A huge thank you to Nordstrom & ShopStyle for sponsoring this post.
Well…2020 was definitely filled with a good amount of beauty product experimentation. Being forced to look at my face for hours on end during Zoom calls influenced (somewhat desperately) a renewed interest in makeup, skincare, and hair products.
Don’t worry…I didn’t get carried away. I don’t have the patience (or skill) for anything too fussy, but I AM thrilled about many of the easy-to-use products I’ve been using that simply do what they say they will do. Imagine that! Also super-excited about a few new products and tools I plan on experimenting with in 2021, so thought I’d share…
Fav Nordstrom Beauty Products Of 2020: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Products I’m Trying In 2021: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Most Intriguing of 2020 & 2021: Light-Therapy Mask
My 5 Fav Nordstrom Beauty Products
1. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder
Love this stuff! I use it mainly on days I’m home and want a quick “something” on my face. It blurs my pores, evens out my skin tone, and is so super quick and easy. It’s also great for days I’m out and about and masked…just enough smoothing power for the parts of my face that are visible, without the worry of makeup stains on my mask. If I’m “doing makeup,” I’ll often use it as a setting powder…natural finish without any cakiness. Love the way it feels, love the way it looks, love the super easy application.
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder
2. SLIP Silk Face Mask
Obviously, this makes the list for 2020. The 100% mulberry silk prevents skin irritation when I’m wearing a mask for hours at a time and is supposed to be fantastic if you’re having “maskne” problems. Triple-layered for effectiveness, strong nose wire (to prevent glass fog), adjustable ear loops, extra replacement pieces, and pretty colors and designs. The real reason, though, it’s my most-worn mask? SO heavenly soft and luxe feeling against your skin.
3. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
My Zoom call hero. I’ve actually seldom worn real “makeup” before this year, but when I was forced to look at myself for hours at a time on Zoom calls, I decided to start using this magic tinted moisturizer. Easy to apply (especially if you use this primer first…but also fine on its own), and it just makes me look SO much more alive — without looking too “makeupy”. Will definitely continue using this once I’m out and about in the post-mask-wearing world as well.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with Hydrating Pure Canvas Primer
4. Vitamin-Infused Mascara Primer
This primer works wonders for more dramatic eyelashes without the usual clumpiness that many of the extreme mascara brands give me. When I wear this underneath my usual Lancome Definicils Mascara, my lashes look super long and full. I have small eyes, so when I’m outside the house wearing a mask, I really like having my eyelashes more defined. I also like that it has Vitamin E in the formula to condition and stimulate eyelash growth, length, and thickness.
Cils Booster XL Vitamin Infused Mascara Primer with Lancome Definicils Mascara
5. NudeStix Nudies
I can’t stop with these silly makeup sticks. I keep buying more and more colors and loving them all. I wear them on my cheeks, eyes, and lips. Easy to use, blending brush built-in, and adds just the right amount of dewy color, as well as glow. I’ve liked all the colors I’ve tried of all three varieties other than Illumi-Naughty (not right for my coloring).
Nudies Stix Matte | Dewy | Glow
The 5 Nordstrom Beauty Products I Can’t Wait to Try
1. Dark Spot Sun Defense SPF & Vitamin C Combo
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! One less step in my morning routine! I’ve been really happy with adding Vitamin C serum to my morning routine, so I LOVE the idea of a combo product with SPF 50. I’m always looking for good SPF, as well as products to help with hyperpigmentation.
Dark Spot Sun Defense SPF & Vitamin C Combo
2. By Terry Hyaluronic Tinted Hydra-Powder
The colorless formula has become such a part of my getting ready routine that I knew I needed to to try their tinted version as well. I’m even paler than usual this winter (with more time indoors and masking up), so I like the option of a little added overall natural color on days I’m not applying my tinted moisturizer. It just arrived and the color (N.100 Fair) is perfect for my skin tone. It was nice to know, though, that Nordstorm has free and easy returns if the color wasn’t right.
3. PMD Elite Pro Microderm Device (With Blackhead Cap)
Okay. I have committed myself to better skin care in 2021, and this is in the running as an investment skincare device. The Pro Elite version has a blackhead cap tool in addition to other additional tools and disks (that users have recommended). People definitely like the classic version as well (that’s a bit more budget-friendly). It doesn’t, however, come with as many discs and caps. As I mention at the bottom of the post, I am also definitely intrigued with the Light-Therapy Treatment Device as another option to help with my hyperpigmentation…both options are pricey, but definitely less $ than the laser skin treatments I’ve considered.
