Estee Lauder Double Wear | Revisited

I loved my old formula Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation (click here to see prior review) in 1N1 Ecru and considered it my holy grail. It had the perfect coverage for me, kept my face on the natural/matte side, and lasted a long time. Unfortunately, earlier this year EL reformulated their infamous product. After reading plenty of bad reviews for the new formulation, I decided not to buy it again. However, after experimenting with other foundations, trying to find the perfect match and coverage for my face, and never succeeding, I started thinking about going back to EL.

The one thing that stopped me was that the foundation did not come with a pump. The packaging is gorgeous, with the frosted container and gold bottle top and lettering, but something was missing. It had never bothered me before, but after using the CoverGirl 3-1 Foundation with a pump, I loved the idea. I did some research and found that I could purchase a MAC pump and put it into the EL foundation. (EL and MAC are owned by the same company).

I bought the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation ($37) in 1N1 Ivory Nude (they changed the names, 1N1 Ecru is now 1N2 Ecru). Next, I headed over to the MAC counter and bought the pump ($9), and went home to test it out. Before putting the pump in, I measured how much I needed to trim off the end of the pump, then cut it at an angle. It fits perfectly!

In regards to the new formulation, it is a bit runnier then what it use to be. However, it still has the same coverage (medium to full), gives that natural/matte texture which I enjoy, and stays on my face for a long time. The SPF has been taken away, which has its pros and cons; I personally don't mind since my moisturizer contains SPF. 

Lately, due to the stronger acne topical medication I have been using, I need to wear a primer before applying the foundation. I have been using the BareMinerals Prime Time or the Tarte Clean Slate Poreless primer (I prefer the Tarte primer for this foundation). Also I noticed that the best way to apply the foundation is with a Beauty Blender sponge. A brush works fine too, but since my skin is flaky and dry right now, the sponge helps to blend it easier. Once on the skin, it feels light weight, and I don't look like I am wearing a mask.

(Left: Before; Right: After)

You can definitely see that my redness has been covered and majority of my imperfections (acne scars) have been covered. However, you will notice that on my chin, I do have some active breakouts still peeking through, so I just use concealer on top of that. 

In conclusion, I am glad I repurchased this foundation. It covers up most of my imperfections, and stays on my face pretty much all day long. Although I do miss the old formulation, the new one is not that bad either. It does everything I want it too, and the pump makes it even better!

Estée Lauder Pure Eyeshadow Duo

My mom has been a devoted customer to Estée Lauder since she was 18 years old. So everytime she goes to the EL counter, she will purchase her items whenever they are offering a Free Gift with Purchase. I love when she comes home and shares some of this make up with me from the free gift with purchase. 

I don't remember when she gave it to me, but I got a Pure Eyeshadow Duo with shades Tea Biscuit and Cinnamon. However, when I got it, I was not much into eyeshadow and put it away with all the other makeup I did not use. I recently stumbled upon it and decided to use it for my month of May makeup bag.

For the past month, I have been wearing this shadow combo. The eyeshadows have a nice consistency, no fallout, and last all day when paired with an eyelid primer. I put Tea Biscuit from lash line to brow, and Cinnamon goes into my crease. Unfortunately, I believe both are discontinued shades. I know for a fact that Cinnamon is discontinued, but am unsure about Tea Biscuit. 

L-R: Tea Biscuit and Cinnamon

 

Tea Biscuit is a pale shimmery champagne color.

Cinnamon is a bronzy brown with gold shimmer.

FOTD: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation Review

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place claims to be a 15-hour staying power foundation that has a natural, semi-matte finish. The coverage is medium and is buildable, but I usually just do one layer. It is oil-free, dermatologist tested, non-acnegenic, and fragrance free. The foundation comes in a frosted glass 1.0 oz bottle, and is $36.00. 

***(This review is about the older formula.)***

The foundation I have lasts all day, has SPF 10, and is a medium coverage. I have not tested it out to see if the 15-hour is accurate, because I wash my face once I get home. Even if I was to go out again, I would redo my face with a new application of foundation. I have normal to oily skin, and my oil does start to break through as the hours go by. The foundation blends nicely and takes a little bit to set. 

The shade Ecru, is a drop too dark for me, but I bought this foundation at a time when my face was a lot darker from the summer months. So when I wear it, I have to wear some bronzer on my neck to match up the color. (I cannot STAND having my face a different color then my neck, even if it is just a drop different. It bothers me too much!)

