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Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Just launched, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) promises a formula that’s richly pigmented, hydrating, and long-wearing (six hours). The range includes 21 shades that range from beige to pink to coral to plum. You can see an official breakdown of the shade range here. I bought four shades from Nordstrom last week, and I’ve been testing them since they arrived this week. The formula is intensely pigmented, somewhat hydrating, and long-wearing. The consistency is lighter weight, thin, lightly creamy, and hugs the lips, but not in a clingy, saran wrap kind of way, so it’s not uncomfortable. They have a sweet, vanilla scent, which is a departure from Estee Lauder’s traditional fig scent, though no taste, and come in a deep, navy blue, square case with a magnetic closure.

Defiant Coral is described as a “bright, pink coral.” It’s a vibrant, medium-dark, coral-orange with strong, warm undertones and a luminous shine. It had rich, opaque color coverage, and the color applied evenly and smoothly. This shade wore well for five and a half hours on me and was lightly hydrating. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shout (138) (LE, $30.00) is more matte, slightly pinker. Givenchy Rose Dentelle (203) (P, $36.00) is very similar. Too Faced Coral Fire (P, $21.00) is less glossy. Givenchy Rose Dressing (202) (P, $36.00) is pinker. Chanel Pygmalion (LE, $34.00) is less pigmented. MAC Lady at Play (P, $22.00) is less glossy, slightly darker. MAC Hibiscus (LE, $16.00) is darker. Chanel Genial (LE, $34.00) is pinker. See comparison swatches.

Dominant is described as a “vibrant fuchsia.” It’s a bold, brightened, medium-dark fuchsia pink with a luminous shine. It had intensely pigmentation and yielded full color coverage when applied that was both even and smooth. This shade lasted over six hours and left behind a soft stain while being somewhat hydrating. MAC Feeling Amorous? (LE, $20.00) is more muted, warmer. Charlotte Tilbury Velvet Underground (P) is lighter. Givenchy Fuchsia Irresistible (205) (P, $36.00) is similar. MAC Girl About Town (P, $16.00) is very similar, less glossy. Buxom Exhibitionist (P, $21.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

Infamous is described as a “bright, vibrant yellow pink.” It is a neutral-to-warm-toned, medium pink with a luminous finish. When swatched, it appears a bit darker and warmer, but applied, it is brighter and read more blue-based against my skin tone. It had rich, opaque color coverage, and the color applied evenly. This shade wore well for five hours and was lightly hydrating during that time. MAC Bold Spring (P, $22.00) is cooler-toned. YSL Fuchsia Tourbillon (31) (P, $34.00) is similar. Tom Ford Beauty Incorrigible (08) (LE, $49.00) is darker, cooler-toned. Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) (LE, $30.00) is more matte, cooler-toned. L’Oreal Pink Flamingo (180) (P, $8.95) is lighter. NARS Goodbye Emmanuelle (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler-toned. MAC Playtime (LE, $17.00) is lighter. Maybelline Fuchsia Flash (P, $7.49) is brighter, darker. See comparison swatches.

Vengeful Red is described as a “deep cool red.” It’s a vibrant, medium-dark red with cool, blue undertones and a luminous sheen. It had fully opaque color coverage applied to the lips, and it went on evenly and smoothly. This color wore well for six and a half hours and left a stain behind, and the formula was somewhat hydrating. Marc Jacobs Beauty Neo-Noir (126) (P, $30.00) is very similar. Urban Decay 69 (P, $22.00) is less glossy. Edward Bess Eternal Passion (P, $32.00) is similar. Maybelline On Fire Red (P, $7.49) is a little brighter. MAC Eden Rouge (LE, $16.00) is more matte. Guerlain Vega (P, $35.00) is a touch darker. Buxom Scoundrel (P, $21.00) is brighter. See comparison swatches.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Defiant Coral Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Dominant Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Infamous Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Estee Lauder Vengeful Red Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Pressed Powder
On cheeks:
  • Sleek MakeUP Guipure Blush
On eyes:
  • Urban Decay Mars Eyeliner

126 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
rashmi Avatar

Justttt today I was saying that there is nothing impressive in EL …
I am def buying two from ur list … if not all

u r looking stunning like alwaysssss n I can spend my life looking at ur pictures 🙂 (tell shaun how crazy fans u have here )
plus taking care of hubby n kid which I cant avoid hahhah

Wendy Avatar

Thanks for the review. I had just purchased one of these yesterday in the color Impulsive which is a pinky nude and am loving it. Plan on going back for more was thinking of Potent but Defiant Coral also looks nice!!

xamyx Avatar

Vengeful Red is gorgeous, but I think for now I’m going to try the Maybelline dupe. Trying to justify $30 for a red lipstick at this point in my life is hard… I used to wear reds alot, but between errands & PTA meetings taking up most of my time, my reds have been neglected.

xamyx Avatar

Defininitely! I just don’t have much occasion these days to wear such a vivid red, no matter how pretty, LOL! I’ve actually had great experiences with EL lipstick in the past, and I want to try this formula. From the promo pics, a couple of the nudes piqued my interest, so I’m interested in seeing if one of those works. Considering I’ve actually finished very few lipsticks in my lifetime, I know it’ll last a while, so in an “everyday” shade, the price really isn’t that bad.

Lily Avatar

I might have to try one of these new Estee Lauder lipsticks. They all look so pretty on you! This beats any Mac collection out there!

Wwendalynne Avatar

I completely love the looks of these lipsticks and so happy you have reviewed a selection.. they look like they have the right level of coverage and shine for my tastes and the price point is far more attractive than TF. Could this be a new fav formula? So excited!

