Product Review: Estée Lauder - Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave

Estée Lauder recently launched the limited edition Bronze Goddess Collection here in Australia (check out the full collection here), and here are my thoughts on the Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave;

What They Say:

"Utilizing True Vision Technology - an innovative "tribrid" technology that creates a unique sensorial texture as well as true color finish – Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave illuminates complexion and leaves skin with a sexy polished glow. With blendable and buildable coverage for a finish that goes from subtle and soft to highly pearlized, this ultra-luxurious gelée also features a delicate pattern to celebrate the sand and sun of Summer."

RRP: $75.00 – Available from Estée Lauder counters and Estée Lauder Online from 2^nd February 2014

What I Say:

The Bronze Goddess Summer Collection embodies the golden sands, flourishing palm trees and exotic elements of a remote tropical Caribbean paradise. The Bronze Goddess Colour Collection features hot and sultry shades born from bold and vibrant colour mixes. An array of sunset hues with vivid bursts of colour surprise and awaken the senses, while a captivating spectrum of bronze and metallic tones provide a rich and daring makeup look. Eyes seduce with shimmering aquatic hues and glistening golden tones, defined by deep, dramatic colour. Lips entice through brightly pigmented pinks and corals with a reflective affect and skin glistens with a bronzed, sun-kissed glow.

 

 

This Illuminating Powder Gelée from Estée Lauder comes in a luxurious looking gold compact with the Estée Lauder logo printed on top. Inside there is a full sized mirror and a small sponge brush. The golden compact is so nice that it is a shame to hide it away in a drawer, but it does close tightly so you can safely pop it into your handbag without fearing it will pop open. In actual fact, I always seem to struggle opening it, so in my opinion it almost closes a little too tightly.

The actual illuminating powder in Heat Wave is a luminous pale gold colour, and it swatches pretty close to the colour you see in the compact. The actual illuminating doesn’t contain any glitter, rather it is extremely fine shimmer particles that results in a subtle glow and radiance.

 

 

The illuminating powder is very versatile as you can use it to create a glow all over your face and not to mention décolleté, as well as it can be used to highlight certain features of your face such as on as on top of your cheek bones, under your brows, or on the cupids bow, even as an eye shadow.

 

R: Built up colour, L: Blended

 

The illuminating powder is extremely pigmented, so it is easy to build up extra coverage and sheen and it only takes the tiniest of sweep to get an illuminated glow – and on my ageing, as well as combination skin I really feel I have to be careful not to overdo it, as it not only highlights fine line and wrinkles, but too much sheen sadly also make my skin look even greasier and make it look like a disco ball. I actually find that it is very difficult to apply using the included sponge applicator as I feel I instantly add too much, while I find it much easier to control and blend with a large powder brush. I don’t know if it is my age, or many my combination skin that seems exceptionally greasy at the moment (as a second heatwave in two weeks is hitting Melbourne with clove to 40 degrees), but still I do find it a little too shimmery to use all over my skin to use as on a daily basis, for me it is more of a look I’d wear for a night out. I much prefer using it as a highlighter for both cheeks and eyes and as an eye shadow.

L: Built up colour, R: Blended

The illuminating powder and has a soft and smooth texture, but once it comes into contact with the skin it becomes powdery, and hence why I probably find it is easier to apply and blend with a powder brush or fan brush, and because of the special formula, there is absolutely no fallout. It has a nice staying powder, lasting the majority of the day without settling into fine lines or wrinkles, fading or needing a touch-up.

What I Like:

• It gives the skin a nice radiance and glow
• It has a good staying power
• It is very versatile, and can be used all over the face, and the body as well
• It is very pigmented and concentrated so it only takes a little – so you will have this forever!
• It has a good staying power

What I Don’t Like:

• It is a little difficult to open the compact
• Because it is so pigmented and concentrated it is easy to over-use it
• It is a little expensive

Overall this Illuminating Powder from Estée Lauder is such a lovely and versatile product. When used sparingly, it gives your skin such a nice glow and radiance - as if you have just been away on a tropical holiday. That is sadly the case for me as we are in the process of moving house – so if nothing else, it will give my stressed and sleep-deprived looks so much needed glow making me look a little more awake.

*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

What do you think of this illuminating powder from Estée Lauder? Do you use illuminisers? What’s your favourite multi-tasking product?