Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress, while taking a closer look at the holy grail essentials they're currently raving about.
Like many beloved beauty brands, hair and body care company Moroccanoil was developed out of necessity. During a trip visiting relatives abroad, cofounder Carmen Tal sought a practical solution for treating her hair color damage and in the process developed a deeper appreciation for the benefits of argan oil.
In 2008, she opened a hair salon in her hometown of Montreal to further harness the power of the ingredient, which transitioned into her brand's first launch: the Treatment Original. "My time and experience as a salon owner really paved the way to learn what I know about the beauty industry today," she tells BAZAAR.com.
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"After over 10 years, the Original treatment is still a global phenomenon and a best seller for us," she says of the highly popular hair oil. "The key to its success is not only its proprietary blend of the highest-quality ingredients, but also its versatility. A decade ago, oil-infused beauty products were still seen as unconventional in many parts of the world."
Aside from holding shelf space at top retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Bluemercury, Moroccanoil is also a runway staple, used backstage ahead of shows at New York and Paris Fashion Week for Alice + Olivia and Stella McCartney.
Along with pro tips for keeping dryness at bay all year-round, here, the entrepreneur shares a few of her favorite beauty and decompression favorites (featuring plenty of argan oil) that help Take the Edge Off.
What are you reading these days?
I often find myself reading two to three books at the same time, but right now, I'm enjoying Violeta by Isabel Allende.
Isabel Allende Violeta: A Novel
What are some of your go-to bath and/or shower products?
I like using a soap bar in my shower and applying our Body Polishing Scrub once or twice a week. It really helps my skin with dryness during the wintertime.
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, and/or cream right now?
One of my all-time favorites to keep my hands and entire body moisturized is the Moroccanoil Night Body Serum—it's such a luxurious experience!
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
I love lighting Diptyque candles, as well as discovering new types of incense, especially those with exotic, Japanese fragrances.
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
Brumes du Maroc—I always carry our hair and body fragrance mist with me to use throughout the day as an instant refresher.
Moroccanoil Brumes Du Maroc Fragrance Mist
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now, and why?
Makeup is my best friend! I really like the no-makeup-makeup trend. It's truly my mood enhancer and one of my favorite pick-me-ups.
What's the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
I love Openfit through Beachbody and always try to find time to either do Pilates or barre.
What's one piece of self-care advice you'd recommend to our readers?
Stay hydrated and especially hydrate your skin and hair; it's simple and effective.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
