Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access // Deal Hunting for Popular Beauty Brands

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*Scroll down to see details and sale prices of these beauty finds*

I shop at Nordstrom often as the store is known for excellent customer service and flexible return policy.  Also, I find great deals during their sale event, both normal ones and big ones like the Anniversary Sale.  

I do have a Nordstrom credit card, so I am able to have early access to their biggest sale of the year - the Anniversary Sale - where even regular-priced items would be put on sale.  Credit and Debit cardholders have early access to this event, for about a week in advanced of the official start date on 7/22.  There is no additional $ or % off, but cardholders simply get to shop early.

I've combed through the Beauty Exclusives section of the sale and picked out the items below from brands I love and use often.  And they are all under $70!

~ for your body ~

Kiehl’s Jumbo Size Creme de Corps with Pump 33.8oz
Sale $52
After Sale $75

You guys know how much I like this body lotion!  My body stays moisturized for hours after I put it on.  I will be stocking up since this is a true bargain for this luxe item.

Kiehl’s Jumbo Size Grapefruit Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser 33.80z
Sale $33
After Sale $48

My gym provides this body cleanser in the shower stalls.....I love its light soothing scent and my post-shower skin feels nice and soft.  I've been hesitant to invest in my own bottle because I'm not used to buying expensive bodywash, but with this sale, I'm definitely going to buy one!

Note: Both items are eligible for Kiehl's Gift with Purchase offer - Receive deluxe samples of Ultra Facial Cream, Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, Daily Reviving Concentrate & Midnight Recovery Concentrate with $85 Kiehl's purchase.

~ for your home ~

Diptyque Scented Candle Set (Set of 5 1.2oz Candle)
Early Access $55

You see Diptyque candles all over Instagram, making it so hard to resist from owning one myself!  However, their candles are very pricey, but with this gift set, it's a great way to sample different scents without breaking the bank.  Do note that these are half the size of the brand's normal standalone candles.

Set includes // Baies: featuring notes of blackcurrant and Bulgarian rose // Figuier: featuring notes of the fig tree // Feu de Bois: featuring woody notes // Roses: featuring notes of tender, changing roses // Tubéreuse: featuring notes of the tuberose flower.

Helpful Comparison for Value // A Diptyque 2.4oz candle is $32 each, so a 1.2oz candle would be around $16, making a set of 5 to be around $90 if purchase each candle separately.

Great Gift Option // This set makes a great housewarming gift.  Or if you're like me and like to put together your own gift set, you can also split up the set and include one candle per personalized gift for your friends (and maybe save one for yourself!).

7/26 Update // This candle set is now sold out.

Voluspa “Maison Blanc” Mini Tin Candle Trio (One-Wick)
Sale $15.90
After Sale $21

I bought a Voluspa candle (Bellini scent) years ago and have been a fan every since.  They are pricey though, so I save it for special occasions or maybe a stressful day.  I love this trio set not only for the value (see below for "the math"), but also the soft pastel colors.  Similar to the Diptyque set above, this also makes great gifts for your friends.

Trio includes // Pink Citron: ripe citron grapefruit with a juicy pink center, layered with tart cassis and a heart of subtle rose // Laguna: a fresh blend of California verbena and white freesia // Saijo Persimmon: Japanese saijo persimmon, considered to be the finest gourmet variety, is layered with juicy peach and red currant.

Helpful Comparison for Value // Each two-wick candle is $16.  These mini’s are one-wick (about half), so each would be around $8 , making a set of 3 to be around $24 if purchase each candle separately.

More Voluspa Options // 1 more mini tin trio and 2 more two-wick tin trios.  Click here to see these.

*Voluspa.com sells another trio set at $25, but it includes different scents. I personally prefer these scents and the soft pastel color of the tins.

~ for your face ~

Fresh Beauty Ritual Set
Early Access $57

You guys know I am a loyal user of Fresh Soy Face Cleanser because of its mild nature and how it doesn't dry up my skin post-cleansing.  This item alone in the 1.7oz version included in this set is $15.  Plus, the set comes with the popular Rose Face Mask along with two other great items.  I think this is an excellent option for those who want to try Fresh for the first time as you'll get a flavor of what this brand is all about.