PMD Elite Microderm Elite Pro Exfoliation Device
4. Oribe Foundation Hair Mist
Oribe hair products are my favorite for my curly hair, and I’m trying two new Oribe products right now. I need a spray to use for mornings I’m not showering to reshape my curls, and this hair mist is exactly what I have been looking for. It’s VERY lightweight (great for my fine hair) and works best if there’s still some leftover product in my hair from the day before. My favorite Oribe product, though, right now for my curls is this Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax. Since it’s a hard wax, however, it’s not super-easy to scoop out and apply, so I ordered Oribe Rough Luxury SOFT Molding Paste to see if it gives me the same results with easier application. It just came in, so I’ll report back soon.
5. T3 Curling Iron
I finally did it! I ordered a “big girl” curling iron. My drugstore $12 curling iron no longer works (image that!), and Shana’s hairstylist suggested using a good curling iron (that doesn’t damage my hair) to help with my curl frustrations. Specifically, she told me to use it to “help out” just a few of my curls (not all of them) here and there when they’re not cooperating. She also suggested using the curling iron at the bottom of my curls to pull them out a bit when they’re too boingy and I want them to relax. It just arrived, and I cannot BELIEVE the difference. It glides so smoothly on my hair and curls so well even on the lowest heat setting. This opens a whole new world of “beauty-play” while trying to carve out “me-time” locked in the bathroom.
And…The Most Intriguing Nordstrom Beauty Product By FAR
Light Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
Oh man, guys….this thing looks terrifying and is VERY pricey. BOTH Shana and Scotti though, have rave reviews about their light therapy masks. Their specific ones are currently sold out, but we’ll let you know when they come back in stock. This one works in a similar way but with added green light (helps with hyperpigmentation and sunspots), yellow light (boosts circulation), and white light (for skin repair). I don’t know guys…it looks outrageous, but Scotti’s review, and the before and afters are pretty impressive. As I mentioned above, I’m also considering the PMD Elite Pro Microderm Device as a “skincare investment” tool. Both products are pricey, but by far less money than the professional laser skin treatments I have considered for my hyperpigmentation that I have been fighting for years.
Light Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device
I LOVE when Nordstrom reaches out to TME about beauty posts. They carry ALL my go-to makeup and hair products, so they naturally end up being my one-stop-shop for all things beauty. Additionally, Nordstrom has free shipping, free easy returns, and their process for buying online and then picking up-in-store or curbside is super-easy.
One more added benefit…I buy my makeup and hair products from Nordstrom because purchases contribute to my Nordy Club Points (which earn those fun reward certificates). Those points also contribute to increasing my Nordy Club status (which gives me early access during Anniversary sale time, free alterations, as well as other fun perks). It’s definitely a no-brainer for me since they carry all my favorite products and brands anyway.
Thank you again, Nordstrom & Shopstyle, for sponsoring this post and giving me the opportunity to share my Nordstrom Beauty favs. So.Much.Fun as always!
-Linzi
For the pinners…
 a renewed interest in makeup, skincare & hair products. Nordstrom has me covered.){kind=link}
Can’t wait to hear back on your Oribe review, as while I have thicker curly hair than you, I think the type of curl is roughly the same. It’s all about containing the frizz, for me. Sigh. Never thought to use a curling iron for the random curls… great idea. And I am really interested in the SPF/Vit C cream. Great ideas.
Hi Kari–I really like both of the new hair Oribe products. The hair mist is very light, but helps my curls more than just spritzing water in the mornings. I feel like it does make a difference, though, whether or not I put product in my hair the day before. If I use product the day before, then the hair spritz just kind of refreshes everything and does its thing…but if I didn’t use product the day before it doesn’t really add very much. Does that make sense? As for the molding paste…it’s exactly what I wanted. Easier to work with than the hard molding wax, but similar result with my hair texture. I still like the result of the hard molding wax a tad better, but I reach for the softer paste more. And I’m kind of obsessed now with curling irons….it’s been really fun to curl just a few pieces here and there super quickly….that is the nice thing about curly hair…nothing has to be too perfect. Thanks for the comment!