Just B beauty launches lip treatments that are more than just the average go to beauty staple, says Ipshita Sharma who tries out the products and tells you all about her experience.
When we were first told about Just B, what stood out for us was that it is a company owned by women of colour. It is therefore no stretch of the imagination that these specially curated lip treatments are amazing on deeper skin tones. The pigmentation is something they really pride themselves on.
Just B was founded by two South-Asian women — highly-experienced makeup artist, Bina Khan, who has more than 25 years of experience in the cosmetics industry, and makeup enthusiast and Engineering leader Madiha Chan, in October 2021 after a lifetime of being frustrated with the lack of cosmetics on the market that could enhance and adapt to brown skin. Just B Cosmetics launched into the Middle East market in December 2021.
Something else that is really in their favour is the ‘clean beauty’ tag. The lipsticks are enriched with natural ingredients such as sunflower seed oil, beeswax and squalene that are consciously and ethically sourced. In addition, the entire Lip Spectrum range assures no use of parabens and carmine with recyclable packaging made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper – a globally recognized certification system that ensures ethical sourcing of products from forests to point of sale.
The brand’s debut product, Lip Spectrum – is a multi-dimensional lipstick with one deeper matte shade (Pigment Fluid) and one lighter creamy shade (Pigment Glaze) in the same color family. The dual-ended lipstick allows many shades to be created from a single purchase, also minimizing wastage. They have introduced this concept with five shades — Not Just Champagne, Not Just Magenta, Not Just Pink, Not Just Peach and Not Just Red.
We were sent the NJ Champagne and the NJ Magenta where the first was slightly on the nuder side with the other being slightly deeper and more intense.
Not Just Magenta
Pigment Glaze: Anaar: This color embodies the jewel tones of freshly-squeezed pomegranate juice. When applied lightly, it creates the perfect berry stain on the lips. It’s a neutral purple with rosy undertones.
Pigment Fluid: Bougainvillea: It perfectly captures the color of Karachi’s bougainvillea petals at golden hour. It’s a raspberry red with plum undertones.
Review — The pigmentation is amazing! A little goes a very long way so you need just a dash of the Glaze to get a lovely deep berry shade. Add on the Fluid for a touch of glam and to get a intense colour.
Not Just Champagne
Pigment Glaze: Kashmiri Chai: With the distinctive hue of a freshly brewed cup of Kashmiri Chai, this glaze is perfect for any and every occasion. It’s a neutral dusky pink with honey undertones.
Pigment Fluid: Ruby Cocoa: Evocative of ruby chocolate, this shade will become your newest obsession. It’s a toasted milk chocolate, with a hint of blush pink.
Review — not as pigmented as the Magenta, this one is definitely great for the office and when you’re going for a nude lip. The Glaze and Fluid together make for a beautiful rosy glow on brown skin.
As someone with brown skin, I’m often disappointed by the pigmentation in major brands from around the world. And when you look at clean beauty, the options are even more limited. So, this brand was a treat to discover!
The pigmentation is great overall and really stands up on brown skin well, even if just one of the two treatments is used on the lip. That was my topmost takeaway!
However, the formula may be slightly drying and I did need to add on lip balm after a while. There is also a transference issue with the deeper shades and I did have to blot my lips quite a lot. But it stayed on for quite a while and that’s a big point in its favour.
Good: Highly pigmented and stays on forever
Bad: Deeper shades have an issue with transference
Trendy: Clean and inclusive? This is where beauty brands need to be heading in this new year!
Just B’s products will be available for purchase online at justbcosmetics.co
For more information on Just B, please visit www.justbcosmetics.co.