JOSIE ANSWERS Moisturizers

Somehow I'm sure this won't surprise you:  I'm a sucker for moisturizers. When I started using Argan Oil almost 10 years ago, I realized that moisture was what my skin had been craving for years. Stressed by stripping cleansers, drying makeup, and travel, my skin was majorly unhappy. But as soon as I started giving my skin the moisture it was begging for, my complexion cleared right up.

Hydration and yummy skin benefits are what Argan Oil is all about—that’s why I put it into nearly everything I make, and that's why JMC has so many moisturizing products. I get this question all the time: when do I use which moisturizers? Here’s a guide to using JMC moisturizers to help you keep your skin healthy and hydrated from head to toe.

100% Pure Argan Oil: I put Argan Oil on my face, body, nails, hair, and face every morning and every night. I especially recommend it for your face if you have sensitive skin. Most of us do, actually; we're always "face-out," exposed to the elements, not to mention all the products we use. Since it balances sebum production and soothes inflamed skin, Argan Oil is the perfect facial moisturizer. 

Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40: Argan Beauties, you gotta protect yourselves! I know you hear it all the time, but it really is so important to keep your skin safe with SPF. I put on my daily moisturizer with all-natural SPF 40 every morning—I love the sun, but nobody loves sun damage.

Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter: This is the ideal body moisturizer. It’s thick and creamy and loaded with yummy skin soothers like Shea Butter and Aloe Vera not to mention Argan Oil. It's good for all skin types. I put it on post-bath or shower to keep my skin soft.

Argan Balm: This heavy-duty balm is the natural solution for dry or dehydrated skin. I created it especially for rough, dry, or irritated areas, like elbows, knees, and heels. But it also comes in handy in the winter when my face gets raw, and my lips are super chapped. Argan Balm creates a barrier that seals in hydration and prevents damage by the elements. 

Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick: This is my travel skin saver; I've always got one in my purse and in my carry-on. The stick form makes it super portable and easy-to-use. It’s really good for the chapped lips and chafing skin that goes along with airplane travel.

I'd love to know: what’s your favorite way to use any or all of my Argan hydrators?

Here's to your great health and great skin!

Love, Josie

P.S. If you've got a question for me, please write it into the comments section and maybe you'll get your answer in the next "edition" of Josie Answers. 

SENDING LOVE

To the millions of people affected by Hurricane Sandy: WE LOVE YOU AND WE'RE SENDING STRENGTH TO YOU.

JMC is making a donation to the Red Cross in honor of our customers. You can help, too. Text the word ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or donate here. 

Image via: Salad Eyes

DO GOOD Breast Cancer Awareness

Hearing that you or someone you love has cancer is life-changing. It's more common than any of us would hope; nearly 40,000 American women die annually from breast cancer alone.  It seems that everyone here at JMC has been touched by cancer in some way—including our founder herself. Josie's grandmother, Rita Maran, is 35-year survivor of the disease. In her honor and in honor of all the Argan beauties battling the disease, Josie put together a special collection of "Think Pink" JMC products. Fifteen percent of sales from each of these products will be donated to City of Hope to support those battling breast cancer. We sat down with Grandma Rita—who at a very young 83 still plays tennis every day to keep herself healthy and fit—to learn about her experience as a breast cancer survivor. 

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

My first bout with cancer was way back in 1972, when a hysterectomy was necessary to remove a cancerous uterus. Five years later, a large cancerous tumor in my left breast led to surgery - what was then called a 'radical mastectomy.' That in turn called for chemotherapy for half-a-year, plus a dedicated daily routine of physical exercise to get back into physical - and mental – shape.

What was it like to go through your fight against breast cancer?

I was determined to combine mind (reason) and body (exercise). My attitude was: first came cancer, now comes recovery. I was living in London but had terrific support from family, all of them three thousand miles away in California, and from circles of women- and men-friends in England. I jumped headfirst into a new job doing human rights campaigning work with nonviolent grassroots groups in a dozen European countries. That in turn led to "going back to school" at the London School of Economics, to understand how international human rights law could help accomplish nonviolent social change. I just plugged away at staying healthy and learning what I needed to know about human rights.

