I have used argan oil for years. I would say that Moroccan Oil  is one of my favorite luxury beauty products that I can’t live without. I use their shampoo, conditioner, oil and hairspray because I love the smell.

While in Marrakech, I brought it with me and after I washed my hair a local girl complimented me on my scent and asked what perfume I was wearing. I told her no perfume just Moroccan Oil and she laughed and said that’s why she likes it and told me that instead of the US version I can find it locally, which is pure argan oil.

Not sure why I hadn’t thought of it before that those beautiful blue bottles originate from this wonderful country. So one day while shopping in the souks, I came across a bunch of old ladies making  REAL argan oil. The process was fascinating.

A few old women sit around on the ground while hand grinding kernels from an argan tree. When it is ground, it almost looks like peanut butter and then it is cold or hot pressed with oil to make the oil that we use.

I only knew of the cosmetic purposes of argan oil, but you can use it in cooking too. The local souks sell both types and in cosmetics, they come scented and non-scented but if you want the extra bonus of it smelling great, the jasmine was delicious! If you want to stray from the pretty blue packaged Moroccan Oil we know so well in the US, you can use traditional argan oil instead and there are way more uses for it that just to fix frizzy hair. Below I’ve shared with you the many uses and benefits of this traditional oil that you can also use for a DIY hair mask perfect for dry or split ends.

ARGAN OIL HAIR MASK

• Argan Oil – enough to cover your hair
• A few drops of Essential oil – jasmine, amber or lavender are great
• Mix together and apply mixture on DRY hair, think of when you apply lotion to dry skin it soaks in better than wet skin. Same process works for hair
• Put hair up in a bun and let soak for at least 30 minutes, I prefer to leave it it over night and put a towel over my pillow
• Wash out with shampoo and conditioner! This mask is great for really dry or color treated hair.

COOKING WITH ARGAN OIL

• Dipping bread like olive oil
• On salads and couscous
• Kept as a paste and mixed with honey as a spread

COSMETIC USES OF ARGAN OIL

• Moisturizer
• Acne
• Nourish dry hair
• Healing of burns
• Treats wrinkled or dry skin
• Can be mixed with pomegranate oil for antioxidant benefits
• Treat split ends
• Nourish dry cuticles and heels
• Pregnancy stretch marks
• Lip moisturizer

Photos by Marianna Hewitt taken in Marrakech, Morocco