Herbal Essences bio renew Repair Argan Oil of Morocco

Herbal Essences Repair Argan Oil of Morocco helps bring hair back to life in just 21 days. The secret is  bio:renew, a signature blend of essential antioxidants, aloe and sea kelp, designed to help purify and protect against impurities - it also  continues to work with each wash so hair will truly get smoother and softer every time - for hair that shines brighter, feeling repaired, and having freedom from frizz.

It also features argan oil from Morocco - which has been used there for centuries for cooking and beauty - derived from fruit of the native argan tree, it's exceptionally rich in natural vitamins and essential fats

Available in the collection:

Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo - 400ml - $7.99, Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner - 400ml - $7.99 - both are pH balanced and safe for coloured hair that nurture and repair hair

Argan Oil of Morocco Oil-Infused Crème - 151ml - $7.99 - with a nurturing formula for instant repair, shine and frizz protection for soft, touchable hair.

I have to admit though, my favourite thing about the collection is the multi-layered scent experience that is like going to the warm sands of Morocco - the scent of creamy vanilla followed by a burst of fizzy citrus and lingering exotic spices. What's also nice is that they have absolutely no parabens, gluten or colourants.

Available now at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Renew your glow with Physicians Formula Argan Wear BB Cream, Blush and Bronzer!

Physicians Formula introduces an exotic and luxurious collection of products infused with 100% pure argan oil for a glamorous glow housed inside intricate packaging that pays homage to Morocco's luxurious style with ornate tile patterns, golden tones and nods to architecture.

Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil BB Cream - 35ml - $18.49 - available in Light and Light/Medium - with a weightless formula that glides onto the skin to even out skin tone, conceal flaws and imperfections as well as smooth and refine skin texture without a greasy feel or finish. the luxurious 100% argan oil-infused formula conditions to improve skin's brightness, tone, texture and elasticity while luminous, light-reflecting pigments bestow a skin-perfecting effect with a youthful-looking radiance.

Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Bronzer - $19.99 - in Bronzer and Light Bronzer - gives skin a golden, just-got-back-from-Morocco-glow with an ultra-lightweight and creamy texture and an exotic scent that pampers skin with luminous, light-reflecting pigments that deliver a youthful-looking, glowing complexion and a renewing formula that smoothes the appearance of fine lines, brightens dull, tired skin and renews a look of suppleness while the argan oil delivers instant and lasting hydration for a fresh, sun-kissed finish.

Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Blush - $15.99 - in Natural and Rose - pampers skin with luminous, light-reflecting pigments that deliver a youthful-looking, glowing complexion and a renewing formula that smoothes the appearance of fine lines, brightens dull, tired skin and renews a look of suppleness while the argan oil delivers instant and lasting hydration for a fresh, blushing glow.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Collection - for skin that glows!

The Body Shop introduces a new line of bath and body products enriched with handpicked Community Fair Trade wild argan oil from Morocco that aims to add radiance to your skin!

I don't find it has a strong scent, it's light with a sweet hint to it almost like honey, so if you aren't a "fragrancey" person then you probably won't find this overwhelming.

Body Butter - 200ml - $20 - with a buttery texture that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth for 24 hours.

The Radiant Oil - 125ml - $20 - a rich, dry oil with a satin touch that can be used on the body and hair

Bubbling Bath - 250ml - $12 - fills your tub with rich, plentiful fragrant bubbles to leave skin feeling softer and smoother.

Rough Scrub - 200ml - $20 - lifts away dead skin cells and helps stimulate the skin's surface to leave skin smooth and soft.

Body Lotion - 250ml - $12 - offers lightweight, easily absorbed moisture with a non-greasy finish.

Shower Gel - 250ml - $9 - for lather-rich cleansing that is soap free so won't dry out your skin.

Massage Soap - 150g - $6 - cleanse and massage all in one go.

Miracle Solid Oil - 50g - $14 - 70% solid oil with a rich texture for body and hair.

Solid Oil Lips - 20ml - $6

This is another line your can feel good about buying and using - The Community Fair Trade partner is the Targanine Cooperative from Morocco, a local cooperative created by women, for women to help find buyers for their argan oil and invests in social projects such as school rooms for children and adult learning, creches, doctor's visits and micro loan facilities.

