I am getting back into this blogging thing just in time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  How is that?  Well just fo you, here are the "Beauty Exclusives" that are released just at Nordstroms, either online or in store.  Most are available in stores, but there are some that I admit I have never seen in stores.  There are a lot more exclusives that I'm not mentioning here, so head to this site to check them all out.  Everything is available for preorder now (and has been, sorry!) but it starts tomorrow, so I'd head tho a Nordstrom's quickly if you have any intention of picking up some stuff.  I'll note which ones I think are more likely to sell out, if not sold out already.

MAC Look in a Box: Three looks titled Seductress, Sun Siren, and Sweet Tease.  These are good for those who need an introduction to makeup.  Each look includes 2 eyeshadows, a lipstick/lipgloss, a powder and brush, and a mascara.  All the items are permanent and would have a total retail value of about $100.  For Nordstrom's, it's $59.50.  I think these will sell out, especially Sun Siren.  If you don't have the eyeshadow Shroom or if you want to get a Dazzleglass, Sun Siren would be a good kit.

Graphic Gardens eyeshadow palettes.  Fresh Cut (L) and Graphic Gardens (R), $35 each.

MAC Lip Bags.  Those bags are really, really tiny - probably would hold about 4 lipsticks.  Just saying...I was like, why so small?  But it's a group of prodcuts valued at $57 for $35.  Very neutral and probalby one I will be skipping, but that's just me.

The two brush sets, 5 brushes each, for $49.50.  For the novice/intermediate user, these brush sets are a quick way to start building a brush collection, but if you really want to build a collection that will last a long time, the quality of these special edition brush sets is usually a little lower than those in the regular collection.  The good thing about these brushes is they generally have shorter handles, so they're great for traveling.  The bags are cute and graphic.  Actually I think all these MAC sets are likely to sell out, even if I won't be buying.

Bobbi Brown "Must Have" Set.  Wow - there's a lot of product here for $75.  A lip palette with 7 lip shades, the gel eyeliner (fabulous!) in Espresso, plus the brush, a mascara, and a two pan eyeshadow (can be replaced with new shadows when it's empty).  It's a $122 value if purchased separately, so if you love Bobbi Brown's neutrals, this is a great kit.  The gel eyeliners are great - I gave the one I had to my sister and have been looking for another one. Hmm...better hurry, this well probably sell out.

Oh Chanel how I love you.  $45 for this palette of 2 shadows and 4 lip products.  The 2 green shadows are at the bottom are just lovely and are reminiscent of the nail polish I heard Chanel is releasing this fall.  A typical Chanel quad of shadows is in the $60+ range, plus with lipsticks in the $25 range, I think this is quite a bargain for Chanel.  Not cheap, but reasonable for Chanel.  Will.Sell.Out.

If you're a fan of the Chanel No. 5 scent, you may want to pick up this bath oil.  I like the three colors, but personally find the scent too flowery for my liking.  $75.

Dior "Jazz Club" Eye Palette.  $65 for six shadows in a nice palette.  The purples, pinks, and grays would combine to create a nice range of looks ranging from the dramatic to the neutral.

Lippmann Collection of nail polishes.  $35 for 3 nail polishes is a little steep, but these polishes are gorgeous.  Ruby Red Slippers, Funky Chunky (sequined sheer black glitter) and Superstar (copper-flecked fugde glitter) are amazing looking and are one item I haven't seen in stores.

Lancome "Declaring Indigo" Brush Set. Four brushes for $52.  While more expensive than the MAC brush sets, i love the cobalt blue bag and blue detail on the brushes.  A pre-cursor to the indigo nail polish Lancome is coming out with later.  Yup. I'm excited about the fall nail polishes.  That's another post =).

Smashbox "After Hours" collection.  I'm a little perplexed by Smashbox's identity; I'm not sure if they're supposed to be a fun color young lady or a sulty, smoking evning mistress.  With this collection, I'm leaning toward the latter. $59.

Nars "Modern Love" Palette. These are 6 eyeshadows that are part of the permanent collection, but as one of the two shades in a duo.  A nice way to get your $55.  People love Nars though, and so I suspect it will sell out.

Ahh Clairsonic.  I want one, but even a $225 special package isn't enough.  You get the Clarisonic, some trial sizes of cleansers and an 2 extra brush heads (one sensitive, one normal).  The Clairsonic won't sell out, but I'm sure this package is limited to just the anniversary sale.  A regular Clairsonic is $195, plus the $25 brush head

La Mer "The Signature Collection"  Have you heard of Creme de La Mer?  The creme that costs over $100 an ounce?  Well add a lifting serum for face and for eye and you're at $300.  But for a limited time, this is only $240.  Fans of La Mer, hurry!  The rest of us? Get back to me when the economy picks up.

Ahh Clinique, a little more wallet friendly.  This "Best of Clinique" set is only $45 and gets you 6products.  Youth Surge w/ SPF 15; All About Eyes; Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser; Almost Lipstick in Black Honey; Cream Shaper for Eyes; High Impact Curling Mscara.
And no picture necessary, but get a value sized (6.7 oz) bottle of the ubiquitous Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel for $35.

