I feel pretty...thanks to EsteeLauder.com!

If you know anything about me, it’s that I’m a bit of a product addict. I have been this way for years, and the fact that I work directly across the street from a Sephora DOES NOT HELP MATTERS ONE BIT. Consequently, when BlogHer recently contacted me to ask if I’d like the opportunity to review Estée Lauder’s newly-revamped website AND receive an Estée Lauder gift card to purchase products from the site, I’m sure you can only imagine my response. It was a little bit like the audience reaction that time Tyra gave away the crystal-encrusted Vaseline tubs on her talk show.





Only instead of Vaseline, I was getting INCREDIBLE FREE MAKEUP AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS.


After I performed not one, not two, but THREE separate Dances of Joy, I told them I’d love to participate.


My experience with the site was mixed. I found a ton of great features and tips, but I also had some technical issues and quibbles that, if addressed, would have made my experience that much better.


My first impression of the site was that it loaded a bit slowly, though I did like a lot of what the site had to offer.


For starters, I loved the idea of the Live Chat function, which enables you to instant message a Beauty Advisor for assistance. This feature is available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. E.T. Monday-Friday, and I decided to test it out. My Beauty Advisor was quite helpful when I presented her with my issue (my pores, OH MY GOD), and after a few questions, she suggested a product that she thought might help, Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refresher. (Pores appear 1/3 smaller? A 69% reduction in the look of pores in just 4 weeks? I’M IN.) At the time I wrote this review, I hadn’t yet received my order, so I couldn’t attest to its efficacy, but I appreciated her thorough follow-up questions and guidance to bring quick resolution to my beauty issue.


As helpful as I thought this function was, I worry that others won’t be able to find it. In order to get to it, I first had to go to the “Customer Service” tab (which is located on the bottom of the page), go to “Contact Information” and then click on the “Live Chat” link. Another option to get to it is to click within one of the product tabs (e.g., makeup, skincare, etc.) and then a “Need help?” button appears on the top right side of the page. If you roll your mouse over that, the Live Chat option appears. A feature as convenient and as helpful as this should be prominently linked on the site’s main page.


The Get the Look section with how-to videos, seasonal colors, and model looks was very informative. I don’t know about you, but every time I see a cosmetics ad in a magazine where I love the model’s makeup, I inwardly curse when they only provide the details of the item the ad is highlighting. I’m all, “I KNOW she’s wearing “Darkest-Ever Midnight Blackout Black Mascara! That’s evident! WHAT ABOUT HER AWESOME LIP GLOSS?”


The “Sumptuous” face in the Get the Look section caught my eye, and I clicked on that to find out what the model was wearing and how best to apply it. Once again, lag time was an issue, as I waited and waited for the page to open. And once again, once I got in, I was impressed by the clear outline of products, and step-by-step guidance for how to accomplish the look.


Overall, I liked a lot of what the site had to offer. In addition to the beauty products, it contains a wealth of information, in terms of Beauty Advisor guidance, as well as tips and tricks for flawless makeup application. However, getting to these areas requires a lot of time, which may try the patience of a lot of people.


Like I said earlier, there are definitely some kinks to work out. But once done? I have the feeling this site will be amazing.

See what other BlogHer Reviewers had to say about their experiences here!