Available now at The Body Shop stores across Canada and online at www.thebodyshop.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Bring the Hammam home with you with the Moroccan Hammam Kit!

Moroccan Hammam Kit - $42 - helps you turn your own bathroom into an exotic hammam with four essential  products including:

Black Soap - 180ml - made up from a paste of organic soil, olive pits, hash, olive oil and salt for strong and effective exfoliation that's not too harsh on the skin with a smooth application that helps soothe irritation and redness.

Just keep in mind that it doesn't foam much so don't keep waiting for it to do that and over scrub yourself! It's easy to use - just apply evenly on moist skin during a bath or a hot shower. Let the product act for 5 minutes, then rub vigorously with the:

Kessa Glove - made of granular tissue indispensable for a deep skin scrub for purification and blood circulation activation - and can be used everywhere except the face.

Rassoul - 180ml - can be used on the body and hair - a natural mineral clay rich in nutrients such as silica, magnesium, iron, potassium, and sodium - its high mineral content makes it an ideal toning treatment for the whole body. It acts as a wick, instead of repelling the dirt, it absorbs impurities - does not attack the protective film of the skin or protective sheath of the hair and therefore makes it an ideal treatment for sensitive and allergic skin and is even suitable even for dyed hair.

After the exfoliation with the black soap and the kessa glove, apply a thin layer on the whole body while still wet. Relax and let dry about 10 to 15 minutes. When the clay dries, you will feel the absorption on the skin and will see the color of the rassoul becoming paler. Finish by rinsing thoroughly with water.

Or if using on the hair - apply it to the scalp and on its whole length while showering. Wait about 5 minutes without contact with water then rinse and follow with shampoo.

Argan Oil - 70ml - 100% organic and chock full of vitamin E - it's particularly great for dry skin as a moisturizer or as a powerful natural anti-aging. The perfect finish to your Hammam treatment, can be used on the face, neck, body and hair.

Available online at www.moroccan-hammam.com - they ship to Canada, USA and International so you can get your fix no matter where you are. My only complaint is going to be that shipping is expensive - $19! But that is typical for the way that Canada Post screws you over - with what they charge for shipping I find it hard to believe they are having money problems...

- Lisamarie -

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 -

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil - hydration, smoothing and shine in 3 new products!

Marc Anthony has added new products to their Oil of Morrocco Argan Oil collection to help enhance your hair's experience and to help moisturize, build and protect while leaving it nourished and silky to the touch. All contain oil from argan kernels to give hair lustre and leave it looking shiny, healthy and full of body while restoring smoothness and shine:

Dry Styling Oil - 120ml - $10.99 - with a lightweight non-greasy formula infused with argan and olive oils that bring out the shine without any residue or build-up and keratin to keep dry, damaged hair hydrated, strong and healthy. Smooths frizz and leaves hair shiny and light with lots of bounce and movement.

3-Day Smooth Cream - 200ml - $10.99 - with a keratin infused formula that creates a long lasting cuticle smoothing layer that retains moisture, repels humidity and protects shine leaving smooth, straight hair locked in place while a blend of argan and olive oils help hair lay smooth but not flat and shea butter locks in a smooth, hydrated finish and prevents frizz. Results last for up to 3 days or until you next wash.

Weekly Conditioning Treatment - 50ml - $2.99 - a deep hydrating weekly treatment for dry, overworked hair that's formulated with a dual keratin complex along with argan and grape seed oils that infuse extra moisture and shine and seal the cuticle to stabilize and mend damage while adding flexibility to hair to mitigate breakage and protect during styling.

Just 3 minutes leaves your hair frizz-free, shiny soft and full of body! And keep in mind if you have shorter hair you'll only need half the packet each time so it's an extra good bargain - this is my favourite product from the line and not only does it make my hair look great, it smells amazing too!

Available at Shopper Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Walmart and other retailers.

- Lisamarie -

Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine collection - offers hair scent-sation!

