Many many moons ago, I picked up the Paul & Joe Powder Foundation at a sale. I’ve received many requests to review it and its not that I’m not listening. I just never got round to using it! I can’t do it justice if I don’t wear it right?
Well now I have so now we have a review of the Paul & Joe powder foundation 😀
I’m not one usually swayed by packaging, but the foundation case dragged me in hook line and sinker! Its got a pearlescent sheen to it and is so pretty.
I’m pretty fair so I purchased mine in 11 – Natural. I find the colours tend to be in the safe spectrum to cater to the fair to medium skin toned. Too fair and you’d have a problem. Too dark and you’d have a problem too!
If I have one thing to nitpick about the packaging is the sponge. The powder foundation is a round pan as opposed to a rectangle pan. As a result, the space in the case is a little irregular. But the sponge does not fit 😛 So yes, nitpicking!
That aside, the Paul & Joe powder foundation is a dream. It feels silky smooth to the touch and applies light with medium coverage. One swipe with the sponge on my skin and I can see that its visibly evened out the skin texture.
One thing I noticed was that throughout the day, I did not get oily and my skin felt silky soft and velvety the whole day. Initially I didn’t know if its the Paul & Joe powder foundation, or my Vichy Pore Refine Essence so I wore the foundation without using the Vichy essence. It retained the same silky smooth feel – LOVE! 😀 It does work better together so I’m keeping them together.
As I said, coverage is medium which I’m happy with, and its a Dual Powder Foundation which means it can be used wet or dry. Wet gives you more coverage but I’m happy using it dry. You can also use a brush to apply for slightly sheerer coverage.
The compact with powder retailed for RM159 and can be refilled which is a bit of savings because the pan is slightly cheaper. I’m not sure if prices have gone up recently. I will however consider repurchasing this foundation once I run out because, yes, its THAT good!
In Malaysia, Paul & Joe is presently available at Isetan Lot 10, Parkson KLCC, Parkson Subang Parade or you can also purchase it off StrawberryNET.com for a nice little discount 😉
Pros: Soft silky feel, Light-medium coverage
Cons: Nitpicking about the sponge shape, Pricey
Paul & Joe vs Anna Sui powder foundation
Reader Monstro asked in a comment how the new Anna Sui Moisture Rich powder foundation compares to this Paul & Joe powder foundation. Just very quickly, I’m going to say that they are both good and comparable.
Both powders feel light and velvety on the skin and both do not dry my skin out. The Paul & Joe powder has a slight pink cast while the Anna Sui one seems to have a more beige/yellow cast. Paul & Joe has no scent while Anna Sui’s has a light rose scent. Paul & Joe’s compact is easier to tote around while Anna Sui’s is bulkier.
Otherwise, they are both comparable even in terms of pricing. I’d reckon you’d be happy with the quality of either powder foundation. They both have a firm place in my foundation collection. However, Paul & Joe powder pips it for me because of the lack of scent – its a personal thing 🙂
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Nikki says
September 21, 2009 at 9:16 amI’ll keep my mouth shut on this, you know how much I love this powder foundation, I use this as setting powder for my clients and I just bought backups over the weekend 🙂 weeee
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:01 pmHey Nikki
I know you love this one! 😀 Now I know why too 🙂
prettybeautiful says
September 21, 2009 at 9:41 amnice, looks like P&J stuff is really good, since nikki is also an advocate of P&J stuff.
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:01 pmHi prettybeautiful
So far so good! I wasn’t terribly impressed with the colour cosmetics but the base stuff aren’t bad
Shay says
September 21, 2009 at 10:54 amWould the P&J case fit the refill of Anna Sui’s powder foundation? Haha…just wanna know coz they are both on my shopping list. However, I like the P&J case better. So, I thought I would get the Anna Sui’s refill once I finished P&J. 😀
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:02 pmHi Shay
I’ll have to check this one! 🙂 Get back to you later.
sesame says
September 21, 2009 at 11:25 amI wear the same shade as you. I like this, better than most of the compact foundation I’ve tried. But I’ve not used it since using Zuii foundation and LA Splash mineral powder.
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:02 pmHey Sesame
Yeah I must agree its less drying and cakey on the skin than other compact foundations I’ve tried too.
Monstro says
September 21, 2009 at 1:14 pmThanks for answering my question! I am so putting this on my list–love the packaging too–I’m such a sucker! LOL!
