Estée Favorites Gift Set | Amazon Exclusive 3-Piece Set with Full-Size Advanced Night Repair Serum, Full-Size Sumptuous Extreme Mascara & Beautiful Magnolia Fragrance

I have been using Estée Lauder since my early 20s. My mother introduced me to cosmetics she used. For this brand I have mostly only used the cosmetics. I haven't tried the skincare lineup that much but have had testers of perfume.Estée Favorites is a wonderful gift set with a bit of an odd arrangement of full size products. The price point is fabulous for the scent and serum. Just that the set also includes a full size mascara. Feels out of place but a nice concept of the brand's range.Often gift sets only include travel size or samplers in a big box with lots of structured packaging taking up space. The box is an attractive gifting ready set. But I didn't prefer that my set did not have seal stickers on the box.The inside had wadded tissue and the items wrapped in tissue. I have never seen this sort of presentation before. I was worried it was returned or had something wrong. The only gift sets I have had from this brand were in store with a complimentary bag. I admit this was my first box set experience. I do appreciate the lack of waste but that's a risky way to secure perfume.I included the advanced night repair my routine in place of my usual night serum. The dropper is an interesting design which helped me use an appropriate amount.The aroma is noticeable and hard to place but pleasing. Very mild and slightly spa leaning without being obvious. The serum applies evenly with a few drops. Does not feel greasy or oily, and is light on my skin. I did not need to wait long to absorb.I have combination or normal skin that is sensitive. My skin is dry in winter and cold spring. I sometimes flare from fragrance in serums or with some ingredients but I have not experienced irritation. I'm not prone to breakouts from serum.The sumptuous extreme mascara is black so I will regift the tube my sister that has brown hair and uses black mascara. I adore the mascara from this brand, but in my early forties I wear brown or red mascara that matches my strawberry blonde golden hair and eyebrows. I rarely wear evening or bold makeup like I did when I was a devoted fan of this brand. I would like to invest in full face products but as a stay at home mom, I rarely wear much past my skincare.I love mascara that provides volume because I have blonde basically invisible thin lashes. The long brush loads eyelashes with ease. One pass of the wand brush adds noticeable volume. I feel like I would need a full face on just because I am so fair. I also wear glasses and it stands out if I am not balanced.I did not do two layers with intention to wear all day but I did for the review. I used to do two passes top and bottom with this brand. I was a routine bold cat eye and full eyeliner type in my career and alternative phase when younger. I loved how this doesn't clump and looks so full.The mascara washed off well. I used a remover that focuses on lash wash and conditioning since my blonde lashes are precious and minimal. The wear was fabulous. I would wear this in a color more appropriate for my hair and natural features.I collect full size perfume bottles. I prefer floral, musky, green notes but my range expands into layering scents and moody choices. I love the delicate feminine bottle design but appreciate the glass bottle has weight.Beautiful magnolia is floral powdery aroma that is a bit strong or moderate with sillage so little is best. All the beauty counter scents have a similar mature woman vibe but are in my opinion designed to be inoffensive. These florals lack any real sense of identity. This is the sort of scent that I wore as a work perfume while in sales at a department store. Most of the ladies used this brand.This is a scent profile is marketed as a romantic and fresh floral. There is an intense floral with a vague musk. Unfortunately it is more of a white floral accord. To me that’s not particularly fresh or dewy but a powdery unoriginal pink note.Magnolia and gardenia are immediately available to detect. I prefer when the scent softens into warmer wood and musk notes but wish the powder wasn't involved. I'm not a fan of powder as it is a bit elderly for me.On my skin the scent lasts a few solid hours before mild fading but can last longer on clothing like a scarf. When the fade does startvthe aroma morphes into a lighter less noticeable scent. At that point it is appealing.At first application the aroma is not ideal on my wrists or inner elbow. The aroma lasts longer on my chest and is less sensory overload walked into than spaying onto. The scent on my wrists made me nauseous at first because it was too much.Fragrance is personal, and this reminds me of a happy time in my life as a young yet old soul. I want a fragrance for the memories the aroma brings me to. I usually gravitate to what many call old lady but most times people comment on how it works for me in a strange musky way. In the end my impression is of a classic, feminine work or day perfume for an older professional or family member rather than trendy.From a value standpoint, this gift set ismore than reasonable. The serum can sell in store close to the cost of this 3 piece gift set. A full size mascara feels oddly placed to me. I would prefer a cream to match the skincare theme. Plus the 30 ml Eau de Parfum falls into that category for me. For those that use serum and mascara then the scent would be the added bonus.Overall the 75 dollar price is in fact a bargain for the set. As a regular in store buyer of counter cosmetic and skincare brands, I appreciate bundles with real value. This brand always delivers amazing sets and attractive offerings. If this set had an option for my lash color I would find the price extremely fantastic.