5 Favorites from Dr. Brandt, Elizabeth Arden, Valentino & More

I've gone through countless amounts of packages full of new spring makeup collections, skincare lines and hair products and am still putting new products to the test.  If you follow me on Instagram, you've been enjoying sneak peeks of the latest and greatest with me.  Some products are worth raving about as they've either become staples, blew my mind or impacted my beauty regimen in some way greater than the others.  This will be a new feature on BSS, a round up of a few of my favorite things.  Allow me to introduce you, because after all, it's my job to help you cut through the clutter.   When I was first introduced to Make, I fell in love with the concept before the cosmetics.  As part of the We See Beauty Foundation, the company partners with local artists to create products and gives a portion of the revenue to help women's start ups in the US . Make Matte Finish Blush, $22.50 in Limoges Pink has been my go to pick-me-up for spring.  Always thinking of myself as a pinky/peach girl, I've been wearing NARS Blush in Orgasm since the beginning of time, but this is a nice change.

While it's not brand new, I just tried out Dr. Brandt's Laser A-Peel System, $78, when considering it for an upcoming segment.  A bit obsessed with peels, exfoliants and masks, I underestimated the power of the at-home peel that promised in-office-like results.  It's the first peel and mask that made parts of my face tingle in a long time.  One word: strong.  After leaving it on for five minutes, I rinsed and applied the soothing gel as instructed.  Immediately, it looked as if I had a facial with extractions.

Chip free polish for up to two weeks?  Sounds great, but I'm super anal about my gel manicures and will only go to one salon in NYC to get them, which happens to be all the way on the Upper East Side!  I began using Dior's Gel Top Coat, $24, which is a thick top coat that goes on like a gel, but dries normally.  My regular polish lasts about an extra two days (yay!), but stays shiny until my next mani, which is the real benefit.

Lots and lots and lots of lashes.  No lie.  I've tested about six mascaras in the past week and while I was impressed by a few of them for different reasons, Elizabeth Arden's Beautiful Color Lash Enhancing Mascara, $24, blew them all away.  I've been partial to Lancome's Hypnose Star  Mascara since it launched last fall, and I still love it, but this one gives a different look.  Full, separated, light-weight lashes.  Lots of them.

Finally a fragrance where the scent is just as delicate and precious as the bottle.  Valentino's Valentina Assoluto Eau De Parfum, $117 is one to covet.  It's a sensual fruity floral with a hint of vanilla.

Oscar Beauty Must-Haves: What the Pros Used

After being glued to red carpet coverage and speaking with publicists, makeup artists and hairstylists all day yesterday, I am beyond over the Oscars!  Truth.  However, there's so much to talk about.  Here's a round up of some of the beauty loot the pros used on celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Hudson, Adele and more before they hit the carpet.  Believe it or not, a lot of it is from the drugstore!

For an added shine boost, Jennifer Hudson's stylist, Kiyah Wright used Clairol Professional Jazzing in Coffee Bean, let it sit for five minutes and washed it out before shampooing.

To enhance her spray tan (which she got the day before the Oscars) Salma Hayek's makeup artist, Jo Strettell, applied St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Firming Body Lotion to her body before she hit the red carpet.

To mimic her soft pink dress, Anne Hathaway's manicurist, Tom Bachik, first used L'Oréal Paris’ new limited-editionVersailles Romance Colour Riche Nail Collection (coming out in March) called "The Palace Life."  Then added a personal touch by painting her grandmother's initials on her ring fingers.

To get just the right amount of smolder, Stacy Keibler's makeup artist, Matthew VanLeeuwen glided and smudged Elizabeth Arden's Beautiful Color Smoky Eyes Pencil in Smoky across her lids.

To straighten her hair without it falling flat, Kerry Washington's stylist, Takisha Sturdivant-Drew used Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse on her damp strands before blowdrying.

To leave a little bit of sheen on her skin, Jenna Dewan-Tatum's makeup artist, Kayleen McAdams, used Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil on her body.

To ensure bounciness in Adele's bouffant, her stylist Michael Ashton finished her look John Frieda Luxurious Volume All-Day Hold Hairspray.

For a lasting style with texture, Jennifer Aniston's stylist, Chris McMillan, used Living Proof's Prime Style Extender, which also allowed for touchable hair.

To protect her hair and extensions from the heat of the curling iron, Jessica Chastain's stylist, Renato Campora, spritzed it with Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Heat Protectant & Shine Spray.