Just for interest sake, Christine: any anecdotal comparisons against the Givenchy Le Rouge formula?

Rae B Avatar

Hi Christine! I love all four shades on you! I’m new here and I must say I love this site! Question is Dominant similar to Riri for Mac Pleasure Bomb? Its my favorite lipstick but its limited and I know it will be done soon since I wear it so much lol

beka Avatar

i just got two of the nude shades (insatiable ivory and impulsive, i think). they are rather nice. defiant coral will be my next one!

Michelle Avatar

ALL look stunning on you, Christine !! Wondering if you noticed any lip “sculpting” effect with these new offerings? I wanted to purchase both pinks as the site info indicated these added a definite sculpting effect to lips. Please comment on this as they look wonderful on you, but I am a M.A.C. addict ♥

Dustin Avatar

Gads! I’ve been loving these! One thing I have noticed is how soft, soft, soft they are… I saw testers at the counter where the lipstick was kind of smashed against the side of the tube. People play so rough with things though, you don’t need to twist it up all the way and grind it into your face. LOL

Allison Avatar

I’ve been so curious about these EL lipsticks. I love the new look of the tube, much more contemporary than the old gold.I may have to spring for the coral one, or check out the rest of the range. I’d like to add another Lilly Pulitzer MU bag to my collection, and this with an eye pencil will do it. Thanks for the review 🙂

Laura Avatar

One thing I love about the packaging is that the magnetic closure actually feels really secure. I love the idea in theory, but I’m always so worried a magnet will come loose in my purse!

But I’ve only had it a day, talk to me after it’s been floating around in my purse for a few weeks!

Quinctia Avatar

They look nice, though none of these colors strike me as unique enough for a must-have. And, at $30…if I’m going that high on lipstick, I might as well spring the $5 more and get another Rouge Automatique.

Helene Avatar

When this line launces here, I’ll be there swatching like mad. I loved all the shades you showed. I’ve not bought anything from EL in ages, but I do think I just have to have one, or more, of these lipsticks.
You looked just beautiful in all of the shades!

Artemis Avatar

They look very pretty on the lips but the price just isn’t justified, they just have regular lipstick ingredients, nothing fancy.

Nicole Avatar

Christine, just add these to the list of everything you’ve either made me lust for or purchase. I love you, but my bank account disagrees.

Laura Avatar

I just got Envious yesterday, and I love it. I had the same thought as you, it’s lightly hydrating but not quite as hydrating as they claim. The colors are all gorgeous, but even if I picked my own color, I still probably would have gone with Envious.

Seeing Dominant on you is making me jones for another one though!

Ammara Avatar

Hey, I need some help. Coral Fire by Too Faced is described as a coral red on Sephora but when you wear it, it’s just a coral and i trust your pictures for being the most colour accurate. I want to get that as well as Stilleto Red by Too Faced which shows up like a proper bright red in your swatches. These two colours are represented accurately, right? I don’t want to order both and discover they’re just two slightly different reds!

Raisa Avatar

very beautiful! Bomb! I’m so looking forward to these lipsticks Uraine! and as for the promised volume of the lips, these lipsticks give volume?

Simona Avatar

Hi Christine,

I have tried several EL lipsticks.. (purchased or gifts with purchase). I love the colors and the pigments but for some reason.. I hate their smell. To me it is not “fig” it smells like old wax or sometimes even rancid.. The smells becomes hard to deal with as the lipstick is gets older.. (after several weeks).
I have never had this issue with lancome or mac. I have several low end brands as well.
I can’t really tell what it is .. something on their ingredient list but it is not fig. The EL counters keep saying that they smell like fig.. They do not smell like figs.. sorry.. I know how figs smell and that is not it.

At first I tough I got an old product.. They changed it for me at no charge. Same thing. I asked around ladies at my work.. and it was kind of awkward to smell their lipsticks.. same thing..

I cannot get myself to spend money on a EL lipstick… I am not a very sensitive person when it comes to fragrances.. I love most fragrances… florals, musky you name it.. creams, lotions…
Great colors though…

Thank you so much for all the work you do… it has helped me decide on several occasions the right product

Christine Avatar

Hi Simona!

These are definitely not at all like the previous scent they’ve used in their lipsticks, which I’m not keen on, so maybe this will be better, but the base might be similar so it’s possible that you’ll still get that “old wax” scent you’re picking up in the regular line.

Thank you!!

SandraJT Avatar

I absolutely love EL lipstick formulas, but that nasty fake fig smell makes me sick to my stomach. Until now, I’ve had to avoid them altogether because of that. So glad they went with a different scent this time, although unscented would be far better. I’ll definitely be giving these a try because their lipsticks are amazing.

Stephanie Avatar

I am SO excited to see you reviewed these! Estée Lauder claims that any of these shades will suit any and all skin tones. I personally purchased a different set of colors: Envious (poppy red), Impulsive (pinky nude), and Powerful (neutral to warm pink). I am in LOVE with the color pay-off, consistency, and wear on these lipsticks. Envious is my HG red (an unexpected boon). If I could go back, I would have just bought two tubes of Envious. While I love Powerful and Impulsive for the quality and versatility of these shades, they are dupable. Perhaps they would be perfect for other women who wear those types of shades everyday. I’m more of a bold lip girl 😉

Angela Avatar

These look amazing! How does Defiant Coral compare with YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture in #52 Rosy Coral? I want both but I need to make sure they’re not too similar 🙂

Tanuja Avatar

Great ! So I will have to splurge on these now… sigh .. All the shades are so freakin amazing on you ! If only they would look half as good on me 🙂 thanks for the reply Christine !

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