{ANNOUNCEMENT #1}

I am in the process of upgrading the Epic Beauty Guide website to make it easier to read the older articles and find what you’re looking for, as well as being able to access an exclusive EBG forum to ask and answer questions. You can expect the site to be temporarily not fully functional or have minor bugs in the next week or two, and it will soon look very different (in a great way!).

{ANNOUNCEMENT #2}

My second announcement is that this year I have decided to take my annual “Must-Have Products” round-up and punch it up a notch.

Thus, I introduce to you…the first ever….

2011 Epic Beauty Awards. It’s going to be an excellent collection of the best in natural beauty products – skin care, cosmetics, hair care, body care, and more! Look out for the EB Awards listing in the New Year. [UPDATE: Award winners are published!]

If you have any last-minute suggestions for product inclusions, leave a comment to tell me your favorites! Here’s to an amazing start of 2012!
~Steph  x

These are my favorites, and many happen to be on sale or offering special discounts. Hoorah! Here we go:

(FTC: I was not paid or sponsored by any of the brands or companies mentioned below. Enjoy!)

1. Skin Apotheke Ayurvedic Skin Care. A favorite skin care line of mine, handmade and expertly formulated. The Rejuvenating Eye Creme is my all-time favorite eye cream, and I’ve mentioned it before (it was also on my must-have products list in 2010). Right now all products in the store are 10% off with coupon code HOLIDAY.

2. 23andMe DNA & Ancestry Test. One of the coolest, most unusual products out there. Normally $99 plus $9/month, it’s now on sale for $76. Just order a kit, the kit arrives, you spit in a little tube, send it back, and wait 2–6 weeks for your results! The test analyzes your DNA for fun things like hair color and ear wax, as well as serious things like health traits and disease risks (which you have the option of viewing or not). The best part for me was the health traits and ancestry testing, which shows your full genetic heritage.

3. DoMatcha Green Tea.This dainty little can contains matcha, a powerful powder chock full of antioxidants and amino acids. Plus, EGCG, which is responsible for helping with weight loss and cancer prevention, is 137 times more bioavailable than regular green tea.

4. Paleo Comfort Foods: Homestyle Cooking for a Gluten-Free Kitchen (Cookbook). Easily one of the single best cookbooks I have ever had the pleasure of using. They include recipes for unique salads, soups, various meat dishes, seafood dishes, and more. Some of my family’s favorite meals have resulted from this cookbook (my person favorites are the beef stew and “fried” chicken).

5. 100% Silk Pillowcase. Buy a pair of these and you have the perfect gift for a girly girl or someone who just enjoys luxury. Silk pillowcases are a dream for your keeping your hair and skin smooth and unruffled. I’ve been an avid silk pillowcase fan for almost 10 years and bring one with me even when I travel.

6. Zombie Insurance. This has nothing to do with beauty, but it’s hilarious and under $10!

7. Tarte Makeup Palettes. Tarte has some fantastic paraben-free eyeshadow palettes. While the ingredients aren’t perfect, they’re a TON better than conventional makeup brands. I picked up a few for gift-giving this year, and an eyeshadow palette for myself to try. Other makeup brands to try: Real Purity, Jane Iredale, Living Nature, and All Natural Face.

8. Water Filtration. In my opinion and as a result of my research, these are the best water filters I have ever found and ever used. I had their countertop sink unit and shower filter for about 4 or 5 years, and recently upgraded to their EWS Spectrum whole home water filter (which is $300 off right now) so I don’t have to use their shower filter anymore. I am in LOVE with these systems and they’re on sale until the end of December. Check out their “Clearance” section too for sink filters and such!

9. Spirit Beauty Lounge. One of my favorite shops for all-natural and organic products. Right now they have a great little section with gift packages and free shipping on orders over $50.

10. Bloom. Another favorite shop of mine that I’ve just discovered is Bloom, which calls itself a “social beauty shop”. They have a huge selection of products and lots of great discounts and sales all the time, which definitely appeals to the little deal-monger in me. They also give you cash back on orders, kind of like drugstore.com – love it.

What are you getting for your friends and family? I’d love to know!
~Steph  x

1.} Today is the 18th. And for no other reason than I just feel like it, my awesome anti-acne/anti-eczema/anti-rosacea book, The Real Guide to Flawless Skin, is 18% off today only. Click here and enter code 18EBG at checkout to get the 18% discount. The offer expires tonight at midnight, so no dillydaddling.

