Wanted! Estee Lauder Love Your Lips Collection

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Estee Lauder is releasing Love your lips collection, featuring 12 Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick shades ($19.50 each) and 4 new Kissable Lip Gloss shades ($18.00 each).

The color selection ranges from pinks to corals, reds to mauves so you’ll be sure to find something you love to give your lips a beautiful, seductive look.

And each lippie and gloss comes with a little love message. The lipsticks have the word “L♥VE” engraved on them and the same word decorates the packaging of the lipglosses. Isn’t that too cute?

Product Review: Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Creme

Name: Hydra Complete Multi-Level Moisture Creme
Brand: Estee Lauder
Size: 50ml
Price: €40.00

From the packaging:
For normal to combination skin. Instantly quenches skin’s deepest thirst, giving it a feeling of endless hydration.

What I liked:
– hydrates skin
– makes skin very soft and smooth
– temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles
– long-lasting

What I didn’t like:
– doesn’t sink in instantly
– doesn’t control oil production too well
– the scent
– the packaging
– the price

Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Multi-Level Moisture Creme is available in two versions: one for normal to dry skin and another for normal to combination skin. Because my skin is combination (oily t-zone, dry cheeks), this review is about the cream for normal/combination skin.

I have to admit that I had high hopes for this cream. I know that moisturizers aren’t miracle products and all they do is hydrate and make skin soft. Maybe provide some anti-aging benefits if they contain a good concentration of antioxidants.

But from an expensive moisturizer, I expected more. After all, if I have to splurge €40 for a cream, it’d better make my skin flawless. Instead, while this is a good product, it’s no better than cheap creams you can find at the drugstore.

White in color, it has a gel-like consistency that is easy to spread on the skin. It takes a few seconds for it to sink in and when it does, my skin feels so smooth and soft, like that of a baby. My skin also feels hydrated for most of the day and the appearance of fine lines is temporarily reduced.

However, there are a couple of things I don’t like about this cream. After application, my dry patches feel tight for several seconds, which is a really uncomfortable sensation. Also, it doesn’t control oil production too well and after a few hours, my t-zone is shiny again. In addition, it has a strong, chemical scent I don’t really like.

I’m not too keen on the packaging either. The cream comes in a blue, see-though jar with a golden lid that looks very classy and glamorous. But I would have preferred if it came in an opaque tube so that I wouldn’t have to put my fingers in the jar every time, risking to contaminate it with bacteria.

Summary
Overall, this is a good moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated and feeling soft for hours. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but the effects are only temporary. However, it leaves dry patches feeling tight, doesn’t control oil production well and is expensive.

Rating: 3.5/5

Disclaimer: years ago, I signed up to receive the official EL newsletter. Sometimes, in them they send you offers to redeem samples of their products, like this cream. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.

New Collection: Estee Lauder Michael Kors Very Hollywood Spring 2010

“Hollywood is the birthplace of fantasy and dreams. The inspiration for the Estée Lauder Michael Kors Very Hollywood Color Collection is iconic Hollywood glamour, both past and present, interpreted for everyday life.” – Michael Kors

Estee Lauder spring collection was born from the longtime friendship between Aerin Lauder, Estée Lauder Senior Vice President and Creative Director, and acclaimed American designer Michael Kors.

The collection, which reflects the timeless philosophy of Estée Lauder and the luxurious, modern style of Michael Kors, features two looks: Bel Air Beige, a mix of beautiful peach and coral shades and Rodeo Pink, full of bright raspberry tones.

BEL AIR BEIGE:
Very Hollywood Eyeshadow Duo in Blonde Mink ($30.00)
Very Hollywood Eye Pencil in Sepia ($19.00)
Very Hollywood Blush in Sunset Coral ($26.00)
Very Hollywood Lip Sheens SPF 15 in Honey Blonde and Starlet Peach ($22.00)
Very Hollywood Lip Glosses in Honey Blonde and Starlet Peach ($20.00)
Very Hollywood Nail Lacquer in Hollywood Gold ($18.00)