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:04 pmHey Monstro!
I think you’re going to like this better than the Anna Sui 😉
yuki says
September 21, 2009 at 2:31 pmI’m a sucker for nice packaging as well… Haha… Especially if it’s SHINY! but good thing is that I tend not to carry around lots of cash so I won’t get the urge to spend =)
Nice review… personally I prefer liquid foundations over powder… I have this thinking that it’ll come off easier than the liquid ones… ooo… didn’t know that u can use it with water… hmmm… wonder whether it’ll work with the Laniege one? Hahha….
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:06 pmHi Yuki
All 2 way foundations can be used wet/damp for more coverage. For me liquid foundation slides off as quickly especially if it makes me oily hence my preference for powder but its always personal 🙂
Celine says
September 21, 2009 at 2:50 pmIs this possible to use Lancome Maquiliquide Liquid Foundation first and use P&J to touch up? 🙂
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:07 pmHi Celine
Yes you can but I’d advise it only for night looks as it can look too thick in the day if you layer that way. The Paul & Joe is a powder foundation not pressed powder so its more pigmented.
Saintangelius says
September 21, 2009 at 3:25 pmThis is my favourite compact to date. I carry it EVERYWHERE, It’s that useful. And you get alot of glances from other women when crack this open in a public place. Way to go for acting expensive ^^;; I found this the perfect match for my skin tone in comparison to other japanese based brands. Anna sui is a little sallow on me, Maquillage tends to be too shimmery and RMK as beautiful as it is tends to be quite expensive(but I do want to buy that one!). Or else generally they would be too light for my complexion ( i use latte 31) . Do review more Paul and Joe. I found their products a mighty treat to use.
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:07 pmHi Saintangelius
I only have this and the mascara LOL… I’m not into their colour cosmetics as I find them a bit blah. I wanted the disney blush balls things but they never got extras in sigh…
Rikairi says
September 21, 2009 at 3:34 pmWould just like to let you know that the Paul & Joe in Parkson KLCC has now moved to Parkson Pavillion, so there isn’t one in KLCC anymore. Just thought i should mention it in case anyone goes running off excitedly to KLCC to buy the powder foundation. Lol…
I love most of the Paul & Joe items!! I only wish the price tag wasn’t that high.. =(
Rikairi says
September 21, 2009 at 3:42 pmOh, i forgot to add that the Paul & Joe counter in Parkson Pavillion is located in front of the Laura Mercier counter, near the escalator (and behind the RMK counter i think).
Just thought i should share it with everyone since the first time i went there looking for the Paul & Joe counter i couldn’t find it and none of the Parkson sales assistants or cashiers knew what i was talking about when i asked. They kept telling me that there was no such brand… =.=”
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:08 pmHi Rikairi
Thanks for the tip!
Connie says
September 21, 2009 at 11:10 pmI’m yet to break into my Anna Sui powder foundation. But I’ll definitely look into getting me the Paul and Joe one if they have it at the sale.
ParisB says
September 23, 2009 at 3:08 pmHey Connie
I’d stock up during the sale too. 😉 Let me know if you know of one 😉
melissa says
September 24, 2009 at 2:48 pmhi, i have this range of foundation too and its my absolute favorite! but they discontinued it and replaced it with a horrible new one about 1 year ago.. the texture is all different and colours too..
the newer powder cake is like kind of brittle and a lot comes out in one swipe and it cakes up in a few hours with like zero oil control. i was like so upset.. or maybe its just me?
hope you’ll try out the new one and do a comparison 🙂
May says
October 8, 2009 at 10:05 pmWhich powder do you prefer?
DiorNude ‘mineral’ makeup or P&J Dual Foundation?
Which powder give you a more natural finish and better coverage?
ParisB says
October 9, 2009 at 9:56 amHi May
P&J offers better coverage but Dior Nude is more natural to me. It might be to do with the method of application as well as powder composition. Both are different so I can’t say which I prefer. I like Dior Nude when I have time in the mornings but for to-go days its powder foundation.
Natasha says
May 20, 2011 at 1:17 amDoes anybody know where I can purchase the Paul & Joe Protective Powder Compact Foundation Recharge’s from? HQ Hair used to see them and they were half the price of the full compact but now I can’t find them anywhere!