WHAT’S IN STORE

no sale, no problem

Even designer clothes usually go on sale at the end of the season, but it's rare for high-end cosmetics products to ever be redlined. But Nordstrom, which holds its famous annual anniversary sale at the end of July, isn't bypassing the beauty counters entirely.

Instead of marking down prices, the retailer is upping the value of products by offering exclusive limited-edition products and gifts with purchase, says national beauty director Debbi Hartley-Triesch.

Among the highlights are a three-pouch travel bag kit from Dior in ballet pink, hooked together with a D-logo key chain; three suede pouches from Estee Lauder in the autumnal colors of olive, rust and deep blue that come with an eyeshadow compact, lipstick, mascara, eye pencil and a pot of Re-Nutriv Intensive Lifting Cream; and Lancome's animal-print compacts willed with either Juicy Tube lip glosses or eye-and-face palettes with six shadows and two blushes.

From the world of fragrance, a bottle of Vera Wang Princess comes with a jeweled heart compact filled with 30 elixir capsules of perfume to take on the go, Michael Kors fragrances are packed in a weekender canvas tote, and Marc Jacobs fragrance is offered as a twin set -- a miniature flacon and a compact of solid fragrance.

The anniversary sale itself begins July 20, but shoppers can preorder beauty items, either in stores or online, now.

SAMANTHA CRITCHELL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

shock and awe

Shy girls ready to break out of their shells or attention seekers prepared to make their next statement need look no further. M.A.C.'s new collection, C-Shock, offers makeup that may brighten your day as well as your look. With lipsticks named Blast O' Blue and eye shadows such as Going Bananas, you will get a head start amplifying your look for the fall, when color promises to break out. Products can be applied as a sheer veil or by building the color for a bolder look. M.A.C. C-Shock collection lipsticks, lip gelees and eye shadows, $14 each, M.A.C.

enhancing hydration

In the heat of the summer lips tend to get dry so adding moisture is a must. To put an end to the constant reapplying and to add a little fun to your lip gloss applications, Smashbox created Lip Enhancing Glosses. These new glosses offer long-lasting color and continuous shine due to the added vitamin E. Smashbox's Lip Enhancing Glosses, $18, Ulta

GREGAN WINGERT/REVIEW-JOURNAL