Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – Gothamista Picks!

Let’s get those deals, Skin Squad!

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to the public! Here’s a quick rundown of the sale deets :

Public Access: August 19 – August 30

For our friends up North in Canada, Nordstrom will hold the Anniversary Sale on the dates below:

Public Access: August 19 – September 3

STOCK SITUATION : If something you want is sold out the first time you look, check back the next day, as Nordstrom sometimes restocks products that have sold out during the Early Access window!

In addition to my picks below, please browse the full list of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Exclusives.

Apologies for the lack of makeup picks. Usually, I’m excited for makeup, but at the moment, I have zero personal interest given my current state of hermit-ness and when I’m not “hermitting” a mask covers 2/3 of my face.

 

1. FRESH® Sugar Lip Balm Set $30 ($44 value)

Best lip treatments for healing dry, peeling, parched lips!

The Caramel Hydrating Lip Balm has been a ride or die forever. The scent is delicious and not cloyingly sweet. Adorable size.

The Sugar Treatment Advanced Therapy is one of the most comforting salves for shrivelled lips. 

The Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment has an SPF15 and has a slight, sheer, pink tint that adds some rosiness to the lips.

2. FRESH® Soy Face Cleanser Home & Away Set $38 ($53 value)

O.G. This was the first gentle, low pH, low-foaming, gel cleanser of it’s kind. Years before the recent outburst of similar options. Still top 3 for me and always on-hand. Infact, compared to many of the others, this is quite luxurious. The ingredient deck is great for all skin types and particularly ideal for sensitive skin that needs calming. Gives a thorough cleanse without stripping or dryness. Smells like cucumbers.

3. Paula’s Choice Jumbo Size Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant $39 ($59 value)

Our favourite, iconic 2% BHA super-hydrating toner but jumbo-sized. This is twice the size of the regular 4oz bottle we know and love. Seriously great value. 

4. Revitalash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner Duo $98 ($196 value)

This works really well for my short, stick straight lashes which grow noticeably longer and thicker. It’s been about 4 months since I finished my last serum and any growth from my years of diligent use has been wiped out so this is good timing to restock – 2 serums for the price I usually have to pay for 1!

5. Sulwhasoo Essential Care Collection $205 ($275 value)

Sentimental choice. My first experience with a Korean multi-step skincare routine was with the Essential Care line from Sulwhasoo which also introduced me to the wonderful world of Hanbang (traditional medicinal ingredients). Before then, I hadn’t experienced the glorious impact of layering hydration and I’ve pretty much never turned back. A luxurious treat for yourself or a great skincare gift plus this has the First Care sheet masks I haven’t tried yet.

Bodycare these days especially hand care has become really important, not just for myself but for everyone else who’s been obsessively washing their hands or jumping into the shower every time you’re back from being outside. But beyond obvious need, body care has been a source of comfort and therapy.

1. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve $10.50 ($16 value)

I’ve described this as feeling like a protective glove for your hands. I like that it’s dense and soothing but absorbs very quickly into the skin and does not leave a finish that’s greasy, heavy or the least bit invasive. After a day of ravaging my hands with sanitiser and soap (I developed patches of dermatitis a few times already), this is a fabulous overnight treatment!

2. Le Labo Jumbo Basil Hand Soap $40

Love the way this smells. I love the way everything at Le Labo smells. Infact, Le Labo can just take my money. Both the Basil and the Hinoki hand soaps are my favourites. They’re gentle, luxuriously texture and the herbal, foresty, earthy scents are intoxicating.

3. Nécessaire The Body Duo $35 ($50 value)

I’ve made no secret of my love for Nécessaire. In particular, the Eucalyptus is my favourite of all their scent options.  Their body wash and emulsion are as elevated as the precious formulas we use for our faces. With a pH of 5.5, the wash is great for women considering we have delicate areas that can be thrown off balance with cleansers that are too harsh and stripping. The body emulsion is lightweight, silky and easily absorbed. Pure elegance.

