giveaway alert: RoC® Skincare Gift basket + $200 VISA gift card! {closed}

on behalf of the RoC® skincare team, i'm so excited and grateful for the opportunity to bring you a fabulous, huge  giveaway! i've been a brand ambassador for the last two years and this is a way to give thanks! so, in this season of giving, RoC® would like to gift you with a $200 gift card and a holiday basket filled with {the best} RoC® products!

interested?

of course you are! :)

~ here's what's in the basket:

RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Night Cream {read my review here}

RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer {read my review here}

RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Serum {read my review here}

RETINOL CORREXION® Eye Cream

RETINOL CORREXION® MAX Resurfacing System

RETINOL CORREXION® Sensitive Night Cream

RETINOL CORREXION® Sensitive Eye Cream

MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Restoring Night Cream {watch my review here}

MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Eye Cream {watch my review here}

MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Daily Moisturizer {watch my review here}

MAX Resurfacing Cleanser {watch my review here}

Daily Resurfacing Disks {read my review here}

*visit rocskincare.com for more info about the brand, their ingredients and where to buy.*

~ and here are the rules** and what you need to do to enter for your chance to win!:

1. *follow me on Twitter and tweet me {@thebeautygirl}: "i want better skin in 2015! #RoCBeautyGiveaway " {up to 3 times}
2. *follow me on Instagram, regram the giveaway photo i've posted with "i want better skin in 2015! #RoCBeautyGiveaway " and tag me @thebeautygirl {up to 3 times}

super easy so far, right? just a couple more things**:

1. this contest is open today december 15, 2014, to US residents only, 18 and over. 
2. you may enter up to 3 times each by tweeting @thebeautygirl on Twitter and Instagram. 
3. if you are chosen as the winner, please be prepared to respond to me via DM or email {beautygirlmusings@gmail.com} within 24 hours to provide me with your name, mailing info and phone number {i will send this to the people at RoC; it will be used for shipping purposes only ~ your info will not be shared or sold to any third party}

**contest ends midnight PST friday, december 19, 2014 ~ winner will be announced saturday, december 20th, 2014 here, on Twitter and Instagram!

good luck!

**read please: contest open to US residents only; entrants must be 18 or older. entering this contest means you are giving me permission to forward your name, address, phone number and email address to representatives of RoC skincare for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize. non response {within 24 hours of winner announcement} will result in disqualification and a new winner will be chosen. all personal info is kept private and will not be used for any other purpose beyond this contest. one {1} winner, chosen at random, will receive the prize mentioned. enter up to 3 times via Twitter and Instagram. more entries beyond 3 will not improve your chances of winning. giveaway sponsored by RoC Skincare. some restrictions apply. open to US residents only. entries will be accepted through 11:59 pm PST on friday, december 19, 2014. winner will be announced saturday, december 20th, 2014. thank you. :)

skincare review: 4 serums i'm loving right now...

when it comes to skincare, serums are, in my opinion, a must in my routine. the highly concentrated gems contain nutrients and technologically advanced ingredients formulated to help prevent or correct skin damage. depending on your needs and budget, there are a plethora of options to choose from.


i've been using the following products individually {though there has been some overlap with a couple at a time} over the last several months, and i'm so excited to share with you now how {and why} i love each one. they all address wrinkles and hydration, but are unique and have different purposes. i've noticed fab results from them all... 

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum by RoC is the first on my list. over the last couple of years i've been a brand ambassador and have had the opportunity to work with the company, discovering what makes them and their products so good. while the name suggests it would be a product i wouldn't reach for {i have no severe, deep wrinkles}, the ingredients are fabulous for prevention and correction of fine lines and evening out skin tone. it has a silky, lightweight texture {which was fabulous as i used it over the summer} and it gave my skin a more even-toned, smooth, glowy look. i expected a bit of a reaction from this because the packaging said i might, but also since it contains Retinol {a vitamin a derivative that makes skin more sensitive to sun exposure}, but thankfully, i had none {i do wear sunscreen everyday}. rocskincare.com

Skin & Co Umbria Truffle Hydro-Toning Face Serum is part of an apothecary range of goodies; simple and effective, this serum is certainly worth trying if you are unfamiliar. i love the way it glides onto my skin and absorbs beautifully. it's uber hydrating and creates a smooth finish that works well with other moisturizers and under foundation. i use it twice day and my skin had no negative reaction to it. skinandcoroma.com

