Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup

RRP: £26.50/30ml

# of shades available: 24

--What does the promo say?--

"Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. 15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing foundation makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day. Oil-free. Dermatologist-teste. Non-acnegenic. Fragrance-free."

--Packaging--

Possibly the most impractical packaging in the world ever. It's a glass bottle, which maximises the luxury factor but has minimal practicality: I feel forever freaked out that I'll drop it against the sink in the bathroom and there certainly won't be any cutting it open to get out the last dregs towards the end. This, combined with the fact that you have to POUR the foundation out (there's no pump, dropper or anything to make dispensation easier) means that travelling with this foundation is out of the question. It looks glamorous, though, with its subtle gold and white detailing.

--Application--

Pour out a small amount of the foundation (something between the size of a 5p and 10p coin is sufficient) onto the back of your hand. Use your fingers or a foundation brush to blend foundation onto a clean dry face. Finish with concealer and powder.

--Appearance--

I was sold shade 2N2 (Fresco), which I was assured strongly by the saleswoman was the palest shade available in the line. I was a little sceptical, but bought it (I was buying it on a special offer basis - more details of which below). Silly, silly me. From what I can see on the website, 1C1 Shell, 1N1 Ecru or 1W1 Bone would have been more appropriate. I'd say Fresco is about borderline appropriate for me; better in summer than in winter, but easily fixed up with a) not being too heavy-handed in application and b) tarting it up by using a slightly lighter concealer and powder with the product. Still, I am not happy AT ALL to have been fobbed off in this way, so there's definitely a lesson here - if planning on buying a product like this, print out the shades first from the website and take it with you to avoid being sold a near-totally unsuitable shade. In terms of other visual qualities, coverage is good (see below) and the finish is the right combination of matte and sheer (perhaps erring a little more on the dewy side).

--Coverage--

I've suffered with terrible acne for years, but even though it's finally beginning to clear up, I still need decent coverage. This foundation certainly provides that, taking away a lot of the redness and general 'obviousness' of the spots. Minimal amounts of concealer are needed as top-up.

--Scent--

A slightly chemical, nail-varnishy type smell which may put some people off.

--Texture and consistency--

I prefer Double Wear Light over this by quite a long way. While Double Wear Light is smooth and creamy, this is simultaneously runny and sticky. EW. On the flip side, though, it's not actually difficult to blend, even though it doesn't feel nice on the skin at all during application. Once dry it gives a smooth, slightly sheer finish.

--Longevity--

Definitely does as promised - once this is on, it does not budge, which may allow some people to overlook the generally unpleasant consistency.

--Effects on the skin--

The thickness of this stuff would probably stop a speeding bullet, so it's hardly surprising that it seems to protect pretty well against sun, pollution, and general day to day activity. While it doesn't actively improve acne, it never promised to do this and it definitely doesn't make it any worse.

--Removal--
I had no difficulty using this, but then again I'm using a Dr Hauschka oil at the moment to remove makeup. You may find you have more difficulty using traditional lotions or wipes. I'd recommend an oil or gel makeup remover to get this off.

--Value for money--

As mentioned above, part of the reason for my impulsiveness and lack of research into the product was due to me buying it on a special offer basis just before Christmas. If you bought Double Wear, you got the matching Double Wear concealer with it for free. Knowing a good deal when I see one, I went for it the moment I saw it advertised in a magazine. This saved me £19 (or the equivalent thereof in euros), and as in all French parfumeries, I got a load of samples chucked in for free as well. Would I buy it again, though? £26.50 is still a fairly hefty price tag and I don't think I would buy it outside of a special offer. Certainly there's a lot to be said for having the right shade, so I'd probably be able to give a better verdict if I actually had this. However, the texture does NOT work well in its favour and for me is a major turn-off. I'll certainly use the bottle I have, but think harder before buying another. It's more likely that I'll stick to Double Wear Light in the future for its more pleasing texture and equally high quality delivery in other terms.

perfect partners

Foundation Brush, £28

Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF 10, £19

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss

RRP: £15.00
# of shades available: 24

--What does the promo say?--
"Lip Gloss with the power to light up your face. True Vision™ technology transforms ordinary colour and makes it extraordinary. Imagine what it will do for your lips. In a wide range of wearable shades with lasting shine for a lasting impression. You’ll want them all. True Vision™ Colour maximises colour impact, magnifies vibrancy, clarity and dimension, and amplifies brilliance. Three high impact finishes offer mirror shine, luminous shimmer or dimensional sparkle, all with sheer-to-medium coverage. Feels light and luscious, never sticky. Drenched with conditioners, it smooths on precisely and stays on perfectly. The ergonomic wand hugs every curve of your lips."

