Essence are absolutely killing it right now and I was really excited when around 10 days ago, I received a parcel from them containing some of their brand new beauty launches for Autumn/Winter 2017. As well as some incredible beauty products, the parcel contained some Halloween treats, some sweeties and lolly pops, some super cute Halloween confetti and the cute pumpkin candle in the above photograph.
For the last 10 days I have been trying out all the things I received from Essence and today I am going to share my first impressions of each product with you and also swatches of everything too. Since today is Halloween, I thought I would make this post Halloween themed and as I always say my blog is a family affair and today is no exception and I have a special guest for you in today's post a little later on, but for now, I am going to share the amazing products with you.
Essence Autumn/Winter 2017
The metallic trend is HUGE for autumn/winter 17 and the Essence products I received focus around that trend, I love the metallic trend and Essence have it nailed. I was a child of the 70's and 80's so I saw the metallic trend the first time around (wow how old do I sound?) so I know a good metallic product when I see one.
Eyes
Essence 2 in 1 Eyeliner Pen - £2.50
The Essence 2 in 1 Eyeliner Pen is a dual ended black eyeliner pen and has a broad slanted tip at one end and a fine tip at the other end. The eyeliner is a nice black, some liners aren't black enough but this one is, my youngest daughter uses eyeliner pens all the time and she likes how she can choose between thickness of the nib depending on the look she is going for.
Swatch
The swatch shows both the thin and thick end drawn with the end of the nib and then the thicker end turned on it's side to create an even thicker line, such a versatile liner and as you can see, very black.
Essence Metal Art Lip & Eye Liner - £3.00
The Metal Art Lip & Eye Liner can be used on both the eyes as a liner and the lips to line the lips. The applicator is easy to use and lovely and fine so defining the lip line and creating a nice line and flick on the eyes is easy to do. The shade I have is You're Mermazing, a stunning metallic purple shade which looks incredible as an eyeliner and also on the lips as a liner and all over the lips, it dries to a gorgeous metallic finish and looks beautiful, there are also a variety of other shades available, all equally as stunning.
Swatch
The swatch on the left is the actual width on application and on the right shows the beautiful metallic purple shade, it's stunning!
The Essence Metal Shock Eyeshadows are stunning, they come in a variety of shades, all of which are beautiful and I have the shade Stars & Stories a gorgeous metallic pinky/rose gold. The eyeshadow is so easy to use, you can apply it straight from the applicator or use a brush to take some product from the applicator, I find using the applicator is fine, this shade is beautiful on it's own as a one shadow look with some mascara or on the lid with deeper shades in the crease and outer corners. The shadow can be sheered out to give a glossy finish eye look all over the lid, which is very on trend right now, or build it up for a stunning shade that compliments a neutral eye look perfectly.
Swatch
Essence Vibrant Lash & Brow Gel Mascara - £2.80
The Essence Vibrant Lash & Brow Gel Mascara is available in various different shades, I have the shade Sparkle On a stunning metallic silver. It can be used on the lashes and brows and also the lids by using a brush to take product from the wand. The lash and brow mascara looks great worn alone for a change in my mascara look or applied to the tips of my regular black mascara to add some sparkle, it will be fabulous for Christmas and New Year or any party you might be going to, or you might fancy rocking some sparkle anytime. The other shades available are also stunning.
Swatch
Essence Moonlight Eyes Cream Eyeshadow - £3.00
The Essence Moonlight Eyes Cream Eyeshadow in the shade Angel is a gorgeous iridescent shade with pink and green tones, it is so pretty and what I would say is a good dupe for the discontinued shade 'Seedy Pearl" by MAC. The texture of the shadow is an almost bouncy mousse type texture and a little goes a long way, the shadow can be layered for a more vibrant look or blended out for a sheer look, it also looks lovely as a highlight for the face. It was hard to capture the shadow on a swatch photograph but this is an absolutely stunning eyeshadow that can be worn all year round.
Swatch
Essence Instant Volume Boost Mascara - £3.00
The Essence Instant Volume Boost Mascara has a bristle wand which is quite big but not so big it is difficult to use, I coat my top and bottom lashes easily without it being messy and ending up on the bridge of my nose like some. I really struggle with mascara smudging and flaking so when I read "smudge proof" on the packaging, I hoped it would be the case for me, and it is. The mascara doesn't smudge or flake and lasts all day, it is easy to apply and remove and my lashes look incredible, I have really sad lashes and they're fair so pretty non existent but they look amazing with this mascara, they look longer and fuller and the mascara does what it says on the tin. I have already recommended it to my mum who also struggles with smudging.
Before & After
Lips
Essence Metal Shock Lipstick - here
The Essence Metal Shock lipstick in the shade Toxicity is a gorgeous metallic gold shade that looks incredible on the lips, if like me you're not brave enough to rock this look outside of the house, they're are 8 shades available with some pink and nude shades for the less daring, but if you want to go all out, there are some incredible shades available. I thought the lipstick would feel different being metallic but it doesn't and it wore really well too.
Swatch
Essence Vibrant Shock Lip Paint - £3.30
The Essence Vibrant Shock Lip Paints are available in various different shades, I have the shade Twisted Sister, a gorgeous bright pink, I love pink and bright lip shades, so this is perfect for me. As with the lipstick, there are some more wearable shades and some more daring shades depending on your preference. The applicator is quite long with a tapered end making it easy to apply the lipstick and to define the cupids bow and lip line. The lipstick doesn't feel uncomfortable, it dries down and feels matte but has a metallic sheen to it which is stunning and like nothing I have ever tried before. I got around 4 hours wear time from the lipstick which included eating and drinking and it wore away nicely and touched up well too.
Swatch
Nails
Essence Holo Rainbow Nail Polish - £2.80
I am a real nail polish geek and when I saw the Essence Holo Rainbow polish in the shade Holo Fever I couldn't wait to use it, it is such a stunning shade and I was absolutely furious to have just had gel nails applied, so couldn't yet wear it. Holo Fever is a gorgeous multi coloured glitter/holographic polish that captures the light beautifully. It can be worn alone or over another polish and looks stunning either way, there are other shades available in this range and I definitely need them all!
Swatch
This is just one coat of the nail polish, isn't it stunning?
Overall Thoughts & My Special Blogging
Halloween Helper
I absolutely love all these products, there isn't one I don't like. Essence is fantastic brand, their prices are incredibly affordable and their products rival many of the high end products I have in my collection. If you haven't yet tried Essence, I highly recommend you do, you definitely won't be disappointed. Their products are available in store and online at Wilko.
If you would like any in depth reviews of any of the products, please let me know, I will of course be back soon with a NOTD with the Holo polish.
And now all that remains for me to say is HAPPY HALLOWEEN and a massive Happy Halloween from my gorgeous blog helper Tinkerbell,
who clearly loves Essence as much as I do!