You'd better check yourself: Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Campaign 2020

Perhaps unsurprisingly, thanks to Covid, comes the alarming news that not only is the winter set to bring a perfect storm in terms of mental health, but just as seriously, nearly half of women in the UK are now less likely to share their breast cancer concerns.

One in five women have deprioritised their breast health; this rises to 1 in 4 for those under the age of 45. GP surgery closures during the pandemic have already made it more difficult to visit a doctor; this is despite the fact that a fifth of under-45s are unlikely to visit, even if they have noticed a change in their breasts.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made two-thirds of women feel less connected and more isolated. But the good news is that the vast majority want to unite in the face of breast cancer.

A step towards this can be taken by saving a date in your diary: on Wednesday 21^st October, 2020 at 7pm UK time, The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland are looking to host the largest ever self-check via Zoom with special guests including Global Ambassador Elizabeth Hurley and Dr Zoe Williams. This has been organised in the hope of bringing people together and encouraging everyone to be breast aware.

If you can't make the self-check, you can also support the campaign by buying classic beauty products - purchases of the following products in October result in a donation to help fight breast cancer:

• AVEDA – Hand Relief Moisturising Creme with Cherry Almond Aroma ($5 per purchase) 

• BOBBI BROWN – Luxe Matt Lip Color Duo (100% RRP minus VAT)

• DARPHIN – INTRAL Redness Relief Soothing Serum (20% RRP minus VAT)

• ESTÉE LAUDER – Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex (20% of RRP minus VAT)

• GLAMGLOW – Bubblesheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask (20% of RRP minus VAT)

• JO MALONE – Peony & Blush Suede 100ml Cologne (£20 per purchase in the UK and €25 per purchase in Ireland)

• LA MER – Crème de la Mer Moisturising Cream 15ml (50% of RRP minus VAT)

• ORIGINS – Blooming Lip Duo (100% of RRP)

Details of how you can support the campaign this year, download our self-check leaflet and access the live self-check are at https://www.elcompanies.co.uk/en-GB/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign

Muse-ic to our ears

SPONSORED BY ESTEE LAUDER

As many of you may know, I'm a bit of a fan of Estée Lauder's cosmetics and skincare. I won't pretend that I love every single product I've tried from this brand, but I've never once concealed my admiration for their highly effective Take It Away makeup remover, the wearable Beautiful Love, the joyful Idealist serum, the failsafe DayWear Plus, and the deeply conditioning Pure Color Gloss.

Now, just in time for Christmas, the brand has added another fragrance to its arsenal, which perhaps most famously consists of Pure White, Pleasures, and Beyond Paradise. Modern Muse is already awash with five-star ratings online, and its sparkling floral notes sound right up my alley, tallying with the personalities of my current favourite fragrances (YSL Parisienne and Hugo Boss Femme). Combining citrus and jasmine notes with patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk, this promises to be a balanced yet special fragrance for the festive season and beyond.

Don't believe me? Then perhaps this will convince you:
And if that's not enough, the Estée Lauder website offers 2 free samples with every order - so there's every chance to try before you buy (or at least, before SANTA buys :) ).

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

Don't Go To The Perfume Counter Without Me

SPONSORED CONTENT

When beauty guru Paula Begoun's book, Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, was released in 2007, it was an immediate success. The very fact of the book's existence, along with the fact that it has consistently sold so well, with new editions coming out every year, is testament to the increasing vastness and complexity of the cosmetics market. With Paula having also previously written Don't Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me in 2004, one does wonder if her next project might be a similar book on the subject of perfume, since this too is a market that can be overwhelming.

Step into any cosmetics store worldwide - whether it be a branch of Boots, Marionnaud or Sephora - and while the cosmetics franchises themselves take centre stage, look beyond them and you will see that the store is often lined wall-to-wall with women's perfume and men's aftershave, as well as spin-off products such as perfumed body lotions and shower gels, deodorants and gift boxes. While these stores are rarely short of someone to jump on you the second you walk in, with a sprightly "Can I help you?", quite often the salespeople will have a hidden agenda (i.e., to make commission on whatever they sell, perhaps even with a point of pushing a specific product), which may not always involve helping you find the right product for you or whoever you're buying for (one can quite easily see briefings of department store staff as having a Lionel Hutz-style dialogue: "The right [product] is the one that's for sale. The right buyer is anyone."). So while people perhaps do want specialist help - especially when it is so difficult to know where to begin - it's often important to the consumer to have some control over the situation.

There are, as I see it, a few ways around the intimidation that can be created by the sheer scale of the industry and the number of available products. One way is to head for smaller stores that are still specialists in perfume, such as The Perfume Superstore, The Perfume Shop, L'Artisan Parfumeur, or Penhaligon's. Smaller shops mean smaller displays, so that you can actually see what you're looking at, and more personalised attention from shop staff (as well as just more attention in general), as well as a more specialist service.

Another way to navigate the sea of scented water is to get clued up at home. Go out as an informed shopper, and you'll have more of an idea of what to look for on your own, without necessarily needing to enlist the help of a sales assistant or wander around the shops in a state of bewilderment. In this series of sponsored articles, I'll be going over the fragrance wheel, recommending different brands and types of perfume and aftershave that you and your man may enjoy, among other things.

The fragrance wheel is basically this:
This is the worldwide framework used to categorise scents, making it easier for everyone, from parfumiers to shoppers, to find their way around.

