BEHIND THE SCENES Elle Singapore

Greetings from Asia! It's been a wonderful experience exploring Singapore and Malaysia and with good reason—my cosmetics will soon be in Sephora here! I also shot for the cover of Elle Singapore and me and my baby bump got to wear this cute drummer-girl inspired outfit. I'll let you know when the issue is out.

But speaking of travel, one of the questions I get asked frequently is:

What are your travel essentials?

Well, here you go. I never leave home without 100% Pure Argan Oil, Argan Bear Naked Wipes, Argan Cleansing Oil and the Argan Moisturizing Stick. Even when you're on a plane, take a moment to go to the bathroom to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Plane travel can be rough on your face and by keeping your skin hydrated, drinking plenty of water and avoiding salty foods, you'll land and look like a true Argan beauty.

Sending you love across the miles,

GET THE LOOK Valentine's Day 2012

Happy Love Day! Whether you're celebrating with a night out this evening or simply staying in to cozy up with your sweetie, it's always fun to get a little dolled up in the spirit of this fabulous day of pinks and reds. But no need to go overboard! We pulled four looks that will inspire you to highlight your features while still looking elegant and sweet, then we made them eco and added our spin. We're confident you'll look amazing!

Prime Face: After washing your face with Argan Cleansing Oil, moisturize with our Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+, followed by the Argan Primer Mist. Once absorbed, finish with Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation for a flawless canvas.

1. Mauve: To get this look, lightly dab our Argan Cream Blush in Sunset on the outer apples of the cheeks.  Then, cover the lid in Argan REM Pen Eyeshadow in Dusty Rose, followed by Argan Eye Shadow in Maple in the crease of the eye to highlight the depth of your lid . Finish with two coats of GOGO Mascara and apply our Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain Cha Cha for a final touch of mauve.

2. Poppy: First, define the brows with the Argan Magic Brows. Coat the top lid of your eye with Argan Eye Shadow in Vintage to show off your peepers and draw attention to your brows. Follow with coat of GOGO Mascara. Finally, cover your bottom lip in Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Waltz, dab your lips together and blend with your finger for a popsicle-stained pout.

3. Coral: Softly sweep Argan Eye Shadow in Valentine over your lid extending to the inner corners. On the apples of your cheeks, apply our Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink, then curl your lashes and apply a coat of GOGO Mascara. Finish with our Argan Lip Treatment to make your lips soft and smooch-ready.

4. Rose: Make a winged line on your eyes with our Argan Magic Marker Liquid Eye Liner. Follow with two coats of GOGO Mascara. Then apply our Argan Color Stick in Rosey and finish with Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Tango. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

MAMA ESSENTIALS Winner

Like many of you, I snuggle up with Rumi, read books, and play outside, but nothing beats dancing around the house (or even the yard)! Kelly, I'm with you. Spending time with your kids by exercising and having a great time is a blast.Plus, it's so great to see them learn their own moves and find confidence through dance.

Congrats on winning our Mama Essentials Giveaway! And to the rest of you, thanks for sharing your special moments with us.

SHARE THE LOVE Giveaway

At Josie Maran Cosmetics, LOVE is the inspiration for what we do.  My first child, Rumi Joon, inspired me to start Josie Maran Cosmetics and make it safe and eco-friendly.  My husband is my business partner.  My mother works with the company. And through Josie Maran Cosmetics I have grown my family to include the people who work with me.  They are all equally passionate about beauty, health, the environment, what they do, and their own families.  

During the month of February, we would like to invite you to share your love story on Facebook with us.  It can be the love you have for your mom, your partner, your child, or your pet...however you express and define the love in your life, we want to hear about it!  At the end of the month we will chose one story that inspires us the most and it will be featured here on Chicological! Plus, the winner gets a SHARE THE LOVE one-of-a-kind gift. 

And not to fear, if you are shy about posting your story, you can still share in the love on our website with 15% off your order (*excludes Good Buys) with code: sharelove

Tell us your story and enter to win here.

