It’s hard to imagine Fashion Week without Estee Lauder but apparently the industry’s been doing just fine the past 64 years without this icon. So, when we heard that the Derek Lam show during the Fall 2010 Fashion Week was the first show EVER in Estee Lauder’s history, I was in shock just as America was in shock when Jennifer Hudson got sent home during American Idol a few years ago.

Genius artist Tom Pecheux for Estee Lauder rocked all the key colors for fall during the show at Capitale: bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails.

Now, I didn’t see a lot of bold blue eyes during Fashion Week Fall 2010 shows, but obviously this one was special and fierce. There were 15 artists in total (a SQUAD, if you ask me) who completed the look, and celeb manicurist Jin Soon was also there backstage buffing the nails of the models!

Pecheux contrasted the makeup with the tones of Derek Lam’s Fall 2010 palette (mostly bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns).

Model Photos: Ksenia Kahnovich (IMG) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder; Liu Wen (Marilyn) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder

No one wants to be as pale as alabaster during the summer months. I’m all for porcelain, white swans and Snow-White complexions but the truth of the matter is most fair-skinned goddesses (and I swear I went through a phase in my childhood where I would have traded anything — ANYTHING –to be fair) want bronzed skins. Especially in the summer.

Estee Lauder launched a Bronze Goddess Summer collection in 2009. Remember this?

But this year, they will be offering a coral swirl variation of their 2009 compact. Take a look at the Bronze Goddess Summer 2010 compact:

I think the idea of pairing bronze and pink tones is a particularly great idea because the skin doesn’t look too artificially tan (I also think all skins can wear this compact, even darker skin tones). This is great because even though I adore Estee Lauder I still find the company makes palettes that are much more beneficial toward fairer skin tones (especially their eyeshadows).

Update:

As you can see from the picture above, this bronzed look is island lidded, and pink/ coral lipped. The pinup looks like a segment out of Blue Lagoon.

I cannot imagine, live, breathe a summer without color. So, thank you Estee Lauder for adding such a pop of color with the Exotic Orchid Collection (also part of Bronze Goddess Summer 2010):

(more…)

I’ve always been a big fan of Estee Lauder’s lipstick offerings. Their Holiday Red collection had me at Hillary Rhoda’s campaign photo, and I still swear by the signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Spanish Red.

Original Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Spanish Red

So I was excited to learn that the company will debut a “Love Your Lips” limited edition of 12 Signature Hydra Lustre Lipsticks and four Lip Glosses just in time for Valentine’s Day. The lipsticks and tubes have golden “LOVE” symbols dancing all around them like sweet and soft kisses.

I am in LOVE with the gloss and the lipstick (pictured above). The lipstick goes on with a fuchsia tint and the gloss, though the texture LOOKS tacky, totally isn’t. The result is a shiny, ripe pink color.

The collection will hit the U.S. shortly, but as of this moment it’s not available until February. Some of the new colors will include a Pink-to-berry lipstick in Cherry Kiss and Pink Kiss.

Image courtesy of Beaut.ie.

We’ve seen a lot of black during the course of this year: MAC’s Style Black, and now Estee Lauder’s Blacker than Black.

As a hardcore New Yorker, I obviously adore black. It’s a color that mops up all other colors because it is so WEARABLE. I’m talking about the makeup, gals. There is no complexion I know that doesn’t look good with dark, dark lashes and dark eyeliner.

This collection will help you create that vampy smokey eye look that you’ve been craving for ever since you caught sight of Hilary Rhoda in the ads (c’mon….fess up!).  Each of Estee’s six mascaras will be offered in the deepest jet black starting December.

These mascaras are:

Double Wear Zero-Smudging Lengthening Mascara in Blacker Black ($19.50)

MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara in Black ($21)

More than Mascara Moisture Binding Formula in More Black ($19.50)

Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara in Jet Black ($19.50)

Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Turbo Black ($32)

We also love the permanent new Blacker Than Black Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Black Smoke in four lovely shades. We love the teals and baby blue tones of this compact, so don’t forget to get these holiday party key makeup products pronto.

