in. Long before I even began working with Clé de Peau Beauté, I used the products on a consistent basis. I was introduced to them by my former assistant, and I found them to be of an exceptional quality that I was not able to find anywhere else.

I also love that the brand is not driven solely by trend; it’s for the woman who appreciates fashion and luxury but is not a slave to the “look of the moment.” The Clé de Peau Beauté woman appreciates a product that is very chic, luxurious and modern yet timeless.

Beauty 24/7: When did you know you found success in the beauty industry?
Lucia: I started my career through my sister, Paola, who was modeling in London at the time. I began doing her makeup at shoots, which led to testing with photographers. One photographer in particular, the great Andy Bettles, set up a meeting for me to meet Beverley Streeter. She took me on after seeing only three looks in my book. I was incredibly lucky and knew I was in the best hands.

Beauty 24/7: Who are some people who have inspired you throughout your career?
Lucia: I have found inspiration through many different people throughout the years, including fellow makeup artists and talented photographers! However, most inspiring to me is the person sitting in front of me at any given time. Everyone is an individual, and when I look at someone’s face and see what suits that person, I adapt a look specifically to his or her facial contours and structure. In a way, it’s like painting a picture, and I find that very exciting.

Beauty 24/7: Hearing that Amanda Seyfried is the face of Clé de Peau Beauté was exciting news. What’s one of your favorite looks on Amanda?
Lucia: One of my favorite looks is from the spring 2013 advertising campaign. The pairing of rich, modern blue tones around the eyes with a pink/nude lip really captured a fresh and current look that will work on women of any age.

Beauty 24/7: What’s your beauty secret to ensuring Amanda is red carpet-ready?
Lucia: Moisturizing the skin is critical when it comes to a radiant red carpet look. If skin is dehydrated, color will appear less luminous and more one-dimensional. One of Amanda’s favorite products is La Crème. It’s incredibly moisturizing, and it also improves the skin’s texture, creating a flawless canvas for a long-wearing makeup look.

Beauty 24/7: What is the most important beauty advice that you can give to women?
Lucia: Exfoliate skin regularly, because a smooth complexion is key to a beautiful and luminous makeup application. Dead skin catches makeup and magnifies flaws. Use a product that is gentle but that will exfoliate and hydrate—like our Smoothing Body Exfoliator.

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March 21, 2013

Get to Know Nordstrom Beauty Stylist James Webb

Meet James Webb, a man on a mission to help you put your best face forward.

BEAUTY 24/7: How long have you been a Nordstrom Beauty Stylist?
JAMES WEBB: Since the beginning (going on three years). I was excited to sell across all brands, and I love that I’m able to be honest with all of my clients by showing them the products that work especially for their needs.

What can customers expect when partnering with a Nordstrom Beauty Stylist?
JAMES: They can expect an expert across all brands to guide them through their makeup needs. It costs nothing to get started; it’s a free service we offer! You can make an appointment by coming in, going online or calling our beauty hotline.

Describe your personal approach to beauty.
JAMES: I love giving a luxurious touch to all of my clients’ experiences by remembering the simple things: their names, the products they love, past purchases of theirs so I can follow up. I treat my clients like they are my oldest friends—making them feel beautiful by showing them that less is more.

Who is your style inspiration?
JAMES: I work in a high-end, fast-paced mall, so I love to people-watch. In between helping clients, I sit at our eBar and watch the good and the bad walk past. Sometimes I see a technique of makeup I would never think of trying, but this person is wearing it so well that I run back and try my own interpretation of that very same look. In the land of cosmetics, life can get a little mundane, so it’s nice to shake it up.

Which five beauty products can’t you live without?
JAMES: 1. The Hydrating Infusion by La Mer is a product for every person, regardless of age or skin concerns. This infusion instantly promotes hydration. Over time, skin will become softer and pore size will reduce. My favorite part is that it works with any other skincare system and will enhance the results of your current routine.

2. Chanel VITALUMIÈRE foundation goes on amazingly smooth. It’s made to mimic your own skin tone and texture. The result is a gorgeous finish.

