A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Following on from the Summer success that was Estee Lauder’s Illuminating Powder Gelee with it’s “tribrid” Prisma Shine™ technology, the brand have created a collection of six new eye-shadows that make use of this all-in-one liquid, powder and gel texture.

“A lot of drama on the eyes creates sensuality, a sexiness. Smokey eyes are sexy and playful and I wanted to give women different ways to wear the look, anytime.”  Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estée Lauder

The unusual formula strives to create an eyeshadow that applies as smoothly as a cream, gives a molten metal-esque gel shine whilst wearing like a powder.  Having played with the collection over Christmas, I don’t feel the creaminess in the formula quite as I did in the Illuminating Powder Gelee but the bounce and soft texture are equal to the brand’s previous creation.

The six shades available in the limited edition Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow (£19) range are:

Cyber Copper; Cyber Pink; Cyber Lilac; Cyber Silver; Cyber Green; and Cyber Teal (not shown).

Designed to be applied with both a dry and a wet brush, I’ve swatched them all on bare skin to show the difference between the two types of application.  With some shades, the difference is extremely noticeable as the metallic shine amps up to extraordinary proportions!

A few points to note about the shades…

Cyber Copper is the “brown” in the set, a great crease colour that is unlikely to let you down.  Should work particularly well with blue/green eyes thanks to the underlying warm, copper tones.

Cyber Pink is best used as a highlight shade, on my pale skin it blends out a crease colour nicely without adding too much glitz when used dry.  Also works beautifully tapped beside the tear ducts with a wet brush for some super sparkle.

Cyber Lilac is one of the most versatile shades in the collection.  Used dry, it is beautiful swiped over a standard taupey-brown crease colour, adding a real 3rd dimension to the proceedings.  Wet, well… it’s simply a stunning metallic purple.

Cyber Green is, in my opinion, the must-have in the collection, though hardly ‘green’ — this is a black with antique-gold sparkles that positively shine when applied with a damp brush.

Cyber Silver is a more wearable alternative to standard silver being less glitzy or obviously metallic than other silver eyeshadows in my collection.  I like to wear this dry, layered over another shade to give greater dimension.

All shades blend smoothly, particularly when applied dry.  My favourite method of application is to apply the shadow dry with a brush before wetting the foam applicator and reapplying in areas I’d like to build greater intensity.  Despite the all-singing, all-dancing formula, I’m not sure that colour-wise they really offer anything hugely new BUT (and this is a big but), I haven’t achieved such longevity from an eyeshadow ever.  These babies wear like nothing else, all day long with no fading or creasing.  For reals.

Cyber Lilac and Cyber Green are my top picks.

Also included in the collection are six new Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Liners (£16) in shades:

Blackened Black (01); Blackened Cocoa (02); Blackened Plum (03); Blackened Sapphire (04); Blackened Olive (05); and Electric Teal (not shown).

Described as containing 70% pure pigments that can be used on the inner or outer rim, I’ve found them to share the same long-lasting qualities as the eye shadows.  Wear is particularly impressive on the inner rim where the colour fades but doesn’t run or disappear completely.

From the shades shown above, only 05 (Blackened Olive) is a limited edition shade, the rest will make their way to the permanent line.  I found 04 (Blackened Sapphire) to be much harder in texture than the rest and was the only one to need warming-up prior to application.  You can see from the swatch that there is a bit of skipping in the application and from the set, it would be the one I wouldn’t recommend.

05 (Blackened Olive) and 02 (Blackened Cocoa) are my top picks.

For a ‘mini’ collection, it’s not particularly compact and as a huge fan of Estee Lauder’s Sumptuous Colour mascaras, I am delighted to see the inclusion of three new Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascaras (£22) in shades:

Extreme Teal; Extreme Violet; and Extreme Copper (not shown).

All of the coloured mascaras in the Cyber Eyes Collection are sadly limited edition and if you’ve never tried a coloured mascara before, I recommend that this is the place you start.  Estee Lauder’s coloured mascaras never make sacrifices on quality of product for the sake of injecting some fancy colour into the formula and the new shades that I have infront of me are both beautiful.

You walk a fine line with coloured mascaras, it’s easy to over-egg the effect with high street options and look like you’ve stepped off the set of Dynasty.  These are understated but have enough welly behind them to make people take a second glance!  Such a fun way to complete a look.

I put together a FOTD with some of the products.  The light was fading quickly so you’ll have to excuse the graininess in some of the pictures.

I’ll list the products used at the end.

