This holiday season I’m getting my dose of classic holiday color from Estee Lauder’s new Ultimate Red collection.
Doesn’t the packaging look rich and luxurious? A traditional holiday release in the spirit of cashmere turtlenecks and chestnuts roasted on an open fire?
Here are pictures of most of the 13-piece collection for lips, eyes, face and nails. They’re all limited edition, which makes sense considering the season.
Take a peek, and let me know what you think. 🙂
Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad with Lattice Pattern in Lavish Plum, $35
Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad with Lattice Pattern in Gold Opulence, $35
TurboLash in Gold Effects, $32
Gel Eyeliner in Black, $20
Opulent Shimmer Powder, $32
Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick with Fluted Top in Simply Red, $20
From left to right: Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold and Cranberry, $18 each
Swatches
From left to right: TurboLash in Gold Effects, Gel Eyeliner in Black, Opulent Shimmer Powder
From left to right: Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad with Lattice Pattern in Lavish Plum, Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad with Lattice Pattern in Gold Opulence
From left to right: Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold, Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Cranberry, Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick with Fluted Top in Simply Red
Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick with Fluted Top in Simply Red
Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold
Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Cranberry
What’s the verdict? Are any of these lighting your fire?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
ines + cha cha says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:07 pmTHE RED LIPSTICK.
is it blue based? is it orange based?
if it’s a blue based true red i am totally lemming it!
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… 10 Wintertime Beauty Tips =-.
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pmHi Ines,
It shows up with a lot of blue on me… then again, my skin tends to bring out blue tones.
Maggie says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:18 pmThe Gold Opulence quad is calling me!
Hmph, wish Cranberry was more pigmented, it would have been such a gorgeous red color! Ohhh, I still love it nonetheless. And the packaging is so Christmas-y! 😀
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Alas, a Review! Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses =-.
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:30 pmHi Maggie,
It might be pretty for layering! I kinda like that it’s sheer, as it makes red easier to wear.
pinksoysauce says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:35 pmI want that gold mascara! I remember seeing one in beautiful packaging a few years ago at Saks but didn’t get it. 🙁 What’s the color like, and how pigmented is it?
I also love that Lavish Plum quad. I has all the colors that I was looking for in Chanel and Dior!
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pmHi Pinksoysauce,
I just swatched it today. When I give it a try (hopefully tomorrow!) I’ll let you know.
Isn’t the Lavish Plum quad drool worthy? I think I need to wipe my chin. 🙂
Paris B says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pmThe eye palettes dont grab me but that shimmer powder is so pretty. I’m really liking the red lipstick and cranberry lipgloss. Wonder when it’ll be out here 🙂
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio made me look more Korean or Japanese than ever! =-.
Noemi says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:39 pmSeeing this reminds of me getting my first makeup kit type thing . I was around thirteen(?) & the makeup was Estee Lauder . Six years later, I still have the brushes . They’re complete crap . It’s so nostalgic ! Though the packaging wasn’t nearly so lux as this . The goldiness of the packaging reminds me of the Yves Saint Laurent i love. It just looks so luxurious ! Have you ever tried any of their makeup products ? I always look & lust over stuff on BeautyTicket.com . Have you ever visited the site ? It’s terribly tempting .
The Gold Opulence quad is lovely [:
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pmHi Noemi,
I’ve tried some YSL… I like the eyeshadows and think the gloss is just OK.
I held onto my very first makeup for a loooong time. It was from Clinique!
pinksoysauce says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:50 pmI think the mascara I saw two years ago was a Guerlain gold one. It was prettier but the vibration effect of the Estee Lauder makes it more appealing. 🙂 Thanks for the help, Karen!
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:13 pmHi Pinksoysauce,
So, I’m a little terrified about the vibration but I’m gonna try it in the name of makeup science!
Wish me luck, LOL!
Blovet Beauty says
October 27th, 2009 at 8:52 pmopulent shimmer gloss in gold looks super lovely karen! I actaully got Estee’s christmas collection last year and the eyeshadow palette was pretty good. Glad they added an eyeliner to this yr collection 🙂
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… 100th Follower Giveaway =-.
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:12 pmHi Blovet Beauty,
I liked their holiday stuff last year too. They always do elegant very well!
sarahPUFFY says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:01 pmAh, that gold gloss looks like a nice dupe of Benefit’s 24K gloss (a fav that I refuse to accept has been discontinued). Sigh!
.-= sarahPUFFY’s last blog post… FOTD with H.I.P Shadow Duo in Roaring =-.
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:11 pmHi sarahPUFFY,
I refuse to believe that Kiss Me is gone! The new Kiss You version just isn’t the same.
Tavia says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:15 pmI love the shimmer gloss in Gold. It’s very similar with the shimmer gloss in Strawberry by Jordana 🙂
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… La Prairie Life Threads – Silver, Gold & Platinum – Perfume Collection – Fall 2009 =-.
Karen says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:16 pmHi Tavia,
Girl, are you still up?!? Go to bed!
