JOSIE'S TIPS Argan High Gloss Lip Quench

I'm super-excited about a yummy new lip product we've come up with here at JMC.  Argan High Gloss Lip Quench drenches dry, cracked lips in Argan Oil, while moisturizing, healing and—bonus! — adding a luscious shine. The ultra-luxurious formula is a combo of nature's best moisturizing ingredients: Pure Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, and softening Murumuru Butter. Get the most of our your tube with these tips.

1. Apply a thin coat of Argan High Gloss Lip Quench before bed. The moisturizing ingredients will work overtime while you snooze.

2. Swipe a coat of Lip Quench over dried-out lipstick to revive color and keep it from flaking or cracking. 

3. Want the appearance of fuller, juicier lips? Who doesn't? Apply Lip Quench only to the center of your pout to make your lips look too good not to kiss.

With love,

Josie

Images via: Tumblr Recipes for the Soul Sinussister Pinterest

GIVING BACK Giveaway

Did you know? JMC is all about “Luxury with a Conscience” because our products are made from good-for-your-body-and-the-planet ingredients. But there's more good to JMC than meets the eye (or the skin): we also give back to the community. Being kind and conscious really matters to us, and we know it matters to our customers, too. Here are some of the ways in which your JMC purchases help make the world a better place:

City of Hope & GOGO Mascara

Prettifying your lashes can help cancer survivors feel pretty too. For every tube of GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara purchased, our Give One Get One campaign donates another mascara to a City of Hope cancer patient or survivor. After 5,000 mascaras have been donated, the campaign continues to donate $1 per mascara to women’s cancer research at City of Hope.

Bear Naked Wipes

With the ice melting under their big, furry paws, polar bears need a little human help. You can give them that helping hand when you buy a pack of Bear Naked Wipes. A portion of each sale goes to the Natural Resources Defence Council’s Polar Bear SOS Initiative. 

Moroccan Women’s Co-Ops & Sustainable Harvest

In 2002, the Moroccan government helped establish women's cooperatives to manufacture Argan Oil--while providing Moroccan women with a steady income, fair wage, and healthy working conditions, as well as literacy and education classes. The co-ops also give women a sense of empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated society. Dedicated to responsible harvesting practices, reforestation projects, and environmental protection policies, this program helps preserve Argan forests and women's jobs. The purchase of Josie’s 100% Pure Argan Oil contributes to their success. 

Marocavie

Each time we source our 100% Pure Argan Oil, we donate a portion of our purchase price to Marocavie, a charitable organization in Morocco dedicated to improving economic, social, and environmental conditions in the Southwestern regions of Morocco, where Argan Oil is harvested. The organization works to improve education for children, provide socio-economic opportunities for families, and prevent the spread of the desert and rural exodus.

We know that you, our beloved customers, are out there doing good things for the world too. Tell us how you contribute to the well being  of others, and you’ll have a chance to win your shade of Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation SPF 20. Just type your answer into the comments section. We'll announce our world-changing winner on Monday, July 30. 

GET-THE-LOOK Taunia Does Siren Red

Our lovely Product Development Coordinator, Taunia, is always rockin’ some fresh and fab lip looks using different shades of our Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain. Yesterday she came in looking all kinds of fierce, and we asked her to recreate her look for us today. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting Taunia’s look, including those siren-red lips.

1.  Apply your shade of Matchmaker Serum Foundation to face to create an even canvas. (Taunia is Light/Medium for reference.)

2.  Using your fingertips, apply Argan Color Stick in Rosey to the apples of the cheeks, blending toward your temples.

3. With an eyeliner brush, swipe the darkest shade from the Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Nudes palette onto your lower and upper lashlines, creating a soft wing at the outer edge of the eye.

4. Blend the lightest shade in the Beautiful Nudes palette onto the inner corners of your eyes to make you look wide awake.

5.  Apply a rich coat of Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Flamenco to your lips, using the tip of the marker to line the lips before filling them in. 

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Hot Oil Self-Heating Hair Treatment

Hello, my Argan Beauties.

