So, the new Cushion Foundation formats are really starting to roll out – but Paul & Joe Gel Foundation is a bit of a curiosity in that it’s not really a cushion foundation, but looks every inch as though it is. I doubt there will be a prettier cushion compact though.. 100% winning on that front!
So, here’s the compact contraption – a lid, a mirror, a sponge and a hole for the insert that comes separately.
Now it’s nicely slotted in and has a ‘mesh’ effect on the top which I actually thought was mesh. So I stuffed my finger into it…
Similar to this
And made that awful crater! Because far from it being a sponge soaked with liquid foundation like all the other cushion foundations in the whole world ever, it’s a solid, gel-like lump. That makes it sound very unappealing, but it is a genius foundation! Absolutely gorgeous in terms of coverage (medium to high) and leaves a very silky feel to the skin. It also feels slightly cooling on the skin which is lovely. I love the fact that it contains Hyaluronic and amino acids, plus green tea and marine collagen – you can definitely tell that it’s a superior, skin loving formulation.
I think where cushions and compacts run into problems is with the colours – they look completely different from liquid formats. The shade you see above is by chance an exact match to my skin, and yet I’d never pick this out as being a colour match for me. So far, the ones I have seen all look a bit too orange, and yet on the skin there is no hint of orange. I really hope there will be plenty of testers for these formats because they’ll take a bit of getting used to.
However, I’d hugely recommend the Paul & Joe Gel Foundation – it’s just divine – and if you like to experiment, this whole cushion thing is a lot of fun. Look out for this – kind of a game changer in its own way.
The Paul & Joe Gel Foundation is £35 for the case, refill and sponge and launches in April. This is one that is going to just fly off the shelves.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
19 comments
this sounds a bit like Vincent Longo Water Canvas foundation – right down to the cooling effect. Lovely packaging though.
This looks *exactly* like the Sonia Rykiel water gel foundation that I used and loved!
I will for sure keep my eyes out for this! 🙂
Oooo this looks good! Might need to test it out on one of my makeup clients x
Lucy
Prettylittlethingsmcr.blogspot.co.uk
Did you know p&j beaute is no longer in Harrods – gutted
No I didn’t know.. they’ve pulled out of Fenwick too .. what’s going on!
I think P&J is still being sold in Selfridges. Sounds like they need to be stocked in more stores though.
I don’t think p&j beaute has ever taken off in the uk. There is quite a lot in the sale at asos and the counter always seemed quiet in harrods. I collect it because of the packaging but it doesn’t seem to be well known
I’m also a P&J collector, have been about 5 years (mostly LE makeup), but just recently I have moved into their skincare and I have liked the products I have tried.
I’d love to test out this product but it’s so difficult to choose the right shade online, plus they are not really informative on that respect.
I was so bummed last summer when I found out on my trip to London that P&J had just left Fenwick – and now Harrods, too!
The compact is so pretty! Do you have an ingredients list?
Which colour is this Jane?
ooh I’ll have to hunt it out…
Oh yes, please…
hey, thanks for the review. coming from northern germany, it is really hard for me to get hands on p&j products. based on your review, id love to try the foundation from asos though. could you recommend me a shade, im using bourjois healthy mix foundation 51 vanilla clair. thanks a lot!
I can’t recommend a shade..all brands shade differently so I wouldn’t like to take the chance!
Wow, thanks for your amazingly quick reply! Maybe you could tell me whether there’s a shade that is as pale as bourgois 51 and whether it is more on the yellowish or pink side? I could only find very little information and almost no swatches…
I find that P&J errs to yellow – which suits my olive tone but not all tones. I don’t have Bourjois 51 so can’t advise further I’m afraid.
Thanks for your help and sorry for the belated ‘Thank you’.
Jane, which shade did you try? I can’t find anything.. Thanks!