Beauty Life

Our skin is supposed to be tough—that’s its job. But it’s not superhuman. Skin is our body’s first line of defense against sun, smog, and on and on the list of environmental factors goes. Add stress, smoking (vaping, too), inadequate sleep, or an imperfect diet: All of this can take a toll on skin’s ability to protect the body.

Short-term irritations, like peeling and dryness, as well as long-term effects, like wrinkles and sun spots, crop up as signs of environmental damage from free radicals. The first, most vital step, says physician-scientist Emilia Javorsky, MD, MPH, is to minimize damage: Eat a balanced diet, get a full night’s sleep, don’t smoke, wear sunscreen, and stick to the shade when possible. The second step: Minimize damage in a different way.

1. Sundaily
   The Base Layer
   goop, $39

Some level of injury to the skin is unavoidable—and proof that you’re living life. There will be long days on the beach, sleepless red-eye flights, and things outside of your control, like the air quality of a city. That’s why we call in backup: “In order to maintain truly healthy skin, we need more than just a topical approach,” says Javorsky. During her seven years as a dermatology researcher, what surprised Javorsky was that most people don’t take advantage of good, science-backed strategies for skin health. “Most notably,” she says, “ingestibles.”

That’s why she made one people would want to take. The Base Layer—the first ingestible skin support supplement from Sundaily, where Javorsky is a cofounder and the chief scientific officer—is a daily gummy. It’s made with vitamin D3 and polypodium, an antioxidant-containing Ecuadorian fern extract with decades of research behind it.

Not for nothing: It also tastes good. The Base Layer is flavored with organic orange oil, which puts it on the right side of sweet. And it feels good to know that, underneath the sunscreen and the creams and oils and moisturizers, underneath the skin itself, there’s something else playing defense.

Since my approach to skincare is based on my belief that there are nine different types of skin, I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” when it comes to formulating skincare products. However, I have to say that one of the newer additions to my line (originally formulated as a mask for hormonal acne) addresses so many different problems. Because of this, it quickly has become a top seller. Simply put, it sends a calming signal to tell your skin to chill out and cooperate. Who doesn’t need some of that in their skin life?!?

Here are all the amazing ways that Rapid Response Detox Masque can work wonders to improve the look and health of your skin.

Acne on your face, neck, and back

Breakouts have a mind of their own and show up wherever and whenever they want. Skin is skin, so this mask can be used wherever your breakouts happen to appear. The key to this mask lies in the perfect blend of active ingredients like manuka, salicylic acid, Chinese licorice (which gives the mask its yellow color), hyaluronic acid and derivative of Australian tea tree. Unlike most acne products, this will NOT dry out your skin. Instead, it creates a soothing environment that works in harmony with your skin to lessen breakout activity. How to use: Once a week or every night after cleansing.

Adult hormonal breakouts

The underlying cause of all breakouts is from hormones. You’ll find this more so in the adult years where hormones can fluctuate from birth control pills, IUD’s, pregnancy, peri-menopause, and menopause. For hormonal acne this mask can make a dramatic improvement in getting stubborn breakouts under control. Of course, you’ll also want to follow all of these helpful tips for preventing adult hormonal breakouts. How to use: Once a week or every night if needed after cleansing.

Stubborn cystic acne

There are so many different types of breakouts, but of all the kinds, cystic acne is the most challenging to deal with. While Anti Cyst Treatment was created to target and prevent stubborn cysts, Rapid Response Detox Masque can play a really good supporting role to help keep the skin settled down. How to use: Once a week or every night if needed. It can also be used just on areas prone to breakouts such as the chin and jawline.

Redness from acne scarring

If you get blemishes, you know all too well how it leaves a red or purple discolored mark that can linger for months. Of course, you don’t want to pick which only makes it worse. (If you’re guilty of this, read how to break your skin picking habit.) Since Rapid Response Detox Masque is all about bringing soothing comfort to the skin, it will calm inflammation and redness from acne scars. Aside from the mask, you’ll always want to have the Zit Care Kit on hand. This has all the tools you need to heal a blemish fast with the least amount of scarring. It’s so good. How to use: You can use as a spot treatment, leaving it on while you sleep. Be sure to use Post-Breakout Fading Gel a few nights a week to offer additional benefit. (This can be used under the mask.)

