Jouer

My Picks for This Year’s Best Spring and Summer Makeup Launches

June 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 24 Comments

best spring summer launches — Some of my picks for “The Best Spring and Summer Makeup Launches”

Whew! There has been so much good makeup lately.

I mean, I used to get more excited about moody fall colors, but this year the spring and summer collections have been incredible! Literally, every time I turn around, I’m seeing another gorgeous collection.

If your head has been spinning a little like mine, then I hope you’ll like my picks for some of the best spring/summer makeup launches. I’d also love to hear yours.

I think I’ll start with lips, because I think a new lipstick or gloss is probably the easiest way to update your look.

Lips

First up, the Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint by Tarte, and I have the shade called Double Tap (here are swatches of the full range in this post).

I’m wearing cool-toned nude Double Tap in these pics, but I usually go for warmer-toned peaches and pinks. Thing is, this mauve is just so pretty and different from the rest of my stash. It’s opaque and not sticky at all.

Next, Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick, and I just mentioned the shade called Swinger in my roundup of my favorite liquid lipsticks, so I’ll be brief now: the color and formula are AMAZING. This one is perfect for summer.

Of course, I couldn’t talk about this season’s new launches without mentioning beautiful ColourPop Dohee.

Here’s a snap of me wearing it from my Spring Haul video.

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The Jouer Holiday 2014 Collection: Chic and Polished Makeup Sets On Sale Right Meow!

December 11th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Jouer Fete Fabulous — Wearing pieces from the new limited edition Fete Fabulous 5-piece holiday color collection by Jouer

Oh, Jouer, you’re so fun!

Get it…? Jouer? Means “play” in French?

Sorry.

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, their limited edition holiday sets are a Fete Fabulous way to break the ice.

The 5-piece Fete Fabulous kit for eyes, cheeks and lips (regularly $112, on sale now for $54) comes with a warm honey matte bronzer and a sheer rosy pink cream blush for cheeks, a shimmery gold cream eyeshadow stick and a powder eyeshadow duo containing a matte beige and an espresso brown for eyes, and a sheer berry pink gloss for lips.

I wore the kit a lot last weekend while visiting my in-laws in Redding, and it was juuust enough makeup to satisfy my appetite.

Jouer is an upscale, boutiquey line out of So Cal with a chic, understated, effortless vibe. I love their style and like to wear their stuff on weekends, or whenever I crave easy definition.

The sheer glosses in the Bisou Bisou and French Kiss lipgloss kits are fine, if not fun, especially if you like to layer sheer gloss on top of your lipstick.

If, however, your lips get dry and cracked this time of year, you may want to start with a layer of lip balm, because the glosses aren’t incredibly moisturizing.

As for the Le Petite Brush Set, on sale now for $35 (regularly $70), the bristles feel nice and soft, but brush heads themselves feel a bit stiff. They don’t have as much give as I usually like.

Because of that, these brushes do a decent job controlling cream products, but when it comes to pushing powder products around, I wish the brush heads had more give.

The Jouer Fete Fabulous 5-Piece Color Collection, originally $112, on sale online now for $54

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So Long, Horse, Because Jouer Just Made This the Year of the Mousse: The New Jouer Long-Wear Creme Mousse Eyeshadows Make Lids Shine Without Highlighting Fine Lines

November 4th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Jouer Long-Wear Creme Mousse Eyeshadow Swatches from the left: Dusk, Galaxy, Moonlight, Night Sky, Starlight and Twilight — The new Jouer Long-Wear Creme Mousse Eyeshadows, $30 each

What can I say? Sparkly things give me grabby hands. 🙂

Unfortunately, I also feel like some flashy finishes look straight-up criminal on my eyelids… I’m all for wearing what you want, when you want, but I’m kind of at that stage in my makeup journey when super shimmery frosts, tempting as they are, highlight my fine lines a little more than I’d like.

That said, I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to say, “So long forever, sparkle and gloss! I’m living a full-time matte life.” I think I’ll always like a little glitz.

Enter the Jouer Long-Wear Creme Mousse Eyeshadows ($30 each), which came out a little earlier this fall. If you have fine lines like I do, and you crave shimmer like the Gilmore Girls crave coffee, these easy-to-use cream shadows got your back.

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Casual, Carefree Jouer Summer 2014 Collection Lip Sheer SPF 15 in Sheer Rosy Stain and Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow

August 8th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

Wearing Jouer's Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow and Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain — A casual no-makeup makeup look with Jouer’s Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow ($24) and Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain ($22)

Rolled-up jeans, toes in the sand, head to the sky (So you can look for animals in the clouds… Can you see the husky tabby in those clouds right there?!) — this is what it feels like to wear Jouer’s two new summer pieces.

