Category: Beauty

This is by no means a new product from Estee Lauder, but it is one of their best sellers that I don’t hear much about. As far as I can tell, this version of the Double Wear Powder was reformulated sometime around the beginning of 2019. I remember the Estee Lauder counter had the previous version on clearance shortly before I bought this version for the first time. Every counter doesn’t always get the newest releases right on schedule, so please correct me if that timing is wrong.

Estee Lauder claims that this powder is soft and weightless, and I definitely agree. It feels like I have nothing on when I wear it alone as a powder foundation. That does translate to less coverage than some people might be looking for given the Double Wear name. This powder was designed to be a buildable multi-use powder, so it does start off as light coverage. Not a lot of powder picks up on the brush, which helps it function well as a setting powder. Getting into the buildable claim, it does build on itself with no issue. You can achieve a medium coverage if you apply it with a brush and apply two layers. If you use the included sponge you can get more coverage, but I don’t think it ever quite gets to the full coverage that the brand claims. The sponge also applies the product heavier, so just one layer gives me medium coverage. A second layer with the sponge does improve the coverage a little, but some of my scars still peak through. But again, it looks heavy applied with the sponge and accentuates texture on me.

I already had this post in the works, but I decided it was time to finish it since NARS recently released its new Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation. With this new release, they have also expanded the shade range for the Light Reflecting Powders (both loose and pressed).

This Sleeper hit is a little different because I already knew I liked this powder in the shade Sunstone, but the color was a little too orange for my coloring. After debating for a long time about the translucent color, I decided to just give it a try. I often jot down notes on my makeup just in case I decide to write a blog post about something in the future. When I reviewed my notes, this powder not only kept coming up, but I was also pleased with it every time I used it.

I mentioned the consistency of Bobbi Brown’s matte eyeshadows in my last post about the brand’s best sellers and it reminded me that I wanted to post about this. It took me a long time to buy this shade because I was worried it would be too cool-toned for me, but it turned out to be just warm enough.

This particular shade is a classic matte finish from Bobbi Brown, simply labeled as Eye Shadow. The brand also has Mettalic Eyeshadow, Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, and Luxe Eye Shadow.

Update September 7, 2024: Bobbi Brown reformulated the bronzers to be talc-free in early 2024. Click here to read my review of the new formula and swatch of the shade Golden Natural (including comparison swatches).

I wanted to talk about some older products that I don’t hear mentioned much anymore, but they still manage to take up permanent residence on the brand’s bestsellers list. I have already done a best sellers post on MAC, MAC Vol. 2, Maybelline, NARS, Laura Mercier, and Clinique if you’d like to check those out. Today I’m revisiting some Bobbi Brown products.

I initially talked about this highlighter and shared a swatch in my Sephora Friends and Family Sale Haul, but I hadn’t used it yet. Now that I’ve had time to play around with it, I’m back with my thoughts.

LYS Aim High Liquid Highlighter in Brave, $19.00

This formula gave me some problems. Despite that, it is a flattering shade for me, it is kind to my texture, and once finessed it has a beautiful finish. I would definitely call this a finicky product. It is quite liquidy and a little bit goes a long way, so you have to be careful not to squeeze out too much product. Also, you have to make sure to shake it well before using it (which isn’t a big deal). The problem is that when blended over certain foundations it can leave harsh lines around the edges and disturb the product underneath.

Once it sets (and it sets quicker if using powder foundation), blending the harsh edges gets difficult without causing some patchiness. It is hard to get a feel for when to stop blending before it starts to pick up the foundation, but also make sure it blends into the rest of my makeup. Because of this, it hasn’t always been possible to get a seamless blend.

I first found out about this product from my friend Lili and she had the same experience that I did with shade 60 Warm Plum. In Lili’s review, she also tested the shade 30 Warm Coral and had a much better experience. Her review was my basis for trying this product, so if you want more details and to see both of the shades on someone darker than me, please check that out by clicking here.

The brand uses words like airy and creamy to describe the Melting Color Balms and I would say they missed the mark for the shade 60 warm plum. I found this formula to be quite dry. It actually feels like you are not getting any product regardless of the tool, but eventually, somehow you do get pigment. From there it is buildable as the brand promises but the darker you are the more work you’ll have to put in to get your desired intensity. Lucky for me, I didn’t feel like I needed to build it much. After I manage to get the product on my brush, I felt like I only needed that one application for one cheek. So I did need to load my brush with the product again for the other cheek. I don’t need to build beyond that one layer to be satisfied with the color. When I build this shade too much, it starts to look like a bruise on my skin tone. So the light, buildable nature of this shade ends up working out for me personally.

These are some items I wanted to give a shout-out to because they are easy to use and affordable. Sometimes you are just looking for something that is simple and does the job. These are some products that come to mind when I’m in a rush and want to use products that I can’t mess up.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Desert Escape

I’ve done a full review on these lipsticks (click here to see it) and I reference them often, so I won’t say too much here. For me, the shade desert escape in particular works as an everyday color. I can always count on it and it seems to work with every look. I know that won’t necessarily be true for everyone trying this shade, but they have such a good shade range I thought it was worth mentioning anyway.