Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup

After giving us a truly fantastic cushion earlier this year [see here], Estee Lauder has taken a further step towards making applying and touching up our foundation on the go even more convenient!  The new Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is a truly innovative product that combines liquid makeup and applicator in one slim portable tube.

The Estee Lauder design team has really outdone themselves with this brilliantly designed tube.  The foundation is contained in a clear acrylic body that allows you to see at a glance how much product is left.  A domed sponge tip disperses the product and also serves as an applicator.  A simple twist of the body dispenses product up to the sponge tip, and it swivels back down too!  So you can be sure to only use what is needed at any point of time, without wastage nor contaminating the product.  And appealing to all our practical side, the sponge applicator tip can be removed (simply twist it off!) for washing and placed back again!!

Though it is handy, I personally found the applicator tip too small for all-over face application.  Though covered in sponge, it does not have the bouncy feel of a beauty blender or makeup sponge, and it does not mould to the contours of the face like a typical cushion puff.  The only way to make this work is to dispense just a tiny bit at a time and just gently tap it on the face.  This method works brilliantly for touchups and spot applications, but it can be rather time-consuming for a full-face application, and it tends to streak and keep on sponging out more product if you try to sweep it across the face.  The way I use it is to quickly sweep it in various spots all around the face, and then blend out using my fingers (or brush/beauty blender).

There are 8 shades available in Singapore (I believe there are more in the US), and here are their swatches:

Though billed as a member of the Double Wear family, Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is the sheerest of all the Double Wear foundations I have ever tried, on par with Double Wear Makeup To Go.  The biggest difference between this and the classic Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation is the finish.  Double Wear Nude leaves a glowy dewy finish, which is a big departure from the Double Wear Cushion’s matte finish, and closer to the Double Wear All-Day Glow BB [reviewed here].  On the other hand, it is lightweight on the skin and stays comfortable all day long.

**click to enlarge and zoom

As you can see, I’m currently hosting 2 clown-like spots on both cheeks, and a little uneven skin tone due to my recent bout of adult acne.  Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup does even out my skin tone somewhat, and smoothens the look of pores and bumps.  However, a concealer is still needed, and the most telling is the marginal improvement to the look of my undereye darkness, which though not terribly severe, definitely still needs additional work.  On the other hand, I would like to point out that out of all the Double Wear foundations that I’ve tested so far, this is one of the most forgiving on dry flakey skin.  It certainly wears better on dry skin and will be especially useful in the drier seasons ahead.  In the hot humid climate here in Singapore, I found Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup to fade in patches after about 5-6 hours.

Personally, I think Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is an excellent alternative for those who have been toting around their cushions for touch-ups on the go because of its slim and thoughtful design.  I wouldn’t use it for all-over base makeup at home, but this is truly convenient to have in the bag at all times.  Also, this would be wonderful for gentle contouring – use a lighter shade on the tops of the cheekbones and forehead; and one shade darker in the hollows and jawline.  Just tap and swirl to buff in, no need to mess with brush and powder!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is out in stores now.  Have you tried it yet?

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}