Estee Lauder Double Wear Light - my summer best friend

Well, we have officially reached the summer dilemma – foundation or tinted moisturiser?

It’s the age-old problem, isn’t it. The British summer comes around (albeit for two weeks), the thermometers rise to the giddy heights of *gulp* 23 degrees, and even the most relaxed and cool amongst us will have the dreaded………….. sweat patches. Now, thankfully I don’t suffer that badly – forehead and under the bottom lip, mostly – but on certain days when it is hot AND you’ve got no deodorant left because you forgot to go to Boots AND the cat has been sick on the carpet AND you didn’t do any ironing over the weekend so have only got winter shirts you can wear AND you’re running late for work AND the fan is in the loft AND the stupid next door neighbours have decided to have a barbecue just as you've put your washing out……… before you know it, you are…….. glowing, somewhat.

Fret ye not, fellow perspirers!!!!!! I HAVE A SOLUTION.

Firstly, calm the fudge down. There’s no point rushing round like a Tazmanian devil when it’s so hot even Lawrence of Arabia would need a bit of a sit down.

Secondly, try some of this. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light.

Is it a tinted moisturiser? Is it a foundation? Well, actually it’s a foundation – a lighter, less heavy-coverage version of their critically acclaimed Double Wear (which for me might as well be called Can’t Wear, because it clogs up pores I didn’t even know I had and takes about two years to get rid off at the end of the day. But I suppose that’s its selling point, really).

From the Estee Lauder website:

“15-hour wear, light as air—long-wear makeup is now lightweight makeup.

Makeup That Keeps Up

·       Fresh, natural, comfortable.

·       Goes on sheer, leaves skin free to breathe all day.

·       Controls oil.

·       Resists smudging and won't "melt" off through heat and humidity.

For a look that stays vibrant and fresh whether it's a workday, a workout or a weekend. Smooth it on once and don't think twice about it.”

Now, normally I don’t mind putting on foundation. I know some ladies find it a chore that they would rather avoid, but I actually really like the ritual of applying and blending. It’s therapeutic, yano. But sometimes, usually at the weekend, I just can’t muster up the enthusiasm to wash all of my brushes and put it on properly, and on those days this Double Wear Light really comes into its own. You can apply this stuff with your fingers as slap-dash as you like, and it still manages to make your skin look more even, plump and gorgeous.

So, what do you get?

Well, the coverage ain’t up to “normal” Double Wear standards. But, it definitely evens out skin-tone and manages to cover up most of my old spot scars, with just a touch of concealer needed on a few little tiny places here and there. Nothing, but nothing, will cover up the dark circles underneath my eyes – but I’ve become resigned to this over a period of several years so wasn’t too surprised to find that this stuff doesn’t, either.

BUT, it gives better coverage (and staying power) than a tinted moisturiser, without being any more difficult to apply.  And, more importantly, it comes from the Double Wear family so also manages to last the distance on an average British summer’s day.

For those of you of a sensitive disposition, look away now – thar be some pics of bare skin acomin’.

NB: I wear Intensity 1.0, which is nowhere near as light as it looks on the Estee Lauder website. My skin is currently hovering around the NW15-20 mark.

I love squeezy tubes - hygienic, and easy to dispense just the right amount. Although you can't really see from this pic, it also contains SPF 10. Not enough to skip your normal sunscreen, but a nice addition nonetheless.

 

 

It isn't QUITE as orange as these swatches may lead you to believe - but you definitely have to limit yourself to a maximum of two layers before your inner Oompa Loompa starts to shine through

Left - bare skin (just a thin layer of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm); Right -  one (generous) layer of Double Wear Light, with a light dusting of NARS loose powder in Flesh

Conclusion: a lighter make-up base that doesn’t aquaplane round your face on top of the layer of sweat, while still giving slightly better coverage than your average tinted moisturiser. WIN WIN.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light can be bought from their website (amongst other places) for the princely sum of £26.50.

What do you think? Will you be loving it or leaving it this summer?

Jen