JOSIE ANSWERS How is JMC Argan Oil Different?

With so many new oil products on the market, I'm getting lots of letters and calls asking how our Argan Oil is different from others. What makes is special? What are you "voting with your wallet" for when you buy it? Here's why my pure and natural wonder ingredient is—in my humble opinion—the best of the best. 

1.It's 100% Pure and Organic

Every bottle of my 100% Pure Argan Oil contains only one ingredient. It's not a blend. It contains no preservatives, fragrances, or other oils. Also, it's 100% organic: as clean and natural as skincare gets. It's so pure, it's edible. After all, why would you put something on your body that you wouldn't put in it?

2. It's First Cold Pressed

Like the finest olive oil, the Argan nuts in my oil are pressed only once, and heat is never applied to them. This ensures that all the vital nutrients—including Vitamin E and tons of essential fatty acids—are kept intact, the better to make your skin healthier and happier.

3. It's Good for People & the Planet

Argan Oil not only helps you look and feel great, it also helps the environment, and the women who produce it for us. Every purchase of my 100% Pure Argan Oil supports women’s co-ops which, in turn, provide the women of rural Morocco with a steady income, fair wage, and literacy classes. The co-ops also help protect the Argan forests and ensure responsible harvesting practices and reforestation. 

Want to see how Argan Oil is traditionally extracted? Take a look below!

JOSIE'S PICKS for a Boho Home

My mom has a great eye for design. In fact, she picked out most of the cool décor at the JMC offices! She even gave us some amazing prayer flags that she made from vintage fabrics she’s collected throughout the years from estate sales and hole-in-the-wall fabric stores. We have them draped from the beams in our lobby. Here are few picks from Etsy and beyond, inspired by the style we both love.

With love,

Josie

Stitchinnetka Prayer Flags

Studio 180 Turkish Kilim Rug

Crate & Barrel Raj Candleholder

Abundancy Middle Eastern Tray

Pillowstore Woven Pillow

BEHIND THE SCENES Sephora Store Director's Conference

On Tuesday, Josie, Ali, Indi Joon and the JMC Marketing & Sales Teams flew to Las Vegas for the Sephora Store Director's Conference. Everyone here at the office was imagining our coworkers getting into trouble at the blackjack tables, but it turns out they were working hard, introducing our forthcoming products to the Sephora movers and shakers who were invited into a giant JMC bohemian tent draped in vibrant prints. In a hall filled with black-and-white displays, our boho spirit made quite a splash!

CHICOLOGICAL GUEST POST Zoe of Macaroon Original

As a curator of all things chic in fashion, beauty, and baby goods, Zoe Schaeffer truly has an eye for the "next big things." Zoe's blog, Macaroon Original, profiles everything from vibrant new nail polishes to snuggly onesies for baby. Zoe embodies the modern American mama: fashionable, beautiful, and oh yeah, a great parent. Check out what Zoe has to say about her adventure sampling all-natural deodorants.  

Zoe:

I remember while working as a beauty editor for Mademoiselle, we weren’t allowed to write about deodorant because it was “too gross.” Well…copy that. But as I grow older, learn more about my familial history with breast cancer and read about the dangers of parabens and sulfates in beauty products, I’d say it’s a topic worth broaching, nasty or not. My blog, http://macaroonoriginal.com/ is devoted to all things beautiful, but this not-so-beautiful subject is what’s on my mind this moment, making it hard for me to write about anything else.

Summer in LA is not a choice time to make the big switch, this was my season of transition. When researching brands of natural deodorant to try, I asked a bunch of friends (whose collective response was “yeah, they don’t work”). So I decided to take it to the web. Some of the big name beauty brands were getting slammed left and right, and I will not mention them out of respect. But along came some comments about Living Libations, a company I’ve known about, that have some other groovy products with things like, “Love Wine” and “Seabuckthorn Hot Lover Lips.” Now we’re talkin’! If I’m going to rub essential oils under my arms, it’s gonna be from a company that also makes “Wild Child Healthy Gum Drops.”  Meaning, this might mean a lifestyle change for me too! I remember hearing about their Poetic Pits (Yup! That’s the name) and how its small roll-on has a lovely scent and is cute to boot. And then I read an emphatic quote online from a devoted yogi that said, “I wore this to my Hatha Yoga class and when I came out, someone told me how delightful I smelled.” Really? Let’s give this a whirl. The one I chose was “Rose Glow” (the one the yoga lady suggested) and it’s made up of lovely things like sandalwood, rose otto, and geranium, which sounded better than parabens and aluminum any day.  My road test occurred while blueberry picking in a farm outside LA, where I surrounded myself by safe friends and family (so not to offend anyone outside the inner circle.) And while I kind of reveled in my new modern hippie persona, subtly smelling of floral essences while plucking berries with my children, I must admit, I still felt a little unprotected. I’m used to surviving Manhattan summers, subways and all, feeling like I could brush up against an ex-boyfriend, and still feel cool as a cucumber. But being outdoors in the wide-open plain and still feeling a bit vulnerable was a challenge.

My verdict? While this roll-on is the one I will continue to use (it’ll be amazing on balmy days and cool evenings,) it’s going to take a little getting used to.

Josie….do I smell a new product launch in the works?

