We test the “perfect” smudge-proof gel liner from Jones Road
Makeup artist Bobbi Brown is legendary for many reasons but inventing the gel liner formula has to come high on the list. The Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner she created for her original namesake brand remains a global bestseller, and now Bobbi has reinvented it all over again for Jones Road. The Gel Liner sold out in a flash when it landed late last year as part of a limited edition kit, but fret not if you missed out then, as it’s now part of the permanent Jones Road range.
So why, exactly, are beauty watchers so excited about this particular product – and is it really worth the hype? Here’s what you need to know…
Gel Liner
What shades is the Jones Road Gel Liner in?
The Jones Road gel liner range is now bigger and better. While the limited edition version was only available in a rich chocolate brown, the permanent range offers it in four shades, with a classic jet black, navy blue and violet completing the line-up. While ‘violet’ may sound a little off-brand for the queen of natural makeup, it’s actually a very wearable rich deep aubergine, which looks particularly striking against blue or green eyes.
Gel Liner in Violet
In fact, the aubergine shade is a personal fave of Bobbi’s, who says: “For my makeup routine, I find that the liner in Brown or Violet with our uber-black mascara totally makes my eyes pop. I’m incredibly proud of this formula I originally invented many years ago and I’m thrilled to bring an updated version to the Jones Road line. The definition it provides is perfectly strong and really makes your eyes stand out.”
The GH beauty director review
The original is a product I hold very dear to my heart, considering it was the eyeliner I entrusted to stay smear-free for my wedding. I’m in good company on this one, too, as Bobbi Brown is the makeup brand the Princess of Wales reportedly used for her own nuptials, and as the entire watching world can confirm, Kate's perfectly pigmented liner was more than up to the moment.
Strangely, it’s a product I’ve not worn for a bit (nothing personal; probably misplaced in a drawer somewhere) but with a single swipe of the Jones Road version, I was falling in love with gel liner all over again. Honestly, why had I left it so long? It’s so quick, easy and ridiculously flattering. If you're an older woman looking for an easy makeup update, this is a must-buy.
The gel texture keeps the edges soft, but without sacrificing hold and allowing it to wander out of bounds. Normally, eyeliner gets restless sitting on my lash line and wriggles its way into my lid crease but this one behaved beautifully, setting fast and staying put all day. There’s also just enough time to buff the gel ever-so-slightly, if you want a more diffused look under the eyes, say.
How to wear the Jones Road gel liner
The new black shade is all sorts of sultry and intense, and most definitely something I’d wear for a night out. In fact, it fits in perfectly with the red carpet trend I’m seeing towards upper eyelines that are richly defined without being harsh and overly graphic. Take a bow, Demi Moore, Gwendoline Christie, Clara Amfo, Saoirse Ronan Marisa Abela…
However, if full-on jet black feels a bit out of your comfort zone, I’d say you could use any of the other three shades to tap into the trend while taking the intensity down a notch.
How to apply Jones Road gel liner
It's not a hard product to use, but to make it truly foolproof Bobbi recommend using the matching Precision Eyeliner Brush. "This brush is truly made for a precise line that when close to your lash line, it looks as it belongs and your lashes appear thicker and richer."
The Precision Eyeliner Brush
If you want to wing it out, Bobbi advises: "Start in the inner corner of your eye, line close to your lashes and gradually make the line thicker as you extend it to the end of your eye and then outward and slightly up. Pro tip is to start with a light hand - you can always go back and add additional thickness to your line.”
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