Cyber Lilac on the lids (used dry, then reapplied wet on the lid (with sponge) once the crease colour was in place)
Cyber Green in the crease (dry)
Cyber Lilac under the eyes (wet, with a precision brush)
Cyber Pink in the inner corner to highlight (wet, with a precision brush)

Blackened Olive to line the inner rims (both top and bottom).

For the purposes of a useful FOTD, I applied a single coat of both shades of mascara, you can see in the closeup photo which eye shows which mascara!

The NEW Pure Color Cyber Eyes Collection* is available at Estée Lauder counters nationwide and online at www.esteelauder.co.uk

Are you lemming anything from this collection?  Already made your purchases?!

* press sample

I picked this Estee Lauder blush up recently from the lovely Perilously Pale‘s blog sale and fell immediately in love with it once it dropped through my letterbox.

As a very pink-skinned thing, I used to be scared of anything that was warmer toned.  I still struggle to wear peach tones on my eyes and lips, but as a hint of blush?  Peach tends to look the most natural against my skin and is my favourite for toning down the redness that already exists in that area.

Estee Lauder Peach Nuance is a gradiated blush that swirls together to create a very pretty flush.  I would assume this shade will suit most skin colours.  If you’re bothered enough, I’m sure you could be selective about applying the peach segment/pink segment individually but I just use the entire gradiant swirled as one.

The blush has a matte finish with a silky texture that applies evenly and blends effortlessly.  It builds pigmentation quickly on my pale skin but if you’re a heavy-handed type – you’d probably get on well with this as it’s hard to overdo with just a single swipe.

Priced at £24.00, the Estee Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush range looks to have some very pretty shades that I have added to my ‘must go and obsess over at the counter’ list.  It’s a long list.

Do you favour pink cheeks or peachy cheeks?!

Today’s FOTD features an Estee Lauder eyeshadow palette called Enchanted Berries*, featuring some beautiful Autumnal, berry shades that work really nicely to accentuate green eyes.

The rest of the FOTD comprises of:

~ bareMinerals Original Foundation in Fair
~ Max Factor Lash Extension Effect in Black
~ MUFE HD Blush in #4
~ MAC Creme Cup Lipstick

I always feel a bit lame that I can’t list a billion products but the truth is, I don’t get time to apply a billion products.  One day, I’d love to learn to apply concealer in a way that makes me happy/comfortable enough to do it daily because every face can benefit from a little light and clever concealing – I only bother for nights out or if I have a huge zit.

What are you wearing on your face today?

* press sample

What is it?

This year, Estee Lauder’s Pink Ribbon Collection includes:

The Evelyn Lauder Lip Set.  Featuring a pink clutch and Pure Color Lipstick in Evelyn Wildly Pink.

Perfectionist (CP+) Wrinkle Lifting Serum 50ml with Charms.  A limited edition Perfectionist serum featuring a reusable keychain with charms inscribed with ‘Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness 2011’.

The Elizabeth Hurley Lip Set.  A stylish pink evening bag containing Pure Color Lipstick in Elizabeth Lavish Pink

How much is it?

The Evelyn Lauder Lip Set – £18.50
Perfectionist (CP+) Wrinkle Lifting Serum 50ml with Charms – £63.50
The Elizabeth Hurley Lip Set – £18.50

How much of our money goes to supporting PINK projects?

£5.00 from each purchase of The Lip Sets in the UK will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

£10.00 from each purchase of Perfectionist (CP+) Wrinkle Lifting Serum 50ml with Charms in the UK will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

How do I get it?

Available nationwide throughout October, while stocks last.

Estee Lauder’s Autumn 2011 collection goes by the name Modern Mercury and includes three limited edition Pure Color Liquid Eyeliners in a trio of metallic shades.

I’ve got one of the three shades here to show you: Graphite.  A sparkling charcoal with multi-coloured shimmer that makes such a lovely change from black.  I’m already a big fan of charcoal eyeliner, it provides a softer look that still carries a bit of impact.  Infact, I’m wearing my Lord & Berry in this post on another item from the Modern Mercury collection!

Long-handled, slender and well-designed with a flexible, soft nib for drawing precision lines, the Graphite liquid liner ticks most of the boxes.  I prefer this design to spindly brushes or chunky nibs as I find they offer the greatest compromise between control and precision.

The inky formula is well pigmented and opaque within two strokes.  It dries very quickly to a smudge-proof, water-proof finish providing a metallic gleam that manages to avoid the ‘wet-look’.

