October 28, 2009

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red: Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder Review, Photos, and Swatches

Another year and a new powder pops up from Estee Lauder.� The Muse comes to expect beautiful powders from our friends at Estee Lauder and they never fail.� It’s quite like clockwork really.� New season, new powder.

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 1

As for this Muse she looks forward to the Holidays as that’s the best time of the year for a gorgeous, shimmering gold compact from Estee Lauder.

Jump ahead to read the review on the new Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder.

The Muse admits she has way too many pretty powders that grace her collection but won’t complain about adding another as one can never have too many shimmering powders right? That’s one of the key points of being a girl. Girl=collect pretty powders.

Last year’s Estee Lauder Shimmering Jewel Powder remains my favorite but this year’s captures my heart as well. For those who missed out on last year’s you’ll be happy to grab yourself this new version as it has very few differences aside from the design and perhaps it’s a bit darker in color.

Housed in a large golden signature Estee Lauder compact this is an elegant piece although the compact itself isn’t heavy and a bit on the flimsy side, but regardless beautiful none the less. I will say I do hate products with an over spray of shimmer and this is guilty. It has a fine layer of pretty golden shimmer that quickly gets whisked away after one to two uses. This is good news for those who abhor shimmer but bad news for those who purchase the palette because of that over spray not realizing it quickly disappears.

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 4

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 5

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 7

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 8

Now what’s under the over spray is equally nice but I’m always left feeling like that over spray was complete false advertising. Anyone feel like that? Regardless, what’s under is equally as pretty. First few uses you’ll notice a brilliant shimmer of gold you can sweep into face, eyes, body, etc…after that you’re left with a more frosty golden white highlight. Just as pretty but it’s somehow lost it’s original appeal…hey the Muse loves herself some shimmer.

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 10

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder 2

You can use the powder virtually anywhere as it multitasks as a highlighter, an eyeshadow if you like, an all over face powder, or brush it on shoulders and chest. The dept of the gold this year is a bit deeper as last year was more of a true golden shade where as this year you’ll see more of a rusty almost dirty edge to the color. If you have the prior you could probably skip but I suggest heading in store and swatching regardless as it’s the small differences between the two that may interest you.

Overall, I’m a huge fan of powders in general, especially pretty ones, and this happens to be one of the better priced ones at $32 for it’s larger size. If you’re looking for an extra special gift for someone this would be a beautiful item to purchase or go on now you know you want it for yourself, it’s ok to admit these things.

Disclosure: The following item was provided to Musings of a Muse by a PR firm for review purposes. For further information please see my FTC Guidelines or my Disclosure/Disclaimer posts.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • robyn

    i think its kinda false advertising if the say it has shimmer but its just overspray otherwise i guess not my i dont think its that pretty without the shimmer

    im a shimmer lover to 🙂

  • Karrie

    I agree that the over spray is false advertising.
    If I buy something with shimmer, I expect it to be infused into the whole product.

    Other than that, this product doesn’t seem too interesting, but it is a very pretty looking compact once opened.

    • the Muse

      hey karrie! LOL I hear you! And I don’t disagree as I love me some shimmer 😀 It’s quite nice regardless as you do get a nice frosty golden shade under all the shimmer!

  • shontay

    This looks gorgeous. I was waiting for a review from you. I think I’ll be picking this up. I’m so glad the powder is so gorgeous even after you get beyond the over spray.

    • the Muse

      hi shontay!

      It’s very very pretty 😀 It really is nice even after the over spray is gone it still manages to be quite nice. Plus you can multitask crazily with it even as a shadow if you like!

  • Petra

    Hi Muse!

    I totally agree with you on the false advertising part.
    But I do have to admit that for exc. with MAC’s naked honey powders, i was so much more happy about the actual product, than the shimmery overspray it had.
    But yes, if i was expecting the entire product to be like the overspray, there would’ve been tears. (For exc. i could not care for the Dame Edna powders at all- total fail, if you ask me 🙂 ) Either you put out a true product that can fend for itself, or just don’t sell it to people by tricking them.

    • the Muse

      hi petra

      right? I always sob when it’s gone hahaha! I agree the honey powders def had a beautiful base under that over spray 😀 Mmmm you know what I must say the Dame Edna powders really made me cry haha. I think the best bet is that when you do get to a counter you can see the well used, played with one and realize quickly it isn’t as beautiful underneath as the over spray implies!

      Japanese products are LEGENDARY for doing over sprays!

  • Pooja

    I just bought this yesterday& I agree with you about the overspray but I still love it,have you tried LANCOME illuminating smooth powder goldenscent glow in 01 MAGNIFIQUE ORIDESCENCE?It is similar to Estee Lauder but it is a proper golden color & yes it has an overspray too,which quickly disappears

    • the Muse

      hi pooja! Haven’t tried the Lancome one yet but it’s on my wishy list 😀 I love it too even though the over spray is gone 😀

  • jonnie

    I have mine from last year yet… Count me among the disappointed that the shimmery spray went away. I still use it occasionally if I want a bit of a highlight but if I’m going somewhere where I want to be shimmery, then subtle is not what I want! 😀 I don’t get the opportunity to be shimmery all too often, so I don’t want to waste it on subtle. 😛

    Oh yeah, and just to throw it out there… I had coffee in a Domo-kun cup yesterday! 😀

    • the Muse

      hi jonnie!

      here, here I still have mine too! I was too but I thought last year’s had more of a shimmer than this year’s which went frosty. You can use it as a shadow too!!!!!! 😀

      w000000000000t DOMO!!!!!!!!! I hope you thought of me as you sipped?

      🙂