Estee Lauder Topaz Collection for Spring 2012 Swatches, Photos & Review
Estee Lauder’s new spring collection is called Topaz and it’s filled with gorgeous neutrals and blues.
The collection is fairly intimate but there are some really great items in it. And maybe a couple that didn’t quite meet up to my hopes and dreams…
Topaz
Topaz Mosaic
Topaz Mosaic
Topaz Mosaic (Clockwise)
The Topaz Mosaic Pure Color Five EyeShadow Palette features five earthy, natural yet nicely pigmented shadows.
The first color is a vivid orange-y peach shimmer.
The second is a pale, somewhat sheer taupe shimmer.
Third is a rich rusty brown with slight shimmer.
Fourth we have a champagne/peach shimmer.
Finally in the middle is a bright cool yellow matte.
I wasn’t expecting a whole lot of color payoff when I saw these for some reason but was really happy when they did all perform nicely. Really happy. These aren’t the kind of colors that I normally gravitate towards, and I may have completely overlooked if I hadn’t had the chance to swatch them. They are really nice, and play very nicely with the blues in the collection. My favorite ones are the rusty brown, orange and yellow. Who knew?
Topaz Chameleon Illuminating Powder Gelee
Topaz Chameleon Illuminating Powder Gelee
Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Dramatic Black, Dramatic Teal
Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Dramatic Black, Dramatic Teal
Gloss Citron Kiss
Gloss Citron Kiss
Gloss Citron Kiss
Dramatic Teal, Dramatic Black, Citron Kiss, Topaz Chameleon
Ok let’s start off with the Kajal Crayons. I had HIGH hopes for these when I saw them and even more after I swatched them. Amazing payoff. Deep colors. Creamy and fabulous. I tried Dramatic Teal and it applied to my waterline and eye area probably more easily than anything I have ever used. The problem was…it smeared and faded SO fast. Within 1 hour the color was totally gone from my waterline and within about two it was smeared and bleeding all over. Very disappointed. The color and texture is so amazing, I really wanted it to work. Bummer. I have yet to try the black one, and am hoping it’s somehow better. You can sharpen these with a large sharpener and I have actually have an Estee Lauder one from about 20 years ago that was my mom’s, and it works really great still!
Citron Kiss may look scary in the tube but actually it’s a nice flattering pale yellow shimmer. Not too warm, or cool and pretty subtle. Sparkly! It even has a mild citrus scent.
Topaz Chameleon is incredible. It’s an Illuminating Powder Gelee and one of the prettiest colors. A gorgeous shade of coppery gold. Sick payoff. SICK! It has a slight metallic finish and since it’s so saturated, you need a SUPER light hand with it, especially if you are fair like me. I think it’s workable for me but I would almost rather just stare at it in the compact and on my hand than use it on my face. 
Teal Topaz Nail Lacquer
Teal Topaz Nail Lacquer
Teal Topaz was the first thing I wore from this collection, pretty much the second I got it. It’s a really pretty medium blue/green teal creme. Their formula is spot on, thick but easy to work with, creamy and no streaks. Super glossy. Gorgeous color and two coats. Not sure if it’s that unique, but still very pretty.
Overall:
Really I am quite impressed with almost everything. Almost. I am still wishing like crazy the Dramatic Teal Kajal Crayon lasted longer on me. Guess you can’t win them all!
Availability: Estee Lauder and Nordstrom. Topaz Chameleon is sold out on Estee’s site but not on Nordstrom.
Pricing: Kajal Crayons ($22), Gloss ($22.50), Nail Lacquer ($19), Topaz Chameleon ($40), EyeShadow Palette ($45).
Now that you have seen Topaz, what do you think? Is there anything tempting enough for you to indulge? Also, have you tried any really good Kajal liners?
-Kelly
Do you like this product?
I am loving the teal eyeliner and polish! That polish is gorgeous! Do you know if there is a dupe out there? I need the eyeliner as well, as I am green eyed.
I want all this collection this the second I saw it! that polish!!! Can yo think in any dupe? it´s so expensive and the bottle so small
Thanks for the great swatches!!!
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Hi Mara,
Offhand (I’m not at home to physically look) I can’t think of any dupes, but Misa Dirty Sexy Money is somewhat similar. http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2009/02/misa-living-on-the-fast-lane-spring-2009/
thanks!! I will try to see that in person!
Mara´s last post…Princess Sabra & Bridal Veil: quick nail art idea
Maybe not an exact dupe, but quite close, I think is, Sephora by OPI’s Ocean Love Potion.
Thanks Nicole!!