It’s all great so far huh?  Except, there is one problem… it flakes.  You’ll get to around 90% satisfaction before this bothers you but really?  It shouldn’t flake at all and it’s a bugbear for me.  It won’t stop me wearing it but it will stop me wearing it with complete confidence.  The above photo was taken about 5 hours into my day and you can see that it’s holding up pretty well but there is evidence of some flaking going on… a few specks around my eyes and a little caught in my eyelashes.

You can’t see in the above photo but the top edge of the line is no longer perfect, this is the first area to show signs of wear.  I’m being pernickity (as always) but when I’m reviewing an eyeliner that costs £19.00 – it’s only right that I am.

How about some comparisons?  I dug around in my eyeliner drawer (it’s only a little drawer, I’m not completely mad) and pulled out a few that seemed fairly close (ok, the last one is MILES off!):

1.  Barry M Metallic Liquid Eyeliner #1
2.  Chantecaille Luminous Eye Liner in Pianissimo
3.  Estee Lauder Pure Color Liquid Eyeliner in Graphite
4.  Lord & Berry Liquid Eyeliner in Slate
5.  Chantecaille Luminous Eye Liner in Allegro
6.  NARS Liquid Eyeliner in Bullitt

Most of these are now discontinued but luckily, the one that bears the closest resemblance isn’t!  Again, it’s Barry M that’s coming up to be the nearest in terms of shade duping so if you’re on a budget, check it out!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Liquid Eyeliner in Graphite (£19.00) is available on counter now and online at Estee Lauder.

Do you wear grey eyeliner?  What’s your favourite?

Estee Lauder’s Autumn 2011 collection goes by the name Modern Mercury and features three limited edition matte lipsticks that are perfect for bold-textured lips as the longer nights begin to draw in.

I have one of the three shades: Fuchsia Velvet (£18.50), a hot, hawt pink with violet/blue leanings.  It’s as matte as they come and with a depth of pigmentation that will beat most lipsticks into the ground.  Have a look:

please excuse the blotchy “just been threaded” eyebrow area

The texture is creamy but not too heavy on slip, I recommend a lip brush to apply (my favourite is by Lancome) such bold shades.  If you don’t like such a harsh line you can always soften it a little once it’s on there but I think this formula really benefits from being ‘worked’ into the lip a little with a good brush.

As a matte, it is a touch drying… it doesn’t suck my lips of moisture like some but it does feel a little uncomfortable after a couple of hours.  The flip-side to this is that it stays put.  Like, seriously.  I applied, blotted, applied and it saw me through an entire morning and a good amount of the afternoon.  This would make an excellent choice for evenings out or special occasions (I’m considering wearing it to Saturday’s wedding).

I thought I’d compare it to some of my other hot pinks (I like hot pinks).

1.  Estee Lauder Fuchsia Velvet
2.  Tom Ford Pure Pink
3.  Illamasqua Atomic
4.  Benefit Pillow Talk
5.  Barry M #145
6.  MUFE Rouge Artist Intense #36

If you’re on a budget, you’ll be pleased to hear that the BarryM is the closest alternative available to Estee Lauder’s Fuchsia Velvet but on my lips, the BarryM leans a little more cherry.

Estee Lauder Modern Mercury Collection is available to buy on counter and online now.

* press sample

It’s been a while since I checked out the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadow Cremes* (we’re gonna need to abbreviate that from here on in).  I’ll have to admit not noticing that they’d been sneakily replacing the shades with a whole bunch of new gorgeousness.  That said, I’ve long been a fan of the formula… one of the most long-wearing formulas I own.  Infact, the only ones I’ve found to rival them (and I’ve used a lot) are the new Bare Escentuals Primer Shadows.

If you want to see my previous post featuring some long-discontinued Lauder shades, you can have a read back through the archives here.

Six current shades that are distinctly more wearable for neutral-loving beauty fans than the previous incarnations… same great formula.  Let’s have a swatch fest.

And one by one…

In between playing with my Wet n’ Wild palettes, it’s these that I’ve been reaching for on a daily basis.  Today, I’m sporting Pink Pearl on the lid (applied with my fingers) and Mochachino brushed through the crease (applied with my Paula Dorf Sheer Crease brush).

Verdict:

The new shades from Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Shadow Creme lineup are a lazy girl’s dream.  No primer, a brush if you can be bothered and a formula that blends itself.

