Estee Lauder Fire Sapphire Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow Review

Hello ladies,

Continuing with my eyeshadow reviews, today will be reviewing Estee Lauder’s single eyeshadow in the shade Fire Sapphire. After doing the review of Viseart Neutral Matte palette, I thought let’s shift gears and review some singles instead because the reviews of palettes can actually leave me exhausted. To put down all your thoughts, different looks and be sure that everything possible is there in the review – can actually be a daunting task, So, for a change, I will share a couple of singles with you instead and we will take it on from there.

estee-lauder-fire-sapphire-pure-color-gelee-powder-eyeshadow-review

Product Description:
What it is: A tri-blend formula that’s a gel, powder, and liquid eye shadow in one. Flaunt a multi-dimensional eye look with this long-wearing, techno shadow that’s velvety smooth and crease-free. Fade-resistant and easily blendable, this formula has a soft-touch shadow texture and its sponge-tip applicator makes it easy to sweep up and apply color in one stroke. This three-in-one makeup is infused with True Vision technology to ensure that lids get the highest chromatic shine. A Pure Color Cyber Eyes exclusive by Tom Pecheux. Creates cyber metallic smoky effects. Color so metallic, it’s futuristic. A first-ever techno tri-blend formula that’s gel, powder and liquid in one. Versatile and multi dimensional. Create several looks from one shade. Apply it dry for a smooth, molten metal finish. Use it wet for a hyper cyber effect to intensify the color and metallic shine. Innovative soft-touch shadow texture and sponge-tip applicator make it easy to sweep up color and apply with one stroke. Unique formula allows you to build the fantasy to the highest chromatic shine. Sophisticated metallic finish looks beautiful on all skin tones. True Vision Color Maximized color impact. Magnified vibrancy, clarity and dimension. Amplified brilliance. High performance Color adheres velvety smooth, without creasing. Blends easily. Long-lasting. Stays color true. Won’t fade.
Price:
USD 24/INR 2300 – available in stores/Sephora India. Quantity – Less than 1gm = 0.85 gm, which is less than half of a regular MAC or MUG eyeshadow. It might have something to do with the formula, the Gelee formula seems very lightweight.

My Experience with Estee Lauder Fire Sapphire Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow:

I have been using the Estee Lauder eyeshadows for a couple of years now – more off and on, but I was never happy with the outcome. It’s only now that I understand that the concern wasn’t with the eyeshadows but with my selection of colour. Till I tried MAC matte shadows, I did not understand the need for mattes in a look, the need for a good transition shade, etc.

estee-lauder-fire-sapphire-pure-color-gelee-powder-eyeshadow-pan

So, now, when I enjoy using eyeshadows, I went back and experimented with my Estee Lauder shadows and had varied degrees of success. I wanted to review these online asap since these are now available online as well, so you have the option of being able to buy them online. So, I thought I would create a ready reckoner for you guys on #IMBB.

Estee Lauder eyeshadows come in 2 variants – The Pure Colour line and the Pure Colour Gelee lines. As per Estee Lauder, the gelee formula is a “tri-blend formula that’s a gel, powder, and liquid eye shadow in one.”

Even within this Gelee Formula, there are 2 variants, the Cyber Metallic and the Vivid Shine range. The shade Fire Sapphire is from the Vivid Shine range.

Shade:  In the pan, this is the most amazing peacock blue – bright and vibrant – without looking neonish. When swatched, the shade feels a little underwhelming because it swatches a bit sheer. The same happens with a brush application. The shadow does not seem as pigmented as the shade in the pan. It does take a bit of effort to pack it on and get it to be as opaque as the colour in the pan. Having said that, please note, the Gelee formula allows you to use it dry or wet. When used wet, the pigmentation gets amazingly intense. It looks like the shade in the pan, so the product allows you to create various looks depending on how you use it.

estee-lauder-fire-sapphire-pure-color-gelee-powder-eyeshadow-pan

The shade has a bit of duochrome running through it and has a beautiful purple shift. Also, it has a ton of tiny little micro glitters which are again blue and purple in colour – and they create a ton of fall out – while application and later through the day.

Texture: The texture of the shadow is fairly soft and smooth. It does not kick up any powder at all, it almost feels creamy that way. However, while applying, you get a huge amount of fall out. I would advice you to use a synthetic flat shader brush to pack on the shade or when you want to use it wet. With a fluffy brush, you don’t get much pigmentation – just a lot of fall out. So, much so that, I would say it’s better to do your eyes and then face makeup with this.

estee-lauder-fire-sapphire-pure-color-gelee-powder-eyeshadow-swatch-on-hands

Also, one thing to remember, when I say, you can use it wet, please do not wet the shadow. You will end up spoiling it. Instead, take the dry shadow on your brush and spritz it with a fixing spray or a face mist – and then apply it onto your eyes. The fall out during application is minimised with this but the fall out during the course of the day still continues.