4. L’Occitane Almond Shower Duo Set $50 ($78 value)

A ride-or-die body cleanser and one of the first I used that didn’t lather into a mountain of foam.  This cleansing oil nourishes as it cleanses and is exactly what my dry, flaky skin needs especially during the Winter. This also has a subtle natural almond scent from the oil in the formula!

1. Briogeo All-Star Hair Heroes Set $45 ($67 value)

I would get this set just for the Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask which is my ride-or-die conditioner.

Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray has the ability to soften my hair and tame down the frizzy, unruliness during periods of straw-like coarseness. This is nice as a heat-protectant or as a daily hair moisturizer that’s lighter and more hydrating than a hair oil.

Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro Exfoliating Shampoo is a mild scalp scrub that also works to clarify the scalp and nourish it without turning your hair into straw.

2. Slip for beauty sleep Mega Scrunchie Set $45 ($65 value)

I can not live without my silk scrunchies. For anyone who is dealing with hair-loss, these put far less stress on the hair than your traditional hair ties. They cause less breakage and don’t pull on the hair follicles. Removal is painless and without tugging. Even if my hair has been up for hours, when I remove the scrunchie, there’s no harsh bend in the hair. Since, my scrunchies like to break my heart and disappear, I always stock up on them.

3. Oribe Full Size Gold Lust Dry Shampoo & Dry Texturizing Spray Set $64 ($96 value)

The gold standard power couple for hair. I’ve used so many wanna-be’s and nothing can quite touch these. In particular, with the iconic dry shampoo, it’s not sticky, stiff, clumpy, nor does it leave a visible residue. This is elegance and even the air pressure with every spray is spectacular. I also love the scent. The texturing spray gives a finish that separates the strands and gives a subtle insouciance that’s perfectly imperfect without stickiness or clumping. Very natural.

4. Olaplex Bond Maintenance System Set $84 ($126 value)

I’ve only used No. 3 Hair Perfector which makes an immediate difference every time I do this treatment. Whenever my colour-treated hair is feeling like straw, I use this as a mask and my hair is immediately softer and shinier. Pretty transformative. I’ve always wanted to use No.4 + 5 and this deal is pretty irresistible!

Since the NY Pause started in March, I’ve been burning more candles than any other time I can remember. They’ve been a source of comfort and soul-soothing during some…strange times. I’ve been stockpiling my favourites with every sale. Here are a few favourites – I know scent is very unique to ones individual taste and trying to describe the way something smells is exceptionally difficult, so I’ll just list the ones I’m obsessed with.

1. Voluspa Maison Noir Crisp Champagne Maison Metallo Two-Wick Candle $12 ($18 value)

A long-time favourite of mine, this smells like cologne mixed with the pheromones of the most attractive person ever. If I were to come across someone who smelled like this, I could not be trusted to keep my social distance. My nose would be inches away from the poor soul. I also love the decorative aesthetic of the packaging.

2. Maison Margiela Replica Travel Spray Duo $30 ($56 value)

If you love one of the Replica scents, you will likely love all of them which makes things very difficult trying to choose just one. I have been slowly collecting the scents and these are 2 of my favourites – Beach walk & Lazy Sunday Morning. They layer intoxicatingly well too!

3. Diptyque Set of 5 Travel Size Limited Edition Scented Candles $55 ($75 value)

I never see Diptyque on sale and am all over this set. I also haven’t come across a single scent from Diptyque that I don’t feel I need right now but this set IMO has their 5 greatest hits. Small but long-lasting.

4. Nest Fragrances Grapefruit & Sicilian Tangerine Classic Candle Duo $56 ($84 value)

My favourite Nest candles by far are their Holiday ones but their Citrus ones are a close second. The Grapefruit candle is pure joy and manages to lift my spirits – something I very much need these days. The tangerine is also bright, light, sunshine!

 

Happy shopping, my Skin Squad!