--Packaging--
The see-through plastic tube allows you to see the colour in all its glory, which is gently and elegantly completed by the gold-coloured lid and close-up of an area of the Estee Lauder logo. Très bien.

--Application--
Sweep over lips; only one dunk of the wand into the tube is required.

--Scent--
A slightly sweet smell can be detected, but it's not horrible.

--Appearance--
I was very kindly sent several shades by Estée Lauder's PR, so can comment on this from several angles. Passion Fruit was the one I liked least of the five that I was sent; it's just a bit too red for my skin tone and complexion. It would probably work better on someone who wasn't so pale. Mod Poppy is a lovely purple colour that's not too rich, but it's quite unusual and might not suit everyone's taste. The other three shades I was sent - Electric Ginger, Praline Paradise, and Pink Kiss - are probably more universal, offering attractive colours that would suit any skin tone. The available palette of 24 colours means this product offers optimal choice for people of any hair, skin or eye colour - there's bound to be something that suits you. My only negative comment would be that I couldn't really notice any difference between the three finishes that are allegedly offered: of the five shades that I received, all three finishes were apparently covered, but I didn't notice them (and apparently Estee Lauder itself doesn't either, since which shades are available in which finish is not distinguished on their website). Nevertheless, high-quality shine and colour is assured.

--Texture and consistency--
Lives up to the promise; not sticky at all and very pleasant to wear (although what conditioners exactly are contained in it is beyond me; again, the website decides this information is not important to us).

--Longevity--
It will put up a good fight through a long meal but ultimately will not make it. As for eating anything messy, such as a croissant, you can forget it. Will need reapplying 1-3 times during the day.

--Value for money--
This gloss competes in its price bracket with Clarins, Benefit and Too Faced; however, it seems safe to say that this gloss is holding its own in the current market, due to its (relatively) longwearing formula, its amazing range of available colours, and the conditioning elements that it contains (even if the company doesn't want to tell us what these are). To increase its value further, an added SPF would be nice, but even without that, this remains a lovely present for any beauty-conscious woman and a great treat for yourself.

perfect partners
Perfectionist CP+ Targeted Deep Wrinkle Filler, £32
Lip Conditioner SPF15, £16

Estée Lauder Beautiful Love

RRP: £29.36 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"The fragrance that celebrates the joy of romantic love.
Lush Magnolia Blossom, rich White Jasmine, Mango Mist, Heliotrope and Vetiver release an emotional rush like the feeling of new love.

Fragrance Type: Romantic Floral

VIBRANT
Top Notes: Open-air florals with fresh wet accents excite the senses with the possibility of love.
• Fields of Magnolia, White Freesia and Marigold send signals of love.
• Radiant Mango Mist, watery Cantaloupe and sheer White Pomelo Zest create heart-racing effervescence.
• Wet Ivy Leaves and Pink Pepper add vibrancy, a feeling of pure exhilaration.

ROMANTIC
Heart: A gorgeous bouquet of lush white flowers seduces the senses with voluptuous allure.
• Jasmine, Tuberose and Tahitian Tiare portray sensual femininity.
• Tantalizing Rose, Osmanthus, Carnation and Black Violet add sophisticated drama.

PASSIONATE
Base Notes: Warm rich woods and a sumptuous creaminess ignite the senses and deepen the passion.
• Heliotrope, Vetiver, White Orrisand a luscious Whipped Cream accord evoke pure passion.
• Sandalwood, White Moss, and a hint of Patchouli embrace the floral bouquet, creating great depth."

--Packaging--
This fragrance comes in two different bottle variations: for the 30ml and 75ml versions, the bottle is curved and sensuous with a delicately decorated gold-effect cap. The 100ml version is a sturdier square flacon. The rounder bottle seems to sum up the product concept more accurately, though.

--Application--
Spray wherever you'd like to be kissed, as Coco Chanel would say.

--Scent--
While certainly very pleasant, this is a fairly conventional fragrance. It's quite flowery (not in a negative way, you understand), and none of the aspects that would have made the perfume more interesting (e.g. mango, pink pepper, black violet) seem to figure at all highly. 'Vibrant' is certainly not a word I would use to describe the scent, though it definitely fulfils the brief of romance. Another thing this fragrance has in its favour is the fact that it's very light and delicate, therefore making for an excellent daytime scent. Very agreeable, feminine and classic, even though it offers nothing really unusual.

