Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks ($30 each) launched several months ago and I just got around to checking them out at my local counters. Swatches and looks kept surfacing showing beautifully pigmented rich colors. There is a diverse range of color options with this new lipstick formula. I’ve avoided Estee Lauder lipsticks for a long time due to the super strong fig scent which I could not tolerate. I’m happy to report the new Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks have no detectable scent and that they come in a sleek modern-looking navy and gold tube.
These are described as a high-intensity sculpting lipstick that comes in statement classic colors. I found the ones I tested to be very creamy and highly pigmented in color. They applied smoothly and the color did stay put quite long, however on my bare lips, the formula seemed to appear a bit thick and dry in texture emphasizing my lip lines (although right now I do have lips that are a bit more dry than they normally are). I added a bit of By Terry Baume de Rose underneath and this fixed all texture issues. Of course I picked out two natural shades. Insatiable Ivory is a peachy nude beige and Intense Nude is a medium rose brown with pinkish tones.
Swatches and close ups:
Insatiable Ivory pulls more peachy on my skin. It’s a good nude shade that doesn’t wash out the complexion. You get full coverage with two swipes:
Intense Nude isn’t really nude (at least not to me). Some call shades like MAC Twig or Spirit nudes, but to me they’re really rose colors with different variations of brown. I find Estee Lauder Intense Nude to be a more pinky rose brown rather than a true nude.
Some comparison swatches:
Armani Rouge Ecstasy 100 (swatches here)
NARS Dolce Vita Lipgloss (swatches)
I like these lipsticks but feel they are on the steep side for Estee Lauder. For some reason I feel these should be more in the mid $20ish range, but that’s just me. The quality is there but the colors, although classic statement colors, seem a bit basic for me. They do have a sculpting/defining quality which I attribute to the thicker (but smooth) texture. On me, I prefer something not quite as sculpting since I already have full lips, but I could see a difference with these as they made the lips more defined.
Bottom line, they are good basics and there are a lot of wearable colors. I like that the colors seemed to just work, no lipliner or gloss needed to tweak the colors, although it was a bit dry on its own for me. Since I haven’t tried much from Estee Lauder lately, I thought I’d try something new from the line. It’s like, but not love. I’ll still be reaching for my Burberry, Tom Ford, Edward Bess, YSL lipsticks.
I purchased my Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks ($30 each) from Nordstrom. There are currently 25 colors to choose from.
Did you try any of these lipsticks? What did you think?
Great picks Sabrina! And I love how we get to see your face more on the blog, very big like from me! I really like Intense Nude, I've been looking for a shade like that. It's not close to a nude like you said but it's a very flattering shade!
Thanks Teri!
You are beautiful!
Thank you Virginie, so sweet of you to say.
Sabrina: you have the best pictures for color swatches. I hope this does not sound strange, but you have beautiful features for swatches. I own Intense Nude and it is one of my favorites. I wish I could pull off Insatiable Ivory, but unfortunately the lighter shades in this line appear more dry on my lips as lighter shades tend to sometimes. I'm tempted to purchase Impulsive. Also, EL added a few more shades to this line for the Fall, so I'm holding off on blogging about it until I purchase a few more shades.
Ha ha…I've often thought that Sabrina has the most amazing lips for showing off any kind of lip product, but worried that saying so would make me sound like a weirdo!:) Sabrina, I love Intense Nude on you; it's a really lovely everyday kind of colour.
Hi Jess
I always thought the same thing. Sabrina could smear ketchup on her lips and it would look gorgeous 🙂 Seriously, though, Sabrina, with that Intense Nude on your lips and those dark glasses, you're the quintessential "Woman of mystery".
Meesha, Jess and Eileen, thank you so much for your kind words, everyone has been so so nice about this! I'm really floored and feel so fortunate to have kind souls like you read my blog 🙂
So glad to see more of the face behind all those reviews 🙂
Hi Sabrina,
I love how you've done your foundation for these photos! (And I can't help but ogle Tom Ford Nude Vanille— a girl can dream :-))
Thanks Dovey!! I adore Nude Vanille, it's definitely a splurge though.
You are such a beautiful lady!
Thank you 🙂
The insatiable ivory is gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!
