OUR TOP SHELF
8 Best Estée Lauder Products We Keep Coming Back To (and Some New Favorites)
Some are already legends. Others are well on their way, according to our editors.

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands
Some beauty brands make temporary hits. Estée Lauder makes icons. The best Estée Lauder products have been earning permanent spots on bathroom shelves for decades, with repeat Allure Best of Beauty Award wins to back up their staying power. (Take the Advanced Night Repair serum, which remains one of the most recognizable bottles in skin care more than 40 years after its debut.)
But the brand isn't just coasting on nostalgia. Its newer skin-care launches are getting increasingly sophisticated, with ingredients and technologies aimed at everything from fine lines and loss of firmness to dryness and a weakened skin barrier. On the makeup front, even longtime favorites like the Double Wear foundation are getting major upgrades, proving there's still room for improvement after decades on the market. And then there's fragrance, including a fresh take on gourmands that might win over even those who usually find them too sweet. Ahead, our editors share the go-tos they can't imagine their routines without.
- Houston, We Have a Glow: Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex Serum, $135
- Scent to Impress: Glimmer Eau de Parfum Spray, $160
- Eyes on the Prize: Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt Eye Cream, $88
- Spot on: Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer, $38
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston, We Have a Glow: Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
Estée Lauder
Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
Elizabeth GulinoWhy it’s worth it: Can a serum help your skin defy gravity? (Fun fact: Estée Lauder took the idea to new heights in 2020, sending 10 bottles of its Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum to the International Space Station for an out-of-this-world marketing campaign.) Back on Earth, the serum is designed to work with the skin's natural overnight repair processes, thanks in part to the brand's proprietary tripeptide-32, also known as its Night Peptide. “We know that the skin undergoes circadian rhythms,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. “Skin repairs itself while you sleep, undoing the damage that occurred during the day.” The brand says the peptide works with the skin's circadian rhythm to recover from daily stressors and look smoother and firmer over time. (That said, there's nothing in the formula, like retinoids, that makes it strictly nighttime-only.) Fermented ingredients like Bifida ferment lysate, yeast extract, and Lactobacillus ferment support the skin barrier, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid draw in moisture, and squalane and jojoba esters lock it in.
“I was introduced to this serum earlier this year, and I'm now on my second bottle. I seriously don't think I could live without it—I mostly use it at night, but will apply it in the morning if my skin is feeling dehydrated. Ever since I started putting it on my face, I've seen an improvement in my skin texture and radiance. Consider me a fan for life.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, Bifida ferment lysate, Lactobacillus ferment
- Fragrance-free: yes
Sheer Magic: Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm
Estée Lauder
Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Estée Lauder Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm
Sarah KinonenWhy it’s worth it: If you loved mood rings as a kid, Estée Lauder's Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm has a similar color-changing trick up its sleeve, only it's your lips' chemistry doing the work. Take the shade Sheer Oasis, for example, which looks green in the tube but glides on clear before developing into a pretty, sheer tint as its pH-adaptive pigments react to your lips. Castor, apricot kernel, sweet cherry seed, and papaya seed oils deliver the hydration and softness you'd expect from a balm, while hyaluronic acid helps lips look plumper and fine lines less noticeable. Antioxidant vitamin E also protects lips from environmental stressors like pollution while adding further conditioning.
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Kinonen before applying the Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm
Sarah Kinonen.png)
Kinonen after applying the Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm
Sarah Kinonen“I'm not big on bold lips these days (much prefer a rosy neutral), but when the Estée Lauder Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm in the cheery Cherry Glow came across my desk, I was immediately drawn to it. Maybe that's because in balm formats, vibrant colors don't seem so intimidating, or that the Cherry Glow shade reads more pinky mauve than bright red on my lips. Whatever the case may be, the sheer but buildable formula is super hydrating (made with apricot kernel and papaya seed oil), swipes onto lips with ease, and lasts a surprisingly long time—through daily commutes, midday Diet Cokes, and the team meetings.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, castor oil, apricot kernel oil, sweet cherry seed oil, papaya seed oil, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 8 (including clear)
Scent to Impress: Glimmer Eau de Parfum Spray
Estée Lauder
Glimmer Eau de Parfum Spray
Allure content director Sophie Panych applying the Estée Lauder Glimmer Eau de Parfum Spray
Sophie PanychWhy it’s worth it: If you've written off gourmand fragrances as too sweet, Estée Lauder's Glimmer Eau de Parfum might change your mind. As the brand's first major foray into gourmand territory, this amber floral takes a more nuanced approach, opening with juicy raspberry and bright mandarin, softened by orange blossom. As it settles, a macaron rose accord brings in a sugary spin, but warm amber and earthy patchouli keep it from veering too dessert-like. Over time, classic woody notes (sandalwood and cedarwood) add depth while tonka bean lends a creamy warmth, making this gourmand just as fitting for a day at the office (where our tester wears it) as it is for a night out.
