ProductWhores

To add to my increasingly longer list of things I want to buy at Sephora, I just happened on this new Argan Cleansing Treatment from Josie Maran and now I really want to pick it up this weekend.  I'm obsessed with Argan Oil lately because it's like, the miracle product for my dry hands and nose (it has seriously tamed the Rudolph-esque aspects of it).  And I hate oily products normally, so if I can fall in love with one, you know it's good.  But doesn't this cleanser + cloth treatment seem kind of awesome?  It has a ton of five star reviews on Sephora's site, so that makes me want it even more.  (Also, am I super lazy for never reviewing anything I buy at Sephora?  They send me e-mails about it all the time asking me to do it and I just... never do).  It's also good for sensitive skin, which is sometimes hard to find.  I'm definitely talking myself into buying it on Saturday here...      

Argan Oil For The Win!

So ever since I got back from the east coast, my nose has been red and flaky, probably from a combo of the bad flu I had for almost 10 days, which made me blow my nose about a thousand times, and the cold weather that I was in for two weeks in New Jersey.  (I'm a wuss now after 16 years in Los Angeles.  It hits 60 degrees and I find myself reaching for a jacket and scarf.  It's seriously pathetic).  In an attempt to stop looking like Rudolph, I reached for a bottle of Josie Maran's Argan Oil that I'd had sitting in my bathroom for a couple of months without touching.    

I mainly hadn't tried it because I really, really hate feeling greasy and I was afraid that since it was an oil, it was going to make me feel like I'd just spent a week camping without a shower.  But then I decided that it was worth taking the risk because, you know, the whole Rudolph thing.  And it's worked wonders to get my nose back to normal in the week that I've been using it, plus it's not greasy at all once it sinks in, which really doesn't take that long at all.  (And it's easy not to use a lot of it because the dropper won't let you, if you're paying attention).  And you can use it in a ton of different ways - in your hair, on your cuticles, on your face, in your bath... pretty much anywhere you want.  Also, I'm kind of obsessed by the fact that it's grown organically in Morocco and comes in recyclable glass bottles that were bought from women's cooperatives in the country and support their social and economic welfare.  So you can moisturize and do good at the same time!  I can't believe I resisted trying it for so long.  Don't make the same mistake!         

A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Josie Maran

Stuff it!

I'm pretty sure I don't need to remind you that Christmas is quickly approaching.  In case you need some sort of a cheat sheet for some great stocking stuffers, thought I'd pull together my 5 faves (in honor of the fact, well, you only have 5 days to finish that shopping!) for gift-giving this holiday!

1.  Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colors which were released as part of the Art Deco Muse Collection for this holiday are so spectacular you'll have a hard time choosing which color to get.  Gilded Platinum and Gilded Rosegold are my two favorites - think holiday glimmer without looking cheesy!  Love the formula (stays the better part of the day) and goes on smooth.  Be forewarned, however, that I'm not the only one passionately in love with them  -they are practically sold out everywhere so you'll need to do some searching but it's oh-so-worth it.  Or, just order on lauramercier.com and skip those crowds anyway!

2.  Stila's Written in the Stars Eye Palette is a must-give!  Super cute palette shape, wearable colors and a price you can't beat ($12.00).  I love all the color combos and am in awe by how compact it is - perfect for anyone who loves to travel but can't be without a selection of shadows (like myself).

3. From the makers of Burt's Bees, GUD hand cream is a really great handcream for a fantastically affordable price.  I love the formula - super-hydrating without feeling greasy or sticky.  I also love you can get at all drugstores so if you're like me on Christmas eve frantically trying to piece together some gifts, hitting a CVS is an easy no-brainer. 

4. Josie Maran makes a killer lipbalm - Argan Lip Treatment.  Yeah it's a bit pricey at $18.00, but whoever you give it to will be so thankful you thought of them that you won't mind shelling out the bit extra.  The formula is very softening, smells sweetly of green apple and comes in the cutest little pot!  Extra score is it's all-natural so no icky chemicals drying out your lips.

5.  Surprisingly great considering the price, The Natural Palette from Jane cosmetics is a definitely great palette for this holiday season!  Wearable shades of light and dark brown along with a lovely shimmery-bronze and a rose blush make this the perfect go-to for everyday wear.  At $9.99 it's a total steal.

Note:  Some of the above products were sent to me by PR representatives.

Beachify Your Hair

I know I've said this on here before, but it bears repeating.  I hate the beach.  I know I live in Los Angeles and I'm supposed to be all surfer girl, but nope.  I don't hate it in theory and I do like beachy towns and boardwalks and all the stuff that's associated with beaches (mainly lobster rolls), but you would have to pay me A LOT of money to get me to spend a sunny day at the beach.  First of all, no matter how much sunblock I put on, I always, always burn.  It's ridiculous.  Secondly (and I think we can all agree on this) bathing suits.  Ugh.  Also, whenever I go to the beach, I somehow manage to get sand everywhere.  I'll find sand in my car weeks later.  It's the worst.  So basically, don't ever ask me to go to the beach.  (I will, however, walk a boardwalk for hours.  I kick ass at that stupid game where you have to shoot a water gun into the clown's mouth and blow up a balloon.  It's an underrated talent). 

