One of my favorite things to do is browse through the beauty counters at department stores. It’s a source of endless inspiration—there’s makeup, skincare, fragrance, and more as far as the eyes can see. It reminds me of being a kid and going to a makeup counter with my mom.
The thing about beauty counters is that they can feel overwhelming. It’s hard to know what to pick when you’re faced with so many choices. If you’re looking for new beauty products in 2023, I talked to Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director, to learn what she recommends. Keep reading to see her curated edit of Nordstrom’s beauty section. After all, she does know it the best.
“Lightweight foundation that leaves your skin feeling and looking naturally enhanced will continue to be popular this spring season. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation is a favorite for a reason. It is easy to fall in love with how good your skin looks when you wear it.”
“Eyeliner is a makeup staple. While the ’90s trend of a worn-in liner might be coming back, it may not be for everyone. Having the option of a two-in-one with a classic liquid to create a sharp wing as well as a pencil to softly define or smudge is a must to add to your makeup bag. In addition to black, Valentino Twin Liner Gel & Liquid Eyeliner comes in different color options.”
“As the weather begins to warm up in the spring and our skin begins to glow under the sun, every makeup look must be completed with highlighter. I am loving the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Glides Hollywood Highlighter.”
“A great hair tool is worth the investment, especially if you prefer to do styling at home. From straightening and curl enhancing to loose waves, you’ll want to grab the GHD Platinum+ Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron. GHD–which stands for ‘good-hair day’—has many great options that make styling easy and effortless.”
“It’s so important to have a great hair mask or deep conditioner, even if you don’t heat-style your hair. As we enter spring and leave those dry months behind, having an intense mask with deep hydration will help keep ends smooth and hair feeling healthy.”
“Hair and scalp products are underrated and underused. Regardless of your hair type or texture, it’s important to treat and gently exfoliate your scalp. It’s easy to incorporate it into your routine with a clarifying shampoo like Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance or a scalp-specific treatment like Sisley Hair Rituel Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for Scalp.”
This serum also helps with maintenance for the hair and scalp.
“Products that resurface, smooth, and enhance the skin are a great addition to your spring refresh. I always keep items with retinol in my skincare cabinet, like Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum.”
“If you’re sensitive to retinol but want the same results, I recommend Indie Lee’s Retinol Alternative Cream.”
“An everyday morning or night face moisturizer is necessary as we transition from our winter creams. Darphin’s Hydraskin Light All-Day Skin-Hydrating Cream Gel can work well on its own or be layered with any serums you’ve already incorporated into your skincare routine.”
“Wearing SPF every day and not just on vacation isn’t breaking news this spring. Supergoop! has many different options depending on what you’re looking for—mineral, face oil, matte, glow, retinol infused. My go-to is Glowscreen for an extra shimmer to my no-makeup makeup look, while I love Unseen Sunscreen for weightless protection.”
“Henry Rose is a buzzworthy brand that has a lot to offer. The Queens & Monsters Eau de Parfum has all right the elements for a beautiful and sexy but still fresh scent. This is extremely lightweight, which makes it easy to layer without ever overpowering. There’s a hint of freesia and jasmine that subtly screams spring flowers for me.”
“If you’re looking to stand out with a unique scent this spring, my secret is shopping a limited-edition fragrance. You don’t want to miss Jo Malone’s variation of the rose this season.”
“Spring is a great time to switch it up from your traditional heavy moisturizing body cream you were using during the dry months to an oil you can lather on right out of the shower. Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Oil not only moisturizes but also helps improve skin elasticity. Even if you don’t think you need it, trust me—all skin does.”
“Let’s normalize using hand cream daily and always carrying it with us like we do with hand sanitizer. We wash our hands many times a day, likely using way more hand sanitizer than we used to (especially during flu season), and dry our hands out. Hand cream is no longer just a prop used in movies during the scenes when the actress ends her night with hand cream in bed. Find your favorite and carry it with you. Nécessaire The Hand Cream is fast absorbing and has ingredients that not only maintain hydration but also protect your skin. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, so it won’t mix with your personal springtime scent.”
