What is it:
A fast-acting serum that reduces the look of uneven skintone: redness, acne marks, dark spots, sun spots and discolourations.What is it formulated to do:
This intensive, yet gentle oil-free serum features powerful technologies that address the look of every key sign of uneven skintone:
Triple-Optic Technology provides with a brighter, more luminous look
CorrectTone Technology reduces uneven skintone, while anti-oxidants help prevent its re-appearance.
Ingredients:
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Gentiana Lutea (Gentian) Root Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Bombycis (Mulberry) Root Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Squalane, Yeast Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Isohexadecane, PEG-6, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polysorbate 20, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Fragrance, Tromethamine, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Bismuth Oxychloride, Carmine
How to Use:
Apply on clean skin and follow with your SPF moisturiser.
For maximum results, use morning and night for the first 12 weeks, then continue with your regular skincare regimen and using Even Skintone Illuminator every morning.
Review:
makes some big claims! It claims to improve what most women struggle with as they age; uneven skintone. So naturally, I had some big expectations for this product. Whilst my expectations weren’t completely abated, they also were not exceeded.
This serum has a nice slippery texture that applies effortlessly and sinks right into the skin. It leaves your face looking radiant and healthy, though, I find this to be a result of the gold shimmery particles in the serum. I find this serum to not be hydrating at all, however, oddly enough, it also is not drying. The instructions do recommend moisturising over the serum, and this combination offers just enough hydration. The serum also works extremely well under makeup, and gives a subtle brightening effect. Makeup did not flake and dry areas were not emphasised, but then again, I have never skipped applying moisturiser over the serum.
Whilst Estee Lauder’s Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator does make skin look better instantly, as per their claims, however, I do think this is more cosmetic. The golden shimmery particles (which Estee Lauder refers to as Triple-Optic Technology) in the serum reflect light, hide flaws and make the skin appear more even all over. The high amount of silicone also helps to ‘fill in’ any large pores, making it the perfect base to apply foundation. However, shimmer, golden particles and silicone are not skincare no matter what ‘technologies’ and fancy words are used. This effect is more makeup than skincare. This combination results in skin looking more youthful and radiant instantly, however, like makeup, it is washed off at the end of the day.
The Estee Lauder’s Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator is a wonderful makeup primer that works beautifully under makeup and really does make skin look more even-toned and radiant. This serum also does contains a blend of wonderful ingredients, which will help skin to look and feel better overtime, however, in terms of reducing dark spots and stubborn pigmentation, I would recommend using products with ingredients such as hydroquinone, which are proven to help reduce pigmentation. I have used this serum morning and nightly for 6 weeks now, and sun spots have not lightened. While my skin feels very smooth, and generally does look healthy and rested, I would not re-purchase this product if I was expecting to see a reduction in sun spots. However, as a primer to makeup, and as your go-to product for radiance in a bottle, then I would highly recommend Estee Lauder’s Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator.
Pros:
· Light-weight silky texture that leaves skin very smooth
· Contains a large amount of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants
· Soft golden finish provides an illuminating effect
Cons:
· Expensive
· Contains fragrance, which can cause irritation for some skin types
· Does not contain ingredients that are proven to lighten brown spots of pigmentation.
Verdict:
I really wanted to love this product but I just didn’t. I was hoping for more lasting results in terms of reducing brown spots, and it didn’t deliver. However, what I did find in Estee Lauder’s Idealist Even Skintone illuminator was a great makeup primer. I have never really been a fan of makeup primers, as they have always caused breakouts. However, this serum offers skincare benefits as well as providing an even, radiant and flawless canvass on which to apply my makeup. If you don’t mind spending , then this is a great skincare makeup primer!
Have you tried Estee Lauder's Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator?