A beauty product that adopts "miracle" in its name signals immediate intrigue. With unique twists on traditional formulas, Jones Road Beauty, a brand helmed by makeup artist Bobbi Brown, has seen its fair share of brow-raising moments. And its latest Miracle Balm is just as divisive.
Tapping the "no-makeup makeup" trend, it fittingly comes encased in a simple white jar. The skincare-makeup hybrid works like a nourishing balm that layers on a fresh wash of pigment. A true multitasker, the all-over tints assume the role of bronzer, highlighter or blush, says celebrity makeup artist Amanda Grossman, whose clientele includes Florence Pugh and Bella Ramsey. Makeup artist Emily Dimant adds that it’s easy to layer under or over foundation for a hydrating sheer tint.
Pros
Hydrating formula- Great for natural makeup looks
- Multi-use glow
Cons
- Citrus-y scent
- A bit of a learning curve
Emollients jojoba and argan oil lend the balm its creamy texture. The former works as a non-greasy semi-occlusive layer that makes skin feel oh-so-soft and supple, while the latter, dubbed "liquid gold," has miracle moisturizing status in both skincare and hair care. Antioxidant sea buckthorn berry oil taps vitamin E to cover the skin-protecting.
Miracle Balm comes in nine clear-ish tinted hues that work on a variety of ages and skin tones, from fair to extra deep. Au Naturel, Miami Beach, Golden Hour and Bronze suit all skin tones. Sunkissed and Dusty Rose cater to lighter skin tones, while Tawny and Magic Hour match medium to dark skin tones. Since it's a skin tint, blush and bronzer, there's plenty of room to mix and match.
How do you use Jones Road Miracle Balm?
Much like coconut oil, the first step is to “break the seal.” Gently press your finger into the center of the balm until the surface (satisfyingly!) cracks. If not, it’ll just go on like a clear balm. After piercing the top and a few finger swirls, impart a dewy glaze of color on lips, cheeks, eyelids and décolletage.
Dimant says it comes with a slight learning curve, but its buildability grants users room to play around. "Thin and light layers are the way to go with this product," she says. "You can apply the balm with your fingers, palms, sponge or brush. My preferred way is clean hands because of the warmth of our skin." For bronze-y colors, Grossman picks up a large brush to buff into skin for an all-over glow.
Our honest thoughts
A GH staffer shows the before and after wearing Flushed and Magic Hour.
As a firm follower of the minimal makeup trend, I found that the Miracle Balm leaned into exactly what I love about it: Natural yet glowy results. Like Dimant says, the balm comes with a bit of a learning curve: I had to add more firm pressure when breaking the seal and swirling the pigment. A few taps onto the cheeks got me a pretty hue.
The creamy consistency bodes well for buildable application, but I found it sat atop skin instead of melting in. Rather than coverage, it gives a dewy effect that makes my face look brightened. Flushed and Miami Beach layer a healthy-looking rosiness to the cheeks, while bronze Magic Hour warmed up my complexion. Au Naturel gave a subtle hint of gloss but didn't quite live up to the high shine I expected.
A GH staffer shows the before and after wearing Tawny and Bronze.
Another staffer with oily skin found the consistency thick and sticky — comparable to Aquaphor. "I didn't really enjoy the process of cracking through the crust with my finger in order to actually get to the pigment," says GH staff writer Cameron Jenkins.
An applicator could've made the process go smoother, while multiple layers were the only way for her to see any pigment. "As the day went on, I think it ended up looking more oily than the subtle glow and pigment that it provided when I first put it on," she adds.
Is Jones Road Miracle Balm worth it?
Normal to dry skin folks may find a better match in the hydrating, high-shine formula, rather than oily types. Grossman drops the tip to reserve it for the cheekbones, neck and lips, helping avoid additional greasiness. One GH reader, 59, noted that it worked "great" for their mature skin type.
Note that skin that's sensitive to fragrance and essential oils (read: eczema) may not find a compatible match with the Miracle Balm. The formula combines fragrances like rosemary, rose geranium and grapefruit oil that smell sweet to the nose but may irritate the skin. It also came with a potent whiff of citrus upon opening the jar. While chic on a bathroom countertop, the white packaging is also victim to any traces of color left behind on fingertips when opening and closing the jar.
Otherwise, the Miracle Balm delivers a lovely subtle pinch of color that doesn't go overboard. Considering its versatility and easy swipe application, it makes a great glossy companion for pared-down summer days.
SHOP THE JONES ROAD BEAUTY MIRACLE BALM
More of the best glowy natural makeup to shop
Those with oily or sensitive skin types who can't find a match in the Jones Road Miracle Balm, fret not: We also rounded up the top-tier blushes, highlighters and bronzers that mimic similar results. Not to mention, they're our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's favorite picks:
ROSE INC Divine Clean Dewy Cream Blush
RMS Beauty Magic Luminizer
Jacqueline Saguin
Commerce Editor
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
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