Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go & Pure Color Envy Matte Lipsticks

Hope everyone had a good start to the new week… there are only 10 more days to Christmas!!  Have you gotten your party looks all planned, and gifts prepared?  For me, I like a bold matte lip, and there are 2 Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipsticks that would be perfect for a glamorous look.  And for those luncheons, what better way to get prepared and touch up on the go than with Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact?  Let me show these to you today!

Estee Lauder is perhaps one of the most established beauty brands around, and yet, it seems to sort of fly under most trend-chasing beautyjunkie’s radar.  For me, this year has been a pivotal year for the brand as it not only proved that it can turn out cool collaborations (such as the Courrèges Estée Lauder collection), Estee Lauder has also introduced several new innovative products.  And just before the year ends, it has brought us their version of a liquid compact – Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go.

Double Wear Makeup To Go is a liquid foundation in a portable compact form.  The case resembles a typical cushion foundation in size and shape, but instead of an exposed moist foundation-filled cushion in the center, the product is safely kept within a sealed compartment, and dispensed by the push of a button.

This is a new formula that contains Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Muru Muru Butter to keep skin hydrated; and is designed to last for 8-hours (after which it is easy to touch-up given the portability!).  Argireline and Milk Thistle Extract help to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin tone.  To celebrate the launch, there were a limited number of pieces bearing a special illustration by Grace Ciao, as the one I have here!  Unfortunately it is non-refillable, so once I am done with this, the case remains solely as a souvenir.

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I’ve enjoyed quite a number of Estee Lauder liquid foundations in the past, and so I had high hopes for this one.  Despite bearing the Double Wear moniker, this Makeup To Go is much sheerer than the original DW foundation.  In fact, it is probably the sheerest of all Estee Lauder foundations that I’ve tried so far (which includes Futurist Aqua Brilliance, Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup, and the Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Makeup).  In comparison to the Double Wear All-Day Glow BB, Makeup To Go has higher coverage and does not feel as lightweight on the skin.

My skin is going through a rough time right now, and you can see a lot of coarse bumpiness on the surface, especially around my lips and on my cheek bones.  And unfortunately, Double Wear Makeup To Go did not manage to float over those textural imperfections.  I don’t necessarily think that it emphasised those flaws, but it did not have the blurring and skin smoothening effect that I need right now.  The light coverage also meant that my red patches are not completely covered, although it is possible to build up coverage by patting on more where it is needed.  On the plus side, I did not have any problems with the wear time, as it lasted me longer than the stated 8 hours, without fading.  I did develop an oily sheen around lunch time, which can be easily fixed by blotting and touching up.

As I had mentioned earlier, Estee Lauder has a new Pure Color Envy Matte Lipstick range.  Globally, there are 12 shades available, but only 8 have been released in Singapore.  Regardless of which you pick (save except for 1), you are bound to end up with a super pigmented, boldly saturated lipstick.  The 2 I have here today are Decisive Poppy and Irrepressible.

Decisive Poppy is a cool-toned to neutral crimson red as shown above.  The color becomes much bolder and more dramatic when swiped on directly from the bullet.

And here is a full look in context, with Decisive Poppy worn in its full glory.

Irrepressible is a warmer-toned dark brick red as shown in the lip swatch above.  And the full look in context below:

As far as matte lipsticks go, these Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte lipsticks are some of the boldest and most pigmented that I’ve tried.  However, they are not the most comfortable on the lips, and I clearly had difficulty getting the color to apply smoothly as it tends to skip over lines.  I would recommend applying a layer of lip balm before hand.  I much prefer the formula of the original Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks [reviewed here], although the lasting power of these Mattes are just as good if not better.

Overall, the long-lasting stay and bold pigmented color of the Pure Color Envy Matte lipsticks make for a good evening lipstick.  Both Decisive Poppy and Irrepressible are much more exciting on the lips than they appear in the tube, and definitely worth trying if you are after some drama!  The Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact is handy for traveling or for everyday wear, although I think it is perhaps not the most flattering choice for those with dry skin and textural problems.

Have you tried anything shown today?

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