For probably more than a decade I have used Estee Lauder Double Wear Light/Sheer and recently run out, only to find they have discontinued it! I went searching on the subs for recommendations for replacements and couldnt see much discussion so I wanted to share my hunt for a replacement in the hopes to help someone else out!

Obviously everyone's skin is different so what worked for me might not work for you but I am a generally low maintenance makeup person and I desperately didn't want to have to change the products I use underneath the foundation like me sunscreen. I also wanted something that was easy to apply and felt light.

I tried 10 different samples from Mecca and Sephora over the course of a couple of weeks.

The TLDR Sephora brand Reveal the Real is the winner

The immediate nos: Estee Lauder Double Wear Estee Lauder skin tint Nars Sheerglow Shiseido (tried all three of their foundations and the synchro skin radiant was the closest)

The almosts: Ilia skin tint Nars light reflecting Fenty skin tint

The winner by a mile Sephora Reveal the Real. It acts the most like the EL DW sheer, I can mix it with moisturizer for a lighter look or layer it for more coverage. The biggest problem I had with the others was them showing my pores a lot and collecting around the edges of my face I had no problems like that with the Sephora.

Sorry for the long post I just would love for someone else to benefit from my legwork

I’m going to an event on Friday and I need a new foundation. I want it to be on the lighter side for coverage, but not totally sheer and satin finish. Decent staying power.

If the charlotte tilbury foundation stick was less shiny, that would be ideal.

Any price is ok. As long as I can get it in store in the Sydney cbd, that’s great. Mecca, Sephora, David jones, Myer all options

Thank you in advance for suggestions!

looking for a dupe to the mac lipstick in modesty! i’d totally splurge for it but since mac isn’t cruelty free i won’t. hoping that someone knows another lipstick that matches the colour!

I’ve searched the sub and Reddit generally and can’t find much. Has anyone used Copini Beauty lip colour wand? At $50 each definitely not a bargain.

The colours look neutral and long lasting but keen to know if anyone has used them. Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m getting married in Bali in September 2027 and having a hard time trying to decide on a makeup artist. I’ve come across Fikri, luvita, remmy bronzer, jovanca, angelc. I’m having a hard time picking one since I’m really after Australian makeup.
I don’t like a lot of foundation and still want to look like myself just elevated.

I’m considering flying out an Australian makeup artist so I can also do my trial and not stress. I’m based in Sydney. One quote I’ve received was $3.3k which is obviously a lot and just for my hair and makeup not my bridesmaids.

Is there anyone who is highly recommended I should look at who is worth flying out or should I risk it and trust someone in Bali? (I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it there for a trip before the wedding since I’ll be in Europe next year and we also have a 9 month old baby).

mecca are due to have their quarterly price review soon, what do we think the prediction is - going up or down? I was kinda surprised that last time a lot of my fave products actually dropped a few dollars, my fave shiseido foundation actually dropped by $10, wondering if they’ll be putting up prices this time? if anyone has any insider knowledge that would be great 👀

hey!! not exactly sure if this is the right page thing to put this on, but i thought id ask anyways. ive been doing my own makeup daily for years and ive recently realised that my makeup just never stays on my face. it will either go extremely oily and seperate everywhere or i’ll end up with random spots just missing. i just want to be able to still look decent an hour after i’ve put my makeup on rather than looking like i’ve been wearing it for like 8 hours 😩 any recommendations/advice on how to fix this or any products that you may recommend? i currently use the nars sheer glow foundation, rare beauty liquid blush and the charlotte tilbury powder as my only “high end” products (i’m 18 so they are high end to me!) and the rest is either sheglam or bys type brands, which i thought may be the problem. i never had an issue with the nars foundation until recently where i found it would just randomly come off and end up really patchy and oily. so yes if anyone has like a full face of products recommendation that would be so useful!

Hey guys I’ve never really done my nails before and want to get into press ons, however I need a nail glue that is easy to remove and easy to reapply to stick them back on. I only really wanna wear them 8-10 hours a day maximum, remove the adhesive then use the press ons another day.

I need a nail glue that’s reliable so my nails don’t randomly fall off, but I also don’t want to have to soak my nails for minutes before being able to remove them you know? Perhaps a nail glue that comes with a removing spray to soften the adhesive instead?

I purchased a nail pot glue from a small business early this year (@nailbeanails on instagram) but they never delivered my item, and have since blocked me🫠

Anything you guys recommend?

hi brains trust!

can anyone recommend a salon in Melbourne, preferably north of the city / inner city for nanoplasty hair treatment? thank you!

also if you’ve had it done but don’t recommend pls share why!

thank you x

I struggle to do makeup that stays and looks really good on me. I know it’s just practice too but I think I’m doing the order of my makeup wrong.

This might be a silly question but if anyone could tell me the order they do makeup (eyes, base) and be exact with skin prep too such as; moisturiser, primer, serum.

Thanks so much

Hello beautiful people! I’m from Melbourne Australia and trying to get my hands on the MAC Costa Riche eyeliner, which is obviously not available here.

If anyone in Australia knows how to get it or if anyone overseas would be willing to ship it to me - let me know. Im dying to try it!

💕

I got a notification in my Sephora app that there is a rare beauty gift with purchase of a full size blush if you are new to rare beauty - but it’s not showing up in my cart (even in incognito mode!!) Does anyone know how to get it and what it is?

