ELLA K BEAUTY REVIEW

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex Review

This new and improved serum is a tinted liquid-gel similar to the original Advanced Night Repair.  The serum is lightweight and absorbs into the skin without a sticky or greasy residue.  The updated formula combines three new ingredients (arabidopsis thaliana extract, tripeptide-32, lactobacillus ferment) with the antioxidants and skin conditioners found in the original formulation.  The serum soothes, softens and lightly hydrates the skin.  This product has a soft chamomile-like scent.

Estēe Lauder More Than Mascara Review

More Than Mascara creates soft, naturally-looking lashes with a tapered brush and a moisturizing formula.  The brush is easy to use and helps to separate and lengthen the lashes without clumping.  The lashes are soft, weightless and well-defined.  The mascara stays on without flaking but it smudges after a day’s wear.

Estēe Lauder Private Collection Jasmine White Moss Eau de Parfume Review

Jasmine White Moss is a classic green floral scent.  The fragrance opens with a sharp burst of bergamot and crisp greens.  As the top notes soften, the composition transforms into a luxurious garden of jasmine, ylang-ylang and other white florals.  The floral bouquet mellows and mingles with clean white moss as it dries down.  The fragrance has a sensual woody base with touches of patchouli and vetiver.  Notes include: Black Currant Bud Absolute, Bergamot, Galbanum, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Jasmine Absolute, Ylang Ylang, Violet, Orange Flower, Orris, Patchouli, Vetiver, White Moss Mist.

Estēe Lauder Pure White Linen Pink Coral Eau de Parfum Review

Pink Coral is a subtly sweet floral scent.  The fragrance opens with a sprinkling of berries over velvety soft spring blossoms.  The opening notes gradually transform into a creamy floral bouquet featuring sweet heliotrope.  The fragrance mellows into a soft base of sandalwood and vanilla.  Notes include: Apple Blossom, Clear Aldehydes, Waterfruits, Pink Peppercorns, Chinese Berry Mist, Jasmine, Pink Peony, Camellia Flower, Cherry Blossom, Sweet Pea, Honeysuckle, Vanilla, Heliotrope, Sandalwood. 

Estēe Lauder Pure White Linen Eau de Parfum Review

Pure White Linen is a clean floral scent.  The opening combines zesty mandarin with a fresh air accord.  While the citrus fades quickly, the fresh notes provide a lasting backdrop for the fragrance.  At the heart of the composition is a white floral bouquet with touches of honeysuckle and crisp greens.  The fragrance has a clean base with hints of patchouli and woods.  Notes include: Italian Mandarin, Cool Fresh Air Accord, Raspberry, Dewy Greens, White Freesia, Red Tulip, Rose Absolute, Wild Honeysuckle, Gardenia Petals, White Cedarwood, Patchouli, White Heliotrope. 

Estēe Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème SPF 15 for Normal/Combination Skin Review

DayWear is a silky, lightweight cream with a fresh cucumber scent and a light green tint.  The cream sinks in easily and moisturizes well, but it can look shiny on the skin.  This product protects the skin from the sun with a blend of chemical sunscreens and potent antioxidants, but the jar packaging does not preserve the antioxidants as well as airtight packaging would. 

Estēe Lauder Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang Eau de Parfum Review

Amber Ylang Ylang is a cozy oriental scent where the individual notes meld together in harmony.  The fragrance has a warm balsamic opening with touches of ylang ylang, bergamot and geranium.  While the ylang ylang is the leading note in the composition, it’s not nearly as heady and exotic as the pure essential oil.  The blend is gradually enveloped in a softening veil of amber and sheer woods.  Creamy vanilla adds a sweet finishing touch.  Notes include: Ylang Absolute, Italian Bergamot, Geranium Oil, Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Cinnamon Ceylon, Incense, Vanilla Bean, Sandalwood, Amber. 

Estēe Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Eau de Parfum Review

Tuberose Gardenia is a heady white floral scent.  The fragrance features crisp floral top notes of neroli, lilac and rosewood.  The top notes are quickly followed by a rich blend of tuberose and gardenia.  The tuberose and gardenia duo persists for quite a while, and as the fragrance dries down the gardenia note becomes the more predominant of the two.  The fragrance has a creamy floral finish without a trace of vanilla.  Notes include: Neroli, Lilac, Rosewood, Tuberose, Gardenia, Orange Flower, Jasmine, White Lily, Carnation, Vanilla Bourbon.

Estēe Lauder Perfectionist CP+ Wrinkle Lifting Serum Review

Perfectionist is a creamy silicone-based serum with a matte, powdery finish and a sweet floral scent.  The serum is slightly thick and a bit difficult to spread.  The formula contains a great assortment of skin-beneficial ingredients that include plant extracts, antioxidants and peptides.  The serum helps to brighten and even the complexion, while the silicone instantly smoothes and softens the skin.  This product does not remove wrinkles, it makes them less apparent. 

