I’ve recently started using a few products from a brand new skin care line called Simple.  After learning that it is the UK’s number 1 skin care line, I had to try it (I absolutely love all things European!).  I was also drawn to the fact that the entire line of 13 products is free from dyes, artificial perfumes, and irritants, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Since I don’t have a lot of time to devote to a rigid skin care regimen, I decided to pick out three products I felt would help me achieve my skin care needs.  First, I picked up the brands Day Cream, which also contains a bit of sunscreen (SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreens).  My skin tends to be quite dry, since we live in a desert-like climate, so a good moisturizer is very important.  I also make it a habit to wear sunscreen every day, regardless of the season, because California tends to have more sunshine than most states. Whenever I find a product that can meet more than one of my needs, I’m more apt to use it, which is the case with this particular Day Cream.  The other thing I like about the cream is that once I apply it, there is no oily residue.  The cream simply absorbs into my skin and I can apply my foundation.

The second product I picked up was Simple’s Smoothing Facial Scrub.  As I mentioned earlier, I don’t have a lot of time for complex regimens and cleansing my skin is crucial (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to sleep with makeup still in place).  This scrub cleanses and gently exfoliates, again helping me address to skin concerns with one product.  Whenever I have the time, I try to get a facial.  Each and every time I’ve been educated about the importance of exfoliating, particularly because I have dry skin.  Removing dry, dead skin cells is crucial, since skin cannot absorb product and reap it’s benefits if it is simply sitting on top of those cells.  This scrub is gentle yet effective without irritating my skin.

The last product I’ve been using is the Simple Eye Make-Up Remover.  Unlike most, this one is oil-free, which I appreciate.  My previous experiences with eye makeup removers is that they tend to leave an oily residue that isn’t easily washed off.  This product simply removes my eye makeup gently and effectively.  I’ve read that it also removes waterproof mascara but haven’t actually tried the product in that way yet.

With 13 products designed to moisturize and cleanse, Simple is idea for women with sensitive skin but can be used by anyone regardless of his/her skin type.  Simple is available at your local Walmart and none of the products retail for more than $10.  For more information, just visit the website.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

As you can imagine, I don’t have the time I once did. However, I always strive to do the basics if I’m under significant time constraints. I tend to favor natural beauty, utilizing make up to enhance what I have rather than attempting to create something I don’t.

Most days, I don’t look like this:

This photo was taken after a Los Angeles-based makeup artist spent about 30 minutes accentuating my assets and a stylist spent another 30 minutes straightening my hair.  Even if I had an entire hour to devote to my own personal beautification, I can guarantee the results would not be the same.

So what is my basic, day-to-day beauty regime?

1.  I wake up, wash my face, and moisturize!  As I get older, I’m realizing how important this step is in slowing down the aging process  on my face. FYI…you can use a tinted moisturizer.

2.  I apply a makeup primer and mineral powder.  I love how primers smooth out skin in preparation for makeup.  I typically achieve coverage that is even and find that my makeup lasts longer.  I use a loose powder as a foundation since I find that the coverage is comparable to liquid or cream and it can double as a foundation and/or a powder.

3. I focus on my eyes and lips.  Most days I opt for natural, neutral colors and I’m loving CoverGirl’s Nature Luxe Gloss Balm which I was introduced to last year.  This colored lip balm offers the benefit of providing some SPF protection while hydrating lips. Don’t expect a heavy lipstick, rather this is more of an everyday wear balm that also has the added bonus of offering color. Don’t forget eyeliner since I could literally walk out of the house wearing only eyeliner and lip balm.

As you can see, my routine is simple and feasible.  Once evening comes around, I make a commitment to wash all of my makeup off and moisturize.  Lately, I’ve also been using Olay Regenerist’s Micro Sculpting Serum which hydrates skin and helps with fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, and dry skin.

