Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes Collection for Summer 2015 is all about capturing the heat and light of the season with colour, texture and scent. For me, Bronze Goddess perfume will always represent the scent of Summer and arrival of sunshine; here’s hoping that happens sometime soon. (I’m such a fan that its image represents the fragrance category below my blog header… you can read the ode to my original bottle here.)
Bronze Goddess All Over Illuminator is my top pick from the Summer 2015 line up. It looks like a cream blush - and can be worn as one - or sheered out on high points as a peachy highlight. As I’m quite pale, I like it best as a blush or a blush-highlight hybrid. Worn high on the cheekbones, it adds a subtle flush of colour and lovely sheen, either on its own over foundation or paired with bronzer. Cream products like this tend to mesh with the skin better than powders in warm weather… I’m looking forward to putting this to the test!
Bronze Goddess Shimmering Body Oil Spray is a light silky oil that sinks into skin quickly leaving a more subtle shimmer than I expected. The golden particles are very fine and quite sparse, only obvious when they catch the light… a good thing in my book - no disco ball here. I think it will look particularly lovely on tanned legs. It doesn’t leave an oily film on my skin and smells like a slightly softer version of the matching perfume… coconut and vanilla with amber, citrus and jasmine - it really does smell like warm, beachy skin. I’m impressed with the lasting power too and can still smell it on my skin 4-5 hours after application. If you’re up for a bit of shimmer, it’s a great way to enjoy the scent for £20 less than the perfume (though it’s a smaller bottle).
Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof mascara is not a new release, but has been included in this collection as a Summer must-have. I’m slowly starting to embrace waterproof mascara and think I’ll love it a lot more once I find a good remover. Check out that big fat brush for volume building too.
I snuck in one of the new Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Lipsticks as the Suggestive shade tones in so perfectly with the All Over Illuminator. Mid way between peach and a pinky coral, this is such a flattering shade that I think would suit most - and feels moisturising and comfortable on the lips. One layer gives a slightly sheer finish, though it can be quickly built up to opacity and hydrates with a shiny finish; the kind of finish that looks gorgeous but isn’t the longest lasting, which gives me more opportunities to ooh and ahh at the satisfying magnetic closure. Be careful when you first use these lipsticks as the tip peeks out a fraction over the edge of the gold casing - and you don’t want to nick it at first use. Oh yes I did. This won’t be an issue when you’ve used it a few times, which is a good thing, as this is the kind of formula and colour that I could happily wear every single day.
These swatches show 3 layers of All Over Illuminator (left) and Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Lipstick in Suggestive. To the left of these swatches you can make out a few sparkly specks from the Shimmer Body Oil. This pic was taken a few minutes after application and you can see how non-oily it is, just moisturising and skin softening.
If this last pic looks upside down, that’s because it is. I took it at the press launch and included it here just to show you the prettiness. This is Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, with 5 nude shimmer shades to suit all skin tones and 3 metallics that can be applied wet for a more intense finish. There’s no reason why you couldn’t use the bronze shades on your cheeks too. The metallics are gold, khaki and dark brown - and what you can’t see here is the gorgeous tortoise shell casing. This would be perfect for taking on holidays.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes Summer 2015 Collection launches in June, though you can get in early exclusively at House of Fraser. See the full line up here.
{PS most of it is limited edition and has a tendency to sell out quickly… I’ve been burnt before, so don’t hang about if you see anything you fancy. Do you?!}
