Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

Today is the final post from my Josie Maran hauls at Sephora and my least favorite product of the group, I have found that the skincare products from this line are much nicer than the color products.  I liked the Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee but it wasn't my favorite cream blush formula and the foundation formula follows much the same pattern.  The foundation and the blush are nice formulas but the skincare products are stellar, this line could easily get rid of the color products without detracting from the overall line.  The Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation is a fair foundation formula but not one of the better ones that I have used and my least favorite product from this brand.

The Sephora website provides the following description of this foundation formula.  "A serum foundation formulated with chameleon pigments, an innovative color-match technology that goes on white and instantly adjusts to match your unique and changing natural skintone as it balances and nourishes the skin.  This is the only foundation you'll need year-round to provide age-defying undetectable coverage. The breakthrough serum foundation suspends over fine lines and wrinkles to smooth and correct visible signs of aging. The one-of-a-kind Organic Argan Oil infused formula strengthens and balances your skin while keeping oily areas shine-free, and dry spots naturally moisturized for totally flawless, younger looking skin.This serum works with whatever range of coloring that you fall into, either light/medium or medium/dark. The foundation starts out white and then changes color to match to your skin."

Unlike most foundations, this formula is only available in three shades.  I was lucky enough that the palest shade worked well for me however I am sure there are quite a few skintones that will not work with any of these three shades and this product will prove unworkable for.  I understand that this formula is designed to be "color-matching" but I cannot see how only three shades will work for the whole range of skintones.

The three shades are...

- Fair/ Light Shade Range: for the fairest porcelain skin with pink undertones to light skin with pink undertones
- Light/ Medium Shade Range: for the lightest skin with yellow-olive undertones to medium skin with yellow-olive undertones
- Medium/ Dark Shade Range: for medium tan skin all the way to the deepest skin tones

I use the Fair/Light Shade Range in this product.  Two drops of this foundation were what I needed for light to medium coverage with this product, it does come out of the bottle white and then began to change color as I was doting it all over my face.  Working it into my skin with a foundation sponge developed the color more fully and applied it evenly all over my face.  The product feels nice and light going on and I do enjoy the texture of the Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation.  It glides over my dry patches and doesn't settle into the dry patches on my cheeks, I use this with a primer underneath and this makes application very smooth and simple.

I am not a big fan of the pump bottle, I see this clumping in the nozzle and I believe that I will need to start opening the bottle and applying it to my skin with a Q-Tip.  Not my favorite way to apply this product...

This formula is a nice light coverage foundation, it never works up to much more than light-to-medium coverage and I needed a separate concealer on my red areas.  I tried building the coverage up with a second coat in target areas but this only made the product streak and look much worse.  This foundation is basically a glorified tinted moisturizer and I should have just bought the tinted moisturizer formula from this company instead.  I was looking for a medium coverage foundation and this product did not live up to my expectations, it is nice formula as a light coverage foundation and performs more like a tinted moisturizer than a full foundation.

I doubt that I would repurchase this product again as I could just purchase a tinted moisturizer and get the exact same coverage from it.  I was hoping for a product with better coverage and this one just did not live up to what I needed from it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil

I have been using my new purchases from the Josie Maran product line for the past few weeks and I am liking the products more and more every single day.  We have already looked at the face cleanser and blush from the collection and today we are looking at one of the hero products in the Josie Maran line.  The majority of her products contain her exclusive Argan Oil ingredient and today we will looking at the purest version of it, the 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil moisturizer.  I have used the Tarte Maracuja oil last winter and I was very happy with the results.  My experience with that product were the primary reason that I decided to try this product from Josie Maran.

With the exception of when I used the Tarte oil as my night moisturizer, I have always used a lighter face cream or lotion during the day and then a heavier product at night.  There are two versions of this face oil and it is also contained in multiple moisturizers in this line.  I wanted to try the most pure form of the ingredient first and I will be trying more of the moisturizers throughout the rest of the winter.

