The Beauty Product from Another Country I’m Irrationally Obsessed With column features international beauty gems that cross my path about which I feel you, the reader, are on a need-to-know.
Morocco was epic, friends. In the coming week, I’ll fill you in on all its wonders and delights, but naturally, I’m going to start with one of my favorite parts of the trip: the Berber PHARMACY/spice store/natural health food store. Once we got to Marrakech, one of the first stops on the list was the epic Herboristerie Bab Agnaou Quartier El Kassba, just on the outskirts of the souk. Read on for the dark circle eradicator you NEED in your lifestyle.
Our little tour group generously invited by the Moroccan Tourism Board—Yuli, Dina, Fiona, Jordan, Heather, Ashley and I–were rapt as the scientist/medicine man/pureveyor of natural beauty products talked to us about seemingly mythical items. Teas that suppress the appetite sans diuretics (used during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until dusk). The original Smashbox O Glow/Gloss, which boasts a pink to red hue that manifests on your lips in varying shades, depending on how “dynamique” you are. It’s actually a GREEN lipstick (in tube) the Berber women use (I’d been advised to get some from the lovely Helene, co-owner with her husband of the Atlas Kasbah Eco-lodge, which I’ll review later to buy some) which adjusts to a medium blush pink on the pout as well. We learned that “dynamique” was a euphemism for “horny,” BT dubs. Related: A much-used “Moroccan Viagra” tea intended for both genders to take, which I also had to pick up. A cumin mixture that you huff like high school kids do glue, which clears up everything from congestion to a hangover. Many other various and sundry things I also bought like a woman who’d never seen a product before–but the one that stopped me dead in my tracks? The Rose Oil (called Rose Dades) which stops dark circles.
“Sir?” I asked, tentatively. “I’m pitched about 13 creams a day that are supposed to do that. I’ve tried about 673. Nothing has yet to live up to the claim.” And then in the same breath–“I’ll take two.” Let it never be said that my psychic abilities don’t extend to the realm of products because this little cylinder of marvelousness made my undereye area fuller (yes), smoother, brighter and yes, a little lighter. I made a real lab experiment of the whole ordeal last night, complete with a hypothesis and control (the left eye was left bare). Last night was a particularly fortuitous time to test something that would hopefully make me look less fatigued as I’d endured about 14 hours of travel, all told and was exhausted. When I awoke this morning at the ripe hour of 5:20am, my right eye looked rested–my left, not so much. Okay? It does smell quite strongly of Moroccan rose, a rose scent I find more tolerable than other iterations of the flower, but if you feel it’s too octogenarian a scent, you may need to pass because it lingers. But does it ever do the job.
Herbavoriste Bab Agnaou is located at 1 Rue Bab Abnaou Kasbah in Marrakech.
Spoiler: The answer is yes.
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i spent a fortune at this place, and came home and couldnt rememebr what half the stuff was for. luckily for the other half i had a few scribbled notes somehwere somewhere in my bag. or book. or slips. i dont know if id particularly go back there. to me it felt a little bit like a tourist buying hub, where this “apothecary” lures in tour groups,for whom the operators probably get a cut from. i was starting to get emotional and missing home and landed up buying things to cure all my families ailments. from piles to eczema to bloatedness ,sinus,dry skin, and even bad cooking problems. thanks for this article now. gona try my 2 yr old rose dade under my eyes now.
Does anyone one what the Fleure d`orange is and what benefits it has?
Does anyone know what argane culinaire bio is for. I bought it at this store and can’t recall.
it’s for cooking… drizzle it on salads
We ´ve been told that you can also order via Email or Fax
herboristeriebabagnaou@hotmail.fr
Thanks for the condolences, Amber! Ahh, the sadness of a lost beauty necessity. Guess another trip to Morocco is in order!
Any idea if there’s any way to purchase this online? I bought the oil when I was in Marrakech, was absolutely obsessed with it, and dropped and broke it last night. Devastating!
I don’t think it’s available online. My condolences!
Lynnie, you MUST! They had delights you can’t even BELIEVE! AND it’s not even *that* far for you. xoxo
Can’t wait to hear all about the trip. This stuff sounds totes amaze!
*seriously considers booking day trip to Marrakech for sole purpose of procuring beauty item*