Sponsor Week continues with Ellia C.Naturals! Plus a giveaway!

Oh, Ellia C. Naturals. How we adore you? Let us count the ways. Before Ellia C. Naturals became a supporting sponsor on cupcakeMAG we loved their amazing bath & body products. And we mean, amazing!  Our faves? We can't be without a full stock of Sweet Meringue and of course, we just love the Cupcake Soap for our Littles! From soaps to sugar scrubs to the perfect blend with pregnancy & your Littles - Ellia C.Naturals has it all and brings luxury to your skin! 

{Bountiful Bubbles, A Trio of Shea Butter Soaps}

Jennifer Williams the beyond brilliant brain behind Ellia C.Naturals offers natural skin care options that meet your needs, wherever you may be! Whether it's needing to address issues related to your health/wellness of your skin or if you are looking for some natural alternatives to pamper and indulging yourself! Jen is all about making her customer happy & she is so great at it with her award winning personality and passion for Ellia C.Naturals. 

{almost looks to good to use in the bath! We adore the Cupcake Soap}

We just can't get enough of Ellia C.Naturals -
even if they weren't a cupcakeMAG sponsor! 

{Lip Lock Brown Sugar Lip Polish}

cupcakeMAG readers get 15% off your order use CUPCAKE when checking out! 

Read on to enter one FABulous giveaway from Ellia C. Naturals! 


{GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN.}
Announced on Twitter. Congrats to #1 - Kaytee! 

Giveaway: $40 to get your shop on at Ellia C. Naturals! 

Enter now! Head over to Ellia C.Naturals and tell us what would fill your cart. This comment is mandatory. You also MUST be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles! 

For extra entries you can do the following below and leave us a separate comment for each letting us know. The more you comment the better chance you have to win!

1. Follow cupcakeMAG on Twitter.

2. Follow Ellia C.Naturals on Twitter.

3. Make sure you "Like" us on our Facebook page.

4. Make sure you "Like" Ellia C.Naturals on Facebook.

5. Subscribe to our updates (top right corner above) - just sign up with your email!

6. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow.

7. Tweet about this giveaway and include @elliacnaturals-- you must tweet, not just follow.

8. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog and send us the link.

We will select a winner via random.org on Monday, April 25th at 11pm. Please make sure you enter the mandatory comment first before doing the extra entries.

a posh skin care routine

By Shasta Moczulski

Everyone wants great skin, everyone wants people to see them, not their blemishes, sun damage or scars. Makeup will never look good on jacked up skin, so healthy skin is where we have to start. I am absolutely in love with the Epicuren skin care line. It is absolutely remarkable and has a huge celebrity following. I urge you all to go to the Epicuren website and learn about the science behind it. This line is preservative free and I love that. The less chemicals that I have to apply to my skin, the better. My skin breaks out easily so I have to be consistent with my skin care.

The easiest way to get started with these products, if you have acne prone skin, is to buy the mid size acne kit. The kit contains 2 oz Medicated Acne Cleanser,2.5 oz Benzoyl Peroxide Scrub,4 oz Acne Conditioning Astringent,2.0 Acne Spot Treat Gel, and 2.0 Aloe Vera Gel. I use the Acidophilous Probitoic moisturizer (purchased seperately) instead of the Aloe, but most acne prone people prefer to just use the aloe. I just need more hydration.

To keep my routine efficient, I keep the Epicuren Benzoyl Peroxide Scrub, Epicuren Acne Cleanser and my Clarisonic in the shower. Here are the steps I follow for my morning and night routine:

1. Mix a small amount of the Epicuren Acne Cleanser with the Benzoyl Peroxide scrub and apply to my face.

2. I then use the Clarisonic skin care brush (I use the PRO version) to exfoliate and cleanse my skin.

3. Then I rinse.

4. After showering I use a cotton pad and apply the Epicuren Acne Conditioning Astringent to tone my skin. Toning is not amust, just a personal preference of mine.

5. My go to item for anti-aging is by SkinMedica, it is the TNS Recovery Complex. I apply this after the toner.

6. My moisturizer of choice is the Epicuren Acidophilus Pro biotic Facial Cream. I love this moisturizer because my skin feels hydrated when I use it, but because of the pro biotic properties, it helps to prevent breakouts and also is great for people with sensitive skin. I add two drops of the Benev Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen drops to one pump of the moisturizer every morning, even in winter.

7. Lastly I apply the best eye product that I have ever used. IS Clinical Youth Eye Complex is just incredible, you see immediate improvement of fine lines and dark circles, but increased improvement over time. I simply pat a small amount under my eyes, morning and night.

No matter what skin care line you use, it is important to use it consistently to see results over time. It sounds so simple, but the best thing that we can do for our skin is wear sunscreen. I love the Benev drops because I can just add it to my own moisturizer and know that I won't breakout.

Do I think that the Clarisonic brush is really all that fabulous? YES. Simply the most effiecient way to exfoliate your skin. You will have less congestion in your pores and your products will absorb better because it is so well ex-foliated. Clarisonic has a great website that explains the different brushes available and the science behind the line.