Mara´s last post…Princess Sabra & Bridal Veil: quick nail art idea
Good morning Kelly,
Please read this article
http://www.never-unpolished.com/2010/12/coty-inc-on-animal-testing.html
Your macro of the Topaz Chameleon is amazing!
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Yeah, Kelly’s photo of it looks like art, doesn’t it?
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Love the Topaz Chameleon Illuminating Powder Gelee! LOve the color, is soooo beautiful!!
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why did you do this to me? now I want them all! xo
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I need more of those glosses! I got one and I love it…
need.. more!!
I like Teal Topaz on you! And man, I wouldn’t know how to use that highlighter to save my life. It’s pigmented enough to be an eyeshadow!
I haven’t used any kajal liner. With my eye shape (Asian monolids), I am very careful about choosing eyeliners because otherwise they would smudge on me real fast. I line my upper lash line (sometimes I go a bit into my water line but not for the first half of my eyes, because it would transfer within 3-4 hours) with a gel liner, and lower lash line (again, I go a bit into my waterline only towards the outer half of my eyes) with Urban Decay 24/7 pencils.
Dramatic Teal is such a nice, opaque color. It’s a real shame that it doesn’t stay put!
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Wow, a new layout! Looks good. I love these swatches, especially the gelee looks amazing.
Hi Kelly
I was really looking forward to these swatches. That Topaz Chameleon will be mine. Must be mine!!! Teal topaz too. Thank you for sharing!
Is the powder gelee supposed to be used as a bronzer?? It looks a bit too shimmery and orange for that! maybe just a bronzy blush? I wish I grabbed the highlighter they put out before in this formula!
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Wow, the Topaz Chameleon is a-maze-ing. I would definitely use it as an eyeshadow though. I can’t really imagine getting that color/shimmer to work on my face.
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I love Topaz Mosaic! Those are about the only colours that I can pull off and they are all all together!! That is exciting for me.. I think I am going to invest in it! Thanks for posting or I would have never known about it
Topaz Chameleon is stunning to look at. I can’t wait to to try it out. Dramatic Teal liner is so pretty as well.
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Wow, gorgeous teal!!!
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Wow, these all look really nice. The powder gel looks beautiful, but looks like it would be too dark for my light pink skin
Love the teal polish, but I think I have a couple similar shades!
I am so happy to read this Kelly…I read positive reviews from Christine about the Kajal liners so I went out and snapped them up and I guess we just have different eyes as they smear on me like nobody’s business
. If I put them on my upper lid (and don’t set with powder) they smear all over the eyelid. If I put them on my lower lid they run all over and give me raccoon eyes within an hour. It’s so depressing as the colour payoff initially is FANTASTIC. I’ve never been so bummed!!!!
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Hi Sara,
See proof we are all different! I was SOOOOO hoping they would work because I love the idea of them and loved the colors. But same as you, they disappeared, smeared and were a mess so quickly. I was hoping they worked better than the Physicians Formula ones I reviewed but nope. Wah.
That Topaz Chameleon is gorgeous! I’m thinking I could splurge with the money I don’t have…hm…
I’ve had a few Estee Lauder nail polishes that came in makeup sets and they pleasantly surprised me! The color scheme of this collection is right up my alley and the pattern on the powder gelee is mesmerizing.
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Actually, I thought the eyeshadow pan at the store looked “meh”, but after your swatches, I’m thinking I need it! Love those colors, they are more unique than expected!!
Wow, topaz chameleon looks incredible! I don’t really wear bronzers (I’m too pale and pink) but I would just love to have it to look at and swatch. So pretty!
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I like the collection a lot. It’s really wearable. I would skip the teal polish however as I have a few that are super close to it.
Those shadows are really gorgeous. I also love those shades. The illuminating powder is spectacular.
mweh…I wish the eyeshadow palette shades were more on the cool side. I think I might have a dupe for that nailpolish, it’s Anny exotic…will run to the store to check the nailpolish out
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Topaz Chameleon looks absolutely amazing!! I know that would be an excellent addition to my collection! Sad to hear that those Kajal eyeliners are not impressive since they look so nice
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teal for me. eyeliner (although I’m sad to hear it smudges and fades) and the polish are really pretty! very class packaging!
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Oh no! I’m sorry about the khols. I wonder why they swatch so well but wear so badly? The powder gelee is gorgeous! I wish I could pull it off but I’m like NC5 and bronzer is a no for me. I should have jumped on the gelee from Modern Mercury. Hopefully they’ll come out with a cool-toned one in the fall that I can enjoy. Is it true that you can use the gelee’s as eyeshadow?
Hi Melody,
I’m not sure if they are made for the eye, but it would make a gorgeous shadow for sure!