Beverly Hills MD sent me their Venox anti-aging serum and it was love at first use. no, that doesn't mean i saw instant results, but that i really loved the way it made my skin feel. with more use, i really began to appreciate the hydration and antioxidants. i used the creamy formula twice a day and it really helped reduce the finer lines i have around my eyes and on my forehead {wrinkles be gone!}. beverlyhils-md.com

and finally i'd like for you to meet Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C BB Serum ~ it's the least expensive on this list, but it certainly doesn't make it less of a powerful product. it smells of fresh oranges and, like the other serums on my list, has improved the look of my skin with its highly concentrated formula. i've been applying it before my sunscreen/moisturizer, and thanks to the light-reflecting pigments, my skin is always left looking beautifully radiant. ulta.com

 vitamins and antioxidants as well as advanced ingredients created by man, all of these serums deserve a space in your skincare arsenal. visit the website links for more info. let me know if you've used any of these gems or tell me about what you've been using these days! 

products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

winter beauty: Obiqo Silky Body Butter + Smoothing Eye Cream

Obiqo skincare combines nutrient-rich sea kelp from new zealand’s pristine waters with the very finest natural marine anti-aging extracts and powerful antioxidant properties of french organic sea lavender. this beauty brand was recently introduced to me, and it was this description that caught my attention.

i've been using Silky Body Butter and Smoothing Eye Cream for a few weeks and i can't stress enough how i think you need these gems in your life. since using them, i've noticed on my skin looks better, feels amazing and they're just a treat to use!

the rich-textured Silky Body Butter really is silky and lush; it absorbs quickly, smells fabulous, and i just love it. it's perfect for using right out of the shower, but of course can be used anytime and anywhere on the body that needs moisture. i especially love applying it right before bed ~ its a guaranteed way to wake up with soft, smooth skin!

Obiqo Smoothing Eye Cream is a luxurious treat for my eyes at the end of the day {and so refreshing when used in the morning}. thanks to its gorgeous rich formula, this fragrance free, non-irritating {in my experience} cream keeps dryness and puffiness at bay. 

 i've had such a fabulous experience with Obiqo; so much so that i'm ready to try out some of their other items {like the Restoring Night Cream and the Radiant Day Cream}. and the best thing about this luxurious brand is their products are so affordable! 

you can get more info about Obiqo products at obiqoskincareusa.com and purchase online at amazon.com

products sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are based on my own experience; pics taken by me :)

skincare review: Radical Skin Perfecting Screen SPF30

sun protection is an important part of my skin care routine, so when i was sent a new facial sunscreen from Radical Skincare, i beyond thrilled to try it.

and…

yes, i'm pretty excited about it!

 
not only does Radical Skin Perfecting Screen protect my face from harsh UV rays with a non-chemical spf 30, but it's a skincare gem because it contains light-reflecting pigments that help create a beautiful, luminous finish that is still matte and lasts all day. 

without Radical Screen on the left, with it on the right. :)

 this unique, pearl-toned, slightly shimmery formula applies beautifully, absorbs well and is definitely a new fave of mine. if you have the opportunity, don't take my word for it, try it for yourself. your skin will thank you! :)

visit radicalskincare.com for more info.

product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation spf 20

happy wednesday, loves…are you having a beautiful week? 

if you're anything like me, any day can be made better by treating yourself to a new beauty goodie. i love discovering something new and adding it to my beauty buy or get-more-info-about list {please tell me you do this, too!}.

all of this is to tell you that Shiseido has a new product {actually 2 more, but i'll get to that in a minute} and it should bring a smile to your face ~ you should be excited about it...

i certainly am!

the luxury brand has added color products to their fabulous Future Solution LX Collection. what i'm gushing about specifically is the fabulous full coverage Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation SPF20. 

available in 11 shades {i use B60}, this gem utilizes new light technology to create radiant skin; with its creamy, lightweight formula, it creates a gorgeous tone to my skin and keeps it looking great all day.

in addition to the coverage, the new Radiance Foundation has skincare benefits. ingredients in the formula aid in reducing visible signs of aging like loss of firmness, wrinkles, visible pores and uneven skin tone.

