Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup Review

I was just checking my previous reviews and realized that I haven’t reviewed too many foundations on IMBB even though I have a dozen in circulation. This may well be because I rarely pick something new when it comes to base makeup. I want to read reviews and see opinions before I go and shell out money, which obviously means that most of the foundations in my kitty are already reviewed on IMBB. For some strange reason, this one is not yet reviewed. So, let’s find out more about this Estee lauder foundation which has been around for a while – in the market and in my vanity!!

Product Description:
What it is:  A 15-hour wear, lightweight foundation that leaves skin looking naturally vibrant. Smooth on this oil-controlling foundation for sheer, smudge-resistant makeup that stays on through heat and humidity. An oil-free makeup, it delivers carefree coverage and keeps skin looking fresh and comfortable throughout the day. It is formulated without parabens and phthalates. This photo-friendly product is fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, non-acnegenic, and won’t clog pores.
Price:
USD 39.50 / INR 3300 for 30 ml.

Packaging:
The foundation comes packaged in a creamy/beige tube with gold detailing. The cap has a regular screw mechanism which once open, reveals a nozzle with a very small hole which allows total control on the amount of product being dispensed out.  However, there seems to be a bit of gap between the nozzle and the cap, which has resulted in a bit of product build up in the cap and making it slightly messy. Fortunately, the cap is very secure and no product has ever leaked out.

My Experience with Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup:

This is the younger cousin of the iconic Estee Lauder Double Wear (ELDW) Foundation. It has been around for a couple of years now – if not more. While reviewing the foundation, I will share comparative points with regards to the original Double wear formula – just to help you decide which to pick. And also from the perspective that a lot of how this performs is actually a spin off from the original formula.

Shade:  The Estee Lauder Double Wear Light comes in a host of shades – even though the shade range is distinctly smaller than the one for the original ELDW.

One very important point to note is that for ELDW Light, all the shades in the solid numbers X.0 are cool toned, while the ones in X.5 are warm toned! Wish I had known that before picking this up or wish the SA would have told me this before advising me the shade. The shade I have is Intensity 2.0. The shade I should have had is Intensity 2.5. This small, seemingly insignificant fact, is the primary reason I don’t reach for the foundation too much. Simply put, the tone of the foundation is wrong. The saving grace is that Intensity 2.0 leans fairly neutral and not really too pink toned, so I am able to make it work on its own or sometimes mixed with another foundation. However, would have preferred the shade to be warm toned- just like my skin. For reference, I am NC30 in MAC and 2W2 Rattan in ELDW.

A brief on my skin type – I have oily sensitive skin extremely prone to acne, so I invariably have a some new/old acne marks and a bit of redness. I am on the wrong side of 30s, so struggle with fine lines around my eyes and dullness of skin (from time to time).

Texture:  The foundation is termed “Light” which could be an indicative of the coverage or the texture. When I actually asked the SA which one was correct – meaning, is it light coverage or light textured – the person seems clueless and gave me a non-committal response. I’m still not sure why I made the purchase. In my defence, this was a couple of years back and I wasn’t as seasoned. Anyways…

As per the Company’s note, the formula is “lightweight” and “Sheer.” So, basically, Light refers to both texture as well as pigmentation. However, please note that the the formal is “Light” only in comparison to the original formula! And this part is key to setting your expectation for the product. Today, when a product is referred to as “lightweight” and “sheer,” you are probably talking about MAC Face and Body, Chanel Vitalumiere, etc., which are extremely watery/runny foundations which will give you a sheer, barely there coverage. Right? Well, not this one! This one is lightweight and sheer only in comparison to the original ELDW, which is a full coverage, extremely heavy, thickish foundation. So, when something is that thick, anything slightly lighter is also lightweight. Net result is that ELDW Light is a normal creamy foundation. It isn’t too light weight – by today’s standard.

You need good moisturization underneath it – else, it will accentuate dry patches.

Pigmentation:  I know I am starting to sound like a broken record. Again, even though the brand mentions the foundation as sheer – it definitely isn’t! It’s quite pigmented and gives a light to medium coverage – depending on what you use to apply it with – Stippling brush, Flat brush, fingers, Beauty Blender, kabuki, etc.

Finish:  The finish is semi-matte. It isn’t as thickish and doesn’t get cakey as quickly as ELDW can get – if over applied. However, it isn’t luminous either. It works towards controlling oil. I do see it breaking down on my nose around 6-6.5 hours of wear time. I won’t say the finish is skin like or natural – most matte foundations don’t really give you skin like finish. The product starts drying fairly quickly so you need to be quick with the blending. Ideally, apply in smaller patches, blend well and move to the next area of your face.

Coverage:  The coverage it gives is sheer to medium – leaning more towards medium. So, it will cover most pigmentation on your skin and even out the skin tone; however, if you have any prominent marks or dark circles – you will need to go in with a corrector/concealer/etc.

Lasting Power:  This foundation lasts through the day with minimal touch-ups. I do get oily on my nose and that’s where the product starts to break down first, a bit of powder helps. Otherwise, the foundation lasts the whole day. I have tested about 11 hours of wear time. Even without powder on top – it does not transfer much – like on cell phones, etc.

Pros of Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup:

• Provides decent coverage – more of a everyday foundation.
• Has SPF 10.
• Coverage – medium.
• Semi-matte finish.
• Does not contain alcohol.
• Free from parabens.
• Does not have fragrance.
• Good pigmentation.
• Covers skin redness effectively.
• Leaves no residue or stickiness on the face.
• Lasted for about 11 hours.
• It did not break me out.
• Easy to dispense – tube with nozzle.
• Easy to store and carry – travel-friendly design.

Cons of Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup:

• Shade selection may be an issue.
• Can accentuate dark patches if skin isn’t moisturized properly.

IMBB Rating:

4/5 product.

I know this is Holy Grail foundation for a lot of people who love ELDW but find it too heavy. The reason I’m not blown away is two fold – one obviously the colour selection – I’ve been matched to the wrong shade. And secondly, the product isn’t all that lightweight – unless compared to ELDW. If you haven’t used or heard of ELDW, and you just read the Company’s description of the product, what you get is quite at variance form what you read. So while the product is good – you can use it on a daily basis and since it doesn’t contain alcohol, less harm to your skin; I don’t see how it is different from the other million medium coverage foundations. If you love ELDW but find it too heavy for daily use – your prayers stand answered in this product.

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