Estée Lauder Pure Color Vivid Shine Collection for Fall 2012

With Tom Pecheux at the helm of the brand’s makeup development, colours abound at Estée Lauder.

I created this collection so every woman could play with color that is vibrant and alive.

– Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estée Lauder

The Pure Color Vivid Shine collection exemplifies this with its spectrum of hues both in the lipstick and eyeshadow ranges. Below are swatches of the press pieces I received some time back, as well as my thoughts on them.

Left to right: Fireball, Pink Riot, Violet Electra, Lamé Luminizer

Here are Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipsticks in Fireball, Pink Riot, Violet Electra and Lamé Lipstick Luminizer.

To be honest, I find it hard to reconcile these dramatic names with the somewhat staid gold packaging of the lipsticks. I’d love to see the gold replaced with gunmetal or steel but I suppose that would belie the Estée Lauder luxe touch.

 The colours do look exceptionally striking against the gold packaging. ;)

True Vision™ Technology envelopes lips with decadent color, and a sheer, lustrous shine, while Amplified Dimensional Pearl Technology is a unique diamond-like pearl cluster consisting of up to eight different shaped and colored pearls. These pearls fuse together to reflect a multi-hued, multi-faceted spectrum of color for an amplified, sparkling finish on lips…

A high performance wax complex forms a matrix that entraps emollients and pigments in place on lips for lasting coverage and stay-true color in each and every shade.

– Estée Lauder

The lip colours swatch evenly and build up nicely. The strength of colour isn’t evident at first swatch – this should assure those who would like a brightening hue but not something too stark at first application. The colours do layer well to impart opacity, and the shine – courtesy of the fine multi-dimensional sparkles – is apparent from the start. I also like their moisturising feel. Do note that like all EL lippies, they carry a fig scent. This particular batch smells somewhat strong (it could be because it’s a sample batch; I don’t recall the regular lipsticks being so) and reminds me of Play-Doh (!). The fragrance dissipates over time, thankfully.

Part of a range of lipstick transformers that includes 3 other colours (Gunmental, Pearlescent, Foil), Lamé is a hue that warms up other lippy shades.

According to the brand:

  • Gunmetal turns color deep, dark, dramatic.
  • Pearlescent lightens color with a pearly glow.
  • Foil adds a cool silvery finish.
  • Lamé adds warmth with a golden finish.

Special mention must be made of Gunmetal Lipstick Luminizer.

Infused with shimmer (gold dominating), this pewter lip transformer turns clear pinks, reds, purples into berries, mauves and mysterious smokes. I love this lipstick and pair it often with clean shades to turn them into dirty, smouldering hues. ♥

The shadows are in the Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow formula but come in two different finishes – the Vivid Shine Finish and Cyber Metallic Finish, some of which are limited edition. Both promise rich, saturated colour but the latter has a slightly frostier finish.

Top row: Cyber Gold, Electric Orchid, Fire Sapphire
Bottom row: Lights Out, Pop Pistachio

This colourful quintet comprises Cyber Gold, Electric Orchid, Fire Sapphire, Lights Out and Pop Pistachio.

The distinctive quilted pans set them apart from the regular EL shadows.

 True Vision™ Technology – a crystalline (polymer) laminate that magnifies and amplifies color with a glowing metallic finish envelopes lids with high-intensity pigments in one velvety smooth application and a “tribrid” system of liquid, powder and gel all-in-one, creates exceptional, non-creasing, non-fading color and long-lasting wear that won’t fade.

The formula also reaches new heights and dimensions with a bouncy malleable texture, for high-definition color impact that can go from matte to the highest chromatic shine. Accompanied by a specially designed sponge-mitt applicator, these versatile shadows can be worn dry for a sophisticated look, or wet for a bold, full color finish…

– Estée Lauder

I had a mixed reaction to the eyeshadows: A couple didn’t seem as even and pigmented as the first batch of Gelée Powder eyeshadows – they were almost skippy on the skin at first swatch – but layering resolves this. The ones that hit the description mark are velvety-intense; a treat to swatch and wear. The gold and green are particularly dense and smooth.

As a whole, these shadows are striking and offer a luminous effect that’s rather winning.

In Singapore, the Pure Color Vivid Shine lipsticks are S$38, while the shadows are S$40. The collection also includes nail lacquers that are S$26.

They are available at all Estée Lauder counters except for limited edition shades which are only available at Tangs Orchard, Takashimaya and Isetan Scotts. The Estée Lauder space at the revamped Tangs Orchard beauty hall should be ready this week, so do pop by to take a look!

Image source: Estée Lauder

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