As a survivor, what words of advice and support would you give to those affected by breast cancer?

 It's a bummer - no doubt about it. Breast cancer represents a huge challenge to your mind, your body, and your self-image. That's a fact - get used to it. For me, it was a call to pull up my socks, get full command of all my resources, and get to work. 

What does it mean to you to have your granddaughter, Josie, raising money for breast cancer? 

Josie was born first of my four grandchildren. I remember her at three months, when she was still my only grandchild and I was still undergoing chemotherapy. We were lying in bed early one morning, playing and laughing, when the thought suddenly hit me: "It doesn't matter to this darling little girl that I have only one breast. She can only know me as I am." Once that realization was out of the way, I could enjoy my granddaughter - and the three grandsons that followed, and now Josie's two daughters - Rumi Joon and Indi Joon- and her cousin Peter's son - Axel, without cancer getting in the way. Josie's nature is to look at a problem - in this case breast cancer - and dig in to do something positive and life-affirming. I couldn't be more proud or more happy that she is that way and that she and Ali are surrounding their two girls with that sense of respect and compassion for others with whom we share this planet.

JOSIE'S PICKS: In Costume

Like most (if not all) kids, Halloween was always major joy for me. I loved the dress-up part, I loved recognizing the neighbor kids in their costumes and masks, and of course I loved the candy. Now that I'm a big kid with two little kids, I like Halloween even more. Rumi Joon's already revved up about her costume, and I'm revved up about Indi Joon's, since she's still young enough to let me put it together for her. I found some cool stuff for Indi Joon and for her mama on Etsy. Buying from real people, crafty people, is as good as chocolate. Well, almost.

Boo!

Josie

Butterfly Baby Costume

Black Lace Face Mask

Ghost Tunic Dress

Baby Owl Hat

Baby Sushi Costume

Candy Corn Cap

BABY LOVE Josie and Indi's Tips

If being a mom has taught me anything, it's this:  there's always something new to learn about parenting. My daughters—and my feelings about my daughters— never stop surprising me, which is a huge part of the wonder of motherhood. Discovering what works for your kids is always a work in progress, and mommy blogs are a great source of tips. Sometimes I try one of those tips and it backfires—screaming baby! But sometimes you get a gem, like these two:

Teething Treat: I mix breast milk with water and pour the mixture into an ice cube tray, using binkies as the "popsicle sticks." Once the "binkie pops" are frozen, I can pop one out when Indi's new teeth need cool relief.  

Diaper Game-changer: I can't believe it took me two kids and a mountain of diapers to learn this trick! I put the clean diaper under Indi before taking off the dirty one. It prevents messes and makes diaper-changing extra quick when we're out and about.  

With lots of baby love,

Josie

WHAT WE'RE EATING Halloween-y Treats

Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, so we'll be celebrating in typical JMC style, with a big office bash and a competition to see who comes up with the best Prombie (Zombie/Prom Queen) costume. We love love love gummy bats and vampire teeth, but we're even more inspired by these grown-up Halloween treats. Have a favorite ghoulish goodie? Share, if you dare! 

Cauldron Curry

La Llorona

Prosciutto-Wrapped Grissini

Buckwheat Harvest Tart

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Beet and Apple Salad

ECO TIPS Recycling

Ok, so we all know we should recycle. But, sometimes, we just toss things into our recycling bins willy-nilly, thinking Hooray! I will recycle this! But, are the things we stick in that bin really recyclable? Here’s a cheat sheet to help you learn what can and can’t get another life.

Paper and Cardboard: You can recycle everything from junk mail to newspaper, as long as it’s clean and dry. Same goes for cardboard.  The key words here are clean and dry. That greasy pizza box? No way! Left your newspaper out in the rain? No can do.

Metal: You can recycle all aluminum, tin, metal, or bi-metal cans. Rinse them out too, to make sure you’re not sending a little bit of cat food or something into the machines. It might not be required in your region, but it’s still good to do.