I don't know about you, but my hair really takes a beating in the summertime. Between dips in the ocean and the scorching sun, my hair starts looking real crazy by the time September rolls around. I developed my new Argan Hot Oil Self Heating Hair Treatment to save my tresses and yours. I loved the old-fashioned hot oil, but scurrying back and forth between my microwave and the shower to get it hot—not so much. My Hair Treatment self-heats in the shower, which seriously cuts down on the hassle. Here are my secrets for maxing the benefits of this lock lifesaver. 

1. If your hair is fine or thinning, apply half an ampule to the ends of hair only, and then massage a few drops into the scalp. You don't need as much product as the thicker-haired ladies do, so you'll get more than five treatments out of one kit.

2. Extra dry hair? Skip shampooing entirely for a few days, and do one hot oil treatment instead. You'll be nourishing your hair with Argan and Jojoba Oils without stripping hair of its own beneficial oils. The bergamot-geranium scent will refresh your locks--no shampoo needed. 

3. Have a spa day with your friends! Each set of treatments includes 5 ampules, so you have plenty to share. Although you’ll get full benefits in only 60 seconds (hair up to 4 times stronger!), leaving the treatment in longer will pamper your strands. Saturate wet hair in the treatment and put it in a shower cap while you and your girlfriends do facials or pedicures. Share the love! 

With love and luscious locks,

Josie

Images Via:

My Bellavita, Abundant Life Essentials, Green Chi Cafe

BEHIND THE SCENES Fall 2012 Photo Shoot

Back in April, when I was VERY pregnant, the JMC photo crew and I drove out into the wilderness to take pix for the launch of my Argan Hot Oil Self Heating Hair Treatment. Between hair and makeup touch-ups, we had fun exploring the nearby creek, finding frogs, and searching for pretty river rocks as the sun set behind the mountains. Take a behind-the-scenes look at this JMC adventure. 

Here's to big bellies and muddy toes!

Josie

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector

Nothing says beach goddess like a nice summer tan—but sadly, my beauties, the sun is not a friend to our delicate skin. Its rays feel great, but as they warm you they also cause premature aging, sun spots, and possibly even skin cancer. So enjoy the great outdoors, but protect yourself with hats and sunscreen—lots and lots of sunscreen. (Natural is best. Feel free to try mine!) If paleface is your problem, you can faux your glow with bronzer. My Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector actually reverses and reduces the appearance of existing damage and sun spots while imparting a sexy sunkiss to face. Not sure how to use this healthier option? Read on. 

- For the most natural, diffused effect, use a big, fluffy brush, applying bronzer in swirling motions. 

- Apply bronzer in natural light so you can see where the sunlight naturally hits your face: the forehead, bridge of nose, apples of the cheeks, and around the chin and jawline. 

- If you're showing a bit of décolletage, dust some bronzer on your collarbones.

- If you're fair-complected, apply only one soft wash of bronzer. For darker skin, try building the bronzer with two layers for a richer, deeper faux glow.

With sunny kisses,

Josie

Images via:

Beautiful Places to Visit

Missoni

Taste Those Sweet Dreams

GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE Hair Heaven

I’ve been keeping a hair diary for a super-exciting project I've got in the works (stay tuned, details to come), which has me thinking about how to green-ify my hair routine. I’m a pretty low maintenance, wash-and-air-dry type of girl, but recently I've had a chance to try some new styles. Here are some tricks I’ve learned from doing my hair diary and playing around with a few of my favorite products.

(Still) Say no to Aerosol

You might remember the controversy about aerosol hair products that came up in the '80s. It turned out the propellant used to force the product out of the can was depleting the ozone layer. These chemical propellants, called CFCs, are now banned in the US. But according to Scientific American, CFC-free aerosols still contain compressed gasses, which contribute to global warming. They also emit volatile organic compounds, which increase air pollution and smog. So if you can’t get enough of your hair spray, look for one in a spray bottle instead of a aerosol can. Mama Earth will thank you (and so will Mama Josie).

Masque it Up

Chances are, you have something in your house right now that will make a great hair masque. I like to use one at least once a month to give my hair a boost of softness and moisture. Lately, I’ve been using my Argan Balm as a masque—it really clings to the hair. I got the idea from my husband, Ali, who uses Argan Balm as a pomade. His hair is always so soft! I just slather some Argan Balm on my hair, wait 1-2 hours, then rinse. Virgin coconut oil and mashed avocado also make great masques. I even have friends who swear by putting mayonnaise on their hair!

