josie maran pure argan oil | the must haves

It's been a full year, but I'm happy to be back online and blogging again! As the cold winter weather is slowly approaching, I've started adding Josie Maran's Argan Oil (here too) (15ml, $20 cdn) to my nighttime skincare routine and it's been a life changer. Argan oil isn't a new product and I've always had a bottle at home, however, I mainly used this for my hair and as a spot treatment for seriously dry areas (hey, nostrils!). Throughout the winter months, I'm constantly battling against dry patches around my nose and mouth area while trying to control the oils on my t-zone. Applying an oil all over my face was never an option that crossed my mind.

A few weeks back, while preparing for bed, my skin was so unbelievably dry, I decided to do something I never thought I would do. I reached for my bottle of argan oil, warmed a few droplets between my fingers and pressed the oil into my face. I woke up the next morning wondering why I hadn't thought to do this sooner! Since that night, I've been applying oil to my face after cleansing and before moisturizing. It's been a great addition to my routine and if you're struggling with ultra-dry skin, I would suggest incorporating a face oil into your skincare regiment. Josie Maran's argan oil is a light-weight, quick-absorbing oil, making it a great companion for all skin types.

Bonus: Sephora's holiday sets have launched and Josie Maran has come out with the Pure Argan Duo that makes a perfect stocking stuffer for those skincare fans! Two travel sized bottles in a cute little package? What more can you ask for from Santa!

Read more about Argan Oil and my trip to Morocco here!

Have you tried or do you use face oils? If so, which one(s) do you recommend?

argan oil | morocco

I'm having a wanderlust moment. I recently ran out of my Josie Maran Argan Oil that I use for literally everything in life and started a bottle of pure argan oil I picked up last summer during my trip to Morocco with my husband. Argan oil originates from Morocco and has recently exploded in the North American market. Products range from hair to cosmetics with Josie Maran being the largest spokesperson for this oil currently in the cosmetics industry. 

With the huge demand of this oil, there have been women's cooperatives launched throughout Morocco to assist in producing jobs for women. One of the first places my husband and I visited was a cooperative while we drove towards the Sahara from Marrakech. The women were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. They toured us around the cooperative sharing their passion and insight on the argan tree, how the oils and soaps were produced and answered any questions we had. Heading to Morocco, argan oil was on my must have "shopping" list, so I picked up a few items for myself, friends and family. 

Argan oil is a great all around product that should work for everyone. I personally use it for my hair and face. Recently, I've been using it to remove my eye makeup - it's natural, gentle and removes eye makeup as well as a regular makeup remover. When my skin becomes insanely dry, I definitely reach for the Argan oil to moisturize. A few drops and my skin feels 10x hydrated. 

I've only ever used Josie Maran's Argan Oil, so I've grown accustomed to the dropper style glass bottle it comes in and prefer this over the spray bottle I picked up in Morroco. I feel like there is much more control with the dropper, so I might transfer the Argan oil into another bottle for my convenience. 

Morocco is a photographer's dream. From the beautiful solitude of the Sahara, to the remote Atlas mountains to the hustle and bustle of the winding and narrow streets of the souks in Marrakech, there is something for everyone. If you want to experience the souks, pick up a fresh O.J (the best ever) just on the outskirts of the souks and prepare yourself for one of the most incredible shopping experiences of your life. Get ready to bargain and know what you're willing to pay for items on your shopping list. If you prefer the quiet, scenic views, take a drive towards the Atlas Mountains or the Sahara - you won't regret the long trek. In fact, aside from the shopping in Marrakech, our most memorable experience was in the Sahara. 

View our Hotel/Riad in Marrakech here

View our Hotel in the Sahara here

Shop Argan Oil Here

Have you been to Morocco before? Let me know in the comments!