My top pick from the new shades would be Mochachino, not the most visually exciting but the true workhorse of the bunch.  The slightly damp squib?  Gold Dust lacks the magic the others posess.  It doesn’t apply as smoothly and is probably better suited for layering over a dark shade for the sparkle factor.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadow Cremes are priced at £16.50 each and available online and on counter.

Have you dabbled in Estee Lauder’s cream eyeshadow range?

* disclosure: press samples

A luxurious-looking lipstick with a heavy-weight gold case.  The Signature Hydra Lustre range looks a little retro but it’s because of this rather than inspite of it… that it seems to ooze a touch of class.  In other words, I like to twirl the packaging… it makes me feel like a laydee.

Scarlet* is a slightly pink-toned red which will make it a good choice for the warmer weather.  I don’t know about you but the thought of wearing uber red lipstick in the Summer makes me feel a little uneasy, like I’m breaking some unwritten rules or something.

It’s heavily scented, my nose detects fig… it’s pleasant enough but may be off-putting for anyone delicate to scented products.

The formula is a delight, infact so much so – that I’ve already added a few other shades to my swatch list for next time I’m passing Debenhams.  I usually call a lipstick non-drying rather than moisturising… but this one almost edges into moisturisation territory as I can see it practically ‘plumping out’ the furrows in my lips rather than sinking into them.

I would really recommend checking out the Estee Lauder Signature range more closely if you suffer from dry lips.

So, you’d think that with such a lip-friendly lipstick, you’d get similar slip to something like the YSL Rouge Volupte right?  Wrong.  Scarlet applies well with no drag but I’d certainly not class it as ‘glidey’.  It applies like a normal lustre lipstick and wears for a good 5 hours.

Pink reds aren’t generally my favourite shade – so I’d deduct a couple of points for that, I’d recommend swatching on skin before buying incase the bullet colour is a little different to how it transfers.  Also, the swatches on the Estee Lauder website are not good.

Overall though, I’m really impressed, particularly with the formula which delivers everything it promises and then some more for good measure.

Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick in #62 Scarlet is available to buy online from their website, HouseOfFraser and Debenhams or on counter, priced at £18.00

* press sample

…and what, in all honesty is prettier than this?

Estée Lauder Radiant Bloom  – RRP £95.00

and this…

Estée Lauder Precious Bluebirds – RRP £250.00

and most definitely this…

Estée Lauder White Linen Jewelled Sea Turtle, RRP: £320.00

Every year since 1963, Estée Lauder has introduced a collection of limited-edition solid perfume and powder compacts. These delicate pieces enjoy a worldwide following among collectors with their intricate and ornate designs. Nothing speaks to Estēe Lauder’s great legacy like these treasured collectables.

These exquisite miniature designs are available to collect and cherish. Each enamel and sparkling crystal compact is filled with either Lucidity Translucent Pressed Powder or a classic Estée Lauder Solid Perfume.

The Spring/Summer 2011 collection of compacts are available exclusively at the Estée Lauder counters at Harrods from March 2011 for a limited period only.

Now excuse me, I’m off to root around down the back of the sofa.  If I don’t find a spare £320 back there, I may at least find a chocolate button to console myself with.

.

Which one is your favourite?

I’m reviving my ever-so-slightly neglected Swatch Saturday posts!

These will be filled with images and swatches as opposed to my inane ramblings (woohoo!) and will hopefully showcase some of the products that I use regularly.

So here we go with today’s swatches of an eyeshadow that I’ve been using pretty much non-stop this week.  Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Eyeshadow in Sugar Biscuit.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Sugar Biscuit has a satin finish that shimmers without being metallic.  It is an integral part of my lazy day looks!  A wash of it from lid to browbone will brighten tired looking peepers and give the impression of 8 hours sleep. Kinda.

I usually combine with a taupe in the crease and lots of mascara!

You can see it used in a quick look here.

Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Eyeshadow in Sugar Biscuit is priced at £15.50 and available on counter or online (though currently OOS).

.

What’s your favourite eyeshadow for all-over brightening?

…any good for the super-pale/super-pink?

That’s the question I was asking after watching a Pixiwoo video that mentioned this Estee Lauder tinted moisturiser.

Available in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ option, I found it hard to believe that it would work on my cool skin-tone without tango-ing me.

A tube of this will set you back £32 thanks to a recent price increase but the purse hit is softened if you consider this product to be your foundation, moisturiser, sun protection and anti-ageing solution all-in-one. Plus you get a generous 50ml of product and you only need a v. small amount to get full coverage.

