Estée Lauder Spring/Summer 2013 Preview

While we eagerly await longer days, sunnier weather, and wearing our favourite sandals for a walk to the local gelateria, a sneak peek at spring/summer 2013's beauty offerings can only sweeten the anticipation. At least, that was how I felt when I attended the Estée Lauder media preview. Even though rain and cloudy skies cast a grey pall over the city, inside the luxe surroundings of the Hotel Georgia, Estée Lauder's new colour cosmetics and skincare products--all in the line's signature gold packaging--more than gladdened the heart of this beauty lover. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect at an Estée Lauder counter near you.

Nailed it

Two new colour collections join the popular Pure Color Nail Lacquer line. The French Nudes Collection ($25 each at Holt Renfrew, available for a limited time March 2013) comprises five nude shades that match or contrast with diverse skin tones. "This collection is like foundation for nails," says creative director Tom Pecheux of this collection. "It's all about enhancing nails, rather than making a big statement with color." It's a refreshing and sophisticated departure from the OTT nail art and colour trends we've seen in the last few seasons. My personal favourite is 'So Vain', an elegant taupe several shades darker than my natural skin tone. And for those who crave a hit of colour in spring, the new macaron-inspired Heavy Petals Collection (second row) might just be the sweetest pastel shades out there.

For stay-cations and beach vacations

The Bronze Goddess Collection (summer 2013) features limited-edition lip and nail colours in corals and fuchsias (so flattering on sun-kissed skin), and the prettiest gold and tortoiseshell palettes. Meanwhile, the no-fuss, no-muss AERIN collection has everything a girl needs for a jaunt to St. Barths: a multi-tasking Summer Style Palette with neutral eyeshadows, blush, two lipsticks and two glosses; Pretty Bronze Portal Illuminating Powder which comes in its own brush dispenser; neutral glosses and lipsticks; and a nourishing Beach Cream that rehydrates hair and skin after a long day in the sun.

From the archive

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Estée Lauder Youth-Dew, a bath oil that doubles as a spicy fragrance. Originally launched in 1953, Youth-Dew turned the American fragrance market on its head by making it socially acceptable for women to purchase and use fragrance themselves. Before Youth-Dew, the act was considered immodest and women would wait for someone to buy them a bottle as a gift, which then sat unused on a vanity. Check out the limited-edition bottle with the detachable Swarovski bow--how pretty would that be on a modern vanity?

From the Orient

Estée Lauder will be introducing North Americans to some of its bestselling products from Asia this year--exciting! The CyberWhite HD Collection (available March 2013) targets dark spots that appear over time, particularly in Asian and Caucasian skin. The Nutritious Radiant Vitality Collection (available April 2013, not pictured) uses the anti-oxidant properties of pomegranate to bring out a healthy glow.

Other exciting skincare launches (not pictured here)

The Perfectly Clean Collection of multi-tasking face cleansers ($28-32) for every concern (my pick is the Triple-Action Cleanser/Toner/Makeup Remover, aka "the lazy girl's solution"); the Perfectionist [CP+R] Line Smoother ($72), which blurs and softens even the toughest forehead ridges in an instant and improves the condition of skin over time; the Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection UV Defense SPF 50 ($45), a chemical sunscreen packed with anti-oxidants to defend against free radicals.