I’ve Worked at Nordstrom for 18 years—These Are My Top Fashion and Beauty Picks
One thing that often crosses my mind when perusing my favorites online stores, is that some stylish someone or team came together to create that very shopping experience. The art of buying and putting together a great selection of product seems exciting and overwhelming all at once. Not to mention the great insight you get into what’s popular, plus getting first dibs on the best of the best to hit the site. One such person behind-the-scenes is Nordstrom’s national beauty director, Autumne West.
West has worked at Nordstrom for 18 years and graciously gave us a glimpse at some of her top fashion and beauty products from the major retailer. From sleek blazers and timeless shoes to incredibly effective skincare and standout make up selects, we can’t help but want every last piece—many can be worn forever. Ahead, shop West’s stylish picks, plus a few extras we have our eye on as well.
Fashion Picks
I love to play with fashion trends—my current obsession is Valentino Hot Pink. But like beauty, I will always have my classic go-tos. These are my personal fashion staples I can’t live without.
A great white t-shirt is a staple for every closet. It can be that perfect layer with denim, a great skirt or leggings on your day off. I love a v-neck because it allows me to show off a statement necklace, enhancing my outfit to look effortlessly sexy yet still casual.
I love my Vans because they’re a spin on a classic. I’m pretty sure I will wear them well into retirement.
In my opinion, blazers are a fashion item that can work with anything. From dressy and formal to a casual date night, I’ll throw on a blazer and I feel ready to go.
For a good heel, I could own the Manolo Blahnik BB Pointed Toe Pump in every color, but it must be 4 inches.
Beauty Picks
When it comes to beauty, I’ll vouch for the tried-and-true classics but I also love to experiment with newness. In my years within the industry one thing remains the same, I love discovering new products and having fun with beauty.
Once you find your perfect nude shade, you stick with it and for a forever sensual nude shade, this is the one. There are many great lip products but what impresses me with this Dior lipstick is how smooth it goes on –it’s longwearing and it doesn’t feel dry. Many coffees and meetings later, it’s still on!
It’s a must to wear SPF every day and Supergoop makes it easy with this blend-able formula that has a slight skin enhancing finish. I use this daily as my primer or as my day off "no make-up” go-to look. It is sure to get you compliments.
This has been a new addition to my make-up bag. I’ll draw a bit of this color up from my cheek into the outer corner of my eyes. I just love how this looks! It’s chic and a little edgy, but still a very wearable everyday beauty look. I use the shades Fuchsia Illusion or Born In Roma.
Believe all of hype you heard about NuFace devices! They are easy to use and deliver great results. At home facial lifting and toning has become a game changing regimen, and great to pack for travel too.
Forget wine, this is my go-to liquid confidence. I love a strong red lip, and if you’ve ever seen me at an event or presentation wearing the most striking shiny red, it’s Chanel Ultra Wear Lip Color in Bright Raspberry every time.
Someone once described this to me as a Zamboni treatment for your face and I’ll never forget that. I only use it a couple times a month as an intense treatment that really works. I use this the night before an event or special occasion so my skin will look smooth, tight and naturally glowing in the morning.
Everyone should have a go-to moisturizing lip product, and this one is mine. I like that it comes in an array of tints and looks like your natural lip with a barely-there hint of color.
As the National Beauty Director at Nordstrom, I am very fortunate to have access to many different fragrances and I am always looking for a new seasonal scent to indulge in.
I am obsessed with the texture of this product. The fact that it is a retinol is an added bonus. It is extremely smoothing and moisturizing, but isn’t thick or heavy. It is a great thin base layer if you are planning to wear any concealer or powder around your eyes.
This is a newer product I am obsessed with. No matter how dramatic my eye makeup is, or my lip color may be, this is the perfect finishing touch for fresh, bright skin. I’ll use it daily – it’s great to wear in place of your blush for slightly dewy cheeks with a hint of color.
I would purchase this product for the smell alone, but more importantly it’s a great natural exfoliator that I implement in my morning skincare routine up to 3 times a week.
While this may be a concealer, I like to dot it all over my face as a foundation too. The wand applicator is amazing, and it’s especially handy when you’re trying to keep your makeup bag light.
Everyone knows about La Mer’s iconic crème, but I think this soft lotion version of their moisturizer is underrated. It’s light weight but gives that same great hydration that La Mer is known for. It works well as a morning or evening lotion, and my skin drinks this up. I like that it has a pump applicator – it makes it so much easier.
I get especially excited when a new brand or scent comes out to the market.
More Nordstrom Picks to Shop Now:
We may be biased, but for when it's raining or snowing, it doesn't get more stylish than these boots.
If you're tired of a closet full of boring tops, this one packs a lot of personality, but is still completely wearable.
Maxis are the new midis. Bias cuts, like on this skirt, ensure a very flattering, non-boxy fit.
Next up: 30 Trendy Nordstrom Buys Fashion People Are Freaking Over in 2023.
Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently an editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.
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