“The name of this perfume captures how it smells exactly: bright, sparkly, optimistic... joyous even. It's the perfect balance of floral (orange blossom) and gourmand (vanilla bean, as well as accords of raspberry mousse and rose macaron), woody (sandalwood and cedarwood) and warm (amber), a combination that makes it one of those fragrances that's easy to wear, day or night, work or play, in the height of summer or the depths of winter.” —Sophia Panych, content director
More to know
- Key notes: macaron rose accord, patchouli, amber embrace accord
- Sizes: 0.34 oz., 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
Sweet Relief: Glimmer Perfumed Body Lotion
Estée Lauder
Glimmer Perfumed Body Lotion
Allure contributing writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Estée Lauder Glimmer Perfumed Body Lotion
Christa Joanna LeeWhy it’s worth it: If you always forget to spritz on perfume before heading out the door, Estée Lauder's Glimmer Perfumed Body Lotion lets you check two things off your list at once: moisturizing your skin and smelling really good. It has the same warm blend of florals, amber, and sweetness as the matching eau de parfum, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid draw in hydration and sunflower seed oil and dimethicone soften dry skin. The lightweight formula absorbs without a heavy, greasy feel, so you can slather it from head to toe. Wear it solo for a softer take on Glimmer, or, if you can't get enough of that gourmand goodness, layer this body lotion under the perfume to have the scent linger longer.
“A great scent isn't exactly the first thing I look for in a body lotion, but Estée Lauder's Glimmer Perfumed Body Lotion made me realize it might be the motivation I needed to actually remember to moisturize after every shower. The formula absorbs with minimal fuss, leaves my skin feeling soft and nourished, and has a fragrance that lingers throughout the day without being overpowering.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
- Key notes: macaron rose accord, patchouli, amber embrace accord
- Fragrance-free: no
Eyes on the Prize: Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt Eye Cream
Estée Lauder
Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt Eye Cream
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream
Jessica CruelWhy it’s worth it: Still convinced your eye cream is just your night cream moonlighting in a smaller bottle? Editor in chief Jessica Cruel was in the same boat until she met Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt, a “souped-up” version of the brand’s iconic Advanced Night Repair serum customized for eyes. It borrows the brand’s proprietary Night Peptide, but adds a 2HA Volume Filler—two forms of hyaluronic acid that plump the look of fine lines and crepey skin. Caffeine temporarily reduces puffiness, while Bifida ferment and other soothing ferments support the delicate skin barrier around the eyes. The silky cream isn't just for your undereyes either—it's ophthalmologist-tested for use all around your eye (lids, crow's feet, and inner corners), for a smoother, firmer, and more well-rested look.
“I used to think eye cream was a scam. Isn't it just moisturizer by another name? Then I turned 35. It was then that I decided my dark circles needed special care. I was attracted to this line because I know the power of the best-selling Advanced Night Repair serum. This is a souped-up version customized for eyes. It has a similar lightweight texture but has two types of hyaluronic acid to help plump the area instantly. That minimizes the look of lines, which I appreciate before applying any type of concealer.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, Bifida ferment, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Ophthalmologist-tested: yes
Staying Power: Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Cruel applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Jessica CruelWhy it’s worth it: Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup already had three Allure Best of Beauty Awards under its belt, so why mess with a good thing? Well, the brand did just that in 2026, giving its nearly 30-year-old foundation a major makeover—and earning a fourth Best of Beauty Award this year. The new formula comes in a whopping 70 shades, promises up to 36 hours of wear (up from 24), and feels lighter and more fluid than its predecessor.
The secret is the brand's proprietary Polymer Mesh Matrix Technology, which encourages the foundation to flex with your skin rather than settle into fine lines or uneven texture, while specially treated pigments prevent your shade from changing as oil builds up throughout the day. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid add hydration, while a blend of niacinamide and brown algae extract keeps excess oil in check. “Double Wear has earned its reputation because it gives you tremendous control and dependable wear,” says New Jersey-based makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, who recommends applying a thin layer and building coverage only where needed.
One thing to keep in mind before restocking your longtime favorite: Our tester points out that your shade in the new formula will likely be different from the one you wore before, so it's worth getting color-matched again.

Cruel before applying the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Jessica Cruel
Cruel after applying the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Jessica CruelTester feedback from Cruel
“You can feel the difference in the new formula instantly. It's more liquidy and loose than the original. Where one drop does the job with the OG formula, it takes two or three to get the same level of coverage. This allows the wearer to customize. The original had one speed—full coverage or bust. This version can be light, medium, or full. One note: Let each layer dry down a bit before adding more for the best results. Double Wear lovers can still get the finish you love; it just takes a little longer. It still has staying power and a matte finish—the proof was evident after I spent hours sweating and taking selfies at the launch party in Los Angeles. It looked the same from the first photo to the last.
