So we’ve discussed the Nars Monoi Body Oil, and the Moroccan Hair Oil, so I thought I’d do a quick review on the Josie Maran Argan Oil (for the face.)

According to Sephora:

What it does:
Josie Maran Argan Oil is a legendary oil that’s rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. Argan oil is known to have many treatment benefits, including hydrating and nourishing skin, as well as toning and firming. It’s gentle enough to use on all skin types and is believed to help with skin conditions including acne.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Synthetic Dye
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
The oil is housed in a recyclable glass bottle, and purchased from women’s cooperatives in Morocco to support their social and economic welfare. These cooperatives work within a UNESCO biosphere reserve that ensures the protection and reforestation of Argan trees.

Now, I like the way all of that sounds. Natural oils, recycled bottle, no chemicals, sustainably harvested…but none of that was enough to allow me to get past the fact that this stuff, put simply, smells like manure. Not a slight, musty stroll-through-the-stable smell, but a full on bury-your-face-in-a-pile-of-it stench. Needless to say, I returned it, and for future reference, I think argan is Moroccan for horseshit.

I am running out of skin cream (I last purchased a set of the Juice Beauty Green Apple face and eye creams from Hautelook) and I’ve been researching what to buy next. I think I am over Creme de la Mer after reading so many reviews stating it was mostly petroleum jelly, and I have not really been satisfied enough with the Juice Beauty to stick with it. I’ve read a few magazine articles that always seem to tout the newest ingredient, but don’t have a comprehensive list of the overall best. I finally found this blog, Ageless Beauty, that appears to be objective (so many websites try to pretend to be independent, but they’re really just trying to sell you their sponsors’ products, the bastards!), is thorough, explains how to decode the claims of the hot new anti-aging ingredients, and provides detailed lists for all skin care issues. Be warned: this website is hideous. Ads appear in the middle of articles, sidebars flash annoyingly, and the soft pastel color palette and rose banner just smacks of old lady. However, there is a wealth of information, much of it verifying bits and pieces I have learned from what I would consider reputable sources. Based on what I read here, I’ve decided to try the Peter Thomas Roth line. It’s expensive, but most skin cream is, and I find a little usually goes a long ways – if I only have to shell out $120 for this stuff every six months, I feel like it is worth it. I will let you know how it goes!

I know I’ve mentioned before that I am 100% devoted to my Lush products, so it is hardly worth the effort of trying anything new, but there are a few things I like about this line. All of the packaging is 100% post-consumer waste, and the paper boxes are even infused with seeds, so you can plant the box and get an herb garden! I think this is a wonderful idea, and I fully intend to plant this cardboard box..somewhere at your house, probably.

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Also, the product is pretty gentle on my (ultra-sensitive) skin, and based on the ingredient list, is probably edible as well. However, I tend to question anything that lists Acai berry as an active ingredient. My experience with those lousy acai berry scammers has left a foul taste in my mouth for anyone who has jumped on this snake-oil bandwagon.

Other than the acai bias, my only real complaint is that this mask, pictured here, smells really organic, and by smells, I mean reeks, and by organic I mean like compost.

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Oh, and my other complaint is that  now that I’ve won this contest, I can’t enter another one for like 6 months, so there goes my chance at that $10,000 Shopbop gift card. Dammit.

Here’s what’s in the box:

1 embosser
1 half-full L’Artisan Fleur d’Liane perfume sample (fleur d’liane means forest flower, and I’m not feeling this one as much as the tuberose, maybe because I have spent quite a bit of time in the forest and do not recall smelling anything remotely like this fragrance)
from left to right: angels on bare skin face scrub, curly wurly shampoo for curly hair, vanilla fountain bath bomb, godiva solid conditioning shampoo, wiccy magic massage bar (also great to use as a general moisturizer), jungle solid conditioner, fresh farmacy face soap, honey I washed the kids soap, mudflats soap, and sea vegetable soap.

Out of all the Lush products I have tried, my absolute favorites are the Angles On Bare Skin facial scrub and the Godiva solid shampoo. This is one reason I haven’t done any other beauty product reviews, because I am so completely satisfied with my current regime, which is pretty rare. I have spent a considerable amount of time and effort looking for healthy beauty products that work, and so far, Lush has been the absolute best, hands down. Everything is made with sustainable, ethically-sourced, natural ingredients, so there are no parabens, synthetic fragrances, colors, or other harmful chemicals. Most products are very minimally packaged, and the packaging that is used is 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. They don’t test on animals, they donate a high percentage of profits to charity, they have corporate Environmental Officers…I could go on, but the most important thing is, the products actually work really well. Enjoy!