Josie Maran Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set - Swatched

As you know, I was browsing at Sephora online and saw this new Josie Maran Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set ($34). I ordered one for myself and decided to order another for a giveaway contest. The set is a makeup lover's dream - four colors for lips and cheeks for a very reasonable price. The color selection is wonderful - the full range from champagne to plum-pink.

I love Josie Maran products. I've purchased Color Sticks before. You can use them on your face and lips, and they are tremendously hydrating. Now that I have these in hand, I'm very pleased with them.

This set of Josie’s portable Argan Color Sticks comes in four vibrant summer shades: Beautiful, Pink, Coral, and Twinkle. The sticks are small - 0.21 ounces each - but perfect for throwing in your handbag or makeup bag for travel.

Summer a go-go! These four travel-sized color sticks come in some of the most fun shades under the sun. Infused with 100% organic, 100% pure argan oil, you are moisturizing while adding a pretty flush to your lips and cheeks.

“This set includes my travel-friendly Color Sticks in four of my favorite shades. These nourishing face and lipsticks are infused with 100% pure argan oil to quench dry or damaged skin. They glide on and blend easily to give you the perfect natural flush to cheeks and lips, " said Josie Maran, founder of Josie Maran Cosmetics.

These dual-purpose lip and cheek color sticks provide flattering, subtle color while treating the skin with Josie Maran's signature argan oil. To be used as a blush or lip color, the color stick leaves a natural and long-lasting dewy finish that complements any skin tone, while repairing and replenishing the skin. Argan oil is a superior source of antioxidants, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. You can also count on Josie Maran for the purity of her products, which are formulated without parabens, sulfates,  synthetic fragrances, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan.

I took swatch photos in full, lunchtime sunshine. From left to right above, the colors are Twinkle, Coral, Pink, and Beautiful, which is actually beautiful. I swatched straight from the tube in that order on my arm, starting at the top with Twinkle. I applied each shade heavily. These are fabulously sheer, but "sheer" doesn't always photograph well. My photos are a little dark, a result of the bright sun tricking my camera.

As you can see, Twinkle is very sheer and nude. On the skin, it adds a subtle highlight, a dewy glow, without much color. Coral, below Twinkle on my arm, is a sheer coral - very pretty for summer.

Pink is a medium rose pink. Beautiful is a blue-tone rose - also medium in intensity. Naturally, you can mix these shades on the skin to get the color you prefer. Want to tone down Beautiful? Apply Twinkle over it. Too blue? Mix with coral to warm the shade. Each color offers a sheen, but no overt sparkling.

If I were applying these on my cheeks, I would apply them directly from the tubes and then blend with a foundation or other synthetic brush. They blend easily. Remember that you can use them on your lips too. I would apply them straight from the tubes. The wide tubes appear less than efficient for lip application, but they work very well. Remember to keep their double plastic caps on to protect them.

Don't forget that I'm giving away one Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set for this week's giveaway contest. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, Saturday, July 6, at midnight. Good luck! If you don't enter or Lady Luck doesn't smile on you, you can find this darling little set at Sephora.

Update 7/6: Comment on the contest post to enter it, please.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Josie Maran Argan Blend Concealer

New for Spring 2011, Josie Maran's two-shade Argan Blend Concealer ($28) provides long-lasting, repairing coverage that hides imperfections while hydrating the skin with Josie’s signature ingredient, organic argan oil. The dual shades are intended to work together to correct and conceal flaws and highlight skin tone, helping women address the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, while concealing dark circles, blemishes, age spots, and redness.

You probably know that argan oil - a hot skin care and hair care ingredient - is produced from the argan tree from Morocco. The oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which have anti-aging properties. This organic ingredient is known to help and prevent dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and sebum production. It's the basis for Josie Maran's fabulous line of beauty products, many of which I love.

Argan Blend Concealer is a very nice, creamy, long-lasting concealer. I have only one problem with it. The lightest color duo is too dark for my skin. It's available in three color combinations, Sand (light), Suede (medium), and Chestnut (dark). I purchased Sand from Sephora online.

