I’m a sucker for a celebrity endorsed (or created) line of makeup or skincare (Honest was my last obsession), so I was anxiously awaiting Juice Beauty to launch its Gwyneth Paltrow-created PHYTO-PIGMENTS collection which uses plants and other organics. She has said that she wasn’t going to just stamp her name on something that she didn’t help create, instead she combed through her personal makeup bag bringing to Juice her fave products asking them to formulate clean versions of each. She sent back those that didn’t perform or that had preservatives she wasn’t comfortable using so it’s essentially a line of makeup that wears like expensive department store brands, but with plant-based ingredients.
I’ve used some Juice throughout the years with mixed results. I’d probably give the skincare I tried a solid C+, nice but nothing exceptional that would prompt a return purchase. Honestly, if GP herself wasn’t involved I probably wouldn’t have cared to try, but I’m so glad I did. Here’s a review on what I bought, what I skipped, and what I’ll try next time.
What I Bought:
PHYTO-PIGMENTS Flawless Serum Foundation $42:
I’ve been wearing Honest’s cream foundation that (in theory) should be fuller coverage than a liquid, but juice wins out with a fuller, better looking coverage that doesn’t fall apart during the day. It’s such an elegant formula that reminds me of Armani’s $62 Luminous Silk Foundation – down to the frosted glass bottle. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was what she brought in to duplicate because it’s honestly that good. It doesn’t have a heavy finish (its first ingredient is actually aloe), it just looks like better, brighter, more even skin. I’ve had more luck blending it in with a foundation brush (like this one) than a Beauty Blender which absorbs too much product and zaps the coverage.
PHYTO-PIGMENTS Lip Crayon in Laguna $22
Not matte or sheer, this is a cream formula that moisturizes as well as a balm and wears a long time. I’ll apply it in the morning and still see color around 2. The line is named for the plants that are used to give the makeup such bight colors instead of using chemicals or even crushed bugs (check this out if you haven’t heard of carmine. Most pink and red lipsticks contain it.) It’s not easy to get such bright shades in a natural way, but their mix of rose, eggplant, moringa and eclipta daisy seem to be doing the trick.
PHYTO-PIGMENTS Perfecting Concealer $24
This is my new fave concealer and one of the best I’ve ever used. It’s complete coverage without weight and so long-wearing. It covers the darkness around my eyes without settling in fine lines and disguises redness too. My only gripe would be with the shade offerings – I bought Buff which is on the lighter side of what I normally wear, but the next darkest is Cream which would’ve been way too dark. It’s like they skipped a shade in between which would actually be a nice light/medium color that most lines have.
What I skipped:
This Sheer Gloss $22 which had barely any color and was too thin and runny to stay on long at all. It felt like an oozy mess. Instead, grab a Liquid Lip, which had tons of rich color and shine- more along the lines of what a gloss should be.
I think they got the hint that this bronzer doesn’t work because it’s ‘out of stock’ on their site which might mean a re-vamp of some sort. It was a weird brick red that wouldn’t work for a blush let alone a bronzer. There’s nothing about it worth exploring.
What I’ll try next:
Ulta was completely out of their Shadow Sticks $22 but I’d love to just swipe on some easy color since I’m not doing much eye shadow these days.
I’m dying for a natural mascara formula that works like the others so I’ll give this one a whirl. I’ll overlook them describing it as ‘feathery soft’ because I want some serious bulidability and drama in my lash game.
Also worth noting, the new collection isn’t at every Ulta. You might want to call to see if they have it before making a special trip.