One of our favs, Borghese, is having their annual online Summer Savings One Day Sale tomorrow, Wednesday July 21st, 2010!

Use the promo code SUMMER30 for 30% off YOUR ENTIRE borghese.com purchase. The promotion will be running from 12:01am EST to 11:59pm PST.

Pick up a mascara or 7, and some of their FANGO mud that Corinne’s loving. This stuff will blow your mind.

Sheer Minerals may be one of the may mineral makeup lines out there on the market, but our testing has proven it to be one of the best. TLS’s Steph tried it out, and after a mix of emotions in my mineral makeup experiences, i just had to try it out for myself, in my own shade. My emotions are now calm, cool, collected & confidently loving this kit.  Only $30 will get you their full shebang, giving you enough to supply yourself with that ‘I’m effortlessly beautiful and don’t need any makeup’ look in a cohesive kit. Perfection for traveling, enhancing your tan after a day on the beach, no thinking needed packing & to throw in to your bag for touch ups after work.

With 4 shade selections, each kit comes with a mineral foundation duo with SPF 15  & a concealer duo for your mixing and matching, flawless skin pleasure. And that’s not all!  For even more flawless skin pleasure, you’ll get to play with the Sheer Color Compact,  to enhance your look with cream eyeliner, highlighter & lip glosses, the Pocket Duo to help contain your perfectly mixed  concealers & foundations, a moisturizer with oh-so-important SPF 15, a gentle and conditioning cleanser that worked my pores into a squeaky clean frenzy of shrinkage. Lip, kabuki, eye shadow, eyeliner & blush brushes are all designed specially to bring your look together with ease. To top off the look, you can choose between the black or brown Extra Length mascara for one of the least clumpy & smudge threatening finishes I’ve experienced from a mascara.

Bonus items, that aren’t really bonus at all but come with each and every kit, include the Tips & Tricks DVD for you and your lady friends to watch & take notes on how it’s done professionally, and the Sheer Cover shade match guarantee. Sheer Cover will gladly, at NO cost, send you your correct shade, if your original choice isn’t glamming you to your potential. One of those trial and error miracles I hear everyone talking about.

All for $29.95?! Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. that is a 2, and a 9, and a 9, and a 5. With a $ in front of it. For all that.

Find out more on SheerCover.com

Once upon a time, before my blogging days, I suffered the daunting task of finding the perfect black eyeliner all on my own. Instead of reading product reviews or harassing Sephora employees, I turned to the one place I could always rely on for innovative beauty products: Ashley’s makeup bag.

What I found was Beauty Addict’s Effortless Eyes eyeliner. It glides on, and more importantly, it stays on. If my say so isn’t enough, my girl Zooey Deschanel is a fan, too. You know, Zooey Deschanel, of the Sexiest Eyes Ever Deschanels. Just ask your boyfriend (or any straight male). And paired with this, you’re sure to have a serious win-win, eye-sex situation on your hands.

Enter to be one of the 10 to win this week’s 2-for-1. :

Lash Galore $18 at www.beautyaddicts.com

• Formulated with Pro Vitamin B5 and Silk Protein for maximum conditioning, length and definition
• Buildable formula to allow more coats with no clumping
  

Effortless Eyes Eyeliner $16 each at www.beautyaddicts.com

• The slim, triangular design makes it a dream to use – and show off!
• Created to work with each of the four “color families”: Glow – a unique blue, Express – the perfect bronze, Motivate – a rich plum and Seduce – an elegant black. Click here to check out the colors.

FOR OFFICIAL ENTRY (Giveway ends June 18, 2010 – Open to Continental US Only):

• Comment telling us which color eyeliner you’d most love to swipe on, to get your eyes sexified… and why! Click here to check out the colors.
• And make sure to follow us, and tweet this link out to @LuxurySpot and @BeautyAddicts!

Ahh, it’s shorts weather ( between the flash flooding) here in NYC.  Thankfully, I’ve been on the prowl for my pre humid hot sizzle that is the literal melting pot we know & love dearly. Here are my top 5 must-haves for a concrete jungle summer.

1.) Products to Tame the Frizz - One word. LiQWD.  I’ve been using this line sporadically for the past few weeks, and have literally been complimented every time, and ONLY when I use it.  Needless to say, my ego & my newly blond(er) locks will be faithful all summer long.  The sleek packaging doesn’t lie. The lightly scented Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner are in easy to use pump bottles that distribute a smooth, frizz-busting, strand smoothing, lightly scented formula that is seemingly the best combination of moisture & volumizing components ever to meet, ever, in the history of hair.