Estēe Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser (Normal/Combination Skin) Review

Perfectly Clean is a thick cleansing cream with a heavy fresh scent.  The cream is very concentrated; a minuscule amount generates a lot of suds.  The cleanser removes most makeup, dirt and oil but leaves a non-greasy film on the skin.  This product is slightly drying and it stings the eyes.

Estēe Lauder Sensuous Eau de Parfum Review

Sensuous is a warm, woody scent that’s not overly sweet or spicy.  The fragrance opens with a lush floral accord, sweet honey, and a touch of woods.  The floral notes fade quickly as the woody notes intensify.  Sandalwood dominates the heart of the fragrance while amber and honey add a layer of warmth and sensuality.  The scent doesn’t change much in the drydown.  Notes include: Ghost Lily, Magnolia, Jasmine, Ylang Essence, Mandarin Orange Pulp, Honey, Black Pepper, Sandalwood, Amber.

Estēe Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent Review

Bronze Goddess smells like a tropical beach vacation.  Fittingly, the fragrance opens with a touch of citrus and a generous splash of coconut.  Lush tropical flowers blend with a sweeter, creamier coconut note to create an intoxicating middle accord.  The finish is warm and sweet with a honey-like amber note, sugary caramel, more coconut and a hint of woods.  Notes include: Bergamot, Manadrin, Tiare Milk, Orange Flower, Jasmine, Magnolia, Myrrh, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Caramel, Coconut Cream.

Estēe Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Review

This water-like eye makeup remover is fragrance- and oil-free.  It works very well to remove all makeup (repeat application is required to remove all traces of waterproof mascara) and leaves no sticky or oily residue.  The formula stings a little if it gets into the eyes.

Estēe Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 30 for Normal/Combination Skin Review

DayWear Plus is a slightly thick, green lotion with a strong cucumber-like scent.  The lotion feels little greasy at first, but it absorbs quickly and leaves a semi-matte finish on the skin.  This antioxidant-rich formula combines zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, octinoxate and octisalate to safeguard skin against harmful sun rays.  The hygienic squeeze bottle keeps the antioxidants stable during use, but it takes some effort to get the remainder of the product out.

Estēe Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow Review (Sand Box)

Sand Box is a moderately pigmented eye shadow with a silky-smooth texture and a matte finish.  It blends well and wears all day with minimal creasing.  The color is a light tan/beige that works well as an everyday neutral, especially on those with blue eyes.  This product is housed in a sleek, translucent compact with a small mirror and an applicator. 

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex Review

This silicone-based, gel-like moisturizer absorbs easily into the eye area leaving it smooth and hydrated.  The formula is rich in antioxidants, but the jar packaging will diminish their effectiveness over time.  While this is a nice hydrating eye treatment, I saw no reduction in the appearance of lines, puffiness or darks circles when using this product.  People with a very dry eye area may opt for a more emollient moisturizer. 

Estēe Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher Review

This silicone-based serum has a smooth, creamy consistency that leaves a silky matte finish on the skin.  Estēe Lauder claims that this product significantly reduces the look of enlarged pores and improves the skin’s texture, tone, and overall appearance.  After using this product morning and night for nearly five weeks, I saw no permanent improvement in the appearance of my skin or pores.  The silicone in this formula fills in the fine lines and pores for a smoother appearance but the results are only temporary.  This product would work better as a makeup primer.

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex Review

This water-based serum absorbs well into the skin with virtually no residue.  The serum has some moisturizing properties, but it is meant to be used under your regular moisturizer.  What I enjoy most about this product is its ability to calm and soothe the skin.  I use it in conjunction with my retinol and AHA treatments to minimize the risk of irritation from those ingredients.  The serum contains a nice array of skin-beneficial ingredients, including kola extract, squalane, sodium rna, sodium hyaluronate, retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, bisabolol, pantethine, and chamomile.

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Serum Review

This serum is a new and purportedly improved version of the original Advanced Night Repair.  It has a thicker, more velvety texture than the original due to its silicone content, and is said to be formulated with 5 times the concentration of the patented recovery complex found in the original formula.  The serum is to be used for 21 consecutive nights, every 3-4 months.  I find that the original and the concentrate work equally well to calm and soothe the skin.  I am not sure if I’ll continue using the concentrated version because I get similar results from the original formula at half the price. 

Estēe Lauder Pure White Linen Light Breeze Eau de Parfum Review

There is nothing light about “Light Breeze.”  Upon application I get a blast of laundry detergent freshness.  The fragrance does not evolve on my skin and remains the same hours after application.  You might enjoy it if you like very sharp, soap-like fragrances.  Notes include: Bergamot, Orange Zest, White Grapefruit, Darjeeling Tea, Water Kumquat, Yellow Freesia, Osmanthus, Linden Flowers, Rose Petals, Teakwood, Cedarwood, Soft Skin Accord and Acacia Honey.