It's Time for a GIVEAWAY!!!

Lately, I've been doing a lot of research (and purchasing) to figure out a good skin care regimen. I've matured past the days of being able to get away with using a basic cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and a spot treatment for the occasional flair up, but was left kind of in the lurch because I had no idea what to use next.

I've always had oily, acne prone skin. I'm finally starting to understand why my mom said I'd be happy for my oiliness later in life, because my 20's have come and gone but I don't have a single wrinkle! But my skin has adjusted with age; it's more oily in my T zone with some dryness on my cheeks. Do you know how difficult it is to treat skin that is perpetually and simultaneously at 2 extremes?!? Let's just say, it's still a work in progress...

Now, let's get to the good stuff! I have some goodies to give away especially for my lovelies out there with combination skin like me! Here are the deets on Bioré^® Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser:

BALANCE YOUR SKIN THIS SPRING

WITH COMBINATION SKIN BALANCING CLEANSER

NEW FROM BIORÉ® SKINCARE

THINK: Achieve balance for combination skin.

WHAT IT IS: The must-have combination skin cleanser. Tired of juggling different cleansers for your T-Zone and your dry skin? Give your jam-packed skincare routine a spring cleaning and pare your cleansers down to just one crucial product: Bioré^® Skincare’s new Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser. A unique cleanser designed to strip away dirt and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural moisture, Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser lets you treat the oily parts AND the dry parts of skin at once, bringing balance to your skin . The innovative formula was developed with Skin Purifying Technology, a revolutionary technology comprised of dirt-seeking cleansing molecules, the formula targets and cling to impurities.

FROM THE EXPERT: “Achieving balance is a goal that eludes a lot of women with combination skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Sapna Westley, Bioré^® Skincare Consulting Dermatologist. “The key is using a product that truly cleanses oily skin without stripping drier areas. Bioré^® Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser deep cleans oily T-Zones while thoroughly yet gently cleansing dry skin, leaving the complexion clean and refreshed.”

Bioré^® Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser provides an even clean by addressing the complex needs of combination skin. The formula cleanses without depleting or stripping skin of moisture. After just one use, the cleanser delivers an all-over clean, lifting oil from the T-Zone while thoroughly cleansing dry areas. After two weeks of use, combination areas feel more balanced.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Select food, drug and mass merchant stores. For more information, visit www.biore.com

I have THREE cleansers to give away! The giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry international ladies) and it's really easy to enter. Subscribe to the blog using Google Reader Connect AND "like" Mama Fashionista on Facebook (there are widgets on the sidebar that will let you do both of those from here)! Leave a comment below letting me know that you did so. Please include your email address so that I can contact you if you win. For extra credit points you can recommend the blog and my Facebook page to your friends. If they subscribe or "like" me, you get an extra entry! Just leave an additional comment with your friend's name so that I can verify them. 

I'm so excited to be able to give something back to my readers! Who doesn't love a giveaway? The contest in open until Saturday, March 24th at 11:59 PM EST. I will notify the winners via email, no later than Tuesday, March 27th. The winners will be chosen at random, but the more friends you invite to join the fun, the higher your odds are for winning. So spread the word and share the love! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Carol's Daughter Wants to Help You Through Your "Transitional" Phase!

Hair is sometimes inextricably tied to a woman’s sense of identity. When we have a bad hair day, inevitably our entire day goes downhill. When our hair is at it’s glorious best, we go through our day feeling like we can accomplish anything. We could spend all day talking and learning about the psychological impact a good/bad hair day has on your daily mood. Often times, the hair that we are born with is not the hair we want (see A Natural State of Mind). We  spend countless hours (not to mention dollars) straightening what was curly, curling what was straight, and altering the color to every shade under the sun.

While I am a fan of experimenting with your look and striving to look your best, as a mama to 3 young girls, it is also very important to me to convey the message that beauty comes from within and that one is beautiful just they way they are. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about Carol’s Daughter’s new contest. Here are the deets...

CAROL'S DAUGHTER IS SEARCHING FOR 3 WOMEN TO ENTER ITS "TRANSITION ME BEAUTIFUL" CONTEST & EMBRACE THEIR NATURAL HAIR!

Carol’s Daughter knows that transitioning from chemically relaxed hair to natural texture isn’t just about hair—it’s a whole new outlook on life. Women across the country are starting their transitioning journey and Carol’s Daughter wants to share their experience—the excitement, the challenges, the changes and the freedom. That’s why the brand is kicking off a search for three women to chronicle their journey as they transition on a new site from Carol’s Daughter.

To support the selected women as they make the total lifestyle transition, Carol’s Daughter has enlisted a savvy glam squad of renowned experts including Curly Textured Expert, Diane DaCosta, Author of Textured Tresses, , and Health & Wellness Expert Latham Thomas to equip them with the confidence and resources for their journey ahead.

