Welcome to the latest of our 5 Women Test review series, where the GLAMOUR team tries out some of the newest and most talked-about products from home.
We're not sure about you, but wearing makeup has never felt more important to us right now. There may not be a morning commute or colleagues to see in person, but spending a few minutes every day digging through our makeup bag is really boosting our mood, helping us keep up a morning routine that makes us feel put-together, ready for the day and like the best versions of ourselves.
So, we’re turning to one of Estée Lauder’s best-selling products, a foundation that comes in over 60 shades that promises to offer the kind of coverage we’re all constantly on the hunt for. Fans of Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF10 claim it lasts for 24 hours without any touch-ups needed and gives the most flawless finish, covering blemishes and blurring imperfections with an oil-free formula that feels like a second skin rather than anything too heavy.
The sweatproof and waterproof foundation is said to be budge-proof through the sweatiest home workouts and most stressful Zoom calls (not even slipping if you’re caught out in the rain) keeping you shine-free however hard your new working-from-home routine might be. Could Double Wear Makeup actually be the holy grail of all foundations and live up to its impressive claims?
Here, 5 GLAMOUR staff members put it to the test….
The product:
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF10, £34
The reviews:
Jessica Lam, Project Executive
Shade: 3W2 Cashew
When it comes to makeup, I love trying out the latest looks and playing around with new products, but hate the worry of needing to top up, especially now we’re all constantly having to look at our shiny faces on Zoom all day.
This is exactly why this foundation is great for me. The staying power allows me to put it on in the morning and STILL look fresh and matte after a three-hour video call at 5pm.
What’s also great about this foundation is the range of colours. Being Chinese means I need one with a yellow/golden tint, and a lot of time foundations are either too brown or too pink for me, so it's brilliant to see that Estée Lauder does cater for my skin tone.
Donna Dia, Events Director
Shade: 5W1.5 Cinnamon
This formula feels fantastic on the skin, not too heavy yet it gave me a great coverage that I could build on. I was also impressed with the match – I usually have to mix my foundations to get the right shade as they’re usually either too red or too pasty.
Cinnamon was perfect across my entire face including my forehead and upper lip area. A brilliant base for my entire face and I found I didn't even need a concealer under my eyes, which I usually do. A great product that lives up to its claims, I’m definitely going to buy and recommend this to friends who've experienced problems with shade matching.
Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor
Shade: 1C1 Cool Bone
My love affair with Double Wear started five years ago. I was suffering with adult acne and everyday by midday my skin would become so oily, all traces of my morning makeup had slid off, leaving me feeling exposed and self-conscious. I had tested more foundations that I could count, trying to find The One that would somehow cover my breakouts and stay all day. Just as I was giving up hope, I came across Double Wear and have never looked back.
The formula is so deliciously smooth, creating a soft-focus, even base upon which to create an everyday makeup look. Easily buildable and blendable to apply, it soon sets to provide totally budge-proof, highly dependable coverage and shine control, for as long as you need it for. Yet for all its longwearing qualities, it’s comfortable to wear, never creases or settles into fine lines and, most importantly, is oil-free, so doesn’t exacerbate any breakouts.
With over 60 shades, I’m able to perfectly match my skin tone and undertones, no matter the time of year. In winter, my go to shade is Cool Bone, but if I’ve got a tan during the summer, I warm things up with Tawny. I like to apply with a brush, starting in the centre of my face, and finish blending with fingers, which creates that supremely smooth finish. On the days when I want a lighter, more radiant finish, I mix Double Wear with Estée Lauder Illuminating Primer or a few drops of Advanced Night Repair Serum.
Bandi Manzini, Branded Content and Partnerships Director
Shade: 6C2 Pecan
I have a pretty specific and usually non negotiable requirement list when it comes to my foundation. It must: offer full coverage, have a matte finish, be easy to apply, not oxidise and of course be the perfect shade match. Having never used an Estée Lauder foundation before, I was very curious to see whether Double Wear would be up to the task.
The application was the first test and I was impressed by the light and nicely fluid consistency. It only requires a few dabs around the face to give a decent amount of coverage, so a little goes a long way which means it’s a purse friendly investment. Tick.
The shade match is exact and plays beautifully to my red undertone skin. What I liked the most was that Double Wear made me look like I have naturally “good skin” rather than looking like I’m so obviously wearing foundation – it made me feel confident in my own skin for a change. I’m also really impressed that it doesn’t oxidise as the day goes on, which is a real issue with a lot of darker shade foundations.
This is definitely a great everyday option for me – I’ll be adding it to my arsenal of beauty products!
Rebecca Hunnybun, Producer
Shade: 1C1 Cool Bone
With a fair complexion full of freckles, finding my shade with my desired amount of coverage hasn’t always been easy, and it usually results in sacrificing one for the other. Despite a long period of trial and error and making my way through many brands, this was my first time using Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Makeup and I can honestly say, it won’t be my last.
The smooth liquid texture allows an easy application and gives an even medium coverage using a surprisingly minimal amount. It has a very lightweight feel on the skin – which I love – yet still gives a natural finish without completely hiding my freckles, again something which I’ve found difficult to achieve with other formulas.
I’m not a stranger to frequently having to touch up my makeup, specifically where base coverage is concerned, to avoid ending the day with a patchy skin tone that doesn’t look great when I’m on a video call with my boss. I was happy to discover that this was not the case with Double Wear, it’s staying power combined with a flawless colour match appeared to keep my makeup intact – even after a lunchtime HIIT workout, seriously impressive!
Try Estée Lauder’s new Virtual Try On Tool to find your perfect shade at esteelauder.co.uk. Share your tips @esteelauderuk #DoubleWear.
Read more: This sweat-proof, oil-free foundation will withstand your at-home workout and boost your confidence
