Estée Lauder blockbuster set 2023 Review

Every year, Estée Lauder famously brings out a blockbuster set. Perfect for breaking up and filling Christmas stockings, these are eagerly anticipated by many. This year, the box is rather different because it has fewer makeup items and sample sizes, instead they've decided on several full size skincare items and a few makeup items. As usual, the box is worth much more than you pay for it. In Black Fridays past, you were able to buy the box alone. This year it was the usual routine of having to spend a minimum amount and then buy the box for £85 but you got 20% off the qualifying purchases.

I bought a lip balm set and a lipliner to qualify. 

The skincare items are

Advanced Night Repair 30ml (everyone’s fave)

New Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée with 15 Amino Acids 75ml, deluxe travel size (good for travel, never tried before but looks good)

Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme moisturiser 15ml. (Sample size - giving it away)

1 x Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme Synchronized Multi-Recovery 15ml, full-size (not tried but looks good)

1 x Gentle Eye Makeup Remover 100ml, full-size. (This one is made in China which horrified me. But I’m sure it’s a good one. My favourite is Lancôme but this will be useful or given as a gift)

The rest is makeup…

 1 x Limited Edition Eye Shadow Palette in CELESTIAL GLAM, deluxe travel size (.24 oz./7g) Includes 6 shades

This is very powdery with a lot of kickup and aside from the pink shade, they are very meh very boring. The compact is cute but very cheap looking and wouldn’t make a very impressive gift. Looks very much like a GWP. They used to have gold casing etc. A step down.

2 x Limited Edition Lipsticks, full-size in Starlet Red (A vibrant red with a warm undertone and creme finish) and Saturn Reign (A blue-hued pink with a cool undertone and creme finish.)

These are a moisturising formula and somewhere along the line Estée Lauder has lost that fruity scent and gone for a more vanilla scent (I like that) but again, both these shades are meh. I was excited for the pink to be a bit like MAC Candy Yum Yum but it’s more sedate. It’s not as fun on the lips as it looks like it would be in the tube. Both lipsticks are creamy and a bit sheer until built up. The red is very bold and not great on me but they’re both safe shades. And they have wonderful engraving (but the casing again is a bit cheap and GWP) however overall I think they would make good gifts.

2 x Limited Edition Lip Glosses, deluxe travel size in Divine Plum (A deep wine with a creme shine finish.) and Ruby Quartz (A rich red with a creme shine finish. These will be gifted as I am not a gloss fan. They would make cute gifts.

1 x Double Wear 24H Stay-in-Place Lip Liner, full-size in 07 Red

This is a great liner and I’m a huge fan of Estée Lauder lipliners but for me it’s a bit too red and warm. When wearing red I prefer the more pink MAC Cherry liner. The pencil is the exact same shade as the lipstick. I tried it with the pink lipstick and it wasn’t bad but really the pink is left orphaned. I wore the pink with a pink liner I already had.

1 x Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volumizing Mascara, full-size. 

Again, Lancôme is my go-to for mascara, but I have used this one before and it’s very good and I’ll definitely use it. 

There was no blusher or highlighter palette this year, much to many an outrage.

Then the train case - huge and a bit tacky and I will be giving it away but it’s fun and very Christmassy.

Overall it’s definitely worth the £85 spend. Supposedly it’s worth £411! I would only say if you’re a fellow makeup fiend, you’ll already own all of these shades. Aside from the red lipstick, none of it is Christmas themed which is a safe move but a bit disappointing as I love sparkle around this time of year.

Some eye looks and lip looks:

First Impressions of MAC face set Whisper of Gilt and comparison "dupes"

I'm shocked that MAC seems to have manufactured enough of these sets with Whisper of Gilt - either this is most unlike them, or people are not as desperate as one may have supposed. (Sadly, begrudgingly, I do belong to the desperate category, so I can't gloat.) I was dreading the brush, which I assumed would be a cheap and nasty scratchy affair, but actually it's replaced my MUD powder brush and I really like it for powdering and for contouring and even for blusher! So that was an unexpected bonus.

Now onto the highlighter itself. A lovely lady on Instagram (I hope she doesn't mind me posting her name, krys503) warned me before I got my delivery, that it was neither as "blingy" nor as "peachy" as the original Whisper of Gilt. I forgot to ask which original she was comparing it to, but it made my blood run cold - because the blinginess and the peachiness is exactly why Whisper of Gilt is my favourite ever highlighter. I have Anastasia So Hollywood but that lacks the beguling peachiness. And I have the original MAC Oh Darling (I hear the permanent is different but I can't comment as I've never tested this in person) but Oh Darling, although I have now grown to love it, has a far more brownish copper hint than the Whisper of Gilt peachy hint.