These days, I don’t straighten my hair unless I’m going out for sheer lack of time.  I really love the look I can create with a blow dryer and a flat iron but it’s simply not practical with 2 children.  Thus, I rely on quality hair care products to keep my hair vibrant, shiny, and healthy.  Surprisingly, I don’t actually purchase hair care products from my salon these days. I’ve found that several companies make quality products that can offer something comparable to high end salon brands. If your hair is dry or damaged from heat, chemicals, or weather (raises hand), you might want to try Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle, a deep conditioner that will help alleviate dry, distressed hair.

There are two additional areas that I don’t often focus on enough.  The first is shaving.  Way back in my 20s, I started the process of permanent hair removal.  Unfortunately, this is a lengthy, expensive process that requires commitment and I wasn’t at that point in my life in my 20s.  These days, I simply can’t justify the expense. So like most women, I’ve had to resort to shaving.  I’m lucky if I do this at least once a week.  Fortunately, it’s winter and I’m not baring my legs.  As we look towards summer, I’ll be focusing more on shaving and Venus’ Bikini Trimmer seems like it will work wonders for a close shave.

The second area is the whiteness (or not) of my teeth.  While I’m very diligent about oral care, I have never been able to commit to a teeth whitening program, despite my best laid plans. That’s why I’m loving Crest’s new 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips which provide noticeable whitening in just 2 hours.  The kit includes four treatments, each of which lasts 3 months.

Win It!  What are you best beauty tips?  Answer for a chance to win a gift bag containing the following:

• Aussie 3 Minute Miracle
• Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips
• Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
• Venus Bikini Trimmer
• Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum
• CoverGirl Nature Luxe Gloss Balm

Comments will close on April 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

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Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a beauty gift bag from  @rockinmama ” Daily tweets are allowed but please put the permalink so I can keep track.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

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This is part of a compensated campaign with P&G and The Motherhood.  Products for review and giveaway also supplied.

Thanks to Murad, I’ve been testing out some of their products in preparation for the day’s festivities.  Murad released an exclusive Award Season Survival Kit which includes the following:

Murad’s Hybrid Skin Perfecting Primer Acne and Shine Control

Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

Murad’s New Intensive-C Radiance Peel

Perfecting Serum

The Murad Inclusive Health Spa’s Signature Massage

Inclusive Health Consultation

A customized Cosmetic Peel with celebrity Dermatologist Dr. Murad

Included in the kit is a list of potential red carpet emergencies and tips on handling them. It’s actually quite clever and spotlights the products in the kit and how they work to “rescue” your skin.

Stressed out?  Relax with a massage at Murad’s Inclusive Health Spa. While you’re there, revolutionize your skin with a cosmetic peel. Dr. Murad’s treatment combines microdermabrasion and chemical peel techniques to address individual skin concerns.

Do you want flawless looking skin? Murad’s Perfecting Serum acts as a primer for makeup application, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, and locks in moisture for radiant skin. You can also use the Hybrid Skin Perfecting Primer Acne and Shine Control to control shine, even skin tone and treat breakouts.

Looking for a product that will actually treat skin concerns? The Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum will restore clarity and even skin tone by reducing the appearance of sun and age spots in 1 week.  The New Intensive-C Radiance Peel will restore and renew skin from previous sun damage or exposure.

At the end of the evening, consider an Inclusive Health Consultation to help you achieve optimal health and wellness.

You can find more tips on getting red carpet ready by visiting Murad’s blog.

Here is my red carpet look from earlier this week:

Will you be watching the Academy Awards this season?  Stay tuned for photos and a recap of the day.

You can read about my visit with Dr. Murad here.

No compensation was received for this post.  A kit was provided which helped facilitate this review.

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to Safeway‘s new mom to mom line of baby products designed by moms, for moms. The line, created exclusively for Safeway and it’s subsidiaries, was relaunched with a new, improved design.  Products include diapers, wipes, skin care products, and nutritional drinks.  You can read my full review on the line here.

My first giveaway is over but I’m happy to say that I have another!

