Hot Right Now: The Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder Collection

When I first read about Victoria Beckham's collaboration with Estée Lauder, I didn't dare hope that it would come to the Philippines. I hear it actually wasn't supposed to but the girls of Estée Lauder PH found a way! This ultra exclusive line is dropping only in SM Aura, as of today, and there are only a couple hundred pieces available. If you're a fan of Victoria Beckham and Estée Lauder - or just beautiful, good makeup - then this is a collection you shouldn't miss!

The Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder collab is all about sweaty-sexy skin, fiercely lined eyes, and nude lips. It's meant to be worn smudgy with the confidence to be imperfect. Just like Victoria Beckham, it's sexy, cool with a bit of rawness and edge. I will list down a description of all the products available in the bottom. In the meantime, here's my review + swatches of the two products I have with me!

Let's begin with the obvious star of the show. The Highlighter in Modern Mercury is part of an older, limited edition collection some years back. However, Victoria loved it so much that she just had to include it in her maiden project with Estée Lauder! It's a gorgeous, finely milled highlighter with a peachy, bronze tint. Actually, if you're fair, you can get away with using it as a bronzer! If you're medium to dark-toned, it works pretty well as a sheer peachy blush or as a lid wash.

The pigmentation of this powder is intense. One swipe is literally all you need to get it to flash some pretty light. It has an odd texture, though, in a totally good way. It feels like powder when you touch it but adheres like a cream. I did a little bit of research on Modern Mercury and it was apparently originally called a "Powder Gelee"! It's supposed to be a triblend product which combines powder, liquid, and gel. Cool no? 

As I said, it sticks like a cream product. The pigments and shimmer doesn't fade or smear so when you apply it on your skin, it pretty much sets there. It makes for great eyeshadow, actually, and wears very well as a blush or bronzer.

Do note that Modern Mercury's color is not quite your typical highlighter. It gives color to the face due to its peach-bronze hue, so if you are fair to medium-toned and are looking to highlight the traditional way, then this might be too tinted to be used as such. It's a beautiful product though, and I do love that it can be used several ways to enhance the skin! It's worth the purchase if you love to collect shiny, pretty, limited edition things. 

The Lipstick in Brazilian Nude is a spicy brown nude with a glossy finish. It's the color that immediately comes to mind when you think about Victoria Beckham! I mean, just do a quick google search of this iconic Spice Girl and you'll see that it's her signature lip shade. Brazilian Nude features a hydrating formula - no need for a lip balm - and medium coverage at first swipe. Layer to get more opacity, or wear a liner underneath.

The bullet is a sleek ribbed black, with gold trim. I'd say it's one of the classiest tubes in my collection to date. <3

In the look above, I wore Modern Mercury on my cheekbones and Brazilian Nude on my lips. Of course, I couldn't resist wearing a smoky eye the way Ms. Beckham intended! I love how chic everything turned out. Now if you're digging the collection, you must rush to SM Aura ASAP. I hear stocks are running out fast! ;) As promised, here are some more deets below. Enjoy shopping!

THE COLLECTION

Morning Aura Illuminating Creme (P4,535). Beautiful skin is the starting point of the entire collection. Morning Aura Illuminating Creme is part moisturizer, part brightening primer. Containing micro-pearls to instantly illuminate and brighten. It gives skin a fresh morning glow.

Highlighter in Modern Mercury (P3,100). This previous limited edition Estée Lauder highlighter is back. A favorite of Victoria’s, it can be used to highlight and contour the face. Worn on cheekbones, this high shine highlighter creates that sexy sweaty skin look.

Bronzer in Java Sun (P3,100). This matte bronzer is the perfect natural shade. It can be used all over for a sun-kissed look, or worn beneath the cheekbones to contour and define.

Eye Ink in Black Myrrh. For intense, sooty black eyes. This pressed gel-cream formula is an innovation in eyeshadow and can be used dry or wet for an intense, editorial finish. The dense pigment delivers a deep, rich, almost black shade with a touch of pearl for a sexy look.

Eye Metals Eyeshadow (P2,150 each). High-shine eyeshadows deliver a precious metal finish to the eye with densely pigmented color that is strong and sexy. Wear alone or layered over Eye Ink for a high octane finish.
Available in: Bitter Clove – a strong, blonde gold / Charred Emerald - an intense, metallic blackened green

Eye Palette (P4,535). Shades of rich sapphire, gold-hued nude, metallic honey, sophisticated sage, concrete grey and shimmery copper. These six powder eyeshadow shades can be applied wet or dry. Innovative dual purpose pearlized pigments have a translucency that allow these eyeshadows to reflect light and pull light into the formula for a more vibrant look.

Eye Foils (P1,720 each). These breakthrough new liquid eye foils deliver intense vinyl-like shine – even after they’ve dried. Sparkling pearl pigments add flecks of blonde gold or silver in this liquid metal-effect formula.
Available in: Burnt Anise – a strong, rich, charcoal shine / Blonde Gold – a strong, blonde gold shine

Eye Kajal Duo in Black Saffron/Vanille (P1,430). This double-ended pencil delivers an exceptionally soft and creamy texture. A potent black pencil (Black Saffron) and eye-opening nude (Vanille) create a sexy, smudged, edgy look. For day, line the inner lid with Vanille. For night, edge eyes in black with Black Saffron.

LIPS

Lipsticks (P2,150 each). Two shades, two very different looks. Create a perfect nude polished lip with Brazilian Nude. For a bold statement, Chilean Sunset is a matte, orange-based red taken directly from Victoria Beckham’s signature sunset palette.

Lip Pencil in Victoria (P1,430). Victoria’s signature nude-matte pencil. This formula imparts incredibly creamy color with the staying power of a traditional lip pencil. Meant to be worn every day to create a naturally full pout. Can be worn alone as a liner or all over the lip.

Lip Gloss in Moroccan Heat (P1,720). This warm, nude lip gloss offers high shine for a polished look. Infused with Estée Lauder’s signature fig scent, this lip gloss can be worn alone or over lipstick to give a plump and polished pout.

For more information, visit @victoriabeckham and @esteelauder on Instagram and Twitter. #VBxEsteeLauder

Available exclusively at Estee Lauder SM Aura starting 8 October 2016.