Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Haul July 2011

July marks the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and with that a bunch of Nordstrom Exclusive beauty must haves! Meaning you won't be able to find certain colors and sets anywhere else but at Nordstrom (just to justify my shopping habit. =)  Here's what I've hauled XD

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2011 Beauty Haul

All this was a total of $223.78 including tax! I probably wouldn't have even attempted to spend so much if it weren't for the $8 shipping cost, so I made a $200 purchase to get free shipping. XD sigh... shopaholic, I know. Thank goodness Nordstrom now offer FREE SHIPPING & FREE RETURNS for ALL purchases! (ok, maybe that's not a good thing for my wallet either, haha)

Possibly the most worthy item and biggest fail item I got from this haul was the Estée Lauder 'Double Wear' Makeup Lesson Set which is a $105 retail value for $37.50. 

Estée Lauder 'Double Wear' Makeup Lesson Set

Comes with a full size Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 (1 oz.) and deluxe size Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer SPF 10 (0.06 oz.), a full size Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector (1 oz.) (primer) and a Foundation brush. But the failure on my part was that I got so excited seeing this set that I didn't realize I got the wrong color!!!! >_____<  And since there's no Nordstrom near me, I can't do anything about it.

Estée Lauder Gift With Purchase

The best part might have been that there was a gift with purchase with this Estée Lauder purchase. Comes with a blush palette with perfect fall colors cool pinks and corals and bright berry lipstick and lip gloss. Swatches later when I finally decide to use it. Am not a fan of the snakeskin/reptile skin cosmetic pouch (but hey it's free) so I might put that up for sale on my eBay account.

Lancôme 'Définicils Precious Cells' Mascara Set (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Next was the Lancôme 'Définicils Precious Cells' Mascara Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) which retails for $88 but was sold at $39.60 at Nordstrom.  This set includes a full size Définicils Precious Cells Mascara, Le Crayon Khol Eyeliner in Black Ebony, and Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara base.

Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow Smooth Hold in Filigree

Also included in this set is a beautiful eyeshadow in Filigree and deluxe sample size of the Bifacil Eye Makeup Remover. The eyeshadow's a great neutral color with a hint of shimmer to brighten up the eye.

And of course Lancome purchase also came with a gift with purchase! The tote I'm probably going to put up on eBay as well, but the eyeshadow is so pretty!

Lancome Gift With Purchase

Lancome Sensational Effects Eye Shadow

Lancome Sensational Effects Eye Shadow - Color Codes

Beautiful eye shadow colors! I think the shimmery white and silver will work best for elegant looks. If you look carefully, the black also has silver shimmers in it. =)

Next up, the biggest splurge of makeup I've ever done: Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette.

Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette

Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette - Comes in a beautiful velvet pouch

Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette - the beautiful packaging

Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette - individual brushes

Dior 'Fall Ready-to-Wear' Palette - SUCH BEAUTIFUL SHADES

The palette is so beautiful. It is definitely a luxury item, with its velvet pouch, sleek dark blue packaging, individually wrapped brushes... ahhh... so beautiful!! Haha, I can't stop gawking at it. The colors are very neutral with earthy browns and pale pinks. I've been looking at reviews for this palette, most complaints are on the face that the lip glosses are so close to the shadows and blush. I can see why it would a little unsanitary, I guess I'll have to watch out for it. =)  It's still too pretty for me to swatch.

M.A.C. Purchase

M.A.C. Semi Precious Mineralize Blush - Warmth of Coral, Select Sheer/Pressed Powder NC25, Surf Baby Lipglass in Strange Potion

Picked up some of M.A.C.'s limited edition collections. The lipglass in Strange Potion is part of the Surf Baby collection and was also part of the Villians collection that came out earlier. A coral peach color with gold shimmers.  I wanted to get a pressed powder that I can carry around with me so I ordered the M.A.C. Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC25. Very finely milled but I'm not sure how much I like it yet.

M.A.C's Semi Precious Mineralize Blush in Warmth of Coral and My Highland Honey

My favorite item from this haul must be M.A.C's Semi Precious Mineralize Blush in Warmth of Coral. It's the most flattering coral peach color with just a hint of bronze shimmer for a natural glowy flush. Here I compared it with the My Highland Honey blush.