Win It! To celebrate the launch of the new line, one of you will win a Mom to Mom Gift Basket which will include diapers, baby oil, baby powder, baby shampoo, unscented travel wipes, additional wipes, formula, and sunscreen.  To enter, simply tweet with one useful tip you’d give a new/expectant mother with the hashtag #momtomom

You don’t have to leave a comment here as I’ll choose a winner from all twitter entries but please remember to include @rockinmama so I can keep track of your entry. The giveaway will close on August 10th at 11:59 PM PST and I’ll need the winner’s information on August 12th.

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Giveaway sponsored by Safeway.

I’m very careful about the skin care products I try, particularly if I’m using them on my face.  Because I’ve had such a wonderful experience using bareMinerals mineral foundation, I decided to spend a few weeks trying their new skin care line.  Here is a brief description, adapted from the site:

The foundation of the bareMinerals Skin Care Line is their RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, which is composed of the Earth’s natural, effective and mineral-abundant soil.  When the  minerals are extracted, they produce a densely rich concentrate proven to deliver faster cell turnover, smaller pores, increased luminosity and softer, smooth, younger-looking skin.

Apart from having combination skin, my main skin care concern is minimizing and preventing future fine lines and wrinkles.  I prefer a regimen that is easy to follow, yet effective.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been using their Naturally Luminous Skin Renewing Trio which includes a 30-day cleanser, moisturizer, and eye treatment.  The Purifying Facial Cleanser is gentle, yet effective at removing dirt and makeup without being drying my skin out.  The Purely Nourishing Moisturizer is hydrating and absorbs well without feeling oily or greasy.  I can apply makeup after using the moisturizer without feeling like my face is weighted down with product.  I only wish it had some sun protection in it.  The Firming Eye Treatment is wonderful for reducing puffiness, particularly on those days when I have not slept enough.  The entire line of skin care products are free from synthetic fragrances, artificial oils and parabens.

Overall, I have been quite pleased with the line.  My skin feels great and I haven’t experienced any redness or breakouts.  There are several products in the line including an Exfoliating Treatment Cleanser and a Pure Transformation Night Treatment I’m going to look into the next time I’m at Sephora or Macy’s (two stores that care bareMinerals).

Individual products retail for $18-$28.  The company also bundles groups of products depending on your skin care needs which adds a value savings.

Here is a brief introduction to the line.

For more information about bareMinerals Skin Care, or to find a retailer in your area, just visit their website. You can also follow bareMinerals on Facebook/Twitter.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples were provided which helped facilitate this review.

Last week, I introduced you to Kiehl’s Since 1851 which offers skin, hair, and body care products for men.   With their simple, but attractive (and recyclable) packaging and unique formulations which include botanical extracts, the company offers products that address a variety of skin care needs.

In anticipation of Father’s Day, I have teamed up with Kiehl’s Since 1851 to offer you an amazing giveaway.  One of you will win a gift basket with products hand-selected by Chris Salgardo, President of Kiehl’s!  Here is what you need to do to enter:

The giveaway, which includes over $500 worth of products from Kiehl’s hand selected by Chris, will run from Monday, June 13th through Thursday, June 16th.

1.  Follow Chris @ChrisAtKiehls.  You can also follow @KiehlsNYC if you’d like but it’s not required.

2.  To enter, you’ll either need to tweet a picture of yourself and your dad or a reason why the dad in your life should receive this gift to @RockinMama and @ChrisAtKiehls with the hashtag #KiehlsDads

3.  Be sure to leave a comment on the giveaway post letting me know you tweeted.

4.  And, as long as each response is different, there is no limit to your entries.  : )

Here is the entire list of products in the gift basket:
1. Rosa Arctica

2. Facial Fuel Transformer Age Correcting Moisture-Gel for Men

3. Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

4. Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer

5. Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men

6. Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm

7. Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic

8. Cross-Terrain All-In-One Refueling Wash

9. Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap

10. Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

11. Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment

12. Midnight Recovery Concentrate

13. Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant Cream

14. Lip Balm #1

15. Crème with Silk Groom

16. Creative Cream Wax

17. “Close-Shavers” Squadron Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream – White eagle

18. Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

19. Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+

20. Amino Acid Shampoo

21. Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid Formula 133

22. Crème de Corps

23. Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate

And stay tuned for the 411, straight from the hubby on Kiehl’s Since 1851!