Reuse your Accessories

I’ve been trying a lot of new things with my hair lately, including putting  different ornaments in it. I looked at my box of vintage jewelry in a whole new light after realizing that an old brooch makes a great accent piece for a messy bun. I used a beaded necklace as a headband, and a stretchy bracelet as a scrunchie. Because so many flowers are blooming all around our property, I even wove a few blooms into my bun. So many fun looks for summer! 

With love,

Josie

Images Via: Killete Tumblr The Girl Who Keeps Dreaming

GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE skin savers

1. Look for Multi-taskers. There are so many cosmetics to choose from that many of us have cabinets full of stuff we never use. To avoid that kind of wastefulness, look for products that multitask: a lip color that doubles as a cheek color, or a bronzer that makes a great nude eye shadow. The ultimate multi-tasker is my 100% Pure Argan Oil. I put it on my face and body to moisturize, on my hair to tame frizzies, and on my nails to repair rough cuticles.

2. Try a Homemade Toner

Green tea makes a great skin toner. It’s loaded with antioxidants like vitamins C & E and helps counteract irritation caused by dryness. Some people with oily skin swear by Apple Cider Vinegar as a great way to combat shine.

3. Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water, and you really will see a huge improvement in your skin. If you’re not a fan of water, mix slices of lemon and cucumber into a big pitcher of water. It will lightly flavor the water and give it that all-day-at-the-spa taste.

GET THE LOOK the no makeup look

If there’s one look that every woman wants to master, it’s the no-makeup look.  Here’s how you can let your beauty shine using your favorite JMC products.

1.   Prep skin for makeup application by cleansing with Argan Cleansing Oil, focusing on areas of dryness, using a soft washcloth to lightly exfoliate flaking skin.

2.   Using your fingers, apply 100% Pure Argan Oil to your face and give it a few minutes to absorb. For extra moisture and to protect skin from harmful rays, apply Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40.

3.   Even out the skin tone by applying your shade of Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation. The sheer coverage will reduce the appearance of redness and blotchiness without masking the natural texture and luminosity of skin. 

4.   Apply Argan Blend Concealer under eyes to camouflage dark circles, on blemishes, and on any other areas of discoloration including eye lids, around the nose, and at the corners of mouth.

5.   Smoothe a creamy blush like Argan Color Stick in Rosey onto the apples of cheeks, and lightly blend toward the temples.

6.   Brush GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara onto upper eyelashes only.

7.   Complete the look by applying Argan Lip Treatment to moisturize lips.

 

GET THE LOOK Christian Dior Spring 2012

Sometimes we crave a little bit of drama on the eyes, but we still want to look natural and glowing. Christian Dior pulled this look off perfectly on their Spring 2012 Couture runway. We love how the eyes are both light and dark—the strong sweep of the liquid liner paired with the ethereal, shimmery shadow is right up our alley. Keeping the rest of the face clean and fresh makes this the perfect look for day or night. Here's how to get the look using our favorite products!

1. After cleansing and moisturizing with Argan Cleansing Oil and 100% Pure Argan Oil, apply your shade of Tinted Moisturizer. To sheer out the coverage and give skin a super dewy look, apply Tinted Moisturizer with a damp sponge. Apply your shade of Argan Blend Concealer under eyes and on areas of redness or discoloration. 

2. Sweep the lightest shade from the Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Nudes all over lid. Using Magic Marker Argan Liquid Eye Liner, tightly line the upper lashline, sweeping up at the edge of the eye to create a cat eye effect. (Hint: draw an imaginary line from the outer corner of your eye to the outer tip of your eyebrow to create the perfect angle for your eye liner swoosh) Finish the look with two coats of GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara on the upper lashes. 

3. Apply Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Cha Cha to cheeks and blend to create a very subtle pink cheek. Follow by blending Argan Illuminizer onto cheekbones, down the bridge of nose, and into the cupid's bow for a luminous glow.

4. Dab Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Cha Cha onto the lips and press together to create a natural look. Follow with a light coat of Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Optimism.