The Paul & Joe Spring 2016 Collection: Sometimes Versatility Comes in Small, Lovely Packaging

My makeup looks tend to be simple. As I don’t often wear a full face of makeup, I opt for what I know, and what I find suits my lifestyle, as I’m sure most of us do.

What I’m talking about, I guess, is convenience, and convenience is just one of the many things that makes these few products from the Paul & Joe Spring 2016 Collection special.

Launched as a cosmetics line in 2002, and named after owner Sophie Mechaly’s two sons, feline-fabulous brand Paul & Joe has been a French staple since 1995, when it began as a menswear company before expanding into womenswear and children’s fashion.

Now available in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, the line has expanded significantly since its start.

Their philosophy says it all:

“Thoroughly enjoying life, valuing every moment- that is the philosophy of Parisians and Sophie Melachy herself. PAUL & JOE BEAUTE projects a lifestyle that brims over with a sense of happiness and well-being.”

Happiness is a present element when it comes to the packaging of these gorgeous spring products. This week I got my hands on the beautiful #11 compact, as well the #101 face and eye color combo, the #2 cream blush, and the #7 powder blush.

The compact itself is sold separately, and the products, such as the blushes, are designed to be interchangeable with the compact. This packaging is incredibly convenient for touchups throughout the day.

The Face and Eye Color Palette, the largest of the four products shown here, is also my favorite.

It’s stunning! And although I’m really not a fan of perfumed cosmetics, I can’t help myself. I like it here (it’s faintly citrusy with a hint of lily).

How adorable is that?! Give me pop-up packaging in everything I buy, please.

Eye color P and Cheek color P are both intense, but once applied and properly blended, can lend themselves to a multitude of looks. Blush #07 feels like satin and leaves a beautiful shimmer.

Of the three cheek colors, this duo is my favorite. It provides a stunning glow that doesn’t leave me feeling like an oompa-loompa.

The first look I tried was reminiscent of my go to — a simple cat eye and a bold lip.

I enjoy using eye shadow to line my eyes, mostly because at the end of the day when my wings are smudged, they tend to just look like a smokey eye, instead of a botched eyeliner job.

This is probably my overall favorite of these products here to wear. For this I used the copper shade as an eyeliner, wetting an angled brush for application. I do this regularly because I like the effect it gives.

Often, with this method, my eyeliner eventually smudges and fades, but with this formula, it stays put. I’m wearing cheek color P in these photos as well, although I’m afraid with my red lip, it might not have been the best choice…

My last look with this duo is wearing the copper shade all over my lid with the pink buffed into the crease. On my cheeks I’m wearing the cream blush in #7, using Carolina’s “lit from within” technique. I have a tendency to look rosy anyways, and I didn’t want to look too red!

These colors are vibrant and exciting, and wearing them every day definitely puts me in the mood for spring.

Unfortunately, the snow that hit New York on the first day of spring dampened that a little, but the sunshine immediately after helped. Working with these colors the past week to see how they can be worn has reminded me to look for versatility in the colors that I wear. I’m excited to go through my collection and see what I can work with. 🙂

Do you own any Paul & Joe makeup? Do you like French beauty products? And are you as intimidated by new hair tools as I am?