"A 100 percent natural, organic, and antioxidant-rich oil to hydrate and nourish skin, hair, and nails.  This legendary, 100 percent pure Argan Oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids to deeply hydrate and nourish skin. Grown organically in Morocco, the multitasking formula contains astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to create a nourished, youthful-looking complexion. It easily absorbs into skin, delivering a fresh, dewy glow, and keeps you looking beautiful from head to toe. Especially great for sensitive and acne-prone skin, it may also be used to treat split ends and soften cuticles."

"Pure Argan Oil is first cold pressed to ensure the best quality, highest-grade oil. It 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.", states the Sephora website.

The Sephora website provides further results of the clinical trials of this product.  "In a 4-week clinical test:
- 83% of women showed significantly improved skin hydration
- Participants saw a visible reduction in coarse wrinkles and fine lines in the eye area"

I have heard this product described as a "Holy Grail" by those ladies who have dry, sensitive skin and love the feel and hydration results from face oils.  This is one of the best selling and top rated face oils at Sephora and a product that was recommended to me by several Sephora sales associates and managers during my visit. 

I use this product only at night, it is richer and more hydrating than I usually prefer in a day cream.  I doubt that I would ever use this or any type of oil during the day and I also am not sure how long into the spring that I would be using this product.  It is pretty safe for me to say that oils are best during the cold weather for me and would take the place of my traditional night cream.

There are quite a few advantages to this product for those with dry and/or sensitive skin.  The oil hydrates wells and absorbs very quickly, I have been looking at my pillowcase every morning to see if there is excess residue on it and so far there have been no major issues.  My red cheek area has been soothed with the use of this product and I have had no issues with any type of irritation on my delicate facial skin.  Overall, I am very happy with this product for my skin type. 

This oil is recommended for all skin types but I cannot see how this would work on oily skin types.  I might have a better idea of an answer to this question as the weather warms up and my skin becomes less dry.  Facial oils are a great idea for me in the winter months however I can't see myself using this product much into the spring season.  I would consider switching over to one of the Josie Maran face lotions at this time so I could reap the benefits of the argan oil but in a more diluted form.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Face Oil

I started collecting some new products from the Josie Maran line of face and color products with my last big Sephora trip and have already spent some time playing around with her unique blush formula.  I have started to use her skincare products over the past few days and am starting to understand and see the benefits of her unique argan oil formulations.  I purchased the face wash, face oil, and an argan oil foundation.  I haven't used the foundation yet and just started with the face oil but I have been using the face wash for the past few nights so I am going to start with that product for today.

I haven't used a cleansing oil for a quite a long time, there was a formula from Nude that I loved several winters ago and I wanted to try a face oil for the beginning of the cold weather months.  Most of last winter, I used a creamy formula from Clinique that I really enjoyed but I wanted to see if an oily formula would help my skin retain moisture better.  I liked the cream formula but I found that my face would still dry out rather quickly after getting out of the shower at night.  I wanted to see if this type of formula would reduce that effect on my skin as we head into the coldest months of the year.

The Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Face Oil is the only face wash that is offered in this line.  "A gentle, all-natural cleanser with nourishing argan oil to melt away makeup and deeply hydrate skin.  This effective, multitasking cleanser removes makeup and skin impurities while providing essential hydration. Sunflower, safflower, and grape seed oils cleanse the skin's surface and renew the complexion, leaving it healthy-looking and refreshed. Ideal for all skin types, the non-greasy texture leaves skin feeling moisturized—never tight or dry.", states the Sephora website.

Argan Oil is exclusive to the Josie Maran brand.  Sephora provides more details about this exclusive ingredient, "Argan oil restores the skin's natural moisture and pH balance. It is produced from the argan tree in the semideserts of Morocco. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, this organically grown ingredient is known to prevent skin dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and excess production of sebum."

I started by using two pumps of this product to clean my entire face however quickly realized that one and a half pumps is the perfect amount for completely cleaning my whole face and neck without wasting excess product.  This cleansing oil doesn't foam up and it was hard for me to judge the best amount without applying it to my face.  Once I pump the product into my wet hands, I rub my hands together to turn the product into a milky liquid and then apply it to a wet face and work it into my skin.

