The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started last week and it’s now open to all card holders – and everyone else can shop starting July 28th. I shopped last week and picked up a few things I wanted to share.

I usually approach this sale as a good time to stock up on basics, which is what I did again this year. I got 3 pairs of pants; jeans, vegan leather pants (went down a size) and leggings. They’re all staples that I’ll wear for a long time. I also got a fun new hat and necklace.

mirror, mascara, powder

eye shadow sticks, facial cleanser, la mer kit

lip gloss, sunscreen powder, sunscreen

cleansing balm, cleanser, tula kit

infant car seat, plate set, pjs

bows, shoes, jacket

stroller, high chair, blanket

convertible car seat, plate, diaper bag

I realized the other day it was six months ago we went into lockdown and the world shut down. Half a year! While we’re not in an extreme lockdown situation anymore, life has definitely changed. Neither of my kids have been to a store or restaurant since the beginning of March and we are limiting our outings as well. That being said there are three things I’ve loved having while quarantining at home and will continue to use moving forward.

Beauty fridge – I asked for this for Christmas and Jeff rolled his eyes (but still got it for me!) It lives on my dresser and houses some of my beauty products and items that I swear work better when chilled. Sheet masks, face rollers, certain eye and face creams that feel so amazing when you take them out of the cold fridge. This is a pretty compact fridge and it’s not expensive but has made this time feel more luxe.

Aera diffuser – I’d been wanting a diffuser for awhile but never pulled the trigger. Aera approached me to work together at the beginning of the year (pre-lockdown) and I happily jumped! What perfect timing. This is a smart diffuser that’s hypoallergenic and safe for the whole family… pets too. You can adjust the settings depending on how strong you want the fragrance to be. It is a splurge but I think it’s well worth it, the scents last a loooong time. I think it would make a great gift if you’re thinking ahead to the holidays! They gave me a discount code for 20% off – ASHLEY20

Vanity Planet facial steamer – I can’t even tell you how much I love this little gadget. I use it nightly after I was my face and before I apply moisturizer and serums. It totally makes me feel like I’m at a spa. It’s pretty compact and easy to use, it has a small tank in the back that you fill with distilled water, plug in and steam. You can also add essential oils to the tank for an even more spa-like experience. This would be an amazing holiday gift & I have a discount code for 50% off making it just over $50! ASHNFASHN50

It’s no secret that I try a lot of beauty products. It’s a fun part of my job and a great way to discover new items. I find a lot of really great products this way. Sometimes I turn to instagram to find new-to-me products and have noticed a lot of my favorites are also super hyped on IG. Today I want to call out my favorites that I think are worth the hype.

Billie Razor

For months it seemed like every time I opened Instagram I saw someone raving about the Billie. At first I was skeptical that it could be better than any other razor I’ve used. I finally decided to order it and can say it’s everything and more. I don’t know what it is about this 5 blade razor… but it lets me extend the time between shaves. It has a charcoal casing so you technically don’t need to use a shaving cream, but I still prefer to. They even have their own lotion and shaving cream that I’m going to try out soon. Another amazing perk of this razor is once you purchase it (for only $9) you get a starter kit which is the razor, magnetic holder and two 5-blade cartridges. Then they continue to deliver four replacement blade cartridges to you for only $9 each time. You take a quiz that asks how often you shave and that helps determine the frequency of the refills.

Native Deodorant 

Right after I had Crosby I decided I needed to switch to a natural deodorant. I knew all about the dangers of regular deodorant and was ready to make the switch. I first tried a few different natural deodorants I found at the drug store and was not happy. I was constantly sweaty and stinky and knew I needed to find a good one. A friend introduced me to Native and I’ve been sooo happy. However, if you’re considering making the switch I should let you know that there is a detox period your body goes through with natural deodorant. When you use a regular deodorant it actually blocks  your pores from producing bacteria. So when you switch you have to go through a period of a few weeks of your body purging those toxins. Stick it out and don’t give up!

My favorite scent is the coconut & vanilla.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm

I’ve been an Elemis fan for years and have used their regular pro-collagen cleansing balm since the get go. Recently I decided to try the rose one and love it so much. I don’t know what it is but my skin feels plumper and more hydrated. I love cleansing balms as a makeup removed and this one really melts my makeup off. The scent is spa-like and I really feel like it elevates my nightly skincare routine.

Tula Eye Balms

Tula is another one of my favorite skincare lines. I have yet to find a product of theirs I do not love. Before I tried them out for myself I saw their eye balms being promoted by so many influencers I follow. When I tried it (first the rose glow) I was instantly hooked. You can wear them under or over your makeup, or even on their own! The rose glow is kind of like a highlighter that brightens you up and has a really pretty and soft rose glow to it. I love this for little to no makeup days or when I need a little extra boost. I’ve found the glow and get it eye balm to be the best for every day. It is slightly de-puffing but just as cooling as the rose one. It also acts like a highlighter but doesn’t have the subtle rose glow.