The winner’s journey will be documented for one year on the new Carol’s Daughter website devoted to Transitioning, launching in Spring 2012.  “We are particularly excited to present this contest because through it we are able to offer women the guiding solutions, confidence and resources they need to transition and eventually find the freedom within their natural texture and new lifestyles,” says Carol’s Daughter Chief Marketing Officer, Olivia Scott-Perkins.

As part of their prize, the winning models’ 360^o Transitioning Immersion Weekend in NYC includes an intimate dinner with Carol’s Daughter Founder Lisa Price, a spa experience at The Back Room Hand & Foot Spa, a one-year’s supply of Carol’s Daughter products, a Flip Cam, a custom wardrobe by Sammy B, and a photoshoot!

Ten first prize winners will receive a Flip Cam to document their hair journey, Carol’s Daughter products, and an “I Love My Hair” t-shirt. Twenty second prize winners will receive Carol’s Daughter products and an “I Love My Hair” t-shirt.

You can enter the contest on Carol’s Daughter’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carolsdaughter. The grand prize winners will be chosen based on their responses to the following:

1.       Why do you want to transition? What is your personal hair story?

2.     What particular moment in your life brought on this decision?

3.     What will transitioning mean for you?

4.     How long have you been transitioning?

5.     Photo submission

Winners will be announced by Lisa Price on April 6, 2012 on Facebook.

How exciting is that?!? My oldest daughter is transitioning and we had the chance to try Carol’s Daughter Olive Oil Infusion Kit (there will be a separate post about this WONDERFUL product) and it was amazing to see the beautiful texture of her natural hair after all of this time!

Photo via Carol's Daughter

Are you transitioning? What are some of the difficulties you are facing? What products are you using to pamper and care for your tresses in this delicate phase? Are you a Carol’s Daughter fan? Make sure to like them on Facebook (and Mama Fashionista while you’re at it) and enter the “Transition Me Beautiful” Contest!

Until next time…

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS: Check out Carol's Daughter's new website TransitioningMovement.com! Also the Olive Oil Infusion Kit was provided to me via PR but the opinion of the product is genuine and my own <3




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Get Wellness Tips From Trainer to the Stars David Kirsch!

Heads up lovelies! We should all be health conscious and fitness savvy so that we can live long, healthy lives. But let's face it, the need to shed some extra poundage (especially as the weather warms and signals the return of shorter skirts, sleeves, and eventually, swim suit season) is usually the motivation that leads us to pay closer attention to our diet and fitness habits. 

Just in time to give us a head start and direction on the path to wellness, trainer to the stars David Kirsch is hosting a Facebook chat to help fitness novices (like myself), gym bunnies, and everyone in between.

(photo via David Kirsch's Facebook page)

FITNESS GURU DAVID KIRSCH WILL HOST FACEBOOK CHAT


IN HONOR OF NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH









On Wednesday, March 14th wellness expert David Kirsch will answer any and all questions from fans about health, well-being and fitness during a Facebook chat in recognition of National Nutrition Month, which takes place in March. David will also share his tips on maintaining optimal health and reveal his secrets and strategies for staying fit.






A true visionary in the field of wellness, David has becoming the leading authority on harnessing the powerful connection among mind, body and spirit. A highly sought-after trainer who has worked with countless A-list celebrities, including Heidi Klum, Anne Hathaway and Jimmy Fallon, David’s holistic approach to wellness consists of a disciplined exercise, nutrition and supplements regimen, and is rooted in his philosophy of “Sound Mind, Sound Body.”






In addition to authoring five books, including the bestseller The Ultimate New York Diet, David has appeared on numerous television shows to share his fitness and wellness expertise, including The Today Show, E! and CNN World News.










WHAT: David Kirsch’s National Nutrition Month Facebook Chat






WHERE: http://www.facebook.com/DavidKirschWellnessCo






WHEN: Wednesday, March 14th, 2012


8 pm – 8:30 pm EST































I know I'll be tuning in; I can use all the tips I get to help me get my yummy mummy on! What are your biggest health questions? What are your fitness goals? What tools are you implementing now in your personal journey to wellness? My inquiring mind wants to know! Until next time...













Ciao, XxO






Q
















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A Natural State of Mind (aka A Curly Girl's Story)

I have naturally curly hair. When I was young(er), all I wanted was to have straight hair. When I was a little girl, my mother would wash and condition my hair, divide it into sections and then let it air dry at least overnight. The next day, we’d spend the afternoon in the kitchen, while she hot combed my hair. I’m talking old fashioned, put the comb on the stove to heat it up, hot comb. Then when I turned 11 or 12, I started to do the whole routine on my own, so that I could do it more often and so that I could get it STRAIGHTER.

