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. 

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.

GREEN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE De-Stress

I loved getting to read all of your homemade uses for my 100% Pure Argan Oil, and it inspired me to go out and search for new and interesting ways to green your beauty routine.  Here are a few of my latest discoveries!

1.  Want to de-stress? Take a bath!
Baths get a very bad rap among us greenies. However, sometimes when we’re looking for a stress-reducing bathing experience, a bath is the way to go. Standing under the showerhead for five to ten minutes letting the hot water de-stress you can actually waste far more water than just running a small bath and soaking for a bit.  I recommend putting a few drops of Argan Oil and 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil into the bath for a soothing, aromatherapy experience. Not a bath kind of gal? Try a heat-safe neck pillow. Pop it in a warm oven for a few minutes to melt away tension in your neck and shoulders.

2. Beautify your garden!
Your garden isn’t just a place to grow lettuce and tomatoes; it’s also a great place to grow natural beautifiers. One of my favorite beauty wonders to grow in my garden is Aloe Vera. It has a beautiful, vibrant green color and because it’s a succulent, it’s relatively low maintenance if you live in a dry area. You can even grow it inside. There’s really nothing better if you accidentally get a sunburn. Just pop open an aloe leaf and use the gel-like pulp to soothe the burn. Other great beauty plants to try in your garden? Avocado to hydrate skin and hair, and chamomile to soothe irritated skin!

3.  Get physical!
As summer is quickly approaching (I can’t wait for barbeques and watermelon!), we should all be slathering on the sunscreen to protect ourselves from the harmful rays that can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. A lot of controversial research has recently been released about the safety of some chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone. That’s why we’re going physical! Look for sunscreens that contain physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Many non-chemical sunscreens will contain both of these ingredients, but if you’re faced with the choice, go for zinc. It blocks UV rays slightly better than titanium dioxide. Sensitive skin? You might find physical sunscreens less irritating than their chemical counterparts. But don’t forget a hat and sunglasses for added protection on super sunny days.

 

GREEN YOUR ROUTINE Giveaway

Happy Friday! Today I want to give you a few tips about greening your beauty routine. Even though the products you choose are important of course, there is also something to be said for getting a little DIY, too! Since my 100% Pure Argan Oil is, well, pure and just one ingredient, it's easy to incorporate into your favorite home beauty routine. There is also something to be said for what you don't use. Check out my tips. Plus:

I want to know, what are your favorite DIY recipes that incorporate my 100% Pure Argan Oil? The winner will get a free bottle!

Please comment below and include your email address. Only U.S. and Canada residents are eligible to win. The winner will be announced on Facebook on Friday, April 20. 

1. Try a Homemade Brightening Masque
I love beauty products, but sometimes a simple at-home treatment does wonders for the skin. One of my favorites is a yogurt masque. Simply take a quarter cup of your favorite plain, greek yogurt and use a paintbrush to apply it to your face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. If it begins to dry out, drape a damp washcloth over your face to keep moisture in. Rinse, being sure to remove all the yogurt. The lactic acid in the yogurt will help dissolve dead skin and impurities, leaving your face looking bright and rejuvenated.  Be sure to moisturize with 100% Pure Argan Oil right after washing your face to nourish the skin. 

2. Get Dirty
If you wash and style your hair every day, you're doing a whole lot of work and putting an unnecessary strain on the environment. Instead, keep your blowout for a few extra days by using a dry shampoo. You can simply sprinkle it on your roots and rub it in to get rid of any excess oil. You'll save water and electricity by not washing your hair or turning on your blow dryer. Over time, your scalp will get used to not being washed every day and will stop producing so much oil. 

3. Say No to Synthetic
One of the most important things to me when I was creating my line was to ensure that my products contain no synthetic fragrance. Many synthetic fragrances contain phthalates which can disrupt the endocrine system and damage the reproductive system. Essential oils are such an amazing alternative. Look for all natural perfumes, or go to the health food store and pick up a few of your favorite essential oils to create your own unique blend!