When makeup legend (icon, superstar, beauty guru—take your pick) Bobbi Brown launched her new beauty line in 2020, we did a happy dance. After exiting her eponymous line in 2016, Brown put all her efforts into developing this entirely fresh beauty brand. Jones Road Beauty is about streamlining your beauty routine, offering a curated collection of makeup and skincare essentials.
Jones Road products from the brand have gone viral on TikTok and become must-haves for anyone—including those with mature skin—who wants that no-makeup makeup look. Just how good are they? We tried 16 of the most iconic Jones Road products, both classic best-sellers and their latest launches, to see just how impressive they all were. Keep reading for our unfiltered thoughts.
Type: Cream blush | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A true makeup-skincare hybrid, this creamy balm (filled with jojoba seed and argan oils, plus vitamin E) adds the perfect amount of 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 suitable for all skin tones impart a subtle tint. This is a great multi-use 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.
Type: Foundation | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 will admit I am extremely picky about foundation, and I didn't know if I'd like this formula. When I initially 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 am a fan of the finish, it's dewy, and looks and feels like second skin. I do recommend applying it with a foundation brush versus your fingers, as you will get the most even application from using a brush.
Type: Bronzer | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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. 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.
Type: Lip gloss | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Super moisturizing with the perfect level of shine, this gloss can be re-applied throughout the day and night without the dreaded feeling of stickiness. Bonus points for the addition of 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 re-applied 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.
Type: Moisturizer | Cruelty-Free:
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. I feel it's best practice to use a lighter cream during the day especially when wearing it underneath makeup.
Type: Mascara | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The aptly-named fringe-enhancer is ‘the’ only mascara you’ll need. One swipe separates, lifts, and volumizes lashes; I was excited that the wand featured my two favorite qualities. It’s both nice and chunky and has a slight curve to it, helping to coat every single hair. I found that it worked equally well both when I did and didn’t curl my lashes. The formula is also super flexible and soft, meaning you can easily layer it if you crave a bolder look without having to stress out about flakes or smudges. And, in related news, it also washes off completely cleanly. My biggest pet peeve is mascara that runs as you’re washing your face and makes it look like you have racoon eyes, then requires extra elbow grease and removal time. Not the case here. It stayed put all day (and night) long, then came off beautifully.
READ FULL REVIEW: This Mascara Paints on Thick, Dark Lashes With a Noticeable Lift
Type: Liquid eyeshadow | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 towards 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.
Type: Eyeshadow | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 if the Sparkle Wash is more of a liquid. 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.
Type: Moisturizer | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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. This all-over balm is such an incredible product to use on 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 in with your hands. This has made hydrating skin one of the easiest things to do, as it's not a lotion or cream that needs to be massaged for minutes into the skin until it disappears, often leaving a less-than-pleasant residue. 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!
This multi-purpose 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.
Type: Eyeliner pencil | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The name pretty much 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.
Type: Eye cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Macadamia seed oil is the star of the show, noteworthy for being non-comedogenic, a significant plus for delicate skin. A tiny amount of this eye cream is all you need to deliver plenty of moisture to the delicate skin around your peepers. There’s also a natural, plant-based sugar in the mix that both hydrates and offers antioxidant protection, always a good thing. (Fun fact: You can also dab it onto dry lips.)
Type: Face pencil | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 been known to be on the thicker side 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 brightener, and 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.
Type: Highlighter | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If liquid face oil isn't your thing but you want the benefits of oil with a method that's much easier to apply, this product will suit your needs. Adding instant conditioning to the skin in an easy-to-use stick, you simply glide this on your face, following up by tapping the product in with your fingers. I use this often in my pro makeup kit to create those dewy, oily looks, without having to actually use face oil. It stays in place, and you can control where you place it. Apply it to the eyelids for a dewy, wet look and on the cheekbones for more dew and light-reflecting benefits. It blends down into the skin easily, so you can apply makeup on top of it without it getting messy.
Type: Brow Gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.
Type: Liquid bronzer | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 build-up. 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.
Type: Nail polish | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For Jones Road founder, Bobbi Brown, a red manicure is the epitome of glamour—and I have to agree—so it makes sense that the brand’s first foray into the nail care category is with a set that features a red polish. I love the curation of the set’s colors, a “your nails but better” sheer pink, called Ballerina, and a bright orange-red, called Poppy. The kit also contains a 2-in-1 base and top coat and nail file. The polish features a high gloss finish that lasts up to a week. To keep up with the effortlessness of Jones Road’s other products, the base and top coat dries in one minute, Poppy in three to five minutes, and Ballerina in just two minutes.
What to Look For in a Jones Road Product
- Shades: Jones Road is rooted in simplicity, and the colors it offers follow suit—the products tend to stick to more neutral and pink tones for eye and lip products, which makes them easy to incorporate into your daily makeup routine. The brand's website also features a shade matching tool that recommends face, eye, and lip colors based on the information you submit.
- Kits: Jones Road offers a few product kits. The 101 Set includes four products to help you create a seamless look, including two Everything Sticks, The Miracle Balm, and The Mascara. You can customize shades for your bundle and it is sold at a value price. The Lash Kit includes The Mascara and a Tweezerman eyelash curler—you can choose from the Curl 60° Eyelash Curler or the the Curl 38° Eyelash Curler, depending on the shape of your eyes.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there, including Shape, Real Simple, and Allure. She received her bachelor's degree in Journalism and English from New York University. She is an OG Bobbi Brown fan for life, and she tested all of the products on this list.