Redness from rosacea

Rosacea, a common disorder that affects 14 million Americans is on the rise. The redness is caused by over-circulation of the blood, resulting in visible dilated capillaries close to the surface of the skin. it is considered to be the most sensitive type of skin and must be treated gently. (Skin types #5 and #9 address rosacea.) We are hearing amazing comments from our rosacea-prone customers that say Rapid Response Detox Masque has worked beautifully to reduce redness and help keep the skin in a calm state. (We’re looking at you, skin care ingredients Chinese licorice and allantoin!) How to use: Once a week or any time your skin is looking particularly flushed. Keep the mask in the refrigerator for an extra cooling experience.

Dehydration from harsh products

Ever used acne products that stripped your skin, leaving it feeling dry? (Who hasn’t?!) Unfortunately, that’s the nature of many products designed to dry up acne. If you want to quickly restore comfort to tight, dehydrated skin, Rapid Response Detox Masque is perfect. You can use it as often as every night after cleansing to balance the skin and increase hydration quickly to offset your other drying products. How to use: Whenever you want to bring intensive hydration to your thirsty skin. 

Irritation from harsh products

Not only harsh acne products but daily use of exfoliants (especially liquid acid toners), can make the skin become severely inflamed and sensitized. The goal of any product should be to make the skin look better and not worse. If you’ve overdone it, Rapid Response Detox Masque is the perfect way to put the fire out—fast. How to use: Whenever you want to bring soothing hydration to your irritated skin.

“That time of the month” breakouts

The main cause of monthly period breakouts is due to a hormonal shift that occurs within the body. Rapid Response is a mask for hormonal acne to help lessen these predictable monthly breakouts. Read more tips on how to stop monthly period breakouts. How to use: Use every night for five nights leading up to your cycle.

Post-flight breakouts and dehydration

Airplanes certainly don’t do the skin any favors. A lot of people will do in-flight masks to keep their skin feeling moist and hydrated. I personally don’t buy into masking on a plane simply because I don’t think there is a big return on the effort. When you’re in a plane, the dry air pulls moisture out of the skin through a process called “osmosis.” This means that you’re pretty much fighting a losing battle the moment you remove the mask. Dehydration is a temporary condition and can be reset quickly when on land after doing a special post-flight treatment to your skin. How to use: After a flight, first exfoliate your skin to dissolve the surface dry cells. Then follow it with a hydrating mask. Together, they will return your skin back to a healthy state. The best two-step facial treatment to use post-flight is the Rapid/Peel Duo which has Triple Berry Smoothing Peel and Rapid Response Detox Masque.

Post-waxing breakouts

Get tiny bumps and a rash from getting your lip or face waxed? This type of inflammation response is all too common. Using this mask can lessen irritation to prevent bumps from appearing. How to use: On clean skin, use immediately after waxing and for a few days after until the skin appears calm.

Clogged pores from makeup

Getting clogged bumps from daily use of makeup (especially primers and cream blushes) is super common. With the newfound interest in the Kardashian-inspired makeup look, I can confidently say, it’s making people’s skin a mess underneath. Little bumps everywhere that aren’t like regular blemishes, in that they just hang out and don’t go away. These are called closed comedones. If you’re a heavy makeup wearer, using this mask at night can make an improvement in keeping your pores clearer. You’ll also want to read 12 common makeup mistakes that are affecting your skin. How to use: Use after cleansing on any day where makeup has been worn to keep the pores from getting clogged.

So there you have it, all the ways that a mask for hormonal acne can help keep your skin in check. If you’re confused about your skin type, take the Skin Type Quiz to find your perfect routine. Check out these nine skin types.

FAQ’s about Rapid Response Detox Masque

How often can it be used?

Experiment to see how often it works best for you but use as often as needed. It’s important to know that this mask only needs to stay on the skin for five minutes to do its job in reducing bacteria that leads to breakouts. Should you have the time to keep it on longer, you’ll get a hydrating, de-puffing, anti-inflammatory effect.

Can you over-use it?

No, you can’t. However, always listen to your skin. This mask should always improve your skin and make it feel better.

Will it make the skin purge?

No, it should not. However, for some people, salicylic acid may cause an initial purging effect. If that should happen to be the case, keep using it until the skin begins to get clearer.

