First the basics

1. Foundation: I recommend a mineral powder foundation because it offers different levels of coverage, is easy to apply and blends well without streaking or leaving lines of demarcation. It  looks natural, and stays put all day. Many women who use mineral powder foundation do not need to use a concealer or setting powder, though some still prefer to add these products to their regimen. Mineral powder foundation also contains fewer chemical ingredients, is less likely to clog pores, and is less at risk for contamination.
2. Powder blush: Again, I recommend a mineral powdered blush—this can either be loose or pressed, and should use natural pigments. Blush can be used to brighten up the skin tone, but can also be used as an eyeshadow for touching up on the go or, if time is tight, in the morning while getting ready. A light dusting of blush on the apples of your cheeks [smile!], on the forehead, and on the eyelids can really enhance skin tone. I recommend applying blush with a large, fluffy brush, a little bit at a time. It is easier to add more colour than it is to remove excess colour.
3. Eyeshadow: While each season brings new colour trends for eyeshadow, I recommend sticking to a neutral colour palette for the workplace. Neutral colours include brown, taupe, ivory, tan, beige, gray, charcoal gray, and black. Sometimes a muted plum or forest-green tone can be used as an accent on the eye, but women working in very conservative environments should use these colours with discretion. Mineral shadows are available in loose and pressed forms, are easy to apply, and last all day. Eyeshadow brushes of varying sizes and shapes can be used to achieve different looks. For work, stick to one or two shades of shadow—a third accent shade may be applied sparingly for a special presentation or if the workplace environment is less conservative.
4. Mascara: Keep it simple, keep it black. Brown mascara rarely shows up even on lighter skin tones and lashes and coloured mascaras are inappropriate for the workplace. I recommend only one coat on the bottom lashes and one to two coats on the top lashes. Use a lash comb to remove any clumps. Mascara is often full of toxic chemicals, but safer formulations are available. Look for mascaras that are free of parabens, petrochemicals, and tar. Safer formulations include natural waxes like beeswax and carnauba or palm wax, natural gums like that from the acacia tree, and other natural ingredients.
5. Lip colour: Lip colour is available in a variety of different textures, finishes, and application methods. Some women prefer a conventional lipstick in a tube; others prefer sheer tints or shiny glosses. For work, stick to colours that are close to the natural colour of the lips—not further than one or two shades lighter or darker. Anything too far off may appear distracting or unprofessional. Also stick to a matte, satin, or creamy texture. Shiny glosses or shimmery finishes may also appear unprofessional and may not stay on as long. Look for lip colours that are made with natural pigments, waxes, and oils such as jojoba, beeswax, and iron oxides since many conventional ones contain lead and other heavy metals, as well as petrochemicals. Remember that a large amount of what is applied to the lips gets ingested, so pay close attention to lip product ingredients.

Optional add-ons

Other products that may be added to the make-up bag are concealer, eyeliner, and lip liner. Concealers must match your skin tone—ones that are darker or lighter may actually attract more attention to the blemish or area to be covered. With eyeliner, again keep it really simple and stick with black for work. The application should be a sharp, thin line along the lash line—nothing too thick or dramatic. Lip liner should be neutral and should match the colour of the lips, not the lipstick. This allows for a more natural look without unattractive lines of demarcation.

Your professional appearance not only represents you, but also the brand or company being represented. It’s important to present an appearance at work that is confident, elegant, and polished—especially if the job requires attending conferences, giving presentations, or representing a specific brand. Properly selected and applied make-up can help you achieve this look.

This was first published in the August 2013 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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What is so special about argan oil?

Argan oil is unique because the Argania spinosa tree only grows in this region of Morocco. Many enthusiasts who knew of the benefits of argan oil have tried to grow the trees elsewhere in similar climates but have not been successful.

The process of harvesting the kernels and producing this precious oil is amazingly labour intensive. Local Berber women spend up to 10 hours at a time shelling, crushing, and roasting [for culinary grade oil] the kernels from the Argan tree. It requires the fruit of eight argan trees to produce merely a litre of argan oil. It’s no wonder then that argan oil demands such high prices in today’s market.

It has been linked to many health benefits when consumed with food as a dressing or condiment, although it should not be used for cooking because it degrades when exposed to high temperatures.

Argan oil comprises 80 per cent unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic fat. What’s more, it is extremely rich in vitamin E and has properties that lower LDL or bad cholesterol, stimulate circulation of the blood, aid digestion and strengthen the body’s immunity. Argan oil is also believed to regulate blood glucose levels and help prevent certain types of cancer [such as prostate cancer]. It relieves symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases such as pain and inflammation and is a powerful antioxidant too, helping reduce free radical damage in the body.

The cosmetic advantage

Though the health benefits of argan oil are significant, it is most sought after for what it can do to your skin, hair and nails. Here is a list of some of its cosmetic benefits:

• Its hydrating qualities protect the elasticity and suppleness of the skin
• The oil is non-greasy and non-comedogenic and thus suitable for all skin types including oily and sensitive skin
• Its soothing and anti-bacterial properties help heal skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis
• It improves sebum production and balances the skin’s natural pH level
• It helps soften wrinkles and fine lines in the skin and reduces scarring and damage
• When used during and after pregnancy, regular argan oil massages may help reduce stretch marks
• Studies show that argan oil may help promote hair growth as well as improve the strength and thickness of hair
• It increases strength and flexibility of nails and cuticles
• May help prevent damage from sun exposure.

Where is argan oil available?

Argan oil products are available anywhere from a local farmer’s market or in department stores to high-end specialty retailers, spas and even online. Due to these differences, the price range is also quite wide [although most consider it to be very expensive at any price point]. You can get organic products containing argan oil available for less than `1000… and then there are tiny bottles of pure argan oil that cost well over `5000. All of the marketing hype and price discrepancies for seemingly similar products can be quite confusing for a shopper.

How do I know I’m buying the real thing?

Since argan oil is so expensive, you want to make sure you are buying the real thing. You have to be very careful, because some products that claim to contain 100 per cent argan oil actually contain certain levels of olive oil as well. There’s nothing wrong with olive oil, but it’s not argan oil.

While certain agencies have awarded organic certification to argan oil, there really is only one argan oil since the trees only grow in one area. As long as you know you are buying pure argan oil from a reputable source [like directly from one of the Berber women’s cooperatives or from a supplier who fully discloses the constituents of the oil], you can rest assured that it was grown organically and sustainably.

Many manufacturers only use the bare minimum amounts of argan oil to be able to list it as an ingredient in their packaging and advertising. This means that these products actually do not contain enough of the ingredient to produce its required benefits. Furthermore, many of the products contain chemicals that can affect the properties of the argan and render it ineffective. You must especially avoid products containing silicones, dyes, fragrances or alcohols.

A good rule of thumb is to look for the words “Argania spinosa” to be listed in the top five ingredients on the product. That way you know there is enough of it that it comprises a good amount of the product. I personally recommend only looking for 100 per cent pure argan oil with no other ingredients on the list. This is, of course, the most expensive—but it is very concentrated so only small amounts are needed at a time. It lasts.

This article was first published in the June 2013 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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