You know that esteemed list of cure-alls—Aquaphor and WD-40 and Windex and dark chocolate, just to name a few—that you can’t live without? The people (er, hairstylists) have spoken, and they’re adding one very special, good-for-everything item to the collection.
It’s argan oil: a plant concentrate that’s produced from the kernels of argan trees native to Morocco and Algeria. The nutrient-rich oil is a culinary staple around the world and a common ingredient in plant-based beauty products—and, according to licensed cosmetologist and hairstylist Gabrielle D’Ulisse, it’s “magic dust” for your hair.
“Argan oil is magic dust for your hair because it is a pure, natural ingredient that does not need any other ingredients to benefit your locks,” D’Ulisse says. Packed with fatty acids (like omega-6 and oleic acid) and vitamin E, she calls it “nature’s gift to healthy hair.”
That’s why internet-favorite beauty brand Josie Maran—beloved for the iconic Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter—is taking its argan-oil playbook and applying it to super-moisturizing, reparative hair care. Snag the just-launched shampoo and hair butter while they’re on sale, and be prepared to feel the magic.
Josie Maran Moisture Plump Argan Shampoo & Hair Butter Duo — $45.00
- Hydrates and moisturizes hair without weighing it down
- Plant-based ingredients help strengthen and repair strands
- Concentrated formula, so a little goes a long way
- Pricey when not on sale (but worth the investment)
- Peach and currant fragrance may not suit every taste
Wondering if argan oil is right for your hair type, texture, or troubles—or whether it’s worth trying? According to D’Ulisse, the oil offers benefits for all kinds of manes. For one, it’s rich in nutrients that nourish and stimulate the scalp, encouraging stronger and longer hair. “This is perfect for those trying to thicken their hair,” she says. “Over time, applying argan oil will help hair flourish in the perfect environment for stronger hair.”
Beyond its thickening abilities, argan oil is rich in vitamin E, which helps heal the hair shaft, protect it from damage, and hydrate your scalp, according to D’Ulisse. The result? Smoother strands that feel less brittle and more voluminous—especially if you have curly, color-treated, or heat-damaged hair. “Curly strands need extra hydration in order to stay healthy and frizz-free,” D’Ulisse says, and “over-processed hair (whether it be chemical or heat damage) would benefit greatly from argan oil.”
In Josie Maran’s Moisture Plump Argan Shampoo & Hair Butter Duo, argan oil works together with vitamin C and saccharide isomerate, a super-hydrating plant-derived carbohydrate that feeds your scalp and locks in moisture. This combination of high-quality ingredients is exactly what you’d expect from a skin-care maven famous for her nourishing and moisturizing products. And, considering how connected your skin and hair are, it makes total sense that Josie Maran would take the tried-and-true argan-oil formula to your roots.
“Both hair and skin are made up of keratin, and are made to protect our bodies. Compare your hair to a plant and the scalp to soil,” D’Ulisse says. “Your scalp, made of skin, needs to be healthy in order for your hair to grow in a healthy environment. Ingredients that will heal your skin will help your scalp and hair in the same way because they have the same makeup. Your scalp and hair will absorb beneficial ingredients just as much as the rest of our skin.”
If you want to get in on the benefits of argan oil for your skin, too, now is a great time to stock up on Josie Maran skin care. Tons of best-selling products are on sale for a limited time at QVC—so while you’re upgrading your hair routine, take this opportunity to save on argan-infused complexion essentials, too. Consider it an extra dusting of magic.
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