Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Lipsticks

I picked up this handy little gift set in the Debenhams pre-Christmas sale as I'd never tried the highly-praised Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipsticks and they were reduced to a decent price. A lovely coin purse came with it too which I've been using since for work.

Anyway, there's four mini lipsticks with very wearable shades; 340 Envious, your classic blue-toned red, 240 Tumultuous Pink, a dark pink, 120 Desirable, a paler nude pink and 130 Intense Nude, a super flattering everyday type of nude. 

Boasting high-intensity colour, a time-release moisture complex to help seal in hydration and a 6-hour wear, I had high hopes for these. 

I 100% agree on the intense colour; these babies are pigmented and so far I'm loving this collection of shades, so much so that I really want to try more coming up to Summer, possibly a nice creamy orange. The darker two of the four, Envious and Tumultuous Pink both stain a little bit, whereas the other two wear off and are pretty much completely gone when they do. I thought originally that Envious would be my favourite and it's definitely one of the best in there but surprisingly, I'm obsessed with Intense Nude and I'm not one for nude lipsticks at all!
I used to be of the opinion that nude lipsticks were a waste of money; an 'emperors new clothes' kinda deal but this has completely changed my mind. It finishes off a dramatic make up look with ease; you know when you know there's something missing but you know you can't wear a dark lipstick with all of that smokey eye you've got going on? You need Intense Nude, my friend.
I also have found no issue with the moisture claim, I don't think they're anywhere near as moisturising as a lip balm but they aren't as drying as some lipsticks can be.

Lastly, that 6-hour staying power thing is just a bit ridiculous. As are a lot of those mad claims that brands come out with, I think.
In the course of six hours, I'll usually have eaten something, had a cup of tea and probably (let's be realistic and very unglam), blown my nose. The chances that I'll still have any lip product left after six hours, is seriously low but that doesn't take away from how great these lipsticks are. 

Because they are lovely.

They are beautiful, grown-up shades in a delightfully creamy formula that glide on easily and look great on. There's also something very classy about the EL brand, as a whole. They feel like they should be worn by someone with a high ranking business career and possibly shoulder pads, who often throws drinks in men's faces.
And yet, they look equally as well on the likes of me, a lowly nurse who can't afford to throw drinks in men's faces (Hendricks is like a tenner for one g&t, for god's sake).
I think this is down to the clever marketing folks at EL, who in recent years have made the products more accessible to all ages by incorporating a range of more youthful shades while keeping their loyal older fan base with the same fancy packaging and the original and still great formulas of their foundations and skincare. 

Cheers to you, Estée Lauder and your rather lovely make-up brand.

Anyone else tried these lipsticks and love them too?

Anyone else also wish they could be Alexis Carrington for a day?

She is 100% about to throw that drink at someone.

XX