One-woman show
Model-turned-beauty mogul Josie Maran wants you to buy her brand of ‘luxury with a conscience’
by Zhang Weifang 04:45 AM May 12, 2012
Our jaws dropped when we stepped into the airy surroundings of Italian restaurant La Villa – not for the gorgeous surroundings but at the sight of the sublime beauty that is Josie Maran (picture).
In town to unveil Sephora’s launch of Josie Maran Cosmetics a couple of months ago, the American model-turned-beauty mogul was picture-perfect in the flesh – and well into her second trimester.
At only 34, Maran’s CV has already seen her as the face of Maybelline Cosmetics for 10 staggering years, a regular presence in supreme rags such as Vogue and Glamour, a Sports Illustrated model, and an actress on the silver screen in films like Van Helsing. And after two decades in the modelling scene, Maran is now a one-woman beauty force of nature – emphasis on “nature”.
Born in San Francisco to a “family that is very natural and conscious of the environment”, Maran’s business philosophy is “luxury with a conscience”. Even in her modelling days, she would frequently consult top make-up artists, sussing out brands that were good enough for her environmentally conscious self.
“I always wanted there to be make-up that is good for you, but also luxurious and high-end. It was not really out there yet so I decided to do it myself,” she told Today. So, not long after the birth of her first child five years ago, Josie Maran Cosmetics was delivered into the world.
Her eponymous cosmetic line is all about “high-end luxury ingredients and products that are good for you – healthy for the planet and healthy for you”. And one of those ingredients – found in everything from her moisturisers and cleansing oils to liquid eyeliners and blushers – is a little beauty miracle called argan oil.
“I was on a modelling trip nine years ago in the south of France and I met this beautiful, older French woman who had amazing skin,” Maran said of her discovery of the oil. “I said, ‘You have to tell me what you do for your skin.’ She said it was argan oil, and it turns out it only grows in Morocco.”
For the uninformed, argan oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and has been proven to minimise fine lines, restore elasticity, reduce inflammation, improve skin tone, and protect the skin. Gentle enough to be used on an infant, argan oil tones and firms as it hydrates and nourishes.
Speaking fondly of her organic bestseller, the 100% Pure Argan Oil, Maran said: “This is the pure argan oil from Morocco and it’s the highest grade that you can get. It’s pure – there’s nothing else in that bottle but argan oil. It’s all I’ve used for nine years on my face, on my hair, my body, my baby … everything. It’s a multi-tasking beauty miracle. It’s very, very lightweight and it’s a special oil because it’s not greasy and it actually cures acne. It’s like food for your skin – safe and pure and great for everybody.”
Maran’s 14-product beauty and skincare offering is currently available in Sephora, tagged with a healthy price range of S$22 to S$72.
“I really believe because it’s so simple and it’s only one magical ingredient, that it works so much stronger because it doesn’t have to filter through other chemicals or ingredients. It just gets to work right away.”
Hey, if that’s what keeps her looking this good, we’re sold.
[Side bar]
We love …
100% Pure Argan Oil – S$72
What more can we say about this miraculous product? We had to give it a go after Maran gushed about it, and – what do you know – it’s fabulous. Just two drops was more than enough, and we went about our day without looking like our faces could fry up an egg. We love that we could use the argan oil from our tresses to the tips of our nails. Yes, go ahead and use it as a cuticle oil as well.
Argan Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Lotion – S$49
A godsend. This daily moisturiser safely and effectively shields skin from harmful UV rays, while hydrating skin. Like all of Maran’s formulas, this treat is free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, synthetic dyes and phthalates, and is extra mild and fast-absorbing. It also helps that it hardly leaves any of the white residue that commonly accompanies sun protection products.
Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation – S$68
Available in three seamlessly smooth shades, it magically smoothes and corrects visible signs of ageing
and uneven skin tones. It blends fluidly and covers flawlessly – and one shade does it all. Psst: Fair/Light is good enough for most of us.
SUBHEAD: Josie essentials
STRAP: All those years in the modelling scene have blessed Josie Maran with loads of fashion goodness.
Fashion philosophy: “I like to say that it’s kinda bohemian chic. I’m very into having very good quality pieces that I can just wear a lot of. So over the years, it has become ‘less is more’.”
Daily gear: “Usually, it’s a vintage dress and some vintage high heels or a pair of comfortable flats.”
Wardrobe essentials: “I have lots of designer vintage pieces that I like to wear a lot. I’m very into dresses – it’s much easier to put on a dress because you don’t have to think about the whole outfit. And, you know, always a good pair of jeans and some pretty bras. (Laughs)”
Go-to colours: “I love blues, greens, golds, bronzes and turquoise.”
Shopping haunts: “I usually shop at flea markets and vintage stores and put lots of different things together. I also shop at Net-A-Porter.com for new stuff.”
Favoured brands: “Proenza Schouler … there’s this shoe brand called Newbark and they make bags, too. I love some Rick Owens. I love the jackets but I try not to buy too much leather. I love Alexander Wang and Pierre Hardy for shoes as well.”
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enlarge this photo Josie Maran Cosmetics – Matchmaker Powder
