I live for a good sale and am normally found browsing Nordstrom right at the beginning of their annual event. As a card carrying member, you get early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale but worry not — there’s always enough to go around, so mark these dates.
- Icon Early Access: July 12 – 27
- Ambassador Early Access: July 14 – 27
- Influencer Early Access: July 16 – 27
- Open to Everyone: July 28 – August 8
This year, though, is a bit different. At least for me. The whole situation from the last few months has brought home the fact that we really don’t need to spend as much. Consume as much.
Plus, I have been more hyper-focussed on skincare than ever. While makeup is never off the table, good skin is the foundation of all looks for me. And given the on-again-off-again situation with beauty parlours, doing my own hair and nails has become my new superpower!
So, this is an even tighter beauty edit than I usually do, focussing only on items that are absolutely worth the price (which means they are so good that I would buy them even without a sale) and have a hefty enough discount to make it worth the while to buy right NOW.
With that, here are my top beauty picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021. I already own some of the items on this list and the rest are already in my shopping cart!
Riki Loves Riki Skinny Lighted Mirror
There are very few beauty influencers who do not own one of these Riki Loves Riki Skinny Lighted Mirrors. Not only are they great for selfies and Instagram or YouTube tutorials, the five stages of dimming and 10X magnifying mirror attachment allow for perfectly detailed makeup looks. Plus, it’s travel-friendly. Down to $130 from $210, this is definitely a steal.
NARS Pleasure Trip Cheek Palette
This limited edition palette from NARS contains three new shades — Wanderlust (shimmering light pink), Lucky Star (caramel rose) and Wild At Heart (medium bronze) — to contour, highlight and add a pop of color. And during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, it clocks in at $45 against a full value of $87.
Crème de la Mer Mini Hydration Collection Set
Again, where the 0.5 oz La Mer Moisturizing Cream / Soft Cream costs $95 on it’s own, in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale you are getting the whole set – including the 0.5 oz cream (both choices available), 1 oz Cleansing Foam, 0.5 oz Treatment Lotion and 0.17 oz Renewal Oil (0.17 oz.) – for $95 (down from $182). The maths definitely works for me!
Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Discovery Set
A full size jar of Sisley’s Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream costs $210. At the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, you are getting a set that contains the full size jar plus travel versions of the Black Rose Cream and Black Rose Precious Face Oil for $155. And there’s a reason why each of these is a Holy Grail on the beauty beat — nothing leaves skin as nourished, hydrated and glowing.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Set
You know that I am in mad, crazy love with Lancôme’s Génifique range, which is basically like hitting the reset button your skin (read about it here!). And when I get TWO full size bottles of the coveted Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate plus a travel size of the Advanced Génifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream for just $159 (one full size bottle costs $105), it’s time to stock up.
Chantecaille Full Size Bio Lifting Mask Set
A single one of these Bio Lifting masks retails for $XX and here you have a set of two (full size – normally $330) for $199. The mask itself is superbly nourishing, healing and anti-ageing to revive dull or stressed complexions, while soothing away fine lines and lifting the contours of the face. It also doubles as a rich night cream. One to buy and one to gift?
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask Mix & Mask Set
This limited edition masking set from Tata Harper includes a full size jar of the cult Resurfacing Mask and travel size versions of the Hydrating Floral Mask, Clarifying Mask and Purifying Mask. So, that’s your exfoliation, hydration, blemish-busting and skin detox sorted in one neat package. The full value of this set is $126; on sale you’re getting it for $78.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
This jumbo sized instant-glow exfoliator, which is one of the best in the market, is down to $130 from $185 – and that happens very rarely. Plus, it multitasks as a cleanser, scrub, peel and mask in one super-product that goes to work in as little as 30 seconds.
PMD Personal Microderm Pro
With regular facials not being so regular anymore, this PMD Personal Microderm Pro Device is a skin-changer. I use it in the shower to deep cleanse my pores. It literally suctions out grime and dead cells without irritating the skin. It also tackles hands and feet with separate discs that are included in the pack. And it’s down to $133 from the regular $199.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25-Inch Professional Ceramic Curling Iron
Like I said, hairstyling has become my new superpower and this T3 curling iron has been an essential in the pursuit of smooth, polished curls with minimum fuss. It’s lightweight (which my arms appreciate) and the ceramic barrel leaves hair frizz-free. Plus, there are five heat settings for minimum damage. There’s also a limited edition rose gold version that’s #shelfie-perfect. Usual price: $149. During the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: $99.99.
Atelier Cologne Travel Size Oolang Infini & Orange Sanguine Fragrance Set
Perfumes that combine good looks (have you seen the stunning details on their leather jackets?) with gorgeous notes of Calabrian bergamot, Tunisian neroli, freesia, oolang tea, Egyptian jasmine, blond leather, tobacco flower, guaiacwood and musk (Oolong Infini) and blood oranges, bitter oranges, red mandarin, jasmine, geranium, black pepper, tonka bean, sandalwood and cedarwood (Orange Sanguine) in a special collectors edition? I will take multiple sets please. Especially when they are coming in at $108 against a value of $160.
Tom Ford Black Orchid Parfum Set
Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Parfum is one of the most seductive fragrances EVER with its notes of black truffle, ylang ylang, black orchid, black plum, rum absolute and patchouli (and that bottle is a dream cast in gold!) but it’s definitely an investment. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale makes it much easier on the wallet at $150 and they drop in an additional travel-size parfum atomizer. Deal?
Diptyque Set of 5 Travel Size Limited Edition Scented Candles
I am not sure what’s limited edition about this set of five mini-candles, considering that it’s a standard issue from Diptyque, but it’s definitely great value at $60 (originally $82). And it’s got all the brand’s classics – Baies, Feu de Bois, Figuier, Narguile and Roses. You can even split them up for gifting.
Slip Pure Silk Queen Pillowcase Duo
For fans of Slip’s silk pillowcase (I am a MAJOR one!), this is a fantastic deal – a set of two queen-size pillowcases for $125, down from $178. Considering that one of these costs $89 on its own, this is definitely a steal!
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