The concealer duo has two shades, one yellow-based and one pink-based. You can use them alone or mix them - theoretically to customize a shade that's perfect for your skin tone or the place on your face where you need concealer. With Sand, both shades are too dark for my skin, and they are no lighter when mixed.

It's not going to be easy for you to see that in my swatch photo. I applied the shades with a sponge-tipped applicator to try to show the shades adequately. At the top - if you can see it at all - is the yellow-toned shade. The pink one is in the middle. A mixture of the two is shown at the bottom. My photo was taken in full sun. The yellow shade is very yellow. The pink one is very pink - almost unnatural. Mixed, they are no better on my skin.

It's really too bad because I like the texture, consistency, and blendability of this concealer. I prefer concealers that are just slightly lighter than my own skin tone because they brighten while they conceal. When a concealer is too dark, it draws attention to the areas I'm trying to conceal, making them look muddy. I wish Josie Maran had introduced a color that would work for us extremely fair types.

If you are interested in Argan Blend Concealer, don't buy it online, sight unseen like I did. Go to Sephora and test it to make sure one of the three shade duos will work for you. You can also order Argan Blend Concealer online from Josie Maran's own Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Josie Maran

Josie Maran Argan Color Stick

Josie Maran Argan Color Stick ($22), an argan oil-infused, sheer color stick, supplies a long-lasting, natural flush to cheeks and lips. I purchased two before Christmas and set them aside when they arrived right before my surgery. Now that the weather is as dry as it gets, I'm enjoying the natural flush they are providing my cheeks.

Maran's dual-purpose lip and cheek color provides flattering, subtle color while treating the skin with Josie Maran's signature argan oil. The stick is intended to be used as a blush or lip color (nice two-for to throw in your handbag). The color stick leaves a very natural dewy finish that complements any skin tone while repairing and replenishing the skin. It looks real - like you only better!

Argan oil is produced from the argan tree in the deserts of Morocco. The oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which have anti-aging properties. Argan oil is an organic ingredient known to help or prevent dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and sebum production. Even oily skinned gals can use argan oil. It is your answer to healthy, youthful, and radiant skin.

There are two shades available. Since I couldn't decide online, I purchased both - and I love both. Rosy is a dusty rose, and Petal Pink is a neutral pink. I took some photos indoors in sunlight to show you the shades.

Petal pink is shown at the top of my arm, with Rosy below. Rosy is not as peach as it looks in my photo, but of the 10 photos I took, it translated as peach with my camera. It's definitely rose. I think the Petal Pink right next to it, a beautiful pink, gives Rosy a peachy look in sunlight. Rosy is the shade shown in Josie Maran's photo at the top of this feature.

Neither shade shimmers. That's the sun glinting off my arm. Instead, they glow. You'll glow too when you wear them!

Here's a second photo. Charlie isn't usually interested in my photography endeavors, but the day I took these photos he was insistent on joining me. My not-so-little blue-eyed boy was being pesky. Can you see the devilish look on his face?

The packaging of the color sticks is thoughtful, with an outer cap and an inner cap to protect the sticks from drying out. That's a nice luxury. I keep the inner caps on when I close them.

These are superb cream blushers. They blend easily, leaving behind a natural glow that's extremely pretty. You can't go wrong with them!

You can purchase them at Sephora and Josie Maran's Web site. They also have "balm" versions available at QVC.

Photo at top courtesy of Josie Maran

Josie Maran Finger Paints - Lovely

♫ Summertime, and the livin' is easy...♫

Something about Josie Maran's Finger Paints in Lovely ($36) reminds me of my favorite song by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke - there are so many stellar versions of Summertime, and I love them all.

Think you can't create sophisticated makeup looks with your fingers? Think again. It's summertime, and the livin' is easy! Makeup should be easy too, especially when you're on vacation. What could be easier than one compact; four gorgeous shades for eyes, lips, and cheeks; and no need for sophisticated applicators?

