Essence Cosmetics 2017 Fall/Winter Collection – New Lip Gloss & Matte Shades

There are few things I enjoy more than uncapping a new lipstick or gloss and for the holiday season you may need a few new shades for parties or stocking stuffers. This season essence has released a collection of lip products with great formulas and finishes to keep your pout mistletoe ready and totally trendy.

My personal favorites are the Matt Matt Matt Long Lasting Lip Gloss ($4.99). They come in 5 shades (I don’t have the 2 deepest hues) and the creamy, mousse pigment is velvety, rich and highly saturated for excellent coverage. The texture reminds me of the NYX Lip Creams – very smooth and moisturizing but with a much better scent. Although the pigments are classifies as “gloss,”the finish is similar to liquid lipstick and resists flaking to keep lips doused in cushiony comfort. The applicator is a bit clunky but the color applies well and stays put for hours.

Shades (left to right) La Vie Est Belle, Girl of Today and Beauty Approved

If you still crave a pop of pretty pigment without going completely matte, the Water Kiss Glossy Lip Color ($4.49) may be more your style. The color payoff is vibrant and the consistency creates an aqua-like sensation so lips feel thoroughly quenched and drenched. The gloss applies effortlessly – bathing lips in lush liquid with a wet, shiny effect and medium coverage.

Ocean Girl, Aquatic Chic and Deep Sea Love

The Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lip Gloss ($3.99) is available in a variety of sheer shades and frosty finishes that are simple, luminous and hydrating. The formula is very basic but the creamy consistency clings to the skin for longer wear and keeps lips soft, plush and radiant. I use these to transform matte lipsticks to gloss (usually at the end of the day when my lips feel parched). They are great for quick touch-ups and a little moisture but they don’t have much color payoff.

Behind the Scenes, Friends of Glamour and Smile Sparkle Shine

Essence Cosmetics is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws

Essence Cosmetics 2017 Fall/Winter Collection and Exclusives

This season Essence Cosmetics has developed trendy new makeup, skincare essentials and grooming tools to keep you looking fabulous without breaking the bank.

The new Metal shadows pack a bold punch of shimmer that is perfect for glam autumn looks and holiday parties. These are some of my favorite pigments from the brand because the formula is silky, highly pigmented and long-lasting with an incredible chrome finish that makes your eyes look mesmerizing. They are available in an assortment of trendy colors for just $4.99 each.

Usually we think of strobing as a method used to accentuate the face but Essence has totally changed the game with their new primer. The cream has a white, luminous finish to give any shadow an instant pop of radiance, prevent creasing and prolong wear. It makes pigments appear brighter, dazzling and a tad lighter in color for more brilliance. You can use the Storbing Highlighting Base with any brand or shade and it retails for just $4.49.

Swatches: Metal Shadows + Eye & Face Palette

I spend hours on my computer, iPad and phone so my eyes are constantly strained, tired, dry and achy. The Cooling & Relaxing Eye Pads ($4.99) refresh and relieve swollen eyes and help prevent tension headaches. Simply pop the cute little cucumbers in the fridge to cool then sit back and relax.

The Blushplay Sculpting Palette ($6.99) was designed to create a multidimensional look with highlight, sculpting and defining powders. Play It Peach has light, uplifting shades that boost the complexion.

The Matte look is still very trendy so essence has released 2 great products to keep you shine-free and beautiful. The All About Matt Fixing Powder ($5.49) has a translucent, waterproof finish that withstands humidity and repels water to keep your makeup looking fresh. If you need a little extra protection against oil, the Instant Matt Setting Spray ($5.99) is transparent, lightweight and fragrance free. These are also great for vacation.

The Essence Eye & Face Palette ($6.99) is ideal for the holiday season with lustrous shimmer and soft, flattering hues. It comes with 4 shadows, 1 highlighter and 1 blush that are nicely pigmented, soft, smooth and buildable for great coverage.

