Winter makeup collections are always into “vintage” looks such as red lips, false lashes, etc. and they love “jewel” tones and rich metallics. Estee Lauder has stuck to this traditional holiday makeup model. I had an opportunity to play in it and here’s what I think.
FACE: They’ve relaunched Double Wear Liquid Foundation for this collection. I despise Double Wear Foundation despite its mega popularity. If you like cakey makeup go for it. The Shimmering Jewel Powder is new. I really like it. It is a shimmery champagne colored powder highlighter with a “jewel” texture. It comes in a mirrored compact and goes for $32.
EYES: We have the new Silky Eyeshadow Duo with Fauceted Design in Amethyst which is a shimmery smoky purple/plum duo, Sapphire which is a shimmery silvery baby blue and rich blue duo and Emerald which is a shimmery nude and forest green duo (think of Urban Decay Mildew). The shadows have a nice texture and lots of shimmer. The pigments blend nicely. I like the formula but I’m not too wild about any of the colors. Mainly because I have shades a lot like it in my collection already. They retail for $25. The Smoked Eye Pencil comes in Smoked Amethyst and Smoked Emerald. I like the shades and texture of these. They are smooth. They go for $18.50. They are featuring Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara. I have not sampled this. It retails for $19.50.
LIPS & NAILS: Next we have the Estee Lauder Fauceted Signature Lipstick. Same formula as the original however it has a fauceted jewel design. It looks just like Milani’s lipstick and feels the same too. The colors are rich: Black Cherry which is a deep wine, Ruby which is a blue-ish pinkish red, and Rich Red which is a blue red. I do like the lipsticks since I am a sucker for these hues. Pure Color Nail Lacquer has been launched in the following shades and retail for $18: Blackberry which is a deep deadly wine and Red Tango a pinkish red.
Overall, the collection isn’t too bad. I just didn’t see anything that different or unlike products that I already own. Of course I own everything. The colors are holiday generic but that is OK, being that I like shimmers and bold lips. The model looks a bit like a corpse but I just hope that is my computer monitor’s settings. And what about cheeks? They didn’t “spotlight” anything.
I love the dramatic dark lipstick! I do agree that it is all a bit dark, but I like it!
It has grown on me with time 🙂 But, I wouldn’t wear my makeup like this too frequently.