Paul & Joe Eye Gloss (03 Moonlight, 05 Murmur)

The last time I visited the Paul & Joe counter at Bergdorf I was taken quite a bit out of my comfort zone and tried several colors and textures I usually avoid. Feeling adventurous has definitely paid off, because I found a couple of items that subtly broadened my color spectrum without looking freakish. The Eye Glosses were among them.

Now, neither one is really an everyday color, especially not Moonlight, the silvery lavender, though used responsibly Murmur can actually enhance a daytime look. But both make for an easy upgrade from day to night with a single wand stroke. It doesn't hurt that the colors are very pretty and the texture- a thin gel that dries into a soft powder- feels silky and luxurious. The Eye Glosses can be used on their own as I've showed in the first swatch, by my preference is to apply them on top of a neutral colored matte eye shadow for a more subtle and grownup look. Moonlight loses most of its purple undertone if applied over taupe or brown. I also discovered that it makes plum and purple eye shadows look better- I have purple issues and this eye gloss helps with them by eliminating the bruising effect.

In the second swatch I applied both Moonlight and Murmur over Bobbi Brown Flint- a matte taupe, and smudged a little with my finger. This is how I usually wear the Paul & Joe glosses, but the sponged wand works perfectly fine. I just prefer a thinner layer. I've an eye primer under the eye shadow in the pictures just as I would in real life. It prevents any possibility of shimmer fallout and keeps everything in place for long hours.

Bottom line: A bit young looking but perfect for date night.

Paul & Joe Eye Glosses ($24 each)  are available from Bergdorf Goodman as well as online from beautyhabit.com.

Photos and raw wrists: all mine.

Paul & Joe Lipstick And Lip Liner (Reckless 63, Fig 6)

Between the lovely packaging and the gel-like texture of Reckless, Paul & Joe's limited edition lipstick, there was very little chance I wouldn't like it. Add to it a perfect (for me) day-to-night red and you've got a big, big love.

Not everyone wears red lipstick during the day, but if you have an olive skin and a penchant for darker colors, Reckless just might be your next favorite lipstick. It's not too dramatic and wouldn't get you mistaken for Gwen Stefani, but it's right on trend and looks very flattering. Paler faces would probably keep it to night time, where it's right at home.

It's interesting to note how rich and deep the pigment wears, despite the balmy texture. When I first tested Reckless, I expected it to be almost sheer because it felt like a gel. Yet, the coverage is great and it's a real woman's lipstick.It stays on relatively well and doesn't feather. You'll need to reapply after lunch, which would be a great excuse to pull out the beautiful tube and admire it again. I just love the paisley print on the outside and the embossed flower on the lipstick itself. It's these small touches that make Paul & Joe makeup such a treat (not to mention a great gift).





When I was at Bergdorf I also got a Paul & Joe lip liner. Number 6, Fig, didn't look like a perfect match when I tested it on my arm (as you can see in the swatch). It has more brown than Reckless and I didn't think they'd go together. Apparently, I might be wrong, as the liner looks softer when applied to my lips and the lipstick covers and blends with it nicely. Still, I admit I'd rather pair each one with other lipsticks and liners, because I wouldn't risk the Pamela Anderson look.

Paul & Joe limited edition lipstick in Reckless -63 ($20) and Fig lip liner ($16) are available from Bergdorf Goodman and beautyhabit.com.

Photos by me.

Paul & Joe Eye Color Palette III Mesmerize (Holiday 2009)

I had no intention to buy either of the two Paul & Joe Holiday 2009 Eye Color Palettes. Don't get me wrong: Both are very pretty, but I knew I probably already own enough similar eye shadows to the ones in Spellbound (warm colors), and Mesmerize, while more intriguing, has that lavender shade, which I was certain I couldn't wear. But things changed when I visited the Paul & Joe counter at Bergdorf Goodman. While I wasn't too taken with the entire Holiday 2009 collection (the purple vanity box belongs in a child's room, not in mine), Caroline, the lovely SA, has done my makeup and showed me that not only can I wear a lavender eye shadow, the entire Mesmerize Palette needed to come home with me.

As you can see in the closeups, while the colors are a bit on the cool side, they can actually work as neutrals and accents. Even when all three are used together, the way Caroline applied them on me, the look is more subtle than I expected, when carefully blended. She used the middle one as the base color and incorporated just enough of the other two into it to create depth where needed. The lavender worked nicely and added a lighter touch when needed. To make it pop even more for evening, Caroline used a Paul & Joe eye gloss in Moonlight (03), which was another surprise love for me.

Bottom line: A lovely departure from my comfort zone.

Paul & Joe - Limited Edition - Eye Color Palette III ($40) is available from Bergdorf Goodman or online at BeautyHabit.com.

For a lot more about Paul & Joe beauty, including photos and swatches of the lighter colors they offer, please check Lina's Beauty Look Book blog, as she's the expert on this line.

All photos by me.

Paul & Joe Fall Collection At Bergdorf Goodman

I really should finish packing, but this little PSA really can't wait, because only a handful of items from Paul & Joe's Fall 2009 limited edition collection with the gorgeous cats are still available at Bergdorf Goodman. I know some people are still searching and it's nearly impossible to find online (unless you want them shipped from England), so it's worth your time to give them a call and order what's left. I also found the cutest matching nail file, as you can see in the picture.

When I first saw the stock photos on the various websites, I thought the colors were not for me. The lipstick looked too light and the eye shadows looked glittery. As you can see, that's definitely not the case. I tested everything in store and loved both. The lipstick is a great everyday color and the eye shadows are blendable, satiny and smooth. I didn't swatch them because everything is packed (and already in the new house), but I hope the closeups here give a good idea of the actual colors.

Beauty Habit also carries Paul & Joe, and last I looked, the eye shadows were still in stock.

All photos by me.

Paul & Joe Eye Color (Russian 19)

I have a thing for teal and green eye shadows. We all need a bold, unusual color in our wardrobe, and teal is mine. I'm not daring enough to go all out with it, but I like blending teal with a neutral eye shadow, so there's just a hint of color to brighten the eyes.

Paul & Joe Eye Color in Russian (no. 19) is my current favorite. It's quite similar to Laura Mercier's Satinée Crème Eye Colour in Teal Cashmere, both in color, ease of blending and the ability to build the color. It has the advantage of being a pressed powder, which is quicker to get right (at least if you're me).

There's a great overview of Paul & Joe's makeup line over at The Beauty Look Book. We seem to be on a similar wave length, shopping-wise, which is a lot of fun. Lina usually covers the light and nude colors while I go for the dark ones. So stay tuned for some more Paul & Joe fun on both our blogs.

Paul & Joe Eye Color single eye shadow ($20) is available from Bergdorf Goodman, Beauty Habit and dermstore.com, which is where I purchased mine.

Photos by me.

Paul & Joe For The Cat Ladies

I have no idea how I managed to miss these items when they were released over the summer, but Paul & Joe's Fall 2009 Collection had the cutest packaging, including these two items. Now, neither the lipstick (too light and sheer) nor the eye shadows (way too glittery) are something I need or would even use, so it doesn't really matter. But, oh my, aren't they lovely? Both are available from Beauty Habit (beautyhabit.com), and if these colors are your thing, use code INSTYLE for a 20% discount. The newly released Winter Collection is also available, in purple and gold packaging. I'm not too excited about any of the items.