Dull and damaged hair is revitalized and restored thanks to the Moroccan argan oil in the new Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine collection - which nourishes hair for silky shine and helps strengthen against future damage.

Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine Shampoo - 300ml - $4.29, 700ml - $10.49 - with conditioning ingredients that cleanse the hair without stripping it, allowing it to stay soft and shiny.

Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine Conditioner - 300ml - $4.29, 700ml - $10.49 - with a rich creamy formula that targets damaged hair leaving it silky, moisturized and tangle free.

I must admit, better even then the way it leaves my hair feeling is the fruity floral scent - a blend of citrus, apple and berry along with roses and lilies - turns the whole hair washing chore into a wonderful sensorial experience!

Available now at food, drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Oil up for the good of your skin and hair with Russell Organics, Boscia, Caudalie and L'Oréal!

Russell Organics Argan Oil - 59ml - $28 - offers the highest quality level of argan oil in the market - with no fillers, masking or additives that is toxin free, cruelty free and certified vegan.

The best thing about getting a pure argan oil like this rather then argan products is how versatile it is. Use a couple of drops on the skin as a moisturizer, on hair as a conditioner and smoother, as a cuticle oil or even a drop on the lips as a shiny balm. Or go ahead and mix a drop of it with your regular moisturizer when some extra moisture is in order, ditto for your body lotion and even your hand cream!

My fave cold weather trick - I rub 2 drops into my hands at night, add a layer of vaseline to seal in the oil and then put on a pair of cotton gloves and go to bed - by morning I have the softest hands you could ever imagine!

Available at www.russellorganics.com.

Boscia MakeUp-Break-Up Cool Cleansing Oil - 150ml - $31 - with a light, gentle formula that instantly dissolves face and eye makeup - even waterproof - without leaving an oily residue - while refining and detoxifying skin to improve texture and minimize the appearance of pores while normalizing pH balance for optimal skin health. With lots of natural ingredients including: rose hip, green tea, golden palm oil complex botanical amino acids, hydrangea leaf, geranium, peppermint and eucalyptus.

Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com.

Caudalie Divine Oil - 100ml - $48 - a blend of oils including: grape polyphenol, grape oil, extra virgin argan oil, extra virgin hibiscus oil, sesame oil and fair trade shea butter along with the most beautiful fragrance of Morroccan and Bulgarian roses, grapefruit, spicy pink pepper, cedar, vanilla and white musk - that can be used on your face, body, hair nails and most wonderfully of all, in your bath. It's a dry oil so no matter where you decide to use it, no greasy film is left behind!

Best of all, not only will it make you look good but you can also feel good about using it - for every Caudalie Divine Oil sold, Caudalie will plant one tree in the Andean Amazon forest in Peru with the Coeur de Foret association.

Available at www.caudalie.com and Sephora.

L'Oréal Hair Expertise Color Radiance Precious Oils - 100ml - $9.99 - nourishes and protects colour-treated and highlighted hair while making it incredibly soft and glossy. With a formula that features a UVB filter that protects colour-treated or highlighted hair from the dulling, colour-fading and drying effect of the sun's UV rays.

- Lisamarie -

Summer damaged hair receives relief with the Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco collection!

Sunshine, chlorine, humidity and all the other fun things that come with summer are hard on the hair - throw in damage from your flat iron or blow dryer and your head can be a big mess of rough, frizzy, dull and less then inspired locks!

There are a couple of ingredients that can help: Argan Oil - to strengthen, moisturize, add shine and relieve damage; and Keratin - to fortify, protect and ensure a healthy cuticle - both of which can be found in Marc Anthony's Oil of Morrocco Argan Oil collection. Available are:

Argan Oil Treatment - 50ml - $9.99 - a daily, lightweight oil suitable for all hair types that offers stronger, glossier, frizz-free hair - with Mediterranean Olive Oil and Argan Oil, it deeply penetrates to fortify, protect and condition hair as well as Keratin, Vitamin E and Shea Butter to hydrate and soften.