On her lashes, Charlize Theron's makeup artist, Pati Dubroff, used Diorshow Mascara in #090 Catwalk Black.

The Dish Behind Nicole Richie's Golden Globes Eye Makeup Straight from Her Makeup Artist

Nicole Richie was the first to step out on the red carpet at tonight's Golden Globes and the only one who took a risk and made a statement with her look.  Of course, one of the main Twitter debates of the night was whether or not it was a Yay or a Nay.  I just spoke with her makeup artist, Beau Nelson, to find out what inspired the crazy idea.  And just an FYI... it's BeautySweetSpot approved! When did you see Nicole's dress for the first time and what were your initial thoughts?

I saw it a few days before in pictures, and it looked a lot darker blue in the pictures, so today was the first time I saw how it actually looks.

Was it your idea or Nicole's to do the icy blue eyes to match?

Yes, I wanted to continue the theme of the dress on the face, nude and ice blue. Its probably not something I would do on anyone else, but Nicole wears everything so well i knew she could carry it off.

What was your inspiration behind her look and how would you describe it?

The dress was the inspiration, the colors and the textures were what I took into account when choosing all the products I used to create this look. Id describe it as a modern take on Hollywood glamour, with a little bit of 60's influence.

What are your tips for wearing color all the way around the eye?

Color is easier to wear on the lids when its anchored by a darker version of itself at the lash line. For this look I used Navy liner around the entire eye. Paired with the blue shadow it gave it some impact and depth so that the color wasn't overwhelming.

Nelson used Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Single in Sky and Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Smoky Eyes Pencil in Midnight around Nicole's eyes.  

My Today Show Segment: Age Appropriate Holiday Glamour

This morning I was on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda again and brought along eight models to showcase "Age Appropriate Holiday Glamour."  It was a great morning and another fantastic day with the Today Show crew.  Check out my segment after the jump!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Best Cyber Monday Beauty Deals

I'm all about scoring great deals this holiday season, but trust me I'm the last person you'll find waiting in those horrific lines on Black Friday.  I can't believe people still do that even though Cyber Monday exists.  Cyber Monday is the best thing ever created and here's a list of the best beauty deals that will be going on so log in and have your credit card ready! Tarte:  $10 off purchases of $50, $20 off purchases of $75, $30 off purchases of $100 or more - A free gift with purchase with every order (customers will get to choose 1 of 5 items) - Free shipping on orders of $40 & up - Code: CYBER

Butter London: 30% site wide discount until November 30th - Code: CELEBRATE11

Bliss: 20% off Bliss, Elemis and Laboratoire Remede products

Elizabeth Arden: 25% off - Free shipping on any order - Save up to 65% on skincare, makeup and fragrance gift sets - Code: BF2

Perfumania: 30% off the entire site - Code: CYBER30

Bobbi Brown: Free best seller gift trio with purchase - Free shipping until November 29th

Urban Decay: Their signature eye palette is on sale for $19 (originally $34)

Elizabeth Arden: Free 5 piece gift - Free shipping with any order of $35 - Code: BEAUTY35

Bloom.com: 40% back in the form of Bloom Dollars for future purchases - free gifts with every purchase - free shipping and free returns on orders over $49

Dr. Brandt: Slashed the prices on two of his most coveted items: Lineless Eye Cream from $69 to $29 and Flaws no more R3P Eye from $80 to $39

Ulta: Free shipping on orders of $25 or more - Code: HOLIDAYSHIP25

John Masters Organics: 25% off your order - Code: HOLIDAY11

Borghese: 25% off your order from 12pm to 4pm - Code: 25CYBER11 

Stila: Up to 80% off items until December 2nd

Lab Series: 25% off all products - Free shipping until December 2nd

Somme Institute: 40% off all skincare site wide

VMV Hypoallergenics: The site is offering 50% off select products including Glitz and Velvet Matte Lipsticks, Two True Hues Eyeshadow Duos, the SuperSkin Starts Here Kit, the entire Illuminants+ line and select Skintelligent Beauty Brushes

Lush: Spend $100 and get a free $10 Lush e-card and free ground shipping - Spend $120 and get a free $10 Lush e-gift card and free air shipping

My True Beauty Secrets Campaign for Elizabeth Arden

A few months ago I filmed a campaign with BetterTV and Elizabeth Arden called True Beauty Secrets with Rachel Hayes Gayle of DailyMakeover.com and Daneen Baird of SpoiledPretty.com and it just went live. The video centers around Elizabeth Arden's Gold Ultra Restorative Ceramide Capsules, $68, which I used for a month prior to shooting.  They're tiny little individually packaged capsules with enough serum for your face, neck and decollete.  I like them for two reasons – 1. besides their anti-aging benefits, they also act as a great makeup primer filling in fine lines and 2. they're travel friendly.

