This week I'm obsessed with... Josie Maran Escape To Morocco Holiday Lights & Brights Set

My favourite time of the year has arrived - that wonderful period of time when the stores are chock-full of amazing gift sets - if you like to try new products, this is the time to do it - you'll find all kinds of sets of travel sized yummies at super prices! For starters I've got my eye on:

Josie Maran Escape To Morocco Holiday Lights & Brights Set - $35 - a four-piece set of Josie Maran’s bestselling color essentials including 100% Pure Argan Oil Light - a featherweight version of the original that moisturizes deeply, absorbs quickly and is lightweight enough to wear under makeup, Argan Illuminizer to add luminosity to face or body, Argan Color Stick in Spice for adding sheer colour to the cheeks and lips and Argan High Gloss Lip Quench in a new, limited-edition shade Pink Honey - a super moisturizing gloss with argan, jojoba and buriti oils for deep lip nutrition.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Acne solutions from Garnier, Avon, The Body Shop and Josie Maran!

Garnier Pure Exfo-Brusher - 150ml - $9.99 - contains a unique combination of purifying salicylic acid and exfoliating Himalayan salt crystals in an anti-sebum and anti-impurities gel which targets excess sebum (which clogs facial pores) and helps oily skin combat blemishes and blackheads. What makes it really fun is the dual-action Oil Control Exfo-Brush - with exfoliating bristles to deeply clean the pores and exfoliate the skin as well as cleansing blades to massage the skin and help dilate the pores - which together aim to limit excess sebum and unclog pores to rid the skin of blackheads.

Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Mark Treatment Gel - 50ml - $18 - helps fade the look of acne marks  and lighten acne discolourations with an easy-to-use rollerball applicator and a formula with maximum strength salicylic acid that you use 1-3 times daily.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask - 100ml - $15 - is the ultimate instant cooler that helps remove impurities and absorb excess oil, whilst soothing blemish-prone skin. Skin will immediately feel deep cleansed, and enjoy a reduction in excess oil while pores will feel less clogged, helping prevent the appearance of blemishes and blackheads. Dermatologically and clinically tested, enjoy visible results and a confidence-boost! Tea Tree products feature Community Fair Trade organic tea tree oil from Kenya.

Available at The Body Shop and thebodyshop.ca.

Josie Maran Blemishes R Gone Argan Acne Clearing Pads - 60 pads - $36 - cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the skin while unclogging pores to eliminate blackheads and prevent future breakous without harsh, skin-stripping ingredients. Instead, the pads contain natural ingredients such as natural Salicylic Acid (Willow Bark) and Argan Oil to treat blemishes and reduce bacteria, while Organic Aloe Vera calms and soothes the skin and reduces redness.

Available at Sephora and sephora.com.

- Lisamarie -

Get ready to glow with Bare Escentuals, Avon, LUSH, Stila, Benefit and Josie Maran!

Illuminators are one of my newer beauty loves - I never realized before just how versatile they are! Powder ones are perfect for brushing over foundation for an all-over glow or in strategic locations to highlight. The liquid type is excellent to mix into foundation or moisturizer to add a little extra glow.

Bare Escentuals Brightening Pearl Mineral Veil Duo - $37 - infused with genuine Honora Cultured pearls and housed in a pink pearl custom-colour mirrored compact with a Buff & Go Brush for quick on-the-go touch-ups.

Come on, how pretty is this (and it doesn't hurt that it's pink)!

Available at Murale.

Avon Smooth Minerals Radiant Veil - $12 - this illuminating face powder is available in 3 shades: Pink Radiance, natural Glow and Luminous Rose. Made from a blend of 100% naturally derived minerals and is free of talc, dye, fragrance and oil which is great for sensitive skin. It's then mixed with pearl pigments for a luminous, radiant effect.

Available from your Avon rep at 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

LUSH Lustre Dusting Powder - $14.95 - fragranced with jasmine, it's meant to just be used on your body but my skin isn't sensitive so I've been using it on my face as well with no ill-effects. It has a very fine gold shimmer to it that adds a lovely glow and looks, smells and feels amazing!

Available in-store as well as online at www.lush.ca

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer - $42 - the easiest way available to illuminate! A sheer wash of colour that is oil free and contains a small amount of pear to brighten your skin and make it appear luminous! Available in 2 shades but if you find you like more foundation coverage then these tints offer, just mix a bit with your regular foundation for the same effects!

Available at Sephora, sephora.com and Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.

Benefit Watt's Up! - $34 - a sheer champagne highlighter that provides a luminous sheen and cream-to-powder finish. What's really great about it is the blender provided on the other end of the product which makes it super easy to not make the dreaded highlighter goof of not blending!

