MY HERO Winner

Kim, we wish your mom happiness, health and recovery! Your story melted our hearts—your mom truly sounds like a brave and strong woman. Congratulations on your win and send our love to her from our whole team! To all of the people that sent us stories of your heroes, we thank you so much. You inspire us daily.

Have a great weekend!

DO GOOD International Women's Day

How was your International Women's Day? 

This day of celebrating women—from empowering them through education and initiatives, highlighting their successes, and commending the heroes among us—is so important. Over 100 years old, it has been celebrated here and throughout the world to bring attention to women's rights and to advocate for peace for all humans. It's amazing to think how much it's grown since beginning! It's now an official holiday in many countries. 

I'm proud to say that Josie Maran Cosmetics commends and supports causes that directly affect the lives of women. From my continued working relationship with Marocavie Association and the Berber women of Morocco who are bettering their communities (and who produce Argan Oil), to my involvement with City of Hope as they fight cancer, it has always been important to me to stand by my fellow females.

And so now I have some news to share. Come April, I have a very special product that is going to benefit Women for Women International among other organizations. It's a surprise as of yet, but it's going to be huge! So, in the meantime, I ask that you:

DO GOOD
Educate yourself on Women for Women International. This organization is doing great things to help heal and empower women survivors of war. Come time to reveal my big news, you'll be an expert!

If you want to get more involved, check out their great resources.

And stay posted for April!

WOMEN'S WEEK Your Hero Giveaway

Now it's your turn! Who are the women heroes in your life? How are they making the planet a better place? Why do you want to celebrate them this International Women's Day?

Email your entries (50-150 words) along with a photo of your hero (585 pixels wide) HERE and you may win a bottle of 100% Argan Oil to gift this person, plus your entry will be featured on our blog on Friday.

Cheers to the strong women in the world!

*Entries valid until 12pm PST on Friday, March 9. U.S. and Canada residents only.

WOMEN'S WEEK My Heroes

March 8 is International Women's Day and I thought, why just celebrate a day? Let's give it a week! On Thursday, I'll tell you how you can DO GOOD for women and on Friday I'll be giving away a little gift to the female heroes in your life.  But today I thought I'd share a little about the women warriors in my life.

My mom, Roberta Maran, is my rock and foundation. Even though I'm grown, she still guides me to be a balanced person, a stronger woman and the best mom I can be. She is truly the original "Chicological" girl—she was doing eco and hip well before anyone else was! Her giant heart and generous spirit fill my life and her sense of style and eye for good things fill our offices and my home with warmth.

Rumi Joon is not only my sweet kid, she's also my little best friend and a tremendous source of inspiration! She was the reason I started this company—I wanted a better world and future for her. When I look at her,  I see someone who will grow up to change the world! But right now, she's bettering mine. Plus, she's hilarious.

My aunt and my grandmother, Meredith and Rita, are brilliant, tough and have paved the way not only for me to follow my dream of helping the planet, but also for others. Meredith is author of countless novels, a speaker and a community activist. My grandma Rita is a professor of International Rights, author and lecturer who has always fought for the voiceless.

I'm so lucky to have a life filled with these beautiful women and today I celebrate them!

JUST A NOTE

...to tell you how thankful I am for all of you! Wishing you a very happy weekend. May you get a chance to stop and smell the roses (or any other flower) wherever you are. See you on QVC on Sunday at 4pm EST!

SHARE THE LOVE Winner

To read all of the submissions for the Share the Love Giveaway was wonderful and brought us to tears. We can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your love with us. And to Pam, you're an inspiration! May we all stop and see the love and beauty in the world more often.

ECO STYLE: NewbarK

This week's Eco Style holds a very dear place in my heart. NewbarK, a collection of lovingly handcrafted shoes and accessories made here in Los Angeles, is the brainchild of my husband Ali's sisters, the beautiful Maryam and Marjan. These two are no strangers to the fashion world (they've been styling celebrities for years) and they knew that they had a market to fill the need for beautiful and durable pieces that are the perfect balance between chic and comfort. I can't tell you how many days I've spent in my NewbarK flats especially when on the go! I love them so much, in fact, that everyone in my office got a pair for the holidays. Needless to say, we've been rockin' our Love Heart Black and White shoes together ever since (and that's what we call "Sharing the Love!")