--Longevity--
Sadly not good at all. Expect to reapply several times a day.

--Value for money--
The price of this is fairly standard, starting at nearly £30 for as many millilitres. However, given that the fragrance doesn't really offer anything new to the perfume market generally, you may wish to go for something with a little more personality (so as to get a little more bang for your buck). Nevertheless, this is a fairly safe bet that can be enjoyed by all, from your sister to your gran, and is a great and wearable fragrance for everyday use.

perfect partners
Beautiful Love Body Lotion, £29 for 250ml

Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF15

RRP: £47 for 50ml
available for both dry skin and normal/combination skin

--What does the promo say?--
"See more lift. Feel firmer. 92% of women do.
This highly effective formula with our exclusive ExtremeLift3 Complex empowers your skin to look more lifted and more contoured--faster than ever.
The rich blend of long-lasting moisturisers with super-energised nutrients relieves uncomfortably dry skin and creates a fresh, rejuvenated glow instantly. A gentle SPF15 sunscreen provides effective broad-spectrum protection.
More lift. More radiance. More moisture. Now your skin can have it all.
Clinical testing proves Resilience Lift Extreme firms skin's appearance up to 2X faster than original Resilience Lift."

--Packaging--
Very pink and pretty but not especially modern. As with other Estée Lauder products, it's easily recognisable both as part of the brand and as part of the range it belongs to (in this case, moisturisers). In a pot, meaning wastage is minimal (unless of course you're stupid and you drop it). They need to work on a catchier name, though: this one is a bit long and not exactly easy to remember.

--Application--
The Estée Lauder website advises application to the face in the morning after cleansing and the application of eye cream. No problem with this: it absorbs well and without residue.

--Appearance--
Thick and pale pink. No visible residue left on the skin.

--Scent--
Old-fashioned; a light yet intense rose.

--Texture/consistency--
Thick and creamy, without a trace of runniness.

--Effects on skin--
It at least passed the first test: despite the strong scent and thick creaminess, it didn't clog my pores/cause breakouts. However, it didn't really seem any better in terms of making my skin smooth than any other moisturiser I've used, though the intensity of the consistency makes me believe that it would have an effect in terms of restoring vitality and elasticity (though I'm not exactly part of the target group for this cream, I suspect, so its use would be purely preventative).

--Value for money--
While this cream is nice enough, and may well do what it says on the pot, my jaw absolutely dropped at the price. In terms of smoothing skin and restoring vitality, there are far better and cheaper moisturisers out there. Even one of Estée Lauder's serums would be a far better investment.

perfect partners
Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Eye Creme, £32 for 15ml
Resilience Lift Extreme Overnight, £47
Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme Compact Makeup, £25
Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme Concealer, £18
Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup, £25
Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Mask, £26

Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher

RRP: from £34 (sizes from 30-100ml)

--What does the promo say?--
"Dramatically refinish skin's appearance and texture. See more clarity, smoothness and luminosity as it helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky surface skin cells. See more highly refined, virtually poreless skin. Enjoy our most dramatic skin resurfacing benefits—faster, more efficiently than ever before.

• Refines the look of uneven skin texture, flakiness and roughness.
• Pores appear 1/3 smaller—instantly.

Smooth on Idealist and instantly enjoy that soft, seamless, silky feeling you love.

• Includes 3 times more Glucosamine than original Idealist.
• Pore Diminishing Technology significantly shrinks the look of enlarged pores.
• Gentle-acting Chestnut Extract helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky skin surface cells.

It's as if you're seeing the skin you were born with, all over again."

--Packaging--
Beautiful luminescent and translucent blue glass bottle with a classic (but perhaps aimed at older women?) gold lid and clear glass dropper. Clearly recognisable both as part of the Estée Lauder brand and as part of the range of serums the brand offers.

--Application--
Just apply a few drops to your face and neck along with your usual moisturiser.

--Scent--
Very sharp and fruity, in a very pleasant way, and no wonder. It's packed with all sorts of fruity goodness, containing extracts of mulberry, grape, and saw palmetto. The overriding scent, however, is that of grapefruit. Simply divine.

--Appearance--
A white cream reminiscent of Skyn Iceland's Cloud Cream (which, interestingly, also has a strong grapefruit smell), although not as thick. Leaves no visible residue on the skin. Sadly, I didn't see that immediate reduction in pore appearance that the thing promises; Lancôme's Génifique is at least better for that.

