I normally don’t wear red lipstick too often, but the Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Collection has me clamoring for bold red lips. While most of this year’s holiday collections feature icy shimmer and sparkle, Lauder has gone for a classic holiday look with reds and golds that make me think of old Hollywood glamour.
For Lips
I received some samples of the collection and just adore the limited-edition Signature Lipstick in Simply Red. It’s a true red in an impressively creamy, conditioning formula. Love the gem-like, angular design on the lipstick bullet.
The lipstick looks extra sultry topped with the limited-edition Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Cranberry, a sheer, shimmery red. The gloss also comes in Gold. But the gold is very sheer – not what I would expect in a holiday collection; I would’ve preferred the gold have more pigment and shimmer for a metallic finish.
For Eyes
For eyes, there are two limited-edition Signature Eyeshadow Quads: Gold Opulence and Lavish Plum. Both palettes work very nicely with the red lipstick. Most of the shades are subtly smoky and don’t have tons of shimmer so the focus can really stay on the lips.
They’ve also introduced a new black Gel Eyeliner (shown below), which totally holds it own compared to a Bobbi Brown Gel Liner, which I consider the crème de la crème of gel liners. This one glides on with ease and stays on like a champ.
For All Over Sparkle
To get really glamorous, try the limited-edition Opulent Shimmer Powder (shown above – isn’t that lattice design pretty?). This powder is so lovely. It really sparkles and shimmers and looks stunning by candlelight on the cheekbones, décolleté, and arms. If I decide to don a dress or skirt for the holidays, I’ll definitely dust some on my legs, too.
Do Tell
Do you do red for the holidays? What do you think of this collection? Do tell.
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Red lips are so bold, I’m still a little wary … but they look completely fabulous on so many women! I’m sure I just need to find “my” red.
Sally´s last blog ..Femininity and Athleticism
i love red lips, unfortunately my boyfriend hates them
but i’m not sure about the eye shadow…i don’t use any, because i’m not sure how to wear it
Corinna´s last blog ..Giveaway winner!
oh you got me!!!
massive glamourous red lips fan, esp. in winter,
haaha i just wrote a post about that the other week.
the whole color palette shown above looks amazing.
Liv Lundelius´s last blog ..golden macaroons
No, never. But I was hoping you’d review that adjustable red DuWop is selling.
I will say this, however: Estee Lauder is the queen of heavy color, year after year, decade after decade. Now, if cosmetic companies would only return to the the truly extravagant (and totally free) Christmas GWP, all would be right with the holiday world.
Thank you for this information! I love red lips, even if I can never pull them off myself…
xo Jenny
Jenny´s last blog ..216. “Sit under the sun, Abdicate, And be your own King” (as in: winter coats)
❤ Sally, I think you’d look totally fab with bold, red lips, especially with your chic, vintage pieces.
❤ Corinna, you might want to stop by a Bobbi Brown or Trish McEvoy counter to get a really pro lesson on the basic application techniques of eyeshadow. They have really talented makeup artists.
❤ Liv, it’s a really lovely collection and so different from most of the holiday stuff.
❤ Suzanna, I wasn’t aware of the duWop product. Will have to check that out. Thanks for the tip! I thought EL had some free GWPs for the holidays. If you sign up for their e-newsletter list, they will let you know when their GWPs are available.
❤ Jenny, you’re welcome! Maybe you just haven’t found the right shade yet.
Sonja´s last blog ..Love bold red lips? Check out the Ultimate Red holiday collection.
Love red lips-but they don’t love me. I’ve never been able to find a good red shade for my lips. In fact I’m a little jealous of those who wear it so well.
The only red beauty products I do are red polishes for my mani/pedi around Christmas time. Gets me in the holiday spirit!
XO Piper
DailyDivaDish´s last blog ..December Twisted Silver GIVEAWAY
I do red when I’m wearing something red. I may not have a bold personality to carry it off all the time.
