I really loved this foundation when the SA at Nordstrom applied it. And to its credit, it provides really good coverage, doesn't feel heavy, and hasn't made my skin break out (at least not so far). However, I feel like it tends to settle into my pores and smile lines in a way that makes it really obvious that I'm wearing foundation, which isn't the look I'm going for. Also, I use the palest shade and I think even that is slightly too orange for me--it's okay if I blend it really well (and it looked great in the store when the SA applied it), but between that and pore-settling thing I won't be re-purchasing. However, it's not so bad that I'm not going to finish the tube--it's good for days when I need to be very made up.

Stays on well, however there is a very limited colour range.

Make sure you have some good makeup remover to get this stuff off!

I never thought I would rate a foundation with 5 lipsticks, it's the beauty item I have the most trouble with.
First of all I have very fair neutral combination to oily acne prone skin and sensitive due to going through almost every acne treatment known to man (various internal and external antibiotics, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid creams, differin gel, AHA, salicylic acid stuff, I've tried them all!)


Through the past eight years of wearing foundation daily I've been searching for the perfect one.
The one that will match my skin tone.
The one that will not break me out.
The one that will not oxidize.
The one that will look natural.
The one that will provide medium buildable coverage.
The one that will not sink in my pores.
The one that will be easy to apply.
The one that will stay on most of the day.
The one that will control oil.


Unfortunately, despite my desperate efforts every foundation I tried had its flaws.
I could not find a decent color match in MAC. NC15 was too yellow and and NW15 too dark and orange. Also broke me out.
Double Wear too dark, too heavy coverage, same thing with Dermablend.
Healthy Mix didn't control oil.
Normaderm didn't last long.
All Clinique's, Stila's and Avene's foundations were too dark.
Bourjois' Youth Power looked completely fake and transferred like crazy.
A Lancaster looked too powdery.
Another Clarins had no coverage.
I could continue describing my HG foundation search till eternity but it doesn't matter anymore, I finally found THE ONE!


I received a sample of Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, Intensity 1 with a magazine. I have NEVER in my entire life gotten a foundation sample to match my color, so I put it on when I was not planning to go out just to feel the texture.


This was the first surprise, my neck and my face looked like they belonged to the same body!
Still, not perfect, a tiny bit darker than I'd like. I would say it's leaning towards cool, around NW10 I guess, but it didn't look off.
And then... it applied easily. And made my pores look smaller. And gave decent coverage without looking fake.
The finish was mostly matte but not too matte or flat.
Left it there for the whole day without powdering and it didn't look like an oil slick at all, just dewy by the end of the day. My face looked smooth, not completely natural (too good looking complexion to be true but nowhere near mask-like)
Then I purchased a full sized tube and gladly payed the pricetag.
All the above were true, it wasn't just the first impression. And it has not broken me out. I prefer finger application with this one. If I need more coverage I add one more layer with flat brush on targeted areas.
Thanks God no more foundation search for me, hopefully we'll live happily ever after...

So far so good! I comment on the packaging only because I have the EL primer and it's the same, however of the Double Wear light I still have just the sample. I read below somebody NW20/NW30 perfect match to #2, while for me it's #3, really perfect match. Due to the limited colour range, I suggest anybody to get 2 samples at least and wear it during the day.
This foundation provides good coverage and nice finish (matt but still natural). It does not highlight my pores and/or my dry patches (unlike the invisible fluid by EL, which really clings on dry patches). Staying power is good, perfect for 6/8 hours, OK until I remove it in the evening.
What I am not totally happy about, is that it's not the easiest to work with, it dries fast and you tend to use a good bit of product, that is why I put it down as expensive because I do not expect this to last me for a long time. This said, if the coverage is medium/high, it is kind of obvious that it'll be ticker and more difficult to work with... Anyway, with a good brush (Real Techniques Expert brush) it's doable, you have just to be a bit fast.

Hmm - not the best, not the worst for me. It really doesn't hold up very well to oily skin in our very humid coastal area but if I had to I could make it work in dryer winter weather. I was in between colors Intensity 1 (light and pinky-neutral) and 2(light and yellow-neutral). I also thought it separated after a few hours and didn't look smooth anymore. I can see it working for normal to combo skin, just not for my true oily skin. Great packaging.

this foundation oxidizes on my skin. it doesnt look that good when i freshly put it on and it gets worse throughout the day. i have tried shade 1 and shade 2...both the same story. its just blah...for me, i cannot recommend it and the shade selection is not very good.

