I’m a Makeup Artist—Here’s What I Think of Estée Lauder’s Reformulated Double Wear Foundation

We put the new Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup formula to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

For as long as I can remember, Estée Lauder has been a household name in beauty, with millions of consumers worldwide purchasing its best-selling skincare, makeup, and more. In 1997, the brand created its cult-favorite Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, which remains one of the most popular foundations today. Double Wear has stood the test of time, offering full, long-lasting coverage and popularity among professional makeup artists, performers, celebrities, and customers who want coverage and wear they can depend on.

Earlier this year, the iconic product relaunched with a few formula tweaks, and it has everyone talking. I reviewed (and loved) the original formula last year, so I was excited to dive into the new one and see how it compares. Ahead, read my honest thoughts on the new Double Wear Stay-in-Place makeup reformulation, from the finish to the wear time.

About the New Formula

Estée Lauder has made significant changes to the foundation packaging, with the newer bottle (still frosted) featuring beveled edges and a silver cap instead of the original gold. The name, size, and price have stayed the same, although the logo font on the new bottle is larger. The brand also now offers a $10 reusable pump for those who want more control when applying (a welcome addition). The original formula came in 57 shades, but the newer one has over 70, catering to every skin tone.

The formula has noticeable changes you can feel right away. While the original comes out slightly thicker, the newer one is more fluid, thanks to four added skincare ingredients. Glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and brown algae extract help hydrate and balance skin while reducing signs of oiliness. It’s also imperative to note that the silicones have changed to methyl trimethicone and dimethicone.

“Over the last several years, consumer needs have evolved, and our technology has advanced,” a brand rep from Estée Lauder tells us. “It was time for us to innovate the Double Wear Stay-in-Place to meet the needs of both our existing loyal consumers today and recruit new, multi-generational consumers with the new Double Wear. This is a more modern matte, more full of life. Its medium-to-full coverage is now easier to build and customize, plus the wear time is even longer, up to 36 hours.”

The foundation remains waterproof, transfer-proof, and resistant to heat, humidity, and creasing. The updated formula maintains moisture levels for up to 72 hours and reduces oil production in just four weeks, for a more comfortable, skin-friendly finish than ever before.

As for who should wear the new formulation, the Estée Lauder rep says it suits all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. It’s suitable for anyone looking for long-lasting, buildable coverage and a dimensional matte finish.

My Review

I wear foundation or some sort of skin tint daily and maintain a consistent morning and evening skincare routine. When I tried the original Double Wear foundation, it took some time to learn how much I needed to apply and the best way to blend it in. It dried quickly and looked matte on my skin, taking some getting used to for someone who usually prefers a lighter, more luminous finish.

The most important thing for me when wearing foundation is for my skin to look even, as I have some redness and broken capillaries. I’ve had both IPL and Fraxel Dual laser done. My skin is combination, yet it’s on the oilier side, and I do have some dry patches around my nose. I applied this formula the same way as the last one: using a hydrating skincare routine, waiting for it to settle, then adding just enough and blending it out quickly with a foundation brush.

The swatch was more than enough to cover one side of my face and my forehead. Upon application, I could feel how much more fluid the formula was compared to the previous one. It blended more easily, though I still needed to work quickly. I also didn’t experience any patchiness or product pilling as I worked it into my skin.

As you can see, the coverage is still incredible for such a small amount applied. It’s more coverage than I’m used to, yet it still felt breathable because I was careful not to over-apply it. It lasted all day, only moving around my nose when I wore sunglasses, which is typical for me no matter what makeup I wear. It’s also enough coverage to wear under the eye area in place of concealer, and it held up well without any added irritation. I wear cream and liquid formulas for bronzer, blush, and highlight, and I’ve found that the foundation layers well with other products in different textures. To remove it at night, I double-cleansed with an oil and a foaming cleanser to ensure my skin was completely makeup-free, and I found it broke up well with the oil.

While it’s sometimes hard to be open to change (especially when it involves our favorite makeup products), I was thoroughly impressed with the new Double Wear Stay-in-Place reformulation. I think you will be too, especially if you’re a full coverage foundation enthusiast. If you remember to prep your skin properly and play around with your application technique and tools, all while lightly building your coverage so you don’t end up with a heavy, mask-like finish, you’ll be seriously impressed with this long-lasting, skin-friendly result.