Here is the swatch which I was sent on Instagram which apparently shows the difference. Original on the left and new release on the right;

To me though, it was pure pleasure to see the new one which I feel is still peachy and wonderful. Perhaps time has misted over any supposed discrepancies, but to me, my worst fear was that Whisper of Gilt had been watered down to being like Anastasia So Hollywood, which, whilst beautiful, is little more than a pale gold highlighter. I'm very fussy, so many "dupes" are to my mind, merely versions on a gold theme.

MAC new Whisper of Gilt v MAC original Oh Darling

Oh Darling on left, Whisper of Gilt right. Notice copper v peach undertones

                                             

As above, slightly blended

The only thing which I don't like is that the website has this listed as a "9g" compact whereas in fact it has 7.5g. I emailed MAC but so far they have kept this misleading description, which I think is a little rude. But overall it's a wonderful re-issue, the compact is gorgeous hammered metal effect and the snowflake embossing is irresistible. The bag is dependably tacky but the brush is a great addition, perhaps not for using as a highlight brush but you will find it a useful tool and it's synthetic so hasn't shed. Overall I'm really thrilled with my purchase.

MAC Whisper of Gilt is coming back! Third time lucky

Yes! For the third time now, MAC is re-releasing Whisper of Gilt. This will be its fourth outing to date and I do just wish it would be included in the permanent line-up, but for whatever reason, MAC has made it clear that it wants to hold onto the ethereal image of a lost-in-the-mists-of-time perfect highlighter. And adding a snowflake to it has just sealed that reputation. How beautiful???

The only thing is, it's 7.5g instead of 9g. But, one look at that cracked frozen ice packaging and embossed snowflake - all is forgiven. I sold my Whisper of Gilt, reasoning that Anastasia So Hollywood was a dupe. And reasoning that Guerlain Cruel Gardenia was a superior near-dupe. But the truth is, I've missed it ever since. The reason I loved Whisper of Gilt is that it's gold but it has a slight peach glint to it which makes it melt into the skin. The last incarnation, as part of the Nutcracker collection (and in a miserly segment as a duo) looked more gold than I remembered. I've taken @trendmood's picture and put it alongside the original and beloved, and for now, I can spot that same peachiness that made it so special. Of course, since the heady days of that initial Whisper of Gilt release, there have been so many wonderful highlights which include the same 'wet' finish, so it's a little late and perhaps a pyrrhic victory, but nonetheless, one of the champions is set to return - and I for one will have it in my sights. NB: Judging from the wintry theme it is likely to be the next Christmas/ holiday's collection.

Public Service Announcement: MAC Whisper of Gilt really, genuinely IS coming back!!!

In case you haven't heard (and if you haven't, get to checking Trendmood1 on Instagram and you will never be out of the loop ever again) MAC Whisper of Gilt is coming back! Last time I blogged this, I was let down, admittedly beyond all reasonable and acceptable limits. But this time I've waited until the cold hard proof....

And doesn't it look so delicious? A delicious biscuit ready to be devoured. I think the whole nutcracker theme and packaging this year looks incredible, one of their best yet if you ask me. And despite having decided that Anastasia So Hollywood (which has also seemingly disappeared, hmm) is identical even in my fanatical mind, and notwithstanding the plethora of liquid look powders available now thanks to indie brands etc all providing what we want, forcing MAC into a position of putting down prices to be noticed - yes even with all that as disclaimer - when faced with the mythical Whisper of Gilt, sitting there alongside its ginger friend, I'm powerless - and it'll be elbows at the ready for this one! 

Get ready to pounce. (Probably November for my fellow UK and int'l friends; October US)

What do you use for highlighting, is MAC whisper of Gilt still worthy of the hype?



*Picture credit Trendmood1 and original owner as watermarked.

MAC Whisper of Gilt is finally coming back!!! (Edit: no, it's just poor staff info!)

I know I neglect my blog, but I simply must share this joy - one of my favourite ever highlighters is finally being repromoted. Extra Dimension had the most exquisite liquid to cream texture that is so hard to find in other highlighters. Nonetheless, I sold mine several months ago as I couldn't resist, and I reasoned that (a) I have enough beautiful highlighters to tide me over (Guerlain springs to mind) and (b) my cynical mind was quite certain that MAC would ultimately bring it back. But as the months rolled on and especially when the Extra Dimension eyeshadows were brought back as permanent but not the skinfinishes, I began to doubt. I began to mourn.

Well - now I am vindicated!

The collection will be called Enchanted Eve and it'll hit around October. (This information has been gleaned from Instagram and general social media, in fact personally I found it through a message on Depop)

Update: the MAC chat wherein this MAC representative confirmed it was the beloved Whisper of Gilt is actually an incompetent time waster, very annoying... It's actually called Oh, Darling and supposedly is a more yellow version. Will you still pick it up? 

