(IF YOU’RE NOT INTERESTED IN THE MAKE-UP POST, MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM FOR SOME SALE INFORMATION!)
Back in April I was asked by Nordstrom to participate in their MOMS THAT WOW Campaign.
Let’s just give that a minute to sink in.
Me. A wife and mama with a blog.
Asked to participate in a Nordstrom campaign.
Eeeeeeeeeek!
Apparently enough of you sweet ladies have mentioned “Pinterest Told Me
To”when reviewing items online that some people at Nordstrom started
wondering who or what the heck Pinterest Told Me To was. So, thank you
for that! I’ve also received e-mails from new readers of the blog
saying they found me after reading a review online. So again, thank
you!
Growing a blog is hard work, and you sweet girls are the ones helping me every step of the way.
So….all that to say…Nordstrom asked me to participate in their MOMS THAT WOW campaign!
Will I participate?
Um, yes.
Yes I will.
First of all, I was of course TOTALLY excited.
However, I immediately thought “Me? WOW? Um, prolly not.”
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know I have it in me to “WOW” and can definitely pull out all the stops and WOW on occasion!
However, on any given day, a WOW moment isn’t always in the cards.
I mean WOWing takes effort.
Still, I wanted to participate in the campaign (because HELLO!
NORDSTROM!) and my post was supposed to be about make-up, which is a fun
subject that I think I’ve only talked about on this blog a couple of times before.
And then I had a brainstorm one morning.
I was thinking about how much great feedback I got from my product post (found HERE) and I thought of a totally fun angle for me for this campaign.
So, here’s what I did.
I
called Northpark’s Nordstrom, and I asked to be connected to somebody
who could do my make-up, but didn’t have an allegiance to any one
particular brand.
I wanted somebody to do a make-over on me, pulling popular products from all
over the make-up department. I basically wanted to be introduced to
some FAN FAVORITES, no matter which department they were from.
FUN, RIGHT?
So, I did it, and I had a flipping blast!
You are going to get some of the pretty “after” pictures, but you are
also going to get some before pictures. Yep, you heard me. I’m about to
get real.
I’m walking out the door to head to Northpark. With no make-up.
I feel like I should have earned some sort of girl-scout badge for that.
Because if you didn’t hear me, I went to NORTHPARK. WITH NO MAKE-UP.
Caitlin (the Nordstrom beauty consultant) got right to work!
She started with my eyes, and she said she always starts with eyes.
(Oops. I’ve always done my eyes last.)
Her reasoning for starting with the eyes? If there are smudges or if
eyeshadow drops onto the cheeks or anything, you can wipe the area clean
and not disturb other freshly applied make-up.
Well, that makes perfect sense Caitlin.
So, let’s just jump right into this.
First up, my eyebrows.
never used an eyebrow pencil before, and my eyebrows are seriously
full, so I don’t think I need one, but I thought the product was very
cool and it seemed easy to use. That little brush on the end did a very
nice job of blending the color into my eyebrows.
are even a couple of reviews from people that are cancer survivors that
say it’s an amazing product, which is obviously a great endorsement!
Also, several reviews mentioned “no sharpening needed”, which is awesome.
Click HERE for the Trish McEvoy Precision Brow Shaper Pencil.
It has 22 5 STAR Reviews. (Update: Now it has 25 5 star reviews!)
color and glides on smoothly. Stays put all day. I like that no
sharpening is needed and the other end of pencil is a brow brush. Easy
to use and looks natural.
Again, I didn’t feel like I needed it (in fact, I think it made my brows
a little too noticeable), but I do think this product could be amazing
for somebody with less full brows.
********************************************************************
This next product was the one that probably surprised me the most!
What was it?
I was like WHAT? What is eye base? Why does anybody need eye base?
Caitlin insisted that it was a must have product, but I didn’t “get” it.
But you know me, I heard the words “must have”, and I was intrigued! 🙂
On a regular day I wear eyeshadow, but nothing fancy, and I feel like the eyeshadow does it’s job.
It has 82 5 Star Reviews. (Update: It now has 93 5 Star Reviews.)
Here are 2 of my favorites:
bought this several months ago after a fantastic Nordstrom makeup
artist used it on me. The “bare” color works great even though I have
pinkish-white skin. I use it instead of eyeshadow for daytime. It helps
lock in my eyeliner and also provides coverage of some discoloration I
have on the inner corner of my lid. It gives me a brighter, more awake
look. I’m hooked!
bought this at a Trish McEvoy counter for the first time about 3 yrs
ago and I have been in love ever since! It evens out the color of your
eyelid setting the stage for flawless eyeshadow application and
phenomenal staying power!
eye on the left….but not to the eye on the right. It evened out my
skin, gave it a matte finish, and took out all of the redness.
like I could have worn it without eyeshadow on top (and Caitlin says
that many ladies do).
Caitlin (and the reviews) this is one of the best ones out there.
