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Shop my Nordstrom must-haves from Dior, Nars, and Charlotte Tilbury.
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Fresh / Yves Saint Laurent / Pat McGrath Labs
When you’ve been writing about beauty for a decade and have tested thousands of products along the way, you encounter a lot of duds. Save for true fiascos, subpar products are, frankly, forgettable. Instead, my mental Rolodex stores information on products I’ve deemed good over the years; the very good become my recommendations to friends and fodder for stories.
…Then, there are the truly exceptional—in some cases, inimitable—products; products that give me butterflies with each use, and break my heart when I run out.
Fortunately, Nordstrom—which carries an excellent array of beauty brands—is only a click away. Recently, I happened upon the retailer’s beauty under-$50 section, which features little luxuries, including 15 of my holy grail makeup and skin care essentials.
Best Under-$50 Makeup at Nordstrom
- Universally-Flattering: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick, $35
- Dior 'Diorshow 24H Buildable Volume Mascara, $33
- Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen, $40
- Cheekbone-Sculpting Secret: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick: $26
- Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm, $40
- Make Up For Ever HD Skin Waterproof Natural Matte Foundation, $47
- Taylor Swift-Approved Brand: Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson, $39
- Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer, $42
- Nars Orgasm Powder Blush, $34
Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick
Nordstrom
$39
Pat McGrath makes a damn good red. Case in point: Taylor Swift’s signature lip look is thanks to the brand’s Elson 4 shade. Unsurprisingly, the singer’s signature rouge is rarely in stock, but I’d argue my go-to—a close cousin of Swifts, the original Elson—is equally covetable. The creamy, blue-based crimson has a smile-brightening effect, and is among the few that my (blonde) twin sister and I find flattering. The formula feels light on the lips, and is, somehow, less prone to smearing than most red lipsticks I’ve tried.
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
Nordstrom
$48
When Michelle Pfeiffer deemed Westman Atelier’s blush one of her “all time favorites,” I procured the brand’s best-sellers post haste. Verdict: I second Pfeiffer’s praise for the product, yet, it’s the brand’s contour stick that’s truly tickled me pink. Creamy, mess-free, and a breeze to apply, it blends seamlessly into skin, and nails the greige undertones of an actual shadow. In turn, it imparts a believable cheek-sculpting, jaw-chiseling effect.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen
Nordstrom
$40
Shadows exist only in the presence of light. In addition to the aforementioned contour stick, YSL’s classic, brush-on illuminator is a must. Housed in a twist-up, pen-like applicator, the formula dispenses via soft, flexible bristles. The diminutive brushhead facilitates mess-free, targeted application to tricky areas, including the inner corners of the eyes, the cupid’s bow, and browbone.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
Nordstrom
$35
Fact: Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillowtalk lipstick is worth stockpiling. Designed to flatter every skin tone, the mauvey-pink shade also complements any outfit I’ve ever paired it with, and I keep a tube in three of my most-used purses. I’m hardly alone in my love for the famous lippie: Amal Clooney, brand Ambassador Kate Moss, and countless other notables have donned the hue, too.
Best Under-$50 Skin Care at Nordstrom
- An Oprah-Used Brand: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, $40
- Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer, $46
- K-Beauty Classic: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil, $40
- Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $18
- Sensorial, Skin-Loving Shower Gel: Nécessaire The Body Wash, $28
- Go-To Housewarming Gift: Chanel N°5 The Bath Soap, $36
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil
Nordstrom
$40
This brightening serum is so good, I can hardly blame my sister for “accidentally” taking mine home with her after a recent visit. Hailing from an Oprah-approved brand, the formula features a particularly potent, glow-giving form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Turmeric doubles down on its brightening benefits, which are evident both instantly and over time.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Nordstrom
$18
This dense, oil-packed cleanser removes all traces of the (15+) products I use daily—without stripping my naturally dry skin of much-needed moisture. In fact, my face is significantly softer post-use, thanks in part to jojoba oil and shea butter. Lavender and eucalyptus oils create a spa-like experience that make cleansing more ritual than chore.
Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer
Nordstrom
$46
This delicate, fast-absorbing face cream packs serious quenching power thanks to hyaluronic acid. Within seconds, it plumps fine lines, deposits a weightless dewiness, and smooths rough texture. Rose extract, known to soothe irritation, leaves skin balanced and petal-soft.
Shop more of my all-time beauty favorites, all under $50, below.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm
Nordstrom
$40
Armani beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer
Nordstrom
$42
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
Nordstrom
$40
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