Evian Facial Water Spray Set

Nordstrom brought this Evian Facial Water Spray Set back during their semi annual sale. It's $15 for a $27 value set. Comes with 2 travel ones that usually sell for $14 at Sephora. These water spray bottles sprays out a very light mist that feels really hydrating. It doesn't mess up my makeup, but these are definitely not very good a setting makeup. Is it worth $15 to get water in a spray bottle? Probably not, but I don't think there's any refillable spray bottles that you can find that can spray out as nice of a mist.

That's it for my haul post! A very long long post that is way overdue!

Sephora Beauty Haul July 2011

And hauling I continue.There's been a lot of cool gifts and sales that Sephora was offering this month.

Sephora was giving out a Make Up For Ever deluxe sample set to their VIBs (use code MUSTHAVE) so I made a purchase online right away just to claim this gift. XP

Sephora Haul July 2011

This was definitely just a splurge haul, but I saw the new Stila Travel Palettes in Haute in the Hamptons ($14 for $60 value) and was really tempted.

Stila Haute in the Hamptons Travel Palette

Stila Haute in the Hamptons (Left) and Make an Impression in Moscow (Right)

Stila Haute in the Hamptons (Left) and Make an Impression in Moscow (Right)

I got the Make an Impression in Moscow palette last year and LOVED it. The colors were so pretty and Haute in the Hamptons were very similar. The new travel palettes now come with a powder blush (instead of the cream blushes like last year, thumbs up for me) and a bronzer. The size of the new eyeshadows also look like they are bigger. The new palettes has a smaller mirror but has how-to tips right in the palette so that is a plus for me newbies. ^_^

Caudalie Vinoperfect Beauty on Board Travel Set

Since I got the Best of Caudalie VIB 500 point perk from Sephora last month, I got convinced that Caudalie is a really good brand, so when I saw this Caudalie Vinoperfect Beauty on Board Travel Set, I got it right away. A nice cute set that comes with makeup remover, shower gel, lotion and shampoo. Also a sample size of the Pulpe Vitaminee Anti-Wrinkle Fluid.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30

Next I got this Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30 because it was a special deal from Sephora, retails for $30 but on sale for $12. This sounded like such a great product! A mineral sunscreen that you don't have to make sure you put on way before sun exposure. I can't speak much for the product, because I returned this to Sephora almost right away. The packaging for this was horrible! >.<  You see where it says, To Close, Pull Here. I was being very gentle and only slight tugging it, when it didn't budge, I pulled a little harder and the whole bottom cap fell off along with all the mineral sunscreen! It was a horrible mess. When I returned it, the cashier was telling me that he uses it all the time and never had a problem. So he took another one and showed me how to close the brush, it look like it worked, but I gave up on retrying, maybe next time.

I also bought the Harajuku Lovers Pencil Case which was $5. I wanted something to hold my brushes when I travel. And I got the Sephora atomizer for $6 to carry in my purse when traveling.

Josie Maran 500 point perk

Josie Maran 500 point perk - What's in the box?

Last but not least, Sephora introduced another highly raved 500 point perk - the Josie Maran Sample Set. Includes a lip gloss, mascara, and the popular Argan oil serums and cleansers. Says on the box that this set has a $45 value. Check out your local store while supplies last!

Express & American Eagle Clothing Haul June 2011

So for my clothing haul, first up is Express, I didn't buy too many things, but I do want to show you these super cute skorts! Haha, makes me feel like I'm back in elementary.

Express - Full Striped Shorts

And here are some pictures of me wearing it. I'm wearing a size Small and they are currently on sale at Express for $19.99 with 40% off!

Full Striped Shorts

Full Striped Shorts

There's also a floral pattern one. This one I think looks super cute for a night out. These skorts also come in a navy floral print.

Floral Shorts

Floral Shorts

American Eagle is constantly running sales on their shorts and summer clearance. I splurged again. XD

AE June Haul Bill

Here's a few outfits I put together from the haul. Love this Slouchy Tee!

AE Slouchy V

 I loved it so much I also bought the white one. =)  They are currently running a 20% off clearance sale that includes this top. Price comes out to be $7.99! Don't let it slip away.

AE Slouchy V & AE High-Waisted Dark Denim Shortie

AE Slouchy V & AE High-Waisted Dark Denim Shortie

AE Slouchy V & AE High-Waisted Dark Denim Shortie

Here's the AE Voile Inset T in white. It's very soft.

