Wonders of Beauty: Estee Lauder

Favourite Makeup Products Of 2011..♥

Happy New Year Beauts!

Since we've now ended 2011 and welcomed 2012, I thought I'd show you some of last years makeup favourites. They are makeup products which I've reached for the most. A lot of them I often repurchased and some were new additions to my collection last year which I may have previously blogged about. There are more products which I reached for often as well but these are the products which stuck in my mind so obviously made a good impression.

In no particular order, here are my 2011 makeup faves!

Sigma Small Contour Brush F05
I haven't owned this brush for a long time but it quickly became one of my top brushes that I use for contouring and applying blush.

Sigma Buffer Brush F45
I also own the MAC Buffer Brush 182 but I kind of ruined it so I looked for a cheap alternative and came across this one. It is exactly the same as the MAC 182 and works just as well!
I use it to apply my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish powder.

Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush F80
This is by far my most favourite brush. It blends in my foundation effortlessly and seamlessly. It gives me that flawless look that I love. I would recommend it to anyone!

MAC Fix+

I use this daily before my foundation application and I really do believe it helps make my makeup last longer. I also use it if I feel I've applied too much powder so it helps make my makeup look more natural. I've just recently run out but I'm going to pick up a new bottle very soon!

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage

I love this primer! I got it as a Christmas present from my sister in 2010 and since then I cannot go without using it. It makes my skin very smooth and prepares it for my foundation application. There are small light-reflecting particles in it which create a glowing effect.

Click here for my review on this product.

Face Atelier Ultra and Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear is by far my most favourite foundation. It does everything I need it to apart from provide a good colour match for me so I mix it with Face Atelier Ultra to create a better match and perfect finish.

Click here for my review on Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and here for a FOTD of me wearing the mix.

YSL Rouge Volupte #3 Ultimate Beige and NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss Miami Babe

I believe this is my most worn lip combo of the year. They are like a mauve shade and complement my skin tone very well. Great for everyday wear!

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish

I've lost count of how many times I've repurchased this product. It is my favourite powder from MAC. I use it 90% of the time that I wear makeup and I can't see myself putting it away anytime soon!

L'Oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss
I really can't remember the last time I've used an eyeliner besides this one. It is quite black in my opinion with a slight gloss finish and lasts all day!

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara/Original
I love this mascara! I usually either buy it in 'Carbon Black' or 'Original' depending on what superdrug has in stock. It lengthens and thickens my lashes like no other mascara has.

MAC Eye Brows

I cannot go without these! I usually use it in the shade 'Stud' but recently I've been purchasing 'Spiked' ever since they ran out of 'Stud'. They are great because it gives a natural look to your filled in brows and don't make your eyebrows look too drawn on.

Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder
Words cannot describe how good this product is. It sets my makeup and makes it last the whole day with no touch ups.
Click here for a review.

ChapStick Moisturiser and MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner - Soothing Beige

These are both very good moisturisers to apply to your lips during the day and even at night before bed. They heal and prevent dry/cracked lips!

MAC Prolongwear Concealer

This is my favourite concealer to use for my under eye area. It doesn't cake or crease under the eye. You have to work very quickly with it though as it is fast-drying!

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

I really like using this concealer to perfect my brows as it is very easy to blend unlike other concealers that I've tried.

NARS Gilda Blush
I AM SORRY, I ACCIDENTALLY TOOK A PICTURE OF NARS GINA!
I have quite a few blushes but last year, I found myself reaching for this one so many times. NARS blushes are very pigmented and last a long time. It is a very nice coral colour that also complements dark skin tones!

Sleek Contour Kit - Medium
Those who follow my blog will know that I haven't owned this contour kit for a long time but for the little time that I have had it, I've used the contour powder everyday. It is a great product for its price as it also comes with a highlighter (which I hardly ever use).