3. Laura Mercier Radiance Primer has all of the best qualities of a primer without the heavy silicon feel. It keeps your foundation on longer and goes on smoother with the added bonus of a beautiful, radiant finish. Most of all, it’s at a great price.

4. Yves Saint Laurent Effet Faux Cils Mascara gives such a dramatic and fluffy lash, transforming a natural lash to a voluminous one with ease. This is the best mascara for any event. It’s long-wearing but washes off easily.

5. M·A·C Eye Kohl in Teddy is great for a woman or man looking for a smoldering eye look without a lot of work. It’s a soft bronze that’s suitable for day or night, truly making your eyes glow.

What are five non-beauty-related things you can’t live without?
JAMES: I can’t live without my iPhone, my iPad, my Apple TV, my dog and my car.

Want more expert tips and advice? Drop by the Beauty Counter at your favorite Nordstrom store (James works at our #360 Fashion Valley store in San Diego, CA) or check out our Beauty Stylist page for more info on booking an appointment and live chat.

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February 7, 2013

Backstage Beauty: Quick Chat with Supermodel Sui He

Ranked #14 out of the top 50 models in the world, Sui He is one of the most in-demand girls at New York Fashion Week. The Chinese-born stunner is the global face of Shiseido Makeup, handpicked for the job by Dick Page, the brand’s artistic director.

We bumped into Sui backstage at BCBGMAXAZRIA this morning, and asked her to give us the scoop on how she maintains such a natural, flawless complexion.

Beauty 24/7: What’s the one beauty product you can’t leave the house without?
Sui He:  Shiseido’s ‘The Skincare’ Protective Lip Conditioner is great, especially when it’s cold out.

Your skin is so gorgeous. What’s your secret?
I take special care when cleansing my face. Shiseido has this creamy cleanser that I love. It leaves my skin so soft and moisturized.

When your day is done, where do you like to go in NYC?
Chop Shop is one of my favorite places to eat in the city. It’s on West 25th and 10th, you should try it!

—Qianna Smith

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February 4, 2013

M·A·C Senior Artist Louise Zizzo’s Step-by-Step Guide to Transforming into an Archie Girl

Are you a Betty or a Veronica? Our guest blogger M·A·C Senior Artist Louise Zizzo shows you how to create the girl-next-door look that will have you looking like a modern-day Betty. If channeling your blonde ambitions is not your thing, don’t fret. Zizzo also whips up a vivacious look that only a Veronica could pull off. After these tips, whoever the Archie is in your life, you’ll have his head spinning with one hot makeup statement.

“To create the innocent sexiness of Betty…

Start with the eyes:
1. Using the Caramel Sundae Eye Shadow Palette, sweep Dreammaker Eye Shadow over the eyelid with a small flat brush (#239).
2. Blend Caramel Sundae Eye Shadow through the crease with a small buffing brush (#219) to create depth.
3. Using a small angled brush (#266), apply Showstopper Eye Shadow along the top and bottom lash line, keeping very close to the lash line to avoid thick, heavy liner.
4. Apply a coat of mascara (Extended Play Lash) to your top and bottom lashes.
5. To create the drawn-on lash look, rub Lord it Up Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner onto the back of your hand and dip a small angled brush (#266) into the color. Using small, precise strokes, draw lashes on to the outside edge of the eyelid, starting at the lash line, and then along the bottom lash line from corner to corner (think ’60s drawn-on lashes).

TIP: When using brushes to line the eyes, keep a crisp look by running the brush through your thumb and forefinger each time before you dip into the shadow. This will stop the brush from fanning out.

On the cheeks:
1. Apply Pink Swoon Sheertone Powder Blush with a soft blush brush (#168), starting on the apples of the cheeks and blending back toward the hairline. To create beautiful sheen, sweep Cheryl Chic Eye Shadow from the Caramel Sundae Eye Shadow Palette over the blush.

Finish the look with the lips:
1. Outline the lip, shading in slightly with In Anticipation Pro Longwear Lip Pencil.
2. Fill in the lip using a lip brush (#316) with Girl Next Door lipstick, and top it off with Stay Sweet Lip Gloss.

