40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews:

Day 10, Estee Lauder


Cavewoman: My love of beautiful compacts began in the same way as my love for perfumes, with my Mother. When I was about 11 years old, she took my sister and me to the fanciest department store in our little town, into the magic that was the cosmetics department, with gleaming counters of exquisitely displayed powders and mysterious potions and very grown-up lipsticks. She chose compacts for my sister and me, and if you take a look at the large green compact pictured here, you can just about see the influence of the funky 50's and early Mod 60's -- a sign of the times. Design was whimsical and free, a rebellion against the prim and proper of the early 50's, and even the size of the compact, almost four inches in diameter, was also just on the edge of outrageous. This compact was from Revlon, which back then was a prestigious department store brand. The little purple octopus is almost worn off, but I keep it, for all that it represents to me. My Mom presented me with the compact with these words: "A lady always carries a compact in her purse."

The most exquisite compacts at the department stores now are found at the Estee Lauder counter. Holding face powder or solid perfumes, with limited editions at the holidays and special editions for only Bergdorf or Saks, collecting Lauder compacts is a joy for me which is rooted in my Mother's words and her gift. My first Lauder compact was an extravagant purchase. It is the wavy compact called Stream Of Gold. Over the years, it disappeared in my house and miraculously re-appeared in an evening bag that I had stashed away because I don't have many fancy evening-bag occasions. From that first Lauder, I added to my collection with more of the powder compacts and some of the solid perfume figurals too, you can see my Statue Of Liberty figural in the Lady Caron review! It seemed fitting to add it to that photograph. The compacts are made of the finest quality metals, with jewelers' gilding, and beautiful, brilliant enameling. Many have fine crystals added as well. My favorite of all of the compacts I have is the Erte Zodiac.


When I saw that Lauder was doing the Erte designs, I couldn't wait to get to Bergdorf to buy mine, which is Cancer. I love Erte's illustrations and I thought the idea was genius. But then, it makes perfect sense, from a company whose founder was truly a genius. I've admired Estee Lauder ever since I heard the story of her purposely dropping her bottle of Youth Dew in a famous department store, when the buyers decided they did not want to carry the fragrance in the store. Customers smelled the lovely scent and clamored to find out what it was. That day, Youth Dew Bath Oil made its debut, and a legend was born. To this day, in thanks for that store giving her a chance, the company now launches exclusives at that store. And that store is Saks Fifth Avenue.

The powder compacts are refillable, and they make gorgeous gifts. I've given Lauder compacts as gifts many times over the years, and they are always received with squeals of delight. Recently I gave one of the Erte compacts to a dear friend in New York, the kind of woman who loves beautiful things and surrounds herself every day in luxury. She had a special occasion to go to that night, and she promised me that she would tuck the compact into her evening bag. And I gave my Mom an adorable Lauder compact, in the shape of a gold leaf, with the cutest little red enamel ladybug perched on top.


And yes, my Mom has it in her purse, right this very minute












A passionate advocate of sampling, Mrs. Lauder used her early promotional budgets to entice customers to the Estée Lauder counter for a free gift and to distribute samples at fashion shows. She also pioneered the idea of "gift with purchase" by giving customers who bought Lauder products free packets of other offerings they might like. One of her favorite quotes was "Tell-A-Phone, Tell-A-Graph, Tell-A-Woman", based on her conviction that once a woman tried the product, she would like it and then share it with her friends.

Annieytown: It is no secret that I love and admire Estee Lauder.
I have been a fan since the cradle. The women in my family have always been Estee Lauder junkies. Lauder products have always been in our medicine cabinets and on our vanities. Picking a favorite is a very hard project for me. I want to scream from the rooftops about how amazing CP Perfectionist is while I can not ignore my growing addiction for High Gloss.
I have decided to just break the blog rules and just do a list.

1. Tom Ford Estee Lauder's The Body Oil Spray in Azuree: I could kick myself for not buying a back up on this discontinued product. It sold out quickly and fetched high prices on Ebay.