MAC Iridescent Loose Powder Golden Bronze
I believe this is a multi-purpose product but I specifically use it as a highlighter which I believe it's great for. I used it so much during summer 2011 because it gives me that nice glow which is not overpowering. It has fine particles so you won't look like a glittery hot mess!
Click here for a review.

Were any of these your favourites for 2011?

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Estee Lauder - 21:45

My Favourite Makeup Products Of 2011

Favourite Makeup Products Of 2011.. ♥ Happy New Year Beauts! Since we've now ended 2011 and welcomed 2012, I thought I'd sho...

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation..♥

"15-hour staying power. Flawless all day.

This worry-free, long-wearing foundation makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.

Won't change colour, smudge or come off on clothes.

Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day."

My Story

All I've ever really wanted was a long-lasting foundation that gave me a flawless finish. This April, I just so happened to find that!

I first heard about this foundation from a friend who was so excited to buy it. I never really noticed it and I always thought Estee Lauder didn't carry shades for darker women. At the time, I was using Nars Sheer Glow and was absolutely in love with that foundation but the lasting power wasn't the greatest on me.

Me being me, eager to explore different foundations, I thought I'd give it a go so I headed down to my nearest Estee Lauder counter (Fenwick) with this friend. She got matched to the shade "6C1 Rich Cocoa" and was given a sample to try out. Because we wear the same colour in MAC, I didn't bother getting matched and just asked for a sample in the same colour.

So excited, I decided to test out the foundation the very next day. I was in ♥! The foundation glided on so smoothly and you only needed a small amount for a good coverage so the sample lasted a few days. BUT I noticed that the colour was slightly off for me. It made me look a bit orange =/

I went back to Estee Lauder and explained my issue to them. I had asked for a sample in "Truffle" but was told it was unavailable for 3 weeks. By then, I would be on my Easter break and wouldn't be in Kent anymore.

I was so disappointed because I had fallen in love with it just from the sample.

Not giving up, I headed down to Debenhams. The lady used a colour chart against my chest to match me and I was matched to "Truffle" (as I had suspected). She stated that "6C1 Rich Cocoa" wasn't a perfect match because it was people with a cool undertone and that my undertone was neutral. BUT once again, she was out of stock.

Losing all hope now, I decided to wait until I got back to Essex and FINALLY I purchased the shade "6N1Truffle" from Boots (though a bit too dark) and since then I have never looked back!

Review

• Oil-free
• Dermatologist-tested
• Non-acnegenic
• Fragrance-free

Coverage: This is a medium - full coverage foundation and the consistency of it is not too thick and not too runny, it's just right in my opinion but for those who do not like the feeling of make-up may not like it depending on your application. Though it is quite light weight, if used with a heavy hand, you will look very made up otherwise it can look very natural. Thankfully this foundation is buildable so if you feel you need more coverage, it can be layered up until you're satisfied.

Finish: This foundation has a very natural and semi-matte finish. It can be worn without powder as it sets beautifully and oil doesn't tend to shine through. I never wear this without powder, as I wear all my foundations with a finishing powder (just a habit).

Staying Power: Estee Lauder states that this foundation has a staying power of 15hours. I even think it lasts longer!

I have been on a trip which in total was 15hours+ and when I had arrived, my make up still looked like it had been freshly applied. I couldn't believe it.

This foundation lasts through hot weather. I can almost say it is sweat proof! Even through the heat it takes a very long time for oil to shine through.

It is also non-transferable and does not change colour through wear.

Tag states Fenwick as it was my back up foundation box

Price and Availabilty: This product retails for £26.50 now but at the time that I bought it, it was £25.50. It can be purchased at any of the Estee Lauder Counters (Boots, Fenwick, Debenhams, House of Fraser etc). It is available in a wide range of shades, though shades for darker women are very limited. "6N1 Truffle" (my shade) is the darkest. I am currently an NC50 in MAC for reference but this shade can be worn by those matched NW45/NW47.