I grew up buying all of my beauty products from beauty counters. When I was old enough to start wearing makeup, my mom took me to the Clinique counter at the mall, and that’s how I bought makeup and skincare for most of my teenage years. Now that I’m a beauty editor, one thing remains consistent: If I want to buy beauty products, I go to Nordstrom. Not only does it have an amazing selection, but I can trust that its products are high-quality and worth the money.
I’ve been working in the beauty industry for three years now, and before that, I was an avid beauty lover. I decided to round up my absolute favorite ride-or-die products that you can find at Nordstrom. Whether you want makeup, skincare, bodycare, fragrance, or haircare, I chose four products from each category that I couldn’t live without. (And trust me—narrowing it down to just four products for each category was hard!) Keep reading to find my top picks and why I love them so much.
I love blush. I am the type of person who puts blush everywhere. I blend it up into my temples, I dust it on the tip of my nose, I’ll put it on my eyelids… Nine times out of 10, when I reach for blush, I use this one. It’s so blendable, pigmented, and versatile. Plus, the formula has skin-friendly ingredients.
This is the year for foundation. New formulas are innovative and lightweight and wear like an eighth layer of skin. The last time I wore this foundation, I received four compliments within an hour and not on my foundation-applying prowess but on my skin. That’s how well it wears—people just think it’s my skin.
I am of the opinion that it is a rite of passage to own a Chanel lipstick. The formulas are so dreamy, comfortable and long-wearing. If you’re stuck on which Chanel lipstick to choose, make it this one. The Luminous Matte finish is incredible.
If you were to ask me which product I wouldn’t leave the house without, it’s mascara. Even if I roll out of bed and put on no other makeup, a dash of mascara makes me feel like a real person. This formula makes lashes look coifed and lengthened for a fake-lash effect.
As a beauty editor, I always get questions about my number one skincare recommendation, and my answer is always the same: sunscreen. If you don’t use sunscreen, you might as well not be using any other skincare product—I’m dead serious. Forgoing sunscreen will undo all of the damage that you tried to reverse with creams and serums. I like this one because it doesn’t leave a white cast, is water- and sweat-resistant for 40 minutes, and doubles as a primer.
I’ve recently become obsessed with this mask, and I’m worried that I’m going to run through my jar in record time. If I notice my skin starting to resemble sandpaper or I have noticeable redness, I’ll forgo my nighttime skincare routine in favor of this mask. It completely rejuvenates my face overnight, and I wake up with pillowy, even-toned skin.
To me, this is the absolute best eye cream out there, hands down. It goes on as a cream and instantly melts into skin, delivering tons of moisture. When I use this eye cream, my dark circles practically disappear.
Yes, I know it’s expensive. This nighttime oil, however, is well worth the price tag. Made with caviar lipids and caviar-derived retinol, this oil deeply penetrates skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity, and seal in hydration. I know people say this about skincare products a lot, but a little really does go a long way—you only need two or three drops for your whole face.
I’m going to tell you something you don’t want to hear: You should be wearing body sunscreen every day. I know how annoying it is to put sunscreen over body lotion, so I recommend this one, which is as hydrating as it is protective, and it resists water and sweat for up to 80 minutes
Ugh, I love this body lotion. I truly wish I had a lifetime supply. It’s packed with good-for-your-skin vitamins like A, B3, C, and E and has tons of omega fatty acids to keep skin supple and smooth.
If you ask me, body oils are highly underrated. They can work wonders for stretch marks and overall skin elasticity. I love how good this oil makes my skin look, and it sinks in nearly instantly, so I never feel greasy or oily after using it.
Since I started working in beauty, I told my mom she shouldn’t buy beauty products for me anymore (it’s now my job to shower her with the latest and greatest!), but she always insists on slipping me a tube of this for the holidays, and I can’t complain. It makes my hands so soft and smooth, even on the driest winter days.
Key notes: tonka beans, juniper berries, cedar. This fragrance instantly transports me to a smoky bar in Paris, where all the booths are leather and there’s live jazz playing. Whenever I wear it, it gives me a certain air of mystery and warmth. It acts as a skin scent that’s best worn on a cozy date with someone you really like.
Key notes: bergamot, lemon, pepper, juniper berries, incense, pine needles, orris, amber, vanilla, sandalwood. The quintessential Byredo scent should be a staple on everyone’s vanity. Reminiscent of campfires, pine trees, and wide, open spaces filled with wildflowers, this brings me back to the camping trips I went on in my youth.
Key notes: black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, black plum, noir gourmand accord, patchouli. If you’ve read any of my other fragrance stories, then you know this is my favorite fragrance of all time. When I wear it, I just feel like an enhanced, more alluring version of myself. It’s dark, mysterious, delicious, and guaranteed to elicit at least one “you smell so good” per wear.
Key notes: rhubarb, cardamom, pink peppercorn, rose, raspberry, papyrus, agarwood, sandalwood. This scent surprised me, in the best way possible. As you might be able to tell from the other fragrances on this list, I’m typically into smoky, woodsy scents. This one is fresh and floral, but I think it’s the most interesting rose scent I’ve smelled. It sparkles on skin.
For a salon-worthy blowout at home, this interchangeable tool is worth every penny. This makes my hair look amazing every time.
Once I started incorporating this into my hairstyling routine, my hair drastically changed for the better. I used to battle my thick, unruly hair when I styled it (it’s prone to poofiness and flyaways), but when I use just a few drops of this oil, it’s sleek, shiny, and smooth.
When I’m having a bad hair day and I can’t figure out how to fix it, a few spritzes of this will usually do the trick. Use it to zhuzh up your hair a little—it imparts volume, texture, and just a little something-something.
I’m not the first person to sing this hair mask’s praises, and I won’t be the last. Using this mask weekly makes my hair so strong, and it helps it grow out.