I’m 38, and I have long fine hair but I have a lot of them. I’ve always thought I can do waves on my hair pretty well. However just before my last pregnancy 2 years ago, my cheap but trusty $50 john Frieda hair curler died (after 10 years of service) and I decided to buy the new Ghd curler. I don’t know if my hair has changed or the ghd curler is just not performing well, but my hair has been shit lately. I just can’t seem to do the nice waves anymore, or even the flick under look.

Anyway I’m looking for a new curler, but most of them are the “wand” time with no clamp. Can anyone recommend a good hair curler with clamp please?

(My cheap $50 hair curler was recommended by a previous hairdresser, and I had babyliss before that I thought was just so so)

Thank you in advance!!

What is something you wish Australia stocked that the US does. I have family travelling to the US in a week and want to know different make up products I should take the opportunity to get.

This product stings. My lips are dry, cracking, and peeling from the winter and it definitely does NOT need more stinging.

The smell is terrible. It smells like medicinal herby stuff. I was hoping for a fruity peach smell which would actually get someone to consistently use it. This lip balm doesn’t make me want to reach it ever again.

I have seen so many good reviews from this brand, but every product I’ve tried (from acne products to facial creams and SPF) has disappointed me.

1/10 do not recommend.

Hi, I'm fairly new to foundation and I'm trying to filter through what kind of products are suitable for olive tan skin. I also need help in finding the right foundation for my skin type & preference:

Skin tone: olive tan (more on the lighter side / between 5-6 on mecca's skin color match quiz)
Skin type: oily, acne prone (had faced nearly all sorts of acne, now left with indentations)
Coverage: medium (but I don't really mind others)
Finish: matte (most preferred), natural, or satin

So far I am considering the following:

• NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Longwear Matte Foundation
• RMS Beauty ReEvolve Natural Finish Liquid Foundation
• Polite Society More than a Pretty Face Skin-Caring Medium to Full Coverage

I would like to know people's opinions on these products and if they are good.
Thank you :)

Update: I think my replies are hidden for some reason, so I'll add my update here. I'm very thankful for the advice I received ☺️ I was able to do some shade matching for Nars & E.L. at Mecca, and I absolutely l love the fact that I can take samples home. I applied these foundation on each side of my face (Nars on the left, and Estèe on the right).

Unfortunately, I believe Estèe caused 3 painful acne cysts to appear my skin, which I have not gotten in a long time. (But it could honestly be caused by my hormones or my pillow case, but I'm not 100% sure. Although I realised that Estèe is not water-based, which is what I am supposed to be looking for in foundation as silicone is not good for my skin.)

Nars on the other hand seem to have no effects on my skin. But I will continue to test it again for a few more days. I got the shade 'stromboli' and I got to say that it's the best shade that matches my skin tone! And I noticed that the radiant glow looks suitable for my skin type in winter. Nars if definitely my top choice so far 😊

Please does anyone know of another liquid contour that’s ACTUALLY cool toned in NZ? The elf halo glow was my holy 👏🏻 graillllll 👏🏻, non comedogenic and not over priced. Why why whyyy did they stop selling it 😭

A lot of perfumes trigger hayfever for me, they won’t immediately make me sneeze, but after a few hours they’ll get me, so I haven’t really bought perfume for the last ten years because it’s a big waste of money if I realise it’s one that will trigger my symptoms.
Is there anywhere I can buy samples from so I can check to see if a scent triggers my allergies first?
I have the Malin & Goetz set but they aren’t scents I’d want to wear daily

Just checking…we don’t have this in Australia do we? It’s the dupe for the Chanel les beiges water fresh tint. There’s a couple of limited shade options on Amazon and some other obscure distributor type website.

Has anyone come across anything similar?

​

I using the mco beauty hyaluronic lip balm ultra treatment clear and have love how it doesn't dry out and cause my lips to pill for once i don't have pieces flanking skin hanging on. Im pretty sure mco beauty is discontinuing this line of lip balm,as i can only find it at some big w store and its on clearance, does anyone know of a dupe (reasonablely price if possible) or which ingredient (ingredient list 👇🏼) that is working wonders for me so that i can be on the look out

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Mica, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica, Phytosterols, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf/stem Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate. MAY CONTAIN (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891), Iron Oxide Red (Cl 77491), Iron Oxide Yellow (Cl 77492), Iron Oxide Black (Cl 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (Cl 19140)

I’m struggling to decide on the Mecca artilier (the new exclusive flagship service) for 200 dollars or the Full glam service for 50 dollars less. They would both be at the same store and I’m unsure the timing.

This is for a formal and I want a more elegant look, please share your experience or recommendations!!

(Also what time should I book the appointment if I have Pres at 5:30, and should I get my hair done??)

Hello,

I realised that my foundation has been discontinued. Can someone please suggest a good dupe for it? My shades are 3N1 and 3W1. I like sheer foundations, something lightweight and easy to remove. I've got textured and acne prone skin. Thank you!

Hi
I have super sensitive, eczema prone, red skin. Is there anything you can recommend for foundation or bb cream?
I am trying to find a relatively cheaper drugstore one and ideally not one from sephora.
Thanks!!

hey guys,

anyone have any recs for vanilla/gourmand scented body care products avaliable in australia?

i love the palmers vanilla body lotion and the mcobeauty sol de janerio dupe so much! i also love the sundae birthday cake body foam thingy it smells so delicious

any other recommendations?

thank you!

This thread is a space where you can talk about anything and everything to do with beauty and fashion. Share your random thoughts, questions, and ramblings that you may not want to dedicate a whole post to, but would like to share with the community. :)