Estee Lauder – Blue Dahlia Collection

Posted by dulwichmum on Sun 13 June 2010

Last week I was invited to preview the debut collection of Autumn Winter make-up by new Artistic Director Tom Pecheaux for Estee Lauder. I took along my chum Vashi, and we had a ball! Finger food, Champagne and stacks of make-up to play with. It was the ultimate girlie indulgence

Name of range: Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia collection by Tom Pecheaux

Price: From £12 for a nail enamel to £34 for a five colour eye shadow palette

The blurb: “The blues and purples in the collection are iconic colours for autumn and winter. I like to give women choices in the way that they look. From a neutral to a smoky to a fashionable, strong look, these shades can be used with them all.” Tom Pecheaux, Creative Makeup Director, Estee Lauder”

First impressions: Tom Pecheaux is giving the entire Estee Lauder brand a complete revamp with real attitude; intense colours, a variety of textures and super new packaging. The Pure Color collection will be re-launched in June, with 24 new Pure Colour lip glosses and 24 new Pure Color eye shadows. The Limited Edition Blue Dahlia collection is being launched in August

For once, I completely agree with every word on the press release. The limited edition eye shadow palettes provide all the materials to create the three looks promised: neutral, smoky fashionable or strong. These colours are stunning. I have a porcelain pale complexion, and the shades in the Blue Dahlia palette seem to have been chosen specifically for me (bats eyelashes)

The stunning white highlighter with flecks of shimmer, the neutral mink shade, the two fabulous blues and the black are fabulous and can be used to achieve so many looks

My great friend Vashi always claims that brands like Estee Lauder have nothing for her as “the colours are just for European skin”, but she adores the Pure Color Five Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Surreal Violet. She had never before tried shades of violet, purple or grey, but she is now a confirmed Estee Lauder junkie and I must say, they looked amazing on her. She also adored the new Pure Color singles – specifically Meadow Green and Ivy Green

The new packaging is extremely impressive; it is sleek and so sophisticated. All of the palettes, bottles and containers look amazing. These products will prove a joy to pluck out of a make-up bag on a night out in town or in the executive wash room!

Ease of Use: I am so pleased to note that the lip glosses, have a sponge tipped applicator. I never like the brush tipped lip glosses as they are so difficult to apply at speed, and I am a working mother, so very time poor (dabs tear from eye)! The lip glosses taste and smell yummy (apparently the flavour is fig!) and with shades from berry to beige, there are colours to suit every complexion

Did you know that Estee Lauder offer three finishes of lip gloss? Shine, shimmer and sparkle, and now that I know, I realise that I love shimmer. The sparkle is a little more grown up than younger brands of disco ball lip gloss, but shimmer is, I feel more upmarket and yet remaining on trend

The glosses are moisturising and last well, but for intensity of colour, it would be necessary to apply lipstick underneath

The eye shadow colours glide on easily and are a dream to blend, easy to achieve the looks in the literature and they last extremely well without primer. The colours in the palettes are perfectly and expertly selected. It is advised to layer the Pure Color eye shadows (which come in matt, satin and metallic), in order to achieve the intensity of colour desired. It is a nice way to depart from neutrals – I was so tired of Bobbi Brown, now I can wear my eye make-up as bold or as neutral as I chose on the day (don’t let me near my make-up bag when I am hormonal!)

I am afraid that my photo does not do this eye shadow justice at all, it is the most stunning black/navy colour with tiny flecks of sparkle. It is called Midnight Star.

The nail polish colours are inspired. I love the black blue shade – very upmarket, and the Surreal violet is almost a twist on the current taupe trend, but I am afraid that the brushes in the pretty little bottle may let this product down. I am not convinced that I will get on with the applicator – I will let you know

Pros: These colour combinations are so useful and will achieve both neutral daywear and glamorous eveningwear, the Blue Dahlia combination palettes work on any skin type

Cons: The limited edition range will not hit the stores until the August, and that, is a complete shame… I have got mine, but you can form an orderly queue!

Value for money: This is a premium brand and an excellent range of products. It is not cheap, but not expensive for the feel good factor that they guarantee!

Stockists: Coming to an Estee Lauder counter near you.