Oddly enough, though I hate the beach, I absolutely love when my hair looks like I've been to the beach.  It's like, my quest in life to get the perfect beachy waves.  So I'm kind of obsessed with Josie Maran's Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist.  Basically, it's a spray that contains a mix of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt and Argan oil (among other things) so it makes your hair all full and volume-y without drying it out or making it all crunchy and sticky.  (Crunchy and sticky hair makes me crazy.  I'm not trying to shoot a Bon Jovi video in the 80's, you know?)  I've been spritzing my wet hair with it in the mornings, then letting it air dry a little before I blow dry it while sort of fluffing it at the same time.  (I don't brush it when I use this because that would iron the waves right out of it).  Then I give my almost dry hair another quick spritz of it before I head out the door.  It's really simple and easy and it makes me actually look like I spent the day in Santa Monica, lazing in the sand, sipping tropical drinks.  Even more importantly, other people think it looks good too because two people at work actually told me that my hair looked good last week and I don't think they've ever noticed it before.  That alone makes me want to keep using it.  (I'm a sucker for compliments).  It's almost enough to make me reconsider this whole beach hatred thing.  Almost... 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Josie Maran

Made With Love

 

I've been meaning to try Josie Maran's products for awhile now, but I just haven't gotten around to it.  I think I might have to finally bite the bullet and do it with this new Made With Love kit that I just stumbled on.  I really want that blue eyshadow palette and from what I can tell, it's only available in the kit.  (Normally I kind of hate it when companies do that, but since it's only $46 for the entire thing, I can't be that mad this time).  I hear her Argan oil is amazing though.  Has anyone tried it?     

Do Some Finger Painting

I've gotten kind of lazy lately.  (Well, lazier...)  I seem to be gravitating towards products that are quick and easy to use, like Josie Maran's Finger Paints.  There are two palettes and each contains four different shades that you can use on your eyes, cheeks, or lips.  (Multi-tasking palettes are a lazy girl's best friend).  Lovely contains shades of beige, peachy pink, gold, and tan, while Sweet has nude, pink, ivory and copper.  All of the shades are totally wearable - I'm pretty pale and they all look nice on me, but I think they'd look equally as good on people with darker skin as well.  (I'll test out my theory later this summer when I start self-tanning).  I'm really into both palettes because they're just so damn useful.  I can throw them in my bag and if I get a last minute invite somewhere, it takes no time at all to swipe some color onto my face (I'm partial to using them on my cheeks and eyes, but that's only because I carry around so many freaking lipsticks and glosses at all times that it seems a shame not to use them).  The ivory and gold shades look really great as a highlighter underneath the brow bone to add a little shimmer to your look.  The shades are nice because they give off a soft, glowing type of color once they're on - they're more of a natural shimmer than an in-your-face shimmer, which I like.  And since the shades are meant to be applied with your fingers, there's no need to worry about carting brushes around with you (always a plus).  The formula is also a plus - the shades contain natural, organic ingredients without any added fragrances or parabens - and it includes Josie's favorite ingredient, Argan oil, which is known for replenishing and repairing skin cells.  They're super blendable and not drying at all.  The compacts are really cute too, with their bronze-gold finish.  You'd never guess that they're made out of biodegradable corn plastic!  Now I can look pretty and feel slightly less guilty for not recycling all my magazines and newspapers.  (I try, people, it just doesn't always happen...)

 Note:  Samples of these product were sent to me by a PR representative working with Josie Maran

Josie Maran Helps Out

Josie Maran will be donating 50% of the proceeds from purchases made on josiemarancosmetics.com from now until the end of January to the American Red Cross to help out with the recovery effort in Haiti.  I love when brands do this - it's a great way to make a difference while just going about your regular routine.  (Why yes, my regular routine usually involves online shopping.  Why do you ask?)  I'm thinking about checking out the new Natural Wonder Powder Palette.  How cute does it look?  I'll consider it my good deed for the day...

Portable Moisture

Oh, I SO need this.  I am the queen of spilling things in my purse (and my bathroom... and my car...) and any time I can get a product that works without the potential for creating a mess, I'm all over it.  Josie Maran's Argan Oil (already a best-seller) is now available in a stick form.  It's a multi-purpose balm that gives you all of the benefits of the nourishing oil (including anti-aging ingredients and vitamin E).  You can use the stick from head to toe - anywhere you're in need of some moisture.  (Perfect for the summer!)   Some of the ways Josie suggests using it are:  to moisturize chapped lips, soothe dry skin, tame fly aways, alleviate itching and stinging from insect bites, moisturize dry cuticles, relieve chafing skin, soothe stretch marks, calm sunburn, and soothe waxed skin.  (How's that for a multi-purpose product?)  This definitely needs to be in my bag as soon as possible. 

The Argan Moisturizing Stick is available exclusively at Sephora for $22.

Free Makeovers!

For those of you lucky enough to be in the NYC area, you can celebrate the grand opening of the Sephora in Times Square this Friday and Saturday by heading to the Sephora on Broadway or the one in Times Square to meet Josie Maran and score yourself a free makeover.  Fun!  Who doesn't love a makeover?  Especially a free one!