When makeup legend (icon, superstar, beauty guru—take your pick) Bobbi Brown launched Jones Road Beauty in 2020, I was curious how it would compare to the original line that made her a household name in beauty. I've been a professional makeup artist for almost 21 years and counting, and during the initial years of growing my career, Bobbi Brown was one of the "it" makeup brands highly sought after.
What sets Jones Road Beauty apart is its mission to streamline your beauty routine. The brand offers a curated collection of makeup and skincare essentials, which sounds like it was made just for me (and most likely, you, too!). I tried 19 of the most iconic Jones Road products, both classic bestsellers and their latest launches, to see how impressive they were. When it comes to testing products, my process is fairly straightforward. I will wear the product for one to two weeks and see how my skin reacts to it, how it feels with it on, how it holds up under the elements, and if I have any reactions. After hours of testing and research, here are my unfiltered, honest thoughts.
With a unique rollerball applicator, this serum is easy to use and efficient on the go and for vacation. Packed with vitamins C, B, E, and sodium hyaluronate, the texture is not sticky; it nourishes and absorbs quickly into the skin, and for those who aren’t particularly dry, it would make a great prep for makeup. I like the ease of the rollerball, and it also felt so nice on my skin in the morning, as it felt cool upon application. It didn’t take long to absorb, and it didn’t have a lingering fragrance. I could apply the rest of my makeup quickly after using it, which makes it much more enticing. Use it alone, or pair it with the Miracle Cream for an extra dose of hydration.
This cream is ideal for those with dehydrated skin who need moisture immediately. Since my skin is combination and not on the dry side, I found that the texture and finish were slightly heavier than my personal preference, but it does wonders for skin that is dry and flaky, and when applied the right way, it banishes all traces of pesky skin flakes. When working with someone who has particularly dry skin, I'll take a pea-sized amount and warm it up in my hands, pressing it onto the skin starting around the nose area, which can tend to be the most irritated when dry and working my way outwards to the cheeks and forehead. The key is applying the right amount; you don't need much to get the job done with this thick, emollient cream. Packed with shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E, I recommend using it as a nighttime hydration mask or as the finishing touch on your skincare routine to lock in all the moisture. The Miracle Cream is also a great product for those experiencing skin sensitivity and peeling due to retinol or chemical exfoliant use.It's best practice to use a lighter cream during the day, especially under makeup.
This formula is nourishing, and a little goes a long way. With eye cream, it’s easy to overdo it when it comes to application, and this cream is thicker in consistency, so you only need a tiny drop. I don’t apply eye cream directly under my eyes as it can often interfere with concealer, cause a greasy feeling, or add to my makeup creasing. With this eye cream, I applied it right under the hollow of my under eyes and let it slowly migrate upward throughout the day as it continued to be absorbed by my skin. If I applied a tiny amount, it wouldn’t disrupt my makeup, but applying too much would have caused my under-eye area to feel and look greasy.
A true makeup-skincare hybrid, this creamy balm (filled with jojoba seed and argan oils, plus vitamin E) adds perfect moisture to your skin while reflecting light to leave skin perfectly glowy. But there’s a color component, too; along with a clear version, twelve shades impart a subtle tint. This is a great multiuse product, but you need some initial guidance on how to use it. First, the balm is thick, so a little goes a long way. When I'm working on photo shoots and the direction calls for natural-looking skin, I will take the tiniest bit of this balm, warm it up in my hands, and press it onto the model's face, creating more of an even skin tone and adding glow. I will then buff some concealer or foundation in areas that need it. I like to wear this balm on my skin without foundation if I'm running errands and on my lids and cheeks to add a pop of color. Each shade brings something different, so you might wear multiple shades for different things. The key is starting small with the amount and working it into the skin so it absorbs and benefits from all those nourishing ingredients.
This is a hybrid of a tinted moisture balm and foundation. It is buildable, so you can dial up the right type of coverage where needed. Infused with jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate (a pure form of hyaluronic acid), it's ultra-moisturizing and nourishes the skin. I am extremely picky about foundation and didn't know if I'd like this formula. When I applied it, I first noticed how light it felt on my skin, how well it absorbed and blended into something that looked extremely natural, and how well it wore throughout the day. I love the finish; it's dewy and looks like second skin. I recommend applying it with a foundation brush versus your fingers, as you will get the most even application from a brush. I feel that due to the texture and finish of this product, it’s a suitable foundation to wear all year round. If your skin tends to be drier in winter, apply a rich cream like the Miracle Cream as your priming moisturizer underneath.