The Honey Care Moisturizing Hand Cream ($4.99) and Regenerating Nail Cuticle Scrub ($4.99) repair and protect for soft, healthy skin. The non-greasy cream nourishes and conditions while the exfoliant smooths rough cuticles and nails. Both products are travel-friendly with a sweet, buttery scent.

The Style Your Brows Kit ($3.99) is perfect for grooming on-the-go! Pop it in your purse and use it to tweeze, comb and shape your brows into submission.

All of these products make fabulous stocking stuffers and Essence Cosmetics is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws.

Fall 2017 Makeup Trends – Metallic Lips

Autumn is the perfect time to unleash your inner diva and embrace the bold, glamorous trends of the season including rich, sultry color. This year many brands have released a variety of metallic pigments to enhance your pout with a wash of pretty chrome shimmer.

The Essence Metal Shock Lipsticks ($5.99) are available in 7 scintillating hues that range from burgundy-purple and luminous rose to daring shades like green, blue and rose gold. The creamy formula glides on effortlessly and drenches lips in a sparkling sheen. There are no glitter chunks so the lipsticks apply smoothly and the pigmentation is versatile, bright and highly saturated for consistent coverage.

The lightweight, comfortable texture is moisturizing and the metallic finish shows through prominently so your lips are the center of attention. The broad surface allows for easy application with no need for liner and I love how the color glimmers in the light.

Some of my favorites are the more wearable shades – 05 purple and 03 fuchsia pink. Essence Cosmetics is available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Loreal has also launched some gorgeous Metallic Lip Paints ($12.99) – an extension of the original formula with a brilliant new twist. These lush pigments offer full-coverage, highly saturated color with a glittering, multi-dimensional sheen that is reflective and mesmerizing. 332 Galactic Foil is a glowing pink that looks absolutely stunning and 334 Smoldering Eclipse (deep purple berry) is perfect for the season! The glitter tends to scatter and remain on the lips after the color has faded but a little mess is a small price to pay for stunning chrome lips. Loreal is available at drugstores nationwide.

We can’t talk about metallic lip color without mentioning the NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Creams ($10.00). These velvety pigments are vibrant and intense with a wide variety of shades to choose from including neutrals and gold tones. The dazzling, opaque colors and magnificent finishes accentuate your pout and provide a dramatic effect with just a few quick swipes. 

NYX is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, freestanding stores and online at nyxcosmetics.ca

With the Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Long-Lasting Water Resistant Top Coats ($21.00 ea) you can add a pretty metallic finish to any cream, satin or matte lipstick with loads of glitter! Simply brush them over your favorite shades to create beautiful lip art effects and once dry the color stays in place for comfortable mess-free wear. Urban Decay is available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, UD freestanding stores and online at urbandecay.ca. To read the full review and see swatches click HERE.

Essence Cosmetics The Glow Must Go On Bronzing & Highlighting Palette + Shape & Shadows Eye Contouring Palette

With the launch of new matte lipsticks, liners, mascara and gloss there are a lot of new summer goodies to choose from at the Essence kiosk in Shoppers Drug Mart. If you find yourself browsing the isle make sure to check out the new face, eye and brow multi-purpose palettes designed and approve by international beauty bloggers.

The Glow Must Go On Bronzing and Highlighting Palette ($9.99) is one of the best products Essence has launched here in Canada. This pretty luminizer has 3 strips of radiant pigment (champagne, gold and bronze) to flatter all skin tones. With these gorgeous tones you can adjust your glow intensity from fresh and light for day wear to intense and warm for wild summer nights. The color payoff is smooth, silky and buildable with enough saturation to dramatically enhance the cheekbones and be used as eye shadow. The 3 colors surrounding the highlighter compliment the shimmer shades to create a complete eye look. I use the deep brown in the crease to create definition and the cinnamon/orange is a pretty transition color. The palette also comes with a small brush and mirror which makes it great for travel.

