Jones Road’s Miracle Balm is one of the best-selling products from the beauty brand developed by cosmetic artist Bobbi Brown. With over 71,000 reviews on the Jones Road website, plenty of people are shouting about it. I first came across the product on social media, having spotted a beauty influencer recommending it for its “glowy” properties. But my interest was further piqued by the number of positive interviews on the brand website, recommending it for a natural, skin-first look. “I am totally addicted,” said one review. “Looks so natural and stays on.”
I tried the limited edition Miracle Balm Palette in Pink Champagne, a set of three smaller beauty balms (2g each) in assorted shades that retails for £34. This is a great way for me to test out a few shades and get an idea of what each looks like. If you already know what shade you want, you can also buy one large 50g pot of the balm for £38. Shades vary from a translucent balm to darker pigmented shades of pink and coral.
The brand describes the product as a “light-reflecting balm”, designed to act as a highlighter, blush, bronzer or a lip product. It can also be worn under makeup or layered over foundation to add depth, shine, and colour to skin. The only place it’s not recommended for use is on the eyes or eyelids.
The balm’s main ingredients are jojoba seed oil, argan oil, and vitamin E; however, each shade is enriched with a different pigment to give a flush of colour.
The Pink Champagne palette contains the Pink Champagne shade, a colourless balm with a subtle gold shimmer; Pinched Cheeks, a medium rosy pink supposedly suitable for fair to dark skin tones; and Sunkissed, a deep reddish bronze tint.
I don’t wear much makeup, so when I first opened the box, I was a bit taken aback by two of the balms because they looked highly pigmented. But, after reading a few reviews and watching a few tutorials on social media, I learned I needed to first break the surface of the product, rub a digit along the surface to lift it out, and then warm it up between my fingers before applying.
On first impression, the texture felt rich and emollient — a bit like solid oil — but soon softened between my fingers. After applying my usual creams, SPF and tinted moisturiser, I added some of the pink Pinched Cheeks shade sparingly to the apples of my cheeks and slightly up my cheekbones.
I found that you don’t need much to give a very subtle hint of colour, and what’s nice about it is that it’s super easy to build, meaning it could easily take you from day to night. I’m always a bit scared when it comes to using blush, but this gave a really youthful glow.
I then used the Sunkissed to give a little definition and contouring to under my cheekbones and the sides of my face. Under the cheekbones was a bit too subtle, but I mixed it with the Pink Champagne and applied it to all the places the sun would typically hit: my nose, cheekbones, and forehead. I thought it gave a really nice bronzer effect.
Lastly, the Pink Champagne left a dewy sheen that made my skin look instantly fresher, but it is very, very subtle. I applied to the tops of my cheeks like a highlighter, in the corners of my eyes, and under my eyebrows. The balm isn’t too greasy or shimmery, and it goes on so easily. All the shades added instant warmth to my skin, but what I loved was the soft-focus sheen it left behind. I also loved how natural the product looked. It still looked like my skin, but better.
I put the Miracle Balm on in the morning, and the colour on my cheeks was definitely still there by the end of the day. Thanks to the size of a palette, if I had been going out, it would have easily slotted in my bag for a quick top-up.
I also tried it out at the gym, but I wouldn’t advise doing so. After a sweaty session, I felt sticky and found my hair stuck to my face, which I’m not sure was from the heat or the product. When I scanned the reviews, some other shoppers also found the consistency a little sticky. One customer said: “It’s sticky. And it’s not a cream blush, there’s not much colour payoff.”
Overall, I loved the consistency of the balm, and the reviews were right about the glow. I genuinely couldn’t believe how dewy and youthful my skin felt hours after using it! That said, I wouldn’t recommend using it if you have a super active day planned (or a gym session). The balm also lived up to its claims of being hydrating, although if you have oily skin or prefer matte coverage, this probably isn’t the one for you.
Instead, I’d recommend it for a minimalist look that lets your skin shine. The colours of this palette were a bit dark for me, and in the future, I’d opt for one of the more subtle tones. But that’s not to say the shades are intense. If you’re expecting a bold, pigmented cream blush, you may be disappointed.
I found that for the best results, the advice to break the surface layer before use, warm it between fingers, and apply it sparingly is best.
