The right thing to do… No — the only thing to do when you’re trying to channel Victoria Beckham’s makeup on any given day is to not smile when you take your pics, because when does V.B. ever smile when she’s posing for a shoot?
Posh! The last time was, like, never. She’s always serving so much face at the camera. She looks like she’s about to kick your @ss, but at the same time she’d do it in 5-inch heels wearing Versace.
The girl, she works it.
If the Victoria Beckham X Estée Lauder collection looks expensive, that’s because it is. The products (and prices) are easily Tom Ford comparable.
I hope you’re sitting down for this…but there’s a $95 eye palette.
(!)
I used it and a few other pieces from the collection for this look, which was my attempt to channel Victoria Beckham today, even though I know that I don’t look anything like her.
Unlike her, I don’t have cheekbones for days, but I tried to do some V.B.-inspired stuff. Like, her lids usually look a little glossy and smoky, and she has that signature black liner look, but what really distinguishes her makeup for me is that it always looks a little imperfect…but in the most perfect way. It’s a little messy, always a little undone, but always on purpose.
So, yeah, the Eye Palette? Epic. Granted, you can find jewel tones in other lines, but these are perfect.
When I did this look, I did my eyes first thinking that I’d have to clean up and do a lot of layering, because I thought, Estée Lauder, so I didn’t expect a lot of pigment, but that first layer of bronze… So. Much. Pigment.
I started with the reddish bronze and the medium brown, and both smoked out beautifully. I barely had to move my brush across my lids. But then I reminded myself, “This is $95. Don’t fall in love.”
So, so good, and all of the shadows are like that — pigmented, and they blend perfectly.
Victoria Beckham X Estée Lauder
Limited edition 12-piece collection
Available now at select Estée Lauder counters and net-a-porter.com
#VBxEsteeLauder
- Eye Palette ($95)
- Java Sun Bronzer ($65)
- Moroccan Heat Lip Gloss ($36)
- Brazilian Nude Lipstick ($45)
I used the bronze all over my lid, then buffed out the lighter brown in the crease. Then I took the darker grey, which has faint purple undertones, and put that on my upper lash line before smudging the dark emerald green in the outer corners of my lower lash lines for a little extra something-something.
I’ve also tried the bronzer, gloss and lipstick from the collection, all of which I think are fantastic, but I feel like you can find comparable (and less pricey) pieces in other lines. Like the bronzer? — you know you can find something similar over at Bobbi. And the nude gloss, while gorgeous, is like MAC C-Thru.
Sure, if you’re a V.B. super-fan, by all means, make it rain! — but if you need to narrow it down to one specific thing, I recommend the eye palette. You can’t go wrong.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I’m taking your picture in this post with me when I get my hair cut next week, I love your style!
Aww, I’m so flattered, Jaclyn! Isn’t going to the salon the best? I love having me time there. Do you always go to the same hair stylist?
Yeah, I need that eyeshadow palette. Even if I have to sell an organ to buy it.
LOL! Now that’s makeup dedication?
I indulged in the eye palette, and I have no regrets spending all my money on it, lol! It’s just so GOOD. I hesitated for a long time, thinking I could buy the Lorac Mega Pro 3 plus maybe their blush palette too for basically the same price… But you know what, I don’t need 50 more decent neutral eyeshadows or blushes, but I could do with a luxurious eye palette with a mind-blowing formula. I’m so glad I got it!
Everything VB is seriously overpriced. Her clothes are priced alongside YSL, Christian Dior, Chanel and Bottega Venetia but without the heritage. The quality is ok but nothing special. I am dumbfounded that anyone would pay what is asked and the level of stock left at the end of each season suggests that not many people do pay full price. The cosmetics look nice but again, overpriced. On a separate note, I didn’t realise EL was often poorly pigmented.
God, the packaging is gorgeous, and that’s hella pigment for Lauder. Not my colors, though, and I don’t particularly care about Victoria Beckham.
I’m a few dollars away from 2,000 points at Ulta, and I’m visiting a friend who is a really talented makeup artist this weekend for some pro tips. I need to purge some of my collection that I know I’ll never wear (plus I found some stinkbugs in my vanity, bastards!) But I’ll be ready to treat myself soon after getting lined out on how to do fancier eye looks.
thanks for the review karen! We have a similar skintone so while the bronzer is a lovely subtle shade, at the end of the day it’s still a bronzer (regardless of how nice the packaging may be). I’ll be checking for something comparable at bobbi brown 🙂
I’ve been lusting after the palette since I saw the previews, but I’ve managed to resist it so far. It’s taking A LOT of willpower – which I normally don’t have, but it’s really too expensive for me at the moment.
That palette is everything! Although the new Estee Edit palette (that comes with a highlighter palette too) has pretty similar shades.
Love your whole look, very sexy and sultry!
I have the eye pencil – and I have to say, it lasts on my waterline ALL DAY! I’ve been trying to order a backup, but it was sold out everywhere. But today…it’s back in stock at Net-a-Porter, so it’s on its way!
I’ve been waffling back and forth about the nude lipstick…it’s so pretty, but I don’t do well with nudes, so I’m glad it’s sold out!
You look kick@ss for sure, even if you have a half-smile. I am a big VB fan, but I am not at all tempted by the products, to be honest.
I’m really tempted by the eyeshadow palette. I especially love the blue and the green and don’t have super-close dupes for either one. And I could wear all the shades. But $95???
It sold out while sitting in my Nordstrom shopping cart, so I took that as a sign… but now I see it’s still in-stock at Net-a-Porter…
You know what the best thing about your pic is? You’re just too happy a person to ever replicate the VB scowl. HAHA! I feel like your last couple of EL reviews have mentioned more pigment and edgier colors. Maybe it’s their new thing? 🙂
PS Happy Friday – I hope you all have a terrific weekend!
PPS TWD this Sunday. Are you watching? I kind of don’t want to. I think I know who got the bat (and am devastated) but it’ll be awful no matter who it turns out to be. 🙁
Smokin’ hot! You look gorgeous in these photos. Even though I don’t see myself ever wearing blue, green or dark eye shadow the three other colors in that palette are calling out to me.
I keep coming back to this post to look at your eye look and the color swatches. The more I keep coming back, the more I feel like I need to get this. I’m trying to justify it as a BD present to myself, never mind that I already bought myself an Hermès scarf.
Those eyeshadows look amazing on you!
I adoooooooooooooore this collection! I posted a get ready with me video using the products not too long ago. I just think the eyeshadow palette is SO nice! I love that she decided to put blue and green in there!
It all looks so good!