Does this mask help improve blackheads?

Yes, it can. While it is a mask for hormonal acne, since it uses salicylic acid it can be beneficial. You’ll get the best results from this mask when used after you get your pores cleared out from a deep pore cleansing facial. Then, a mask like this used regularly can prevent them from coming back as quickly. Read how to extract blackheads out the skin.

Can dry skin types use it?

Yes, because dry skin will benefit from water-based hydration along with the other benefits this mask gives. Learn the differences between dry and dehydrated skin.

Can it be left on overnight as a sleeping mask?

Yes. We hear from many of our customers that they use it this way. If it makes your skin feel and look good when you wake up in the morning, then go for it.

Our Labor Day 2018 sale starts NOW! It is valid for domestic and international orders and runs until September 10 at midnight.

30% off EVERY order (no matter the size) with coupon code LABORDAY30
35% off orders $60 and up with coupon code LABORDAY35
40% off orders $90 and up with coupon code LABORDAY40

Click here to try our whipped butters.

Click here to try our raw butters.

Click here to try our authentic African black soap.

If there’s a time that marks that it’s officially acceptable to be wearing dresses after the brutal cold months of only wearing thermal leggings and long pants (aka all the layers), it’s spring break. No matter if you’re going back home, traveling to the beach with your besties, or a quick escape abroad with your family, you need to pack a dress. And when we say a dress we mean a dress for every occasion that might come your way during your spring break travels. From the perfect swimsuit coverup and the comfortably stylish prairie dress to the perfect short dress that’s dinner friendly but will also look great on the dance floor, the options (and necessities) are endless. Plus, don’t get us started with the spring shoes.

So, after you have your trip all planned out, you have your fashionable suitcase ready to-go and have all your beauty and makeup essentials packed in their travel friendly containers, you should totally check out these 15 spring break dresses that you're guaranteed to wear all summer too. Plus, they don’t look half bad if you still have to layer them over some jeans or leggings.

If you’ve been keeping up with the results of yesterday’s midterm elections (which you should be!), you know that there are a lot of takeaways so far: Democrats passed the 218-seat threshold to take control of the House, Republicans maintained their hold on the Senate, and a record number of women were elected into office. But women weren’t the only winners in yesterday’s elections—so were young people.

Prior to yesterday’s vote, research confirmed that millennials (there defined as people between the ages of 18 and 35) held the power to rival Baby Boomers as the country’s most decisive political force—if they actually showed up to vote. And until now, that was still a big “if.” With historically low youth voter turnout rates, especially for midterm elections, older generations of Americans have maintained their deciding power in the most recent midterm and presidential elections. Just four years ago, youth voter turnout for the 2014 midterms was the lowest recorded in 40 years, with less than 20 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 showing up to the polls.

In the months and weeks leading up to yesterday’s midterms, we knew that young people in America were the largest eligible voting bloc in the nation. What we didn’t know, and what no exit poll or media interview could accurately predict, was whether or not enough of them would show up to actually make a real difference.

This year, we can report, numbers from youth-dense precincts at colleges and universities around the country show that young people turned out to cast their ballots in far greater numbers than in 2014, according to data recorded by NextGen America. To gauge youth turnout at yesterday’s polls, NextGen monitored 41 collegiate voting precincts (in which more than half of all registered voters were millennials) and compared the number of raw votes to those cast in the 2014 midterms. We’ll know more specifics about youth voter turnout over the coming weeks, but these early numbers may indicate signs of a youth wave in American politics.

Here’s what we know so far; Compared to the 2014 midterms, these precincts from 18 colleges and universities around the country seriously increased their voter participation rates at yesterday’s polls:

In Michigan, which also became the 10th U.S. state to vote to legalize recreational marijuana use, students at Michigan State University increased their turnout rates from 13% in ‘14 to more than 50% in a key battleground district. Similarly, more than three times as many Wolverines from the University of Michigan turned out to vote than four years ago. Student voters from Wayne State University also more than doubled their turnout rates.

In Arizona, the number of young voters at Arizona State and the University of Arizona polling grounds at least doubled. At Northern Arizona University (a historically very liberal school) student ballots cast increased three times over 2014 levels.