Sher´s last blog ..It’s Not Pretty getting Pretty
Red is my all the time lip color. It has taken me years to find shades of red that work well on me and all three of them are Loreal. I can be wearing my messy paint colored clothes but with red lipstick on, I feel like I look like a million bucks and I feel super confident.
Love the red lips and the plum eye shadow, in fact love it all but I would hoard make up even though I don’ wear much. I love the cases the pretty colours!
Make Do Style´s last blog ..Get ready for Spring
The red shade in the top photo is PERFECT! I love red lipstick/Chanel is my favorite and I bust it out for special occasions or just when I need a fashion pick-me-up. On more casual days, I prefer a coral-red. This collection looks wonderful! I agree about the Bobbi Brown gel liner — really fabulous stuff!
xoxo
Tara
❤ DailyDishDiva/Piper, I think a lot of it has to do with the undertones in your skin (pink vs. yellow) and that determines whether you’re better with a blue-red or an orange-red. I should do more research on that. But I’m pretty sure a blue-red works better with someone with yellow undertones and an orange-red for pink undertones; and a shade that’s a true red should be universally flattering. Regardless, I love that you do red nails. Those are definitely fun, too!
❤ Sher, your red with red must look gorgeous!
❤ Amy, very good point. I feel so much more confident with a burst of bold color or even simply spending some extra time with my makeup – such a mood lifter, too!
❤ Make Do Style, red lips and plum shadows is such a pretty combo! And yes, I love the super pretty cases, too!
❤ Tara, isn’t it gorgeous! And oh yes, Chanel definitely has red down pat!
Sonja´s last blog ..Love bold red lips? Check out the Ultimate Red holiday collection.
I love red lips, although I always end up fussing with it too much because I’m afraid of it looking smeary. I only bring out the red lips for special occasions, and when I do I use the classic Chanel red, which I love.
I’m intrigued with the shimmer powder — I often think the holiday sparkle products are a bit much, but this looks like it might be subtle enough to wear all winter. Might have to give this one a try!
Audi´s last blog ..Enthralled
It is difficult to find the perfect read shade… I bough what I thought was red lipstick a few weeks ago but it turned out to be more like raspberry…
Red lips look amazing though, so it is worth trying.
Alice´s last blog ..Accessories With a Story
❤ Audi, I know what you mean. I tend to only break it out for special occasions, too. The shimmer powder actually has a lot more sparkle than I expected. But it’s definitely more grown up and elegant than a lot of sparkly stuff.
❤ Alice, very true. I always recommend trying on makeup at the store and making sure to go over by the doors to see the makeup in natural light. It’s so hard to tell what the shade really looks like under those awful store lights.
I wear red lipstick year round, not just for the holidays, so I’m always on the search for a new shade. I really want to try this one featured, pretty tube too!
BobbinsAndBombshells´s last blog ..Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode
such a pretty collection, I luv red lips & have been hunting for THE RED to complement my tone for the longest time with no success yet as most have blue undertones and do nothing for my tan complexion, the closest I’ve been is a wanna be red lipstick wich ok but not perfect…won’t give up though as the right shade of red can be really flattering even if just used sparingly for special occasions…btw those lipstick cases look sumptuous
M´s last blog ..DIY Fendi
I always want to go the red lip route, but I’m never really sure what to buy. I also don’t want to drop a lot on the lipstick because it would just be for special occasions. What a conundrum!
Fashion X K8.blogspot.com
K8´s last blog ..Links a La Mode
I love red lips all year long. I’m still searching for my perfect red. But, these sure look gorgeous. Love the packaging.
Happy Holidays to all,
Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal
Christina Gough´s last blog ..Choices…Choices! Weekend Read Top 20 Fashion Blogs Via Links a’ la Mode
❤ BobbinsAndBombshells, it’s a great shade and the tube is a pretty bonus!
❤ M, good luck finding the right shade!