Cross my heart, criss-cut fries, grab a husky tabby’s thighs!
Wait — isn’t that how that rhyme goes? I can’t remember…
Never mind! 🙂 What I meant to say is that I SWEAR pressed and loose powders look completely different once I get them on my skin. I used to think they look alike, but after taking roughly a gazillion pics of my mug over the past few years, I’m convinced that my pores usually look smaller, and my makeup less obvious, in the pictures where I’m wearing loose powder instead of pressed. The loose powder works like Instagram’s Valencia filter to smooth and mellow everything out.
For their new line of Pressed Face Powder Refills, which are $33 each and available in six shades, Paul & Joe shrunk the powder particles down to loose powder size. Then they added apricot and jojoba seed oils to the formula, along some other ingredients to actually absorb excess oil and prevent shine. The sheer coverage makes skin look smooth, soft and dewy.
This powder almost completely eliminates shine on my combo dry/oily skin and turns my pores darned near invisible (ish). All that without leaving me looking like I’m wearing a three-layer cake. It really does look like I’m wearing loose powder!
In terms of value, since the cases are sold separately, they work out to $43 for a case (which comes with a puff) and one of the six powder refills. The six shades include 01 Translucent (for all skin tones), 02 Lavender (to erase dullness and provide clarity), 03 Pink (to create a bright and youthful skin tone), 04 Natural Light Beige, 05 Natural Beige and 06 Healthy Sand Beige, and all of them have a strong orange flower scent.
I wear shade 06 Healthy Sand Beige, which has yellow undertones on my skin. You’ll find them all at online and at Paul & Joe counters starting this August.
PRICE: $33 for one of the six powder refills and $10 for a case
AVAILABILITY: Coming August to Paul & Joe counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (naturally beautiful, sheer coverage, but they’re kind of expensive, and there’s a limited shade selection)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Speaking of Paul & Joe, I saw that Urban Outfitters has a few products from this line on sale on their site. I’m assuming it’s from the P&J brand that you’re referencing here. Who knew?!
I think I would just buy the case and leave it on my vanity. It’s so pretty.
You’re killing me with all the Paul & Joe reviews; I’m craving all of them! My grandma used to use the loose Coty powder & I’m pretty sure she still has the iconic box on her bathroom counter. To me, loose powder & powder puffs evoke vintage silver screen bombshells; Bette Davis, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe. However, pressed powder compacts are more convienent to slip into your clutch!
Again, super pretty packaging! I don’t think this is the powder for me though. But if I had money to spare I’d get it for the case alone.
I really think there is a difference in my skin, too, depending on what product I wear. Loose powders look nicer, but they are so inconvenient to throw into your purse…
the case is so beautiful!
http://natalyepronio.com
Is it bad I want it just for the packaging? It looks so pretty!
I have never tried anything from this brand but your recent reviews are causing me to consider a purchase. Im in Canada so depends on costs as well as shipping can be ridiculous sometimes,
and now I want this too! The Translucent sounds like what I’m looking for. I signed up for the Paul & Joe e-mails and got a confirmation in French!
Well, aren’t those adorable! A three layer cake, you are so funny!!! Absolutely beautiful picture 🙂
You’re right about the initial investment but the refills seem to be a decent value. And the finish is super-pretty on you. I don’t generally reach for powder so I’m glad that Paul & Joe didn’t “kitteh” this up and make it irresistible. 🙂
I’d love to see 02 in action! The finish on the one you have is great!