The palette holds four multi-use makeup shades specifically chosen to flatter every skin tone and intended to be applied with your fingers. The feather-light shimmers bring soft, glowy, summertime color to cheeks, lips, and eyes. One compact does it all.

I adore Finger Paints! All four colors work on my eyelids, and the two lightest shades are beautiful highlighters. The two darker shades work well on my lips. The shade at the top in my arm photo is gorgeous on my cheeks. Lovely indeed!

The innovative formula contains natural, organic ingredients, including argan oil. There are no artificial fragrances, parabens, or toxic ingredients. No animals suffered for our beauty either - that's important to me.

I bought my palette from Sephora. You can also purchase Finger Paints from Josie Maran at her Web site, where you can learn more about her brand.

Photo at top courtesy of Josie Maran

Josie Maran Argan Oil and Bonus Color Stick

QVC Bargain Alert!

Josie Maran Argan Oil with Bonus Color Stick ($48) is available only at QVC. Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil, sourced from Morocco, is legendary for its ability to offer fast-absorbing hydration - and cure all kinds of skin ailments. While you can purchase Josie's argan oil products from Josie's own Web site or Sephora, the combo with the color stick is available only at QVC.

At QVC, if you order Josie's Argan Oil now, you will receive a fabulous argan oil-infused sheer color stick that tints the skin with a flattering rosey tone. You can use it on your cheeks (as I am today), lips, or anywhere else you want sheer, natural color.

Agan oil is a lightweight oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. As I have written many times, it may be used as a daily moisturizer or in the treatment and conditioning of everything from facial skin to cuticles to split ends.

If you were on the fence about trying Josie Maran's Argan Oil, this bonus color stick should help you make up your mind! I love mine. It's available at QVC.

Photo courtesy of QVC

Josie Maran Argan Protect Daily Sun Protection with SPF 40+

Among the many sun blocks available, there's one that's unique because it's SPF 40+ and infused with argan oil. Who makes it? Josie Maran, of course! Protect Daily Sun Protection with SPF 40+ ($32) was one of a batch of Josie Maran products I purchased not too long ago. I love it! I used it this weekend when I knew I would be exposed to brutal sun. The results? It worked - no sun damage for my pale face - not even a trace of redness! My face felt hydrated too.

Sun blocks are your skin's first defense against premature aging, sunburns, and the nasty hyperpigmentation that will develop when you get older (let's not even discuss skin cancer today). Josie Maran's natural formula physically blocks UVA rays that can cause up to 80% of premature aging. It also blocks the harmful UVB rays we encounter on sunny days or at the beach.

Unlike traditional sun blocks, the natural Protect Daily Sun Protection formula is infused with Josie’s signature ingredient, argan oil, which repairs and reverses damage caused by the sun, fights signs of aging, and improves skin tone for a radiant, renewed complexion. Argan oil has to be my miracle ingredient of the year. I can't believe it's so hydrating, yet those with oily skin and acne can join us dry skin types in using it with fabulous results.

Protect Daily Sun Protection is a daily-wear sun block for the face. The company says it provides protection levels superior to chemical-laden formulas. The active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide - physical sun blocks. Naturally, there's argan oil, but it also includes organic or natural camellia leaf extract, aloe leaf extract, chamomile extract, pomegranate oil, and jojoba oil. It has a natural fragrance that's clean and mild.

This sun block is extra mild (my sensitive skin is happy) and absorbs quickly. It can also double as a great makeup primer, which alone makes it unique. Some sunscreens leave me a bit oily since they must be applied over moisturizer (I have super-dry skin, so it's hard to make me oily). Protect Daily Sun Protection is lightweight, PABA-free, and recommended for all skin types.

Rather than repeat myself about the virtues of argan oil, I'll direct you to my review of Josie Maran's Argan Oil and Argan Oil Primer Mist at this link. I've reviewed other argan oil products, and I love them all. Argan oil is a great source of antioxidants, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Our skin loves it.