LiQWD Professional Products LiQWD.com $32 -$60

For straightening my naturally wavy hair ( mostly just the bangs!) – I’ve been able to combat my cow-lick bang situation and its matronly looking way of flipping up upon the slightest inkling of humidity in one easy straightening session with the Missiko.com’s 1″  from HANA  (not even turned up full blast!).  Voted “Best Overall Flat-Iron” on Missiko.com, this comes ceramic iron that goes all the way up to 450° comes  paired with not only a FREE heat-resistant pouch, to make travel a cinch, but a hot-pad to lay your hot iron on, on your dresser, bathroom counter, rug or wherever you most often tame the weave.  Nobody likes a scorched rug.

HANA  1″ Flat Iron at Misikko.com $229

2.) Squeaky Clean Cheeks – Summer in NYC is the best time for outrageous fashion to flourish… and for makeup to melt.  Keep it minimal with the idea of the century:  the HOOK-UP from mark by Avon. My ideal has been the concealer/mascara duo   A little lash action will keep you flirty, while your concealer can help mask any blemishes, uneven tone or under-eye darkness.  But you can choose between tons of their amazing face, eye and lip products to mix & match. All in one wand! Why didn’t I think of this?!?

mark. Hookups: MeetMark.com Varied pricing

To start with a clean pallette, exfoliating every week will help, with a gel cleanser to rid your face of any oil.  My biggest splurge-worthy recommendation for pretty-cheek maintenance?  Facials. As often as monthly. This helps keep the viscous dead cells, oily-summer skin, clogged pores cycle from creating blemishes & blackheads. My pick for best in NYC is the customized, organic facial from Andrea DeSimone. In a relaxing state, she brings you from ruddy to ready! And she’s a wealth of knowledge for your skincare concerns.

Customized organic facial ( using organic products from Amala & Anakiri)  AndreaDeSimoneSensitiveSkincare.com

3.) The Anti-Bacne fix – Nobody… I mean NOBODY likes bacne.  keep it at bay with extra exfoliation and serious spot treatment if needed. I recommend handmade (in Brooklyn!) vegan soaps from Wembè. They contain chunky straight from the farm ingredients to help alleviate any chemical reactions, and totally natural & robust scents that make you feel like you’re in the middle of Paraguay right in your own bathroom!  The chunky raw ingredients help to heavily exfoliate naturally.  Seriously, start this now to prevent any unsightly flare-ups before that strapless soiree.

Wembè Loofah 3-pack $25 on Wembe.com

4.) Purse Essentials – Out frolicking after work, on the weekends, and everywhere in between isn’t exactly conducive with lugging around tons of lotions and potions to weight you down.  Consolidate with double duty & mini products like Votre Vu’s combo lotion/lip balm & Shobha’s Alcohol (and scent!) free hand sanitizer.  You will be done with ashy ankles, parched lips & scummy sandy hands without missing a beat.

Votre Vu Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Crème $38 VotreVu.com

Shobha Sanitizer $2 ShobhaThreading.com

5.) A Signature Scent – Small enough to fit in any bag, with a scent bold enough to stop any man on the street (fingers crossed!) I’ve gotta give it up to one of NYC’s iconic celebs and her iconic NYC character’s scent-tastic creation: SJP NYC.  Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in Sex & the City, may be a little too ‘punny’ and over the top, but ladies… this perfume is THE way to smell on a summer evening. And, although I never want this wee bottle and its robust floral scented contents to end, I’m super excited to use the colorfully wrapped casing to cart around my fav jewelry while traveling.  Let’s be clear here. When its’ done, I’ll sure be purchasing another one… can’t have a signature scent without the spritz!

SJP NYC $35 available at Fine Department Stores Nationwide

Here’s to an awesome, and beautiful, NYC summer.

Disclosure: All products were provided for review. No monetary compensation was received for this review. All opinions belong to the author.

Give yourself some oomph for your Valentine’s celebration. These products will make it easy to sex up your look, with practically no effort!

