Friday, February 8, 2013

AERIN Lauder Floral Illuminating Powder from the Spring 2013 Color Collection

When I purchased the AERIN Multi Color beauty online, I also purchased the Floral Illuminating Powder ($55, shown above) from the Spring 2013 Garden Color Collection. I am a pushover for a pretty compact. This one has touches of gold (that are gone with the first use) and offers a pretty rose pink color for the cheeks.

Like the bright, fresh possibility of an idyllic spring morning, the Floral Illuminating Powder features six soft pastels that swirl into one illuminating shade to brighten any complexion. The luxuriously silky blush dusts the face with subtle radiance. Plus, AERIN's signature rose scent adds a finishing touch of understated elegance.

The compact is as pretty - if not prettier - than it looks online. Like the Multi Color for Lips and Cheeks, it is presented in a pretty pink pouch inside its pink box. The description calls it an illuminating powder and a blush. I would definitely call it a blush.

I took swatch photos in full, morning sun, just as it was about to cloud over. I had to hurry. I applied the powder heavily at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator, taking care to roll it over all of the shades in the compact. The larger swatch below was applied with a kabuki brush.

As you can see, the blended color is a very pretty rosy pink. It will work for many skin tones. Except for a few sparse sparkles though, there is nothing about it that I found illuminating. Look carefully at my arm above and below the top swatch, and you will see that my skin is more luminous than the blush. Aside from a few micro-sparkles, there is little about this powder that's illuminating (in today's sense of the term).

The Floral Illuminating Powder has a satin finish - at best. It carries a very pretty, light rose scent that dissipates quickly. I like it - as a blush. As an illuminator, I think it falls short. Plus, it's nowhere near as exciting as the smashing Freesia I featured yesterday. What do you think? Try, buy, or pass?

You can purchase items from AERIN's Spring 2013 Color Collection at the Estée Lauder Web site and at Estée Lauder counters (and online) at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and at AERIN.com.

Photo at top courtesy of AERIN; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree. The Freesia is LOVELY. This one is so so. BTW well does the Freesia last on lips?

Thanks for posting.

Virginie said...

I will get Freesia for sure!!

Lisa said...

Pass. Not impressed at all. Excellent review. Very Pretty to look at though!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Anonymous,

Freesia lasts as long as most lip glosses.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Virginie,

Got it. Good decision.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Lisa,

Pretty, but it won't set the world on fire. :)

angusmum1 said...

Really it has four shades, not six am I correct? the gold and green are just washes? Looks beautiful for sure but not overly unique in its utility. Good review, I have to say I was surprised at the versatility of the other colour palettes you featured the other day, I wouldnt have known

grlnxdor said...

I actually really like this. I also like thiat I'll be able to find it at my local Estee Lauder counter. So much snow around here lately that I can't even think of venturing the 60 miles for a Macy's store.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi angusmum1,

I agree with you. EL says six. That's until you use it. :)

I am much more impressed with Freesia, event though this is a very pretty blush.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi grlnxdor,

That's a great reason. It's beautiful here today, but the wind is horrible. Just very glad I'm not in Boston!

Mandy said...

Wow, the compact is beautiful. I'm a huge sucker for good packaging. That said, I do wish it had more of an highlighting effect. I need a good cheekbone highlighter

Charlestongirl said...

Mandy, look at AERIN's pretty "Multi Color For Lips and Cheeks." Just scroll down on my site or to to AERIN.com.

Zahrah said...

DO you have any more information about Neiman Marcus beauty week?