GET THE LOOK: (Eco) Oscars 2012

On the most glamorous eve in Hollywood, we noticed that the beauty looks were fresh with only the slightest splash of color (except for Angelina's striking red lips, of course). In true let-your-natural-beauty-shine-through style, our favorite eco-celebs proved that less is more and that it's all about highlighting your best features. To replicate this, we thought we'd round up their beauty looks and make them simple so that you can achieve them yourself.

To start, make sure your skin is cleansed (Argan Cleansing Oil), nourished (100% Pure Argan Oil), and protected (Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+). Lightly apply your shade of Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation and dust your T-zone with our Argan Pressed Powder in Natural. This will leave you with a clean palette and your skin will stay soft and supple all day. 

1. Cameron: Ms. Diaz was a blushing beauty in shades of pink on her cheeks and lips. To get the look, smile and the apply our Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink to the apples of your cheeks. Stain your lip with our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Jitterbug and then apply a thin coat of Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Precious for a soft sheen. Keep your eye makeup simple by lining your eyes with Eye Liner in Black and then applying a coat of GOGO Mascara on both the upper and lower eyelashes

2. Natalie: Letting the ruby red of her dress take center stage, Ms. Portman kept her makeup soft in hues of dusty rose. Get her subtle look by highlighting your eyelids in shades of brown (we recommend our Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Nudes), lining the upper lid with our Argan Magic Marker Liquid Eye Liner, followed by a coat of GOGO Mascara. Then use Argan Color Stick in Rosey on your cheeks and our Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Waltz on your lips. Finally, apply a coat of Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Voluptuous.

3. Penelope: A sparkling ocean blue dress meant that Ms. Cruz needed a beauty look that was classic and simple. She kept it clean by sticking to earthy and neutral shades. First, define your eyes as detailed in Natalie's look, making sure to keep the eyeliner defined on the upper lid and blended on the bottom. Follow with our Argan Cream Blush in Sunset. Finish the look by applying our Lip Liner in Peach to your entire pout, followed by Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Happy for a little shine.

4. Gwyneth: With a dazzling bright white dress, Ms. Paltrow stuck to bronzed shades for her face. Define your eyes like the looks above, using Argan Eye Shadow in Embrace and Maple to draw attention to your lids. For a sunkissed glow, use Argan Bronzing Powder in Beach No. 1 on your cheeks. Finish with our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Mambo and a top coat of Argan Lip Gloss in Confession.

ECO STYLE: Stella McCartney

Ms. Stella McCartney, queen of eco fashion, truly understand luxury and conscience. Her empire has been built on innovative and gorgeous design that is cruelty-free. And since she's beautifully dressed many forward-minded celebs in her gowns, I'm excited to see what she comes up with for this year's Oscars! Her avant garde take on the fashion show for Fall 2012 only proves how unique she is and I'm sure her frocks will be festive and fabulous. Stay tuned!

WHAT WE'RE EATING: Oscars 2012

Happy Oscar week everyone! This is one of those great times of year when Los Angeles is abuzz and there is glamour in the air. So in honor of this once-a-year show and perhaps your own sparkly soiree, I'm going to be dedicating all my posts to the occasion until Sunday. First up? Food. Ahhh....food. As a pregnant woman, it's all that's on my mind thse days! I hope you enjoy the JMC Oscar party edible picks and may you have a great time watching the show! Who do you want to win this year?

Donna Hay: Eggplant Sumac Chips

Vegetarian Nirvana: Salted Caramel Lava Cakes

White on Rice Couple: Spicy White Bean Dip

A La Mode: Shell Shucked

Tartlette: Chanterelle Tartines

Scaling Back: Blackberry Sage Cooler