In California, students at UC Irvine upped their turnout rate from just 2% in 2014 to 31% at yesterday’s polls. Students at UC San Diego showed up at an impressive 78% turnout rate yesterday, compared to just 13% four years ago. Voter turnout rates at a precinct near Stanislaus State University rose to an amazing 126%, up from just 25% in 2014.

In Virginia, students at the University of Virginia nearly quadrupled their 2014 voter turnout rates. Students from the College of William and Mary also increased their turnout rate to 62%, up from 37% at the last midterm election.

In Florida, voter turnout at historically black colleges and universities was way up compared to 2014: At Florida A&M, voter turnout rates nearly doubled, with 60% showing up to vote yesterday, compared to 33% in 2014. A similar pattern unfolded among student voters from the University of Central Florida, with a nearly 60% turnout rate yesterday, compared to 33% in 2014.

In Nevada, students from the University of Nevada, Reno, doubled their voter turnout rate from the last midterm election.

In Pennsylvania, students at Penn State jumped from just 5% turnout in 2014 to 33% yesterday. Students at the University of Pittsburgh increased their voter turnout rate three-and-a-half times over from ’14 levels.

In Iowa, students at the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa more than doubled their 2014 turnout rates.

This increase in youth voter turnout at collegiate polls throughout the country is an amazing accomplishment, but if the 2016 presidential election taught us anything, it’s that voting is just the beginning.

Related: Women Won in Record-Breaking Numbers in the 2018 Midterms

Whew – we snuck this monthly favorites list in right before the door to July closed on us! With summer in full swing, I feel like I have only half as much time as I did in the fall and winter. But this month, I wanted to share some of my favorite new finds as well as some old favorites, so grab a peach iced tea (*wink to the Broken Record subscribers*) and don’t forget to share your favorite products from July in the comments!

Soapbox

It has been a total joy to follow this brand from its inception through a full rebrand, the results of which are obviously stunning. They sent me a press package last year and I have been sudsing up with their body wash and hair care on and off for months! My hair really likes it, the body wash is my current favorite (I suggest the Sea Minerals body wash to  e v e r y o n e), and there are tons of products I haven’t even tried yet!

This brand caught my eye because, while Soapbox has brutally high standards for their ingredients, the prices are incredibly reasonable. That bundle above, for example, is only $31.95 – for everything. That’s a hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, and bodywash – for $32. Sort of a screamin’ deal.

Their packaging has undergone a major upgrade, and if you’re picky about your soaps and hair cleansing products, get ready for this laundry list of Soapbox ethical qualities:

• Paraben-Free
• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Vegan
• Made in the USA
• Many Fair-Trade ingredients
• Sulfate-Free Shampoo
• Recyclable Packaging
• 1-for-1 Charitable Donation through Clean the World

That last one is my favorite! 1-for-1 means that, with every soap purchase, Soapbox donates a bar of soap to someone in need. (Soap = Hope!) Soap is at the top of the list for many shelters around the country due to its constant use, and Soapbox focuses their efforts on domestic aid, which is something I haven’t seen very often among 1-for-1 brands.

Each bottle has a unique Hope Code that you can input into the Soapbox website to see exactly where the donation from your bottle of soap or hair stuff is going. You can find Soapbox products at Rite Aid and Walgreens all over the country. They’re even easy to find in my little, dumb, island town! If you see some on the shelves, pick it up, but if you don’t see it on your local shelves, don’t worry! It’s all on Amazon for you, as well as on the Soapbox website!

Timberland Earthkeepers

I’m always on the quest for good shoes. Currently, I have a very modest collection of less than 10 pairs of shoes which, if you knew me in my SPEND ALL THE MONEY days, should come as a shock. I think I topped out at 64 pairs of shoes, at one point. My closet looked like a robot Christmas tree lot with all of my shoe trees scattered around. It wasn’t good, and the shoes were mostly low quality (“affordable”) dress shoes that I wore to the job I hated. Starting B&B changed all of that, and raised my standards for “good shoes” about 5000%.

In desperate need of some summer shoes – for both staying cool in the heat and getting into trouble – I took to Poshmark. After a while, I noticed that the shoes in my “Likes” had a noticeable bias towards Timberland Earthkeepers, which I had absolutely never worn before. I knew of Timberland boots because, hi, I was alive in the 1990s and early 2000s. What I didn’t know was the scope of their designs, and how incredibly ethical this brand is trying to be.

