Ever since that fateful day I picked up one of their lip liners, Essence has continued to keep me pleasantly surprised with the quality of their makeup. In the world of extremely affordable makeup, the brand keeps working their way up to the tippy top.
They recently released a couple of new lip products for spring 2016 — their Shine & Sheer Lipsticks, and the Essence Liquid Lipsticks — and I love me a good lipstick! I also love me some makeup that I don’t have to sell my soul for, so this is a match made in affordability heaven.
Let’s start with my favorite of the two, the Liquid Lipsticks. There are six available shades, and one thing to understand before going out and buying every one is that they might not be what you expect when you think of “liquid lipstick.” My experience with liquid lipsticks is more along the lines of Kat Von D and Colourpop, where they go on super liquid-y and opaque and dry down matte.
These are more of a really pigmented gloss, but they still sit nicely on the lips and last a decent amount of time. I really am a huge fan of these for a plump and shiny lip.
Ready for the best part? They. Are. Only. $3.49.
Wut.
And then for the Sheer & Shine Lipsticks, those are a whopping $2.99 each! Wut.
They really impressed me, too. They give a super flattering wash of color and feel like a really moisturizing balm. You’ll will want to chuck whichever one you’re wearing in your bag to reapply it throughout the day, because they are so sheer and balmy that they don’t last an extraordinary amount of time.
There are also a few that have some really fine glitter, and they look really good, but you can feel a little bit of that gritty feeling when you rub your lips together. Just a fair warning if that sort of thing bothers you. I have five of the available nine shades.
Basically, Essence is KILLING IT with their Spring 2016 releases. Also impressive are their eyeshadow palettes. You may want to keep an eye out for some looks using those. Hint hint, wink wink!
Erin says
March 3rd, 2016 at 3:44 pmThe brighter colors are quite nice!
Erin recently posted … Unsung Hero 2014 Shiraz
Jules says
March 3rd, 2016 at 3:44 pmHi! Just to let you folks know – Facebook has been posting your links as “bit(.)ly” (I’ve included the brackets so it doesn’t turn into a URL), and there’s no preview or anything, just a big white box with the same “bit(.)ly” underneath.
Anna says
March 3rd, 2016 at 3:47 pmWow! Nice swatches. I’ve never tried this line. It’s definitely work checking out!
Jen Clark says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:54 pmThanks Anna! Yes, you NEED to go check out Essence. Literally every single thing I have tried from them has been so good!
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
India says
March 3rd, 2016 at 4:46 pmI love so many of Essence’s products and people always disregard it as just cheap makeup and it frustrates me so much because there are so many hidden gems!
Jen Clark says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:55 pmYay i’m so glad you love it too! More people really need to give it a try, hopefully they will! For now it will be our little secret. 🙂
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Lulle says
March 3rd, 2016 at 5:12 pmI love the Liquid Lipsticks, the finish is really beautiful, and what a deal!
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Jen Clark says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:56 pmI’m glad you love them too! You will have to go pick up a few shades and try them for yourself. 🙂
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Raeanne says
March 3rd, 2016 at 5:45 pmOK, but Peach Party doesn’t look peachy at all?? lol… otherwise they look soooo pretty and comfortable!
Jen Clark says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:57 pmHaha you’re right it’s a little more coral than peachy! They are super super comfortable, they don’t feel annoying on the lips at all.
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Nini says
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:56 pmWow they look so amazing!! Nude pinks are just my thang yo~~
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:11 amGirl, me too! Good thing there are so many!
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Rachel R. says
March 3rd, 2016 at 11:02 pmWelcome, Jen. I haven’t been a big fan of Essence, but these lippies sound great. I know they’ve been doing some reformulating, so I probably need to check the brand out again. The price is right.
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:13 amThank you Rachel! It almost sounds like they’ve revamped the whole brand, I’ve heard that from several people now! I would definitely give it a try again 🙂
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Nivedita says
March 3rd, 2016 at 11:51 pmAh! Finally a break from matte lips!
Nivedita recently posted … Beauty Favourites of February, 2016: Skin care| Nivea, Himalaya Herbals, The Body Shop, etc.
