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Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give them a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)
The assignment…
Not only has the buzz around makeup brand Jones Road grown since we tested (and loved) their 101 Set, but so has its product line. This time, I decided to bring the makeup on the road to see if I could replace my trusty travel pieces with a slimmed down line-up. PS: My coworker, Sarai, also tested the makeup.
Who tested...
Abby (me): A cool-toned pale woman who constantly struggles with dark circles and unexplained redness.
Sarai: A Black woman with combination skin that struggles with red undertones and finding makeup products that compliment her skin.
What we tested...
Lip Tint: moisturizing and pigmented, this lip tint is halfway between a balm and a lipstick ($26)
Lip Pencil: a creamy pencil perfect for lining or to use on its own ($22)
Face Pencil: a draw-on concealer that hides redness and discoloration ($25)
Brow Gel: an everyday brow gel for that slicked-back look ($24)
Brow Pencil: a easy to use pencil to define and fluff the brows ($22)
Straight A's in...
Ease of use. One thing Sarai and I loved about these products is that there is no learning curve. You can truly add them into your makeup bag, and you’d be able to achieve the perfect minimalist look without having to YouTube a single video. Both of us commented on how precise, pigmented, and easy to use the brow pencil is. It officially converted me into a pencil user, which is huge since I’ve always been team gel. Similarly, the face pencil let us lean into our elementary school coloring skills. Sarai and I were able to quickly draw over blemishes and dark circles, and achieved an even, blended look using only our fingers.
Shade range. Both of us have found it difficult to get a perfect shade match because of our skin tones. However, we were more than pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of the online shade-matching quiz. As a cool-tone girl that struggles to get a tan, I was highly skeptical when the quiz assigned me a shade with a neutral undertone. But, once blended, I didn’t notice any of the typical yellow or orange coloring that I tend to get with products that aren’t specifically formatted for cool undertones. Sarai felt similarly about the shade-match saying, “For years, as a Black woman, I’ve always struggled to find makeup products that match my skin tone, but the face pencil did the trick.”
Room for growth...
Brow gel formula. The market for a good brow gel is super crowded, and this option from Jones Road did not particularly stand out to either Sarai or myself. We both found the gel to be clumpy when applied, and instead of complimenting the performance of the brow pencil, it made our work look a bit too messy. I did remove excess product from the applicator brush, but still struggled. Overall, we agree that the formula could be updated.
Staying power of lip tint. We both agreed that while we loved the initial look of the lip tint, it simply did not stay in the way we wanted it to. After first applying, it gives you a perfectly pigmented satin-y sheen, which is preferable for days when you want to look polished but not overdone. However, we found traces of it everywhere our lips landed, from straws to cheeks (post kiss).
Mixed feelings on...
Lip Pencil. I tried the lip pencil as both a liner and as a stand alone product, and loved it both ways. As a liner, I was able to keep both my red and brown lipsticks from bleeding, and the nude shade match ensured that there wasn’t any crazy contrast. Sarai, sadly, did not feel the same. She didn’t feel like the shade she matched with complimented her skin tone, and had to try multiple swipes for the pigment to show. We’re torn on this product.
Gets extra credit for...
In the era of shrinkflation, these products are still full-sized and properly reflect their cost.
All products are made without phthalates, sulfates, petrolatum, and BPA, so you can feel good about putting them on your skin.
Everything we tested is extremely packable. With few products counting as liquids, this lineup is TSA-approved.
Works best for…
Those looking for a solid everyday or travel makeup option. These products pack easily and can help you pare down your routine.
Anyone who wants simple-to-use products that work. You’re not baking your face, but you want coverage and a little lip and eye color.
Bobbi Brown stans — she created this line, after all.
How I did my homework…
Sarai and I tested five bestsellers from Jones Road for three weeks straight to see if they could hold up during a busy travel season. We tried everything on its own and paired with other makeup. We made note of ease of use, blendability, color-matching, and staying power.
Footnotes…
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