My first review from June 3rd 2006:
The Azuree Body Oil is a modern interpretation of the 1969 original. The updated version is "built around a tiare milk accord that comprises Tahitian gardenia petals mixed with coconut and orange blossoms and warmed with vetiver, sandalwood and myrrh." The tropical gardenia note is very creamy with crisp orange blossoms. The vetiver is very green and fresh. The original fragrance had fresh citrus and floral notes with a heart of basil and spearmint and a dry down of oak moss and deep woods.
All the packaging for the collection is the famous Estee Blue. It is an "iconic aqua shade that Estee herself used in the 60's and 70's". Tom Ford stated he "wanted to exaggerate that cartouche [the stylized gold logo that Lauder products carried in the Sixties and Seventies]. I loved that Estée created this mythical place, Azurée, by combining an idea of the Côte d'Azur with her name. It's hysterical and wonderful". I love the retro look. I am a collector of vanity items so it is always wonderful when companies give extra care to the packaging of their products.
So you are wondering how this compares to other tropical oils out there. It rivals and beats them. I just purchased the new Nars oil for around $60. I keep reaching for the $28.50 Lauder.

Ah...the good old days...when it was available.

There have been strong rumors that there is a perfume version of this on the horizon.
We shall see and potentially hoard.

2. High Glosses are very similar to potato chips. You can not have just one.
You have to own the whole collection and then display them in their own lippie caddy.
I love these tubes of delight because they drench your lips with color and conditioners. They feel hydrated and leave no sticky mess.
They are scented with fig and vanilla.
It is the scent that slays me. It could be bottled and sold.
It comes in over 14 shades and is priced at $16.
My personal favorites are Blush(the best), Flamingo, Berry(a sprinkle of shimmer), Coral, Rose, Bronze, Ivory(a personal favorite), Tan and Honey.

3. Perfectionist (CP+) with Poly-Collagen Peptides: I credit two products for improving my skin in the last 10 years. They are Shiseido's Pureness skin line and Lauder's Perfectionist.
Cavewoman introduced me to Perfectionist last year. This was a skincare product that she was very passionate about. She gave me a bottle and I was promptly hooked.
I did see an improvement in the overall quality of my skin within a month.
I know that will be some "Doubting Thomases" out there, but I swear on my Lancome Behnaz lipstick that I speak the truth.
There is a whole lot of science in these bottles.
According to the Estee Lauder site:

Perfectionist [CP+] intercepts this cycle of irritation and helps skin strengthen its vital support elements. You'll see the effects immediately, and the benefits build as you continue to use it.As you smooth it on, Perfectionist [CP+] virtually immobilizes lines and wrinkles without affecting your natural facial expressions. Like an invisible liquid bandage, this concentrated, silky serum immediately fills in wrinkles with a flexible elastomer.At the same time, this unique elastomer features the latest optical technology to visibly blur away the look of wrinkles and color-correct sallowness, uneven skintone, dark spots and discolorations. You'll see your skin surge with a noticeable vitality, clarity and luminous new look. In a clinical test, we proved you'll see up to a 36% reduction in the look lines and wrinkles--instantly.

When I first read this I thought of that infamous Elizabeth Taylor White Diamond's commercial that they lampooned on Saturday Night Live. I think a product that actually blurs away wrinkles sounds silly but it truly delivers on what it promises.
It cleared up and evened my skin tone.
It just made my skin look better.
I will never be without this product.
I rely on it.

CP Perfectionist retails for: 1 oz $55, 1.7 oz $80 and 3.4 oz $125

4. Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Coral Reef(the best and perfect coral), Golden Nude and Pink Clouds. Pink Clouds might be the best pink shade that has ever happened to me. Think OPI's Japanese Rose Garden....with gold shimmer.

Lauder makes great nail polish. Lovely colors, high pigment quality and creamy texture.

Nail Lacquer retails for $18


What are your favorite Estee Lauder products?
Tell us why in the comments.

Disclosure: The products in this review are a mixture of purchases and press samples from Estee Lauder