Despite being a shimmery shade, it does not emphasize the texture of my lids, I am on the wrong side of 30s! It is easy to work with and blend out. If the product was to be used only dry, it might have been a bit ho-hum. But, having the advantage of being able to use it wet or dry, allows you to manage the intensity of the a shade the way you want it. It blends easily without too much effort.

The weird thing about the texture is that the eyeshadow cake just plops out of the shadow pan! I don’t know whats with it – reminds me of Dior cream shadows which do the same thing – the whole cake just fall out of the pan. Since I house these in a dual-sided MAC Magnetic palette, it is a pain for me to remember to open the correct side up – to ensure it doesn’t fall out and break. This is a concern with all the shades in the Gelee formulation.

estee-lauder-fire-sapphire-pure-color-gelee-powder-eyeshadow-eye-swatch

Pigmentation:  I have discussed pigmentation while discussing the shade. Applied dry, the pigmentation seems a bit sheer and you need to make an effort to pack it on. When used wet, it gives you full on pigmentation.

Staying Power:  I apply my eyeshadows over a primer because my lids are way too oily. Without a primer, anything and everything turns to mush within a couple of hours. When used dry, (over an eye primer) the shade stayed put for an underwhelming time of about 5 hours or so before it started fading. Used wet, the longevity was increased to about 8 hours or so. However, there is way too much fall out during the course of the day which makes it a pain to use.

Use: I understand that a shade like this can be a bit overwhelming to use – especially in the world of n*des and Naked palettes and in the time of burnt oranges and burgundy. So, just to list down the sway you can incorporate such a shade into your look, without really doing an editorial look:

1. Use it as an all over lid shade or as one of the shades in the eye look.
2. Do a black or navy blue smokey eye and add this just on the centre of the lid for a pop of shine.
3. The easiest way is to continue to do you neutral looks and add this only to line your lower lash line.
4. Again, you can do your neutral look and apply a black or blue gel liner to your upper lash line. Then using a flat brush, deposit this eyeshadow on top of that gel liner.

Pros of Estee Lauder Fire Sapphire Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow:

  • Gorgeous and extremely trendy shade.
  • Beautiful duochrome.
  • Does not feel dry or gritty.
  • Can be used wet or dry.
  • Excellent pigmentation when used wet.
  • Decent wear time when used wet – over a primer.
  • No creasing.
  • Blends out easily.
  • It does not emphasize texture of my skin.
  • The shadow just plops out of the pan.

Cons of Estee Lauder Fire Sapphire Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow:

  • Excessive fallout – while applying and while during the course of wear.
  • When used dry, it is a little sheer and needs to be packed on to build up tot he colour in the pan.
  • When used dry – it starts fading and melting in 5 hours or so.

IMBB Rating:
3.5/5

Despite all the hoopla around the Gelee formulation, I find this shade to be average. Even though the shade is extremely pretty, the wear time and more importantly the fall out, render it fairly inconvenient to use. Also, at this price point (and below) – there are a plethora of good options in the market. No, I cannot recommend this to you. I would not repurchase it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place EyeShadow Base
Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia Eye Makeup Tutorial
Estee Lauder 08 Charred Plum Magic Smoky Powder Shadow Stick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow 5-Color Palette – Rebel Metal
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee: Berry Bliss
Jordana Rockstar Color Effects Eyeshadow Powder
Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow – 09 Bella Navy
Jordana Pink of Me Color Effects Eyeshadow Powder
Milani Gel Powder Eye Shadow In Bella Rouge And Bella Teal
Maybelline Sapphire Blue Color Sensational Diamond Eye Shadow
NYC Sparkle Eye Dust Eyeshadow in Brilliant Sapphire
NYX Vivid Brights Eyeliner – Vivid Fire
Kleancolor Sapphire Twist Master Strokes Long-Wear Smoky Shadow Stick

IMBB RECOMMENDS

4 thoughts on “Estee Lauder Fire Sapphire Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow Review

    1. Hey Roshni! Ive used 4 Estee Lauder eye shadows – one in the crease, one in the inner 1/3rd of the eye and one in the inner corner. Rest of the lid is Fire Sapphire. The others i will be reviewing asap.

  1. Hi KK, I do’t know why but I always open the review to see your last pics…. they are really treat… lovely pics as always…

    1. Thanks Rati! Though i am a bit confused whether to be happy or sad. Happy that you like the pics; or sad that you don’t like the write up!! 😉 😉 😉

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *