Shiseido - Nordstrom - Double Bonus

Nordstrom Camelia club has extended their Nov 2008 cards to expire on June 2009. This gives you an extra 6 months to collect points. Their current double stamps days end on Jan 4. Nordstrom only has double stamp days twice a year while Macys does it three times a year. The next double stamp day for Nordstrom won’t happen until after July 2009. If you buy skin care products from Shiseido at Nordstrom, work with Jackie--she’s awesome. She gives honest recommendations and will be honest about what you do need…even if it means telling you that you that you have wrinkles, freckles, and puffy eyes and need to do something about it.

During my visit with her this past weekend, she identified which Shiseido products I needed to stop using and which ones to purchase. (Very helpful!) "I sell things from the heart. Only what you need,” she said. She made two changes to my skincare routine: She replaced my moisturizer from ‘The Skincare’ line with the ‘Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer Cream” and replaced my ‘The Skincare Eye-Gel’ (used for puffy eyes) with the ‘Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream” (for anti-wrinkle use). I didn’t know the difference for the latter and now know why the eye-gel was ineffective for me. The Contour Cream works very well for me.

In a nutshell it seems that ‘The Skincare’ line is good for daily maintainance but doesn’t really do anything more. Spend money on the moisturizer and things that work into your skin overnight. The cleansing cream washes off in seconds and doesn’t stay on your skin long. The balancing lotion (toner) is just a neutralizer. So spend money on the right eye cream and facial cream. These will make the biggest difference in the long term.

Jackie is an honest Shiseido salesperson who goes out of her way to meet the needs of her customer. In the same manner is another great Shideido salesperson, a Vietnamese lady (I forget her name at this time) at the South Coast Plaza Macys (CA). She tells you what you need to get, no holding back, and will tell you not to buy something even if you seem interested in it. She provides sample products to familarize you with the line, and has given me on the spot Shiseido facials and massages.

Shirokiya is also currently holding their double stamp days right now. Their double stamp days end on Jan 6^th. They have some different set packages that come with free products. The Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer Cream at Shirokiya, for example, comes with a small tube of facial cleanser, balancing cream, lipstick, and a gift card for a free facial (and costs $2 less than the prices at Nordstrom/Macy’s).

Shiseido products went up in price as of January 1, 2009. The set packages at Shirokiya are priced at the 2008 prices until they are sold out.

Best Sunscreen

With the American Cancer Association promoting public awareness of damage done to the skin, a couple ways to keep your skin protected include:

- Staying out of the sun during peak hours (11am-1pm)
- Stay covered (indoors) or clothed (long sleeved cotton shirt, hats for outdoors)
- Use of sunscreen (minimum 15 SPF)
- Regular check ups to your dermatologist to screen dark spots

General Sunscreen Tip: Look for three PA+++ (plus signs) ratings on any sunscreen product to make sure your sunscreen provides you with both UVA/UVB protection. (Most sunscreens just cover UVA rays).

In particular, I like the following two products by Shiseido and Elemis. Both are light weight, non-oily, good for sensitive skin, and provide great sun protection. Additionally, these two products cover both UVA and UVB rays!

Let's start with Shiseido 55 SPF:

Shiseido Sunblock SPF 55+
(Award Winning multiple times over)
(Macys, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, other Department Stores $44)

This Shiseido line comes in creamy or liquid form. The creamy formula has higher SPF options, is non-oil based, and good for dry skin. It has longer day protection (4+ hours) the consistency is thicker (a creme) and comes in a tube (shown above). I find that it works well under foundation.

I've also tried the liquid formula (which comes in a bottle with shaker ball inside). This product is thinner and is oil-based. I find hat it's thinner consistency however, only lasts around 2-4 hours before needing to reapply. It's more "shiny" under foundation giving you that dewy look.

I have both products and use the creme sunscreen for my face, and liquid formula for my shoulders, neck and chest. (The 55+creme is extremely popular among men and women surfers in Hawaii. So much so I even found Shisedo products sold at the HIC store at Ala Moana and heard its workers raving about it to others.)

Elemis Liquid Layer SPF 30
(Nordstrom, $40; Selected spas)

Elemis is a scientific cosmetic line (blends technology + beauty concerns) found at high end salons and selected department stores. What I like about this Elemis sunscreen is that bonds really well. It seems as if the little molecules in this formula bond to each other well, and provides a solid outter protection that forms a barrier between your skin and the external environment. I can wear this sunscreen for an entire day and never feel that the forumla is breaking down over the hours (as the Shiedo formula often does). I never need to reapply sunscreen, and it's thin layer keeps my skin breathable.

The formula also bonds to the skin well, which means it doesn't "slide" off as you perspire throughout the day or surf in the water, and holds well under foundation. My only critique is that you need to shake the tube really well before applying. Otherwise it turns a bit white and chalky on your face unless you rubb it in well. Also, the formula tends to separate (again shake it well) and has a light scent.

I used this in Peru and it withstood strong equator sunlight and sweat over hours of daytime hiking. An excellent buy for those who engage in the outdoors!

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives - Starts Today

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusive – Aug 7^th+

Starting today, Norstrom will give away a special black bag full of make up goodies when customers spend a total of $100 from the different cosmetics counters. Just save your receipts!

In my opinion, this year's gift isn’t that worth it. The black plastic bag is poorly sewn and in a shape I'm not likely to use. However, if you’re like me and purchase items from counters like Bobbi Brown, Channel and Nars that rarely have gift promotions, this department wide offer is a chance for you to get a little treat for yourself.

Other stores that have special storewide gifts:

Bergdorf Goodman (my favorite Chicago department store) also offers a store-wide makeup gift. Unlike Nordstroms, each individual makeup counter gives away their own product gifts...and on top of this, Bergdorf Goodman will additionally also give you an additional gift for purchasing $100 in store-wide beauty products. Gifts are usually full sized make up cremes, mud masks and other quality products. (Usually in February)

Saks Fifth Avenue has a similar promotion as Bergdorf Goodman twice a year. Their gifts are so-so...usually specially designed make up bag sets. I’ve done this on two occasions and got a set of cheetah printed bags, and a pink travel bag with four fillable plastic bottles. The gifts were just "okay." (The Bergdorf Goodman beauty exclusives are your best bet—and they usually give free shipping for out of state (Chicago) phone orders.)

Hawaii Limited Edition - Gift Cards

Only in Hawaii….specially designed store gift cards.

Nordstrom gift cards come in two designs. One features a hula girl and the other a hibiscus lei. A limited number of cards were manufactured for the Honolulu store’s grand opening this past January. By the end of that month the gift cards were already a scarce commodity.

A few months ago Starbucks stopped printing their special edition hula girl gift cards. These cards were introduced to the Hawaii chains a couple of years ago are becoming difficult to find.

Both cards are expected to increase in net worth and be in demand by enthusiasts and card collectors.

Best Kept Beauty Secret - Shiseido in Hawaii

Shiseido's Camellia Club is a special rewards program limited to Shiseido counters in Hawai’i! Just collect stamps with every purchase and you're on your way to earning beauty gifts worth up to $230. To become a club member simply sign up at any participating Shiseido counter--there is no fee and no catches to enroll.

The way it works: For every $10 you spend, you are given one ink stamp on a rewards card. At the end of each year, a sales representative will calculate the number of stamps you collect. You will be rewarded a free full sized Shiseido product at the end of each cycle. Each stamp card begins on July 1^st of each year and ends on June 30^th of the following year.

Reward Gift. Depending on the number of stamps you collect, you will be given one of the following gifts:

20 stamps = White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam (worth $33)
40 stamps = White Lucent Brightening Massage Cream (worth $50)
60 stamps = Future Solution Eye and Lip Contour Cream (worth $125)
80 stamps = Future Solution Total Revitalizing Cream (worth $230)

Coupons. When you think things couldn’t get better, with each yearly enrollment you are given with a small booklet filled with coupons including opportunities for you to get free Shiseido Rewards stamps (e.g. 2 free stamps with a purchase of any facial product; 2 free stamps for participating in a complementary make up lesson), as well as discounts to local restaurants in Honolulu (e.g. buy one lunch entrée get one free at Ryan’s; 15% off your entrée at Kincaids.)

Double Stamps months. To entice you even more, there are special periods where every dollar that is spent is calculated as two dollars. This allows you to earn more stamps and fill your rewards card even fuller and faster!

Here’s the Inside Scoop: Upcoming Double Stamp days (at Macy's) will be held…

Mid-July 2008
3 days in September 2008
End of December 2008-Early January 2009

These are great periods to stock up Shiseido products to last you the whole year, and it is possible to fully complete the entire stamp rewards cards by taking advantage of the Double Days. Tourists too may find this a good motivation to stop by the Shiseido counter on their next visit to the islands.

I've been using Shiseido products for over 15 years and have found this to be one of the best kept beauty secrets about living in Hawaii.

Participating stores: Macy’s | Shirokiya | Nordstrom