Argan Oil Shampoo - 250ml - $9.99 - a sulfate free shampoo that deeply cleanses to rejuvenate and rid hair of impurities with Keratin, Grape Seed Oil and Argan Oil to help restore strength, protect from damage, control frizz, preserve colour and revive shine.

Argan Oil Condition - 250ml - $9.99- an ultra-hydrating conditioner that instantly smoothes frizz while creating soft, shiny, supple hair with Keratin, Grape Seed Oil and Argan Oil, it deeply penetrates to fortify, add high lustre, protect from damage and colour fade as well as improve manageability.

As with most haircare lines, I do find it works better if you use all of the products together - my hair seems to feel softer and look shinier but there have been times when I have just used the Oil Treatment with other products and it still does a nice job fighting frizz!

Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Loblaws, Walmart and other retailers.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Essence of Argan!

I was looking at a pair of dry, sad looking old lady hands the other day and feeling sorry for the owner of them the other day when it suddenly occurred to me that the owner was me and these were my hands and that I had obviously been very remiss in my hand moisturizing duties since I'm pretty sure I don't fall into the "old lady" category yet! Drastic measures were obviously in order so isn't it lucky this happened on my way to a facial and hand massage at The Spa at the Windsor Arms Hotel!

The Spa has added a new oil product to their services and shop - Essence of Argan - 15ml - $44.99 30ml - $92.99, 50ml - $114.99 - an amazing product that works on everything from aging, wrinkles and elasticity in the skin to sorting out all things dry including skin, hair, scalp, feet and thank heavens - hands!

The Spa used it during my facial for the massage and not only did it feel great at the time, it felt nice afterwards which is usually when my skin feels slimy and greasy from too much oil! If you aren't a fan of scent, you will also be happy to know that it has none.

For the hand massage, they mixed the oil with an exfoliant (sugar or salt, I'm not sure which) for a hand scrub, followed by a hand massage with just the oil - heaven! If my hands looked like they were 60 before, they looked 20 afterwards! Now I just need to get a vat of the stuff, immerse myself in it so I can look 20 all over!

You will happy to know that the old lady hand days are gone - I have been applying the oil at home to my hands and they look great and so as not to waste a bit of it, I rub it into my hands and then run my hands over my hair to get rid of the flyaways and add shine!

You have to love Argan oil,  it's naturally rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and a bunch of other good stuff which work together to maintain the natural state of skin - healing, reducing inflammation, preventing and treating the appearance of scars, smoothing and adding elasticity and protecting the skin from the daily exposure to harmful free radicals. It's great for issues both mild and severe and is gentle enough to use even on a baby's delicate skin!

If you want to try a bottle of this liquid gold (crack) yourself - it's available online at www.essenceofargan.com and at selected health and drug stores across the GTA, or pick it up atThe Spa at the Windsor Arms Hotel when you're getting your amazing facial and/or hand massage!

The Spa at the Windsor Arms is located at 18 St. Thomas Street in Toronto - 416-934-6031.

- Lisamarie -

Sally Hershberger - elusive but still wonderful!

Sally Hershberger was in town last week for TIFF and I came soooo close to having her style my hair - how many people get to say that Sally touched their hair - well celebrities do of course, but normal people like me, never! Unfortunately, due to weather in New York, Sally's flight was delayed and I missed out. Luckily, the charming James was there to give me the star treatment and introduce me to Sally's latest product:

 

Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Argan Serum - $15.99 -contains a unique blend of argan oil infused with a superfruit Indian gooseberry (amala oil) and rice bran oils to revitalize, rejuvenate, hydrate, soften and brighten the hair with instant smoothing and cuticle resurfacing to prevent split ends; also contains a power frizz complex with high tech co-polymer for superior humidity proofing even during high humidity conditions for longer lasting frizz-free style; and sun protection for colour protection with natural sunscreen and anti-oxidants. Can be used on damp hair as an oil treatment to revitalize and rejuvenate hair with supreme frizz-control, or on dry hair to smooth, define and brighten.

James and I also agreed that if I'm ever super rich, he will come to my house every day to do my hair. It's a bit of a commute from New York - but a great blowout is worth it!

Sally Hershberger products are available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

- Lisamarie -