Estee Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee Shimmering Sands Review and Swatches

Estee Lauder once again has a lovely summer collection and there were two things in particular that really interested me when I saw the promo pictures, the 5 colour Gelee Powder eyeshadow palette (review to come soon) and the Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands.

This is the third Illuminating Powder Gelee hybrid that Estee Lauder has come out with in a short space of time. The formula is very similar to Mac's Extra Dimension Skinfinishes, very smooth and creamy with high frosty shine (although less frosty than the Mac skinfinishes). Colourwise this shade is different from all 3 Mac skinfinishes, it's darker and redder than Superb, but lighter and less orange than Glorify. I think this shade will look good on darker skintones or on me once I have a tan (which is not looking too likely judging by how the weather's been lately), but it is possibly to pull it off when you're pale if you use a very light hand (apply with a brush rather than the sponge applicator) and I think it works pretty well as a contour shade too.

The powder costs £28 and you get 4.5 g which actually seems very little (half of the Mac skinfinishes), but the compact is the same as the regular Estee Lauder blush compact so I think the powder gelee formula must be lighter than a regular powder. I don't think I will run out of this anytime soon ever as you only need a tiny bit, so the actual amount of product doesn't bother me too much. This is a limited edition product and these gelee powders sell out very quickly, so get yours while you can. Available at Debenhams, House of Fraser, Boots and other retailers with Estee Lauder counters and online from all of the above plus the Estee Lauder website.

See more pictures after the jump!

Taken with flash

Taken without flash in natural daylight

Taken without flash in direct sunlight