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April 17, 2013

Beauty Basics: 5 Must-Have Brushes

Brushes—concealer, brow, lip, cheek, finishing, angled, face, contour—the list goes on and on. There are so many brushes out there (we have over 400 online), how’s anyone supposed to know where to even start? Our Beauty Stylists (meet them at the end) are ready to help with a makeup brush breakdown; here are their top 5 essentials.

1. FOUNDATION. I use the Shiseido Foundation Brush for perfect liquid foundation application. This brush pushes the foundation into the skin and is a miracle worker for anyone suffering from the dreaded “light dots” that happen when foundation settles on top of their pores. —Megan


2. POWDER. Nordstrom Powder Brush is my new favorite powder brush! I use this to set my foundation, and sometimes when I want a little more coverage, I use it to buff my full-coverage powder on. The bristles are silky soft, and it doesn’t scratch my sensitive skin—even after constant washes it still feels like a new brush. It gives a flawless finish to even the most textured skin. Tip: use it in a circular buffing action. —Candace

3. VERSATILITY. Smashbox Crease Brush #10 is my ‘can’t live without’ brush; I use it for everything! I use it to blend my creamy shadows (as well as powder shadows) and to set my concealer under my eyes, but most important, it allows me to give definition to my nose! It’s the perfect sized brush to contour my not-so-flattering nose and give it that slimmer and defined look. End of story! —Candace


4. BLENDING. M•A•C 217 Blending Brush is the essential eyeshadow brush that everyone needs to own. An entire eye look can be created with this brush alone. Pat it to apply color, use in the crease to make the perfect defined eye, or use it clean to blend colors together. —Megan


5. CONTOUR & BLUSH. I can’t say enough about the NARS Kabuki Artisan Brush. It’s amazing for contouring and for blush application! Used on its side, it cups the cheek just right and diffuses color in all the right places. —Rachel

Meet the contributing Beauty Stylists:



Megan Dugan, St. Louis Galleria in St. Louis, MO
Candace Duong, South Shore Plaza in Braintree, MA
Rachel Valdez, The Shops At La Cantera in San Antonio, TX

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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 8, 2013

QUIZ: BB, CC, or Tinted Moisturizer? Find the Coverage You Need

BB cream, CC cream, or tinted moisturizer? No more second-guessing. We’re here to help you find the non-foundation coverage that’s just right for your complexion. Victoria Levy, a beauty stylist from our flagship store in Seattle, created this quiz to wash away all your doubts on what your skin really needs.

• Q1: What is your desired coverage?
A. Ultra-light
B. Light
C. Natural

• Q2: Describe the hydration level of your skin.
A. Dry to normal
B. Normal to oily
C. I’m hydrated, but I am in need of age reversal

• Q3: What is your sun-protection preference?
A. Not necessary/minimal.
B. All the protection I can get
C. Moderate protection

• Q4: What is your desired outcome from usage?
A. I want an sheer, undetectable veil of color
B. I want to fight fine lines and wrinkles in one easy step
C. I want my skin to be bright and luminous

• Q5: What is your regimen preference?
A. A final skin-finishing step to my time-trusted routine
B. A multitasking partner to my favorite serum
C. In a perfect world, one powerful product is all I need

Your Results:
Mostly As—Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is a cult classic—and for good reason! Feather-light texture, a traceless veil of color, and light hydration all come together in one glorious package that may be basic but is never boring. Available in both an oil-free and an original formula as well as myriad color choices, Laura Mercier offers a tint for every type!
Mostly Bs—BB Cream: 3 Lab BB Cream is a miraculous multitasker and a must for the glamour girl on the go! This BB cream provides sheer-to-medium coverage, a long-wearing formula, and an all-day natural matte finish. Even better, this lightweight cream also boasts cutting-edge anti-aging technology to address large pores and fine lines and deliver overall radiance. Kiss your foundations goodbye and say hello to PERFECT skin!
Mostly Cs—CC Cream: Smashbox CC Cream works wonders if you love the sun but hate the dark spots and dull skin it leaves behind. Not only does this miraculous multitasker protect against future damage with an SPF 30, it also fades existing discolorations and imparts a beautiful glow in a rainbow of five different shades. This is one well-rounded wonder you won’t want to miss!

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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 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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March 20, 2013

Three Looks to Love: Spring ’13 Beauty Trends

This spring is looking pretty colorful! Use our charts below to find the right hue for your style and create your own bold and beautiful statement.

