Estee Lauder Double Wear High Cover Concealer Review & Swatches of Shades

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place High Cover Concealer - SPF 35 (Cream Compact NOT the Liquid Concealer) & MAC Studio Finish Comparison 
New for Spring 2014

Price: $23 for 3 grams
Approx $7.66/gram
(MAC Studio Finish Concealer is about $2.66/gram)
First and foremost about this concealer, its name is absolutely ridiculously long! This is the cream compact which houses an emollient based concealer, not the standard Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer which is a typical long-lasting, liquid based formula.

They claim that this is a higher cover than their liquid version and that it will stay in place all day promising something like 12-15 hours of wear! Its sounding a little too good to be true...


The issue with some of these claims is that it IS an emollient based concealer. Personally I love these formulas for foundation and sometimes concealer, but I also have dry skin. Even I need to set these formulas with powder to prevent creasing and slipping into fine lines. (I use concealers for under my eyes and a few red spots, but not for blemishes.)

Another thing to note is that, despite Estee Lauder's claims, this is in no way a new or revolutionary product of any kind. In Fact, Estee Lauder has been manufacturing this identical product vicariously through MAC for years, and many many many other companies have been making similar products for DECADES.

All "cream" concealers in compact fort are essentially stick concealers melted down into a pot. That's it. They are ALL comprised of two basic formulas, either emollient or silicone. The performance difference of the two is pretty much that true Emollient/Wax based formulas don't significantly dry out if exposed to air.

Silicone based formulas like CoverGirl Simply Ageless Concealer will dry out if exposed to air for an extended period of time. This doesn't mean all products are created equally, but those are the principal differences. People with dry skin will typically have more luck with Emollient/Wax formulas than those with oily skin because dry skin sucks up more moisture.

This is an identical dupe for MAC Studio Finish Concealer. It makes sense, Mac is a Lauder-owned company and Studio Finish is very popular, so Estee Lauder made their own version.
The ONLY differences between the two? The SHADES, PRICE, and QUANTITY!!!

Save your money & go with MAC! (Or preferably, one of the many CRUELTY FREE formulas available, such as Mally Cancellation Concealer.)


Swatches & Shade Guide/Comparison:

Estee Lauder Double Wear High Cover Stay in Place Concealer SPF 35 Swatches of Shades
1. 1N Extra Light Neutral, 2. 1W Light Warm, 3. 1C Light Cool, 4. 2W Light/Medium Warm, 5.  2C Light/Medium Cool,
6. 3W Medium Warm, 7. 3C Medium Cool, 8. 4N Medium/Deep Neutral,  9. 5N Deep Neutral, 10. 6N Extra Deep Neutral

Personally I LOVE the 1N1 "Very Light", which is neutral, but its just too light for me and its the only neutral shade available for light skin tones. Do I love it enough to pay 4x the price of Studio Finish instead of just mixing NW15 & NC20 to get that neutral peachy color? Absolutely not.

(I would rather mix Studio Finish NW15 & NC20 to get the same shade. I would pay $32 instead of $23 but I'd get 400% more product for a 50% increase in price.)

Ironically, the 2W1 Shade is another near match for me but it's just a hint too dark. This shade goes against the lines precedent and is a true orange/goldish color. It will probably be a good match for those who want Studio Finish in Nc25 (which MAC does not make.)

Keep in mind though, for $32, you could buy Studio Finish in 2 shades to mix together, and you would be getting 14 grams/.5oz of product. That would last you years! If you go with Estee Lauder, you would be getting 3 grams for $23. Is that really worth it to not have to mix two shades?

Originally I though this would be a great option for those who fell between shades in MAC, but after seeing the ridiculously LOW quantity you get, its far from worth it! Just buy 2 MAC shades.

If you REALLY don't want to mix two shades, or chose which two to mix, ask any Mac Associate. I'm sure they'd be happy to help for the sale, if not mix them for you!

Your other option would be to order the Studio Pro Conceal & Correct Palette from MAC for $40. Now granted, that's not MUCH cheaper than the Double Wear High Cover, but it is slightly cheaper at $40 for 6 grams its $6.66 per gram, BUT you get FOUR concealers & TWO correcters!!!

The price for Estee Lauder is bit more than 3x the cost of MAC. Does that really seem worth it?

Ingredient Comparison:

Estee Lauder Double Wear High Cover Concealer 3g
Active Ingredients: OCTINOXATE 5.00%, TITANIUM DIOXIDE 2.00%,
Inactive Ingredients: octyldodecanol•synthetic beeswax•copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax carnauba•silica•hydrogenated polyisobutene•simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil•polybutene•stearic acid•tocopherol•ascorbyl palmitate•alumina•pvp/hexadecene copolymer•[+/- iron oxides (ci 77491)•iron oxides (ci 77492)•iron oxides (ci 77499)•titanium dioxide (ci 77891)•chromium oxide greens (ci 77288)•chromium hydroxide green (ci 77289)] <iln40218>

MAC Studio Finish Concealer 7g
INGREDIENTS: OCTINOXATE 5.00%, TITANIUM DIOXIDE 2.00%,
InActive Ingredients: OCTYLDODECANOL, SYNTHETIC BEESWAX, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX, SILICA, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, POLYBUTENE, PVP/HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, ALUMINA, STEARIC ACID, [+/-(MAY CONTAIN) TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS (CI 77288)]

Note, that the 1% rule applies and if a product contains less than 1% of an ingredient, it may be listed in ANY order, but this in no supports the claim these are separate formulas!