i'm loving this fusion of skincare and makeup ~ you should definitely consider checking out for yourself. the luxe Future LX collection also includes a loose powder that can be worn alone or used to set the foundation. it's also a multi-tasker. :)

Shiseido Future Solution LX Radiance Foundation is avaluable now and you can get more info on their website, shiseido.com

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

skincare review: Murad Transforming Powder

bonjour, beauties ~ hope you're doing well...

i've been relishing some fab skincare goodies as of late, including this new one from Murad.

the powerhouse brand has expanded its arsenal of acne products thanks to the recent release of its first-ever powder cleanser, Transforming Powder. this water-activated cleanser provides the ideal amount of exfoliation to help blemish-prone skin get {and stay} clear but without the risk of irritation.

this dual-action powder is formulated with exfoliating bio-enzymes and dissolving jojoba beads to quickly transform from an exfoliating scrub into a light, foaming cleanser with the addition of water. the enzymes aid in breaking down oil, dirt and dead skin cells, but unlike other exfoliators, is super gentle and rinses away easily.

  over-exfoliation can be a problem, and especially so if if you have acne-prone skin. this is, as i've already mentioned, really kind to my skin. other ingredients {pumpkin seed extract and salicylic acid} work to keep pores clear, manage oil production and encourage cell turnover, a fab benefit for keeping skin looking youthful as well!

so, it's another win for Murad! i've really enjoyed the last few products sent to me to try. are you a fan of Murad products? what are your faves?

be sure to visit murad.com for more info.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl style: Ely wood watch by JORD

bonjour, beauties! hope yore having a gorgeous week…it's flying by for me…i can't believe it's already october ~ the holidays and gift-giving season will be here before we know it!

that said, i have a fabulous item you may want to consider when putting together your gift list. i mean, if you haven't started yet, you should be at least thinking about it…

if you read my previous post featuring JORD wood watches, you already know i was expecting the brand to send me the Ely watch to wear and experience for myself. you also know that i was curious about the style and material {wood} this brand uses for its watches.

well, i was certainly thrilled when my expectations were met regarding the quality. and i was even more thrilled when those expectations were exceeded!

this JORD Maple Ely wood watch is gorgeous and so elegant in its construction. i admit, i expected it to be heavier, but the fact that it's so lightweight doesn't mean it's not sturdy. i've been wearing it with everything. the maple color works so well with deep jewel tones and neutrals. it looks fabulous worn alone and, of course, dressed up with a bit of sparkle; i think this is not only a fabulous accessory to have in your own collection, but should also be considered for gift giving {have i mentioned the holidays are almost here?}.

so if you haven't already, visit woodwatches.com and be sure to check out their Instagram as well as their hashtag page to see how both men and women are rockin' the various JORD styles. also, let me know if you decide to purchase one {or if you already own one!}

this watch was sent to me by JORD for an honest review; i was not paid for my post; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl bookshelf: what i've read, am currently reading and want to read next...

bonjour, beauties! summer is officially over and i confess, i didn't do as much reading as i have {or expected to do} compared to past summers. in fact, i've done less reading this whole year, but i'm not beating myself up over it. i think i was in a bit of a rut, but it looks like i'm climbing out of it ~ the last two books i read have been fabulous, i'm almost done with another, and am excited about the next two i plan to read. just thought i'd share, so take a look...

I Don't Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer

i just finished this title in audio format, which is fabulous because Judy reads it herself {i call her Judy as if i know her, LOL}. while many don't know her in public when they encounter her, i'd know exactly where i know her from if i ever find myself in the same space. since seeing her in The Wedding Planner, back in 2001, she's been on my radar. she's a fabulous actress with almost 100 films to her credit. if i were an actor, i'd want my career to be just like hers ~ consistent and noteworthy. she gets to work with amazing actors and is still able to maintain a life of normalcy that allows her to be in public without being followed or stalked by paparazzi. while not over-the-top funny, this book is full of fun stories from her life and career. if you like memoirs, are a fan of Judy Greer, you should definitely find this to be an enjoyable read.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell 

Rainbow Rowell has quickly become one of my favorite authors. her books are smart, heartfelt and thoughtful. every story is unique, with multifaceted characters and a fabulous story. the first two books of hers i read {Eleanor & Park and Fangirl} are classified in the YA category, but this book, her very first novel, is in the adult fiction genre with a very chick-lit/rom-com feeling. that's fine by me. i could easily see this as a movie, but i love the format of emails as part of the narrative, i'm not sure how that could be portrayed on screen. if you're looking for a romantic, sweet read, this one is a great pick!

