Big Brand Review - Estee Lauder

Something that I want to start on my blog is a monthly brand review, where I got through my favourite products of a certain brand, alternating between high-end and high street brands. This month I want to review one of my very favourites, Estee Lauder.

Estee Lauder has been one of my favourite brands for a very long time. Admittedly, it can be on the pricey side, although I believe the quality makes it so worth it. Another thing I love about the brand is the BEAUTIFUL packaging. A remark I often hear from friends about Estee Lauder packaging is that they love how gold and high-end it looks, and also, the vast majority of products come with a little mirror inside, which I think is an element severely lacking in some high-end brands. Tiny mirrors are always useful!

Of course, with a review, I can't just gush about how much I love the brand, so everytime I do this I'll talk about a few of my most-loved products from the brand, the ones I use up over and over again, but I'll also talk about the ones that have disappointed me.

Disappointing product No.1

Let's start with the bad news first,

Sensuous Fragrance

I always think for any brand that does perfume, branding is so key, and Estee Lauder seem to fall flat here. They have so many different perfumes, which all seem to blend into another, none of them sticking out to be particularly iconic. Particularly Sensuous, I have to admit, I found anything but, the scent coming out a bit too sour for me. However the exception to the sea of uninspiring fragrances from EL is 'Beautiful', which has a sexy, musky scent which I really like.

This may be mainly a branding issue for Estee Lauder, if there were less fragrances and the bottles felt more special, then maybe the scents would be more distinctive. I know as a beauty blogger I should care about the product inside the bottle more than anything, but I really think packaging plays a large part in how we feel about a product.

Loved Product No.1

Now for the pretty things..

Bronze Goddess Bronzer.

This is without a doubt, my favourite bronzer ever. I have tried a million, (trust me, I went through a very orange stage once, when I was desperate to be the bronzer queen. Thankfully that stage in my life is now past.) This bronzer is just perfect for blending, and comes with a gorgeous mini contouring brush that you can use solely for this bronzer, to save on time-consuming brush washing! It has a very subtle shimmer which seems to catch the light just right, and saves on having big dark patches on your face where you may have gone overboard in bad lighting. It also is MASSIVE. Not one for fitting in a little make-up bag, which can be irritating, but this means you can use a large brush to reach your whole face, for really even coverage. This also means it lasts forever. I usually make one last a good four or five months, which for me is incredible. A big five stars for Bronze Goddess.

Disappointing Product No.2

Advanced Night Repair

This may come as a shock to some people, but I really did not see the difference between this and some high street skin products. It claims to be a miracle product, and I know some people absolutely love it. I really think this is one for slightly older skin, so I'm not neccessarily reviewing this as bad, just bad for myself. For nearly 80 pounds, I can't speak for older skin, but young skin can definitely pull off the same effect for a fraction of the price.

Loved Product No.2

Double Wear Foundation

Both the stay-in-place and the light version of this foundation are fantastic. They are definitely for someone looking for the matte look, as dewy they are not. But for anyone with oily skin they are perfect, keeping shiny at bay all day. For a high-end foundation I also think they are reasonably priced, at about 28 pounds, and they last for a really long time, especially because you only need a tiny bit for full coverage, as they are so thick and matte. I used to wear this foundation a lot when I was younger and had frequent break-outs, so they are perfect for a first high-end foundation.

I genuinely didn't have any more disappointing products, I told you I love this brand! Next time I promise I'll pick a brand where I have a more even balance, but you always want to do your favourites first, don't you?

Loved Product No.3

Bronze Goddess Eyeshadow Palette

I am fully addicted to this palette. I am now going to tell you some very sad news, and I would like you to place your hands together in prayer.

They discontinued it.

I have touched pan on two of the eyeshadows in this palette, the light, nude colour and the gold. When it happened to the gold I genuinely ran through my house wailing. The colours are just too gorgeous! This palette is perfect for summer, it has just the right colours to go with a freshly sunkissed face, and is really natural, whilst also having the tiniest bit of shimmer to be a little bit special. I admit, I have carried on its use into the winter, and am now trying to slap my hand away whenever I reach for it to save it! In general, estee lauder eyeshadows are beautiful, although this palette has the only browns I have yet found which are perfect for tanned and pale skin, (both of which I am, in different seasons). I have yet to branch into the bright blues of the palette. Perhaps not.

If Estee Lauder bring back this palette, I promise the gods of make-up to never complain about lipglosses being too sticky or mascaras drying out again. PROMISE!

I could probably talk about this brand forever, I LOVE it, but I want to keep these posts short and just leave it at the things I really really love. If I discover anything I like that omes out new, I will always put it in my monthly favourites at the end of the month!

(Once again, sorry for boring stock photos, I will get a camera soon!)