Set Includes // Soy Face Cleanser // Sugar Advanced Therapy for Lips // Rose Face Mask // Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream.  All items are small sizes.

Similar Set at Sephora // "Black Tea SkinCare: Age-Delay Essentials” Set at $94. Also includes the cult faves Soy Face Cleanser + Sugar Advanced Therapy for Lips, but the rest are from their Black Tea line and does not include the Rose Face Mask.

GLAMGLOW “Glamazing GRAVITYMUD” Set
Early Access $69

I don't think GLAMGLOW needs much introduction!  This set is a good choice for those who want to try the brand's iconic xxxMUD treatment items (set includes full size).  Plus, the set includes a branded application brush and deluxe sample size of 2 other awesome treatments.  The GRAVITYMUD alone is $69, making this a truly great deal.

Set Includes // GRAVITYMUD Firming Treatment (Full Size) // SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment // THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment // An application brush.

No similar set at Sephora.

7/26 Update // This skincare set is now sold out.

GLAMGLOW “Glamazing SUPERMUD” Set
Early Access $69

Similar to the above GLAMGLOW set, this is also a great deal as the SUPERMUD alone is $69.

Set Includes // SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment (Full Size), FLASHMUD Brightening Treatment // YOUTHMUD Tinglexfoliate Treatment.

Similar Set at Sephora // “Stay Sexy Clearing” Set ($69).  Includes SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment (Full Size) + SUPERCLEANSE Daily Clearing Cleanser (Small Size). 

Photos Credits: All images used in this story are from Norstrom website @ www.nordstrom.com.

~ About the Nordstrom Credit Card ~

I feel the need to say a few words about this - I am seeing many bloggers advocating readers to apply for the Nordstrom card in order to gain early access to this sale.  I don't know how many of them are sponsored by the retailer.  From my retail days (working in the buying office and in the store), retailers always try to convince you to apply for their cards because they make quite a nice profit from interest if balance is not paid in full and it's a way for them to keep your loyalty with them. 

The only thing I want to share is to do what is suitable for your own financial situation.  I own the card because I do shop at Nordstrom and Norstrom Rack often (have been since I was in college) and I can truly take advantage of their reward program and their sale events.  I wouldn't recommend getting the card just for this sale or just to gain early access to this sale.  Many items would still be there when the sale starts on 7/22.

Happy Deal Hunting and thanks for stopping by!

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5 Valentine's Day Gifts You Can Enjoy as a Couple

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Valentine's Day gifts can really burn a hole in our wallets.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think relationships need to be built on gifts, but I'd be lying if I say I don't love little surprises, especially on the most romantic day of the year!  So when my boyfriend and I made a recent purchase that we were both able to use, I had a "light bulb over my head" moment and came up with this unisex version of the Valentine's Day gift guide.

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1. HoMedics® Percussion Action Handheld Massager with Heat  I got this device for my boyfriend's back problem, but I ended up loving it as well!  This helps release muscle tension on his back.  As for me, I use this handheld massager to help alleviate soreness, especially on my legs, from my workout sessions.

$39.99 bedbathandbeyond.com

2. Shaveworks™ Pearl Soufflé Luxurious Shave Cream  Even though this is marketed toward women, it is such a good moisturizing shaving cream that it will work for both sex.  And who wouldn't want your partner to have nicely-shaven smooth skin to blow kisses on?  P.S. Read about my 7 shaving tips to get you date-ready.

$22.00 sephora.com  

3. Kiehl's Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser in Grapefruit  I am addicted to this body wash thanks to my gym here in Boston.  I shamelessly slather myself in this after every workout and simply take my time in the shower.  What I love about this moisturizing body wash is how light the grapefruit scent is - Precisely why I think this works for both sex as the smell won't be deemed too "girly".  And we're talking about Kiehl's here - It's the best of the best when it comes to body care!

$25.00 (16.9 oz bottle) kiehls.com 

4. L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream  I am a hoarder of hand cream and L'Occitane is one of my obsessions.  Given the snow storms we've had in the past days (and with more coming), this hand cream will come in handy!  This is the brand's best-selling hand cream ("1 is sold every 3 seconds around the world"), and it will leave you with silky smooth hands.  The scent is very light and works well as a unisex hand cream.  Also, get the 1 0z which is perfect to throw in your and your partner's purse, tote, messenger bag, whatever your travel style is. 