HAIR

Achieve seductively voluminous & sexed up locks TIGI® CATWALK® Your Highness Volume Collection™. Sandalwood Vanilla Cashmere, that will enrapture his senses, while your touchably soft hair will beg to be tugged, a lil. $14.95 – $19.95, available in fine salons nationwide; visit TigiHaircare.com for more information

EYES

For Valentine’s Day – sex appeal is all in the eyes. No need to go overboard with shadows & highlighters, it will all smudge once you get down to biz. Keep is simple, classy & waterproof with a thick cat-eye’d line like  of waterproof liquid liner, like Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, a good primer to give a more natural thickness, definition & length to lashes, like code.ai Lash Extend Primer L-122 & a great mascara, with some extra sparkle.  Available in black with blue dust, or black with silver dust,  Stila Black Diamond Mascara uses diamond powder to add glistening brilliance and bring out the color of your eyes.   Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner $20 at StilaCosmetics.com /  code.ai Lash Extend Primer L-122 $40 at codeai.com / Stila Black Diamond Mascara $24 at StilaCostmetics.com

LIPS

Au Naturale is the way to go to for lips. Goopy glosses will get in the way. Add a hint of color with Stila Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain (we’re banking on your cheeks becoming flushed, naturally) & add kissable, and smoothing Darphin Age-Defying Lip Balm ( it tastes delish).  They both boast antioxitants & anti-aging properties, too!  Stila Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain $24 at StilaCosmetics.com / Darphin Age-Defying Lip Balm $40 at Darphin.com

BOD

Balenciaga Paris will have you smelling of nothing but pure Parisian elegance & sex appeal, just like their spokeswoman Charlotte Gainsbourg. Floral, pepper & mossy notes give an unusual scent that will define your hottest night yet, of 2010.  Balenciaga Paris $95- $130 is available online and at fine retail stores nationwide, including Bergdorf Goodman.

My stubborn little lashes are due to my heritage. Most mascaras (thankfully, I’ve found a few and have also learned over the many years how to have clump free lashes) end up smeared under my eyes by the end of the evening. The biggest break through in the beauty industry came last year. Lash conditioners, prescription lash lengthener, and non-prescription lash lengtheners have burst onto the scene.

I’ve been using a lash repair (Shu Uemura lash conditioner), the prescription lash lengthener (Latisse), and a non-prescription lash lengthener (code.ai) on an irregular basis. My lashes seem to be thankful for the extra irregular attention. (I should really be using them regularly for better results) I think there’s some growth in my lashes, and definitely strengthened the hair follicles because there’s less lash breakage.

The Lash Repair:

Shu Uemura’s Lash Repair is like a lash conditioner for my lashes. It can also be used as a primer to coat the lashes before mascara application without the white goopy mess. My real draw for this little tube is the fact that application is really easy with the mascara wand. On many days when I am running out the door to go to dance class, I slick this onto my lashes for soft shiny lashes without the consequence of a dark ring of mascara under my eyes after sweating for two hours. It doubles as a clear mascara for the lashes and brows. I haven’t put it on my brows yet but will probably do that soon because I don’t like to mess with my brows too much.

The verdict: Great for a low maintenance gal.

The Prescription:

Not too long ago, I won a prescription of Latisse from the wonderful folks at Park Avenue Aesthetics. The box came with non-reusable applicators for one-time use for each eye. Because of the side effects of the prescription, I was a little wary of using it every night. I chose to apply it before I went to bed because I didn’t want it to get into my eyes or irritate my contacts. The downside, its another step that I have to take before going to bed. I did feel like my lashes were growing because of it. Due to my irregularity in applications, its not very dramatic. I should be putting this on every night before bed time. It is a prescription product so you have to get a prescription from a certified medical professional.

The verdict: It works.

The Alternative:

I received a tube of code.ai’s Lash extend serum. I was excited to start using this alternative because it is paraben-free and didn’t have the side effects that Latisse has. I’ve been using this for a little under two weeks now and I can feel a change in my lashes already. The application is really simple and less of hassle than Latisse. I can even apply it while I have my contacts in. On their website, they have pictures of patients who have undergone chemotherapy.

The verdict: Safe for contact lens wearers and no paranoia of discolored eyes.

Disclosure: All products were provided for review. No monetary compensation was received for this review. All opinions belong to the author.

In Touch is raving about this stuff.  And so is Renee Zellweger!

If you’re interested in getting some sexy lashes, a la Renee, then you’re in luck, no matter what your mascara preferences are.  When not going wild in the middle of the night at Webster Hall with blue mascara – blacks and browns are the way to go to keep your lashes long and luscious.