Timberland Earthkeepers, specifically, use at least 50% recyclable materials. The leather (yes, real leather) is from a company that is rated Silver for improved energy, waste and water management. The fabric shaft is made with “Bionic canvas” which contains recycled PET (aka plastic bottles) and the rubber sole is also partially recycled! Considering this info was secondary to me falling in love with the shoes designs, I can say I’m pretty damn pleased with my newfound favorite shoe brand.

Timberland Earthkeeper Authentics Canvas Fold-Down Boots in Folkstone Grey

These were the first Timberland shoes I pulled the trigger on, and they single-handedly got me hooked on the brand. While these boots typically sell for around $100 brand new, the pair I found on Poshmark were in amazing condition for only $23. 

Sure, they had some loved spots and a couple minimal scuffs, but they were already broken in for me, and they look even better when they’ve been loved for a few months.

The leather part of these boots is a beautiful blue-grey color, and the canvas looks almost like linen. Another feature that is adorable, but that I regularly ignore, is that these boots are lined with a super cute, blue floral fabric, so if you’re the type that likes to flip the top of the boots down, there is an adorable design element built-in to help make that as cute as possible.

Timberland Earthkeeper Greenside Sandals

After losing my sandals in a pool-noodle stealing operation in Mexico, I was in desperate need for a pair that would withstand my shenanigans for 2018. That means they need to be well-made with high-quality materials, be easy to throw on and kick off, and go with everything from dress shorts to a swimsuit coverup. Luckily, Timberland Earthkeepers came to the rescue – again, via Poshmark.

After stumbling upon exactly one pair of these sandals, I knew I had to act fast. They are cute as hell, made with strong materials, have a slip-on back strap, and are extremely versatile. Unlike the boots, which had many styles and colors available in my size on Poshmark, these were a one-of-a-kind find, so I contacted the seller ASAP and haggled the price of these down to a measly $27.

In hindsight, I should have taken a picture of the soles because Timberland makes some tough-ass shoes. The soles of these sandals are nearly identical to the Timberland boots that I got. They look like they’re ready to carry you through a construction zone – with a kitten wedge.

Have you tried Timberland Earthkeepers? Am I late to this party? I’m already looking to expand my collection because the high heels and dress shoes in the Timberland collections are screaming my name!

2 Dope Queens

Mindy Tucker/HBO

If you’re not privy to this existentially funny duo, you better wise up. Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson are a comedians turned podcasters turned legendary show hosts, and their eponymous series on HBO just got renewed for four more hour-long specials!

These two women make me wish I lived 1,000 miles closer to my best friends. Each one of their shows is an intimate peek into not only their friendship, but what life is like as a black woman living in New York City. Speckled between Phoebe and Jessica’s hilarious banter and BFF-arguments are special guests. There are a handful of stand-up comics that get to present a small set, and each episode has a non-comedian guest that shows up just to chat with the girls and participate in a little activity. For example, they bring out a full brunch spread, complete with cocktails, before bringing out the Queen of Brunch herself, Sarah Jessica Parker, who is adorable. Together, the 2 Dope Queen educate a curious and eager SJP about the ins and outs of black hair. It’s a must-watch!

Sans Sucre Baking Mixes

No matter how many times I have tried to stay on a healthy eating streak, my sweet tooth always sabotages me. I can’t get rid of it! Moreover, I don’t really want to get rid of it. Not only do I love baking and desserts, but if I can’t spend this life indulging in delicious things, then what’s the point? Luckily, there are tons of products and brands who are trying to ease the tension between sweet teeth and healthy lifestyles. San Sucre is one of those brands and, if you speak even mild, back-of-the-food-label French, you can probably figure out why.

Sans Sucre makes quick and easy baking mixes that have no added sugar. This makes the nutrition facts on a box of brownies look less like fudgy indulgences and more like a small-to-medium granola bar. Recently, I made the Milk Chocolate Brownie mix (around $5 per box) and was pretty impressed with both how easy it was to make and how delicious they were once they were done!

These turned out so incredibly good for being only 80 calories per serving, and they were much lighter than your average full-fat, full-sugar brownie which can feel super heavy and dense. They required exactly three ingredients: the baking mix, water, and 2T of oil. Yes, two tablespoons of oil for an entire batch of no sugar added brownies. That good, very-brownie-like sweetness comes from Stevia! Could this be love?

