Category: Beauty

I’ve been wearing this foundation since 2014, and I have always found it challenging to find information specific to dry/sensitive skin and see swatches of the shades. So, I wanted to update my thoughts on the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation on this blog.

WHAT SHADE DO I WEAR?

Update September 4, 2021: I’ve started wearing shade 4W4 Hazel (pictured below). You can also see 4W4 compared to the pre-2024 MAC Studio Fix Fluid formula in shade C8 by clicking this link.

Depending on the time of year, I go back and forth between shades 5W1 Bronze and 5W2 Rich Caramel.  Sometime in 2019, Estee Lauder began releasing new shades, and they created 5W1.5 Cinnamon.  Since it seemed to fall in between my shades, I was hoping I could use that shade and get away with it all year. I was disappointed to find out that 5W1.5 cinnamon actually reads darker on me than shade 5W2 Rich Caramel, but it also looks less orange.  I am pretty sure that means the undertone of 5W1.5 is better for me, but I have to use 5W1 in the center of my face or I look darker than my body.  I think I can get away with it alone, but I feel like I look more like myself, only using 5W1.5 on the perimeter of my face.  The brand has since added even more shades, bringing the total number of shades to 56.  So, it will still be challenging, but it is a great shade range that likely has something for most people.

WHAT IS THE FINISH, COVERAGE, AND WEAR TIME?

This foundation has a matte finish and is very long-wearing on me.  It does have a reputation for being long-wearing across skin types, but there are always exceptions, so keep that I have dry skin.  I do not believe it suits my dry skin without some manipulation.  Despite the matte finish, the minimal, if any, transfer is unmatched in my experience.  The only other foundation I’ve used that I felt was transfer-proof was the now discontinued Covergirl Queen 3 in 1 foundation.  I personally prefer to prep my skin as needed to benefit from the transfer-proof nature of the foundation. This starts off looking a little dry, but after about an hour, it starts to look better (still matte, but not dry), and it keeps looking that way until I remove it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear is a medium coverage foundation that can be built up to full coverage. If you apply 1 light layer, you will get medium coverage. Even if you want full coverage, I would still suggest applying this in light layers and only building coverage where you need it. Since the formula is matte, it dries quicker than a luminous or satin foundation, so you want to work quickly or in sections. You can mix this formula with moisturizer or a primer to make it a sheer to light coverage, but this can darken the color of the foundation. If you want to wear it sheered out in this way but have a public-facing job or an event, I would recommend testing it out on a day you aren’t leaving the house just in case it darkens too much for your preference.

Coloured Raine partnered up with the Power, a Starz television show, to release this beautiful collection.  It originally launched in September 2019, but they still have inventory that is currently 50% off.  I really think they did an excellent job with the packaging and color story.  This collection didn’t seem to get as much love as their Queen of Hearts Palette or single eyeshadows seem to get.

Click continue reading for swatches.

These are my personal favorite blushes from the drugstore.  In my opinion, these blushes are great, not just good for the price.

e.l.f. Primer Infused Blush in Always Rosy, $7.00 

Update January 17, 2025: This blush has been reformulated since I last used it, so I’m unsure if the new formula performs the same and the shade may be different.

This blush actually is listed as a bestseller on e.l.f.’s website.  They have also recently added 3 more for a total of seven shades.

The e.l.f. always rosy blush has a beautiful formula.  I don’t really think there is a noticeable difference in performance and wear time due to it being primer infused.  The texture of the powder is definitely smoother than other blushes I’ve tried, but I just don’t notice that it made a difference overall.  I found it easy to pick up with any brush and easy to blend.  I immediately felt like this reminded me of a more pink version of the Mac blush in the shade Mocha.  I feel like Mac Mocha has more red to it than this shade.

These powders are firmly pressed in the pan so they do not kick up powder, but are still easy to pick up on a brush in my experience.  This formula does not accentuate texture but still has enough shine to actually highlight the face.  The closest thing in texture I’ve used was the MUFE Artist Face Color (click here for a swatch and review of shade H106).  Ibiza is my personal color preference, but if you like a pink toned highlight, Maldives performs just as well.

The NARS Highlighting Powders are $38.00 at narscosmetics.com and are available in six shades.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Today is another day in what is certainly theBalm’s longest 50% off sale.  The sale originally started back on April 7 but has been extended several times since the original end date of April 12.  If you aren’t familiar with the brand, they typically have these sales 2 or 3 times a year.  No company is immune to times being hard right now so I’m sure that has everything to do with the sale extensions.

theBalm is a brand worth checking out if you are sensitive to either talc or parabens and like supporting cruelty-free brands  Over the years I’ve tried a sampling of theBalm’s products and by far my favorite product of theirs is highlighter.  The more recent release of the shade Bonnie-Lou Manizer is the swatch I am sharing with you today.

Today I’m sharing some swatches of my Laura Mercier Illuminator Palette with you.  Although this particular palette is a holiday 2018 limited edition release, all three shades it contains are available in the brand’s permanent lineup.

From Left to Right:

Indiscretion is described as a warm rose gold highlight

Devotion is described as a cool pink highlight

Addiction is described as a gilded gold highlight

The permanent single shades retail for $45.00 on Laura Mercier’s website, but she traditionally releases a palette every holiday season with multiple shades if you want better value.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.