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

i'm almost done with this gorgeous, epic novel. the story takes place in two time periods, 1962 and present day. in 1962 a young italian innkeeper spies a tall, thin woman in white approaching him and his hotel via boat. he soon learns she's an american actress. oh, and she's dying. in present day, more other characters are introduced, each aspiring to fulfill their own dreams of success. enter an older italian man in search of the mystery woman he knew many years ago. i love how this book goes back and forth between time periods, slowly moving toward how they ultimately are connected. i was moved and captivated listening to this as an audiobook {the narrator is fantastic}. there are no big action scenes and no crazy plot twists, but if you're looking for a moderately paced story featuring grand scenery and old-hollywood icons, give this one a go.

next i want to read: We Were Liars and Station Eleven…

what book have you finished or are currently reading? i'd love to know ~ i welcome your thoughts and recommendations! 

hair therapy: mixing and matching my Infusium 23 shampoo and conditioner

Infusium 23 always takes me back to my childhood. my mom used the original leave-in treatment herself, so naturally, she used it on my hair, passing on the benefits to my tresses. i've continued to use it on and off though my lifetime and it's the best…

now there are collections in the brand that include shampoos and conditioners that focus on repairing and keeping hair looking fab.

Infusium 23's Moisture Replensher Shampoo {with avocado and olive oil} and Repair & Renew  Conditioner {with argan oils and keratin} were sent to me to try and using them together proved that it's ok to mix and match shampoos and conditioners from different lines. after the first time i used it, i noticed a huge difference in my hair, especially after styling; my hair was shiny, soft and looked incredible. being that my hair has been so frail for the past couple of years {personal health issues to blame}, this is nothing short of thrilling to me.

every Infusium 23 collection boasts unique ingredients that address specific hair issues. the Moisture Replenisher and Repair & Renew collections both contain pro-vitamins, proteins and amino acids to strengthen, moisturize and treat even the most stressed hair. the Moisture Replenisher range focuses on helping thirsty hair regain hydration and strength; the Repair & Renew products strengthen and add vibrancy and shine.

i love these haircare gems not only for the results, but also the price. you may also know that you can find them everywhere, from Target to the grocery store, so there's no excuse not to have fabulous looking hair. :)

visit infusium23.com for more info!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: yumzezz natural body scrub

yumzezz [yuhm-zeez] noun, plural 1. nutrient rich skin treats that smell good enough to eat & are natural enough for most discriminating skin surfaces.

beauties! who doesn't love dessert or a sweet treat? in my home we always eat something sweet, typically after dinner, everyday. it's truly an enjoyable event and i highly recommend it. :)

but i digress…

i was sent some yummy, inedible, body scrubs to try out from a new brand, yumzezz, and i think they're quite fabulous.

everything in the yumzezz range are handmade and made to order. this ensures only the freshest product possible is delivered to you, and since most of the creations are heat susceptible, they're also packed with cold packs to retain that freshness. you'll also be happy to know that everything is paraben, mineral oil, petroleum, phthalate, formaldehyde and artificial color free {love that!}.

all three body scrub "flavors" were sent to me ~ Coconut Lemongrass, Fruiter, Mocha Crunch ~ and yes, they smell just as good as they sound. i think my favorite is the Mocha Crunch {smells like coffee and chocolate!}, but i like how my skin feels after using Fruiter {which, among other ingredients, contains seeds of fabulous fruits like strawberries, blackberries and raspberries} the best.

Mocha Crunch

Fruiter

Coconut Lemongrass

the freshness of these products really stands out and is appealing to me {i love fresh veggies and fruit and shop for them every few days myself, so…}. also, i love the fact that the founder created the products because she had a need {and want} for products that would help her dry, sensitive skin; she wanted products that would nourish and pamper but still be good for her.

yumzezz is certainly a brand i think you should check out ~ visit the website for all the details, yumzezz.com. enjoy!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)