As if Protect's many virtues aren't enough, it's housed in a pump dispenser, allowing you to dispense what you need and no more. Josie thought of everything!

There you have it - a rave review for my favorite new sun block! You can find Josie Maran's Protect Daily Sun Protection and her other wonder-products at the Josie Maran Web site and Sephora. Stay tuned. I have more to tell you about my Josie Maran purchases.

Photo courtesy of Josie Maran

Josie Maran Argan Bronzing Oil

♫ Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind♫

Josie Maran's Argan Bronzing Oil ($52) leaves me humming Summer Breeze, an old Seals & Crofts song that brings back memories of those days of fresh, bare, and bronzed "beach faces," lit by the sun and scented by warm sand and waves.

Josie Maran's ultimate organic bronzing oil will give you a healthy bronzed glow anytime of year. You don't have to limit its use to summer! With Josie's signature ingredient argan oil, which is rich vitamin E and essential fatty acids, this lightweight and moisturizing bronzing oil can be applied to face and body.

It's not a self-tanner; it washes off. It's a tinted oil that's good for your face - and your looks. It's easy to apply, whether you use it straight out of the bottle or mixed with your moisturizer. It gives me a nice, lightly tanned appearance - something different since I stay out of the sun (or wear heavy-duty sunscreen). The color is fabulous because it's believable. The extra-added bonus is the argan oil, which is good for every complexion and skin type. Read my April post on Josie Maran Argan Oil to learn more about the benefits of argan oil.

You can use it on your legs if they are pasty white and you want to wear a darling sundress to a party. Or give your whole face, neck, shoulders, and chest a silky summer glow. This is a versatile product.

I think this bronzing oil is great for those with fair to medium skin. The lighter you are, the more color it will impart. It's probably too light to leave a sunny look on anyone with dark skin. With its hydrating properties, though, it would serve as a nice tinted and glowing moisturizer for dark-skinned beauties.

Josie Maran Argan Bronzing Oil comes in a recyclable bottle with a dropper for extracting a little bit at a time - perfect since you don't need much to cover your entire face and neck. Please remember to recycle the box! Josie's vision is, "There is no 'away'...reuse, recycle, or compost."

I purchased a lot of Josie Maran products a few weeks ago. I will work my way through the reviews over the next few weeks. You can already draw one conclusion since I keep buying more - I love Josie!

Josie Maran products can be found at her Web site and Sephora. You should check out Josie's Web site or Facebook page now and then. There was a code (SAMPLE3) published mid-May to receive a sample of Argan Bronzing Oil with any $30 purchase. I haven't tested it to see if it still works.

Photo courtesy of Josie Maran
Lyrics from Summer Breeze by James Seals; music by James Seals & Dash Crofts

Fraicheur d'Argan Body Lotion

I am so lucky! Every so often, a nice PR rep discovers that there's something I like, and she (or he) asks if I would like to test a product I haven't tried. As long as it's related to beauty and looks fascinating, I'm game. My skin doesn't always know whether it's "coming or going," given all the change it endures, but I'm pretty attuned to the ingredients in a product to be tested before I ask my sensitive skin to participate in my blog tests.

Recently, a nice person representing Argan Place asked if I would like to test a line of beauty products containing argan oil. If you have been reading Best Things in Beauty - and glowing reader comments on the amazing effects of argan oil - you'll know I said yes in a heartbeat.

A Fraicheur d'Argan Body Lotion arrived at my door (regularly $28.95, but on sale for $24.95 now), and after a quick glance at the ingredients, I used it. I love it! This is going to be serious, long-lasting love, not the flirt-and-go type. I just wish they had sent me everything! I get greedy when I find something I love. I guess that comes with being a beauty addict.

