SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Josie Maran has been having a love affair with argan oil — and who can blame her? Rich in vitamin E, as well as fatty acids like linolelic acid and oleic acid, the Moroccan fruit oil manages to soften, moisturize, condition and fortify hair and skin. And while argan oil has become a common ingredient in haircare and skincare products, the ever innovative Maran has devised ways to integrate the substance into her range of eco-friendly cosmetics. The new Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara doesn't dry out lashes or leave them looking flaky — in large part, due to the argan oil in the formula, which helps to hydrate and softens lashes, making them easier to curl with the stroke of the patented triple V brush, which is designed to wrap around lashes one layer at a time.

Though it's not the most efficacious mascara in terms of its lash lengthening prowess, it does deliver an intense black pigment to lashes, helping to create a dramatic effect and to make the lashline appear denser, as if your lashes had suddenly multiplied. And while it's not completely waterproof, it does withstand a fair amount of humidity and moisture. But overall, its biggest selling point is how nicely it conditions and moisturizes lashes, yielding a bold but natural, smudge- and clump-free look.

And there's more to love: thanks to an alliance with cancer research and treatment facility City of Hope, Maran has launched the Get One Give One (GOGO) campaign whereby, with every GOGO mascara sold, Josie Maran Cosmetics will donate another mascara tube to a cancer patient/survivor. In addition, $1 from the sale of each GOGO mascara will be donated to City of Hope through August 2012.

Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara, $22. Available at Sephora.com and JosieMaranCosmetics.com