[unpaid/sample] Just as we are planning a quick August trip to Paris (literally one night!) along comes the Parisian themed collection from Paul & Joe due to launch next month. I’ve given up trying to chase actual launch dates with this brand because they very rarely appear on their ‘due date’ but keep your eyes peeled on Feel Unique from 1st.

As always, it’s so easy on the eyes – pretty, detailed and finding new variations on a theme. The flowers on the lids of the eye shadow pots are a Paul & Joe favourite flower, the chrysanthemum, which you’ll find across beauty, clothes and accessories.

These are the Sparkling Eye Colours in six shades. I have Yarn Coaster (pink, 04), Gold Tassels (03) and Small Music Box (centre, 06, all £17 each). They’re made to a bouncy powder formula and initially you think your finger or brush will sink all the way in but they don’t – they meet a soft resistance that allows you to pick up plenty of colour. I’ve found that they’re not nearly as intense on the skin as they look in the pot. In fact, you get a beautiful sweep of almost translucent colour.

That’s 04 on my lids right there – there’s a little glimmer of sparkle that I wouldn’t call glittery, more twinkly.

There are three new lipshades (£14) – the one I have here is Parisian Market (125) – it’s a strange shade… a kind of translucent ginger but there are two others in Clingnancourt (126) and Dimanche Matin (127) and two other lipstick cases.

Swatches above.

This is one of the blush/highlight cases – it’s repeated in lipstick. How cute is that! I love the table and chairs outside the patisserie, with some lovely hot coffee steaming away. It would definitely be my choice for lipstick.

Again, this pattern is repeated in the lipstick case. They’re designed to be reminiscent of vintage mementos you might find in a Parisian market and if that’s the case, I need to factor in a market visit when I go! I always think these are very reasonably priced at £7 per case across both lipstick and blush. The lipstick formulas are always creamy feeling with a juicy shine.

It looks like there aren’t any new blush shades because these are existing shades (01 and 01). They’re a powder formula with a dot of shimmer. I think the absolute winners are the eye colours – keep the lids on very tight because the bouncy formulas (of any brand) have a habit of drying out easily. I’ll wear all three colours as just a pretty lid wash that doesn’t need any precision or application ability – just use a clean finger over the lid before the crease OR a small swipe into the crease itself.