$12.00 (1 oz tube) loccitane.com

5. Hadatuko Daily Protector SFP 30 PA+++  I am passionate about daily, year-round sun protection.  My past work in the sun care category has given me deep understanding of the danger our skin faces when not using sun protection (even on a cloudy day).  So naturally and with love, I enforce a daily sunscreen rule, which my boyfriend happily oblige.  This made-in-Japan sunscreen is great for its non-greasy formula ("too oily" often is the complaint I hear about using facial sunscreen).  A Valentine's Day gift picked with love for your partner's health.  Enough said! 

$36.90 sasa.com

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Thanks for stopping by and hope you find this unisex gift guide helpful!

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Sanctuary Spa Body Care - London Skin Care Discovery

#sanctuaryspa #explorelondon #beautydiscovery

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I ventured into a Boots Pharmacy when I was in London.  I thought I was only going to pick up a few things, but I ended up walking away with two heavy shopping bags worth of beauty products - Everything I bought was something I knew I wouldn't be able to get in the U.S..  There, my purchases are all justified! 

Photo Credit: www.haveyouheardthelatest.com

Most of the products are from brands I am familiar with, except for one - Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden.  I only find out later that there used to be some beautiful Sanctuary Spa locations, but due to declining business, the company decided to close all locations and focus on selling their beloved product lines instead.  I am really bummed as I look through pictures showing what the spas used to look like and they are gorgeous...wish I had the chance to experience it myself. 

The brand definitely has lots of loyal admirers...one try of their products makes me understand why this is such a beloved brand in the U.K..  I am regretting not buying more as Sanctuary Spa doesn't ship full product line to the U.S., and Boots U.S. doesn't carry this brand at all.  However, because of limited luggage space, I've decided to pick a few things for body care and a few things for face care, so that I get to experience the brand from head to toe. 

The Body Pampering Trio

I am very drawn to this trio of shower souffle, shower cream, and body lotion because of their scent and how they feel on my skin.  The simple packaging also appeals to me as I can quickly understand what each item is for.  All 3 products promise 12-hour or 24-hour moisturization, which I can't say it's true.  Having worked in this industry, there are probably some disclaimers on how the test was done to support this claim.  Regardless of the claim's accuracy, I would give these an A+.

AIR-WHIPPED SHOWER SOUFFLE

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

I have to confess that my decision to pick up this product is mainly based on the wording in the product name.  "Air-whipped" and "Souffle" sound like a lot of fun and who wouldn't want to try a beauty product that makes them happy before they've even used it? 

What Does It Do?   This is a body wash that has a mix of cotton and mango seed oil and promises to leave the skin feeling beautifully cleansed, nourished, and silky smooth.  

Texture   As the name is suggesting, the texture resembles the inside of a souffle - very soft, fluffy and airy.  

Scent  This shower souffle has a very strong fragrance from a blend of cotton and mango scents.  It smells wonderful for me, but I know this is not for everyone, especially if you're very sensitive to scent.  On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10. 

Top/Bottom: Before/After adding water

Usage  I use this as a body wash.  One thing to note is that the nozzle is star-shaped (like the icing tool for baking) and it is sometimes quite difficult to get the product out of the tube.  I love it anyways because the shower souffle comes out just like icing for cupcakes, and like I've said before, it makes it more fun!  The lid can be removed if it gets to be too hard to use the nozzle.

Results  Not only is this fun to use, it's also a good moisturizing body wash.  It does take tiny bit of extra rubbing to get the souffle to blend/dissolve on my skin.  The lovely scent also stays on my body even after washing off.

12-HOUR MOISTURISING SHOWER CREAM

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

Right before I left for London, I saw that Nivea launched its in-shower moisturizer in the U.S..  When I saw this shower cream at Boots, I thought it was similar to the Nivea item, so it went straight into my shopping basket. 

What Does It Do?   This is a body wash that contains shea butter, sunflower oil and Vitamin E and promises to hydrate skin all day without the need to apply extra body lotion after shower. 