Lavender Whipping up a storm

Five years anxious wait and then at last - Lavender Whip is coming back! Hurrah Hooray! But hark - what's this!!! Blood boils, palm sweats, jaw clenches and eyes bulge as we see the first images of a pinkened Lavender Whip... How dare they taunt us so? Don't call it Lavender Whip if it isn't Lavender Whip. Well folks I think the whole thing is a storm in a teacup because in fact the shade really is the same. I would be the first to point out the differences but in truth there is a slight sheerness to the new 2013 version (very slight) but on the lips it's simply the same. It's got a dash of Budding Love (another limited edition fave) in the sense that it is a little less dense and perhaps ok a touch more pink but in reality it does indeed look like a very, very flattering lavender lipstick. I didn't get on with Pink Popcorn (too pink) so this really hasn't fallen into pink territory it is still categorically purple. Let's check out some photos...



I wore the new Lavender Whip on my top lip and the 2008 Lavender Whip on my bottom lip. No perceptible difference to the naked eye. And I swatched Budding Love, Original Lavender Whip and New Lavender Whip in that order (and pictured cased in that order).

 

By the way, NARS Mata Hari in the background - the best blusher to wear with Lavender Whip if you ask me. I do need a good lip pencil for this though, I must look into that -please let me know if you have any ideas?

 
 



I highly recommend Lavender Whip, it is so pretty yet unusual. The texture is great and it lasts fairly well, fading to a lovely innocent cooled down pink. I have ordered MAC Riri Woo so I am excited for that to arrive next! MAC have been rather good lately, except Let's Skate paint pot, which I found abysmal: glitter fallout everywhere and very over-hyped. But Lavender Whip is worth its place as one of the finest MAC lipsticks out there. It's currently available online. [edit/// oops it sold out again] Well you'd better run to a counter... Good luck! I would love this to be made permanent; this and Candy Yum Yum are both truly unique yet very wearable, almost opposite sides of the same coin. I think of this as a stripped down version of Candy Yum Yum as it has the same magenta heart to it.

Bargain Murad Christmas kits and Facials!!!

If you ask me, the best thing about Christmas is: All the new Beauty and makeup sets!!! Suddenly, spending is utterly justified and everyone around you is jolly, the Christmas lights...ahhh. November is when it becomes ok to mention Christmas so here we go...

Murad is already one of my top fave brands, so it was very hard to select a kit. The kits include the Complete Renewal Christmas Kit, which is anti-ageing (£52 worth £107.45!); Shake-Up Your Makeup Christmas Kit (the Hybrids range - £36 worth £56); Hydration Sensation Christmas Kit (£73.50 worth £123.30); Radiance Rescue Christmas Kit (£58.50 worth £137.31 and contains the amazing Active Radiance Serum featuring Resilient-C Complex, 30ml. This really works to even out skin tone and radiance!) and finally the kit I went for, the Perfect Balance Christmas Kit. (£42.50 worth £89.70)

I almost chose a more moisturising anti-ageing kit - but the truth is that with Murad products, they are all inevitably anti-ageing due to the ingredients. The star product, T-Zone Pore Refining Gel, 60ml, retails for £50 alone and has single-handedly made my skin spectacular. At my facial (more on that to follow...), the lovely Marianna complemented my skin and I beamed with pride. Reviews on makeupalley praise the magic of this formulation and I would agree with the many who say that the promise of "smaller pores" never made sense until this product! It is almost like it 'dissolves' the skin and any blocked pores or enlarged pores just clear right up. Within a week my skin was looking markedly brighter and clearer. This contains the miracle Glycolic acid and also antioxidants and Salicylic Acid and zinc to kill off spots virtually on contact. The other
amazing product in the kit which is an instant Must Have for anyone who like me suffers from shiny skin, is the Oil-Control Mattifier. You get a small 10ml sample but it's been enough for me to use it several days consecutively and realise that now I just don't think I can cope without it! The full size is £37 but it should last a while. I just smoothed it over my T-Zone and it was a godsend. You also get a concealer - it's in shade Medium so it was slightly too dark for me - and although I tried it on spots to check if it did heal them, I didn't really fall for this product myself. The eye cream, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes, comes in a little screw top sample pot with 3.5ml and I finished it very quickly. I did really like this product but I don't know if it is as unique as the other items. At my facial in fact I was recommended the Essential-C Eye Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 which does seem more my thing.
  
OK now onto my indulgent Murad facial...

 

We know Murad is high end and seen in luxury spas, but a little known secret haunt where you can get discounted facials is The London Esthetique Student Spa and Salon in the London Barbican area. Marianna gave me a very relaxing facial called the 'Resurgence Renewal': "Restore the Luminous glow you used to know with our most indulgent facial. Luxurious and lasting hydration restores suppleness, texture and tone. After one treatment, you’ll instantly unveil a more youthful, luminous skin." I enjoyed the consultation and the expert recommendations. The facial lasted around an hour and a half and even included a shoulder massage! Very soothing after a long day. The prices are much lower than the typical rates as treatments are carried out by students - but if my experience is anything to go by, the students are incredibly professional and learned! Facials start from only £19 for an hour and 15mins! Great value. They also offer in salon waxing, hair appointments, laser hair removal, nails etc. Check out the price list here.