Where to buy? Here are the websites where you can either purchase these products or find a retailer in your area. As with any skincare, please consult with your health care provider before using to make sure that these products would be appropriate for you before using.

Epicuren http://epicuren.com/

SkinMedica http://www.skinmedica.com/

Clarisonic http://www.skinmedica.com/

Benev http://www.benev.com/

IS Clinical http://www.isclinical.com/

Detox Your Medicine Cabinet with Aubrey Organics

Recent studies have shown that toxins commonly found in lotions, powders and other products commonly found in your medicine cabinet may expose people and pets to chemicals. Give your medicine cabinet a makeover with these all-natural, perfectly safe essentials from Aubrey Organics!

Aubrey Organics Herbessence Makeup Remover ($6.95)

Special blend of light herbal oils wipes away makeup and impurities and prepares skin for cleansing.

 

Aubrey Organics Green Tea and Ginkgo

Moisturizer SPF 15 ($15.50)

A light daytime moisturizer that protects from the sun, pollution and the skin’s natural aging process and restores softness and elasticity.

 

Aubrey Organics Green Tea and Green Clay Rejuvenating Mask ($8.98)

A pore-clearing mask that cleanses and smoothes the skin with white camellia, organic aloe and organic jojoba oil.

Update Your Skincare for 2010 with En Pointe Skin Solutions

2010 is here - a new year, a new decade, so why not a new skincare routine?

Dr. Christine Rodgers’ line, En Pointe Skin Solutions, has something for everyone – whether your skin is dry, oily, acne prone or if you are worried about aging, this complete collection has you covered! En Pointe Skin Solutions distinguishes itself from the rest of the doctor brands as the only cosmeceutical-grade skincare line to be developed by a female plastic surgeon with expertise in women’s health concerns. Free of harmful parabens, sulfates and hormones - keeps your skin beautiful, inside and out!

Dr. Rodgers’ collection has products that target and correct your every need including: cleansers, toners, scrubs, serums and more!

We personally gave it a try and couldn't believe the results - even after just two weeks! It left our skin smooth, soft and smelling great. You are sure to love everything from En Pointe Skin.

For more info visit the website here.

Simple New Year's Skin Resolutions

Now that it’s time for resolutions, Dr. Neal Schultz wants to make sure that you don’t forget about your skin in 2010 with five simple skin resolutions. When it comes time to make your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t forget to think of your skin!

How many times have your promised to apply sunscreen daily? Or how often have you told yourself you’ll use moisturizer? It takes just a few minutes each day to have beautiful skin!

Dr. Schultz, cosmetic dermatologist and founder of DermTV.com helps your make five easy New Year’s Resolutions for healthy, glowing skin in 2010:

1. I will determine my skin type. Finding out what your facial skin type is with respect to its balance of oil and water is crucial to choosing the right products for your face.
2. I will find products I like. Regardless of your skin type, finding facial products that smell and feel good to you will make you more apt to use them regularly.
3. I will establish a daily routine. Following the same routine twice a day every day regardless of which products you are using (glycolics, anti-oxidants, sunscreens, cleansers, toners or moisturizers, etc.) will significantly improve your skin’s color and texture.
4. I will protect my skin and make it glow. Use a gentle chemical (glycolic) exfoliator, an anti-oxidant, and a sunscreen every day, summer or winter, rain or shine. This way, your skin will always be protected from the sun and the combination of anti-oxidants and exfoliants will make your skin lustrous and glowing.
5. I will examine my skin. Any change in color, size, texture, or shape that you can detect in any skin growth or mole is not a subtle change and should be brought to your dermatologist’s attention as soon as possible. In addition, make sure that you have a complete skin examination annually by a board certified dermatologist (preferably during your birth month).

Don’t miss Dr. Schultz’s DermTV.com episode Three 2010 Skin Care New Year’s Resolutions.

New Year… Where’s the New You?

Bobbi Brown Makeup Face Lift Collection

Give Bobbi Brown 5 minutes. She'll make you look your best.

“I designed this collection to give women all the tools they need to look well-rested and bright-eyed in five minutes flat.” – Bobbi Brown

This January, Bobbi makes it easy to keep all of your New Year resolutions with her Makeup Face Lift Collection, which allows you to instantly brighten your face and play up your eyes with just a few simple tweaks.

New Extra Eye Repair Cream ($65)

PROBLEM: Do your eyes need something extra?

SOLUTION: Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, this rich concentrated cream visibly revives eyes. Use morning and night- warm between fingers, then pat gently around eye area. Once cream is absorbed, follow with Tinted Eye Brightener or Concealer.

Tinted Eye Brightener ($38)

Bobbi's Tinted Eye Brightener, now in a NEW portable pen! Back-of-cab makeup artists (you know who you are)- with just a quick twist and a click, this lightweight Concealer instantly brightens under-eye circles and refreshes your makeup. Available in eight shades.

New Brow Pencils ($20)

Instantly give your eyes a “lift” with defined eyebrows. These creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil and come with their own sharpener. Available in five shades.

Brightening Lip Gloss ($20)

Introducing two new shades of Brightening Lip Gloss. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips. Wear alone or on top of your favorite BobbiBrown lipstick.

Get all the Bobbi Brown products you need by visiting the website.