What do I look for in a body lotion? I have a few set criteria that all body lotions must meet. Above all else, a lotion has to smell good. I don't want a body lotion that smells like BENGAY (unless I have a cold) or patchouli - or cloves, cinnamon, or one of the spices that makes me run for cover. Scent (or lack of it) is very important to me. Most products have a scent of some type, even if there's no fragrance added - the scent of the ingredients shines through. Effectiveness is a necessity (dry flakes must be banished). Then, I consider how my skin feels while wearing the lotion. Does the product absorb, or does it leave grease blots on my clothing? I don't need grease on my Armani silks! I want to see smoother skin that doesn't have a propensity for teeny-tiny waves (you'll know what I mean by "waves" if you have dry skin).

Fraicheur d'Argan Body Lotion meets all my criteria! Specifically formulated for daily use, Fraicheur d'Argan gives your skin intensive, nourishing moisture. After two weeks of daily use, it will transform dry skin into healthier, more nourished, and hydrated skin. This fluid-textured body lotion nourishes and delicately scents the skin with a clean, fresh, and natural fragrance.

I can't put my finger on exactly what it smells like - simply put, it's really nice. I can tell you what's in it. In addition to argan oil, the ingredients include urea, plum oil, small-leaved linen extract, rose extract, shea butter, seaweed, micro-algae, sunflower oil, aloe, shea butter, and many other botanical extracts and oils. There's a beautiful natural cocktail in this body lotion, which leaves my skin hydrated and smooth. A little of this lightweight, fluid lotion goes a long way, which means the 4.25 ounce container will last a long time. A nickle-sized pour into my palm takes care of my arms, chest, and feet.

Why is argan oil such a miracle ingredient? Argan oil is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree. This tree is found only in southwest Morocco. Argan trees were first seen and reported in 1510 by the explorer Leo Africanus. The tree belongs to the tertiary age and over time has adapted itself to the diverse and difficult environmental conditions specific to its native area.

Argan oil is full of essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, the precursor to vitamin E. This has made it a very popular product because it is an effective anti-aging, moisturizing, and antioxidant ingredient. Scientific studies have demonstrated that the use of argan oil has corrected age-related loss of moisture, dehydration, and elasticity of skin. Argan oil also contains tocopherols - double the amount in olive oil.

In beauty products, argan oil reduces wrinkles; increases elasticity; and revitalizes cell functions that have been affected by stress, smoking, sun, or pollution - facilitating skin regeneration. Under-eye "crinkles" can be reduced with argan oil. Not just for those with dry skin, argan oil reduces oiliness because it has sebum-regulating actions and also reduces or eliminates unsightly acne, chicken pox scars, and blemishes. Argan oil works wonders for pregnancy-related stretch marks if used regularly. It also strengthens brittle nails. Frizzy, dry, or damaged hair? They could be history with just two drops of argan oil, which adds shine to your hair, prevents damage due to exposure to the sun and other pollutants, and improves elasticity to reduce hair breakage.

In short, argan oil does it all, and its popularity is growing as people discover its unique properties. I am smitten with the Fraicheur d'Argan Body Lotion. I want to try the Vitalité d'Argan Body Butter next. There's also a body scrub, a hand cream, and plenty of items designed for use on the face.

You can see them all at Argan Place, which is located in Montreal. They offer free shipping to Canada and the U.S. for orders over $50, so I'll be combining everything I want to try into one order. I may even purchase a gift or two. If the rest of the items are as appealing as the Fraicheur d'Argan Body Lotion (and I'll bet they are!), these products are luxury defined.

Photo courtesy of Argan Place

Josie Maran Argan Oil and Argan Oil Primer Mist

You know I'd write about Josie Maran Argan Oil eventually, didn't you? We have talked about Argan Oil in comments. Anna, a frequent reader, told us it heals blemishes almost overnight. Kari at Fabulous Over Forty reviewed it not too long ago. She used it on her scalp to relieve the itchiness that comes with eczema. While I had tried another brand of Argan Oil, I had never used the Josie Maran Argan Oil ($14 or $48) until recently. The verdict: I love it!