Rules to live by:

• Working in a conservative office? We suggest   brown mascara for day, and a splash of black for happy hour, or the weekend to give yourself different ‘looks’ for different occasions.
• Lighter complexions with light eye colors may be overwhelmed by black, so brown is your ticket to making your beautiful blues & greens in your eyes REALLY pop! People will focus on your eye color, and not your makeup.
• If your lashes are super light, browns will keep your lash life looking believable and not too done up – but MAKE SURE to cover each and every lash ENTIRELY. Nothing is worse than seeing your blond-ey lashed contrast peeking through on the top of your lashes. Put one of two coats on from the top of the lash, to keep your look natural.

So whether or not you’re in the market for a brown or black… you’re in luck! We’re giving away 10 of Borghese’s Superiore State-of-the-Art Mascara’s in either Bronzo OR Black!

Superiore State-of-the-Art Mascara

.3 FL. OZ  $19.00

2009, what a year. Presidents, balloon boys, celeb deaths and economic downturns made us ( well, me at least) want to just party until the wee hours to celebrate/mourn/question & gossip.

One good thing that 2009 brought me, however, was a ultra potent yet gentle makeup remover, with these mornings awoken with all sorts of mascara stuck to my pillow, and lipstick in places no lip product should be.

Benefit’s Gee… That was Quick! Makeup remover has done wonders for my overzealous coatings of mascara and has given me a clean slate on life. Just like you, 2010.

Start off  2010 with a clean slate.

*Until Jan 7, 2010 – order $35 worth on BenefitCosmetics.com & receive your own FREE Makeup Remover.

Make sure to enter code QUICKNYE at checkout.

Disclosure: All products were provided for review. No monetary compensation was received for this review. All opinions belong to the author.

–
theluxuryspot.com

Get 30% off of your purchase at Urban Decay when you enter FNFW1 at checkout!  Also receive free shipping for all orders $50 and over!

Big Fatty Mascara - $20

Deluxe Shadow Box - $38

For fabulously flirty lashes, women go to great lengths, yet often times we miss out on crucial steps. After picking the brains of numerous women, here is the ultimate to-do list for luscious lashes.

1. Curl

Any good mascara routine begins with a good lash curler – and the best is, without a doubt, from Shu Uemura. I had heard all the hype from industry experts about it for quite some time but, until I tried it, just couldn’t understand what made it so much better than my seemingly trusty (and cheaper) one from the drugstore. Try it and you too will see what the hype is all about. Trust me, it’s worth every penny.

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler, $19, Sephora.com

2. Prime

You prime your face for makeup, and you should prime your lashes prior to applying drying mascara (no one wants brittle lashes). With Origins’ Underwear for Lashes, your lashes will be protected, primed, plumped, lifted, and lengthened both for more dramatic results from your mascara and longer lasting clump and flake-free wear.

Origins Underwear for Lashes, $14.50, Origins.com

3. Mascara

For thick lashes with volume, try Lash Venom from DuWop. It delivers the punch with Procapil (an amino acid strengthener) to not only plump and add length but also to hydrate for healthier and stronger lashes over time. Plus, it has vitamin E and an acrylic polymer to prevent smudging and flaking.

DuWop Lash Venom, $24, Sephora.com

For curl, on the other hand, try Rimmel London’s new Sexy Curves Mascara for lashes up to 70% curlier. With its hourglass shaped applicator, lashes are curlier than ever. And, with its collagen-enriched formula, amplified as well.

Rimmel London Sexy Curves Mascara, $7.49, Rimmellondon.com

4. Clean-Up

After a less than perfect application (sneeze ever mid-mascara? No, well, trust us, it’s a nightmare and q-tips just don’t always cut it), comb your lashes smooth with an eyelash brush like Sonia Kashuk’s Lash & Brow Comb.

Sonia Kashuk Lash & BrowComb, $7.99, target.com

5. Add-on

For Natural At-Home Faux Lashes try Laura Mercier’s Corner Lash. The small strip of lashes specifically designed for the outer corner of the eye is easy to apply and creates a fluttery, flirty effect that works even on women with close-set eyes.

Laura Mercier Corner Lash Faux Lashes, $18, lauramercier.com

Bat those lashes, ladies. You’ve earned it.

Disclosure: All products were provided for review. No monetary compensation was received for this review. All opinions belong to the author.