To create the flirty, seductive look of Veronica…

On the eyes:
1. Using the Spoiled Rich Eye Shadow Palette, brush Spoiled Rich Eye Shadow through the crease area with a small pencil brush (#219), keeping it quite intense and tapering up slightly toward the outer edge of the eye. Do not blend out.
2. Rub Designer Purple Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner onto the back of your hand. Use a small angled brush (#266) to dip into the color and line the top lash line, tapering up and out at the edge of the eye. Do the same on the bottom lash line, starting on the inner corner and then joining up to the top liner at the outer edge of the eye.
3. Dip the same angled brush (#266) into Ron Ron Run and Gravel Eye Shadow and press over the top and bottom liner to create depth and intensity.
4. Line the inside of the eye with Smolder Eye Kohl.
5. Apply a thick coat of mascara (Extended Play Lash) to top and bottom lashes.
6. Apply #36 lashes to the top lash line for added intensity.

Then for the cheeks:
1. With a soft blush brush (#168), lightly apply Prom Princess Powder Blush, starting on the apple of the cheek and blending back toward the hairline.
2. Dust Veronica’s Blush Pearlmatte Face Powder to the apple of the cheek in a circular buffing motion to create a very blended, barely-there look to the cheek.

TIP: When using deeper or more intense blush colors, swirl some face powder onto the blush brush first before dipping into the color. This will help control and diffuse the intensity and ensure an even application.

Complete the look with the lips:
1. Outline the lip with Cherry Lip Pencil and shade in slightly.
2. With lip brush (#316), fill in lips with Ronnie Red Lipstick and add Strawberry Malt Lipglass to finish.

TIP: To ensure symmetry with lips, especially when applying dark or bright colors: After lining, tilt head back slightly while looking in the mirror to see if the bottom lip line is even. To see if the top lip is even, tilt head slightly down while still looking in the mirror.

Discover the many amazing products featured in the Archie’s Girls Collection.

Face charts were created by our Beauty Stylist Elina Dugan at store 423 The Village At Corte Madera.

Find M·A·C Senior Artist Louise Zizzo on Twitter: @MAC_Louise_Z

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January 11, 2013

Beauty Stylist: Great Ideas, Personalized Service

With so many great cosmetic and skincare brands on the market, finding what works best for you can be overwhelming. Make your next trip to a Nordstrom beauty counter stress-free, by booking a free appointment with one of our Beauty Stylists. Meet Elyse Reneau, a Beauty Stylist from our South Coast Plaza store, who shares why she loves her job and how this personalized service can help you with your own beauty routine.

Beauty 24/7: What is the best thing about your job?
Elyse Reneau: The cosmetics department can be intimidating to someone who doesn’t know what they want or need. I love making my customers feel at home and giving them the confidence to recreate what I teach them in my chair. I am the biggest makeup and product junky there is! To be able to share that passion with my customers without brand limitation is incredibly liberating. It is so much fun to build a routine for someone that is tailored to their exact needs. Also, working on an appointment base allows me to build amazing relationships. My customers become family.

What can a customer expect when partnering with a Nordstrom Beauty Stylist?
Elyse: All you need to do to get started with a Beauty Stylist is make an appointment. Our service is completely free and you can expect that you are getting someone who will listen to your needs and try to give you exactly what you are looking for. An appointment can take anywhere from a thirty minutes to an hour depending on your needs, questions, and the makeup lesson you want to learn. Beauty Stylists are trained across all makeup and skincare lines so you will never have to worry about being put into one box. Every customer is different and deserves to have skincare and makeup tailored to them specifically. I think it is so cool that Nordstrom recognizes that and is the first department store to create a personal stylist position for beauty.

Describe your all-time-favorite beauty styling moment.
Elyse: There have been quite a few amazing moments, but recently I had an appointment come in who was so upset she was crying. Her skin had been breaking out and she hadn’t been able to find a foundation that covered or matched. I could completely relate having dealt with skin issues in the past myself. I could tell she was really self-conscious so I spent time teaching her about skincare. Followed by an instructional how-to on makeup coverage she could use until her skin healed. She was so appreciative and thankful. I knew when she left she felt so much better about herself than when she came in. I try to give that to every customer who sits in my chair.