No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway supplied by Kiehl’s.

Thank you to Kroger and CoverGirl for sponsoring this review. While CoverGirl provided me with a $30 gift card to purchase CoverGirl products at Kroger stores, the opinions I’ve expressed here are solely my own, represent my honest viewpoint, and not that of CoverGirl, Kroger, or Proctor & Gamble. I am making no claims about the products, just expressing my thoughtful opinion. Clever Girls Collective supports Blog With Integrity

Most days you’ll find me in jeans and a simple shirt, hair pulled back running around in flip-flops. I probably haven’t straightened my hair or done my nails. But you will find me with a little foundation, lip gloss, and basic eye makeup. It’s the little things like a touch of makeup that make me still feel feminine and pretty (at least to my husband!).

Before I had children, I spent a lot of time (and money) on clothing, shoes, accessories, and makeup. These days, my children and their needs come first. But that doesn’t mean I have to give up my beauty regime. Armed with a $30 gift card, I set out on a shopping spree at Ralphs, a chain of supermarkets based in Southern California and under the umbrella of Kroger. My mission? A COVERGIRL shopping haul!

The brand, which has been around for 50 years, offers affordable products that make it easy for women to accent their natural beauty. I decided to try three different product lines…Clean, TRUblend, and NatureLuxe (yes, I went over the $30 a bit). I particularly like Clean Liquid Makeup because they have a formulation for Sensitive Skin (that’s me!). I picked up a foundation, which cost $11.99. The foundation I used to purchase costs $35 and I feel like CoverGirl’s foundation works to smooth out the look of my skin and conceal imperfections without feeling heavy or greasy.

Because I like a powder finish, I also decided to try their TRUblend Minerals Loose Powder which costs just $8.99. I absolutely love this powder. It sets the liquid foundation well without feeling heavy ,and gives an even finish. I prefer to use a brush with the Minerals as opposed to the application puff it that comes with it because I tend to get better coverage.

The last product I picked up during my shopping haul at Ralphs was LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara which retails for $12.99. I actually have decent eyelashes so I don’t always wear mascara. But on those days when I want to put a bit of emphasis on my eyes, I’ll lengthen my lashes with mascara. If your goal is longer, fuller lashes, this is the mascara for you. Once I applied the mascara and allowed it to dry (just a few seconds), it stayed put and didn’t run or smear for the 10+ hours I have been wearing it. I opted against the waterproof version because I typically find it impossible to remove.

For approximately $34 (plus tax), I came away with a foundation, a loose powder, and a mascara. I could easily use these 3 products on any given day and feel beautiful. I think the only other product I would have liked to get is eye shadow.

Because I was very interested in trying COVERGIRL’s new NatureLuxe line, I decided to pick up both the Silk Foundation and Gloss Balm. The foundation is amazing. I don’t think I’ve seen my skin look so flawless. It definitely goes on lighter and softer than the Clean foundation but still offers great coverage. I went out the other day without setting the foundation as I normally do, and was content with the coverage and overall look I achieved. Unlike your traditional foundation, this one has a light scent and offers a bit of protection from the sun.

The NatureLuxe Gloss Balm which contains mango and shea butter, goes on lighter than lipstick, but offers the color and shine of a lip balm. I like the fact that it doesn’t feel sticky and includes a bit of protection from the sun. It also has a pleasant scent.

As someone who has used department store beauty brands for many years, I have to say that I was quite impressed with CoverGirl’s beauty products. The company offers a variety of lines, depending on your needs, and offers women an affordable option for enhancing their beauty. Be sure to check your local Kroger or subsidiary for CoverGirl!

For over 159 years, the company has offered “the finest quality skin and hair care formulas derived from unique natural ingredients and formulated through the most advanced science.”  Kiehl’s was founded in New York City and is committed to providing personal, individual service to it’s customers.

This Father’s Day, I’ve partnered with Kiehl’s to offer an amazing giveaway of skin care products handpicked by Chris Salgardo, who serves as the President of the company.  If you follow Chris on Twitter, you’ll find him tweeting out personal recommendations to followers.  If you’re looking for a specific type of product, definitely tweet him!

