RSS2 ESTEE LAUDER PRODUCT REVIEWS : A BEST-IN-CLASS SUNSCREEN AND A SO-SO FOUNDATION
April 6, 2008
PRODUCT REVIEW : ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR LIGHT STAY-IN-PLACE MAKEUP SPF 10
I found it difficult to get excited about this product. I tried to be excited because EL has made some great foundations. The original Double Wear foundation was too heavy for me, too mask-like. The idea of a lighter application with durable wear on oily skin, in case warmer weather ever arrives, was appealing.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
Problem the First
It has an SPF of 10. Did they put it in as an afterthought? It should be 25 at the very least. If this were exceptionally gorgeous foundation, I’d get over it. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, certainly one of the most beautiful foundations that money can buy, contains no sunscreen. You have to feel it to believe it. You put it on, it evens the skin coloring, it fills in pores, and it seems to vanish.
No other foundation disperses into the skin so well, while still providing medium coverage, skin-perfect colors, and an application that feels like it’s gliding on over a cushion of air. The Armani is surfing a different wave entirely from most foundations. If adding sunscreen would compromise any of these properties, then leave it out, I say.
I digressed.
I tried the EL makeup in Intensity 2, the only tester Sears offered. There are no distinctions for Cool or Warm, just 6 Intensities. Given the amount of yellow in this Intensity, I’m not certain what the women with blue/pink undertones do. It actually approaches the dreaded peach. Perhaps the other Intensities have an option for them. This one is almost too yellow (peach) for me and I’m pretty yellow.
The coverage is sheer to light. Somehow, I felt that the product did not smooth out imperfections so much as leave them there and deposit color in between. I did not find the effect satisfying in the least. Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizer is a better product. The colors are gorgeous, the SPF 15 is at least a little better, and it is a pleasure to apply. The final effect on the face is surprisingly flattering for a sheer product, but you will be a little shiny.
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
The EL product did not reduce shine particularly well. It did not have better or worse durability than any other decent foundation. After cleansing my face, a lot of product still came off on the cotton pad with the toner. I hate that but have to excuse it in a product that says Double Stay, Stay The Day, Colorstay, or … well, you get it.
Since I don’t like to be endlessly negative, I’m pairing this review with another, for a wonderful sunscreen.
PRODUCT REVIEW : ESTEE LAUDER DAY WEAR PLUS MULTI-PROTECTION ANTI-OXIDANT LOTION SPF 30, for Normal/Combination Skin
Estee Lauder Day Wear Plus Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 30
I loved this product from the moment I applied it and continue loving it to this day. As all reviews for great products seem to be, this one will be short.
I found the product through Paula Begoun’s Best of Beauty Report 2006. Though I’ve said it elsewhere, neither I, nor anyone else, can look at a bottle of skin product and know what it contains. I begin with sunscreens that she endorses so I know I’m not wasting my money.
Sunscreen is the single most powerful anti-aging device that exists. It is so important that we learn to apply it every day, not only for appearance’s sake, but for the future health of our skin. There is nobody who doesn’t need to brush their teeth and there is nobody who doesn’t need sunscreen each day. As in so many areas related to health, prevention is the name of the game.
The application is perfect, the wearability under makeup is perfect. It has a smell that reminds me of fish, or maybe a paint-by-number set just slightly. The fragrance is unnecessary but my skin is not bothered by it, so I put up with it. I buy 3 bottles at a time.
A woman with dry skin might not find it emollient enough in winter.
That’s it. It is absolutely great.
Comments
9 Responses to “2 ESTEE LAUDER PRODUCT REVIEWS : A BEST-IN-CLASS SUNSCREEN AND A SO-SO FOUNDATION”
Got something to say? I hope so.
-
A Greener Tea
Web Maintenence by Rick Beckman
Will you ever look at stuff for men?
Hi, Patrick,
Good question. I don’t see men’s skin issues as any different from women’s. Naturally, (most) men won’t be concerned with makeup application, but their skin’s health, appearance, and aging concerns are the same.
Exclusive product lines for men are a selling gimmick.
If you liked the EL Wear Plus Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 30 so much, you should definitely try the LANCOME UV Expert DNA Shield Triple Protection Active PA+++ with SPFs 30 or 50. They are ideal as make up bases, especially for those with combination to oily skin like mine. I absolutely love it! Give it a try! I would love to read your comment about this product. I am a Paula fun too and follow her advice religiously… I love all of your articles, especially the ones regarding beauty products, although I discovered your site only last week. Keep up the good work!
Hi, Maria,
As a Paula follower, you’ll understand that I tried to look up the Lancome product you mention in Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter and at Beautypedia. I couldn’t find it in either place. Have you seen it reviewed? I’m not averse to paying a lot for great products and I am always looking for a sunscreen that wears well under makeup, but I won’t spend the money till I’m sure it’s worth it.
No, unfortunately Paula hasn’t reviewed it yet! I am a fan of hers too and already subscribed to BEAUTYPEDIA. There are tons of products that she has to review I suppose. I hope that she reviews this one too. By the way do you know MYCHELLE cosmetics? In case you do, please tell me your opinion. The site is http://www.mychelleusa.com and are great, natural, without toxins. I have ordered some and they sent it to Greece too, really quickly! Paula doesn’t have a review of that yet. Thank you.
Hi, manic,
I am not familiar with MYCHELLE products though their site and product philosophy looks interesting. Just as we are becoming more aware of what we put into our bodies, so do we become more aware of what we put on them.
Thanks for the link. It will be interesting to learn more about this product line.
Oh, please do, and send me your comments as soon as you do, as I am really curious! I am afraid that Paula will not like them that much or maybe be quite suspicious to them, as she finds most of some natural ingredients irritating to the skin, but the ones that I’ve tried are very-very nice. My skin is not sensitive for sure, just combination… Thanks again. Love to read your articles and comments!!!