JOSIE'S TIPS Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Waltz

It's here! This lovely month where you can't help but see shades of blush, fuchsia and rose popping up everywhere to celebrate love. Isn't it great? But before you think you have to sacrifice your favorite shade of lip color to kiss your sweetheart, may I remind you that your perfect Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Waltz is waiting for you? It's perfectly pink, an easy on-the-go marker and it won't budge. If ever there were a made-for-Valentine's-Day smoochin' product, this would be it. Here's a few tips:

-Going from work to a fun date? Use a little on your lips in the morning and come evening, carefully apply like a liner, fill in your lips and apply a dab to your cheeks. Then blend and go!

-Not going to kiss anyone, but want to look fabulous anyway? First apply the marker and then top with Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Voluptuous for a stare-worthy pout.

-Keep it subtly sexy by applying gently and blending with finger, then applying more color in the middle of your lips for a popsicle-stain-meets-natural color.

MAMA ESSENTIALS Giveaway

For all you other moms and moms-to-be out there, I hope you've taken advantage of my celebration over on our site! Enjoy 10% off until January 31, 2012 on my Moms-To-Be collection here by simply using this code at checkout: Baby#2

And from now until next Friday, enter for a chance to win our Argan Balm and our Argan Bear Naked Wipes, two of my mama must-haves! I carry these items with me everywhere because you just never know when you or your baby are going to need cleansing and hydration. To win, simply leave a comment telling me how you spend fun time with your child in the comments section below. As you can see, Rumi and I like to be birds!

The winner will be anounced here and on Facebook on Monday, February 6.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

GET THE LOOK Christian Dior Spring 2012

The soft hues of winter sometimes need a pop of punch to avoid being too mellow. Christian Dior took complementary shades of pale pinks and barely-there peach and combined it with vivid lips for a look that is both feminine and fun. We thought we'd replicate it so that you can stand out and be eco-chic at the same time. . . plus, this looks great with a face framing hat in the cold months and takes you right into wearing dresses in the warmth of spring.

1. Cleanse skin with the Argan Cleansing Oil followed by Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+. Give your skin a few minutes to soak up the moisturizer and then even out skin tone with Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation.

2. Using Argan Magic Brows Brow Marker + Brow Powder Duo, fill in eyebrows. Set with a small dab of Argan Balm for a polished face.

3. Dab the Argan Cream Blush in Sunset on cheekbones blending upward towards top of ears. Then, carefully line and fill your lips with Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Flamenco.

4. Finish the look by curling eyelashes and apply a coat (or two) of GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara on the lashes.

BEHIND THE SCENES QVC in January

Just a few shots from our very fun TSV shoot at QVC. Not only was my lovely better half, Ali, there to support me (look at him on set!), but I also took along Dyani, the glue who keeps JMC together and the gorgeous namesake behind the Dyani shades of my makeup.

While we got glammed up inside, she soaked up the chance to see the seasons (like a true California girl) outside. Snow!

GET BALMY Giveaway

Over the holidays, I took a little jaunt to Mexico for some quality time with the family and for a product shoot. I can't quite tell you what it is just yet. . .but trust me, it's going to be amazing! In the meantime, I'm inspiring you to think of summer by giving you a sneak peek at my balmy holiday plus giving you a chance to win my new Argan Balm!

Just tell me your favorite destination and what makes it so special in the in the comments section. Is it tropical? An eco destination in the mountains? I want to know!

Make sure to include your email address. The winner will be announced on Facebook on January 23, 2012.

Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Balm

Ladies and gentlemen (yes, men can use it too), may I present the newest product in my line, Argan Balm! (Cue applause.) This is more than just a simple salve, this is a fix-all-of-those-dry-spots/cure-redness/make-your-head-shoulders-knees-and-toes-feel-smoothe wonder and we couldn't be more happy to be introducing it to you soon. In the meantime, here are a few of my insider tips on how to make this tin of balmy gold your newest BFF.

-To protect those rough patches, use Argan Balm regularly by scooping out a small dab with your fingertips and rubbing in. This can be used in conjunction with 100% Pure Argan Oil or Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter on the rest of your body. 

-Smoothe cuticles by rubbing in and putting on gloves while you sleep. Or, before if you're out in the elements, rub it in to your hands and fingertips for extra protection.

-Keep flyaways down and mend the ends of your hair by rubbing a very small amount of Argan Balm in. 

-Use Argan Balm on your face and lips along with Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+ and Argan Lip Treatment for an added layer of moisture. 

And stay tuned to our Facebook for the release of this amazing product!