Estee Lauder introduces Ultimate Red a Limited Edition collection of deep rich reds and golden accents for the ultimate holiday allure. Inspired by the runway and the red carpet, Ultimate Red is a luxurious and sophisticated collection perfect for gift-giving (or giving to yourself).

Check out our favorites from this opulent collection:

For smoky eyes in shades of plum, burgundy and grey with metallic gold, Estee Lauder brings you two Limited Edition eyeshadow quads housed in decadent gold compacts:

Eyeshadow Quad in Gold Opulence $35.00

A look with Estee Lauder Gold Opulence Quad

Eyeshadow Quad in Lavish Plum $35.00

A look with Estee Lauder Lavish Plum Quad

Available just for the holidays the Opulent Shimmer Glosses give you a sheer, shiny finish:

Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold ($18.00)

Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Cranberry $18.00

Create a smoky look or a precise dark line with Estee Lauder’s new Gel Eyeliner in Black.

Gel Eyeliner in Black $19.50

Find this dramatic collection at Estee Lauder counters and Esteelauder.com.

- Catia Carvalho Trooskin

Amethyst, Sapphire, Amber, Garnet and Emerald - though these jewels look great on your fingers and around your neck – they don’t look so hot on your credit card bill. Now you can inexpensively dress your eyes in jewels with Estee Lauder’s Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara. This five color collection has a jewel tone to enhance any eye color:

Amethyst & Garnet

For green or hazel eyes there is Amethyst and Garnet.

Amber

For brown eyes there is Amber.

Blue eyes are dressed up with Emerald.

And all eyes benefit from Sapphire.

Though the colors seem bright in the wand, the actual effect is very wearable. Emerald and Sapphire were the most vibrant. Garnet, Amber and Amethyst were very subtle and gave just a hint of color.

The formula gives you voluminous, thick lashes while the color makes your eyes pop. Get your shade at Estee Lauder counters and esteelauder.com $19.50

- Catia Carvalho Trooskin

Gwen Stefani may always look flawless with that pouty red lip everywhere she goes but every woman will agree that it’s hard to look like her without frequent touchups. Estee Lauder has introduced the Double Wear Lipsticks and Lip Pencils for the Gwen Stefani in all of us.

These Stay-in-Place Lipsticks ($22) and Lip Pencils ($19) are not only luxurious and as creamy as silk, they are designed to up to 12 hours. The way this lipstick ousts the competition is through long-wearing flexible film formers that deliver a perfect layer of color on the lips without fading or the need for reapplication.

The Double Wear lipstick is available in 12 shades and comes in a beautiful new signature packaging: a navy blue and golden fluted case.

Double Wear Lipstick shades are: Stay Rose, Stay Pink,Stay Pinkberry, Stay Raspberry, Stay Mauve, Stay Plumberry, Stay Mocha, Stay Ginger, Stay Coral, Stay Scarlet, Stay Cranberry and Stay Ruby.

The Double Wear lip pencils mimic the lipsticks in their longevity, but the star ingredient in these color crayolas are Hyaluronic acid and vegetal filling spheres that moisturize lips.

Double Wear Lip Pencil Shades: Pink, Fuschia, Rose, Wine, Plummy, Tearose, Spice, Mocha, Chocolate, Tawny, Coral, Apple Cordial, Red and Russet.

It’s easy to cultivate golden skin if you’re spending the dog days of summer on a yacht in the south of France. What’s that you say? You have a job to attend to? Well, it turns out you can get a little bit of that luxurious vacation in your local department store. Estee Lauder, a name entirely synonymous with sophistication, has launched their 2009 Sensuous Gold Collection.

Black Amethyst & Sensuous Gold

While neon colors are currently the hot trend for nails, that doesn’t mean the classics should be ignored. Sensuous Gold is a shimmering rose color that can easily transition from day to night. The collection’s darker tone, Black Amethyst, is a deep purple shade reminiscent of OPI’s Lincoln Park after Dark. While we know some critics detest dark nail colors during the summer, we’ve been sporting black amethyst for a few days and really love the deep punch of color. At $18 a pop these obviously aren’t bargain basement polishes, but you are paying for the attractive bottle that looks more like designer perfume than nail polish. We suggest splurging on one, and using the color as your go-to for the rest of the summer.

