Estee Lauder • Lucidity [DISCONTINUED] • Liquid

rated 3.8(63 reviews)

Average Rating.3.8
Would buy this product again.68%
Package Quality3.5
Price3.8
Ingredients

This product has been discontinued

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Hothead on 4/18/2013 12:47:00 PM more reviews by Hothead

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I was able to find another bottle of this. I grabbed it and ran. I will mourn having to pay Ebay prices, but I will. It is one of the best foundations I have ever used.. and there have been many.

The consistency is rich yet light - light to medium coverage with no mask effect. I have loved it and now I start my hunt for back ups. Yes, it did not get the best ratings on MUA but the individual reaction to a product is what counts. I hope that by the time I run out completely EL will have something equally good in the liquid foundation line up.

I use the Lucidity powder on top and it is just perfect.

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rated 5 of 5 Bassoonista on 6/14/2012 2:31:00 PM more reviews by Bassoonista

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is my HG foundation so I'm crushed to hear that it may be discontinued. Say it ain't so!

It took me over 10 years to find a foundation that works with my pale-yet-olive skin tone and oily skin. Not only is the 1W1 Neutral Ivory shade a perfect match for my NC20 skin, but the formulation also manages to keep oil under control without an overly matte, fake-looking finish. Coverage is medium: it will even out skin tones and minimize pores, but it won't cover dark undereye circles or major discoloration. It makes me look dewy and fresh-faced ... a small miracle. Seriously, those light-diffusing pigments are some kind of crazy wondrous magic. Well done, Estee Lauder.

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rated 5 of 5 JennaMB on 2/28/2012 10:24:00 PM more reviews by JennaMB

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best foundation I have ever used!
.looks natural
.evens skin tone
.radiant finish
.great colour selection (discontinuing however so colour choice will reduce)
.great texture
.beautiful packaging, solid glass (unlike MAC's glass bottles that smash so easily)
.applies best with fingers

Unlike a lot of other foundations that claim to have light diffusing properties or "photo finishes" this does not contain glitter or sparkly particles, rather it just creates a soft, natural look. It truly does a good job at looking airbrushed.

this foundation will create the most beautiful you :)

I really highly recommend people try this foundation or the double wear, which is essentially the replacement of the lucidity line, with a longer lasting finish.

However, it is most certainly going to be discontinued since it is an old line, and it seems they have replaced it with the double-wear, they don't even have this line on display anymore. So get in quick.

By the way, EL sale-people seem to always pick the wrong colours, I'm guessing because of the bright lighting in department stores, so make sure you have a look in daylight before you buy!




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rated 5 of 5 lschwartz1 on 12/11/2011 12:36:00 AM more reviews by lschwartz1

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

This is one of the best foundations I've ever used. I have combination-oily skin and was worried this might make me look oily with all the light-reflecting properties, but it isn't oily at all. The colour does not oxidise, and this foundation does not make me break out. I have Pale Ivory and it is great for my fair neutral skin. Highly recommended. It is very thick so I only use a tiny bit and blend it in.

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rated 3 of 5 teago on 2/25/2011 3:15:00 AM more reviews by teago

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Now this is just a first impressions, Ill come back and edit this.

I had this applied at an Estee Lauder counter today and I really like it. I did say that I really wanted to have this applied because I found Double Wear a little dry and cakey. Ive walked out with 2C1 Vanilla Beige, I wear 1N1 Ecru and 1W1 Bone in Double Wear that I have to mix together to get a better match, so the 2C1 is not perfect (my tanned colour) but I can correct a little with powder.

The texture and the way it smooths onto skin is beautiful, its thin but not runny if that makes any sense!
Its moveable on the skin (it was a bit patchy around my hair line so i had to rub it out) but it doesnt seem to transfer or wear off super easily.

Looking forward to wearing this for a couple of days, then Ill come back and add some more :)

ETA: It gives a nice finish. Can get a little cakey and patchy if you dont work fast enough. I also cant find a perfect colour match so requires mixing with another foundation.
Not perfect but not the worst.

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rated 4 of 5 rambow on 1/24/2011 7:31:00 PM more reviews by rambow

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I used this product in the late 90s, as a teenager, and it was, hands-down, the best foundation I have ever used. Granted, it's the only somewhat-high-end foundation I've used (aside from Clinique, which I didn't find a great colour match with, and also recall feeling a bit oily, so disliked.) But it matched my fair skin very well, provided nice, matte-ish coverage, and felt much finer on my skin than any drugstore foundation. The bottle also lasted well over a year.


I'm thinking of going back to it -- will update if I try it again to see how the formulation is these days.


UPDATE: I wanted to trial either Fresh Air, Double Wear, DW Light, or Lucidity again. I got a sample of Lucidity with some DW Light, and it still kicks ass. It has a much more natural finish than either the DW or DW light in my opinion, and I have a better colour match than in the DW Light, which has limited shades.