RODEO PINK
Very Hollywood Eyeshadow Duo in Night Star ($30.00)
Very Hollywood Eye Pencil in Film Noir ($19.00)
Very Hollywood Blush in Sunset Pink ($26.00)
Very Hollywood Lip Sheens SPF 15 in Bungalow Pink and Starlet Rose ($22.00)
Very Hollywood Lip Glosses in Bungalow Pink and Starlet Rose ($20.00)
Very Hollywood Nail Lacquer in Bungalow Pink ($18.00)

Breast Cancer Awereness Beauty Products

October is breast cancer month. During this time, a lot of brands are releasing products to raise money and awareness for this disease. If you need to buy a beauty product for yourself or a friend, please consider choosing one that supports this cause. Here are just a few highlights:

Philosophy Shower For A Cure ($20.00) can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath and helps to moisturize and soothe skin. 100% of philosophy’s net proceeds from the sale of shower for the cure will be donated to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser ($29.95) deep cleanses, exfoliates and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. Suki Sensitive Cleansing Bar ($10.95) gently cleans skin removing all traces of makeup and impurities while softening and hydrating it. Suki is donating 100% of proceeds from this two products throughout October and November to the Breast Cancer Action’s “Think Before You Pink” campaign.

During the month of October, tarte will donate 20% of the proceeds from the Think Pink natural collection to the Young Survival Coalition, a support network for women under 40 living with breast cancer. The collection includes, among other things, a Pink Go Dutch Clutch ($22.00), Natural Cheek Stain ($32.00) and Vitamin Infused Lipgloss powered by BORBA ($21.00)

Bobbi Brown The Pink Ribbon Collection ($40.00) features a Blush Pink Creamy Lip Color and a Pink Crystal Glitter Lip Balm. With your purchase, you will contribute to Bobbi brown’s donation of $35.000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

DKNY will make a donation of $15,000 in connection with the sales of DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom 3.4oz Eau de Parfum Spray ($70.00) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Throughout October, Origins will donate $35,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from sales of Peace of Mind® On-the-spot relief ($10.00) sold in North America.

By purchasing PX Pink Ribbon Palette for Cheeks and Eyes ($49.00), featuring 4 eyeshadows and two blushes, you’ll help Prescriptives donate $20.000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

By purchasing any of the products from the Pink Ribbon Collection you will help Estee Lauder donate $500.000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The collection includes a Golden Ribbons Mirrored Compact ($55.00), Jeweled Pink Ribbon Pin ($12.50) and Elizabeth Hurley and Evelyn Lauder Lip Design Collection Sets ($22.00 each).

Three Custom Color Specialists has created Be Bright Pink Lip Gloss ($23.50), a sheer carnation pink with a satin finish that will flatter all skintones, to support Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization that provides education and support to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. 20% of sales generated by the purchase of Be Bright Pink Lip Gloss will be donated to Bright Pink.

Dermelect Cleavage Contour Cream ($40.00) moisturizes and helps to increase the firmness of the bust. For the entire month of October, 100% of net proceeds of this product will benefit the Young Survival Coalition.

Inside Debra Stephenson makeup bag

Debra Stephenson is an English actress best known for playing Frankie Baldwin in the soap Coronation Street. Here are the beauty products the actress can’t live without:

REN MOROCCAN ROSE OTTO ULTRA NOURISHING BODY OIL (£31.25)
This ultra nourishing body oil restores glow, softness, elasticity and comfort to the skin. Debra says that a friend bought her this and now she is addicted cos it feels so silky and light on the skin.

BOURJOIS LITTLE ROUND POT EYESHADOW (£5.75)
A fine powder eyeshadow for luminous colour that comes in an great selection of colors. One of Debra’s fave is Gris Pailletté 92, a grey with silver shimmer, which is perfect for soft, smoky eyes.

TIMOTEI SOFTENING OATMILK & PEACH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER (£2.33 each)
The shampoo gently cleanses hair, while the conditioner nourishes, leaving it soft and supple. Debra applies the conditioner and leaves it on overnight. She says it’s like a salon treatment without spending a fortune!

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR ZERO SMUDGE LENGTHENING MASCARA (£17.13)
The mascara is formulated to resist high temperatures and high humidity without flaking or smudging.

DERMALOGICA SKIN SOOTHING CREAM (£26.00)
A moisturizer that helps to maintain your skin’s moisture, smooth fine dehydration lines and relieving tightness.