Jouer Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow, $24 — Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow, $24

Jouer Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain, $22 — Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain, $22

The vibe I get from Jouer’s $22 Lip Sheer SPF 15 in Sheer Rosy Stain and $24 Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow is California casual, carefree and laid-back (think no-makeup makeup). Both the sheer lipstick and the cream blush, which doubles as a lip tint, have pH-reacting pigments to create a personalized sheer rosy tint, with a slightly glossy finish.

Jouer Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow (left) and Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain (right) — Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow (left) and Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain (right)

Jouer Luminizing Cheek Tint in Rosy Glow and Lip Sheer in Sheer Rosy Stain with a MAC lipstick for scale — With a MAC Lipstick for scale

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With Three Products and a Leopard-Print Bag, Jouer’s Party Perfect Holiday Set Has Hard-Working Pet Assistants Saying Meow

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Jouer Party Perfect — With the leopard-print canvas bag that comes with the set

Does anyone ever have fun at work holiday parties? I envy you if you do, because when I worked in the city, I did not.

It was a stuffy office bloated with big egos and rife with corporate intrigue!

OK, not really. 🙂 But it was very hard to unwind around my bosses, and when I absolutely, positively couldn’t wiggle my way out of it, I’d show up to make an appearance, say “Hi!” to whoever might notice my absence, and peace out quietly as soon as I could sneak out the door…

The parties are better now at my current gig as assistant to the CEO of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC.

Tabs usually invites all of his kitty modeling peers and industry heavyweights (like Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s feline associate), and of course there’s always an open bar where the catnip cocktails flow freely…

I don’t really get to par-tay like a rockstar because of my admin duties, like making sure the guests get home safely and that no one steals anything (don’t get me started on the time a Ragdoll pilfered Tabs’ fine art collection).

Long story short, these occasions are usually quite entertaining, and they give me an excuse to wear party makeup.

Thing is, I can’t go really over the top since these are technically work gigs. I still have to look somewhat responsible, which is why Jouer’s Party Perfect holiday kit might work perfectly.

When I showed this three-piece set to our CEO, he promptly sent this memo: “Mrrroow. Meeeeow. *Purr*”

That’s corporate shorthand for “Chic and sophisticated. I approve.” 🙂

The limited edition release comes with three Jouer makeup essentials for classically simple party looks, and it comes with a roomy zippered leopard-print canvas bag, inside which you’ll find…

Jouer’s Hydrating Lipstick in Meg, a creamy, moisturizing honey pale pink with Brazilian Cupuacu Butter. Perfect for a classic nude lip.

Because my lips are so pigmented, I like to bump it up with a lip liner, and top it off with a sheer pink gloss for extra shine.

Jouer Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner — Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

The set also comes with Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Leopard, a bronzed chocolate liquid liner that softly shimmers to take your cat eyes up a notch from basic black.

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I Only Have Cat Eyes for…Jouer’s New Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners in Lynx, Leopard and Panther

November 13th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners in Leopard, Panther and Lynx — Big cat love! The new Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners in Leopard, Panther and Lynx ($22 each), three new shades just added to the permanent line…I’m wearing Panther

Meow-za! I’ve been having a good ol’ time today with these three new Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners from Jouer — bronzy brown Leopard, glittering gunmetal gray Panther and golden khaki Lynx.

Of course, you can’t go wrong in my book with big cat names, but that’s not the only reason I like ’em. I also think they’re really easy to apply, as far as liquid liners go.

Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliners from top to bottom Leopard, Panther and Lynx — From top to bottom, that’s Leopard, Panther and Lynx

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Today in the News, Jouer Has Discovered the Perfect Red Lip!

November 12th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Jouer Grace Lipstick, a creamy coral red that flatters warm-toned blondes and brunettes — Wearing Lipstick in Grace ($22) on my lips from the new Perfect Red Collection by Jouer

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If you answered “F. All of the above,” DING-DING-DING-DING-DING! — you are correct. 🙂 There is such a thing as a perfect red lip.

Just ask Jouer.

Jouer Perfect Red Collection 2013 — The Perfect Red collection includes two Lip Glosses ($20 each) and five Lipsticks ($22 each)

Of course, said perfect red lips aren’t necessarily easy to find (it took me years!), but indie brand Jouer thinks they have some good leads, and they’ve put them in their new Perfect Red Collection.

