After reading our interview last month with Josie Maran [here] I was chomping at the bit to get an opportunity to test out the cosmetics range and find out for myself why Josie Maran Cosmetics has been such a popular one in the States since its launch.
The cosmetics range consists of a selection of key makeup products including tinted moisturisers, mascara, eye shadows, blush and lipsticks. The premise behind the cosmetics range is a focus on natural skincare and using Argan oil in products that wouldn’t ordinarily use this type of oil as an ingredient. So I was intrigued by how the Josie Maran cosmetics range could incorporate the use of Argan oil in every day make up products and whether the oil would make a difference in wearability and staying power.
I was lucky enough to get a chance to test out the range with Kit Cosmetic’s Colour Specialist, Matthew St Clair-Wilson, at their store in Myer Melbourne.
We began with removing my makeup with one of the Bear Naked Wipes. Only one was required to remove my full face of makeup, including my quite heavy eye makeup, which I thought was pretty amazing. This is especially because it left my face feeling soft and hydrated unlike other wipes that make my skin feel taut and tight after I use them.
Matthew then applied only a few drops of the 100% Pure Argan Oil to my skin for hydration. I was a bit hesitant with this step, largely because I was worried that it would make my skin oilier. But my skin just sucked in the moisture and left it feeling soft and smooth – no oily feeling at all.
I decided that I wanted to try the Argan Tinted Moisturiser as I was on the look out for a new one that provided enough coverage without being too heavy. The beauty of this Tinted Moisturiser is that it provided a good amount of coverage with only a pea size amount used for the whole face. Matthew suggested that if I wanted a bit more coverage I would layer it to give the amount of coverage I wanted.
Matthew used the Argan Concealer Crayon just under the eye and patted in with fingers. The consistency and texture of the concealer was smooth and easy to apply meaning that there were no creases under my eyes. To open the eyes, the Argan Black Oil Mascara was used on lashes. Thinking about eye makeup, it seemed very foreign to me that a mascara would have Argan Oil. Wouldn’t it encourage the colour to run and smudge? I don’t know how they perfected the formula but the mascara didn’t run at all during the remainder of my day and also left my lashes feeling soft and nourished.
On the eyes, Matthew also used the Coconut Watercolour Eye Shadow, a truly innovative eye shadow hybrid of coconut water and Argan oil. As a general rule, water and oil don’t mix but somehow a bit of a shake and a dab on my lids provided a colour to the eyes. that was surprisingly long wearing and didn’t run. If you get a chance to test this eyeshadow out – it’s amazing. You can add subtle colour or add more for a more dramatic look.
To add colour to my face, Matthew brought out the Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee in Berry Bliss which to my surprise was a bright berry purple colour. To be honest, I was a bit aghast when I saw the colour of this Cheek Gelee as I was worried that after application I would look like a scary doll, but a simple dab on the apples of my cheeks gave my face subtle colour – the purple tones working well with my yellow skin tone. Amazing. To highlight the cheeks, Matthew used Infinity Intensive Cream Oil which is a multi purpose cream that can be used for infinite purposes.
To finish the look, the ingenious Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick was applied to my lips. This incredible lipstick has the colour in the middle which is encased with Argan oil meaning you get a hit of colour whilst hydrating the lips. Definitely one to add to your lip colour collection.
Despite my small fear that with so much Argan oil used in the formulations of this range, I found that the products made my face, not only look better, but made it feel better, with no issues with oiliness and wearability. I’m definitely excited to try the other products of the Josie Maran Cosmetics range.
Check out the full range of Josie Maran Cosmetics at Kit Cosmetics or online at www.mecca.com.au/josie-maran-cosmetics.
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