I’ve been a beauty product junkie since before I could walk (probably). The earliest memories involve raiding my mom’s makeup stash and trying things out for myself — she wasn’t always thrilled, but now I’m the one she and Shana go to with all of their beauty questions.
From doing my friends’ makeup for prom back in high school to creating updos for my sorority sisters for formals, and finally, to being a paid makeup artist for weddings, I’ve always loved sharing my passion for all things beauty.
Tried & True Beauty: My Top Hair, Makeup & Skincare Products At Nordstrom
I’m a big fan of trying out all the things to see what works and what doesn’t, what’s worth it and what isn’t. Over the years I’ve tried literally hundreds of products — and I have my ultimate favorites down to an exact science. From my top hair products to my go-to makeup picks, these are the beauty products that I’ve purchased over and over again, and can vouch for with 100% confidence. The best part —all are available at Nordstrom.
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My Top 3 Overall Beauty Picks
1. RevitaBrow® & RevitaLash®
You guys, these two products 100% work. I basically had no eyebrows before I started using RevitaBrow, and now I can even get away without filling them in every day. And I had totally ruined my lashes by wearing lash extensions (see how wonky they are below?) that made my real lashes super-sparse and short. RevitaLash brought them back and then some…and with a little mascara (see my favorite below) they’re nice and full and long.
2. Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer
I wanted to show you guys this picture to show you how light I kept my hair for years! The Dyson was one of the things that helped me nurse it back to health, along with the GHD straightener and ORIBE’s shampoo and conditioner (see below for more on those). It is 100% worth every penny. I forgot just how much of a difference it makes when I once had to use a hair dryer at a hotel and my hair was a giant ball of frizz. I love this thing.
3. DR. DENNIS GROSS Skincare DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro LED Light Therapy Device
THIS. This mask promised to smooth wrinkles, firm skin, diminish discoloration and clear acne. And I have to be honest, with the price tag of this mask, I probably never would have tried it had it not been part of the anniversary sale. BUT, now that I have? It’s 100% worth every penny even at full-price. I didn’t want to share it with you guys until I had given it enough time to make sure it worked, taking before photos when I first started and again just recently (12 weeks in between). And while my skin isn’t completely clear, it looks a lot better than when I started!
My Favorite Hair Care Products
1. GHD Classic 1-Inch Styler
Another product that helped my damaged hair recover from all that bleaching: this styler. It has rounded plates so you can use it for straightening, waving and curling. The ceramic plates don’t snag on your hair but glide through pretty easily to seal the cuticle–which makes it look shiny and healthy (even if it’s not). (Watch this video to see how I used it to make waves–and check out that broken, bleached out hair!)
2. ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo & Conditioner
This shampoo and conditioner makes your hair so soft and helps it regain some health. A tiny bit of shampoo goes a really long way (it lathers up really nicely) so I end up using a lot less than I typically do. The conditioner really hydrates dry hair–breathing youth back into it without weighting it down. I’m all about that breathing youth back part. It also reduces split ends and conditions the scalp to promote healthy hair growth and provides UV protection. Safe for color-treated (raises hand) and keratin-treated hair.
ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo & Conditioner
3. Living Proof: No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream & Humidity Shield
I love this No Frizz line. It makes a significant difference in the amount of frizz I have in my hair. Both products are made without any silicones, and neither leave a greasy or heavy feel. I use the styling cream both when I let my hair air dry and when I blow it dry. I use the humidity shield as a heat-protectant spray before straightening or curling/waving and as the last step to tame any frizz or flyaways. It works really well even in our super-humid summers, and I’ll often use it right before bed to avoid waking up with a ball of frizz on my head in the morning. (It also protects against UV light and gets rid of static.)
Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream | Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield
My Favorite Makeup Products
1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer & Highlighter
This is my #1 makeup product–it’s like the perfect hybrid of foundation and highlighter that leaves your skin glowing. It can be used as a primer, mixed with your foundation or worn alone (watch how I applied it here). It has more coverage than the Glow Screen (see below), but is still lighter than a classic foundation. I love mixing it with my foundation for a dewy finish.
2. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color
I loved this so much when I first tried it that I now own six different colors (although my favorite is copper). Easy to apply and blend with just your fingers, this is the fastest eye look I’ve ever done. And once it sets, it stays on without smudging or creasing. LOVE this stuff.
3. Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
If I had to choose one mascara to use the rest of my life it would be this one–and I’ve tried a ridiculous number of mascaras. This one really separates the lashes without clumping and lifts them. It’s subtle enough for daily wear with just one coat, but can easily be built up for more of a va-va-va-voom look. That brush is the key–a patent-pending, hook-and-roll brush that features tiny hooks to catch, lift and curl even short and straight lashes. It works.
4. Supergoop! Glowscreen Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40
We were on a Zoom call when Shana hopped on and her skin looked amazing–absolutely glowing. I immediately asked her what she had on and ordered it immediately. This is the perfect product for when you don’t want to wear any makeup but you want a little boost for your skin…it really does make it glow and kind of blurs imperfections without totally covering them up. It can be used as a primer under makeup as well, and I love the SPF!
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color
This stuff got me through my where-are-your-brows-phase and it’s still my favorite way to fill in brows. It lasts all day (even through oily, sweaty skin and hot humid weather) without any smudging or fading. It does require a bit more skill than the Brow Wiz (which is my second-favorite brow product–Shana loves it too), so I’d start with that if you’re nervous about using a pomade.
My Favorite Skincare Products
1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
I use this stuff religiously in the winter. It hydrates my dry skin without leaving behind a greasy film. It’s ultra-light and absorbs quickly so it’s perfect as a daily moisturizer that doesn’t interfere with makeup application.
2. St. Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
This self-tanning face mist can be used on clean skin or as a makeup setting spray that also shields skin from environmental stressors. Yes, you can use it over makeup, and it still works as a self-tanner. I use it in the summer because my body is often darker than my face, and in the winter when I want a nice warm glow. It doesn’t turn you orange, just gives you a bit of color and hydrates your skin.
3. NUFACE Mini Facial Toning Device
I wanted to test this device completely separately from the DR. GROSS mask above–third variables and all that–so I’m still in the middle of my testing phase, but I can tell you I like what I’m seeing. I want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and this seems to be working. (I promise to follow up with a review once I finish testing, but in the mean time there are a lot of pictures in the reviews that show pretty awesome results, too.
NUFACE Mini Facial Toning Device
4. BEAUTYBIO GloPRO® Microneedling Regeneration Tool
Shana swears by this tool. It triggers your skin’s natural healing process with 540 surgical stainless steel microneedles that stimulate collagen production and provide a channel for your skincare products to reach the deepest layers of skin. Basically, it helps your skin absorb topical products better (200 times more effectively) and induces micro-regeneration deep in the skin.
Microneedling Regeneration Tool
5. L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath
This foaming bath makes the perfect relaxing bath. The lavender smells so good, and the bubbles are thick and luxurious. Add a candle and a glass of wine and de-stress. LOVE this stuff.
6. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
I love this shower oil, especially in the winter when my skin is so dry. It smells amazing and is a great alternative to shaving cream. It cleanses gently so your skin feels super-soft with just a subtle scent that’s not overwhelming. And it’s also available in an eco-friendly refill!
Shop My Favorite Beauty Products At Nordstrom
A huge thank you to Nordstrom & ShopStyle for sponsoring this post–I so appreciate the opportunity to share my love for all things beauty with our readers and Nordstrom really does have all of my favorites in one place!
XOXO,
Scotti