I really like Jouer… They’re a small-ish brand out of SoCal, and I’ve been following them for a few years. If you like Kate Spade’s vibe — chic, sweet, feminine and fun, but not overtly frilly or afraid to wear color — I think you’ll like ’em, too.

Jouer Perfect Red Collection lipsticks from the left: Ava, Grace, Lana, Simone and Sophia — Lipsticks from the left: Ava, Grace, Lana, Simone and Sophia

Perfect Red’s premise is that you’ll be able to find your perfect red amongst the five lipsticks and two glosses in the collection. There are reds for cool skin tones, warm skin tones and a neutral shade that should suit most everyone. If you like pounds of pigment, go for one of the lipsticks, but if you like sheer shades on your lips, grab a gloss. Jouer even created a convenient flowchart to help you decide.

Jouer Perfect Red Collection Lip Glosses in Monaco (left) and Riviera (right) — Monaco (left) and Riviera (right)

I have warm coloring, but I’ve tried all seven of these shades, and I have to say, I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of any of them. Yeah, the guidelines help, but I think the seven pieces are flexible and flattering enough to work with most skin tones.

Here are some general guidelines (but definitely not strict rules).

For warm skin tones…

Jouer Sophia Lipstick, a creamy rose red that flatters warm-toned brunettes — Sophia Lipstick, a creamy rose red that flatters warm-toned brunettes

Jouer Monaco Lip Gloss, a sheer coral red that flatters warm skin tone — Monaco Lip Gloss, a sheer coral red for warm skin tones

For cool skin tones…

Jouer Lana Lipstick, a creamy berry red that flatters cool-toned blondes — Lana Lipstick, a creamy berry red for cool-toned blondes

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A Peachy Pick For Improv Spring Picnics or Any Time You’re in a Rush: Jouer Honeysuckle Tint Quickly Blossoms on Cheeks and Lips

March 26th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

My favorite part of last weekend? When El Hub knocked on my office door to invite me on an impromptu picnic.

Mind you, the picnic itself was great, but immediately before El Hub knocked on my door, I was feeling a little blue… The picnic was a perfect opportunity to not only spend some quality time with him but also with Honeysuckle, a new spring shade in Jouer’s line of $20 multitasking cream Tints for cheeks and lips.

Naturally, a picnic with your sweetie is infinitely better when you’re wearing peach blush and lipstick to go with your sandwiches, chips and lemonade.

Jouer Honeysuckle Tint Picture — Pretty in peach

I was crunching numbers (taxes, bluh) when I heard a tap-tap-tapping on my door…

One look at my sad face and bleary eyes told El Hub all he needed to know.

“You wanna go on a picnic?” he said, stepping over Tabs, who was sprawled in front of the doorway like a 20-pound kitty gatekeeper. “You, me, sandwiches from Whole Foods and a nice patch of grass? Come on, let’s go. Can you be ready in five minutes?”

He handed me a glass of water he was holding and an allergy pill. “Here, take this, Bubble Girl.”

This time of year, I’m allergic to everything, so I chugged it down. He grabbed the glass and turned to leave.

“Five minutes isn’t enough,” I said after him.

He bounded down the stairs and hollered back, “Now it’s only four minutes!”

Sh*t. Four minutes?? I kicked into fast-and-furious makeup overdrive, rubbing a few dots of tinted moisturizer on my cheeks and chin, patting concealer under my eyes, brushing a bit of eye shadow into my brows and curling my lashes.

A minute left on the clock, but I felt like something was still missing…

I looked around the room and noticed Tabs rolling on his back, blinking with sleepy eyes. My pan of Jouer Honeysuckle was half buried beneath his tum.

Tabs-chunky — Large and in charge…and hiding makeup wherever he goes!

Seriously, dude. I will never understand how or why this cat enjoys stealing and sleeping on makeup. It’s just the weirdest thing. I guess it’s good that Jouer housed the 0.07-ounce pan of Honeysuckle in a sturdy brown compact, because not only can it withstand jostling around in my makeup bag, it can also withstand the power of a portly XXXL tabby.

After liberating the compact from Tabs’ voluptuous girth, I pried it open with my fingers, and swept and blended Honeysuckle’s sheer, lightweight cream formula on my cheeks and lips.

Purrfect. The semi-matte peach was exactly the kind of casual color I needed for an improv picnic and the rest of the day after, since it lasts 5-6 hours on my dry cheeks, and about an hour on my lips.

Jouer Honeysuckle Tint Swatch — Silky smooth, ma!

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Jouer

Lips

Which of the following statements is true?

For warm skin tones…

For cool skin tones…