Available at Sephora, sephora.com, Murale and Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques

Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer - $36 - an ultra-light skin-illuminator with a hint of bronze to give skin a bright, radiant, lit-from-within glow. With a blendable serum-like formula, it works to brighten and bronze skin with a universally flattering glow while natural Argan Oil conditions and restores. Not only all that, it also diminishes dark circles for a noticeably rejuvenated and refreshed appearance.

Available at Sephora, sephora.com and josiemarancosmetics.com

- Lisamarie -

Happiness is boxes full of wonderful makeup from Sleek MakeUP, Josie Maran, Make Up For Ever and Sephora!

Sleek MakeUP Berry Collection - $15.99 - contains a full sized True Colour Lipstick in Cranberry - pink-toned, deep berry, Blush in Fenberry - for natural winter rosiness and Kohl Pencil in Mossberry - rich purple. Berry is one of my favourite shades, it's a great alternative to red if that colour scares you - it's reddish without being RED! Available online at www.sleekmakeup.com and yes, they do ship internationally!

Josie Maran Seductive Golds - $65 - the six piece holiday kit includes: Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink - neutral pink; GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara in black; R.E.M. Pen in Glitz shadow - gold shimmer and Black Liner; Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Optimism - sheer shimmering golden beige; 100% Pure Argan Oil; and Argan Illuminizer Limited Edition Gold - sheer pale gold sheen - this illuminizer is love if you have fair skin - I sometimes find them too bronzey so they add more colour than I would want but this one is perfection! This set doesn't seem to be on the Josie Maran site but you can find it at Sephora and sephora.com

Make Up For Ever Wild Chic Best Of Kit - $63 - allows you to create a full make up look with colors that are universally flattering including: Smoky Lash Mascara; Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige - champagne shimmer; Lab Shine in S4 - pearly pink beige; Aqua Eyes in 0L Mat Black - black; HD Microperfecting Primer; and HD Microfinish Powder. Available exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com

Sephora Favorites - $90 - 10 of Sephora's beauty bestsellers including: Philosophy Hope In A Jar; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin - light shimmering champagne; Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original - sheer nude; Smashbox Photo Finish Primer; Sephora Collection Lipstick in The Red 04 - classic bright red; Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude - light beige/ for fair to light skin tones; Nars Illuminator in Orgasm - peachy pink with shimmer; Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black; Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in black; and Marc Jacobs Daisy Rollerball. I'm not even going to bother telling you where to get it, figure it out yourself.

- Lisamarie -

Tan sunlessly and safe with Josie Maran and mark.!

Whether you can afford a little or a lot, both of these self tanners offer natural looking colour without streaking or any hint of orange!

Josie Maran Argan Self Tanning Cream - 120ml - $42 - infused with 100% organic argan oil and all-natural DHA derived from sugar beets and cane it reacts with skin's proteins to produce a safe, sunless tan without synthetic dyes or harmful UV rays. The formula also contains caffeine molecules to naturally wake up skin cells and burn cellulite while toning and tightening the skin's surface.

Available at Sephora and sephora.com

mark. got to glow gradual glow body moisturizer lotion SPF 15 - 200ml - $20 - available in 2 shades: light-medium or medium-dark which enhance skin tone with gradual, buildable colour for a healthy, radiant-looking glow.  It has skin conditioners so you can use it in place of your daily moisturizer, as well it has a subtle shimmer.  The formula is non-streaking and quick-drying and leaves skin soft and scented with hints of citrus and passion fruit.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Have a sizzling summer by winning enough makeup to give you heatstroke! Contest!

Let me start off by apologizing for the picture - my husband takes all my pics and they are usually really good so I didn't check it first and by the time I realized it was crap, I had already packed the prize all up and with my husband was making crabby faces at the thought of having to take it again. I figured for the sake of a happy marriage I would just make you all  tolerate a bad pic and have you rely on the description of the prize to know what your'e getting!  And it is a great prize - including many of our favourite products from the last few months:

Lancôme Desert Rose Blush - my favourite product from the summer collection!
Quo Summer Fantasy Palette in Rich - from the summer collection
Clarins Mosaique Summer Bronzing Compact - from the summer collection  
CoverGirl Clean 50th Anniversary Sensitive Skin Pressed Powder in Medium Light
Burberry Beauty Lip Mist in No 202 Copper
Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Du Regard Waterproof in No 2 Patent Leather
Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy in shade 3
Anna Sui Dolly Girl Full Mascara in 001 Black
Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Quickstep
Bellapierre Cosmetics On The Go Trio
OPI Nail Lacquer Pirates of the Caribbean collection in Sparrow Me The Drama and Steady As She Rose
Stila Lip Glaze in Cotton Candy - from the summer collection
Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Eye Smokifier in Blue Grey and Khaki
The Body Shop Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder in Shimmer Copper - from the summer collection 
L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Lip Shine in Brun Pirouette
Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Airbrush Spray Makeup in Light to Medium
L'Oréal Color Infaillible Shadow in 002 Hourglass Beige
It Cosmetics Brow Power Lift Illuminating Pencil

Sound like it's worth winning? Read on then...This contest is open to everyone everywhere and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and leaving a comment answering the question - Which item from the prize would you be most excited to win? Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for extra entries you can do one or both of the following:
1 entry for following Beautycrazedcan on Twitter and  tweeting the contest
3 entries if you post this contest as a post or on the sidebar of your blog

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Summer Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until August 13th to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

Foundation smarter than you are from Josie Maran, Avon and Almay!