The giveaway, which includes over $500 worth of products from Kiehl’s hand selected by Chris, will run from Monday, June 13th through Thursday, June 16th.  When the giveaway goes live next week, I’ll have the entire list of products!

It’s unusual for me to run a giveaway for a product I haven’t actually used, so in the next week or so, I’ll be sharing my husband’s thoughts on the products after he’s had an opportunity to use them.

So you have an idea of how the contest will work, here are the details:

1.  Follow Chris @ChrisAtKiehls.  You can also follow @KiehlsNYC if you’d like but it’s not required.

2.  To enter, you’ll either need to tweet a picture of yourself and your dad or a reason why the dad in your life should receive this gift to @RockinMama and @ChrisAtKiehls

3.  Be sure to leave a comment on the giveaway post letting me know you tweeted.

Have a fabulous weekend and we’ll see you next week!

No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway supplied by Kiehl’s.

My first thought when I began using Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Handsoap was that it smelled lovely.  After about a week of use, I was content with the fact that my hands weren’t dry (we wash a lot of hands around here).  Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is a line of household cleaners, laundry care, and body care products derived from natural ingredients and essential oils  Despite the fact that you won’t find ammonia, bleach, parabens or phosphates, the products smell fantastic and are very effective at removing dirt.

The products are not only safe for your family, they’re safe for the environment.  All of the liquid products are biodegradable while some of the powder products contain minerals that break down into non-harmful products (rather than biodegrading).  The packaging is recyclable and the company does not participate in animal testing.

I was really pleased with the Liquid Handsoap and am interested in trying some of the other products in the line.  Through the end of June, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is touring the country to educate and inspire communities towards a healthy, green, sustainable lifestyle.  Booths and hand wash stations will be set up in Boston and San Francisco at local garden clubs, green workshops, parks and recreation groups, eco-friendly volunteer events, and more. Samples, coupons, and seed packets will also be available at these events.

For more information, or to locate an event in your area, just visit Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Community Garden Party.

No compensation was received for this post.  Product samples provided.

Photo Credit: Walmart

Olay recently released their new Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System, professionally and clinically designed to cleanse  more effectively than conventional cleansers.  Most over-the-counter cleansers simply don’t remove makeup in it’s entirety.  More often than not, I’ll wash and dry my face, only to find makeup residue on the towel.  I’m not a fan of washcloths because I have sensitive skin and I usually end up causing irritation.

Photo Credit: Walmart

Olay’s latest product features a two-speed rotating system that offers deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation.  Having used a more expensive counterpart, I was pleased with my experience.  The unit is compact and lightweight which makes it perfect for traveling.  There are two speeds which means you have some control over how the system cleanses on your face but I would really like the system to have a built-in timer so that it shuts off after the recommended cleansing time.  You can use Olay’s Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser (a 6 ounce tube retails for $17.97) for daily exfoliating or your own preferred cleanser.  A sample is provided with the unit so you can try the product out.  I like how soft my skin felt after using the cleanser with the system for the past week and felt like my skin was cleaner.  I wasn’t noticing makeup on my towel after drying my face, particularly after a few days of use. While I think the system is suitable for daily use, I found that when I used it morning and night with the cleanser provided, it was too harsh and irritating for my skin.  Ultimately, I ended up using the system just once a day without irritation and will plan to exfoliate just a few times a week rather than daily.

Photo Credit: Walmart

I really like that the system is water-resistant which means I can use it in the shower and save a little time.  The unit only comes with one brush, but with typical use, it will only need to be replaced every three months (a 2-count retails for less than $10).  It should be noted that two double A batteries are required but included with the unit. The only other thing I’d like is to have a holder so that I could store the unit on my bathroom counter.

At less than $30, beauty doesn’t have to break the budget.  You can purchase Olay’s Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System online or at stores nationwide.

Disclosure: I am a Walmart mom and have been compensated for my time.  I also received the product which helped to facilitate this review.