--Texture/consistency--
It absorbs very successfully into the skin, not drying so quickly that you don't have a chance to rub it in. It is also non-greasy and makes your skin feel palpably less oily, and much smoother too. Not lumpy, and it is a little bit runny, but not overly so.

--Effects over time--
It certainly leaves skin impossibly smooth: apply it at night, and you'll still wake up with skin as fresh as a daisy in the morning. It doesn't clog pores, but I still didn't see that reduction we were all promised (although admittedly, according to the Estée Lauder website, you'd need to use it for 4 weeks to see long-term difference, which a 4-day sample is never going to provide).

--Value for money--
Somewhat obviously, you get an interesting reduction if you buy a bigger bottle (the 100ml bottle is 'just' double the price of the 30ml one for more than three times the content), and given that 1.5ml gives you 4-5 applications, I'd guess that 30ml gives you approximately 100 applications, at a cost of 34p per application (which declines if you buy a larger bottle). Despite not seeing an immediate reduction in pores, I'd be keen to test Estée Lauder's 4-week claim out, as it really is a joy to use. That'll be one for the birthday list, then.

perfect partner
Idealist Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher, £31 for 75ml

Estée Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover

RRP: £17.62 for 200ml

--What does the promo say?--
"An exclusive, patented gel-creme that quickly and thoroughly removes all makeup even transfer-resistant and waterproof formulas and cleanses the face of impurities in just one step, leaving the skin soft, smooth and completely clean. Encapsulates liquid emollients in microscopic gel bubbles. When massaged into the skin, bubbles release emollients that penetrate and dissolve makeup and lift away surface oils and dirt. Immediately "melts" away even the most stubborn makeup. Lifts away dirt and impurities. Feels cool and refreshing upon application. Leaves skin silky smooth, with no greasy residue."

--Packaging--
A pale blue pump-action plastic bottle, in keeping with all of Estée Lauder's other skincare products, and with the distinctive logo subtly displayed. However, at 200ml, a smaller available version would be useful for travel.

--Application--
The Estée Lauder website advises users to "pump bottle twice and apply product directly to skin. Do not wet face first. Massage thoroughly. Transfer-resistant makeup may need additional gentle massage. For best results rinse off with water." However, as far as I could tell from the sample I was given, 2 pumps would probably be too much, so this bottle could turn out to be more economical than the application instructions make it appear. Rinsing off with water also does not seem to be necessary: no residue is left on the skin, skin feels adequately cleansed, and makeup is suitably removed, without this additional step being required.

--Appearance--
The lotion is a pale duck-egg blue, identical to the packaging in colour. It looks natural and leaves no visible residue on the face.

--Scent--
No discernible scent.

--Texture/consistency--
Perfect: not too oily (which the Nivea remover that I reviewed can sometimes feel in the fingers), not too runny (ditto), not too stiff or lumpy. Brava!

--Effectiveness--
It removes makeup more easily than any other remover I've tried (yes, even the Olay one of which I sing such praise). With other removers, there can be smudges on the cotton pad after using my toner even the next morning. With this, you KNOW it's all gone, and it doubles up as an effective cleanser to boot.

--Value for money--
While I initially balked at the cost, and can't see myself ever spending that much on remover wipes (even for travel), I could potentially see myself buying this (although being a perpetual bargain hunter means that I still wouldn't stop trawling discount cosmetics sites to try to get it for less). It is the best makeup remover I've ever tried - and also the most expensive. Perhaps you really do get what you pay for?

perfect partners
Take It Away Long Wear Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, £15.66/100ml
Take It Away Long Wear Makeup Remover Towelettes, £17.62/45 sheets

Estée Lauder Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara

RRP: £17.00/8ml
# of shades available: 4

--What does the promo say?--
"High drama for every single lash. Now you can project thicker, longer, more defined and lustrous lashes that highlight your beautiful eyes. VolumAire™ formula creates weightless volume and sharp definition that resists clumping. Hollow spherical polymers act like inflated balloons that volumise and lift. ProDefinition Brush™ draws out even tiny lashes with infinite precision and separation control. Lets you lavish attention on every single lash, every single day. Blends two kinds of fibres: hollow fibres to hold formula, plus solid rigid fibres to comb it through and separate. Pearl pigments mimic the lustre and colour of natural hair for a lustrous, healthy look."