I like the idea of a foundation that just knows what shade my skin is and will instantly turn that colour as soon as it hits my face - it's a magical concept that really appeals to me!  Unfortunately in my case it works better in theory than in reality - these types of formulas still come in shades - usually only 2 or 3 in light and medium tones. Unfortunately they only seem to suit those who fall in the light/medium shade group, if you are fair like me or dark skinned none of the shades are likely to suit you. Boo!


For everyone else, here are the ones that I think sound interesting and wish would make a shade for me:




Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation - 30ml - $55 - available in 2 shades: light/medium - for the lightest skin with yellow-olive undertones to medium skin with yellow-olive undertones; and medium/dark - for medium tan skin all the way to the deepest skin tones - with Moroccan Argan Oil it naturally nourishes and hydrates while smoothing fine lines and leaving skin balanced, strengthened, healthy and even, keeps oily areas shine-free and dry spots naturally moisturized.  What I especially like the sounds of is that it is supposed to suspend over fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing and correcting the visible signs of aging.  When I met Josie a couple of months ago, she did mention that a shade for fair skin was in the works so here's hoping! 

Available at Sephora and Sephora.com.

 

Avon Ideal Shade Custom Shade Foundation Lotion SPF 15 - 30ml - $15 - available in 3 shades: light, medium and medium deep that are formulated with custom-colour technology that adjusts to your skin tone.  The coverage is sheer, smooth and natural-looking and illuminates skin while it covers imperfections.

Available from your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

 

Almay Smart Shade SPF 15 - 30ml - $19.49 - in 3 shades: light, light/medium and medium - also comes in an anti-aging formulation with SPF 20 as well as skin balancing with SPF 15

Josie Maran has eco-chic products so that both you and the earth can be beautiful!

I've been so excited to tell you about what I did this week - only had breakfast with my new bff, Josie Maran!  Having never met her before and not being all that familiar with the line I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew she was gorgeous from seeing her in pictures and I should have been intimidated that she was equally gorgeous in person, but she's just so darned nice that we were soon chatting away like girlfriends - about makeup of course!

Interesting fact, Josie first discovered the wonders of argan oil during her modeling days when she met a well preserved French lady and got her secret for looking so young - argan oil!  From there, after years of development, she went on to launch her line in 2007 where every single product (excepting the lip stains) contains the oil.  Josie is also careful to point out that the argan oil she uses is 100% pure.

What makes Earth Day a great day to post about the Josie Maran line is that Josie tries to be as eco-friendly as possible with the line - the products contain Fair Trade Argan Oil as well as natural ingredients, and are contained in biodegradable or recyclable packaging!

Here are a few of the products that caught my eye and will likely soon to be added to my already overflowing cosmetic bag (what can I say, I'm weak!):

Organic Argan Oil - 50ml - $58 - what Josie refers to as the "Mother Ship", it smells amazing and can be used everywhere from head to toe! It was a rainy day when we met so I tried a bit in my hair to calm down the frizzies and it sleeked everything out (and made my hair smell great)!
Argan Lip Treatment - $23 - smells like apples, must try!
Argan Color Stick - $29 - in Rosy or Petal Pink - can be used on lips or cheeks (or more creative places I suppose if that's your thing) gives a lovely, dewy flush.
GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara - $29 - I love a charitable cause and this mascara supports a great one! The GOGO Campaign: Get One, Give One Beauty for a cause. Josie Maran has teamed up with City of Hope, a leading cancer research, treatment, and education institution. For each GOGO mascara purchased, Josie Maran Cosmetics will donate one mascara to a City of Hope cancer patient/survivor (up to 5,000 units). Thereafter, through Aug. 2012, $1.00 from the sale of each GOGO mascara will be donated to City of Hope's research, treatment, and education of women's cancers. Minimum donation of $25,000.
Argan Day + Night Eye Cream - $88 - one side holds a lighter day cream, the other a thicker night cream - great package if you travel or just need to save space!
Argan Eye Love You Too Palette - $55 - love all the green, browns and bronzes in this palette!

You can find the whole Josie Maran line at your local Sephora or online at www.sephora.com

Are you already a fan of Josie Maran and if so, what would you recommend from her line?

- Lisamarie -