Shiny says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:19 pmI’m loving that red lipstick!! The quads look good too, esp compared to the puny Christmas releases from MAC for around the same price.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:53 pmHi Shiny,
LOL! I take it you didn’t pick anything up from MAC holiday.
Citrine says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:27 pmCranberry looks so yummy and I like the gold effect mascara as well!
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Too Faced Metal Eye Liquid Eyeliner =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:53 pmHi Citrine,
Cranberry looks delicious, right? I kinda wanna eat it, LOL!
Babybubblz says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:36 pmI’m loving that cool toned red lipstick. Gold packaging is so luxe!
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pmHi Babybubblz,
Yes it is! I think that’s one of the big reasons why I like this collection so much. 🙂
ezzie says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:40 pmdo i hear fergie’s “glamorous” in the background?
lol these are just simply that. the shimmer powder looks soo lovely~
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pmHi Ezzie,
LOL! Funny you should mention that song. I listened to it yesterday while doing situps!
Ruth says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:47 pmI LOVE EVERYTHING !
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:51 pmHi Ruth,
Sweet! What do you think you’ll pick up?
Hyzenthlay says
October 27th, 2009 at 9:53 pmHi Karen,
Those are gorgeous 🙂 I’m still trying to figure out what red should be my first red lipstick/lip color . . . And you keep providing me with more options 🙂
I have a question for you about the Lippman Happy Birthday polish . . . I’m thinking about buying it (not getting it shipped, since that add $8 to the $18 it already costs) for my 30th birthday next Wednesday, but before I do that, I want to know how hard it is to remove. Have you tried? Did it wear pretty well since last week?
Thanks, and I’m sorry to bother you in this thread, but I posted in the other thread last week, but I think it’s been buried by now . . .
Thank you!
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:50 pmHi Hyzenthaly,
Sorry I didn’t get to your comment earlier! Happy Birthday isn’t hard to remove. I used this method, and I took it off without too much fuss. I wore it with just a base coat and it stayed on very well — hardly any chips!
Soon you will be in the dirty 30 club, WOO HOO! Got any big plans for your birthday?
L says
October 27th, 2009 at 10:00 pmAhh! I love the lipstick and the gloss in Cranberry. I’ve got a $25 gift card to Neiman Marcus, so I may check those out there.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:46 pmHi L,
Nice! I hope the color works for you.
Rae says
October 27th, 2009 at 10:25 pmEverything looks so gorgeous that I think I just died a little inside :/ Lavish Plum will probably be marked up insanely in Canada, but I’ll be swatching it nonetheless! And then trying (and possibly failing) to talk myself out of buying it.
We need to see that mascara on your lashes STAT, girl!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… So how does a line famous for oil cleansing fare with eye creams? =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pmHi Rae,
LOL, working on it!
Caitlin says
October 27th, 2009 at 10:48 pmThat shimmer powder looks AMAZING. I want it!!
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pmHi Caitlin,
It’s super pretty! 🙂
M says
October 28th, 2009 at 12:05 amestee lauder is REALLY upping their packaging and lineup! I’m loving that shimmery powder, more for the packaging and the pretty hash marks hahaa
.-= M’s last blog post… How To Get A Fabulous Haircut On A Budget =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:43 pmHi M,
I agree. This year EL’s had a major makeup renaissance. I’m loving a lot of their new releases!
Catherine says
October 28th, 2009 at 1:28 amWow, this is a pretty lovely and well-rounded collection! Other than the Lavish Plum quad, nothing really stands out as anything I don’t already have though… though I do wish the Cranberry gloss showed up more on your lips. If it were more pigmented it’d be just gorgeous.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW – OPI Merry Midnight w/ hearts =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pmHi Catherine,
Yah, I hear ya. It’s super pretty layered on top of the red, though.
Sherry says
October 28th, 2009 at 3:22 amthey are lovely 😀
.-= Sherry’s last blog post… Waiting blog makeover @mymomsbest =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:41 pmHi Sherry,
Yay! Glad you like this release. Do you think you might get anything?
Alison says
October 28th, 2009 at 3:25 amI know that estee lauder owns bobbi brown, so how does the gel eyeliner compare? Is it on a par with bobbi brown one?
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:41 pmHi Alison,
I wore it today and it performs very similarly to MAC Fluidline (which I think works better than Bobbi’s).
Vonvon says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:09 amGood thing I started controlling my spending since early this month…..saving up for I know, gorgeous Christmas collection stuff.
And the lippies really got me, and I really want to try the Turbolash with glitters….already in love with my current Turbolash now.
And the shimmer powder….gorgeous!!
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… EOTD: Chanel Les Regards Eye Palette =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmHi Vonvon,
I’m so scurred to get on the motorized mascara train! I hope I don’t poke my eye out. 🙂
gio says
October 28th, 2009 at 6:09 amI love that red lipstick! The eyeshadow quad in Lavish Plum looks good too.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Are you applying your skincare products correctly? =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmHi Gio,
I wore the red today and loved it. Do you think you might get it?
Trude says
October 28th, 2009 at 8:30 amThat Plum eyeshadow quad looks like just the kind of purples I’ve been looking for… 😀
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Announcing: Nancy Orozco Photography! =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:38 pmHi Trude,
I played with it a little today and so far I like it! It’s a very pretty quad.