If you're looking for something that will help conceal, even out skin tone, and dry down to a soft, matte finish, the face pencil is the ideal concealer and skin-perfecting product for you. Traditionally concealers have traditionally been known to be thicker with creamier finishes and textures. This pencil yields a different approach by subtly blending and correcting issues on the skin without much of a noticeable finish. I like to use it under the eyes as a color corrector and radiance booster, under the brows, and in the inner corners of the eyes as a highlight. I also blend it around the nose area if it's especially red and help conceal sun spots or blemishes with it, as the pencil feature gives it precision.
This launch was two years in the making—time well spent, in my opinion. It's a buildable bronzer that comes in powder form, but the texture is silky, and like other products in the range, it is developed to melt into the skin so it won't crease. It goes on sheer but is pigmented enough to create a natural contour and even color correctly. To that point, it comes in eight shades to work across various skin tones and types. I often color-correct with bronzer when doing makeup, especially under the eye area, to neutralize dark circles and shading. I like how sheer this bronzer is and how it lays on the skin, which is sometimes hard to find with powder bronzers as they can look muddy upon application and need extra time to blend out. One thing to make note of this bronzer is when you first put your brush into the powder, tap it before applying to rid your brush of any excess powder. The texture of the powder is soft and adheres to the brush quickly. I applied this bronzer on my cheekbones and across my forehead and blended some on my lids instead of eyeshadow for a soft, beachy, monochromatic look.
As someone who loves bronzer, I was excited to try this bronzer as I'd not had much experience in wearing ones that come in gel formulas. This particular bronzer takes some practice when applying, but it's fairly easy once you've got it down. It looks more pigmented when you squeeze it out than it is. The key to applying gel formulas is slow and steady, light tapping it onto the skin versus rubbing. I squeezed a tiny bit out on the top of my hand and used a fluffy blush brush to lightly tap the bronzer onto my cheekbones and across my forehead. You can build the color of this bronzer, but be sure to do it in small increments, as applying too much too soon can cause product buildup. I recommend wearing this on top of liquid foundations and skin tints versus powder, as the gel adheres to creams and liquids for a more flawless application and finish.
I love brow gel and use it daily. Anything that wakes my brow hairs is welcomed, especially when the product has a tint. Upon initial use of this brow gel, I noticed it deposits a lot of color on the initial application. I recommend wiping the brush down with a tissue before applying it to your brows, as some of the pigment got stuck in my hair and was too heavy for my preference. When you wipe it down and lightly brush it through your brow hairs, you'll get a much more natural finish with an added color boost that's not obvious. I did not need to follow up with a brow pencil when using this gel because of the pigment, but if you're looking for a pencil option, The Brow Pencil can give some added definition to your brows. While traditionally, most brow pencils are thin; this chubby pencil allows grip and control when lightly buffing color into sparse areas.
First, I love that this chubby pencil allows you to grip and have control while applying it to your brows. Traditionally, brow pencils are quite thin; this one acts as more of a color deposit tool than a precise shaping one. The best way to use it is to lightly buff it into sparse areas where you might need more color or to add some fullness. If you’re looking for something that will enhance the shape of your brows and need precision, you’ll opt for a thinner pencil that can draw on fine lines and imitate the look of brow hairs.
Another shadow option in the line boasts a weightless and whipped texture that feels cushiony as soon as it goes on. This is a true cream shadow. The color (also crease-proof) is sheer and luminous, great for working across your entire lid. I prefer to apply this with my fingers, and it also makes a nice liner for the eyes when applied with an angled shadow brush. You can build out the level of pigment you want, so layer the shadow on your lids until you get the color you want.
This liquid eyeshadow is reminiscent of the old-school Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, one of the OG products that was all the rave back in the day. In the best way possible. It’s aptly named for sure; the sparkle is real here. I am not a sparkle gal, and I gravitate toward matte shadows or dewier cream finishes, but I love this for photo shoots or when wanting to create a sparkly look that stands out. When applying this shadow, start slow. A little goes a long way, and there is a lot of sparkle and glitter, so keep it condensed by lightly tapping it with your finger on the lid to blend it out. I applied this on top of the Just a Sec shadow for a little glitter moment that wasn’t overpowering, and loved combining the two together!