What It Doesn't Do  What I realize after I use it for the first time is that this is not one of those in-shower moisturizers - a body lotion you apply in the shower after using body wash and while your body is still wet.  This is strictly a body wash that has moisturizing benefits.  I think the naming convention throws me off a little bit.

Texture   The best way to describe it is a creamy liquid form that is somewhere in between the texture of milk and yogurt

Scent  This shower cream also has the same strong fragrance as the shower souffle.  Again, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10. 

Top/Bottom: Before/After adding water

Usage  I use this as a body wash.  Because it doesn't lather up like a typical body wash, some may have the urge to use more, but it's really not necessary as a normal amount will do the job.

Results  I love the feeling of this shower cream on my skin - It reminds me of a milk bath because of its creamy liquid texture.  While it doesn't lather up, it's working hard on cleansing my body and moisturizing my skin at the same time.  I also love how the scent stays even after I wash it off.

SILKY SMOOTH BODY LOTION

Available at (U.K. Only) - Sanctuary Spa, Boots

"Silky Smooth" is exactly how this lotion feels on my skin.   I can't truly confirm whether my skin stays this way for 24 hours (as the claim has suggested), but this is a good body moisturizer nevertheless.

What Does It Do?   This is a body lotion that contains ginger, fragrant spices, and jojoba and promises to help stimulate circulation and provide long-lasting moisturization. 

*Please Note*  Because this lotion contains ginger (the ingredient that helps stimulate blood flow in the skin), some people may experience irritation such as redness and tingling sensation.  I personally did not experience either of those, but if you have skin sensitivity, I wouldn't recommend trying this product.  This also comes in travel size for half the price, so if you still want to try it, at least you won't have to invest for a full bottle.

Texture   This is in between a liquid and creamy form.  It's lightweight and blends in quite easily.

Scent  This body lotion also has the same strong fragrance as the shower souffle and shower cream.  Again, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very fragrant), this is a 10.  For me, I like the consistent scent across all 3 products.

Top/Bottom: Before/After rubbing lotion in lightly

Usage  This is lightweight enough to be used all day.  Because it comes with a pump and has nice packaging, this can also be a nice addition to any guest bathroom.  Your guests would love you for this!

Results  Silky smooth is really how my skin feels.  The moisturization for me doesn't last 24 hours as the claim has suggested, but it is long-lasting.  You probably have experienced some body lotions that last about 5 minutes before your skin feels dry again.  This is definitely not one of those. 

Final Thoughts

This trio's moisturizing feature makes it a good candidate for winter usage.  It's also suitable for everyday use in low humidity environment because of its lightweight consistency. 

I would love to buy Sanctuary Spa body care again if I can get my hands on them.  Not only do these beauties work well, they also come at ultra affordable prices.  These three range from USD $8.22 - $10.46, or $0.98 - $1.25 per ounce, which is comparable to U.S. drug store brands.  I am also getting something that looks much more luxurious than my Aveeno body lotion (which I love, but you know what I mean!).  I am happy to share that Sanctuary Spa U.S. site carries quite a bit of their Facial Care products, which I've also tried and loved (will share in another post).  Maybe they will consider adding more Body Care in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by!

What are your favorite Sanctuary Spa body care?

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Nature Republic - The Body Care Edition

#naturerepublic #exploreseoul #beautydiscovery

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I hear so much about facial skin care from Korean beauty brands, but I rarely hear about their other skincare lines such as bodycare.  When I was in the Nature Republic store in Myeongdong, Seoul, I finally discovered this whole "new" side of K-beauty that are just as fun.  While my wallet won't thank me for that, my body surely will!

Bath & Nature Body Scrubs

The packaging of this NR line is simple and to-the-point.  I love the large image of each item's star ingredient on the front - It's a visual stimulation that creates excitement before I even use the products.  I also have the in-store testers to thank for discovering these scrubs - The scent is amazing!  I've always been an advocate for having testers available at the shelves...because even with the most imaginative souls among us, it's pretty tough to know what the scents would really smell like or how the texture would really feel like.  As soon as I pop open the lids of these body scrubs, it was sensory overload, in a good way. 

Scent  The Tangerine scent is so intense that it feels as if I'm actually eating one.  This sounds bizarre even as I'm typing it, but science does prove that smell and taste work together to help us recognize flavors.  On the other hand, the Green Tea scent doesn't quite remind me of green tea.  I suppose the true smell of green tea isn't fragrant enough, so NR added some more to it.  Nevertheless, it smells heavenly. 