15% off all Tula products with code ASHLEYJACKEL

T3 Micro Curling Iron

Another item that gets a lot of IG love. I’ve used my convertible wand for a few years now and will completely back all the hype it gets. I mostly use the 1″ barrel but love that I can switch it up. Wands work best on my hair type and when I curl it with my t3 it lasts several days. Sometimes I do a little touching up as the week goes on, but I also love the more lived in/looser look. Also, t3 products are gorgeous.

I’ve been wanting a skincare fridge for awhile now and was so happy that Jeff finally took the hint and got me one for Christmas. I had planned to set it up in our office… but that room is still a catchall/shit show. Until we can get our lives together and have a functioning office, my beauty fridge is set up in our bedroom and I am loving it.

What exactly is a beauty fridge and why would anyone need one?

A beauty fridge is just a mini fridge for your skincare and cosmetics. It is perfect for sheet masks, jade rollers or anything else you want to keep cool. Refrigerating your skincare products can actually help to extend their shelf life and reduce harmful bacteria from becoming present. A refrigerated product may also help calm and de-puff skin and tighten pores whilst giving a more soothing effect than anything stored at room-temperature.

In short, a skincare fridge was absolutely essential to my beauty regimen.

If you’re like me and think you can’t live without one, there are several options available from the most compact to something a little bigger. Their prices vary as well.

This is the one I have. It comes in a few other colors and is the perfect size and price ($50) if you want to give a beauty fridge a try.

This one comes in blue and pink and has a super cute retro look.

This one has a way more modern look and is a little bigger. Love the rose gold.

This is the same size as the one I have but in a fun color combo.

This one comes in coral and mint and is perfect for someone with a lot of beauty products to chill.

This one has really chic rose gold hinges. That in itself is enough to take the beauty fridge plunge.

Here’s what I store in mine…

Sheet masks (20% off with code ASHLEY20)

Jade and rose quartz rollers

Jade face stone

Lip and eye masks

Eye balm (20% off with code ASHLEY20)

Moisturizers

Face spray

(20% off with code ASHLEY20)

The past couple of years my hair has taken a bit of a beating. After over a year and a half I’m still recovering from postpartum hair loss, or more so the awkward phase of hair re-grown. Late last year I also had a really bad hair coloring experience. My stylist and I were not on the same page and I ended up coming out of the appointment as a platinum blonde. Definitely not what I was going for, and I’m still trying to get my hair back to normal. Between those two major things I knew it was time to pamper my hair and decided to take part in the Pantene 14 Day Challenge.

The first part of the challenge was picking a Pantene shampoo and conditioner to use. Pantene has a collection for all hair types so there’s really something for everyone. I went with the Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner since my hair was color treated, damaged and breakage prone.

I really wanted to make the most of this challenge and made sure I was educated going into it. Before I started I read up on Pantene and how they recommended I use their products.

One thing I learned was I wasn’t applying conditioner up high enough on my locks. I was always worried about getting greasy hair from over-conditioning so I really only applied it to my ends. During this challenge I went up to ear level and can really tell the difference. My hair feels a lot more nourished and was easier to comb out.

Another bad thing I didn’t realize I was doing was over-rising the conditioner out of my hair. I never wanted to leave any behind, so I’d spend a lot of time making sure I got it all out. By doing so I’d stripped away a lot of the conditioner benefits and left my hair dull.

I started to notice the benefits of the challenge right away. After my first use my hair felt so much more hydrated. It’s like I didn’t realize how dry my hair was until it wasn’t anymore… and that didn’t go away. Around one week in I started getting compliments on how shiny my hair was. I was also noticing that my hair felt stronger and my split ends were less visible.

I just finished the challenge and feel like a new woman! My hair feels really restored. That postpartum re-growth seems to blend in a lot better now. I really feel like I lengthened the time between hair cuts since my ends feel a lot cleaner and overall my hair feels nourished and vibrant.

I’m so happy I took this challenge to bring the life back to my hair. I definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to do the same.

Thank you to Pantene for sponsoring this post.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty products are hands down my favorite part of the sale. I’m not the biggest fan of buying fall clothes in the dead of summer… especially knowing it will still be warm here for months. #endlessummer Beauty products can be used all year round and are always the best deals, in my opinion.

I try out a lot of beauty products, so I’m very picky because I know exactly what works and what else is out there. I was so excited to see so many of my tried and true favorites included in the sale.

Simple Human Mirror

T3 Blow Dryer

Sigma Brushes

Elemis face wash

Elemis Marine Cream duo

Coola Sunscreen

Sisley Paris eye cream 

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Clinique Moisture Surge Set

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Set

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment 

Mario Badescu Facial Spray 

I do have to warn you, as I was prepping this post a few products sold out – that’s how fast they’re going!  A lot of times they end up getting re-stocked (especially before public access begins), so just keep checking back if something you’re after is currently sold out.

The sale opens to everyone Friday! Happy shopping.