My skin was glowing - I hadn't seen it look so bright and smooth in a while. It was a sad fact that this weekend rather than showing off my rosey and luminous face, I had to go to a fancy dress party as a deathly pale zombie... I aim to continue with regular facials and Marianna's advice to "avoid stress" (would that it were so simple!) and of course the Murad belief that you should 'eat your water' (Dr Murad famously suggests that water is best absorbed via fruit and vegetables.) I definitely believe diet and exrcise and emotional well-being is key to looking younger, but with Murad facials and a few carefully selected key products, I feel hopeful that I will see my skin maintain the best condition it can. I would highly recommend a visit, if only for the chance to forget your woes and indulge yourself - the wonderful skin will be a bonus! My facial included a glycolic peel, a pineapple mask and a rich moisturiser. For possibly the first time, I travelled back on the tube make-up free - and didn't have a panic attack thinking I might be spotted bare faced by someone I know!!!

My current favourite makeup purchase! Estee Lauder Violet Underground palette

As soon as I saw these beautiful jewel tones I knew resistance was futile. The limited edition Violet Underground palette has been out a little while - indeed, it is currently sold out on the Estee Lauder website. However, plenty of counters near me still had the odd one left, but hurry if you need this in your life! (Clue: you do.) Thankfully my EL counter girl knows me well and agreed to unofficially hold it for me until the gift with purchase at Boots (currently on, until 20th) so it is finally mine.

From the blue lid to the punk 80s lightning bolt and name, to the cool tone perfect shades - this really is spectacular. Very wearable - even the pink is surprisingly demure! I think this will be perfect for the winter months. And, I appreciate the unique consistency of the 'cyber' texture. It really resists creasing, and has a depth of colour that flat shadow falls short of. These can be used wet, but I prefer them dry. Swatches I took did not capture the vivid multi dimension that it achieves on the eyelid - but in person, these are very special indeed. There are also 2 limited edition lipsticks but I have MAC Candy Yum Yum (incidentally, another current fave) and the Estee Lauder Violet Crush seemed somewhat similar but less unique, i.e less blue toned more pink but same idea. Anyway I will let the pictures do the talking...

 Only one swatch (dry) so I know it looks a little underwhelming... but on the eye this is all you need and it transforms. These can be built up to be very intense but I prefer to use them more subtle. Here is the pink alone, just a light wash looks so pretty:

£40, Available at Estee Lauder counters where stocks last! I can't wait to see the Christmas sets coming up, as Estee Lauder really know how to impress. I know that I will be using this palette a lot, and unlike most palettes there isn't even one dud shade!

Collections decided by popular demand! (but hurry)

I love this, power to the people wooooo (Etc.) Bobbie Brown recently concluded her 'Bobbi Brings Back' lipstick initiative. Consumers, bereft of their favourite shades - that were so mercilessly axed - suddenly have a surge of hope. Votes were collected, and the deed is done. The 6 formerly moribund shades are now to be revived with a flourish. But hark, these shades will be available "for a limited time". Plus ça change, eh? Similarly, MAC have unveiled possibly one of their most exciting collections (unless you are an ebay seller specialising in hiked up priced LE fodder...) 'MAC By Request'. Here's the press release:

This time you decide! First time ever M·A·C are producing a limited collection created for and by the M·A·C fans. A selection of eighteen most requested, cult classics and iconic shades, will be put up to vote on M·A·C’s Facebook page. Giving another chance for those fans out there to bring back and get their hands on the most wanted M·A·C shades!

The shades to vote on include:

LIPSTICKS

EDEN ROCKS

First seen: launched in May 2000 and then made permanent. Discontinued in February 2011.

CANDY YUM-YUM

First seen: launched in Quite Cute collection in April 2011 and was the fastest selling shade in a collection in 2011

MOXIE

First seen: launched in September 1999 in the Retro Matte Lipsticks collection and then was made permanent. Discontinued in March 2011

SHITAKI

First seen: launched in the Cuisine collection in March 2001 and was made permanent. It was discontinued in February 2011

ROCKER

First seen: launched in the Time Rocker collection in 1999

3N

First seen: launched in the N collection in January 2008, then Warm and the Cozy collection and lastly in the Post-Holiday collection in 2009

LIPGLASS

EMANCIPATION

First seen: launched in the Wonder Woman collection in February 2011

FLASH OF FLESH

First seen: launched in the D’Bohemia collection in May 2005

ICESCAPE

First seen: launched in the Love Lace collection in December 2009

BAIT

First seen: launched in the Lure collection in June 2006

CULT OF CHERRY

First seen: launched in the Cult of Cherry collection in September 2008

2N

First seen: launched in the N Collection in January 2008 and then the Warm and Cozy collection and the Post-Holiday collection in 2009