The name says it all. Taking a cue from the simple, dense liner pencils of the ‘70s, this formula is still modern and glides on nicely. Plus, unlike so many eyeliner pencils we’ve tried in our day, this one somehow works equally well for creating crisp, graphic shapes as it does smudge out for a smokey effect as it is layered with shadow. I am a huge fan of pencils that can be sharpened, as I love getting them as pointy as possible for precise application. My favorite feature of this eyeliner pencil is how soft it is upon application, which makes it easier to apply in between the eyelashes for a tight-line look.
The wand is a great callout for this particular product; it’s both thick and curved, which is sometimes hard to find when wanting both that curling and volumizing effect. The formula glides on fairly easily with minimal clumping, albeit I always experience some sort of clumping when applying mascara because I love to apply a lot. I started at the base of my lashes, wiggled the wand back and forth to lock it in at the base, and then moved the wand upwards to the tips of my lashes. I applied three coats of this mascara and did need to blot my lashes on a tissue to rid the excess. The formula did run under my eyes throughout the day and needed some cleaning up, but in full transparency, every mascara I try runs under my eyes and often needs a midday clean up.
This is a standard lip liner, and I love that it’s a pencil that can be sharpened rather than twisted up. As I mentioned, I love pencils that need sharpening, so you can customize how pointy it gets when applying liner to models for shoots or clients who need extra definition. It was straightforward to use; you apply it before lipstick or after to add some more shape. The cream isn’t hard like some pencils; it melts on the skin immediately, making for an effortless glide.
When I tell you that I became the biggest superfan of this lip balm after using it just one time, that is no exaggeration. This has become a staple in my purse, and I will not go anywhere without it. The balm is hydrating, my lips experienced zero flaking while reapplying it throughout the day, and the color deposit is both lasting and lovely. I went on vacation recently, and this is the only lip product I brought with me—that shows you just how great it is. It truly merges the benefits of lipstick and lip balm in one, and I love the versatile shade range.
Super moisturizing with the perfect level of shine, this gloss can be reapplied throughout the day and night without the dreaded feeling of stickiness. Bonus points for adding peppermint oil that makes it feel and taste refreshingly minty. It deposits a nice color on the lips and can be worn alone or on top of lipstick. Like most traditional glosses, it will need to be reapplied after eating and drinking, but it doesn't feel heavy; you forget that you have anything on your lips, yet they stay hydrated, which is a big bonus for me as dry, cracked lips are one of my biggest pet peeves. The gloss truly stays on the lips as it feels more like a balm; I was pleasantly surprised at how long it lasted.
This product has been a staple in my pro makeup artist kit since it came out, and I cannot say enough good things about it. Every single client and model I've used this on has asked what it is and commented on the pleasant smell of peppermint. I should be a spokesperson for this balm, as I've sold so many.
My pitch: It's an incredible product for photo shoots and clients who will be photographed. It leaves a beautiful sheen on the skin that reflects the light most perfectly, and it is the easiest to apply as you glide it on the skin and follow up by massaging it with your hands. The multipurpose balm is infused with sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, so it truly hydrates all areas of the face and body, especially the knees and elbows. I do not use this on the face when working or on myself, but all over the body, especially after shaving and when traveling.
This nail kit comes with three bottles of polish in shades “Clear” (for base and top coat purposes), “Poppy” (a bright red), and “Ballerina” (a light pink) along with a miniature nail file included. The kit is straightforward and is good for someone who just needs classic colors to use and travel with. I think it also makes for a good product to have in a pro makeup artist kit if a nail emergency arises on a photo shoot and you need something basic to touch up nails with. The brush is a nice size and not too wide, allowing for a simple application. I applied the clear base coat first, followed by two coats of “Poppy,” finishing with another coat of the clear as my top coat.
Why Trust Byrdie
Ashley Rebecca, a longtime Byrdie freelancer and makeup artist based in New York City, enjoys a more natural makeup look and focuses heavily on caring for her skin. She won't turn down a skincare treatment, like a laser if it means I can wear less makeup throughout the day. Yes, she enjoys playing up her eyes or lips if she wants to do a little extra, but her daily products include a foundation or skin tint, concealer, bronzer, mascara, a cream blush, brow gel, and light lip color. Also important to know: Ashley’s combination skin tends to be sensitive to fragrance, so she likes to wear things that don't have a powerful scent.
Melanie Rud, a longtime freelancer for Byrdie, wrote the first published version of this review. Some of her general observations about the brand and its products remain to support Ashley's first-person testing and insights.