The Shape & Shadows Eye Contouring Palette is also well made and multipurpose. It contains 3 shades (light, medium and deep) to fill in and shape the brows plus a metallic eye shadow, shimmery highlight and brow wax to keep hairs in place. The deepest brow shade doesn’t contain ashy undertones which makes it dark enough for my hair. Since the pigmentation is good, you can layer and blend to achieve the level of coverage needed for full, well sculpted brows and all of the powders can also be used as eye shadow! I apply the brown hues in the crease, the golden shade on my lids and the shimmery silver to highlight. The set also comes with a dual-ended spoolie and angled brush for $9.99.

The new Concealer Palette ($6.99) comes with 5 correcting shades that target different discoloration issues. Beige covers imperfections, pink brightens tired skin, green neutralizes redness and yellow conceals dark circles. You can also mix and match to create the perfect blend.

The creams are not full-coverage but they are buildable and the texture is quite light so the color shouldn’t crease if you blend well. I use it as a blemish blocking base under my MAC concealer. 

Essence Cosmetics is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Ulta Beauty in the U.S. 

Essence Cosmetics Long Lasting Lip Liner & New Long Lasting Lipstick Shades

When applying lipstick on-the-go I often glide the color on quickly (with or without a mirror), shove the tube back in my purse and get on with my busy day. When I’m aiming for precision and a neat, professional finish I break out the lip liner. Since I have an extensive range of lipsticks I need a decent selection of liners and the Long Lasting Collection by essence includes a beautiful variety of shades that match well with many popular lip colors for just $2.99 each!

The liners seem to last as long as my lipstick does and tend to transfer or wear away with eating and drinking. I love that I don’t need a sharpener (because who has time) and the creamy formula glides along effortlessly to accentuate your pout and create a sharp, sexy outline. The finishes are matte with no glitter or shine to worry about and it’s easy to create definition, prevent color from bleeding and emphasize your cupid’s bow. I also use my favorite shades to entirely fill in my lips and they pair well with the brand’s new matte lipsticks which you can read about by clicking HERE.

The bestselling Long Lasting Lipsticks are now available in a few more deep and neutral shades. If you like creamy, vivid pigment and brilliant shine then look no further. This formula is lightweight, moisturizing and comfortable with sheer to medium coverage. The texture is quite glossy so for better adhesion and longer wear, make sure your lips are oil-free and do not mix with balm. You may have to layer the color precisely in some areas to achieve better consistency but for just $3.49 they are pretty and affordable!

Swatches left to right: lip liners - Sweetheart, Ready for Red, Yummy Berry, Girl's Dream, Become a Game Changer and Berry on my Mind. Lipsticks - 27, 26 and 21

Essence is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Ulta Beauty in the U.S.

Essence Cosmetics Matt Matt Matt Lipstick Review

Matte finishes and bold lip color have been on-trend for a while so I'm excited to share the pretty new lipsticks from Essence. There are 8 vibrant shades to choose from for just $4.49 each which is easy on the wallet and gorgeous on the lips!

Left to right: 04 fuchsia, 05 bright classic red, 01 nude, 07 dark plum and 06 deep red

The lipsticks are sheathed in chic matte tubes corresponding to the color and the scent is mildly fruity. I love that they are embossed with the essence logo (for a little extra flare) and the pigment is rich and vivid. The color swatches full-coverage on my hand and medium intensity on the lips with buildable saturation. You may need a few layers for consistency but the Essence Long Lasting Lipliners are great for shaping. 

The formula is quite smooth and a tad creamy but the lipsticks may shift in the tubes with application so make sure not to twist them up too far. If this does happen, I gently move it back into place with my finger and pop it in the fridge to reset.

Although the finish is matte, the lipsticks retain moisture to prevent discomfort and dryness. The color adheres well for longer wear and fades into a light stain. Rough, chapped skin may be emphasized so exfoliating is a good idea and for best reapplication I recommend wiping off the stain completely and starting fresh.