Check out the video!

Behind the Scenes of My Elizabeth Arden Shoot... So SJP

This past week has been super fun!  I shot a campaign for Elizabeth Arden that's going to be on BetterTV, online and in print similar to the Strivectin campaign I shot last fall.  Acting as a Spokesperson and being in front of a camera is my true passion so I was completely in my element. Thursday we shot in an office setting and in a gorgeous house in New Jersey and Friday we shot at the Elizabeth Arden store on 5th Ave and out and about in NYC.  My Friday scenes were my favorite because they truly portrayed 'a day in the life.'  Only for this day, I had a stylist and glam squad on hand.

I was the "girl on the go" and we filmed in and out of taxi cabs, subways and walking around the Plaza Hotel by the fountain.  I felt very Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City!  I can't wait to show you the video when it's out!

Now, they're taking a day and a half of footage and creating a three minute piece.  It's expected to be launched late April/early May.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Beauty Deals & Steals

This year I'm welcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday with open arms. Every beauty junkie waits for this time to stock up on her favorite must have products, and I got a sneak peak at some of the best beauty and style deals out there! Get ready to save on splurge-worthy products without breaking the bank. Starting Black Friday:

• Urban Decay’s best-selling eye shadows, colored mascara, and glosses are only $6. Also make sure to check out chic nail polish sets and eyeshadow palettes for just $12!

• Get  the perfect gift for any man at Anthony.com and enjoy a 20% discount off any purchase and with a purchase of $50 or more you can score a free Tool Kit + complimentary ground shipping.

• Get perfect skin this season with Zeno, which uses heat to kill acne bacteria, unclog pores and prevention blemishes. Lucky for us, www.myzeno.com is offering 25% off the entire site and free shipping.

• Stock up for the season with AHAVA and try the amazing Dead Sea Mineral-boosting line which is one of my favorites. If you spend $50 you will get 15% off and a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot cream with code GIVE15. Spend $100 and get 20% off plus a deluxe Hand/Body/Foot cream, and Exfoliating Washcloth, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use coupon code GIVE20. If you spend $200 you will get 30% off with a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream, and Exfoliating Washing, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use code GIVE30.

• Lancome is having a great deal and if you blink you will miss it. It’s on their top mascaras! Each time you purchase a mascara you get a free gift too!

• Elizabeth Arden is offering 25% off all makeup, skincare and fragrance (with free shipping of course!) on any order on www.elizabetharden.com.

• Order all of your hair essentials from Lockandmane.com and receive 25% off by using code Friends at check out.

Starting Cyber Monday:

• Stila is having an exclusive online sample sale. You won’t feel guilty because your favorite products are up to 80% off.

• Beauty.com is saving the best deals till Cyber Monday with 20% off hair appliances, 40% off Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel, and even 80% off Laura Geller sets and palettes. Spend $50 and Beauty.com will give you a free Lela Rose tin packed with 24 amazing samples, and get this a $10 Beauty Gift Card! It’s like getting paid to shop!

• Sally Beauty is offering 20% off all orders of only $25! Check out www.sallybeauty.com and get ready for lots of great deals!

• Shop Elizabeth Arden and with any $65 purchase, you'll get a 31-piece Black Tote with a retail value of over $300! This bag is the ultimate makeup kit, it includes everything from blushes, to mascara, to glosses and more! Keep it for yourself or use it as the perfect gift for the beauty maven in your life. Use coupon code CYBER65 at check out to redeem this offer.

• Lierac Paris is having a Friends & Family sale running through Fri. 12/3.  30% off all products atwww.lierac-usa.com Just enter code: FF2010.

Exclusive Elizabeth Arden Giveaway

Elizabeth Arden updated it's well know fragrance, Pretty, just in time for Mother's Day.  Now, Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash includes notes of white peach and pink lady apple, which make it even more fresh than before.

Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash is limited edition and can be found for $45 at elizabetharden.com, but two lucky BeautySweetSpot readers can win the scent now!

Here's how:

• Follow @beautysweetspot on Twitter and RT my tweets about the giveaway
• Comment below telling me about the current scent you wear and why

Two winners will be selected at random on Sunday, May 2nd.  Good luck!