That’s all well and good… if it fulfils those multiple criteria. Well does it?

Firstly… let me get the fun stuff out of the way. The application.

It dispenses from the tube a rather unattractive grey blob with a slightly grainy texture, not rough enough to exfoliate… but not as smooth as a cream. As you rub the product into your skin… the magic happens! The product transforms from this insipid putty grey colour into a warm tan before the texture sinks in completely and you’re left with only the colour remaining.

I took some shots of the ‘transformation’ in progress… you need to click the picture below to enlarge it and see the results.

As a moisturiser… It’s not *quite* moisturising enough for me at the moment but I think it would be fine for normal/combo skin. In the Summer, it’ll probably work well for me – but for now, I still need to apply a moisturising base before I dot this on top.

As an anti-ageing solution… Well, it’s all there on paper. If you’re a fan of Estee Lauder’s original DayWear, this incarnation promises to deliver “all the advanced protection benefits of DayWear“. I haven’t been using this long enough to give any conclusions as an anti-ageing product.

As a sunscreen… I usually go for SPF30 as a minimum. I also don’t subscribe to the belief that a moisturiser/foundation with built-in SPF is enough protection for an average day unless I’m only going to be spending a couple of minutes outdoors! So, in a nutshell… no.

On the plus side, there’s no Avobenzone in this to conflict with alternative sunscreens you may want to apply.

It’s not looking very good though is it?

And yet… I love it and will be repurchasing it in preparation for the Summer once this tube runs out. This goes against everything I’ve just said when you consider that I’m essentially going to pay £32 for what I’ve described as a large tube of tinted moisturiser.

And as lame as this statement is going to sound, I’m loving it because, well… it’s a really, really, really GOOD tinted moisturiser!

Click the picture above to enlarge (you’ll probably need to enlarge to see the subtle shift in skin colour)…

On the far left… sans makeup

In the middle… just a small amount of the Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint warms up my complexion and reduces the redness. I’d be good to go at this stage if I weren’t quite so vanity-driven.

On the right… fully made up (skintone further evened out with a quick buff of Bare Escentuals foundation in Fair)

.

I’m a big tinted moisturiser fan and I buy a new one every Summer without fail. I don’t have the most even of skintones, so usually combine with a light buff of mineral foundation to mattify and further cover. Most of all? I love that weightless feeling of those two products combined.

And the Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release* is easily the most weightless of any I’ve tried. It really does sink in to nothingness leaving only the tint behind. And how about the glow? I know that there are many pale ladies who embrace the pale… and if I were milk-bottle porcelain, I would too. But I’m fish-belly pale and look far more polished with the ruddiness toned down. This product does that without the need for faffing about with face tanners.

If you are pale, don’t expect to apply this and not see a difference to your skin tone… you will be noticeably warmed up a shade, but it blends well and is a point in favour rather than against for my needs.

I’m genuinely torn. My head says that £32 is too much to pay for a tinted moisturiser but my heart is already leading my head down to the EL counter and waving my debit card in the face of the SA.

Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release is available to buy online or on counter, priced at £32.00

What are your favourite warm weather foundations? Are you a TM girl?

* press sample

I’m not ashamed to admit that Estee Lauder had me at Hello with the release of Surreal Violet last year and I’ve been keeping a close eye on new nail polish releases ever since.

Due on counter at the end of the month, the new Pure Color Collection features a total of 16 shades… 8 of which are permanent and 8, limited edition.

Oyster Cult* is a metallic silver with one hell of a shine.  It’s a blinding, blinging shade but not hugely original – it applies well and lasts a good 3/4 days before showing much wear but at £14 a bottle I’m just not sure that there’s enough here to warrant a recommendation over and above any other silver in my collection.

Sizzling Taupe* on the other hand is fairly unique to most other taupes on the market… apart from one.  Zoya Pasha sprung to mind as soon as I applied.  They both have that slightly cool toned edge thanks to the silvery frost that runs through the finish like delicate threads.

I thought I’d do a swatch comparison between the two…

You can see that we’re not really very close to dupe territory when swatched side-by-side.

Estee Lauder’s Sizzling Taupe is darker, more opaque in two coats and doesn’t have the slight violet hue that Zoya Pasha displays.

If you’re a fan of taupes or perhaps just want a beautifully shade that’s safe for work but has a slight ‘edge’ to it then I’d thoroughly recommend Estee Lauder’s new Sizzling Taupe.

Are any of the new Estee Lauder shades catching your eye?

*Press Samples