EYE SHADOW

MOTH BROWN

First seen: launched in the Madame B collection in March 2000

GUACAMOLE

First seen: launched in the Salsabelle collection in May 2005

SOLAR WHITE

First seen: launched in the Cool Heat collection in June 2008

COOL HEAT

First seen: launched in the Cool Heat collection in June 2008

JETÉ

First seen: launched in the Danse collection in January 2006

HEAVENLY BLISS

First seen: launched in the Eden Rocks collection in May 2001

The three shades with the highest number of votes from the Lipstick, Lipglass, Eye shadow categories will form the M·A·C by Request collection that will be made available in October 2012 exclusively online, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Voting commences on the March 12^th until March 30^th

...Check out this very excellent comparison post for swatches to help you decide! I adore Moth Brown and Solar White eyeshadows, and I am desperate to see what the fuss about the N series was about - and definitely want to have Dita Von Teese's favourite, Moxie, back in stock! The only downside is that, once again, it will be limited edition - and only available online. Oh well, it's a start!

I must hand it to Illamasqua (again) though. Not only do they so far eschew this abhorrent practice of discontinuing items and of making L.E a point of principle, they have also launched a very impressive section of their website called 'Socialise'. I have to say, I loved that Illamasqua had a humble 'blogspot' and I always enjoyed the posts. But I admit that now, as part of the official website, it does look simultaneously extremely professional and fun. The absolute best thing about Illamasqua is how they keep up with their customers and react to each and every demand. Their new live swatching is nothing short of a revelation! Such an obvious idea, taking its cue from 'live catwalks' as per ASOS, and applying it for makeup! And I see they are also keen for swatch donations - send in your swatch pictures and even further enrich the virtual experience. Human Fundamentalism is the new Illamasqua collection, and although I've not tried it yet, I love the manic mash up of imagery - a huge dose of 90s bungled in with tribal african elements, and an ombre hen just to spice it up. They even have an old lady - with wrinkles! Shocking stuff. Taking its cue from normal people really has become Illamasqua's calling card.

Check out the collection here. They have even brought back their statement mission to make blue lips 'stick' (so to speak) but I remain for the time being unconvinced as ever... despite Alex Box claiming this particular teal tricks the eyes... I will be seeing it for myself and will report back....! The eponymous Fundamental palette, with its unusual mix of colour and texture, definitely is on my hit list.

In conclusion, I think it is great that modern consumerism means companies have to bow to The Peoples' Will, and I think it is ambitious but overwhelmingly admirable, that Illamasqua have in their latest collection, attempted to distill what modern cosmopolitan hybrids mean today. The only drawback is that Illamasqua campaigns are often so ambitious and complicated that they risk looking messy and intimidating for the average sorry 9 to 5er. All in all though, the collections all look very exciting - and that's the bottom line.

...What do you think of this sudden surge of trying to capture our favourites and let the dog have its day?

I've added a poll up there

BCA Breast Cancer Awareness - Products and WEBSITE

Estee Lauder have JUST launched their new website, where you can light the whole world pink! Click here to see how it works... http://www.facebook.com/BCACampaign and “Shine A Light on Breast Cancer.”

As it is now BCA month (every October) it's that time of year when limited edition pink goodies come out. Never before has being greedy been so admirable. I have already shown you the Elizabeth Hurley 'Lavish Pink' lipstick ensemble, and mentioned the Evelyn Lauder counterpart. Now for the other treats...

Aveda Hand Relief™



DESCRIPTION: Incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry hands,
leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant-derived
emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids as well as antioxidants,
including vitamins A and E, help diminish signs of ageing and provide
optimal relief. For the month of October the limited edition Hand Relief
is specially packaged in a 150ml tube featuring a pink ribbon design.
SIZE: 150ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £17.50
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
Aveda will donate £2 with the purchase of every BCA
dedicated Hand Relief purchased during October in the UK
to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: This limited edition Aveda Hand Relief
is available in Aveda salons, spas and stockists and online
at www.aveda.co.uk from 1st October. While stocks last.


Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause


DESCRIPTION: In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Clinique
has created New Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector
50ml with a special edition miniature picture frame key chain adorned
with a heart-shaped ribbon charm.
SIZE: 50ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £52
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
From every purchase of this special edition Repairwear Laser Focus
Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector sold in the UK during October,
£4 will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: Selfridges. While stocks last.


Clinique Great Lips, Great Cause


DESCRIPTION: To help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, Clinique has created a limited-edition collectable key ring.
The Great Lips, Great Cause key ring features a heart-shaped ribbon
charm, Clinique “C” charm and three mini-Long Last Glosswear SPF 15
glosses in best selling Clearly Pink, Air Kiss and Cabana Crush.
It is the perfect opportunity to look good while doing good.
SIZE: 3 x 1ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £15
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
From every purchase of this limited edition
Great Lips, Great Cause key ring sold in the UK
during October, £2 will go to The Breast Cancer
Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: Clinique counters at Boots.
While stocks last.