Starting today with oriental fragrances, and moving later in the series to the other categories, we can see both just how complicated perfumery is, and yet how comfortingly it can also be simplified. One such example of an oriental fragrance is Estée Lauder's Youth Dew, which, with its elements of amber and sandalwood, comes into the subgroups of Soft Oriental (the former) and Woody Oriental (the latter). Oriental fragrances such as this one can initially smell very strong when first sprayed on, but it is worth mentioning at this point that perfumes and aftershaves have three 'notes': the top note, the one you initially smell, later settles down into its base and heart notes, which is dependent not only on how the perfume develops with the minutes and hours but is also dependent on how it reacts with your body, to in a way create its own uniqueness on you. After a few hours, then, the Youth Dew settles down to become a softer and subtler blend that can be worn by all ages. Other examples of oriental fragrances (which typically include notes of orange, vanilla, spices, amber, incense, sandalwood and patchouli) can be found in Chance by Chanel, Fendi by Fendi, and Estée Lauder's Intuition.

Even then, the scents listed above still smell different, so perhaps obviously, the most important thing is still to get out there and smell them. Spray them onto yourself (but no more than 1 perfume on each arm) and walk around with them on for a few hours to see how they turn out. Many perfumeries also leave out little strips of cardboard so that you can spray onto them by way of a sample and write the perfume name on. Perfume can be expensive, and one bottle can last such a long time that it really is like an investment - so take your time before you buy.

Coming soon: finding your way around the rest of the fragrance wheel

Estée Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Tinted Moisturiser

RRP: £22.50/50ml
# of shades available: 4

--What does the promo say?--
"This tinted moisturising lotion enhances skin with a hint of healthy-looking colour. Plus, like all DayWear Plus formulas it actively shields skin to help prevent lines before they appear — so your skin looks smoother and healthier, longer. Contains anti-oxidants (red tea, grape seed, vitamins C & E, white birch extract, eukarion), SPF 15, and Estée Lauder's Tri-Lipid Blend for extra moisture."

--Packaging--
Bearing the trademark gold Estée Lauder logo with matching long gold lid, you feel like you're buying into a luxury brand from the start. Beautiful aqua colour bottle to fit right in with summer.

--Application--
A pea-sized blob is enough for your whole face. After cleansing and moisturising, rub onto skin, making sure you blend in evenly at the edges.

--Appearance--
A creamy, stiff lotion that looks luxurious and lump-free. On the face, it provides extra colour in a very natural way, with a dewy finish that really wakes up skin. Sadly, though, it provides little or no coverage, so make sure you have your usual concealer at the ready.

--Scent--
I can't say that the cucumber scent that they promise was really detectable; however, before reading that this was supposed to be present, I'd have said it was scent-free. Take from that what you will...

--Texture/consistency--
Really excellent - blends in easily, is completely smooth, doesn't clog pores or feel heavy...lovely. What more could you want?

--Longevity--
Lasts pretty much all day. Again, though, this doesn't mean much for people with blemishes.

--Value for money--
This is starting to be a bit steeply priced for a tinted moisturiser; however, you need to use less at a time than with cheaper brands, so perhaps it ends up being worth it in the end. Inclusion of all those anti-oxidants and the SPF is encouraging, and this would be good for any girl or woman's skin during summer time. If you want a nice present for someone with a summer birthday, you can't really fail with this.

perfect partners
Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher, £49 for 50ml
DayWear Plus Antioxidant Creme SPF15, £30 (available for both dry and normal/combination skin)
DayWear Plus Multi-Protection Antioxidant Lotion SPF 15, £32 (available for both oily and normal skin)
DayWear Plus Base SPF30, £29

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

Estee Lauder Clear Difference UltiMatte Blotting Sheets

RRP: £10.00 for 50 sheets

--What does the promo say?--
"Oil-control to go. Super convenient sheets absorb oil, won't affect makeup. Yet unlike drying powdery papers, powder-free UltiMatte Blotting Sheets leave hydration where it should be--in your skin."

--Packaging--
A small green cardboard box, about the same size as a credit card and three times as thick. It's pale green, with the Estee Lauder logo in white and gold and some sparse product details in dark green gracing the cardboard lid, which tucks in neatly to a pre-cut out flap when you're not using it. All biodegradable, and the colours make it look very natural too, as well as being synonymous with other natural skin-healing ingredients such as tea tree oil. Very nice.

--Method of use--
Untuck the lid from the flap and pull upwards to reveal the stack of shine control sheets. Take one out, close the box and dab the sheet on your face until all excess oil is absorbed.

--How does it feel?--
The sheets are very smooth - it doesn't feel like you're rubbing toilet paper on your face.

--Appearance--
The sheets are white, resembling cut-out rectangles of printer paper. They seem thicker and less translucent/opaque than blotting sheets made by other brands.

--Results--
While the sheets do visibly absorb excess oil, Estee Lauder's claim that the sheets won't affect your makeup is a blatant lie. When I used this while wearing makeup, I could see my makeup on the blotting sheet along with the excess oil. Not good. I would also say that competing products from other brands make a better job of the shine control aspect.

--Value for money--
Not great. At £10.00 for 50 sheets, they just can't compete with the Body Shop equivalent, who sell 65 sheets for a mere £4. The Body Shop variation also seems to pick up more oil WITHOUT disturbing makeup, and what's more, the Body Shop's equivalent actually comes in two types - a tea tree version for combination, acne-prone skin, and a 'normal' one for 'normal' skin! Estee Lauder - 0, Body Shop - 1.

--perfect partner--
Sparkling Clean Oil Control Gel Cleanser, £17/200ml