I have never – and probably will never – be known as the best [insert accolade here]. Maybe the best person called Lia Mappoura? But not much else of note, sadly *plays tiny violin*. Estée Lauder, though? Well, they've got a lot of best beauty product titles under their belt, including one for, arguably, the most long-lasting foundation ever. Enter: Estée Lauder Double Wear.
Now, Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation is not new, nor has it been re-formulated. However, after a personal few years' hiatus from my makeup bag, I rediscovered its magic, and so I'm now sharing the gospel. I am a woman of the people, after all.
But before I get into my nitty-gritty review, here are some key need-to-knows of the cult classic (as per the brand website):
- Flawless matte foundation that lasts for up to 24 hours
- Suitable for all skin types, including oily skin
- Buildable, medium-to full-coverage foundation
- Matte finish
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Waterproof
- SPF 10
- Humidity and sweat-resistant
- Non-comedogenic (aka, won't clog pores)
- Dermatologist tested
- 60 cashmere-matte shades
As an oily-skinned girlie who prefers a full-coverage beat, the above ticks every single box. But how does that translate IRL? Keep reading to find out...
Shades used: 1W1 and 2N2 mixed together
The first thing I noticed upon opening my shiny new (yet old) foundation? It doesn't come with a pump. I'm sorry, but we're in 2025; Beauty has come a long, long way from what it once was, so tell me why I still have to purchase a pump separately from its foundation? And for an added £5.25? That's my Tesco meal deal (and then some) out the window... Make it make sense!
Being the money-saving (read: skint) 25-year-old Londoner that I am, I wouldn't recommend investing in the pump. Yes, it does help distribute an even amount of product and reduce waste slightly, and it does make for a cleaner makeup bag, but it isn't essential.
That said, the pump – or rather, lack thereof – is my only qualm. Word to the TOWIE theme song, 'the only way is up, baby!'
Once I dolloped what I guessed would be a face-covering amount of foundation onto the back of my hand (no, I'm not bitter), I distributed the thick-but-not-heavy drops onto my face and blended with a dense complexion brush. In doing so, I was able to retain the coverage, rather than it being soaked up into a beauty sponge.
As shown in the no-makeup image above, I have a lot of hyperpigmentation – specifically around my mouth and under my eyes – as well as blemishes and redness. The veil of medium-to-buildable coverage foundation, however, was able to mask that and instead, offer me a flawless and even base. I topped with concealer and a translucent powder, as I always do, even though it's not totally necessary thanks to its already self-setting matte finish.
While the coverage is elite, the wear is this foundation's USP. Over a few weeks of testing, the longest I wore it for (at one time) was 14 hours... 'Twas a long day. And while it showed in my demeanour, it didn't show on my face. My foundation was more or less intact at the end of the day, and above all, shine was controlled throughout.
So, all that to say, you best believe that this will be my base routine for the foreseeable! Yes, I will die on the hill that is full-coverage matte foundation. J'adore, Estée!
Follow Lia on Instagram.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
