Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place Makeup and Flawless Wear Concealer review and FOTD!

Helloo people!

Can you believe it's Thursday already?! At least it's nearly the weekend, huh :-)

Now some of you may remember I was lucky enough to receive the Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation and Concealer for Christmas... Well, I've been wearing it on and off for a couple of weeks now and I'm ready to give you my thoughts!!! So here we go...

Well firstly it comes it luxurious, glossy navy blue packaging. Very opulent, it even features mini 'EL's' in the inner packaging!

Product wise, the foundation comes in a jar (no handy pump dispenser here, like my usual MAC Pro Longwear) and the concealer features a traditional doe foot applicator, a la my normal Maybelline Pure Mineral concealer :)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF10 in 1W1 Bone

I was colour matched for this foundation a good couple of months ago and the Estee Lauder make up artist was kind enough to give me a little pot with a sample shade in it and some mini spatulas to apply it with. I couldn't believe it when she swatched me in the lightest POSSIBLE shade! I mean, I know I'm pale, but I'm half Italian so I thought I have a slight natural tan... obviously NOT, lol.

I was given this same shade for Christmas, and luckily my skin colour hasn't changed significantly and so the colour match was exact. It is VERY pale but it makes a perfect base for applying bronzer and blusher, etc. I do think I will need a darker product in the summer months, and so I'm thinking of purchasing the Estee Lauder Doublewear Light when the weather heats up a bit!

The issue I have with this product is the application. I do find that I waste quite a lot of product due to its lack of pump applicator. What I tend to do is dip a cotton wool bud in the top of the jar and then make little dots around my face, before using my MAC 190 Foundation Brush to blend everything in. It works well but I still have some leftover product on the bud :-(

In terms of longevity, it certainly lives up to the hype and lasts alll day! Fab for people like me who go to the gym etc during the day. Its finish is lovely and dewy, it covers up all spots, blemishes and redness to create a flawless base. I do find it's slightly drying, but I've found it to actually be a positive for me, as it dries out my spots! Lol. So overall, a fab foundation that stays in place all day and is worth every penny.

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place Makeup is available for £26.50 from Boots, Debenhams and other major retailers.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF10 in 01 Light

I also purchased the matching concealer to the foundation. I was colour matched for this product a couple of months ago too and I was matched to the lightest shade (AGAIN lol - 'Light'!) Since I was colour matched, the product has actually been adjusted slightly - they've added more shades and added 'Flawless Wear' to the name lol so I'm assuming the product has been improved for a more seamless application!

The application for this product is much better, you can apply it straight to your face using the applicator provided. Sometimes I blend this product in with my No7 Concealer Brush, other times I simply rub it in with my fingers (depends how much of a rush I'm in lol!) I wouldn't say this product is as impressive of its foundation counterpart; it is very handy for covering under-eye circles as the formula is very brightening, but it's not really suitable for covering up spots and blemishes. For that, I prefer to use a creamy pot formula that you can easily blend in with your fingers - I'll be using MAC's Studio Finish Concealer during the day and Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer at night.

Estee Lauder Doublewar Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer is available for £19.00 from Boots, Debenhams and other major retailers.

So here's how I rocked both products!

FOTD:

FACE:

MAC Fix+ to prime

Estee Lauder Flawless Wear Concealer (01 Light)

Benefit Boi-ing concealer (02 Medium)

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place makeup (1W1 Bone)

NARS Laguna bronzer

MAC Fix+ to finish

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck all over lid

Urban Decay baked e/s in Smog all over lid

2 coats of Cover Girl lash blast mascara

Soap & Glory SUPERCAT carbon black eyeliner along top lid

Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick (brown) along lower waterline

LIPS:

MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo

Overall I am really impressed with both products, the foundation slightly more so than the concealer :-)

Have you tried Estee Lauder's Doublewear range? Or do you have a drugstore dupe?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

A few of my favourite Christmas prezzies :)

Oh hey guys!

How are y'all doing? I hope you're enjoying this very lazy Sunday! :) I know I am!

Now I know a lot of people don't enjoy reading these kinds of posts, I suppose they could be described as a tad self-indulgent... HOWEVER I've loved reading everyone else's Christmas prezzies posts, it gives me ideas of what to add to my lists next year (and I'm just nosy - haha!)

You may remember I posted before about my Christmas wishlist, which was also featured in Horsham's The Resident newspaper. Well you'll all be relieved to know (!) that I received quite a lot of 'on-list' presents... and lots of lovely surprises as well :)

Here are some of my favourites...

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and the 266 brush

My sis treated me to MAC's infamous Fluidline which I can't wait to try! I've been watching beautycrush's tutorial on youtube about how to apply this, but I know I'm going to find it a right struggle! The truth is, I usually have about 5 mins to apply my make-up in the morning so I reckon I will have to sit down one afternoon and really master how to use this properly!

Benefit Smokin' Eyes sexy eye & brow makeover kit

Ma mere purchased Benefit's Smokin' Eyes kit for me because I have to admit... I still haven't mastered the art of the smokey eye! I know, can you believe it - 21 years old and many an application of make-up later, I still cannot do it. I don't know whether it's the patience or what, but I really cannot do it! I need a guide like this to help me master it! I'm getting desperate here people!!!

The set contains smokey eye coloured eyeshadows, a kohl eyeliner and a mini brow zings set to name only a few items, and I'm hoping that with this kit I will have sexy smokey eyes & brows in no time. A girl can dream!

Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Eau de Parfum

I sampled this perfume a couple of months ago in the Fragrance Shop but couldn't really justify buying it when I have quite a few perfumes already (Miss Dior Cherie, Marc Jacobs Daisy & Clinique Happy are some of my many 'go-to' fragrances) however I have a feeling that this will be my new 'going out' fragrance! I'm rubbish at describing scents, but it's a lovely vanilla scent that's fresh and perfect for a night out. I mean with a name like 212 VIP what do you expect?!

Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation & Flawless Wear Concealer

EEEKKK!! I got tested for these items a number of months ago when I popped into Boots for some bits and bobs. The MUA applied both products to my face first thing in the morning and I was so surprised to find they were both still perfectly in tact come evening - even after a sweaty gym session! I know! But after reading a few reviews of the Doublewear foundation online I felt it would be too similar to my MAC Pro Longwear foundation that I use very regularly. I am still in love with Pro Longwear but it has a kind of sticky texture that I find rather odd to apply sometimes. So my Mum treated me to Estee Lauder's coveted foundation for Christmas and I went out and bought the concealer to match! FYI I'm the lightest POSSIBLE shade in both products lol - 'Bone' in the foundation and 'Light' in the concealer. Give me some sun! Full reviews to follow :)

Moroccanoil travel sized gift set

The boy did good! I've been lusting after Moroccanoil's Oil Treatment for YEARS but the boy did one better and got me the complete gift set! Containing a mini version of their luxe shampoo and conditioner, as well as a mini oil treatment and conditioning masque, I have a feeling my hair's going to be in pristine condition come February! Bring it on!

Treaclemoon Bath & Shower Gel / Body Scrub

I've never tried any of Treaclemoon's products before but I felt I had to mention these as they smell SO DAMN GOOD! :) The shower gel 'that vanilla moment' smells like Panettone cake (Italians will know!) whilst the body scrub 'my coconut island' smells just like holiday! I can't wait to use these in the shower :D!

LUSH Christmas Star bath gift set

It wouldn't be Christmas without LUSH! The only thing I need to do now is find the time to have a lovely, long relaxing bath. It was actually one of my new year's resolutions LAST year to take more baths to ease my stress levels but I admit I epically failed at that! I always feel like I'm hogging the bathroom and someone's going to bang on the door shouting 'I need the loo!' or something lol. Maybe that's just me...

DVDs

(from L-R: Celebrity Juice Too Juicy for TV, Bridesmaids, Gossip Girl Season 1, The Inbetweeners Movie)

Well I think you guys can guess MY sense of humour lol! I watched Bridesmaids in the cinema and absolutely died laughing, and the Inbetweeners movie was just hilarious. I've always been a fan of Celeb Juice and Gossip Girl is to watch late at night in bed :)

Books

I didn't ask for too many books this year as I not only have a list as long as my arm of books I need to read, but I'm also reading about 3 books on the go at the moment lol. However I would never say no to a good cook book - I really miss living at uni and cooking for myself every evening, and, well... Jamie Oliver is a living legend. I was soo happy I got the Twilight guide! You can never have enough Twilight knowledge... Twihard through and through baby!

Cath Kitson purse & key fob

Aww, so sweet! This purse is the perfect size, with enough room for all my cards, coins, receipts etc and it's such a beautiful, girly print - perfect for the summer :) and I always lose my keys so the floral fob will hopefully come in handy!

H&M gold sequin bodycon skirt

My sis treated me to this skirt after we tried it on together in H&M Crawlaay. I actually thought she had bought it for herself and was begging her to borrow it ALL CHRISTMAS! Turns out she bought it for me lol so now I get to wear it alll the time :) I might wear it to my work's Christmas party, I loove it :)

Classic Tall Ugg Boots - Black
Need I say anymore? These boots are just perfect! In fact, I'm wearing them right now! They're soo comfy! I received a short pair in Sand a couple of years ago and they are just the most versatile, durable boots ever invented. They are still in pretty good condition but obviously the sand colour gets a bit mucky. So hopefully these will last me a little longer :)

and saving the best 'til last...

CHOCOLATE!!!

Lots and lots of it! It's going to take me years to get through all of this lol. Looks like I won't be able to join Weight Watchers until I finish it all! ;-)

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and got all the lovely things you asked for!

What was your favourite present this year?

Love,

Sophia

xo

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer: Review

Hey girls!

If you're an avid follower of my blog you'll know I swear by Benefit's Boi-ing concealer! I literally use it every time I do my make-up (daytime or night!) I've used it for a few several years now and I've never really questioned it. Boi-ing is designed to cover blemishes (it includes an antiseptic) but I use it for under-eye circles as well. Boi-ing is amazing at covering blemishes - literally if I have a whole chin full of spots they're gone in a few seconds - but I've begun to question its usefulness as an under-eye concealer. Sometimes it goes really cakey and doesn't seem to blend very well...
I use it in shade 02 Medium, which I believe is the right shade for me.
It comes in a swivel type pot and I apply it with my fingers (I've tried using a concealer brush but it doesn't really make a difference to me. Here I've tested it on my under-eye circles...

1) Here's my under-eye circles before...

and after...

2) My under-eye circles before...

and after...

As you can see, I get pretty bad dark circles under my eyes, but I don't really think Boi-ing makes all that difference, do you? I might try MAC's Studio Finish Concealer or Benefit's Erase Paste instead. I prefer the creamy pot type formula for dark circles, rather than a liquid formula like the Touche Eclat... I don't know why!

Have you tried either of these? What would you recommend for dark, under-eye circles?

Love,

Sophia

xo