2.} Coming up, there will be some exciting new changes around here. I am going to do a whole design revamp so EBG is more organized and it will be easier to access the shite-loads of content on here that I’ve been posting since 2009. (I can’t believe it’s been that long already…) The other thing I will be adding is a community function. You will be able to create profiles, ask and answer questions of each other (I may pitch in now and then), and discuss all things relating to skin care, beauty/handsomeness, and recipes. So when are these updates going to take place, you say? November. I will update you guys as it gets closer so when the site is down for a bit (24 hours max. I am assuming), there will be no freakouts.

That’s all for now – there will be tons of new articles, giveaways, etc. in the coming weeks.

~Steph  x

Here’s a great video Amazon has up on the Japanese Skincare Revolution’s page. It’s free and you see how she does it. Watch the video here.

{IMPORTANT}
When Chizu talks about a lotion, she is NOT referring to a lotion in the American or European sense of the word. She means more of a toner or a watery serum, which is something that just got lost in translation. Your best bet would be something with little or no alcohol in it, and of course, all natural and without artificial preservatives or synthetic fragrances. Try ARCONA, Sophyto, or SIRCUIT toners.

~Steph  x

Hey everyone! I get asked all the time when the book would be in printed, hard copy form.

I have kept it only in PDF for so long because it’s faster to deliver and there’s no extra charges for printing and shipping. So at long last, it’s available in print as a beautiful, shiny big book (it’s 8.5″ x 11″ – so it’s definitely not a pocket book).

Just a warning, it’s pricier than some books because it’s not printed up thousands of copies at a time (one day soon, perhaps!). They’re printed one at a time, so unfortunately the price reflects the higher cost of printing by the publisher (it’s $24.95 normally).

However, the publishing company sent me a coupon today for 25% off until July 29th, so if you want a printed, bound copy of The Real Guide to Flawless Skin, enter code TIME305 at checkout.

I’m so excited to finally have it printed and tangible…I’m really happy with the way it turned out. If you’ve bought the book already, thank you for your support!
~Steph  x

The sale ends this Sunday (May 22nd) at midnight (Pacific Time). No promotion code is required.

Enjoy! I’m going to stock up on some Mezmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment sticks and a Halo Body Spotlight. I love good deals, yeehaw.
~Steph  x

I also have some awesome updates on my nutrition and fitness regimen that I am excited to share with you guys soon.

FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with or paid by any of the companies I mention in this article. In the past, I have been sent free products to try by Arcona and Skin Apotheke, and have since re-purchased everything on my own. Everything I have to say is my 100% honest opinion.

PRODUCTS I USE…

{CLEANSER}

100% Pure Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam, $18, 6 oz.
I have been using this cleanser for at least a year and it’s my go-to product. I’m rarely loyal to products this long, and I think this will always be my cleanser if they don’t change any ingredients. Since it’s winter and I don’t want to dry my skin out, I use this cleanser once per day, at night. With this wash, I do not wet my face first since it’s a water-based foam. I just pump the dispenser once, spread the foam around my face, give a thorough wash (mostly on my T-zone), and rinse with warm (and then a splash of cool) water.

{EXFOLIATOR}

Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub, $15, 2 oz.
Another product I have been loyal to for a long time – it’s been 7 months now (oooh!). I have found that this scrub is great for all skin types, even those that are prone to redness and irritation. For oily, normal, and male skin, you may use this every day or once every other night (remember, be gentle, and massage on your face for 30–60 seconds). For sensitive and dry skin, I recommend usage every 4–7 days, depending on your individual needs. This scrub imparts an amazing glow on your skin, and it will feel so incredibly smooth and nourished, not dry or irritated. A must-have.

ARCONA Cranberry Gommage, $42, 3.4 oz.
I have been using this scrub for about 3 months now, and it’s amazing for preventing blemishes and eliminating blackheads. I still have at least half the tube left, so for the price, it lasts a very long time. I like to switch it up between the Ubtan Scrub and this Gommage. I really love the rounded jojoba beads in this, so if you have uber-sensitive skin prone to tearing and flaking and blemishes, give this scrub a shot and you won’t be disappointed.

{TONER}

ARCONA Triad Pads, $30, 45 pads
I. Love. This. Product. A jar should last you anywhere from 30–45 days, depending on how many pads you use. I use 1–2 per day. Some people have said you can cut them up in halves or quarters, but I find that unsanitary and unnecessary, since you need a whole pad for your face (especially if you have active breakouts – you don’t want to wipe the pad over your breakout and then wipe that pad on the rest of your face since it spreads the bacteria around). I like to use the front scrubby side of the pad for my face, and then I turn it over use the smooth side to wipe my neck and chest. It’s extremely refreshing, smells delicious, leaves your skin moist and glowing, and is an excellent replacement for washing your face if you are traveling, staying in a hotel with chlorinated water, or camping (I will be using these at Coachella this year – tell me if you’re going too!).

