They Left Their Paw Prints on My Heart, But I’m Still Gonna Knead a Little More From Paul & Joe’s New Lipstick Cs

Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Meow

For all the grumbling I do about Tabs’ diva behavior, I have to say, he can be quite the charmer. To the best of my knowledge, since I don’t travel with him when he’s away modeling on location, except for the Edward Scissorpaws Incident, for which he’s still on probation, he’s never raised a paw against a human.

Always quick to show love, he’s the mellowest, most affectionate cat I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

(And he must know we’re talking about him because he just rubbed his chin against my leg, aww!)

I’ve been hoping that Paul & Joe’s lovely new Lipstick Cs (with the kitty paw pattern on the tubes) would evoke that same easy, breezy, cool cat style. The three $20 kitty-themed matte lipsticks were recently released with the limited edition Collection Sparkles launch.

Pinkish beige Sex Kitten, pinkish brown Meow and coral Catwalk look so cute, casual and comfy in their tubes that, I have to admit, I had dangerously high hopes. I expected all three to climb my metaphorical cat tower and make their way into my regular rotation of lipsticks. I mean, what could be breezier than a simple nude lip?

Obviously, the packaging’s off the chain. 🙂 I love the wee paw prints scaling up the length of each bullet and how the graphic designs on the tops and bottoms of the packaging line up perfectly.

Lipstick C in Catwalk, Meow and Sex Kitten

Lipstick C in Catwalk, Meow and Sex Kitten

Swatches from the left: Sex Kitten, Meow and Catwalk


Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Catwalk

Wearing Paul & Joe Lipstick C in Sex Kitten

And then there’s the violet flavor and fragrance, which reminds me of the violet hard candies my granny used to get me from the Asian store by our house when I was a kid.

Based on all outward appearances and the sniff test, I was set to fall madly in love with these…

Then, disaster struck!

Well, not disaster, but moderate disappointment.

Within minutes of application, all three colors begin to separate, seeking out any flakes on my lips and settling into my lip lines (NOOOO!). The resulting patchy, uneven coverage practically breaks my heart.

By patting down a very thin layer of these, dabbing the tubes lightly on my lips, I think they look pretty as a stain (with a wear time of about two hours), but when I apply any more product than that, their downsides show.

They also feel thick and heavy on my lips, and my perpetually parched pout craves much more moisture than it derives from these. In fact, they seem a little drying.

With brands like MAC and NARS raising the bar with cutting-edge matte lipstick formulas over the past few years, I guess I sometimes forget that matte is still something many brands have yet to master.

I’ll be there for you, though, Paul & Joe, if you decide to give it another try. Please do. And please don’t forget the kitties. 🙂

PRICE: $20 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Paul & Joe counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: C

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

For more on Paul & Joe’s Kitten Collection and Collection Sparkles, check out…

• Be Catwalk Ready Right Meow With Paul & Joe Spring 2012
• This Kittycat Sparkles in Purple, Pink and Beige: The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Kittycat
• Now There’s a Smooth Cat: The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Siamese Please
• The Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color Palette in Purr-Fect Is Perfect for Soft Green Smokey Eyes
• It Was Love at First Blush for These Kittens: The New Kitten Collection Blusher Sticks From Paul & Joe
• I’m Still Fawning Over the Paul & Joe Kitten Collection, Today With a Twist on an Ombrè Manicure
• They Left Their Paw Prints on My Heart, But I’m Still Gonna Knead a Little More From Paul & Joe’s New Lipstick Cs
• Paul & Joe Waterproof Gel Eye Liner: Water Doesn’t Bother This Kitty Cat