WHAT WE'RE EATING Labor Day Trip

For Labor Day, we're having another company weekend trip—this time to San Clemente to get some rays and catch some waves. To prepare, we've put together some recipes for a feast on the second night. We will be staying in a house together, so we'll have lots of room to make a big mess and have a whole lot of fun in the kitchen.

Melon Salad with Mint & Lime

Mediterranean Baked Feta with Tomatoes

Kale & Potato Curry

Raspberry Lime & Tequila Cocktail

Tomato Tart with Pesto & Goat Cheese

Nectarine & Pomegranate Tarte

A DAY IN THE LIFE Last Days in PA

With Rumi Joon's school starting soon in L.A., we will have to say goodbye to our farm in Pennsylvania for a few months. While I'm excited to see all my friends and family and get back into my California routine, I can't help but feel a little sad. It's been so nice to be out in the beautiful countryside, watching my older daughter play in our backyard, and my baby daughter get bigger and bigger against the backdrop of growing sunflowers and ripening tomatoes. It's been a summer I'll never forget—and I can't wait to spend more time with my family later in the year here on the farm. 

With love,

Josie

GREEN YOUR ROUTINE Superpower Ingredients

Here at JMC, we are bonkers, cuckoo, crazy about Argan Oil. We love its anti-aging and hydrating properties, its ability to clear up blemishes, and the dewiness it lends to our skin. That’s why Argan Oil is infused into nearly every one of our products, from eye shadow to lip gloss. But there are lots of other exciting ingredients in our products, too! Let us introduce you to a few of them.

Hyaluronic Acid: This hydration-boosting miracle acid naturally occurs in skin and helps repair tissues. Applied topically, it boosts elasticity, hydration, and the production of collagen. We've added it to our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain, to help keep your lips plump and hydrated, never tight and dry. 

Coconut Oil and Coconut Water: Coconut oil has long been known as an incredible skin moisturizer. Recent research suggests that this thick, white oil, solid at room temperature, also helps prevent and control psoriasis, eczema and skin infections. Coconut oil makes an appearance in our Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, where it pairs with Argan Oil to give some love to your dry, rough patches. Coconut water is also a skin-soothing miracle. It’s yummy to drink, and also awesome for the skin. That’s because it’s packed with cytokinins— plant hormones that guard against aging and boost elasticity. Plus, coconut water is full of antioxidants, which contribute to skin health and vitality. Here's an insider secret: our Product Development team has added whopping amounts of coconut water to an upcoming JMC product that we’re all excited about. Keep your peepers peeled for its debut. 

Aloe for Hair: After a sunburn, there's nothing that cools your skin quite as well as a dollop of Aloe Vera gel. But, have you ever tried it on your hair? It’s got antibacterial and antifungal properties that keep dandruff and scalp irritation at bay. Aloe also contains magnesium lactate, which soothes itchiness. Aloe juice has been used for centuries to hydrate strands and promote shinier hair. You can find it in our Argan Bohemian Waves Hair Mist. 

BABY LOVE Clothes & Carriers

I've been exploring the world of baby stuff and finding faves. I'm happy to  pass on my discoveries to you, my dear readers.

I like to keep my soft, sweet new daughter, Indi, in soft, sweet organic clothes. The duds from Under the Nile are all made from 100% handpicked organic Egyptian cotton. The cotton is processed without pesticides or chemicals, so I know there's no harmful residue on my baby girl's skin. The cotton is sustainably harvested and Fair Trade, which is something that's really important to me and my family. Indi's been sporting the Short Sleeve Side Snap Undershirt. I can't wait to try the other clothes on her when the weather cools off.

 I'm loving the Beco Baby Carrier, too. It keeps Indi Joon snuggled up close to her mama and keeps my hands free. It's made of 100% organic cotton, and it's super comfortable and doesn't hurt my shoulders. I like the Gemini, which puts baby on your chest. It comes in a bunch of cute prints as well as black and brown.  

With baby love,

Josie

PINTERESTING FINDS Sweet Treats

Every other month our trainer, Michelle, measures our body fat percentage and weight to gauge our fitness progress. With our weigh-in coming up, we've been chomping on kale and grilled chicken at lunch, trying desperately to avoid all things sweet and naughty. But, alas! Pinterest is determined to thwart our collective will power, tempting us with all kinds of mouth-watering indulgences. We're looking forward to feasting post-weigh in. (By then, Josie will finally be back with us in the office, giving us a real reason to celebrate and indulge!) What's your favorite sweet treat for a special occasion? 

Mango Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Nutella Bombolini

Vanilla Pudding with Sauteed Pears

Rustic Peach Tart

Salted Caramel Chocolate Mousse

INTRODUCING The Argan Skincare Ritual

Remember those three-step skincare systems that every thirteen-year-old girl got from mom when she started having problems with her skin? Well, this kicks it up a notch, without using harsh chemicals. Josie's Argan Skincare Ritual is a cleansing, nourishing, and protecting system infused with 100% Pure Argan Oil. Argan Cleansing Oil dissolves makeup and impurities, 100% Pure Argan Oil nourishes and hydrates skin, and Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40 keeps your complexion safe from the damaging effects of the sun. Made with natural, good-for-your-skin ingredients, this new 'n improved skincare ritual is perfect for all skin—even you extra-sensitive types.