DARPHIN Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum


DESCRIPTION: Following Pierre Darphin’s expertise, creator of the first
serums in 1958 in his Parisian Institute, Darphin has stayed true to its
legacy while developing new formulations processed through an approach
of a pharmacist and tested in the professional Parisian Institute. The Intral
Redness Relief Soothing Serum is Pierre Darphin’s original formulation
and is dedicated to sensitive skin prone to irritations. It has been designed
to help diminish the appearance of redness and quiet the appearance of
irritations as it softens skin.
SIZE: 30ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £46
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
£5 from each Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum purchased
in the UK during October will be donated to The Breast Cancer
Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: For stockists call 0870 034 2566

Donna karan cosmetics
Limited Edition Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Candle


DESCRIPTION: Like the luxurious
fabric that inspired it, Cashmere Mist
is a fragrance that evokes passion.
Women simply love it, seeking to
embrace their senses with it in every
way imaginable. Light up an evening
with the aromatic sensation of the
Cashmere Mist Candle that instantly
seduces any room. An elegant accent
to every decor, the lightly fragranced
candle comes in a classic cylindrically shaped
frosted glass, burning for
approximately 36 hours. To support
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®,
this limited edition of the Cashmere Mist
Candle will include a Pink Ribbon deco
on the carton.
HEIGHT: 5.08cm
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £29
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
Donna Karan Cosmetics will make a donation of £1
for each Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Candle purchased in the UK during
October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation*.
AVAILABLE AT: John Lewis Partnership stores and Harrods, Knightsbridge,
London. While stocks last.

ESTÉE LAUDER Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum
with Pink Keychain


DESCRIPTION: In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
a limited-edition pink keychain has been added to Perfectionist [CP+]
as a way to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
This powerful wrinkle-correcting serum dramatically reduces
the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots.
SIZE: 50ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £62
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
Estée Lauder will donate £10 with the purchase of each
Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum with Pink Keychain
in the UK during October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: All Estée Lauder counters. While stocks last.


ESTÉE LAUDER Ribbon Pin


DESCRIPTION: This twinkling pin is a simple, elegant way to show your support
of Breast Cancer Awareness. Covered in deep pink crystals with a jewellery pin
backing closure, the pin is packaged in a newly designed Pink Ribbon carton.
We know that breast cancer doesn’t just affect women.
That’s why this year, a blue stone has been added to our
pin to represent the approximately 1% of all people
who are diagnosed with this disease that are men,
and the countless men who are impacted through the
diagnosis of a loved one.
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £10
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
Estée Lauder will donate all of the recommended retail
price of all pins purchased in the UK during October,
less VAT, to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: Selected Estée Lauder counters. While stocks last.


JO MALONE Red Roses Body & Hand Wash


DESCRIPTION: Blended from seven different types of roses
from around the world, Red Roses is a clean voluptuous
scent with a heart of crushed violet leaves and a hint of lemon.
Enjoy it as it unfolds like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers.
SIZE: 250ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £30
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
Jo Malone will donate £5 with every purchase of
Red Roses Body and Hand Wash purchased in the
UK during October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: All Jo Malone UK boutiques and concessions,
jomalone.co.uk and Jo Malone Express Mail Order.
While stocks last.

ORIGINS Make A Difference™

Skin rejuvenating treatment
DESCRIPTION: Designed for all skin types, this uniquely
textured cream-gel moisturizer helps restore and rejuvenate
the appearance of damaged and dehydrated skin.
Make A Difference™ contains a clinically proven plant
complex including Rose of Jericho, Trehalose and
Padina Pavonica, which prepares your skin for maximum
repair and helps it rebound from dramatic dehydration.
Micrococcus Lysate, a resourceful, light-resistant oceanic
flora, helps repair an ageing appearance due to UV and
environmental exposure. Skin can resume a youthfully
smooth look and feel as hydration returns to its optimal level.
SIZE: 30ml
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £21
AMOUNT OF DONATION:
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
during October, Origins will donate £3 from every
UK purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.
AVAILABLE AT: All Origins counters. While stocks last.

Meet Elizabeth Hurley at London Selfridges tomorrow! Estee Lauder BCA

BCA, Breast Cancer Awareness, is now in full swing. October is the month to binge on makeup delights with a clean conscience. The ubiquitous pink ribbon was actually the brainchild of Eveyln Lauder, and is a cause that she fervently believes in. Elizabeth Hurley has been a spokesmodel for the brand for 16 years and particularly for the BCA initiative, even helping to break a Guiness World Record last year.