This product rinses clean and doesn't leave any makeup residue on my face.  The biggest fear that many people have with oils is that they will not fully remove makeup and will leave an oily residue all over the skin.  This product does neither of those things yet doesn't strip my skin of moisture.  I only wash my face at night to get my makeup off before applying night cream.  I have no reason to wash my face again in the morning so I can't comment on using this product more than once a day.  It hasn't irritated my sensitive skin and helps my skin to retain moisture during the cleansing process.  I doubt that this product would work as well for anyone will normal to oily skin types but it is fabulous for dry skin in the winter months.

I want to get a few more days in using this wash and then following it up with the face oil before I comment on the effectiveness of the face oil and the use of argan oil as an ingredient.  I am very happy with this product so far and look forward to trying more skin products from this line.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee

I decided to take a break from thinking about the upcoming holiday collections and products and go back to adding to my blush collection.  I have mostly been obsessing over powder blushes so I decided to check another formula out.  This is also my first purchase from the Josie Maran line of skincare and cosmetics products, I purchased two blush shades and a few skincare products so I will have quite a few product reviews coming up from this line.  Today we are going to focus on the blush product that I have been playing with and we will look more at her famed Argan Oil when I review the skincare products.

The blush from Josie Maran in a cream-gel formula and one of the most unique that I have ever tried.  There are some wonderful aspects of this product and aspects of it that I cannot stand.  This is one of those products that I am very on the fence about, I don't know that I would ever purchase it again because I love the formula but the packaging is so awful that it kills the whole product for me. 

The Josie Maran products are sold exclusively at Sephora (other than her website) so all the photos and product descriptions will be coming from that website.  "An innovative coconut water-infused cheek gelée with up to 14 hours of color and hydration.  This buildable, blendable blush hybrid provides the natural look of a cream blush with the long-lasting hydrating color of a gel stain. Infused with 50 percent pure coconut water, it instantly hydrates while nourishing with the powerful benefits of vitamin E-rich argan oil. Like a refreshing sip of coconut water for your skin, this moisture-packed blush instantly drenches cheeks in a cool veil of color."

Josie goes on to add more details about the inspiration behind the formula.  '“Living on the beach in Oahu, I became a devotée of coconut water—and noticed that drinking lots of it seemed to make my skin and hair glow. I created Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée to bring that hydrating color to my face, and yours. Have a sip of coconut water for your face with this blush that's cool to the touch.” —Josie Maran"

I have no other formula to compare this cream blush to as it is like nothing that I have ever owned or seen before.  I LOVE this formula, it is pigmented and easy to spread.  I take one finger and rub it on the top of the blush and that gives me enough product to use for one entire cheek, this jars will last forever as I need next to none of the product to achieve full pigmentation.  Once blended, the formula stays perfectly in place all day and doesn't fade even after a full work out.  I will love this formula during the hottest days of the summer and it will be a staple for me next summer.

The Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee is available in the following shades...

- Poppy Paradise - warm toned coral pink
- Pink Escape - medium cool pink
- Honeymoon Honey - medium warm tan
- Getaway Red - medium warn toned red

I bought Pink Escape and Poppy Paradise.  Pink Escape was my first choice and Poppy Paradise was a distinct second choice, Pink Escape is a great shade for me right now and I will be putting Poppy Paradise away to wear with bronzer next summer.  Both shades are very highly pigmented and both last all day long.  There is no formula variation between the two shades. 

So far I have been talking about what I love about this product and now we need to look at what I cannot stand about this product.  I detest this packaging, the screw top container screws on and off hard and I need to check it twice to make sure that I have it on correctly (any product with this type of container can dry out if the container isn't screwed on fully), I nearly screwed it up twice in less than a week.  My second complaint with the container is how messy this product can become, I had a bit on foundation on my finger during application and I left fingerprints in the product.  I have to wash my hands before and after application of each cheek in order to keep the product hygienic. 

I can't say that I would ever purchase this product again for two big reasons (other than I can't stand the packaging).  This formula is so great that the jars that I bought will last forever and there are no more shades that I would want to buy as the shade range is very limited.  I would recommend these to anyone that loves cream blushes and wants a very pigmented cheek look but I would caution them about the screw top jar packaging.

photo courtesy of Sephora