AE Voile Inset T with Skinny Jeans & Steve Madden Flats

AE Voile Inset T with Skinny Jeans & Steve Madden Flats

AE Voile Inset T close up

I'm going to try to put together a separate page of all my OOTD's. Just need to figure out how to do that.

Last up is my OOTD for Fourth of July!

Abercrombie & Fitch Off Shoulder Tee with Express White Shorts

Groupon Deal - 53% Off ShoeDazzle

Today's Groupon deal is on the famous online style subscription service, ShoeDazzle. ShoeDazzle is cofounded by Kim Kardashian and is a monthly service that will ship out shoes/bags/jewelry that fit and cater to your style.

Normally a $39.95 monthly fee, it is now $19 on Groupon.

Click here for the deal.

Dior Diva & Beauty Haul June 2011

Hello everyone! Work has kept me busy and exhausted. I miss blogging so much already!

June might have came and went, but it didn't go without a heavy damage to my wallet. =)

First off, for the freebies.

If you love Dior and have not signed up as a Dior Diva, shame on you! Dior Diva is Dior's loyalty program that rewards their customers with freebies! You just have to save all the receipts of your Dior purchases from major retailers like Sephora, Macy's, or Lord & Taylor. Then depending how much you spend annually ($100, $250, $500, or $1000), you will be rewarded a different gift set of Dior products. Click here for more details.

For 2010, I bought mostly Dior lip sticks/glosses during Sephora's 20% discount events. I reached the $100 mark and Dior shipped me my package within less than 2 weeks.

Dior Diva Rewards Package

Dior Addict Lipstick in 783 Londres

I love the detail of the signature Dior logo in the packaging. =)  It's silly but I admire companies who brand their shipping material as well. My Dior Diva Rewards package came with a travel size Hypnotic Poison perfume, DIORSHOW mascara, Dior Addict lipstick and a mini Dior shopping bag. Not sure what I'm going to do with the shopping bag but it's cute nevertheless.

Next, I had a little haul from Sephora and got some freebies.

Sephora Haul June 2011

I redeem 500-point perk on my Sephora Beauty Insider Rewards. The Best of Caudalie set came with super deluxe sizes! I calculate it to be about a $65 retail value.

Best of Caudalie - Sephora Beauty Insider 500-point perk

This sample set includes the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Pulpe Vitaminée Eye and Lip Cream, and the Instant Foaming Cleanser. Sephora sells a similar set called the Beauty Essentials from the Vine.  This perk is sold out on sephora.com already, but do check your local Sephora store if they still have it in stock!

Also received in the mail a postcard from Sephora regarding a free Bare Escentuals sample summer kit. I already use Bare Escentuals, so this was a good travel set to bring with me.

Sephora/Bare Escentuals Sample Set

This set came with the bareMinerals Mineral Veil, foundation, and their new line of Purely Nourishing Moisturizer and baby kabuki brush. Personally, I don't care for the kabuki brush because I think it is a bit rough.

Now for the only paid purchase on the same Sephora visit, haha. I got the Sephora Favorites In the Glow Set.

Sephora Favorites In The Glow Set

This set is a deluxe sample set of all the exfoliating and skincare for bright complexion. I already own the Boscia Black Illuminating Mask and adore it, just thought this will be perfect for travel. The Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster, I also do love from another 500-point perk. I mostly got this kit for the Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate Treatment. Can't wait to try it!

Also bought this Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit. Every year Sephora sells one of these kits to allow you to sample a bunch of skincare/sun care products. All proceeds to these kits are donated to the Skin Care Foundation.

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit - with the tote

This year's kit comes with a full size Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips that retails for $10 alone! Also comes with a cute Little Miss SPF tote that will be perfect for the beach. You can check out last year's kit here.

Also went to Lord & Taylor to use up the gift card from the special deal I got from RueLaLa ($25 for a $50 L&T gift card). I was looking for a new eye cream and stopped by the philosophy counter for the eye hope eye cream. It retails for $48 and came with this cute gift with purchase.

Lord & Taylor - philosophy haul

The gift with purchase came with samples of their famous purity cleanser and grace shower and shampoo. I wanted to try out their new hope in a tinted moisturizer and the sales representative was nice enough to give me a deluxe sample to try! She matched me with the light to medium one. We'll see how it works out.

That's it for the Beauty Haul, clothing haul and swatches coming up really soon! I'm totally back-logged. >.<