As simple as it sounds, a little shimmer and shine can go a long way when you want to look fresh-faced and radiant in a flash.
I had this “Aha!” moment last weekend when I was getting ready to meet friends in the city for brunch.
I woke up late (purr usual) that morning, even with the extra hour from Daylight Savings (apparently, I need more sleep than a fairytale character), and I had less than 10 minutes to put on ye olde warpaint.
I grabbed Josie Maran’s new Winter Dreams Argan Color Collection ($34).
Every nifty nibble in this five-piece set contains Argan oil, the moisturizing magic ingredient in Josie’s makeup that’s supposed to make lines and wrinkles look less obvious.
The set includes…
- A 0.17-oz. tube of Argan Black Oil Mascara
- A 0.16-oz. tube of Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil in Limitless Pink
- A 0.16-oz. bottle of Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow in Rio de Rose Gold
- A 0.15-oz. bottle of Argan Illuminizer
- A 0.5-oz. bottle of 100% Pure Argan Oil Light
I hadn’t washed my makeup brushes since the last time I’d used them, so I ended up doing everything from start to finish using just my fingers. By the time I was done, I felt like I still looked like myself (I don’t like to wear a ton of makeup to Sunday brunch), but perkier…and more luminous, LOL! In other words, less likely to scowl at strangers on the street before I’ve had any coffee. 🙂
It was the shimmer and shine… They were responsible. The products all have differing levels, from the pearly finish of the eyeshadow to the glossy finish of the mascara. They tag-team to brighten eyes, while the sheen from the Pure Argan Oil Light (which I used all over my face as a moisturizer), the luster of the Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil and the shimmery Argan Illuminizer add a healthy glow to your skin, cheeks and lips.
Best of all, the pieces really work well together. That helps when you need to put together a look quickly.
The only things I used that didn’t come with the set are brow filler and under-eye concealer.
I’m thinking of making this my go-to brunch look (Is that a thing? Why not, right?), because I got a couple of compliments at brunch from dudes who know absolutely nothing about makeup, and that was before the mimosas kicked in.
Hey, Josie Maran… You’re doin’ it right. 🙂
PRICE: $34
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, available now at Sephora and sephora.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (I only wish the mascara looked a little more drag queen and a little less au naturel, but that’s a personal preference)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You look radiant! I am a fan of the Josie Maran line, and I’ll have to check out this set. In particular that coconut water eyeshadow has me intrigued…
Hi Ashleigh,
Thanks, sweets! I really enjoy this type of dressed-down makeup look. It’s easy and fast, but still polished, ya know? By the way, the Coconut Water Eyeshadow is my favorite thing about this set. It reminds me of the liquid eyeshadows that Chanel did years ago. I’m seriously considering grabbing the khaki and bronze full-size bottles during the Sephora VIB sale. 🙂
Happy belated Halloween to you, too, by the way! Did you do anything fun last Friday?
Hi Karen,
I know what you mean- I tend to like my makeup on “effortless” days even more than the time-consuming days sometimes. Ooo the other colors swatch beautifully too when I looked them up. I think Playa Del Pink has my name on it… VIB sale is enabling me 😛
Happy Halloween! I didn’t dress up, but watched some movies with friends (Shaun of the Dead and Sweeney Todd) and hung out. The day after le man and I went to a basketball game which was really fun- I haven’t been to an NBA game since I was 10 years old. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great Tuesday!
While browsing Sephora’s website trying to make a list for the 20% off event, I saw that set and I am really tempted to buy it. Looks like I would use all the products, maybe minus the mascara. I love your toned down look and can totally see why you got a lot of compliments!
I booked a 45 min makeover at Sephora for next Monday, hoping to get some ideas for the wedding! I hope it goes well…
GURL… what’s on your list?! Dying to know!
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish- that’s for sure, I need it for the wedding. I also need a few things that I ran out- like an eyeshadow primer (trying to decide if I should get Nars again or go back to UD Eyeshadow Potion), a Nars Radiant concealer. I am also dying to get another Nars Audacious lipstick…And I think I am also going to get UD lip liner in Catfight- it’s red and I tried it on at Ulta and I am in love! I bought a red lip liner from NYX and I love it too- it was such a great tip, Karen to try a liner first with a clear lip gloss! Thank you for that!
What’s on your list?
Hi there! I love your blog! I found it when i googled Argan oil, and I guess it was a bit of serendipity. You have a new fan 🙂
You indeed look luminous and beautiful. I myself prefer non-drag-queen mascara for daytime so I think I’ll try to get this whenever I get my coupon for the 20% off.
Let’s make it a thing! 🙂 You look really glowy.
Thanks for sharing, I use Josie Maran argan oil and I love it. I love how your face is glowing but you have a great skin color I don’t know if it’ll look that good on my pale skin, but I’ll still give it a try because it looks great!
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I was actually just looking at this set today t0 buy during the VIB sale. Looks like now I will 🙂
Missmacbeauty | Missmacbeauty
Looks like a nice set! I already love the oil and the illuminator and eyeshadow look gorgeous. I may have to add this set to my wish list
I can’t help but giggle every time I see Josie Maran’s name – she played a Bride of Dracula in the Van Helsing movie and all I can think about is her in harem pants and fangs!
Also – WOW, just checked the Canadian Sephora website and it’s $43 + tax here. Boo-urns!
Dangit, Karen! I had looked right past it telling myself that it didn’t look that interesting, and now it’s in my shopping cart. Curse your glowy complexion and promises of fabulous brunch!!!
Haha for real, though. You look so pretty! Also, (The Walking Dead, obvi) seems we were both wrong about Beth! But at least we get to find out what happened to Carol….eventually! P.S. I may or may not have cheered when Officer Creepy McCreeperson got his. He was gross.
Hi Estefania!
OK, so I finally watched the episode last night, and once again, I was completely not hungry after the scene with Joan’s arm. Have you noticed that this season has been infinitely more gory?! There’s been a lot of liquids squirting from various appendages.
Also, do you think Carol is there on purpose?
I really love this look. I too love dramatic lashes. Do you think you could put one layer of your regular mascara and this on top to add shine? Also, Walking Dead? This season… one word. Dark. Yikes, they are bringing it on…..
I agree… I don’t know about Carol… I can’t think of any other reason she would have left Daryl and/or gotten herself hurt! She’s definitely a smart cookie. When I started watching TWD, I skipped the first season and went straight to the second, so when I finally saw Carol in the first few episodes I was shocked! She turned into such a badass!
This looks so nice and natural for those makeup free days. Does it crease at all over time since it’s all argan oil based and so creamy?
Hi! Idk if this helps much, but I own a couple of the Coconut Watercolor eyeshadows and they’ve never creased on me, even without a primer! I have normal and sometimes oily eyelids.
Thanks for the info! I always have issues with shadows creasing so primer is a must-have. That’s pretty awesome to hear that these don’t crease!
You look super fresh! This is a great look!
You look radiant! 🙂 And I thought the exact same thing that you mentioned in your grade. I love the entire look, except I’d prefer lusher lashes. Because, of course I would. I always do. HAHA! That’s easily fixable, though. 🙂
Definitely fresh and pretty! Cream shadow has become my go-to as well when I need something quick and easy (especially now that I’m in my 30s and my skin isn’t nearly as greasy as it used to be!). 🙂 I mix oil into my daytime moisturizer for an extra boost – I use Aveda’s Beautifying oil instead of Josie Maran’s because it’s a bit lighter and you get more bang for your buck.
I think a brunch look is a necessity! Anything that makes you look enviably refreshed and revived is a winner!