Juice Beauty "Organics to Glow" set. 3 Lip Moisturizers, 2 facial moisturizers, a hydrating mist, and a green apple full strength peel.  Only $29.

Okay like I said, there are lots of other Beauty Exclusives, so head online or to Nordstrom stores tomorrow.  Oh, the rest of Nordstroms will probably have specials too.

Sale alert ladies!  Starting tomorrow, June 9th, through Thursday June 11th only, save 25% on your online purchase at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.  Spend $60 and you also get free shipping.  No code needed, so just head over there for three days only!

Ahhh Wednesday.  Much cooler in the Bay Area today, after the 90+ degree weather we had on Monday and Tuesday.  I've emerged a little less pasty white, so I'll more summer ready

Did you achieve any of your wishes from last week?  My room is still a mess, guess I should get on that again =)  But on to this week's wishes.

1. I wish weeds didn't grow.  I spent the morning weeding the yard and I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow. (sorry, not really something realistic or practical, but very current this week)

2. I wish I knew how to fix cars, do the plumbing, remodel the bathroom myself.  Basically, I wish I was more handy.

3. I wish I could afford those two Bobbi Brown foundation and lipstick palettes I showed you last week. But really, I can spend my nearly $500 somewhere else.  Why can't makeup be cheap (and of superb quality!)?

Okay readers, how come nobody's sharing their wishes?  Comment away!
1. What I wish for this week. (practical)
2. What I wish for in life (hopes and dreams)
3. What I wish for in the beauty world (expensive and probably unrealistic)

One of the things I've been trying to accumulate in my extensive makeup collection is foundation and concealer that will match everyone's skintone.  Obviously this won't be accomplished in 1 product, but here's a palette that will.

The Bobbi Brown BBU Palette.  It features: 9 shades of Corrector for extra dark circles, 12 shades of Creamy Concealer for average undereye darkness, and 17 shades of Foundation Stick to give skin a smooth, even finish. Corrector (.04oz./1.2g each); Concealer (.03 oz./ 1.1g each); Foundation Stick (.05 oz./ 1.7g each).

I'm trying to figure out how much product each little well contains, because this palette is not cheap.  In fact, it's a whopping $250.  If you're serious about becoming a makeup artist, this is a great tool.  Not content to just focus on foundation, Bobbi Brown also has a palette of lip colors.

I love this lip palette too!  It's $200 though.  Man, I wish these weren't Limited Edition, otherwise I'd promise myself I'd buy them by saving $1 a day or something.  For those of you like me, who won't be spending $450 on makeup, Bobbi does have the option of building your own customized palette.  It'd be a great way to create a personalized kit of all the essentials - foundation, blush, eyes, and lips.

You can fill it with six products, so create a palette of eye colors, lipsticks, blushes, foundations...you name it!  Start with this empty palette for just $10, then add your favorite shades. 
Foundation Stick Compacts are limited edition, so if you want these in the palette, you'd better hurry.  I'd buy a couple, one for the pale winter skin and one for after that gorgeous summer glow.
Shimmer Blush or Regular Blush. $22 each.
Shimmer Bluish: 7 Shades

19 Blush Shades to choose from

Lip Quads:  Available in Coral, Pink, or Rose groups.$20 each
If you don't want 4 shades, you can add individual Lipstick or Lipgloss compacts.

Lipstick: 3 shades, $20 each

Lipgloss: 6 shades, $20 each

Eyeshadows: Sparkle or Regular, $24 each.  Shades may change seasonally.

All images from bobbibrown.com

I've been told that this blog is a little too MAC focused, so I'm going to try to focus on some other brands.  Most of the spring and/or summer lines are out and I've neglected posting about them, so let's play catch up.

First up is Bobbi Brown's Light Bright Platinum line.  It features many of her most popular products, but inn limited edition packaging and shades.

Skin has a soft and luminous glow this season courtesy of Bobbi's newest Shimmer Brick, part of her NEW Platinum Collection. Five color bars-soft pink, platinum, bright pink, golden coral and rose-blend together to light up the face. These shades work beautifully as highlight colors for cheeks or anywhere you want to add shimmer. The special platinum bar is a great new shade for eyes. Custom-made compact features a metallic silver finish and faux-leather detailing.


Eyes this spring are strong and smoky with cool shades of this velvety-smooth formula that goes on easily with a finger or brush—and lasts all day without creasing or smearing. Safe for contact lens wearers. Ophthalmologist tested. Fragrance free.
Shades for spring are: Ash, Heather,  Platinum, and Steel


Shimmer Lip gloss: This ultra sheer, shimmering formula can be worn alone or layered over your favorite lipstick for a personalized look. Scented with a hint of Vanilla.  Glossy, high-shine lips are the perfect accompaniment to the season’s luminous face. Get the look with Bobbi’s newest shades of Shimmer Lip Gloss, part of her New Platinum Collection.
Shades for spring are: Glacier and Confetti.
Lip gloss in Nougat also released.

Available now at bobbibrown.com or counters nationwide.