August 27, 2013

Fall Trends: Berry Lips

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The chiller weather means a cooler, darker palette. Lip colors are probably the easiest to play with and change according to the season. Berry lips come back every year so its no surprise you’re seeing it again, it's a classic. So my darlings, put down those pinks and oranges and put on a rich berry color. It can seem very intimidating at first but please don’t be afraid to give it a try. It’s universally flattering on all skin tones and with so many different formulas you are bound to find your match.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of wearing such a deep shade or if you’re minimalist, a stain would be a great option for you. Stains are great way to test out colors and are easier to applier then a lipstick. You can either buy a sheer berry color stain or DIY. Apply a clear balm on to the lips, then gently tap a berry colored lipstick until you reached the desired shade. To matte it out use your ring finger and press onto lips.

If you’re ready to go head first and rock this trend then a opaque berry lipstick is what you need. Make sure that when wearing this look you keep the rest of your make-up simple. You don't want your make-up competing with one another or it will begin to look very animated. Applying such a dramatic color straight from the tube can be very tricky and get messy very quickly. I suggest starting with a clear lip liner to insure your color won’t bleed or disappear. Next, use a synthetic brush to apply the color while bloating in between coats. When you’re happy with the color use a cotton swab to clean around the mouth. Remember, you wear the color the color doesn't wear you. 

Good luck!


August 26, 2013

Fall Trends: Coconut Oil



Fall is among us and I can’t be more excited for the crisp city air, cardigans, scarfs, and chai lattes! However, I am sure the incoming September issues (which I must add are more like weights then actual magazines- InStyle has 716 pages, while Vogue weighs 4 pounds) have given that away.
So what’s in store for this Fall in the world of beauty? Plenty. But it’s more the ingredients then the actually looks this season. The last few years olive oil and argan oil have dominated and rocked the beauty industry. Gradually, Coconut oil has been gaining more attention not only in beauty but health as well, making it fantastic to add into any part of your lifestyle. 

Coconut oil is the most nutrient dense part of the coconut. The oil is over 90% saturated fat and has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Using coconut oil on the skin leaves it moisturized because the skin absorbs it slowly. It also has antioxidant properties that help in the absorption of other minerals and building cells making them ideal for younger looking skin. Pretty cool, right?
It’s definitely overwhelming seeking coconut oil specific products (or any ingredient specific product.) So I have selected a few of my favorite true and tried LUSH products that are jam-packed with this beneficial oil. 

Hey!


My name is Val and I am behind The Urban Beauty Junkie. This blog is something that I’ve wanted to do for quite some time and it's been really exciting prepping everything before I started posting. I can't wait to see where this goes and you are more then welcome to join me.

A bit about myself, I currently work at an international cosmetic brand’s retail store. As a brand the company is very vocal on political issues as well as being and supporting the cruelty-free industry, which changed my outlook on the industry. So I've thrown out every product I had and am starting over, and what better excuse is there to buy more make-up? But as I was looking for cruelty-free beauty products it became more apparent how difficult it was to find cruelty-free centered blogs. I’m not saying there aren't any but they are nowhere near as popular as regular beauty blogs. It seemed that no one was really aware of what was going on with cosmetics just fooled by the pretty packaging and promises. All of which gave me the idea for this blog.

So what's the game plan for the Junkie? I definitely plan on reviewing products and exploring cruelty-free brands but I'm hoping to create a more intimate experience between buyer and seller by researching and contacting brands. I will be showcasing and reviewing "indie" brands. There will also be posts about trends and the latest news as well as research and conversation topics on whats going on in the industry. The schedule might change as time goes on but thats what you can expect for the time being.

That’s that. I would love to hear from you guys, absolutely whenever. I am going to be continuingly trying to make this blog better.
Talk to you guys soon!