ARCONA Clarity Spot Repair for Face/Body, $28, 45 pads
Another product that will always be in my arsenal. This is excellent for the hormonal blemishes women tend to get around period time, excellent for preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs, preventing and eliminating blackheads, and mopping up oil. The smell is really intense and makes my eyes water, and even though my skin is sensitive, it does not irritate it whatsoever and is great for days when my skin might be pretty oily due to hormonal shifts.

For men, this product is a necessity for the medicine chest. Just swipe the pad over your face after you’re done washing or shaving, and it will keep your skin smooth, soft, and free of ingrown hairs. And yes, you can use this daily.

{MOISTURIZER}

ARCONA Magic White Ice, $38, 1 oz.
I recently re-ordered this product after using the first bottle for 3 months. I use 1–2 pumps for my face and neck. It’s the perfect moisturizer for me (my skin is oily in the T-zone, normal on cheeks, and sensitive). It absorbs quickly, smells lovely, doesn’t leave a greasy feeling, and really helps to balance the skin instead of just covering it up in some goopy moisture mess. This is the best moisturizer I have used (aside from coconut and olive oil) – I just wish it came in a giant pump bottle so I could use it all over!

ARCONA Desert Mist, $30, 1.17 oz.
I’ve been using this for over 3 months and still have about 1 month left to the product. This is a new must-have for me. If you are prone to winter dryness (and I mean flaking and redness), then try this out. It’s kind of watery and smells bizarre (like medicine), but it’s incredible. I apply it over my moisturizer in the morning, and I have seen a huge difference. My skin remains balanced and moist all day, and I don’t have any irritation from the dry winter months.

Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Cream, $21.95, 1 oz.
This is the best eye cream evah. It has a creamy, yet lightweight texture that melts into your skin. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale so my skin has a tendency to show those lovely bluish-green (on some people they are purple) under-eye veins. I have seen a tremendous improvement by using this, and you can hardly see them now. This also works perfectly under concealer (FYI, I use RMS “Un” Cover-Up in 11 or 22 if I’m going out or didn’t get much sleep).

{BLEMISH TREATMENT}

ARCONA Tabula Rasa, $22, 1.17 oz.
This is really runny and thin, so I use it by unscrewing the pump top and dipping a Q-tip into it. Just dot it on your blemish once or twice per day, and that blemish will be gone within 2 days. I like that it doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin. For a double whammy, you can use the Clarity pads (see above) to tone after you wash, then dot this on. Let it all sink in for a few minutes and then apply your moisturizer.

Neem Man Neem Leaf Extract, $36, 8.4 oz.
This comes straight from Australia, and it’s seriously worth the price. It lasts for a very long time, and it works really well to prevent blemishes and tone the skin (great for boosting elasticity in aging skin). It’s a great product to have around for everything — blemishes, bug bites, sunburn, eczema, etc. I get the 250 ml bottle (8.4 oz.) every 3 months or so. I believe it’s an extra $10 or $11 to ship to the United States. If you cannot tolerate tea tree oil for blemish treatment, neem is a good alternative for you.

{OTHER FUN STUFF}

Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil, $8.29, 16 oz.
I’ve used castor oil on my lashes for years and it keeps them thick and healthy – if you’d like, check out the post I wrote on how to get long, thick eyelashes.

Muji Cut Cutton Pads in Large, $4.95, 120 pads
These are great all-natural unbleached cotton pads, excellent for use with toners and lotion masks (a skincare technique recommended in Chizu Saeki’s Japanese Skincare Revolution book). I use them for removing eye makeup (I put some sweet almond oil on them), lotion masks, and anything else I come up with.

Aloe Vera Gel – Fresh, ~ appx. $6.99 for a plant at nurseries
Aloe is a moisturizing, calming, healing, blemish fighting, wonderous plant. I highly recommend getting a plant or two (or three), taking good care of them (keep them in full sunlight, don’t overwater), and using their amazing gel when you need it. You can even use it as a primer for your tinted moisturizer or foundation.