Unfortunately, the sales associate told me they are in the process of discontinuing Lucidity, so the counters only hold a small range of colours. I got 2N1 (Ivory Beige) and it looks great (they were out of 2N2, which is what I originally wanted to try.) I'm going to give DW Light a few more tries, but I'm definitely buying a full bottle of Lucidity soon.


You can still get Fresh Air and Lucidity by ordering directly from www.esteelauder.com or sears.ca (for Canadians), just in case you're having trouble with the counters stocking your stuff. I'm actually pretty annoyed with the counters, even though the SA's were nice. I got matched with the wrong colour the first time, then ended up with a foundation I didn't really want when I went back to exchange. I should've stuck to my guns better and insisted on the full bottle of Lucidity. I find it annoying that you can't just help yourself when you have already researched and know which foundation and colour you want.


If you have combo or dryish skin and want a more natural finish, this is more likely the one for you. This does seem to minimize pores and fine lines (at least for me) far better than DW. For oiler skin and heavier coverage, Double Wear might be better.

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rated 2 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* Branny43 on 5/19/2010 1:18:00 AM more reviews by Branny43

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I too purchased this when it was released in the early 1990's, and the finish was dewy perfection. (Granted I was younger then, but hey...!) At some point, I developed a sensitivity to the sunscreen and stopped using the product.

In my own quest for an HG foundation, I went back to the Lucidity. Lo and behold! I'm no longer reacting to the sunscreen, but am also no longer loving the finish.

Where's the glow? Where's the dewy perfection?

It's pretty, yes. It feels nice, isn't overly scented, and is doing absolutely nothing for me. Disappointing on many levels, not the least of which is the money spent.

Going to put this up for swap and hope for the best. Onward...

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rated 5 of 5 kawaiicutie on 3/7/2010 9:25:00 PM more reviews by kawaiicutie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

My HG foundation!!!!

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rated 5 of 5 wealthy on 2/10/2010 3:59:00 PM more reviews by wealthy

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Olive, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is a wonderful foundation that let's you look fresh and flawless. I have used this for many years, and though i deviated and tried others, this is my second pick for foundation. It's easy to apply and blend, wears long, and looks like a second skin, meaning you look perfect!

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rated 5 of 5 martha84 on 12/20/2009 2:54:00 AM more reviews by martha84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

This is a really great foundation. Its very flattering. I love the neutral beige shade in this-apparently its very popular cus its always sold out usually. It doesnt break me out,it washes off easily and it gives beautiful natural coverage. This foundationcan work for people of all ages.Ive worn it off and on ever since I was about 16. Its nice and moisturizing. The only problem I ever had was one time I ordered some and I recieved some that was a little dried out. You have to watch out for that. I didnt know that foundation could get old but it can!But anyways,its very good coverage and it doesnt make you look all dried out. Its not shiny-but its not all dry and flaky either. It just looks like your real skin. This makeup also photographs beautifully. I took the best photos Ive ever taken when I was wearing this foundation. :)

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rated 5 of 5 boyz_toyz_noize on 8/2/2009 6:36:00 PM more reviews by boyz_toyz_noize

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is my HG foundation. I have been using this forever and a day. I made the mistake of swapping to Chanel a few months back and I hate it! I am now going to have to wait until it has finished though before I repurchase my Estee Lauder 01 Pale Ivory Lucidity. I cannot live without this foundation. It is a perfect match for my skin and I get many many compliments when wearing it. It is so lightweight and causes no breakouts whatsoever. I'm really bummed I got caught up in the Chanel marketing as I wasted my money on it big time. But big big thumbs up for Lucidity!!

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* sherrier on 2/22/2009 8:59:00 PM more reviews by sherrier

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this stuff. I have been using it for years. Makes my skin look young and radiant. Looks great in pictures, not chalky. Doesn't settle into the fine lines like some others do. I have tried other less expensive foundations but always come back to this. It is worth the money.

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rated 3 of 5 shaleelo on 2/9/2009 9:05:00 PM more reviews by shaleelo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I used this a few years ago, and it was my first foundation ever! i really liked it back then, my skin wasnt as dry (prb because of hormones and oyness, lol) but yeah, it wa great back then. i didnt have much blemishes and my skin was pretty even, not much of a need fo foundation really. but i loved the glow it gave my skin.

now, the other day i went to the estee luder counter and asked for a sample of this, and i was mega excited, as i was hopeing for the glow i got from it before.

anyhoo, i must have been blind in my early teenage years as this kinda sucks for me now. ive sort of mastered the art of concealing(ish) so coverage isnt that much of a problem for me, but its the formulation of this is kinda runny, and stuck to my disappearing flakes (the dryness in my skin is getting better) and making it look like my face wasfalling apart...

so yeah, if you have good skin i guess the glow will work wonders for you, dry skin not so much....
(and its madefor dry skin too!!!)

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rated 3 of 5 Yuki21 on 1/25/2009 1:57:00 PM more reviews by Yuki21

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Overall this is a good nice sheer foundation, the color matched my skin and is of good quality--however, for my acne-scarred face, I needed more coverage. I think this would be perfect for someone who already has nice skin. I used this in GOLDEN SANDS, I would say very close to perfect match (my mom wears this color too) but I also think it matches too because it's so sheer and can't tell the difference. I would not repurchase because it doesn't meet my needs in a foundation.