The pigments in this new formula have also been updated, which can be confusing when you're trying to find your shade. I have always been 6W1 Sandalwood. In this new version, I went from 6W2 to 6C1, and I'm still not quite sure which one is the best fit. There's a 50% chance you'll have to change shades, so I definitely recommend going to get matched before committing to the new Double Wear.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
- Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, brown algae extract
- Shades: 70
- Finish: matte
- Coverage: medium/buildable
Spot on: Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Sarah HanWhy it’s worth it: When commerce editor Sarah Han wants more coverage without committing to foundation, she reaches for Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer. The 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner provides full coverage without feeling like a thick layer of makeup, thanks to the brand's InvisiFlex Technology, which uses flexible polymers that move with your facial expressions to prevent creasing and cracking. Oil-absorbing silica keeps unwanted shine in check, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid help skin stay hydrated and comfortable (because matte shouldn't mean dry). Caffeine also reduces the look of puffiness around tired eyes. Even the three-sided applicator is thoughtful, with different edges for concealing blemishes, brightening undereyes, and getting into tricky spots around the nose and eyes.

Han before applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Sarah HanTester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Most days, I'm wearing a light-to-medium coverage concealer for an as-natural-as-possible look—no foundation either—but when my skin is looking particularly uneven and spotty, a fuller-coverage concealer like Double Wear easily smooths out said discoloration, breakouts, what have you. This stuff packs a punch, so I probably didn't need to apply as much as I did in the demo, but you live, and you learn. The applicator is quite wide, too, so it holds and dispenses a lot of product at once. I didn't even feel the need to go over any areas with a second layer, which is always great news. If I'm going to a special event but don't feel like doing a foundation-and-concealer combo, this is the first product I'd reach for. The shade 2N1 is a fantastic color match for me as well and makes me look like I've got a teensy bit of sun—without looking obviously warmer/darker—even when I haven't.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: micro silica spheres, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine
- Shades: 30
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural
Glow Must Go On: Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence
Estée Lauder
Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence
Lee applying the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence
Christa Joanna LeeWhy it’s worth it: You know those winter days when no amount of moisturizer seems to be enough? That's where an essence comes in. Think of it as an extra layer of hydration to help relieve that tight, dry feeling. Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence takes things a step further, focusing on helping stressed-out skin bounce back (just in time for the transitional weather).
Its biggest selling point is the brand's Bio-Exosome Technology, inspired by exosomes—tiny particles that cells release to communicate with one another. They've gained attention in dermatology as the basis for in-office treatments, often applied after procedures like lasers and microneedling, that promise to speed up skin recovery, calm redness, and improve the appearance of texture and fine lines (though research on their effectiveness is still limited). Estée Lauder's version uses a blend of more than 500 peptides designed to mimic that cell-to-cell messaging and support a stronger skin barrier. It's not the same as an in-office exosome treatment, but the idea is to bring some of that skin-repair science into your everyday routine.
It also includes the brand's signature Night Peptide, tripeptide-32, plus bifida and lactobacillus ferments to keep skin feeling comfortable, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, Centella asiatica to soothe, and ferulic acid and green tea extract for antioxidant protection. Despite all those skin-care extras, the watery formula absorbs quickly without leaving behind a heavy or sticky layer.
Tester feedback from Lee
"Thankfully, it's not showing up too much in this video, but I'm currently dealing with contact dermatitis from another beauty product along my jawline, eyebrows, and nose (the struggles of being a beauty editor!), so I've been extra careful about what goes on my face lately. The words ‘recovery’ and ‘repair’ couldn't be more fitting, considering this flare-up and my prescription tretinoin have left my skin feeling incredibly dry and irritated. Luckily, Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence hasn't aggravated my skin one bit—in fact, I've noticed it helps calm some of the redness. It's fragrance-free, feels as light as water, and absorbs without a hint of stickiness, which is exactly what my angry skin needs right now." —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: peptides (tripeptide-32, acetyl hexapeptide-8), bifida ferment, lactobacillus ferment, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, ferulic acid, green tea extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a makeup artist based in New Jersey
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Estée Lauder products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Keep the hydration coming with these skin-care favorites:
- 8 Best Night Creams for Waking Up to Plumper, Bouncier Skin
- These Moisturizers Go the Extra Mile for Mature Skin
- 8 Best Wrinkle Serums to Smooth Etches and Lines
Now, watch our favorite celebs get ready in just 10 minutes—and gain some beauty inspo along the way:
Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
Christa Joanna Lee is a writer, editor, and copywriter specializing in beauty and wellness, parenting, and lifestyle. With deep roots in the magazine world, she’s developed editorial and branded content for print and digital outlets such as Lucky, Bustle, Teen Vogue, SELF, Woman’s Day, New York Magazine, and InStyle. Before ... Read More
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