Oh my! Still on the search for the perfect foundation. Didnt find it this time either.
For a reference, I am a MAC NC20 skin, my T-zone is oily with visible pores and my cheek and eye area normal to dry. I was looking for a foundation with medium coverage and a natural finish that wouldnt make my T-zone oily after less than 2-3 hours.
So,
PROS:
1. nice and hygienic package, helps not to waste product

CONS:
1.Shiny soon after application on the t-ZONE, and i always apply it with powder on top / Cakey on my normal-skinned cheeks
2. Less than medium coverage, doesnt build up easily. I dont even have any acne, just a slight uneveness
3. Soon starts to pool into pores.
4.Definitely exaggerates skins flaws-dryness, very fine lines, pores. Makes skin look harsh and uneven.
5.Oxidizes fast. Orangey color and my skin is light.
6.Having -minor -breakouts these 2 weeks im using it, while I seldom see a clogged pore on my face. Hope its related and goes away when i stop using product- as i said i do have oily skin but no acne.
7. Too expensive for what you get, meaning that with a 30 euro tag one expects more. Well, wouldnt buy it again even if it cost 10 E!

Promise to use it with a different moisturiser, and come back for an edit. just in case!
EDIT
Used it with a different moisturiser.No difference... Too bad! I bought Shiseido Sun Protection liquid foundation which works well though.

I have combo normal/dry skin and I hated this foundation at first, but that's because I wasn't applying it right. This is my new routine for the foundation: no primer, just apply a tiny amount with my hands while my moisturizer (or sunscreen) is still a little "sticky" and then I sort of blot it with a Sonia Kashuk sponge (Beautyblender dupe), conceal whatever needs to be concealed (this fdtn is light-med coverage, so dark circles or spots will need a separate concealer) and then set with a light powder. It looks perfect all day and it sort of seals in my moisturizer and becomes sort of matte, but velvety. It's a really nice finish and it lasts all day without smudging or caking.


This foundation does dry super fast and it's not loaded with silicone (like SO many other fdtns nowadays), so it doesn't have that slippery texture. If your skin is drier, you have to use a good moisturizer underneath, and work fast, applying a small amount to smaller areas at a time.


The color Intensity 1.0 is a bit dark, considering it's the lightest shade they make. I would guess the color is probably closest to NW20 in MAC or maybe N3 in L'Oreal True Match. It's pretty neutral, but if you're very yellow-toned (or super pale), you'll probably want to skip this one or look at regular Double Wear, which comes in more shades.


Overall, I really like this. It doesn't break me out or irritate my skin (which is sensitive), the shade is neutral and it gives a nice finish that isn't too dewy or dry looking and lasts all day. I also LOVE that it comes in a hygienic squeezy-tube. Even the tube itself is lightweight and travel friendly. I will definitely repurchase this. If you're interested in buying it, I strongly recommend looking for the kit that comes with the full size foundation and DVD, and try to get it when there's a GWP going on, because for only $6.50 more than the foundation alone, you get tons of other stuff to try.

Right now I am using a sample of the product. I already own the original formula in DW but it does nothing to control the oil. This formulation looks much better on me and I have only had to do a light touch up with my Double Matte powder. I am an EL geek because I own a LOT of her cosmetics. When I went to the EL counter at Macy's this past weekend, I wanted to be matched to the Double Matte foundation but was told the line is discontinued. The MA asked me to try the DWL instead. I was matched to intensity 5. When I told the MA that I have the DW Mineral Powder at home, she used some to set the foundation. I was really surprised at how well the foundation covered the spots on my face because I was expecting a much sheerer coverage. This foundation is great. As I write this review, it has been five hours since I applied the make up with one touch up and my skin still looks flawless. Unless I have a breakout with this foundation, I have found my new HG! Thank you EL!

When I first bought this foundation, I was INLOVE! I seriously thought it was the best foundation I have ever used. My oily skin was so NOT oily when using this. My skin looked flawless. It did feel tight but I didn't care, it looked great.

Then all of a sudden my skin decided that it just didn't like it so much anymore. I started getting little red bumps that were super itchy on my cheeks. This was about 1 month after. I have stopped using it and my skin is calming down.
I decided to see if this foundation had the devil 'bismuth' in it and guess what, IT DOES!
WHYYYY Estee Lauder do you have to use this devil in this foundation!?!?!

So I will not be repurchasing this product. I have sensitive skin, I bet this works better for people who aren't so sensitive.

I have decided that this foundation wasn't the culprit to my skin breaking out.. I continued to break out after I stopped using this foundation and decided it was a different problem with my skincare routine.
It really is an amazing foundation. I will try it again when my skin settles down.