Texture  I typically stay away from scrubs because most feel too harsh on the skin.  This one is different.  The initial feel on the skin does seem a bit harsh where I can feel the larger particles.  However, once it is mixed with water, most of those particles dissolve leaving just the right amount to give my skin a mini-exfoliation session.

Left: Green Tea.  Right: Tangerine.

After mixing with water.

Occasion  As with any skincare products that have exfoliating benefits, it is performing a scrubbing action against our skin.  While it's good to have dead skin removed, it's not good to overdo it because our topmost skin layer serves as a protective barrier.  Too much disruptive actions such as scrubbing will cause the skin to become more sensitive to UV rays.  All of you beauty enthusiasts out there know how much damage UV rays can do to our skin, so it's best to curb the scrubbing to a maximum of once a week. 

When Not to Scrub  The most obvious one is when you have open wound or cut as the scrub will aggravate the injury and burn the skin.  Another scenario is when you have dry flaky skin.  Scrubbing dry flaky skin will cause it to become very sensitive and it's best to skip the scrub and moisturize instead.  The last scenario is during winter months in cold & dry climates.  Skin tends to be drier during this time under such climate, so it's better to pamper your skin with deep moisturization or switch to a brown sugar scrub instead.

Pricing & Where to Shop  I paid 8,800 Won each in Korea, which is approximately USD $7.42.  In the U.S., some online options are RoseRoseShop ($6.29) and KoreaDepart ($7.16).  Surprisingly, there's no markup for these scrubs. 

[Please Note]  I did not order from these sites, so please proceed with caution and read all fine prints.  Also, these sites do not start with "https", meaning any information (personal, payment info, etc.) sent from your browser to these sites is not secured.  However, it's possible that once you get to the payment page, it may change to "https".  Just be aware as you online-shop.

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Bath & Nature Body Cream

The packaging is again simple and to-the-point.  I smiled as I saw the image of the crisscross-cut mango on the label - It looked so juicy and I couldn't stop thinking about eating one!  I of course wanted to buy more than one scent, but I knew my luggage was dangerously close to the airline weight limit, so I opted to try the apple mango scent.

Scent  To be honest, this smells more like pineapple coconut than apple mango!  Either way, the scent is lovely.  It is a pretty strong fragrance, so I wouldn't recommend this to those who are sensitive to fragrance.   

Texture  When I see "cream" in the description, I picture something thick.  This body cream is in fact thick.  At the same time, the texture feels more like a mousse or souffle.  It feels a little fluffy as I try to scoop up the cream from the jar and once it's on my skin, it feels very moisturizing.

The body cream has a consistency of a mousse or souffle...

Once it goes onto my skin, it is thick like a cream.

Occasion  Because of its mousse-like or souffle-like texture, I think this body cream can be used all year long and any time of the day.  While it is thick and very moisturizing, it doesn't feel greasy or sticky on the skin.  This may just become my go-to body cream for traveling! 

Pricing & Where to Shop I paid 12,000 Won in Korea, which is approximately USD $10.00.  In the U.S., some online options are eBay, Amazon, and KoreaDepart, but the price ranges from USD $14.00 to $35.00.  Another option is to visit a Nature Republic stores in the U.S., where the markup is less, at the price of $15.00.

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Pamper Your Body Too!

Nature Republic store in Myeongdong, Seoul.

I've been a fan of Nature Republic and was so excited when I finally got to shop at NR in its motherland.  What I love most is their simple, no-fuss labeling that allows me to quickly and easily understand what I'm buying and using.  And then of course I love the wonderful scents from their products.  And these bodycare items are no exception. 

Often times we focus so much on taking care of our facial skin that we neglect what's below the neckline or by the time we're done with our multi-steps facial routine, we're ready to move onto our busy life.  These heavenly-scented scrubs and cream remind me that my body skin is as important as my facial skin, and taking care of both is a must for our complete skin health.  I hope you feel the same way, too!  I've also bought a few other NR products on this trip and will share them with you soon.  In the meantime, tell me about some of your favorite Nature Republic products...would love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by!

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