The red and pink tones are flattering on all skin tones

The neutral shade has a soft peachy undertone while the deep plum has a dramatic purple base.

If you are looking for affordable matte lipsticks I recommend giving these a try. Essence is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Ulta Beauty in the U.S.

Essence Cosmetics All About Eye Shadow Palettes Review

Essence has some great makeup at affordable prices but when I swatched the new All About Palettes I knew I had to have them! In terms of color payoff, quality, vibrancy and glam-factor I think these pigments are some of the best the brand has to offer and they retail for just $5.99 each!

The texture of these shadows is smooth and a tad creamy so they apply well (I recommend a primer or base) and stay put all day without fading. The range of effects and shades are stunning with a flattering combination of neutrals, smokey hues, shimmer and glitter in matte, metallic and satin finishes. You can create a wide variety of looks from soft and office appropriate to bold and dramatic.

The palette that first caught my eye was All About Bronze. If you love shimmer and brilliant radiance then these shades are for you! All of these shadows have a glittering finish in a range of bronze, gold, champagne and silver tones plus the vivid sparkle is prominent and full-coverage with little fall-out. These colors look great on every skin tone and can even be used to highlight the face. If you are looking for show stopping eye shadow then you need this little palette in your makeup bag.

All About Roses includes a beautiful bronzy-garnet that I’m slightly obsessed with! There are 3 velvety mattes and 5 shimmery metallics in some seriously gorgeous shades. This palette is perfect for a night out and great for travel.

All About Toffee has a great balance of neutrals and deep contouring hues which creates beautiful contrast and definition. The dark grey-black is embedded with subtle blue glitter while the other shimmers are bright and multidimensional.

All About Vintage includes golden-bronze, deep bronze, black shimmer and a range of silver, cool grey and cream. It could have probably used a couple more matte hues but you can always mix and match with the other palettes.

Essence is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Ulta Beauty in the U.S.

Essence Shape Your Face Contouring Palette, Luminizer Palette & Satin Touch Blush Review

This spring Essence has released a beautiful array of products with improved formulas and trendy shades!

The new Face Palettes are all about sculpting, fresh seasonal hues that enhance the complexion and radiant shimmer. Ready Set Pink includes a sheer bronzer that requires some layering to intensify but once built-up it provides nice definition and the soft powder is easy to blend. The matte highlighter is also quite faint but you can pack it on to boost brightening or use the Luminizer Palette for more sheen. The blush has a light dusting of glitter (but nothing too sparkly) to awaken dull skin with a rosy tint.

Ready Set Peach has the same bronzer and cream powder with a coral blush that doubles as highlighter for a luminous orangey-gold frost. In terms or pigmentation the blush has great vibrancy but the other two powders could have been more saturated. If you aren’t a fan of extreme contouring or baking, these mild, natural finishes may work for you and the palettes retail for just $6.99 each.

The Light Up Your Face Palette has two high-impact shimmery highlighters and a matte powder. The champagne and golden hues are suitable for all skin tones and although I don’t really use the sheer beige (far left), you may enjoy having a subtle option. The pigmentation is buildable so you can sweep it on lightly or amp it up for vivid radiance. The palettes retail for just $6.99 so if you are new to highlighters this is a great starting point.

The new Satin Touch Blushes are silky, smooth, fresh and gorgeous! The color payoff is good with a nice level of saturation and although these shades appear quite similar on the skin they are mild and flattering.

On days you don’t feel like wearing bright cheek color these soft hues boost the complexion without all the drama. The deeper color is called Satin Love and the lighter shade is Satin Coral. The blush retails for $3.99 each.

The new Make Me Brow Duo Powder comes in two shades and is great for travel. The brown is a bit ashy (for a more natural effect) but the color is deep enough for dark hair and can be blended to fill sparse areas for a fuller, sculpted look. The pigmentation is good so I have no problem achieving the coverage I need and when used with my brow pencil or gel it totally works! The compact retails for $4.49.

Essence is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Ulta Beauty in the U.S.