Josie Maran Argan Oil is a legendary moisturizing and healing oil that's grown organically in Morocco. Argan Oil is known to have many treatment benefits, including hydrating, nourishing, toning, and firming skin. It's gentle enough to use on all skin types - even babies - and counterintuitively helps many with skin conditions like acne.

It's very 100% pure organic oil, so naturally it does not contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance or dye, petrochemicals, or phthlates. You can use this oil on your skin, hair, cuticles, lips - anywhere you need some help.

When I finally broke down and bought this legendary product, I decided to give it the ultimate test. I substituted it for my moisturizer four nights running. I used the dropper to put a small amount in my hand and realized very quickly that a little goes a long way. I applied it over my entire face (avoiding my eyes) and neck. It was interesting to me that I didn't feel like I had an oil slick on my face. The oiliness, if any, lasted only a minute or two. After that, I was simply dewy, and there was no fragrance (natural or otherwise) left behind. There was no oil transfer to my pillowcases. The Argan Oil sunk right into my skin. When I awakened each morning after I had used it, my skin was as hydrated as if I had used one of my regular cream moisturizers. It was definitely still there, though, protecting my skin. I could feel it on my face when I started my morning shower. Overall impression? Josie Maran's Argan Oil is worth its weight in gold.

Here is how Josie Maran describes Argan Oil.

Argan Oil is an all-natural, 100% organic, chemical-free beauty marvel. Produced from the Argan tree in semi-deserts of Morocco, Argan Oil has been used by Moroccan women for centuries for its nutritional and cosmetic benefits. Commonly referred to as “liquid gold” or “The Gold of Morocco,” Argan Oil is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe. Argan Oil is not only a “super food” for the skin and hair but for the whole body. Having twice as much Vitamin E as olive oil including vital antioxidants, Argan Oil plays a major role in a healthy diet and is commonly used in traditional Moroccan recipes.

A cosmetic so good and pure you could eat it? Literally? That is the ultimate in natural beauty. After all, why would we put something on our face that we would not put into our bodies?

Argan Oil comes in a recyclable bottle with a dropper for extracting a little bit at a time. If you aren't willing to commit to purchase a $48 bottle, you can try the $14 bottle - perfect for travel or a trial size.

Argan Primer Mist ($36) is a new product for spring 2010. This lightweight formula comes in a spray container. It harnesses the power of Argan Oil infused with naturally-derived stem cells harvested from sea fennel. The innovative formula stimulates new cell growth, repairs and reverses damage caused by the sun, fights signs of aging and improves skin tone for a radiant, renewed complexion. Your skin stays hydrated and bright all day.

The primer mist instructions say to spray it on your face before makeup application and then to refresh your skin throughout the day. Trust me, it works - without any blurring or running of makeup or oiliness. It's amazing stuff!

There is much more to the Argan Oil story than just a pretty face, glowing skin, and gorgeous hair. Argan Oil not only helps you look and feel great, it also helps women and the environment. Produced exclusively from the nuts of the Argan tree in the semi-desert region of Morocco, the extraction of the Argan Oil is a labor-intensive process that has been perfected by the women native to southwest Morocco. In 2002, the Moroccan government helped establish female cooperatives to manufacture Argan Oil. These programs provide women of rural Morocco with a steady income, a fair wage, good working conditions, as well as literacy and other education classes. Perhaps most importantly, the co-ops give women a keen sense of empowerment in this traditionally male-dominated society. These programs also help protect the Argan forests’ limited supply of trees. The co-ops are dedicated to responsible harvesting practices and reforestation projects, which - along with environmental protection policies - aid in the preservation of the Argan forests and women’s jobs. That makes me feel good.

I ordered the Josie Maran Argan Oil and Argan Oil Primer Mist from Sephora. You can get them from Josie Maran's Web site, where you can also purchase other Argan Oil products.

Want to learn more about Josie Maran, model, actress, and now cosmetics company guru? Just visit her site!

Photos courtesy of Josie Maran