#NSale Beauty Preview and Picks

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Preview.  In case you are not familiar with it, the #NSale is a huge yearly sale event that is unique in that it has new items on sale at the start of the season, which then go back to full price once the Anniversary Sale is over.  I am all about finding a bargain, and this is the absolute best time to scoop up something you love without having to chance it selling out by the end of the season markdowns months later.  Instant gratification and steals?  Yes and yes!  Nordstrom wanted its customers to experience the same thrill with beauty, a category that rarely goes on sale at all, so they’ve put together over 300 beauty deals and exclusives just for #NSale.   After seeing just a selection of the #NSale beauty picks,  I left the preview with a shopping list longer than the morning line at Starbucks. But I know navigating a sale this massive can be pretty overwhelming, so I pared down my list to give you my top beauty picks for Nordstrom’s 2017 Anniversary Sale:

Stock Up on Essential Skincare

This is the stuff that never goes on sale, and also never stops being a necessity, so it is a total no-brainer to get it while it is the best value available all year:

Fresh Black Tea and Beyond Skincare Set

I swear by Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, and their Black Tea Perfecting Face Mask is another favorite.  This set even includes their Sugar lip treatment – an absolute essential for cooler months.  

Kate Somerville Cult Favorites

Speaking of cult favorites, I’ve yet to try Kate Somerville myself, but all of my skincare-obsessed friends rave about her products all the time, particularly the ExfoliKate Cleanser.   

Clinique Thirst Quenchers Moisture Surge Set

I’ve been using Moisture Surge for days when my skin needs an extra boost since I was a teenager – there’s a reason this product has such a loyal following.  Stock up now for the colder months when this will be a lifesaver.  

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel Duo

The perfect day to day cleanser, this massive value pack will keep you refreshed for months.

Dip Your Toe into Luxury Skincare (or Take the Plunge!)
If you’ve been wondering if La Mer or La Prairie live up to their fabled and enduring hype, #NSale is the perfect time to test the waters with a small essentials kit for $80, for example.  If you are already a luxury acolyte, there are full sets that are an excellent value as well.

 

SK-II Luminous Skin Travel Set

Try the Latest Skincare Trends
Sea mud exfoliation treatment? A lace mask that my blogger friend Anna described as “the Lady Gaga of face masks”?  This is the perfect time to try them out, and any other fun product you’ve been wanting to test out.
I tried the Brightening Lace Your Face mask and am very into it – the ear loops that keep everything in place are ingenious, and it left my skin feeling soft and glowy.  Bonus: The masks are reusable!
I love this combination for a true deep clean feeling – it leaves my skin refreshed and my pores tight.
Score Beauty Faves New and Old
At the preview, it was an exercise in self control for me to hold myself back from demanding they start the sale RIGHT NOW so I could walk out with some of these amazing beauty sets.  These will go fast once the sale opens to the public tomorrow (July 20th), so have the tabs open and ready to add to cart!
An absolute steal at $32, this set includes NARS’ iconic Orgasm multiple stick, as well as two limited edition shades (Remember Me and Fox Dancer).
There are SO MANY Looks in a Box to choose from this year (these always go fast as well!), but this multi-finish nude set is one of my favorites.  As the East Coast beauty director noted at the preview, there’s not one lip texture dominating the trends this year, so this set is perfect (and only $26!!!)
If you are looking for gorgeous, high quality nail polish, Butter is the best.  This set of perfectly on-trend cool tone neutrals is beautiful, and only $29! Clinique Chubbette Set
Possibly the cutest (and cutest named) set of them all, this six pack (!) of Clinique’s versatile Chubby Sticks is an amazing deal for $25.  There’s a color for every one of your day to day needs here.
Treat Yourself with Luxe Cosmetics
These sets are still not cheap, but they are an amazing deal when you look at the retail value.  Use the Anniversary Sale as an excuse to get that luxury lipstick you’ve been eyeing – the pretty bags they come with are an added bonus.
YSL Nude Lip Set (Link Coming Soon!)

The #NSale is open for Early Access to Nordstrom cardholders now, and for the rest of us tomorrow, Thursday the 20th.  You can sneak a peek now though, so get those tabs open and ready for midnight, because some of these will sell out fast.

Shop all Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Here