Review of Estee Lauder Goodies

This post is a review of the following Estee Lauder products pictured above:

Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer

Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

Double Wear Zero Smudge Liquid Liner in Black

Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup in Light/Medium

Double Wear Stay In Place Shadow Creme in Antique Gold (no.4)

Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer - As I have said before, for daytime use, I much prefer matte bronzers as they have a more natural finish (shimmery does not equal natural!). The Estee Lauder website describes this product as a "silky, luxurious powder bronzer.Works with virtually any skintone. Sweep it on and the smooth, oil-free powder gives face, shoulders and décolletage a seductive bronze look.Unique oil-control complex keeps skin shine-free and comfortable". The first thing I noticed about the bronzer is that it's in the Barry M bronzer colour category in that it has a mauve undertone to it. This ensures that it doesn't look orangey on the skin and gives a much more subtle effect. The powder is extremely finely milled and silky smooth to apply. It didn't leave any streaks and the colour is perfect, my skin looked golden without being over the top, it's incredibly natural looking. I love the fact that it's matte (if you look VERY closely there is a teeny tiny amount of shimmer particles in the powder but this is definitely not visible on the skin). It created a lovely matte finish without looking powdery or cakey. Here's a swatch of the product...

You get quite alot of product and there's a brush provided that feels really soft and of high quality (as I've said before, some brushes that come with these type of products can be scratchy). I prefer to apply this bronzer with a big bronzer brush but I would definitely use the big brush provided in the compact for touch-ups during the day. I must say though that the powder is very long lasting as I haven't have to re-apply it yet. There is a plastic lid that fits over the bronzer to avoid any messiness. The powder felt comfortable on my skin and wasn't drying in the slightest. I LOVE this bronzer!

Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara - I had heard alot of good things about this mascara from other people (I think Aleksis a.k.a. Alpha Blonde had also tried a small sample of this product). I am always on the lookout for a good mascara and I generally have two categories...daytime mascara that gives good length and staying power but doesn't have to create much volume as I like a clean look for work. My nightime mascara has to be deeply black, lengthening, volumising and basically make my lashes look false. This is where Sumptuous comes in. Normally I have to apply a lash primer to achieve the false eyelash look but this mascara gives amazing lift and volume without the need for another product. This has all the benefits of YSL Faux Cils but without the short lifespan (YSL one dries out way too fast as we all know). The website describes Sumptuous as having an "unprecedented Bold Volume™ formula that has ultra light, lash-thickening fibers. Lifts and plumps even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl. Exclusive BrushComber™ thickens like a brush. Defines like a comb. Wraps your entire lash in air-light volume. Lashes soar with 360° lift and curl". Here's what the brush looks like...

I really love this mascara and I would go as far as to say that I have found my new holy grail of mascaras! It's perfect - it gives my lashes loads of length and volume, it doesn't clump or flake off, it doesn't smudge even after 12 hours of wear. You can also layer it to your heart's delight so you can control how much drama you want to add to your eyes. I can't fault this mascara! The packaging feels expensive and the formula is just the right consistency, not too wet and not too dry. Because of this formula, it doesn't dry out like the YSL one AND it's cheaper! This is the effect it gives....
I am really starting to wonder why on earth I have neglected Estee Lauder for so long!

Double Wear Zero Smudge Liquid Liner in Black - I have been looking for a black liquid eyeliner that I can really rely on for long-wear and with a non-smudge formula. I have tried MAC Liquidlast and GOSH Extreme Art Liners and they are good but these have proven to be a nightmare to remove at the end of the day! They also have brush applicators which can be tricky to use at times. I much prefer the felt tip style liquid liners as they are alot easier to use when you are in a rush and there's more chance you will get a straight clean line as there are no brush fibres splaying out everywhere. Here's what the applicator looks like...

This liquid liner lasted the whole day without running into my inner waterline and without smudging. The colour is a very intense black and the firm felt tip applicator gives you alot of control to create a precise clean line. The main reason I love this liner is because even though it refuses to budge during the day, it's easy to remove at night with a makeup remover wipe. I personally hate it when I have to scrub my eyes to get a product off and it's certainly not good for the delicate eye area. If you are a big fan of black liquid liners like me then you will love this product!

Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup in Light/Medium - I have been happy with my Revlon Colorstay Foundation of late but fancied a change to check out maximum coverage foundation. I wanted to see how the consistency and coverage differed from other foundations. On the website this foundation is described as a foundation that "Has SPF15, conceals skin imperfections, including surgical and acne scars, birthmarks, sun spots and varicose veins, with this soothing, natural-looking makeup.Full Coverage, Natural-looking, Long-wearing, Waterproof, Non-transferable. Ideal for post-surgery use as directed by your physician. Dermatologist-tested, Non-acnegenic, Non-fragranced". I have the Light/Medium shade which looks like this:

Let me first explain that I don't have acne or any scars to conceal, however I like to have this type of product to hand in case I get a bad breakout of Psoriasis. This isn't a foundation I would wear every day but it's handy to have in case you have a bad breakout of spots etc. The formula is incredibly light and I was shocked at how weightless it felt on my skin!You only need a tiny amount of this product and the coverage is fantastic. The formula is very unique because on contact with the skin, it sort of transforms into a light powder without sacrificing any coverage. I think that's the reason why it feels so light. This product could also be used as a light concealer. It lasts all day without budging at all and to be honest, I would even go as far as to say that the formula is lighter than that of Revlon Colorstay. It's certainly a thinner consistency. I was super impressed with this foundation and I can see how it would be so useful for anyone with scars or acne. Obviously if you don't suffer from any of these problems then this foundation may not be for you but for anyone with something like Rosacea (a condition that causes extreme redness) then this product could be a life saver. Top marks to Estee Lauder for coming up with such a great product and addressing a part of the consumer market that is rarely explored by other high end brands.

Double Wear Stay In Place Shadow Creme in Antique Gold (no.4) - I am a big fan of MAC Paint Pots however I sometimes feel like there isn't enough colour choice (or at least ones that suit my skintone). As you know, I am a big fan of golds and bronzes and this product definitely falls into that category. The website describes the product as a "cream eyeshadow that delivers intense colour that lasts up to 15 hours and goes on fast, stay-true colour at your fingertips with matte to demi-pearl finishes, creamy formula goes on smoothly, blends easily. Seamless coverage won't crease or fade. Can be worn alone or layered under powder eyeshadow". Generally, I would use these types of products as a base for my powder eyeshadow to create a good base and intensify the colour. However, I have been wearing this cream eyeshadow alone as the colour is so gorgeous (can be seen in my last FOTD). Here's a swatch of the product...

It really does live up to it's description and it's definitely on par with MAC Paint Pots. The reason why this range has the edge is purely because the shades are more flattering and varied.

The main thing I have realised through trying these products is that I shouldn't have dismissed the Estee Lauder brand for so long. I loved every single product. I had assumed it was a brand for more mature ladies as the marketing seems to be driven that way. However, they have alot to offer us younger ladies and the quality of their products is second to none.