Review of Essence Lipsticks: "Almost Famous" and "In the Nude"

Hello, everyone! Hope you are enjoying the long weekend, whether you are out of town, catching up on your favorite Netflix series (watching Orange is the New Black, as I type this), or just catching up on sleep. I got an early start to my annual holiday beauty hauling last month and in my latest Ulta-specific haul, I picked up a few products by Essence, a brand I've heard much about on Youtube and other beauty blogs but have never had any experience with myself.

So far I only know 3 things about Essence:
1. They are a German cosmetics company.
2. I've only ever seen their products at Ulta.
3. The prices are extremely affordable; we're talking the ELF price range, here!

In today's review we are focusing in on two dramatically different Essence lipsticks: "Almost Famous," a bright sheer red, and "In the Nude" a wearable everyday color.

Now, right off the bat, before we even get into formula, pigmentation, and all that jazz, I'd like to point out that I really like the packaging! Sure, it's plain, plastic and cheap, but I really like the way that the outside accurately matches the color of the lipstick inside. This makes it pretty easy to select your lipstick without having to pop the tube open or look for the label.

Now, as for the lipstick itself, on the lips it feels moisturizing and buttery (think Revlon Lip Butters!). Although they are called "lipsticks" I'd say, texture-wise,  they approximate more of a balm than lipstick. Both of the colors I picked up apply very sheer with one coat. You'll need to build it up the opacity with several coats in order to get a fuller, richer pigmentation, especially when working with "In the Nude." These lipsticks aren't long-wearing so expect to reapply every few hours or so. "In the Nude," being the sheerer and lighter of the two, fades quicker than "Almost Famous."

Almost Famous: I really like this color. In the tube it is a bright pinup red. When applied it is nowhere near as bright as it looks but you can definitely build up the color to a pretty sheer red, and, boy, have I've been digging those sheer reds lately (Revlon's "Rich Girl Red," I'm looking at you.)!This color and formula is reminiscent of the Revlon Lip Butter in "Wild Watermelon," one of my faves from its line!

In the Nude: I didn't know how I would feel about this color when I first bought it because in the tube it looks the type of nude that would wash me out. However because it is so sheer and buttery, when applied, the color seems to "nudify" my lips while letting some of my natural pigmentation shine through. It's quite nice for everyday looks and subtle smokey eyes. Now, one thing I don't like about the Essence lipsticks, and "In the Nude" in particular, is the fact that (as you can probably tell from the picture above) the formula is prone to settling in fine lines or dry areas of the lips. 

Bottom Line...

Pros: 

Low cost - $2.99 each

Packaging: sturdy and an efficient way to accurately display the color of the product

Cotton Candy Scent - although opinions may vary, I find the scent of cotton-candy to be quite pleasant and cute for a lipstick :)

Lovely colors

Not drying

Sheer but buildable 

Cons: 

Wears off easily

Sheer

Formula may accentuate the fine lines or dry patches on lips

For whom would I recommend this lipstick...

I'd recommend the Essence lipstick line for someone who is new to lipstick or perhaps new to a particular color. The Essence line has many more colors than just the two featured in today's post. They've got your pinks, purples, nudes and reds covered. They also offer lipsticks with a frosty finish and without. Bottom line is that there's something for everyone. Interested in trying a purple lipstick but aren't quite ready to invest in MAC's "Up the Amp" just yet? Try out "Sparkling Miracle" by Essence for $2.99 and test out how comfortable you are sporting "purple lips." And although I wrote off sheerness as a con, for some this may be more of a pro (hence why it is featured in both lists). Sometimes you just don't want all that drama on your lips! If lipstick is foreign to your vanity, you may want to take baby steps before you can strut your way to bright bold lips. Or maybe you're a curious makeup addict like moi and you'd be just as justified for buying these up just "because" curiosity and impulse say to do so. That's fine too.

I may consider picking up one or two more shades in the future. But what I'm more interested in trying from the Essence line are the matte bronzer, a few polishes, and some eye products, particularly the mascara, eyelid primer and a few shadows. As far as eye products go, I did purchase the Sun Club palette in "South Beach" at the time that I purchased these lippies but I'm not quite ready to review it yet. Stay tuned!

Do you own (or plan to own) any Essence lipsticks? 

Daily Tidbits:

• Not at work today! Thank God for long weekends!
• It's Carnival week at school! A week of dress down days and long weekend of roller coasters and terribly "bad-for-you-but-tastes-so-good" carnival food awaits. 
• We hit another stop down memory lane yesterday... Sunday brunch at the 94th Aero Squadron! Haven't been there since my bridal shower back in 2010. Fabulous as always.
• As it is a day of rest, I'm not wearing any foundation today, just some moisturizer and Dior CC Cream. So refreshing and light! My skin's been doing pretty okay lately despite the unnatural humidity of Florida autumns. 
• I've really been enjoying throwing pears into my green smoothies lately. Pears are a more perfect source of sweetness for kale smoothies than bananas, I dare say.
• Had "castanhas" (chestnuts) at my parents' house this evening. You know it's fall in a Portuguese house when we start roasting castanhas. Had a bowl of black beans with that. Being Cuban and Portuguese has great foodie perks!