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:15 amRight? I love me a good matte lip, but there’s something about these that are oh so flattering and comfortable!
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Lauren says
March 4th, 2016 at 12:48 amI love all of these! Ok, can’t believe s makeup addict has to ask, but where is Essence sold? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it!
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:16 amGah I should’ve mentioned that in the post! Sorry about that! I always see a huge selection at Ulta in the drugstore section. I think that would be your best bet 🙂
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Lauren says
March 4th, 2016 at 5:02 pmThank you, Jen! I’ll check these out…I love the colors on you!
Kiss & Make-up says
March 4th, 2016 at 12:58 amPeach Party has to be my favorite here!
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Beauty Beee Peach Perfect Lip Balm + Avril Organic Lipstick Pencil and Nail Polish
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:17 amI’m with you! I’ve been wearing it like crazy!
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
christine says
March 4th, 2016 at 4:04 amGreat swatches – favourite is “cute nude”!!
http://covetedbeauty.blogspot.ca/
LindaLibraLoca says
March 4th, 2016 at 4:25 amEssence is such an underrated brand. I adore their express nail art dry drops.
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:18 amI have never tried any of their nail products! It sounds like I need to try those drops, those sound so handy! Welp, looks like I’m headed to Ulta today! Haha
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
LindaLibraLoca says
March 4th, 2016 at 12:00 pmThey are absolutely worth it, plus they don’t really break the bank.
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Kim says
March 4th, 2016 at 5:22 amDefinitely nice looking for that price! Seems like a good selection of wearable shades, too. Great job with all the pics, Jen – I always get a better sense of the colors that way (though I realize everyone’s lip pigmentation/coloring is different).
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:20 amThanks for the compliment Kim! I actually patted just a light layer of foundation over my lips before I put on the color, that way you can get a better idea of the true color!
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
anusha says
March 4th, 2016 at 5:23 amThose lip swatches look amazeballs!! especially peach party and show off look great on u.. can u tell that i like corals.. hehe.. 🙂
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:21 amThank you so much Anusha! That makes me happy! 🙂 I loooove corals too, especially since we are starting to finally get a little warmer weather over here! Haha I always match my lip colors to the season.
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Carolina Braina says
March 4th, 2016 at 7:31 amEssence make some great products. I have one of their traditional liquid lipsticks (opaque and matte) and it’s so good! I think they were one of the first European brands to make liquid lipsticks, but for some strange reason they disontinued them!
Carolina Braina recently posted … February 2016: Current Crushes and BIG NEWS
Jen Clark says
March 4th, 2016 at 11:23 amOh! So Essence is a European brand? That’s awesome! Ah I can’t believe they discontinued the matte one! I am always on the look out for a good affordable matte lippie 🙂
Jen Clark recently posted … What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag?
Carolina Braina says
March 4th, 2016 at 3:00 pmYeah, they’re from Germany!
Carolina Braina recently posted … February 2016: Current Crushes and BIG NEWS
Sharon says
March 4th, 2016 at 12:42 pmAnother great job on your post!!! I’ve really enjoyed your reviews so far! I really liked how you shows the different colors on your lips, gives you a better idea of how they would really look!
Marcella Yakalis says
March 4th, 2016 at 1:09 pmI learned of the brand a few years ago but just noticed they began stocking them in Walgreens/CVS, etc here in NYC. I’ve only seen them on one occasion, but I’m excited about more affordable drug store brands! Your lip swatches deserve all the cat heart eye emojis.
Jen Clark says
March 5th, 2016 at 4:12 pmWhat! I hope my Walgreens starts to stock it soon! But i’m sure New York is way ahead of Utah 😉 Haha and you’re so sweet, thank you!
Jen Clark recently posted … An Exciting Addition
Marcella Yakalis says
March 9th, 2016 at 2:11 pmActually, I was wrong, they’re stocked here in Target! So maybe check your local Target to see if they have started stocking it? 😀
Ashleigh says
March 5th, 2016 at 7:22 amI love the Make A Statement one! So great to see that drugstore makeup can be quality.
Kelly says
March 5th, 2016 at 7:54 amlove the colour ‘Make a Statement’! so bold and beautiful