This year, tomorrow (29th September 2011) at 12pm you can meet Elizabeth Hurley and she will sign products.



I actually have her Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Pink Ribbon Collection and as always it's a great formula and such a very universal pretty pink.This version is Lavish Pink, it's a neutral pink with gold shimmer; Evelyn Lauder has her own deeper pink version, Wildly Pink. Priced at £18.50 for the lipstick and pink wallet, £5 goes directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.






Later tomorrow, at 8pm, Elizabeth Hurley will be lighting Selfridges up in pink.

This year's theme puts the focus on our power together to raise awareness. The crystal Pink Ribbon brooch also for the first time includes a solitary blue stone. This represents not only the existence of Breast Cancer in men, but also the power of the support of the family or spouse, who though unaffected by the disease, suffer - and deserve recognition. The brooch is £10 and all proceeds go directly to support the cause.



For those in Edinburgh, Elizabeth Hurley will be making a personal appearance at Jenners from 1-2pm on Tuesday (4th October) and then at 6pm she will light up the beautiful facade pink.

The Estee Lauder group have come out in strength to lavish us beauty lovers with treats celebrating pink and marking the success of BCA. Aveda, Clinique, Jo Malone, Donna Karan, Origins and of course Estee Lauder; all have special limited edition products out throughout October. More info to follow...

I thought I would end by adding in an interview I was sent, to showcase Evelyn Lauder's passion for this cause and explain the power Estee Lauder has already had.


Q&A WITH EVELYN H. LAUDER SENIOR CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT, THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC. FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION®

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS TO HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER?

In the 1980’s, I was initially inspired by a video produced by Look Good…Feel Better, an organization that helps women undergoing cancer treatments by improving their self-image and appearance through self-help beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage and community. At the time, AIDS was being widely recognized as an epidemic and much of the world’s attention was focused on this disease; however tens of thousands of women were dying from breast cancer and much less attention was being paid to this cause. I realized that there was a need to help women become better informed about breast health. Women of the world needed a voice and much more needed to be done to raise awareness. Look at us now! Since 1992, when I co-created the Pink Ribbon and millions of informational brochures with SELF Magazine, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign will have distributed close to 115 million Pink Ribbons and millions of informational brochures around the world, and thanks to the millions of dollars donated to research, early detection is saving lives and we are coming ever closer to finding a cure. The BCA Campaign is now present in more than 70 countries and its mission is to raise awareness about the importance of breast health and early detection, and to raise funds for research. By October 2011, close to $50 million in contributions to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® will have been raised by The Estée Lauder Companies’ brands and employees globally, and through fundraising initiatiatives with our wonderful retail partners. Knowledge is power and the purpose of The Estée Lauder Companies’ BCA Campaign is to reduce fear in the minds of women all over the world through increased awareness about the importance of breast health and early detection. The more a woman knows about her body, the more she knows about her health, the more proactive she is, the more in control she is, the less frightened she is. If you reduce fear, women are far better able to cope with any kind of diagnosis. They take control.

Today, each and every survivor inspires me to get out there and do more. Everywhere I travel, I meet people who are aware of breast cancer because of receiving a Pink Ribbon, or because of something someone at an Estée Lauder Companies’ brand counter said to them, or they saw an illumination and decided to get a mammogram. I am also inspired and energized when I meet our customers around the world and see firsthand what they are doing to save lives. The actions on the part of so many people inspire all of us to keep fighting. There’s an old saying I truly believe: “If you save the life of one person, you save the entire world.”

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS?

Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women excluding skin cancer. The good news is that the mortality rate continues to decline. This is believed to be the result of early detection and more effective treatments. We know that if a localized breast cancer is detected early, it is 98% curable. We need to make our voices heard around the world by reaching everyone with the message that early detection saves lives and by giving as much support as we can to do research. We must rid the world of this disease in our lifetime.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS YEAR’S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS THEME?

Last year, our focus was “Connect. Communicate. Conquer. Prevent Breast Cancer One Woman At A Time.” This year, we wanted to raise the bar by pulling TOGETHER as many people as possible to unite for this cause.
Imagine how loud our voices would be if we unite to spread the message of the importance of breast health and that early detection saves lives. We will make an even bigger impact, save more lives and raise even more funds to rid the world of breast cancer once and for all! This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is my hope that everyone can join Together in unison for this cause. If we all connect and communicate with everyone we know, and show support through wearing a Pink Ribbon, we can obtain a future free of breast cancer.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PINK AS THE SYMBOLIC COLOR FOR THE BCA CAMPAIGN AND THE PINK RIBBON?