(20/22 5 star reviews) as my eyeshadow, and I’ve been loving it! (Sometimes I apply it with
an eyeshadow brush, but sometimes when I’m in a hurry I apply it with
the same brush I use to apply it to my face, exact brush found HERE.)
she used “wonder” (2nd from left on bottom) over the entire eye, and
then applied “whim” (4th from left on bottom) in the crease of my eye
in a greater than sign pattern, you know….like this: <.
I told her I use the Bobbi Brown product that is similar and that I love it (found HERE), but she used this on me because she said her clients have better luck with this product not drying out.
Click HERE for this eyeliner in Noir.
Bobbi Brown eyeliner brush HERE.
I MUCH PREFER gel or cream eyeliner that’s in a tub like this to a pencil or even a liquid liner.
I find it so much easier to apply (it goes on so smoothly), and I feel
that it stays put much better. I’ve been using a product like this for
at least 8 years, and I can’t imagine ever using anything else.
One tip: make sure you clean off your eyeliner brush (just wipe it clean with a tissue or damp rag) after every application.
If you don’t, the brush will become caked with product, and nobody’s got time for that. 😉
The Napoleon Perdis Eye Dust can be found HERE.
She just used her finger to dab it on the ball of my eyelid.
It acted like a highlighter and just brightened my eyes. It was fun!
I felt like it did a nice job of both separating my lashes and making them look fuller.
It’s got good reviews too!
Okay, so once she was finished with my eyes, it was time to give some attention to my face.
I have very normal skin. Not too oily, not too dry.
And except on the rare occasion, I tend to not have that many break-outs.
Please, let’s all take a moment to knock on some wood after I made that last comment.
Seriously. Knock on wood. Please.
I do
have some discoloration (both redness and some brown spots that I’ve
been battling on and off since having Carter). So, although I don’t
have break-outs, I definitely have skin “issues”.
Caitlin could not say enough great things about this next product.
Click HERE for the Napoleon Perdis “Auto Pilot” Pre-Foundation Skin Primer.
And I have to agree, this is a FABULOUS product.
I told
her that I’ve been using the Smash Box primer (which I really like), and
she told me lots of reasons (none of which I can remember, sorry) as to
why she prefers THIS one.
have tried many many primers as an aesthetician, and this one is the
best. Smooths and hydrates skin, no silicone feel, luxurious feel.
Perfect
product is amazing!! It feels so amazing on, not greasy or sticky and
makes my make up last for ever, two sweaty work shifts and a gym
session, and it was still flawless. So quick and easy to use. Can not
put my makeup on without it. LOVE!!
If you are somebody that goes to the gym in make-up, that last review should sell you on this!
I don’t wear make-up to the gym.
Oh wait, I don’t even go to the gym.
is the best tinted moisturizer I have ever used and I have used many
tinted moisturizers/BB creams/CC creams from many well-renowned lines.
It is called pure radiant because it somehow makes your face appear
bright and glowy without looking sparkly and highlighted. It also smells
great because it has their signature orange scent in it. It works great
as a sunscreen and provides just the right amount of coverage. I wear
it during the day or even when I go out at night!
So, I
liked the way this felt and looked so much, that even though I had like
1/3 or so of my bottle left of my other product, I went ahead and bought
this.
I can’t even put into words why I love it so much, but I do.
When
applying, you can apply it with a foundation brush if you’d like, but
you can also just apply it with the pads of your fingers. Caitlin
recommends warming it up on your finger tips and then applying it on
your face beginning in the middle and moving outward.
I absolutely love how it looks on.
It’s sheer, but it covers really well and just evens everything out.
I swear it made my skin look pretty dang near perfect, and I do not have perfect skin.
But if a product can make it look like it is, well then SIGN ME UP!
UPDATE
After the original post went live, a reader recommended a product to me that I have sense fallen in love with.
THIS pink egg-shaped sponge.
If you remember, it’s a make-up sponge that I now use to apply my NARS tinted moisturizer.
I accidentally left it at the ranch house a couple of weeks ago, and
when I had to apply my make-up without it (like I had done my entire
life up until about 6 weeks ago), I couldn’t stand it!
Not only does the make-up go on so much smoother with this little beauty, but my hands stay much cleaner too!
***********************************************************************
After the tinted moisturizer, she applied a bronzer.
Again, I told her what I was currently using, but she wanted me to try her favorite, so I did.
use this all the time for just a little hint of warmth on my face and
body. it looks great and goes on without turning orange – very natural.
plus look how pretty it is!!!!
I agree with everything the above reviewer said.
I love that it gives me glow and warmth without making me sparkly.
I don’t like the glitterly look. No ma’m.
The color is also very natural and not orange-y at all.
Caitlin also used her favorite bronzer brush, which is now my favorite bronzer brush too.
forehead, and then basically drawing a 3 on each side of my face. I
hope that makes sense, but I fear that it doesn’t.
For blush, she used NARS Orgasm blush found HERE.
She said it is the best universal color for everybody!
Seems as if everybody that uses it agrees, because it has 178 5 STAR REVIEWS!
(Update: It now has 210 5 STAR reviews.)