Get the Look—Beauty Unveiled: Healthy, flawless skin. To achieve a luminous yet sculpted look, accentuate the best features with soft browns and subtle neutrals. Contour the cheeks, sweep on a bit of highlighter and finish with a naturally soft, rosy lip color.

Get the Look—Color Crush: Bright worn right this season. Pops of aqua and shades of green standout on the eyes along with washes of coral, lavender and pink on the cheeks and lips. A dramatically winged cat eye provides a strong finish.

Get the Look—Urban Flirt: The runways screamed precise, strongly defined brows this year, which were often the focal point of the entire look. To give this edgy look a flirty, feminine twist, add a bright stained lip and finish with a generous dose of mascara.

Check out the products needed to recreate these fun, flirty looks and find out all the details for attending our annual Beauty Trend Show.

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March 12, 2013

Brow Basics for Spring

This year, one thing the spring runways screamed was precise and strongly defined brows, which was often the focal point of a model’s entire look. Both behind and on the scenes, fierce full brows make a real statement. Below, our beauty stylists reveal the secrets behind bold, natural-looking brows.

L to R (top): Backstage at Carmen Marc Valvo and Naeem Khan spring/summer 2013 shows
Bottom: Ruffian and Edun

“I know many of you are asking, ‘What if I don’t have full brows?’ Effective immediately, put down those tweezers! Give your brows a few weeks to begin growing in on their own. You may also want to speed things up with a serum that enhances growth. Save yourself time and money with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Enhancing Serum Advanced; it’s only $45, and no doctor visit is required. Perfectly defined brows do for your face what the perfect pair of Jimmy Choo‘s do for your outfit.”

Follow these five easy steps to creating perfectly defined brows:
1. Comb your brows down and apply a very fine brow pencil, using light strokes and starting at the high point of the arch. The Precision Brow Pencil from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty comes in the perfect shade for you and includes a brush on the opposite end of the pencil for easy blending and grooming.
2. Now comb the brows back up into place. Follow with a brow powder to define the thicker, denser part of the brow. Alexa recommends M·A·C Brow Duos, which you can customize to your ideal shade.
3. If your brows are a bit unruly, use a brow gel to set and hold them in place. Jennifer’s personal pick is Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in a shade that will enhance your brows’ color.
4. Next, apply your favorite concealer under your brows with your concealer brush. This will create a sharper edge of definition.
5. As a final finishing touch, apply a brightener between your brows, above your brows and at the outer corners. Voilá! Instant eye lift! My favorite miracle brightener is Touche Éclat by Yves Saint Laurent.

Meet our blog post contributors:

L to R: Alexa Kehoe, Beauty Stylist, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Honour Pillow, Beauty Stylist, Kenwood Towne Centre, Cincinnati, OH
Jennifer Kochenour, Beauty Stylist, King of Prussia, PA

Ask questions, learn tips and trends—make an in-store appointment with a Nordstrom Beauty Stylist.

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March 7, 2013

Runway Beauty: M·A·C for Elie Saab FW ’13

From Halle Berry to Hilary Swank, Oscar leading ladies turn to Lebanese designer Elie Saab to get red-carpet ready. For fall ’13, Saab brought to the runway an androgynous tone that came in the form of masculine tailoring. To enhance this boyish narrative of the collection, a “broken smoky eye” was created by French makeup artist Tom Pecheux using M·A·C cosmetics.

The look: Sculpted eye shape, defined brow, matte skin and a nude lip help keep the Elie Saab woman looking fresh and modern at all times.

American model Mackenzie Drazan shows just how easy this beauty statement can go from runway to reality. It’s all about a defined brow and smoky eyes that can be worn day or night.

“I love walking for Elie Saab. This collection was beautiful and very red carpet,” said Russian model Katya Riabynikina as she exited the show with her smoky eyes still intact.

ASK A M·A·C ARTIST: Make this Elie Saab look your own and get step-by-step expert advice from our in-house M·A·C artists (under Tips & Tools).

–Qianna Smith
Photos by Ford Leland

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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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February 13, 2013

Backstage Beauty at Reed Krakoff

New York designer Reed Krakoff is known for his clean, polished aesthetic, and the hair and makeup at his fall/winter 2013 show definitely followed suit. The models sported fresh, natural makeup by M·A·C and long, sleek locks parted flatly down the middle. (See also: Our runway coverage of Reed Krakoff’s show and the front row)

Reed Krakoff discusses his collection with a journalist before the show.

- Mary O’Regan

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