Estee Lauder Lucidity Transparent Loose Powder Review

Estee Lauder – Lucidity – Transparent Loose Powder

After my Bobbi Brown love saga, I initiate a new series – my love for the parent Company’s line. Estee Lauder. This was no love at first sight….or even second. This was making peace with what ever was being offered and a last minute impulse buy which resulted in absolute infatuation!!! OK! Ok! Let me explain.

I was new to makeup and wanted to try a loose powder. So on a trip to Thailand, I thought I would pick up Make Up For Ever HD – however, MUFE wasn’t available in Thailand. So I went to the Central World (a huge mall with its own department store) to pick my second choice on the list – Clinique. But they did not have the product I wanted. Ok…..what now? I thought, lets try a brand I would not get in India – enter Shu Umera! The SA extolled the product to the sky. I reconfirmed if it would help my oily skin stay/look matte! YES!! Came the reponse. I was about to head to the cashier when something stopped me. By this time, I had become an avid beauty blog reader. So I decided to come to my room and read reviews before I bought it…..NOT SUITABLE FOR OILY SKIN!!!!

Don’t you just hate it when SA’s of upmarket brands lie to you!!! Isnt good service part of what you are paying for? I thought I’d check for Clinique at Duty Free. Unfortunately, they too were out of stock for what I had shortlisted. So, in my deperation to pick a loose powder….I went for the brand closest to where I was standing (Yeah! Seriously!). Estee Lauder!

So, I review today their revamped product Lucidity – Loose powder. The product has been in existence for years, however, the packaging has recently gone through a ew avataar. I use Intensity 1.0 – as suggested by the SA. I do feel that Intensity 2.0 would also work ok on my NC30-35 skin tone.

About Estee Lauder Lucidity – Transparent Loose Powder:

This loose powder gives skin a luminous finish that minimizes the look of lines and wrinkles.
Special ingredients diffuse light as it hits your skin, creating a “soft-focus” effect that visibly smooths the appearance of your skin.

Powder Points,Flawless coverage,Luminous finish.Comes with a luxurious puff.Loose Powder for a Flawless LookLoose powder is ideal for the sheerest, most natural finish, especially when applying your makeup at home.To use loose powder, tap the puff or a powder brush into the powder, then gently blow or tap off any excess. Pat or sweep lightly over face.

Price:

$33.00 for 21gms

I bought for about INR 2500 (post conversion from Thai Baht) – in February 2013. The price in India around that time was about INR 2300. It is currently priced at INR 2700.

Packaging:

It comes in a HUGE plastic tub with a screw open lid. The box comes packaged in Estee Lauder’s usual blue cardboard box with gold lettering (so difficult to photograph coz of the gloss finish reflecting light!!).The powder comes with a powder puff…however, I prefer to use it with a fluffy powder brush. I feel that with a puff, I am not able to achieve non-patchy application – for any powder (not just this one).

I have heard people cribbing about how loose powder of other brands tends to fly all over the place when the container is opened. I have never faced this issue with this product because of the screw open lid and the fact that the sifter has very tiny holes. However, it can be a little irritating to keep tapping the box against the wall to get enough product out. So, if you are in a hurry…note, it is going  to take a wee bit longer!

My experience with Estee Lauder Lucidity Transparent Loose Powder:

The powder is meant for setting makeup as a final touch. It is supposed to give a smooth finish and minimize the look of fine lines. The powder IS amazingly finely-milled and smooth. It pretty much melts into your skin and does not show up at all. It is not transparent – the numbers increase as does the intensity of colour.

It does not provide much in terms of coverage – note the product is NOT designed to give coverage. It is a setting powder meant as a last step to your makeup.Because it contains silica and mica – it absorbs oil from the surface effectively. It gives me a matte finish (read velvetty rather than dry finish) for about 5 hours, post which I need a touch-up on my extremely oily skin.

To sum this up for you:

Pros of Estee Lauder Lucidity Transparent Loose Powder :

1. Extremely finely milled powder
2. Not discernible – melts into the skin – Refer to the photograph on how its not discernible on the skin once applied except for making it look smooth and matte.
3. It does not make the skin look dry, patchy or blotchy.
4. Does not contain talc.
5. Keeps the skin matte for good 5 hours.
6. Easy to apply
7. HUGE Tub – 21gms!!! I have been using it daily since February and it seems hardly used!! I wonder if I should put this in con because I want to try MUFE / NARS / Laura Mercier and there is no way I can justify buying another one…for the next 5-8years!!!

Cons of Estee Lauder Lucidity Transparent Loose Powder :

1. A little irritating to keep tapping / banging the box to the wall to make the powder sift up!

Please note – It is not fragrance free (Ingredient list mentions fragrance) – however, I could not detect any fragrance.

Grande Finale:

IMBB Rating – 4.8

Please note, this is my one and only loose powder product so I have nothing to compare it with. However, I am happy with the product. I deduct a small amount for the lack of ease of use – the necessary tapping required to move the powder up. So you might wonder how this powder could make me fall in love with the Brand….is it THAT amazing? Well, let me share a secret – this was not THE product which started my affair with EL. It was the product I bought along with this one. Which one? Wait for the next review!!!

Milte hain break ke baad!

Faces Mineral Loose Powder Golden Beige
The Body Shop Nature’s Minerals Foundation
The Body Shop Loose Face Powder
Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Loose Powder
NYX Loose Powder Transparent Light
Chanel Loose Powder
Lakme Rose Powder
The Body Shop Pressed Face Powder
Calvin Klein Subliminal Purity Loose Powder
The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation
Make Up For Ever HD Powder Review – High Definition
MAC My Paradise Cheek Powder Review, Swatch, FOTD
E.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder
Wet n Wild Megaglo Illuminating Powder in Catwalk Pink
Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Loose Powder