In addition to brownies, you can find coffee cake mixes, cinnamon “sugar” sprinkles and even no-sugar-added fudge mixes! San Sucre also sent over all kinds of mousse and pie filling mixes, including (but most certainly not limited to): key lime pie, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and lemon mousse. Plus, the mousse and filling mixes are no added sugar and low fat! So far, I’ve tried nearly all of the brownies they have to offer, but expect to hear from me again when I dive into these!

If you want to try some for yourself, you can find Sans Sucre baking mixes at lots of different stores, but grab them super easily from Amazon!

That’s it for me this month – now it’s your turn! What have you been loving in July?

As I may have mentioned before, I do most of my shopping online. First, there is of course the convenience of it ( being able to shop anytime and anywhere fits rather nicely into my busy schedule ) but also, I love the fact that it doesn’t take me ages to find exactly what it is that I am looking for!

As any other avid on-line shopper, I have my patterns and habits and shopstyle.com is usually my starting point when I’m searching for an item. I first discovered ShopStyle a couple of years ago and have since become quite an addict. The reason I love it so much is because it allows me to search multiple retailers, compare prices, shipping options, and it includes product images which make searching for an item ( Balenciaga S Sneakers for example, are currently pretty high on my must have list )  incredibly easy. But I have since grown to appreciate ShopStyle’s Blog i.e. Editor’s Picks section as a great resource to discover latest and greatest, must-haves for upcoming season, and the coolest trends before anyone else.

For example, tough I don’t love thinking about transitional pieces and must haves for fall in August, fall/winter is upon us, so I am definitely mindful as far as trends for upcoming season are concerned. Recently, I’ve been updating my wardrobe with a lot of wear now and later classics like button down shirts and denim separates ( click here to check out some more of my favorite basics ) but also adding must-have fall accessories like the beaded bag I’m sporting in today’s look to my wardrobe.

I’ve been on the hunt for this particular bag for quite some time now, a hot item to sport this summer, it will definitely be something to wear this fall as well! Reason I love it is versatility of course! Cool with other hero pieces for upcoming season, wear your beaded bag with ankle boots, dark denim, and plaid blazer for day, take a walk on the wild side and pair it with something animal print for a bold statement,  or add a playful element to your party look by pairing it with leather trousers, bow blouse and mules! Sold out everywhere, I finally found it on ShopStyle of course ( click here to check out more accessory must-haves ) and I couldn’t be happier! I opted for the one in white, but I am definitely more than a bit partial to this version in black.

What about you guys, do you use ShopStyle to discover upcoming trends, find your new favorites or to seek inspiration? If yes, what do you like about it the most?

Special thank you to Shopstyle for partnering with me on this post

Shrimps Antonia Bag (also love this and this) | Avec Les Filles Georgie Espadrille | Agolde Quinn High Rise Miniskirt (also love this) | Madewell Enamel Bar Necklace | Tibi Asymmetrical Large Button Top

On March 16, fast-food workers at the Portland, Oregon, restaurant chain Little Big Burger made labor news by going public with their intention to form a union.

The organizers, who christened their group the Little Big Union, have joined a very short list of fast-food workers who have attempted to unionize in recent years. This matters because fast-food workers are among the lowest-paid and most marginalized workers in American society, and they are generally at the mercy of big corporations. There are currently more than 3.65 million people working in the fast-food industry in the country, and a recent study by the Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California found that 52% of them depend on public assistance.

“Immigrants, poor and working class of all identities, houseless folks, people who've been through the hell of the criminal justice system, people living with disabilities, queer and trans folks, and people of color are all disproportionately represented in fast food, and are at most dire risk of exploitation from corporations and capitalism,” Little Big Union organizer Kenji Nakatomi tells Teen Vogue.

“If you ever eat fast food or work with anyone who does, you bear a responsibility to know about what that experience is like for the folks who don't get to walk out of the kitchen after they finish eating their meal, but instead have to stand in a greasy and oppressive environment full-time.”

The most common problems that affect fast-food workers are low wages, lackluster (or nonexistent) health care benefits, and workplace issues, such as inconsistent scheduling, which makes it difficult for workers to plan their lives outside of work. As Nakatomi says, “Any of these are important outlets for workers to get out of poverty or at least take care of themselves day-to-day while living a low-wage life.”

Little Big Burger’s unionization is part of a fast-food organizing drive in the Pacific Northwest by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), which in 2016 helped launch the Burgerville Workers Union. Last year, workers at a Southeast Portland location of Burgerville — a restaurant chain with dozens of stores across Washington and Oregon — voted to form their union. The Burgerville Workers Union is currently the only federally recognized fast-food union in the country. A representative for the Burgerville Workers Union claims Burgerville workers have repeatedly faced backlash, including most recently at one location where several workers claim they were retaliated against for saying they were joining the union, according to Willamette Week. But a followup report said that "workers say management contacted them announcing plans to rescind all disciplinary actions doled out after the union went public," according to Willamette Week. Willamette Week reported that Burgerville would not make a representative available to the paper, but that it did issue a statement to the paper. "All disciplinary actions are based on facts unrelated to the union," the statement read, according to Willamette Week. "Burgerville is pro-employee," the statement reportedly continued, "and remains committed to all of its employees having a voice in the decision of whether or not to join a union."

(Teen Vogue reached out to Burgerville for a statement but did not hear back by the time of publication. We will update this story if we hear back.)

"The only reason things have ever gotten better for the working class is because we organized," Jimmy, a Burgerville Workers Union organizer, tells Teen Vogue. "We truly have no option but to form a union. What's the alternative? We go to management as individuals, and politely ask that they treat us better? We've tried that, and it doesn't go anywhere. A union can fix things, because it builds our collective power as a class."

Every New Year’s Eve, the ball drops and loved ones share kisses around the world – but this traditional moment was made even more special for Sutton and Lee as they celebrated a whole new season of LIFE with one another when the clock struck twelve in their modern New Year’s Eve wedding. Soft, icy blues and velvety grays were the name of the game for their winter wedding color palette, and there’s endless “frosting” to be seen across the centerpieces, chargers, bridal shoes, and of course, the ring! S+L have given us a pretty good reason to put a pause on our day and admire their NYE celebration in the heart of Texas. Ready to be amazed?!

Stephanie Brazzle will forever and always capture our hearts with the raw, authentic moments caught amidst beauty in soft frames. Keep ’em coming, Stephanie!

And prepare yourself now to be dazzled by the story Lindsey Zamora Events tells through design. She didn’t miss a beat from the cool color tones to the champagne tower to the celebratory balloon drop!

Their modern invitation suite from Scribbles and Swirls has romance written all over it – how gorgeous is that copper ink?!

Playing host to Sutton and Lee’s day was The Hall at Dragon in Dallas’ design district. And we’re obsessed with every inch.

If you’re looking for more modern wedding venues in Dallas, check out this sculpture garden wedding we recently shared.

Don’t these winter white bouquets from Abelia Floral just whisk you into a trace?

Lee looks ever so dashing in his navy tuxedo from The Black Tux.

Gosh, Sutton’s hair and makeup by WZ Beauty Studio is a marvel. A natural look with exceptional beauty.

From the photographer, Stephanie Brazzle Photography: Sutton moved into an apartment complex not knowing her future husband was going to live a few doors down. He opened the door, and she immediately noticed how cute he was. They were shy around each other until they finally started dating! When they started planning their wedding they wanted a big celebration. What better way than New Year’s Eve! They hired Lindsey Zamora Events, and together they refined the art of a new years eve wedding incorporating lunaria, lily of the valley, copper and grey tones. It was a big party with a balloon drop when the clock struck 12!

With furniture + tabletop pieces from Beautiful Event Rentals, their winter vision came to life, and we are thrilled with the result!

All the praise from this lunaria-climbing confection brought to us by Panini Bakery!

Wedding Vendors:
Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography
Event Planning: Lindsey Zamora Events
Floral Design: Abelia Floral
Reception Venue: The Hall at Dragon
Accommodations: Hotel Crescent Court
Hair and Makeup Artist: WZ Beauty Studio
Groom Attire: The Black Tux
Catering: CN Catering
Wedding Cake: Panini Bakery
Band: Ice House Band
Invitations and Paper Goods: Scribbles and Swirls
Rentals: Beautiful Event Rentals
Linen: La Tavola