Estee Lauder recently reformulated the foundation and added new shades, and since then, they have received lots of negative reception. People have complained that the formula changed, that the SPF was taken away, and so on. But others still find it to be a terrific foundation. I have used a mini sample of the new formulation, and found it to be okay. I personally like the older formula better. 

No makeup

EL foundation on left half of face

Face

-Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Ecru

-Maybelline Loose Powder

-Benefit Hoola

-Nars Lovejoy

Eyes

-CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Brown Smolder (for my eyebrows)

-Maybelline Great Lash Clear gel

-Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara

Lips

-Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charmed

-Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Sex Pot

Finished look

Pros

-Blends nicely

-Nice coverage

-Stays in place the hours I wear it

Cons

-A tad to dark

-Pricey

Would I repurchase? Maybe, because I want to find a cheaper foundation that still looks nice on my skin. However, if I don't find anything else I like, I would come back to this foundation.

FOTD - Valentine's Day: Sweet or Sexy

Hey everyone!

I had a crazy week due to having 4 exams in a period of two days, but that is the life of a bio major! Due to barely sleeping, trying to study for those exams, I got very sick and right now am recuperating. So since I was bored at home, I decided to do my Valentine's FOTD!

I bring to you two different looks. One is sweet and the other is a more sexy version. The main difference of the two looks is the cheeks, lips, and eyeshadow. Everything else is the same! The sweet seems to be more of a day look, whereas the sexy seems more of a night look.

Sweet                                           or                            sexy?

Sweet Look

• Face
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
• Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay waterproof concealer
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles concealer
• Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil matte bronzer
• Tarte Amazonian clay Blissful blush
• Eyes
• Covergirl Eye Enhancers Brown Smolder (for eyebrows)
• Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara (for eyebrows)
• Too Faced Romantic Eye Shadow Palette
• Kiss the Bride
• Cut the Cake
• First Dance
• Revlon Colorstay liquid eyeliner
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara
• Lips
• Clinique Chubby Stick - Mighty Mimosa
• Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss - Buff

Sexy Look 
*everything is the same as above except what is noted below

• Face
• Nars blush - Lovejoy
• Eyes
• Too Faced Romantic Eye Shadow Palette - *applied more heavily
• Kiss the Bride
• Cut the Cake
• First Dance
• Un-Veil 
• Lips
• L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick - Fairest Nude 

 What would you wear for Valentine's Day? Sweet or Sexy?

FOTD #1

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Here is my Face of the Day numero uno! This look is typically what I wear to work. Enjoy!

Face:

• Estee Lauder "Double Wear" Stay-in-Place Liquid Foundation in 1N1 Ecru (old formulation)
• Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder in Light - focusing on areas that tend to get oily
• Nars Laguna bronzer - underneath my cheekbones and up to frame my face by my forehead
• Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Splendor

Eyes:

• Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus Eye Pencil in Black Onyx - on upper lash line
• Too Faced Romantic Eye Shadow Palette
• Soulmates
• I Do 
• Un-Veil 
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Very Black
• Cover Girl Eye Enhancers in Brown Smolder - fill in eyebrows

Lips:

• Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balm in Mighty Mimosa
• C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Pink Mint

NOTW: Estee Lauder Porcelain

Today I bring to you Estee Lauder Porcelain. I never knew E.L. had nail polish until recently. I went through a phase that I bought at least 20 nail polishes in a span of two months (I know, its bad!) because I wanted to experiment with different brands. I visited the E.L. counter in Dillard's with my mom to do some shopping. A few colors fascinated me and I wanted to get one, but did not want to spend $20 on one bottle. The associate saw me looking at the polishes, and she directed me to a little kit that contained 4 mini nail polishes for $27.50. Although it was still expensive, I thought it would be best to try out the nail polish. I have tried 2 of the 4 and they have a WONDERFUL formulation. So glad I bought them...... Now onto the actual nail polish!


Estee Lauder Porcelain is a milky white color. It is not completely white, but it is very sheer. I am not a fan of sheer formulations, but this one is beautiful! It makes me feel so sophisticated. I applied three coats; the first one went on a bit streaky, the second coat was fine, but one of my nails had a thicker coating of the polish, so I decided to add a third coat to the other nails to even it out.

(indoors)

(outdoors)

 Would I repurchase? Yes, but only if I can not find a dupe for it. It is such a gorgeous color, but I want to find a cheaper alternative to it since it is so expensive for one.