Lots of love, xx
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http://marysreturn.blogspot.com.ar/
I have also avoided Estee Lauder for a very long time but I was so curious on these Pure Color Envy lippies that I bought one ("Dynamic"), and I found it so comfortable to wear a whole day that I bought 3 more colors. They are so smooth on the lips and do not dry out which is important to me as my working days tend to be very long. I have not found any other lipstick that is as comfortable when it comes to wearing many hours in daily life
Glad to know you've found a new love! I agree they are nice and smooth 🙂 I'll have to check out Dynamic, the name sounds lovely!
These look so pretty! Insatiable Nude is just my kind of color- I wish the texture was better. You look stunning!
Thank you! I think it may just be my lips that don't like the texture quite as much, I've seen swatches on others with less textured lips and it looks a lot smoother on them. If you can get to a counter you may want to try it.
I bought the lightest pinky nude color a few weeks ago. I love the creamy feel of the lipstick on my lips, but I have been disappointed with the "softness" in terms of wear and tear. The first tube was broken when I opened it. I exchanged it and the second tube broke upon the first application. Now they are out of the color so I have to wait until they get more in or exchange for a different color. Kind of disappointing but it sounds like maybe I am the only one having this problem.
Lipstick breakage is heartbreaking! I didn't have any issues with mine, but perhaps you got a few duds. Sometimes I put them in the fridge after getting them for a few minutes in case they got too warm outside while in transit.
It happened to me too! I purchased the Eccentric shade from their Fall collection and after the second use- it broke off from the base! The SA at my EL counter said that they had received a few complaints of this..
Insatiable Ivory is GORGEOUS on you.
Thank you Catherine!
I love these color envy shades! I have Envious (a red shade that I never thought I could carry off!) and the color pay off is amazing. It had such staying power and the moisture on the lip is great. I will have to check out some nude shades now too!
I just googled Envious and it looks like such a classic statement red color. It sounds amazing on you!
Love the photo where your eyes are visible! You're a beauty and that lipstick looks great on you.
Thank you – I'm really so flattered with how kind everyone is!
Hi Sabrina, these both look lovely on you! I have Insatiable Ivory – it is a great warm nude 🙂
I love Intense Nude on you–it really looks beautiful and similar to your swatch of Pink Adobe. Also without looking back, reminds me a bit of your recent swatch of NARS Dolce Vita:)
I knew I wanted to get one of these, but I've hesitated… I also felt the colors were a bit basic and not too interesting :/ I don't know, I think they're comin out with Fall shades so maybe I'll get one of those
http://www.lilting-grace.blogspot.com
I thought about these for a long time as well, but if none of the colors really speak to you, I'd say save your $$$ for something you really love. No need to buy something you don't think you'll love or reach for frequently. The counters sometimes have sampler packets, you might want to see if one near you has one to try.
I got the shade 120 desirable in this lipstick and I'm seriously obsessed with it. It's probably the best cream formula I've come across, it's too bad you don't like them quite as much! I do have to say the color range isn't the most extensive.
Amber | Lovely Notions
Oooh, Desireable is such a stunning pink! It looks so good on everyone I've seen it on and I was a bit sad it was too pale on me unfortunately, but I'm really happy with the Ivory color. I'm hoping they will release more color options 🙂
I just got one of these today in Envy and I have to say I'm really pleased with it. Love the color and texture of the product but even the packaging is quite nice and a step above other Lauder products I've purchased in the past.
I'll look forward to seeing what kind of fall colors might come out for these particular lipsticks.
I'm looking forward to fall/winter as well 🙂
I can see your face!! You're beautiful 🙂
So nice to see your beautiful face!!
Thanks for all you do…I love these lippies
Thank you Temi and Lizzybee 🙂
Thank you for this post, I was eyeing these up but couldn't decide on the shade! Since I'm in need for a lighter nude Ivory will be my choice 😉 xx
gyudynotesofbeauty.blogspot.com
Even when i only google the brand and shade alone in the engine, i can easily define which pictures are from ur blog. Even without capture or anything, your quality of photos are really distinctive among billions of search results! I simply said "oh this pic definitely from beautylookbook and i never fail in this:) great post,showing very honest opinions of you and of course, greatest swatches! Thanks for sharing.