Nail Lacquer in Black Amethyst

The fearsome foursome of lip colors from the Sensuous Gold Collection are rich, sun baked shades of Estee’s Hydra Lustre lipstick that you may have seen in this month’s Harper’s Bazaar. Rose Amethyst is a shimmery baby pink, which we found a little too frosty in color.

Sensuous gold lipsticks

Terracotta was our personal favorite, as it’s a warm, toasted pink to red shade. For berry lovers, plum amethyst is a rich, pink-purple shade that’s great for the ladies who have deep tans and want to show them off on a summer evening. And lastly, we liked the cinnamon shade best on dark skin tones, as pictured. Each color is a relaxed summer shade that could easily transition from the office to the deck of a yacht. Besides the luxe shades, our favorite aspect of the Hydra Lustre Lipsticks is the rich, hydrating texture. Each color moisturizes to leave you with a creamy, colorful pout.

Lipstick in Plum Amethyst

Highly blushed cheeks can be too severe in the heat of August. But just a small hint of pink on the apple of the cheek is great by itself, or on top of bronzed skin. The Estee Lauder blush is top quality and beautifully packaged, and the price definitely includes the glamorous case and design.

The Sensuous Gold Collection’s Pure Color Multi Shimmer Lip Glosses are 3-layers that blend together to make soft, summery colors that look fabulous on their own, but even better on top of lipstick. They’re sticky enough to stay in place, but not so uncomfortably-strong that all your hair gets caught on your face.

Sensuous Gold Lipglosses

In the summer time, eye shadow can sometimes look too heavy when you’re heading to beach barbeques and volleyball games. That’s why we’re fans of the Estee Lauder Signature Eye Shadow Quad, which each feature 4 packs of complementary colors in relaxed, summer shades. The Rose Gold palette is a lighter, less severe blend of pinks and purples, while the Rose Amethyst collection is a deeper foursome that goes further into the realm of deep pinks, purples and brown. Naturally, each shade perfectly fits into the Sensuous Gold Collection, giving you the complete look for a golden summer.

Rose Gold & Rose Amethyst Quads

If you’ve always wanted to try Estee Lauder’s NEW Advanced Night Repair but were afraid to shell out the cash, then you’re in luck.

The company is hosting its largest sampling program to date on Thursday, July 23rd. Called “America’s Night to Repair” this program starts from 5pm and lasts until 9pm at ALL Estee Lauder counters and department stores nationwide.

There will be a total of 250,000 10-day samples of ANR distributed nationwide and Estee Lauder Beauty Advisors will be giving away one product per customer while supplies last. Visit http://www.esteelauder.com/AdvancedNightRepair/ for more information.

Come early because we expect it to be packed!

Advanced Night Repair: a Pioneer

Today, almost every woman repairs skin at night. But this concept of “night recovery” was pretty foreign until 1982 when Estee Lauder introduced this little brown bottle that turned back the clock on skin although birthday candles were doing just the opposite.

The first Night Repair targeted damaged skin and helped restore it while sleeping. The new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex provides a more optimized night-time repair with Chronolux Technology that supports the natural sync of skin’s repair at exactly the right time.

There’s also a new patented technology that helps repair the damage caused from smoke and pollution (city dwellers, take note).

Ever Heard of Clock Genes?

Well, neither had we. But apparently your skin is like a finely tuned Swiss watch, and repairs at night through a symphony of precisely timed repair responses based on the body’s natural circadian cycle.

These responses are actually synchronized by a specific family of genes called clock genes. Until recently, it was thought all cellular synchronization occurred through one “master clock.” New research now shows that each skin cell contains its own clock genes which help each cell maximize its own DNA repair. With age and repeated exposure to environmental stresses, these clock genes can become out of sync, causing cellular repair and protective process to slow down, thus compromising DNA repair.

Well, guess what product helps repair this irregularity?

You will see decreased signs of aging, including lines, dehydration and discoloration by using Advanced Night Repair. It also helps repair past damage caused by pollution, UV rays and even stress.

This is all so overwhelming for us because we’re so used to “over promise, under deliver” products but this one hits a home run.