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rated 5 of 5 nerdgirl72 on 11/26/2008 9:42:00 AM more reviews by nerdgirl72

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This was the first premium foundation I bought that wowwed me, way back in about 1992 when this was first launched. I used it faithfully for years, until it became harder to find and I was convinced it would be discontinued. So I have dallied with many other foundations over the years, Prescriptives, YSL, Chanel, but none were quite right or gave the flawless but not overly done look of Lucidity.

I got married this year and ended up going back to my trusty Lucidity in ivory beige - it gives medium coverage, lasts well and I only need a tiny amount to make me look instantly better. It seems less 'dewy' than I remember but that could be just me losing my youthful glow! So I am goiong to stick with it as long as they keep making it.

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rated 5 of 5 Josianna on 11/14/2008 12:37:00 AM more reviews by Josianna

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

i keep coming back to this foundation it has a great consistency, great color match and my desired finish and coverage. i use the 1c1, its the only foundation i can find to be light enough for my skin and that isnt tested on animals! id say giving this one a try for a quality foundation. you can get samples at macys.
slightly awkward bottle but oh well, wish it had a pump or something

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rated 5 of 5 perfumed8 on 9/15/2008 11:40:00 AM more reviews by perfumed8

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I bought this a couple of months ago while looking for the Double Wear Light, which they did not have in stock (I will try it someday!). I was kind of desperate for a new foundation after buying two drugstore brands and not having much luck. The only ever foundation I had loved before was Prescriptives, which is nigh on impossible to get where I live. The main reason I loved Prescriptives was that the shade Real Rose was the closest I have found to my own skin tone. So I purchased a few ivory rose type shades with really bad, pasty results.

So I began looking at the rest of their foundations, I was afraid of the Double Wear, I have always shied away from heavy duty type foundations. I picked this one up as even through the semi-opaque glass bottle it had a dewy type finish to it. The salesgirl tried to tell me it was for more mature skins and to look at other ones, but something told me this was the right one for me.

So once I convinced her to let me buy it(!), I asked her help in picking the right colour - always a minefield. She asked about the cool/warm skintone thing -lately I just have no luck with cool skintone foundations, even though that is definitely what I am. She suggested I go for their neutral range, and I ended up with Ivory Beige 03. Never in my life would I have gone for a foundation with the word beige in it - to me, beige = dark and orange. But this foundation actually works beautifully on my skin tone. It neutralises any pinkness without washing me out in a sea of chalkiness - it has just enough warmth in it to do that.

It is not quite as much a true match as the Prescriptives, but I am 98% happy with the colour. It blends well with a slight bit of effort, either with fingers or a brush. The finish is great though- slightly dewy, no noticeable sparkles although you do see one once in a while sort of thing. It is pretty sheer, which did surprise me as I presumed if it was meant for mature skins it might be heavier but I suppose it makes sense nowadays that they go lighter/light diffusing the older you get. So I would say if you like heavier coverage this one might not be for you.

So I really like this - it is light on the skin, easy to wear,dependable and natural looking, with a lightly dewy finish that is not greasy. I can get away without a powder on top, which I could not with most foundations so I would say it must be somewhat matteifying as well. It is quite expensive but I do think that compared with the money I wasted on drugstore brands it is well worth it. I am just scared to travel with it as I don't want to risk the bottle breaking, the only problem I have with glass packaging.

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rated 4 of 5 kayteonly on 9/14/2008 7:37:00 PM more reviews by kayteonly

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I've been wearing Bare Minerals for about 2 years now, and forgot what liquid foundation was like. My friend let me use this for a wedding and I couldn't believe how long it lasted! When I look at the pictures, my makeup is still in tact at the end of the reception. I love it.

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rated 1 of 5 PinkPrincess81 on 8/2/2008 3:03:00 AM more reviews by PinkPrincess81

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I thought that this foundation was horrible, it was bland, difficult to blend, and just looked muddy on my skin. Hideous. I was so disappointed, I am trying to find a replacement for my beloved Lancome Photogenic Ultra Confort, and this was definately not it. It had absolutely no 'glow or luminous' qualities whatsoever, which the MUA promised me it did, oh why do they lie?? Anyway, I was ready to throw it away, but I have since given it to my best friend, who is just using it up before she buys her usual one, so not so much waste.

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rated 4 of 5 harleypaws on 4/28/2008 8:40:00 PM more reviews by harleypaws

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

I requested a sample of this when I purchased the Double Wear foundation. It's a good quality foundation, medium coverage, medium staying power, but it just doesn't have the wow factor for me. Just a week before getting this sample, I used a sample of the Double Wear, and there was no comparison. The Double Wear gives me a flawless finish and lasts much longer IMO than the Lucidity. But for those with combo/dry or dry-normal skins who like a more natural look, I would recommend this.

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