Just In: 25 Picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

StyleCarrot partner Nordstrom is having a serious sale. Yes, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today. As in Shop. Right. Now. New fall looks are on sale through August 3rd, but if you see something you like, better to jump in quickly because this is a highly anticipated sale event. (Key dramatic music.) I clicked through pages of items—the sale includes clothing, beauty, and accessories for women, men, and kids—and picked out the 25 items I’d buy.

I’ve actually had my eye on that DVF metallic clutch for a while, and I can always use a new wrap dress (especially in green!), grey shift dress, and Bobbi Brown lip color. I have a Rebecca Minkoff 5-zip cross-body bag in teal; I’d certainly get lots of use from the nude one. I like it because it’s not particularly large, but plenty roomy enough for a phone, compact, keys, and money, and drapes nicely with that nice heavy (but not too heavy) chain. I’ve been toying with the idea of Hunter rain boots. Not to be trendy, but because I don’t actually own rain boots. Can anyone tell me if they are comfortable?

I’m actually more tempted by the Sperry duck boots though; they look cozy. Probably a better bet for Boston. The Rag & Bone jeans seem to be a perfect cut—they’re a “slim boyfriend jean.” Promising. I just bought new black Nike Flyknit sneakers similar to the ones here. I figure getting black means that since it’s unlikely I’ll actually exercise in them at least I could wear them on the street. And finally, I love black diamonds, especially set in rose gold, if anyone is looking for present ideas.

You might need a refresh on your Hanky Panky lace thongs, Kiehl’s body cream, designer sunglass upgrade, or a simple everyday tote. Excuse me, vegan tote.

Happy anniversary sale.

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Shops StyleCarrot partner Nordstrom for fall looks on sale now.

S H O P P I N G 

1  DvF Ashlynn Cube Print Silk Wrap Dress

2  DvF 440 Metallic Lizard Embossed Envelope Clutch

3  Kismet By Milka Vitality Drop Earrings

4  Bobbi Brown Pink Dusk Lip Trio

5  Vince Sleeveless Shift Dress

6  Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong  

7  Hunter Short Back Zip Rain Boot

8  Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Home & Away Duo

9  Rebecca Minkoff Mini 5 Zip Convertible Crossbody Bag  

10  Skagen Ancher Crystal Index Watch   

11  Vince Camuto Saron Colorblock Bootie

12  Topshop Chevron Colorblock Sweatshirt

13  Max Mara Terry Wool Blend Shift Dress

14  Satya Reversible Constellation Pendant Necklace  

15  Rag & Bone Slim Fit Boyfriend Jean

16  Rebecca Minkoff Moto Hobo

17  Elizabeth & James Giulia Cutout Dress 

18  Nike Free Flyknit 5.0 TR Training Shoe

19  Gucci Cat Eye Sunglasses 

20  Vegan Leather Pocket Tote 

21  Sperry Saltwater Waterproof Rainboot 

22  Kismet by Milka Black Diamond Coil Ring 

23  Timberland Glastonbury Bootie

24  Vince Striped Top

25  Asics Gel Kayano 21 Running Shoe  

Beauty Break: The Mascara Wars

Let me start off by saying that my husband came up behind me last night to rub my shoulders in a much appreciated spurt of affection, saw me scrolling through an endless array of waterproof mascara on a cosmetics site, and said, “Why are there so many? They all serve the same function. I don’t understand.” Needless to say, I didn’t bother to respond.

If you’re a longtime StyleCarrot reader, you might remember, that while I rarely blog about beauty, I did gush over a particular mascara a few years back. Dismayed to find my Bobbi Brown mascara had been discontinued , I took an inexpensive chance on a drugstore brand with great success. I feel like it’s time for a change, so I decided to poke around the Interwebs. These smudge and waterproof mascaras caught my eye, for one reason or another. I’ll share my non-scientific findings.