Describe your personal approach to beauty.
Elyse: Beauty is all about being comfortable in your own skin. Your makeup should make you look like yourself but prettier. And a killer red lipstick never hurt anybody.

Who is your style inspiration?
Elyse: Audrey Hepburn. She was so beautiful inside and out. She just sparkled; I’d love to sparkle like Audrey.

What are 5 things you can’t live without (beauty related)?
Elyse: It changes weekly, but I will say that I am using five products daily that include:
1. Clarisonic: The first time I used it I felt like I’d never had truly clean skin before.

2. La Mer Soft Crème: Day or night this is my go to moisture. My skin just drinks it in.

3. Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer: Keeps my makeup on all day without feeling greasy

4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: Makes my skin look flawless and dewy without that heavy makeup look.

5. NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Red Square: This vibrant orange/red matte lipstick makes me feel like I could conquer the world. Never underestimate the power of lipstick.

Come meet your new best friend in beauty. Simply stop by your nearest Nordstrom (appointments are appreciated, but not necessary), call 1.800.7beauty or Live Chat with a Beauty Stylist now.

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December 26, 2012

One-on-One with Nordstrom’s National Beauty Director, Debra Redmond

An encyclopedia of beauty knowledge and how-to tricks, Debra Redmond brings 20 years of experience to her post as Nordstrom’s National Beauty Director. This mother of three juggles a lot and is on a mission to show women nationwide that it is “possible to keep it all together.”

Beauty 24/7: What does a typical day look like for you?
Debra Redmond: I am responsible for PR/media and anything that has to do with our beauty stylists, whether that’s online or in the stores. I also oversee our Cosmetic Trend Shows, which bring runway beauty to reality.

Can you share some prior career highlights?
Debra: I have been working in cosmetics for more than 20 years. From sales positions for Clinique and Lancôme to an account executive for Bobbi Brown, I’ve worked for some of the biggest brands in beauty. For three years, I traveled with Trish McEvoy’s national beauty team, where I developed a passion for giving results-oriented cosmetic advice to customers.

Tell us how you became a beauty girl.
Debra: Growing up I was totally a tomboy, but when I got into high school I started experimenting with cosmetics. I became fascinated with how makeup can transform and enhance a woman’s best features. Beauty became fun and playful, as I realized it takes no time to put it on and take it off.

What products are you obsessed with right now?
Debra: So you want a peek into my makeup bag? Well, you would find an eye cream because it’s the perfect pick-me-up. I’m a fan of YSL’s ‘Top Secrets’ Eye Roll-On Pen—you can apply it any time you need to recharge and refresh. I travel a lot, so moisture-rich products are plentiful in my bag. Tinted lip balm is also a must because a little color brightens up the face. I don’t always have time to use lash extensions, but I always have time to apply mascara. I’m obsessed with MAC’s new ‘Après Chic’ Collection, and their ‘Zoom Waterfast Lash’ Mascara works wonders. ‘The Multiple’ Stick from NARS is so versatile; I find myself using it when I need to travel light, as it can be applied on my eyes, cheeks and lips.

When it comes to forecasting major trends in beauty for 2013, what’s on your radar?
Debra: It’s all about coral, on eyes, cheeks and lips. A really strong brow that looks youthful and not overstated is also another major trend. I’m getting excited for New York Fashion Week in February. Some of my top trendsetting makeup artists and brands to keep an eye on during Fashion Week include Shiseido’s Artistic Director Dick Page, Bobbi Brown, NARS and of course MAC.

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December 11, 2012

Get an Extra Dose of Glam from Debra Redmond

Our National Beauty Director, Debra Redmond, talks holiday beauty buys with Extra host Mario Lopez. Check out the segment that features Nordstrom’s lip-puckering gloss, the most luscious body wash and a luxuriously scented soap set.

Snag the Nordstrom Bath & Body Collection and Nordstrom Lip Gloss as seen on Extra TV.

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