I have been using this product for years. I never read any reviews before I bought this product. This purchased was recommended by the SA when I was using EL's skincare products. Having said that, I have stopped on the skincare products as they were not suitable for my skin. However, this brilliant invention is my favourite as a little swipe over my faces help my skin looks radiance, smooth and natural. I live in a hot and humid country and this product can lasts for hours even when I'm under the sun. The overall texture is just perfect. I have recommended to my friends and they are very happy with the result too. The only downside is it is a little bit pricey. But I just can't keep myself from stop buying it.

I´m using Ideal Matte in Pale Almond (02) for two years now. Similarly as in the previous review, the first time I wanted to buy this the salesperson sold me a refill instead of the original makeup (I don´t know what she was thinking). I was pretty angry but the product itself was great and finally I was happy that I saved some money for the packaging (that is not so great anyway). This shade is perfect for me, it blends beautifully and it really delivers this flawless look. It is recommended for all skin types. However, it is better for the summer days when my skin gets more oily (normally I have NC skin, rather dry than oily), to keep it from shining, especially the t-zone. I´m using it during winter as well, I don´t have any dry patches when wearing it, but I do feel that I need more moisture. I use a good moisturizer under this compact and the results are great. I like it a lot, IMO one of the best compact makeups so far.

I purchased this because I had my brows done at EL and I had to redeem something. As I dont use EL products at all, i gathered that a foundation would be the safest option.
Because I prefer creme compact for the convienence of it (I also have SKII foundation compact). I had to get ideal matte (the only creme compact at EL in australia).
My color is ivory beige, which is perfect for my asian skin tone. This color 'disappears' on my face, which is an exact color match. The finish is matte and sometimes i done even need to put powder on because its matte. Product smells nice and its a great compact foundation which i would rate above stila ipf (too cakey on me) and shesido powdery (unfortunately it oxidises on me).
I still give my SKII compact as the best I have ever tried, but EL is half the price of SKII here, so its a great alternative to use it every day (or when my wallet doesnt allow SKII).
definately will be a repurchase for me just because of the finish and color match.

I've given this product 1 lippy, but to be fair it would probably work better on someone with oily skin! (I only found out it was for oily skin by looking on the site after it dried my face...)
Basically Estee Lauder's MA was useless. She recommended this to me despite me telling her I had very dry skin and I was worried about irritation/cakiness - both of which I got in this foundation. She also recommended a medium shade for me without showing me a shade chart (I am normally the lightest end of the scale) so the product is too dark and by the time I've blended it enough it's basically all come off. It has a lovely texture when it goes on....that's about it. I'm very annoyed that I paid so much and basically got AWFUL advice from the MA. Not impressed!

This is my first foray into foundations. I recently decided that I needed a makeup base to smooth out my complexion, and I sort of have a love/hate relationship with this foundation. If my skin isn't completely moisturized, then this cakes and flakes all over the place and appears to be wayyyy too dark, even though I have 01 Ivory, the lightest shade available. Other than that, it didn't make me breakout all over the place, as I heard some matte foundations tend to do, so that's a major plus. There's no mask-effect; it looks very natural. I can't wait to try other foundation formulas, though.

Thank you, mysterious make up creator, for inventing this stuff. It's perfect. I opened it, wiped it on my face, and I knew straight away it was perfection. I think I have found my HG, in the form of this stuff. The packaging is a bit boring, but the stuff inside is the jewel. Comes with little sponge and nice sized mirror. You don't get much product and it is quite expensive, but its sooooo worth it. Covers flaws, blends in as soon as he touches your skin, finish is amazing. Great stuff!

It's funny how you pick out a creme foundation and get it home.. and there is no compact! They just sold you a refill without asking! Lucky i had my old lancome compacts to spoon this into.
Basically it's those dry feeling cremes that are all the rage. It does come in some better colours than actual liquid foundations. It's light and powdery but i wouldn't trust it to stay looking fresh ALL day. If you have great skin, without any dry patches.. go for it. Otherwise be careful with it. It does a better job than most matte products by keeping your skin moist. But it's still a matte finish at the end of the day. I use a moist liquid foundation or double wear with some cream underneath.. then dab this where i need it like a light weight concealer.
Estee Lauder are getting better with this stuff though!