MY ROUTINE…

{MORNING}
1. Wipe my face with an ARCONA Triad Pad or an ARCONA Clarity pad, whichever one I feel like using
2. Moisturize with ARCONA Magic White Ice
3. Moisturize under-eyes with Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Cream
4. Treat with ARCONA Desert Mist

{EVENING}
1. Cleanse with 100% Pure Lavender Wash
2. Tone (or skip step 1 and cleanse with…) ARCONA Triad Pad or ARCONA Clarity pad
3. Moisturize with ARCONA Magic White Ice
4. Moisturize under-eyes with Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Cream

{AS NEEDED}
1. Treat any blemishes with ARCONA Tabula Rasa
2. Exfoliate with ARCONA Cranberry Gommage or Skin Apotheke Ubtan Scrub
3. Treat with ARCONA Night Breeze or ARCONA Gentle Solution

I always love knowing what you guys use in your skin care routines, so feel free to post a comment!
~Steph x

Sale ends December 24th (tomorrow) at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.

I hope everyone is doing well and avoiding all the colds and flus. And a huge thank you to everyone who has posted their beauty tips so far – I love reading them!

~Steph  x

Hey everyone! Exciting news: I was featured in today’s I Heart Daily newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed to them yet, definitely do so! I’ve been subscribed to them for over a year and they find the coolest stuff.

Here is a little excerpt from their newsletter/website:

Beauty Blogger: Stephanie of Epic Beauty Guide

11–03-10: Stephanie Elizabeth is the blogger/vlogger behind Epic Beauty Guide. She offers complete and informative advice on how to keep our skin healthy and happy by using natural products.

In addition to her site and YouTube channel, she also has a book, The Real Guide To Flawless Skin. “I started to get a lot of requests for a book on how to get rid of acne,” says Stephanie. “My goal was to make it very clear and uncomplicated, and a lot of the advice could be used to treat eczema as well since they are both inflammatory conditions.”

This lady knows what she’s talking about (her skin is glowing!). Read on for some stellar beauty advice and tips!

I Heart Daliy: What motivated you to start your beauty blog? READ MORE…

I hope you enjoy the article. )
~Steph  x

Hey everyone! The book is now available! Sorry for making you wait.

{OVERVIEW}

The REAL Guide to Flaw­less Skin: Only 4 Weeks to Clear Skin For Life con­tains 7 Chap­ters and a Resource guide jam-packed with infor­ma­tion, all in an easy-to-understand for­mat so it’s not over­whelm­ing. Each chap­ter focuses on a par­tic­u­lar aspect of get­ting rid of acne and achiev­ing flaw­less skin: Diagnosing, Diet, Exer­cise, Skin Care, Mind, Heal­ing Acne Scars, and Trou­bleshoot­ing for Dif­fi­cult Cases. I give you a lot of guide­lines, but I also tell you exactly what you can do — so you can either pick and choose, or fol­low an exact pro­to­col, depend­ing on your pref­er­ence. I go into major detail on each sub­ject, more than I could ever do in one of my arti­cles, but I will always update the acne book con­tent on this web­site when new research and new prod­ucts come to light.

• Foods to eat and foods to avoid
• Sam­ple meal plan to get you started
• Detailed skin­care and nat­ural makeup recommendations
• My indi­vid­ual skin care, diet, and exer­cise routine
• Foods and sup­ple­ments for glow­ing skin
• How to get rid of acne scars (and cover them up)
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Learn to use your mind as a pow­er­ful tool for clear­ing acne
• Advanced help for difficult acne cases
• Super sim­ple, super cheap DIY skin care for those on a tight budget
• Skin care ingre­di­ents to avoid (huge cheat sheet!)
• Free updates to the book via my blog

{2 DAY SALE}

After exchanging a few emails and messages with some of you guys, I decided to offer the book at $14.95. In order to be super budget-friendly, I also decided to offer the book for $10.47 for 2 days,which is 30% off . I want anyone to be able to afford it.

I’m making it available in a printable PDF form, and I left a nice margin on the left so you can print it out, hole-punch it, and put it in a binder if you want a tangible book. It is an instant download, you don’t have to wait at all to start reading it.

The sale ended on August 18th at noon (12 pm PST). The regular price is $14.95.

(P.S. I don’t think I have to really say this, but just in case — please do not distribute the book freely among your friends or family. It’s hard to prevent piracy and copyright violation with electronic books, and I definitely appreciate your help with preventing this. Also, because it’s an e-book, I can’t offer a refund, but I’m sure you won’t need one!)

(HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE BOOK: If PayPal does not automatically re-direct you to the download link, then please click the “Return to Merchant” link on the receipt page.)

I hope you guys really enjoy the book and find it really useful! If you see any changes, revisions, or so on, please let me know via email and I’ll sort it out.
~Steph x