Glass: We love glass here at JMC because it’s recyclable! This includes everything from your 100% Pure Argan Oil bottle to that empty jar of spaghetti sauce. Accidentally dropped your empty bottle of wine? That’s okay! Broken bottles are fine. But, not all broken glass is. Glass from mirrors and light bulbs is sometimes not allowed. Check your local sanitation department’s website to learn their broken glass rules.

Plastics: Now, here’s where it gets tricky. You know that little recycling triangle on the bottom of plastic items with a mysterious number inside? That tricky number identifies the type of plastic used in the container. Check out this link for more info on all the numbers. What can and can’t be recycled depends on your region. Numbers one and two are generally good—consult your local site for info on the rest. 

Images via: West Elm, Southern Living, Apartment Therapy

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Eco Gear

Running my business, appearing on QVC a LOT, and breastfeeding are all helping me lose my baby weight, but I need to really get back into working out—soon! I admit it: I need a little incentive to get myself going. So I'm shopping for new, post-Indi Joon workout gear. When I was still preggers I loved my For Two Fitness duds, but I'm ready for some post-baby eco-wear. I found some great green brands that make workout clothes—Patagonia, Gaiam, and Green Apple. Do you have any workout gear recommendations from companies that make the environment AND our bodies look great?

With love,

Josie

Gaiam Sonata Sweatshirt

Patagonia Tranquila Leggings

Patagonia Active Cami

Green Apple Essential Balance Fitted Yoga Flare

IN THE KITCHEN Crackly Banana Bread

It's been brrrrr here in Pennsylvania. Actually, it's been in the 50s and 60s, but for this California girl, that's chilly! I've been doing lots of baking to keep warm and welcome the turn of the seasons, and I found this fab banana bread recipe on one of my favorite food blogs. It's healthier than the classic recipe—no butter, whole-wheat flour, and millet. So you can have a piece (or two) with your morning coffee or tea, guilt-free. The millet gives the soft, chewy bread a toothsome crunch. Super yum! 

With love,

Josie

Images via: Smitten Kitchen, Diabetes Club

JOSIE'S TIPS Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain

The temperatures are dropping, and before you know it, everyone’s going to be rocking that smoky eye look that we all love so much. But why does cold-weather makeup have to be so one-note? Can’t we try something a little more…colorful? I'm so psyched that my Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain won a 2012 Allure Best of Beauty Award. The prize has renewed the appreciation that my JMC ladies and I have for this long-lasting, lightweight stain. Around the office, we’ve been flaunting Flamenco and whipping out Waltz for a fresh take on the Fall face. Here are my best tips for getting the most from your Lip and Cheek Stain.

Go Bare A bold lip + a bold eye + rouged cheeks = overkill! I suggest you focus on the lips and leave the rest of your face beautifully bare. Choose a bright, bold shade that complements your skin tone. (Flamenco seems to work for everyone!) Too naked for you? Pat some Argan Illuminizer onto your cheekbones and brow bones to give your skin some radiance.

No Undercoat Needed I know it’s tempting, but don’t apply balm before your lip stain. Most lip balms are oil-based, which keeps water-based stain from absorbing into your lips. Instead, lightly scrub lips with an old toothbrush to exfoliate, and follow immediately with lip stain. If you're batty for your balm, put it on top of the lip stain.

Move Beyond Berry Beauty magazines and blogs claim that berries, plums, and reds are the only Fall-appropriate shades. I say, step outside the box! Try a poppy coral like Jive, or a bright pink like Jitterbug (and bonus, it’s part of our Breast Cancer Awareness collection this month—15% of proceeds go to City of Hope). So unexpected! If you’re feeling more traditional, try Fox Trot, a deep berry wine, or Quickstep, a rich plum.

With love and luscious lips,

Josie

P.S. Don’t be afraid to get cozy with your someone special. This lip stain lasts even through a steamy evening of smooches. xoxo

Images via: Frijolita, Style.com, Bellasugar, Weheartit