Waterproof Mascara Designer & Drugstore Brands

S H O P P I N G 

1 Tarte Lights, Camera,  Lashes 4-in-1 Waterproof Mascara, $19
Never mind that the brand name “Tarte” is alluring, look at the packaging of this beauty—deep purple snakeskin and gold anchor insignia. Reviewers claim it’s great—no smudgy racoon eyes.

2 Chanel Inimitable Waterproof, $30
I like the descriptor “Inimitable.” Obviously it’s a more pricey product, but reviewers rave about it. I like the sleek packaging, but what really pulled me in is the color selection—it comes in aqua and lime. Fun!

3 Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, $30
Love the blingy packaging (brass is back, baby). Love the electric “Majorelle” blue color even more. True, Katy Perry turned in her blue wig, but blue eyelashes still work. Most of the reviewers liked it, but one mentioned that it’s perfume-y, so, no thanks.

4 Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara, $25
I was using a dark brown Bobbi Brown mascara before it was discontinued, so obviously it made sense to have a look at this one. Plus, I like the name and the charcoal mirrored packaging. (Call me superficial, but hey, we’re discussing makeup.) Reviewers weren’t completely sold at first, but came to love it, particularly when they layered it with another mascara. Um, who has time for that? Still, it’s available in chocolate, and it’s Bobbi, so I’d try it.

5 Marc Jacobs Lash Lifter Gel Volume Mascara, $26
I didn’t even realize Marc Jacobs launched a cosmetics collection until I was in the Marc Jacobs boutique in Provincetown over Labor Day weekend. The rounded packaging is very Marc. Unfortunately, people seem to hate it.

6 CoverGirl LashBlast Water Resistant Mascara, $6.94
This is the mascara I’ve been using for several years, with great success. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t smudge, and comes off without a hassle at night. (I use Neutrogena eye makeup remover). If you want drama, this one’s not for you, but for me, it’s ideal for everyday.

7 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23
Like a true girl, I clicked through to this because of the metallic pink packaging. And, ok, because it’s called “Better Than Sex.” Not so much. Most reviewers declare it “clumpy.”

8 Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara, $19
Benefit Cosmetics opened on Newbury Street  near me. I haven’t gone in yet, but as a preview I thought I’d see about this mascara, although it’s name, “BADgal” is hardly a selling point for me. The reviews are so-so, but if you want mascara that absolutely doesn’t come off, even if you want it to, this seems to be it.

9 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $4.44
For years, models and celebs claimed that this is the mascara they used. It’s the one I grew up with, since my mother used it. I tried it once but wasn’t a fan. I suppose if you’re super preppy, the pink and green packaging is a draw. And yes, it’s very affordable.

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Beauty Break: Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

I’ve been on the quest for the perfect mascara since I was 15. I wore contact lenses, and most mascaras could not stand up to the saline solutions. Smudgy undereye —not a good look. Despite the decades of hype, the pink and green Maybelline Great Lash Mascara never worked for me. Do you really think supermodels and celebs se drugstore stuff?

Over the years, I’ve used numerous brands with success, including Chanel and Trish McEvoy. For a while I was addicted to a dark burgundy by Make Up For Ever. For the past ten years or so, I’ve been using Bobbi Brown in brown. It had become increasingly difficult to find. Last week what I suspected was confirmed: the salesperson at Neiman’s in Copley said it had been discontinued.

Rather than go through the hassle of trolling department store counters (and spending too many $$$), I did something a little bit crazy. I bought  . . .  drugstore mascara. Namely, CoverGirl LashBlast Water Resistant Mascara. Yes, it’s true. My husband, who was with me, asked, “Who are you?”

Here’s the thing. I liked the ads – those crisp yellow print ads with Drew Barrymore really appealed, and I’m not even a huge fan. I actually used the images in a yellow trends story for The Inside Source. No, they did not send me the mascara (though I wish they had). Each time I saw the package at CVS – it’s been heavily promoted – I was drawn to that yellow, plastic wand. It seemed so wonderfully clean and durable compared to the usual clumpy black ones. And, the product comes in brown.

Guess what? I LOVE it. Seriously love it. The packaging, the wand, the color, the product. And, of course, the price.

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