Estee Lauder Pure Color Modern Mercury Collection for Fall 2011 Swatches, Photos & Review
Estee Lauder’s new fall collection is called Modern Mercury and was created by Tom Pecheux, their Creative Makeup Director. His inspiration for the collection came from the reflections found in modern architecture. He liked that the buildings never look the same color because they all reflect what surrounds them, and he wanted that to translate into this collection as well.
The collection isn’t huge, it consists of 14 pieces.
- Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee ($40)
- Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever ($24)
- Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Scarlet Siren
- Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Beige
- Pure Color Velvet Lipstick in Nude Velvet
- Pure Color Velvet Lipstick in Fuchsia Velvet
- Pure Color Velvet Lipstick in Red Velvet
- Pure Color Eyeshadow Duo in Modern Mercury ($30)
- Pure Color Eyeshadow Duo in Platinums
- Pure Color Eyeshadow Duo in Black Chrome
- Pure Color Liquid Eyeliner in Graphite ($21)
- Pure Color Liquid Eyeliner in Black Quartz
- Pure Color Liquid Eyeliner in Silver Zine
- Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Metallic Sage ($19)
Eyeshadow Duos in Black Chrome and Platinums
Eyeshadow Duo in Platinums
Eyeshadow Duo in Platinums
This duo consists of a pale white/silver shade and a medium grey shade.
I found the lighter shade to be a little on the gritty side. Not overly gritty but not totally smooth and soft either. It had decent pigmentation, but not as much as I would like.
The grey shade was very soft and pigmented and really quite pretty. In person it doesn’t look like a plain ‘ole grey you can see it kind of shift colors to a blue-ish hue. Very pretty!
Eyeshadow Duo in Black Chrome
Eyeshadow Duo in Black Chrome
This duo contained a matte black shadow as well as a shimmery black shade. As you can see these colors were pretty patchy and chalky.
The matte black was uneven and just didn’t apply very well, at least on my hand.
The shimmery black was much lighter than I had anticipated and not very pigmented. I really wish it was deeper and more pigmented because I think this color could have been so gorgeous with the green and pink shimmery bits.
Velvet Lipstick in Red Velvet and Nude Velvet
Velvet Lipstick in Red Velvet and Nude Velvet
Nude Velvet, Red Velvet
These lipsticks are considered semi-mattes, but are pretty nicely moisturizing.
Nude Velvet is a great pink nude color. It applies so smoothly and evenly. It’s a fantastic universal nude color.
Red Velvet is a totally amazing bright blue-based red. The color is SO rich, velvety and smooth. It was extremely pigmented and just utterly gorgeous.
Nude Velvet
Red Velvet
Illuminating Powder Gelee
Illuminating Powder Gelee
Illuminating Powder Gelee
Aside from the fact that this Powder Gelee looks amazing in the pan, it has two uses.
You can use it as a highlight shade OR wet as an eyeshadow.
This swatch is dry and you can see how incredibly pigmented it is. The color is a slightly shimmery peachy/nude. It’s so beautiful in person I was mesmerized when I applied it to my hand.
It’s very soft, easy to blend and so pretty.
Liquid Eyeliner in Black Quartz
Liquid Eyeliner in Black Quartz
Black Quartz
Black Quartz is a black liquid liner with green. pink, silver and blue shimmer in it. It’s really opaque and a fabulous color.
The wand is a soft-tipped sponge type applicator and it does bend and move, which makes for a much easier application on your eye. Love this color!
Overall:
I think this is a really nice collection, though there are some pieces I like more than others. The eyeshadows I tried weren’t as soft and pigmented as I would want, which was disappointing. The pieces I truly love though are the lipsticks because they practically apply themselves and the illuminating powder gelee. The liquid liner is great also, but I think possibly dupe-able. I am DEFINITELY going to be buying the nail lacquer in Metallic Sage because I am dying to see what it’s like!
Availability: This limited edition collection is available at Nordstrom now and select Estee Lauder counters
Which pieces are you drooling over?
-Kelly
I’ve been really obsessed with Estee Lauder lately. I think I’m making up for all those years of thinking it was an “old lady” brand. Estee Lauder makes my favorite blush ever- Radiant Peach! I really want to try their nail polishes now; Metallic Sage looks promising!
Black quartz is beautiful! Do the lipsticks still smell strongly?
Hi Larie,
I didn’t smell them specifically but didn’t notice any scent when I put them on and no taste at all.
Holy cow that eyeliner! How awesome! I think I need that
Everything is packaged so fancy! I really think grey/blue duochrome is droolworthy. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
As always, great pictures and reviews! I like to look at things I can never afford
Illuminating Powder Gelee is soooo pretty! *wishlists*
I’m really interested in the Illuminating Powder Gelee. Also, the liner looks very nice. I’ve said it before, but I really like your lip swatches. They look so artistic!
We already have this in the UK, launched Aug 1st. I love the Nail Polish, its well pigmented, gives excellent coverage and glistens in the light. Well worth getting hold of.
Black quartz looks amazing!! I love how dark it is and the shimmer is an added plus
I also would love the nude velvet lipstick. I’ve been looking for a subtle color like that for a while but the ones I get tend to be too pink.
Red Velvet Lipstick and Black Quartz eyeliner look amazing. I’m usually not an Estee Lauder fan but this is making me want to get to the counter quick!
Honestly, I think I need the Illuminating gelee, the nude lipstick and that eyeliner! They look amazing.
The red lipstick looks great on you! Wish I could pull it off
I bought the illuminating powder gelee, I wore it today and I love it. I think after your swatches, I may have to go for the eyeliner as well.
I think I really need Black Quartz; I’d love love love to own gelee, too….
Black Quartz is a gorgeous liner. Love the sparkle in it. The shadows I can live without. Like that Illuminating Powder Gelee. That’s really special looking.
I’m kind of surprised to see how light the lipsticks look. They look darker in the tube. Or maybe it’s my computer monitor?
It must be my monitor as well, because I agree!
Red Velvet!
Hi Kelly, you mentioned Black Quartz is possibly dupe-able. Do you have any suggestions for dupes? Also I’d love to see some FOTD pics with this liner! I bet it looks great on you!
Hi Kristel,
Right off the top of my head I know you can get a very similar look with the NYX Liquid Crystal Liners: http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2010/09/nyx-liquid-crystal-liner-swatches-review/ Also Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Liner in Sequins is very similar: http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2011/06/stila-sparkle-waterproof-liquid-eye-liner-summer-2011-swatches-photos-review-giveaway/
I want, want, want that liquid eyeliner! Also the Velvet lipsticks look awesome! I’ve always been a fan of Estee Lauder lipsticks. I find they have good staying power and don’t leave my lips feeling really dry, as some do. Definitely not your grandma’s makeup line anymore!
Is the Illuminating Powder Gelee for the eyes? Or can you also use it as a highlighter on the cheekbones?
Hi Gwen,
I wrote what it’s used for in the post