Ally says
October 28th, 2009 at 9:04 amI didn’t buy any x-mas collections yet but I will look into the red lipstick and the gold gloss. Thanks for the swatches.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:37 pmHi Ally,
You’re welcome! I hope the lipstick and gloss work for you.
Karen B says
October 28th, 2009 at 9:50 amThat lipstick is calling me… I’m lost!!! That is the first thing I’ll get with my paycheck 😉
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:36 pmHi Karen B.,
Oh, that red would look stunning on you! Is your hair still dark? I think your darker hair color plus this color would pop!
amy says
October 28th, 2009 at 11:41 amThe Opulent Shimmer compact is gorgeous. The packaging definitely speaks “holiday” to me.
.-= amy’s last blog post… LOTD Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in 76 Ming Swatch on Lips and Review =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pmHi Amy,
Definitely! There’s no denying what season this release is for.
Ashley says
October 28th, 2009 at 11:42 amI loooove gel/cream eyeliners. I have had my Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner for half a year and I still have 3/4’s of it left. I wouldn’t mind trying Estee Lauder’s Gel Eyeliner during this time too 😉
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pmHi Ashley,
I love them too! Do you ever layer them beneath shadow? I do that when I need makeup to last a long time.
Samantha says
October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pmI’ve tried TurboLash mascara before and liked it well enough, though mine was black. It really does make lashes look long, even though it sometimes clumped a bit if I used more than two coats. Gold Effects seems like it would be pretty on the tips of black mascara-ed lashes.
I so want the Opulent Shimmer Powder and Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold. I don’t think I’m going to get them, though, because my Halloween makeup already made a fair dent in my bank account.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:26 pmHi Samantha,
Oh, do tell! What makeup did you get for Halloween?
amy says
October 28th, 2009 at 2:07 pmi want it all!!! especially the cranberry and the eyshadows.
🙁 will i be able to afford it all?
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:22 pmHi Amy,
The shadows are a pretty good deal for the price. The pans are big, so you get a LOT of product.
Marce says
October 28th, 2009 at 2:17 pmOoohh everything looks stunning! Go E.L.! Doesn’t hurt that Hilary Rhoda loos amazing in the promo pic. I love the gold palette, it’s beautiful!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Nivea Star Fruits Labello – Review & Swatch =-.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:21 pmHi Marce,
This is turning out to be quite the collection! I’m so happy to see EL getting so much love.
Erica says
October 28th, 2009 at 3:10 pmIs the shimmer powder shimmery all the way through or is the shimmer just a spray on top? It looks gorgeous.
I really, really wanna try the gold mascara!
I love the vibrating wand mascaras too. I really notice a difference on my lashes.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:20 pmHi Erica,
As far as I can tell it’s all the way shimmery. But I’ll you know if it isn’t!
I am a little scared to try the gold mascara (motorized items near my eyes freak me out), but we’ll see!
J says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmI’m LOVING the Opulent Shimmer Powder, the lipstick and cranberry gloss 😀
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:55 pmHi J,
The lipstick + Cranberry Gloss = OOH BABY!
Erica says
October 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pmI have found the trick with those vibrating mascaras is to comb the wand through the lashes *very slowly* wiggling it a bit as move from root to tip – and only comb through with the mascara wand once or twice, otherwise the lashes can quickly turn into a clumpy mess.
And the wand moves so fast, you really don’t fell it, but the effect is great. Definitely let me know what you think when you try it.
I love the Lancome vibrating mascara.
Karen says
October 28th, 2009 at 5:03 pmHi Erica,
Okay, noted. *Gulp* Seriously, if you see me with an eyepatch tomorrow, you’ll know what happened, LOL!
Rebecca says
October 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pmOh my god, I want that mascara! I’m SO IN LOVE! But… I’m not really sure if I’m willing to dish out $32, at least until I can see how it looks on someone’s lashes.
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Super Simple Smokey Eye: Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Quad =-.
Susan says
October 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pmI LOVE your site!! What a great way for me to explore new palettes and products before I venture out to the makeup counter. The purple eye palette looks very wearable, I will be going to the Estee’ Lauder counter asap!
Justina says
October 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pmwhoaa that mascara looks intense. let me know how it is when you try it! im a little scared to use vibrating mascaras too since im not too coordinated 🙂
Veky says
October 29th, 2009 at 3:08 amWonderful swatches! Love the lipstick, Lavish Plus e/s and that gold shimmer! :love:
Thanks for swatches! 🙂
Ashley says
October 29th, 2009 at 9:55 amMorning Karen,
I’m not very hand/eye coordinated so I always put on my eyeliner BEFORE my shadows. I’m too lazy to bother and practice putting on eyeliner after eyeshadow. I think that’s why my eyeliner never wears. Although I have to admit, putting eyeshadow over of my eyeliner may cancel out the intensity of the eyeliner.
Kristi says
October 29th, 2009 at 10:36 amI have the Gold mascara and I LOVE it! I’m a sucker for colored mascara!