Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum

I rarely use hair styling products nowadays. It's the result of using the most moisturizing shampoos, conditioners and hair masks I can find (L'Occitane and Kiehl's). But occasionally I still need some extra help in the fight against frizz, especially when the weather is not cooperating. That's what hair serums and leave-in treatments come into play.

I'm ambivalent about Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum but not because it doesn't perform. It does: a few drops and my hair looks slicker and shinier, the curls and waves are open and stay in place, tangles are smoothed- what else can one ask?

The answer? Honesty about what makes it work. Yes, we all know that argan oil is great, as are the other co-stars of the ingredient list: camellia, jojoba, avocado and grape seed oils. However, the truly effective and active agents in Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum? various silicones. Here's the ingredient list:
I'm not anti-silicone in any way. They're effective, feel nice on skin and hair and are an important part of many favorite cosmetics. My scalp is sensitive to them (go figure. I can cover my face with the stuff but one drop on my head and it's the Itchy & Scratchy Show) but other than that my hair responds wonderfully to dimethicone and friends. Just don't tell me it's the argan oil that does the magic, OK?

Bottom Line: Good products as long as I keep the serum from touching my scalp.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum ($30, 2oz) is available from Sephora online and in-store.

Art: The Toilette by John William Godward, 1900


  1. And my beef is that Josie Maran promotes her line as uber-green, which you can see from the ingredient list it most certainly is not.

    I'm not 100% green in my products, but I do want companies to tell the truth and not mislead the public.

  2. Why call it oil when it is really silicone? That's my issue with Moroccan Oil as well. I'm with Scent Hive on this, Josie Maran sells as uber organic & natural...hm.

  3. A friend of mine uses a non-silicone containing plain argan oil product (fair trade and purchased in a health food store)which is the first thing that has ever worked for her to totally combat frizzies and make her thick wavy hair feel soft.(Silicones didn't work.) So while it's reasonable to write off this product and Josie Maran's advertising, I wouldn't write off argan oil without actually trying such a product. And hers costs way less than the Moroccanoil and Jose Maran.

    -- Lindaloo

  4. I completely agree... and I noticed the same thing with Shiseido's Art of Hair Essence Absolue and its "camellia oil" claims.

  5. I've never tried JM's products, but as someone with kinky curly hair, I avoid silicone products. If I could find Argan oil on it's own, I'd sure give it a try!



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