Also,
the common theme between all the reviewers is that it not only a
beautiful color, but that the formulation makes it long lasting.
am a certified makeup junkie! I have every designer makeup except Nars
and after reading reviews, I knew i NEEDED to start with Orgasm. It
didn’t disappoint! it has a light shimmer and looks good on any skin
tone. Thanks NARS I will be ordering more colors!
loves these Real Techniques brushes that can be found at Ulta (and she
couldn’t remember…but she thinks that either Target or Wal-Mart
carries them too)!
It went on smoothly and had a bit of a minty taste that was quite nice!
Sooooo shiny and Soooooo pretty!
The only thing I would do differently is that I probably wouldn’t use the eyebrow liner.
Because let’s be honest, mama has plenty of brows as it is.
I thought Caitlin did a great job on my eyes, and I loved the lip color and gloss…..
but my favorite products BY FAR were all of the products that created the foundation for my look:
1) the eye base found HERE
2) the primer found HERE
3) the tinted moisturizer found HERE
4) the bronzer brush found HERE
I think the combination of the above 4 products is what made my skin look luminous.
I know it’s weird for me to say that about my own skin, but I’m telling you, it WAS luminous.
LOVING it.
I mean, LUMINOUS, right?
I’ll take all the help I can get!!!!
It was so much fun hearing all of your favorite picks and getting to watch you work your magic!
It’s nice to feel your best, and I feel like you totally made me feel like just the best version of me!
I had a blast!
Especially because I had talked with the hubby before hand and let him
know that new make-up would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for me. 🙂
So I went ahead and made it easy on him (You’re Welcome Babe!) and left with the 5 products I mentioned above as my favorites.
I thought some of you might like a round-up of all the products Caitlin used on me.
I put little hearts next to the products that I actually ended up buying for myself.
Just scroll up to find their exact links within the body of the post.
See you back here on Wednesday for a new Closet Confessions!!!!!
It’s a good one!
AND THE WINNERS OF THE OLD NAVY
#somebodygetthepaddles
#clear
(that one was for you Cassie!)
black tweed puffer vest HERE / plaid shirt HERE
abalone earrings HERE, sanibel pendant HERE, similar jeans (just darker wash) HERE, and click HERE for a similar pair of jeans from Old Navy / Pillar Box red Hunter boots HERE
I couldn’t love the outfit more if I wanted to.
Susan Jeffries says
I loved this post the first time, and I learned some things I must have overlooked this time too! Your skin does look luminous! I am putting the eye primer and the brow brush on my must have list. I hope your move went well and thanks for the tips today! Susan
Anonymous says
Amazing post. Reread it. You look amazing!
Narci says
You look amazing!! I use some of those products religiously now!! They are incredible!!
Natalie Zambreski says
Loved this post the first time and love it again! I also love how really surprisingly affordable so many of these are! I need to give the NARS tinted moisturizer a try!
Shawnee says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the eye base!!!!! My eye shadow always creased until I started using the base……I even wear it alone sometimes too. I also love the NARS tinted moisturizer. I think I need the primer now!
Molly M says
Love my NARS product, you look absolutely gorgeous!!! I'm going to have to try out this eye base stuff!
Marty says
Loved this post both times! And you looked great both times! 🙂
Domestic Engineer says
I hope your move went well. Love the lip color!
Gwen L. says
Perfect timing on this post. I was just about to search for it because I need some new makeup. Thanks!
Anonymous says
Since you mentioned Closet Confessions for wednesday… you should totally do a Closet Confessions on your new closet in the new house!!
Catherine Hansen Peart says
I think you look beautiful before and after! Definitely filing away some gift ideas here. Hope the move went well and hope you give us a tour!
Alison says
You are stunning, before & after! I'll have to try the eyeshadow palette. I love love the colors!
Kristin says
I know you hear this ALL the time but I LOVE your blog!! My sister-in-law let me in on her little style secret (that she follows your blog) a few weeks ago and I'm obsessed (and also substantially more poor)!!! We live in a small town with pretty much zero shopping-the nearest stores are over an hour away- not to mention I have two little girls age 3 and 7mo and shopping is pretty much impossible anyway. I have been in serious need of a new wardrobe and really haven't updated my closet lately with much other than maternity clothes. Then I found you! Love what you pick out and really love that most of the items have free shipping and free returns. You have made me and my closet (probably not my husband!) so HAPPY!! And you are hilarious by the way- so I would probably read your blog even if I didn't like your style. Love having my morning coffee and reading your blog while delaying starting my work day! Thanks so much!!!
Christy says
I love the way your makeup looks. The lip color is probably my favorite.
Allison L says
Great post! I need a primer & will soon be out of my foundation/powder so I'll be giving these reccomendations a try. Also, I bought the Loft trouser jeans and love the fit but am having a tough time styling them. I'm always reaching for my skinnies b/c they just seem easier and I'm casual & on the go. I need at least a slight heel with the trouser ones b/c of the length and so, am debating returning them. Help:-)!
Kristi Miller says
Just found your blog – I love it!!!!!! And, I love that you're in Dallas! Maybe I'll see you at Nordstrom sometime! 🙂