--Packaging--
As with all Estée Lauder products, it's a nice-looking thing - dark blue tube with various gold and silver embellishments.

--Application--
Now, I gather how you apply mascara affects its appearance as much as the formula of the mascara itself (and the brush it comes with). However, makeup companies deliberately choose not to tell you this, preferring to try and convince us that their mascara alone will give you perfect lashes, regardless of if you apply it perfectly or sort of poke at your lashes with the wand. So I choose my usual technique, stroking through the lashes gently and sort of zig-zagging the brush towards the end to help separate the lashes, repeating as necessary until I've built up the effect I'm after.

--Appearance--
It defines and volumises the lashes quite successfully, with the effects being noticeable immediately. The colour is also quite definite - sometimes you can barely tell if a mascara is black, dark brown or navy blue, but you can definitely see what you've got with this.

--Texture--
Estée Lauder seems to have hit on a very fine formula with this - there are no clumps and it gives you the flexibility to build it up to your needs. It's very fine and smooth so if you want to just put on one coat for daywear or five for nightwear, you can without your lashes looking unnatural.

--Longevity--
Despite not being marketed as waterproof, I've got no complaints about this one. It also dries very quickly so it doesn't smudge your upper lids or the area just under the lower waterline like other mascaras.

--Sensation--
No stinging or tingling feeling, so good for those of you with sensitive eyes.

--Value for money--
This mascara seems to last a very long time without drying up, so that's certainly a thumbs-up on the value front. However, despite the fineness of the formula, I really noticed very little difference between this and other mascaras. It just doesn't have the wow factor for me, and I'm starting to wonder if there really is such a thing as far as mascara goes, or if the mascara really is only as good as the person applying it.

perfect partners
Estée Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil, £14.00
Estée Lauder Clear Lash Primer Plus, £15.00

Estée Lauder High Gloss

RRP: £13.00/15ml

# of shades available: 14

--Packaging--

A transparent, slender tube c.8-10cm high with a gold-effect lid and with the Estée Lauder logo and the product name on the tube in gold writing.

--What does the promo say?--

"All you really need to shine.Love this gloss. Now you can wet your lips with luscious supershine, minus the heavy, sticky feel of traditional gloss.High Gloss gives you irresistible colour and brilliance, as it caresses with feel-good conditioners.Lips look moist, plump and smooth.What's not to love?"

--Application--

The end of the tube is cut at a slight angle for easier application - but then again, other, cheaper brands, such as the Maybelline gloss that I reviewed in my very first post, also manage this. Squeeze gently until enough gloss appears at the end of the tube and apply by moving the end of the tube around your lips. Simple stuff.

--Appearance--

I ordered my gloss off the internet, and while I like the shade I chose (Ivory, #2: a nude shade with tiny particles of glitter), the website swatch makes it appear pinker, so while I got lucky, I'd plan on going into a shop first where you can have a look at the different shades before you buy online. (For the record, it is worth buying from the Estée Lauder website, if you're like me and a sucker for those millions of 'free' samples they give out.) On my lips, I'm satisfied with the effect. The Ivory shade would probably suit any complexion, and my pale one is no exception. It appears a slightly darker colour on the tube than on my lips, and the effect of the glitter is nice when my lips catch the light. It doesn't appear too thick or overdone, and it also looks excellent in photographs.

--Texture--

Smooth, as opposed to the stickiness of some cheaper glosses, so they've ticked that box. However, a gloss is a gloss, and hairs will always stick to a gloss when it's a bit windy outside, regardless of how much the gloss is (obviously. Don't think for a moment that I bought the gloss thinking it would be some magical product that wouldn't do this).

--Longevity--

Pretty good - some glosses will rub off even if you're not doing anything like kissing or eating, whereas this gloss lasts for hours when you refrain from these activities.

--Value for money--

It seems smoother than some cheaper glosses, a little goes a long way and you seem to get quite a lot in the tube, so thumbs up there. However, I'm not totally convinced that this is a better option than some cheaper glosses - it doesn't offer any special qualities (it claims to offer extra moisturisation, but I'm not convinced), and nobody's going to look at you while you're wearing this and go 'wow, she must be wearing a really expensive lip gloss'. Equally, nobody's going to look at you while you're wearing a Maybelline lipgloss and go 'wow, she must be wearing a really cheap lip gloss'. Such is the nature of gloss. Hoorah! Happily for us all, style is about attitude and fashion sense, not necessarily the money you spend on getting it.