The Beauty Ed®’s Note: This product was gifted due to my job as a Beauty Editor, but with no obligation to post. Nor am I earning money from any affiliate links.
My history with Jones Road Beauty predates any PR lists - I bought into its founder’s vision (makeup artist Bobbi Brown) with my own money back in 2020 because the brand’s effortless, modern approach to beauty spoke to me. 6 years later, after writing and raving about the products so much, I am on the lovely PRs radar and they are kindly sending me products to review.
Last week, they sent over their new Minimalist Defining Mascara (which launches today, August 13th!). It came in the most gorgeous brown-paper style pouch which I’m 100% going to keep for travel. I love how even this is so on brand - practical, understated, modern and chic.
As I’m a person that often skips mascara - unless I have a work meeting or a dinner on the calendar - I was keen to try this ‘less on purpose’ mascara. I think heavy, spider-leg lashes look dated. Especially as we age. They just weigh down the eyes, making you look tired and drawn.
I like to think of a mascara like this as the equivalent of a great designer white t-shirt - a James Perse if you will: understated but so stylish!
They sent me both the brown and black shades, so I decided to wear-test them side-by-side.
First thing I noticed: I love the shape of the wand
Unlike thicker, fibrous, fluffy wands that are messy and often cause smudging, this wand features a slim, molded design that gives you total control. It also has two edges: the straight edge grips lashes tightly right at the root which is ideal for reaching awkward inner corners and lower lashes. While the curved side coats and pushes the tips up for a soft lift.
The texture is soft and silky
The formula glides on with a cushiony, soft feel rather than a chalky or stiff dry-down. This is due to the conditioning formula which helps to support the health of the lashes. I’m yet to confirm the ingredients - but will keep you posted! This softness also keeps lashes separated and naturally tinted rather than clumped.
Brown Or Black?
The difference is subtle.
Brown (which I’m wearing on my right eye here) gives a lovely warm and soft daytime definition. More of a ‘are you wearing mascara?’ finish.
Black (on my left eye) offers slightly more contrast; my son even pointed out that the whites of my eye wearing the black looked brighter. More of a ‘going out’ option.
Both have a strong colour payoff so I only needed to apply one coat. The brown colour pigment is especially strong - as you can see from what was left on the pad when I removed it.
The Removal
One of the reasons I choose to skip mascara is because of the faff that comes with the removal - it requires extra effort during your night-time cleansing routine. The PR kindly sent me some branded reusable pads and micellar water in the package, which helped both shades came off surprisingly well. There seemed to be more pigment than I realised in the brown shade…which can only be a good thing, especially if your lashes are naturally light.
So is a less on purpose mascara really worth it?
If you want an everyday mascara that enhances your natural lashes without feeling heavy, rigid, or over-the-top, this 100% hits the mark. It’s making me want to wear mascara everyday which means a lot let me tell you…
Generally a natural make up wearer this 6th decade. Mascara can really grate with that. While I love EL mascara for the evening it sometimes looks very out of place in the day with a skint tint, but of blush, no eye liner vibe. Also long term fan of JR so will give this a look