When a baby is born, boys are associated with the color light blue and girls with the color light pink. Because pink is the color that represents femininity, it was a natural choice to represent awareness of breast cancer, which affects women so predominantly. Eventually, I turned the color of our Pink Ribbon to hot pink to symbolize my drive to turn up the heat on breast cancer and raise awareness with ferocity. Making the color so brilliant stressed how important it is to find a cure. This year, a blue stone has been added to our Estée Lauder Jeweled Pink Ribbon Pin to represent the men who have been affected by breast cancer. Approximately, 1% of all people who are diagnosed with this disease are men, and countless men are impacted through the diagnoses of a loved one. Sometimes I can hardly believe that we have distributed close to 115 million Pink Ribbons around the world. It’s amazing that we have come so far.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ADDITION OF THE BLUE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL TO THE JEWELED PINK RIBBON PIN THIS YEAR?

I added a beautiful blue Swarovski crystal to our jeweled Pink Ribbon pin this year because we don’t want to overlook the fact that men are directly impacted by this disease as well. The American Cancer Society reports that statistics of men being diagnosed with breast cancer are much lower – about 2,000 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and 390 died – however, we want to ensure that men have as strong of a support network as women. In addition, this disease does not just affect the people diagnosed with it, but it also impacts their friends, family and loved ones, including husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and many, many others.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL WOMEN WHO HAVE JUST DISCOVERED THEY HAVE CANCER
TO GIVE THEM HOPE AND COMFORT? WHAT ABOUT WOMEN WHO HAVE LOVED ONES SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE?

The good news is that more people are surviving every single year so, firstly, never give up. Go to a breast specialist or a teaching hospital if possible. Following the advice of your oncologist and surgeon is very important. Many of today’s treatments are more tolerable than in the past, and there are excellent targeted treatments which affect the tumor only (rather than the entire body) that have been, and continue to be, developed. Additionally, there are many effective drugs that now control the side effects of chemotherapy. Many women are living with the cancer as a chronic illness.

Don’t be afraid of breast cancer. Don’t be afraid to do breast self-examinations or to have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular doctor’s visit. Don’t be afraid to have regular mammograms if you’re over the age of 40. Don’t be afraid – or wait – to go to your doctor if you find a lump or suspect something.

WHAT IS MISSING FROM THE CURRENT CONVERSATION REGARDING BREAST CANCER, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO BRING THIS TO PEOPLE’S ATTENTION?

I believe awareness has become extremely popular. People are more conscious than ever of what they really need to do. What is truly missing is commitment to funding research, which is what will ultimately cure and prevent breast cancer. Budgets have been cut for the National Cancer Institute and all federally funded cancer research programs. In addition, pharmaceutical companies are facing budget pressures and many have cut back on their investment in cancer research. As a result, the private sector has had to step in to make up for the loss. It’s a fact that with additional research, new targeted treatments could be made available. Even prevention strategies, such as vaccines, could be made available that would enable us to prevent not only breast cancer, but many other types of cancer as well.

COULD YOU TELL US THE KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE OF THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION?

I founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) in 1993 to address a crucial lack of funding for clinical research in breast cancer at that time. BCRF very quickly embraced not only clinical research, but translational laboratory studies aimed at improving patient care. BCRF is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that in 2010-2011 is supporting 172 scientists at leading medical centers worldwide. BCRF grant dollars have provided crucial support for clinical studies that have directly benefited breast cancer care. For instance, the development of successful new breast cancer treatments such as Herceptin® and Avastin®, the finding that low-fat diet and regular exercise may help prevent breast cancer recurrence and also may delay the age of onset in individuals at high risk, and insights into the connection between genetics and external factors in breast cancer development were all made possible by BCRF-supported investigations.

BCRF grants have also resulted in important laboratory studies crucial to the eradication of breast cancer. These include the discovery of new genes that may protect against the development of breast cancer and others that conversely may increase risk, the finding of new pathways and drug targets, the identification of accurate markers for risk assessment and response to therapy, and knowledge of how breast cancer-initiating cells (cancer “stem cells”) develop and spread.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ BCA Campaign and BCRF are making a difference and saving lives in their separate ways. Knowing that what we are doing is making a difference is very inspiring to me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR WOMEN HOPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD LIKE YOU HAVE?

Follow your passions and follow your heart. Don’t be afraid to make tough decisions and never give up.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GLOBAL LANDMARK ILLUMINATIONS INITIATIVE THAT THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES DOES EACH YEAR?

We kicked off our Global Landmark Illuminations Initiative in 2000 to remind women across the world in a new and exciting way about the importance of breast health and to encourage women to get a mammogram every year if over the age of 40. It’s a dramatic call to action and a way for The BCA Campaign to raise awareness globally. We have illuminated more than 600 unique landmarks since 2000 and I’m thrilled to say that we established a new Guinness World Record “Most Landmarks Illuminated for a Cause in 24 Hours” in 2010. It has been very rewarding to see this program expand and to now light approximately 200 landmarks around the world in pink every October.


MORE INFO: http://www.bcrfcure.org/
http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/about/breast_cancer_awareness_pinkribbon.tmpl