 I never even thought to wear my hair in its natural state until I was in high school and I became good friends with another curly girl. She gave me the courage to finally wear my hair in curls too. I’ve been experimenting with different combinations and brands of products to achieve the perfect head of curls since then.

However, unlike my friend who always wore her hair in curls, I still preferred to wrestle with and tame my tresses until they were bone straight. I felt more “me” with straight hair. Curly was simply an alternative when I wanted to do something different, or felt too lazy to tackle the daunting task of washing, conditioning, detangling, braiding, treating, waiting to dry and the hour to hour and a half it took to actually straighten It (and it took that long even after I discovered the wonders of Frizz Ease and a flat iron). Yes, there were the several months during my senior year of high school when I was on the swim team and my hair was in a perpetual state of curls (it was plain unrealistic and just a waste of time to do all that work for it to be straight for half a day). But still, I felt most confident, pretty, and myself when my hair was long and straight.

Fast forward to having my first child-let’s just say it’s hard to find the time to regularly (and painlessly) wield extremely hot objects when you have a little one knocking you in the knees every five minutes. Curly finally became my regular state of being, but only by default. I still longed for and preferred my straight hair. Until now…

A few things have changed my opinion of my natural state. First and foremost was my hubby. He was the first (and I suppose, the last) man I was with that actually liked my hair curly. I knew he was special because he preferred me just the way that I was. Then there was the discovery that our first daughter was a curly girl too. To see the time and effort he (yes, HE does our daughter’s hair) spends on making sure her hair looks its best, from researching new products and washing and taming those tangles; the two of them have really helped me to embrace the texture I was born with.

And now I have yet another reason to be curly and proud! I truly have no idea how, but fairly recently I stumbled upon NaturallyCurly.com and I am hooked. They are an invaluable resource as far as the care, maintenance, and overall empowerment of curly and textured hair. I have learned more about how to make the absolute best of my tresses in the couple of weeks I have been making daily visits to the site than I have in my ENTIRE LIFE! Really, it’s that informative.

So I guess I’m saying, prepare yourselves for a lot of curly girl love and attention, including tips, techniques and product reviews galore. No, this won’t be a hair blog, and I’m not saying that you won’t catch me with straight hair every now and again. But for the first time ever in my life, I’m excited about the wild thing that is my hair, and I want to share it with you all. So stay tuned.

Me, Curly

                                                                            

Me , Straight (and 8 months pregnant)

Until next time…

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS- The moral of the story is, although it’s great to experiment with new and different looks and forever strive to attain the best version of yourself, it is most important to EMBRACE and not be afraid to BE exactly who you ARE! 





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Introducing London (and a little bit of DIY)

Happy Friday All! I'm gearing up for a visit from my parents and finally persuaded London (my 3 year old daughter) to take off her satin cap. We bought it last weekend for her to wear when she sleeps, to protect her lovely curls and to make the daunting task of detangling her hair a bit easier. Anyway, she calls it her "bed hat" and wears it all the time now! I guess it could be worse; she could refuse to wear it, and I'd have to continue to deal with dry hair and nasty tangles (and London's wails that rival a banshee's).

She's wearing such a cute little shirt (my mother got it for her from Old Navy) and I wanted to add a little something something to her hair to finish her look. I found a stray piece of ribbon and attempted to tie it around her hair as a headband, but alas, it was too short. Then I had an idea...

Take a piece of ribbon and an elastic ponytail holder...

Tie one end of the ribbon to the ponytail holder...

Then the other end...

Now you have a headband!

I think she likes it!

And voila! We have a new hair accessory! It was so insanely easy to do, now I'm totally going to make more for all 3 of my girls. It's amazing what you can create with a little imagination and ingenuity. I hope this inspires you to get crafty! Look around you and see what you can put together. Take some pictures and post them on my Facebook page! I'll make a photo album with all of our DIY projects!

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

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This Is Why Mail Excites Me...

Curse you BIRCHBOX! Lol! In my January box I received a deluxe sample of FIX Malibu's Immaculate Complexion Advanced Antioxidant Serum and I am HOOKED! I have never used a product that has made such a dramatic difference in my skin almost immediately (well, overnight to be exact)! Problem is, everywhere I search for it, it is either sold out or $125! But it's so good! Sigh... 

I'm trying to be more conscientious of my skin care routine as I get older, and services like Birchbox help me make great new discoveries in order to fine tune my regimen. After all, they introduced me to the lovely little gem above. What are your skin concerns? What products do you splurge on? What do you use on your skin that you just can't live without? My inquiring mind wants to know! 

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

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