Testing Essence Baubles

I must admit that, even though I truly enjoy a good drugstore buy, I've never felt especially drawn to the lower price point of the drugstores (such as Essence, Catrice etc.). However, I've had the chance to try my fair share from these brands and a general round-up is to come where I'll lay my complete thoughts. Before then I'm throwing pieces of information out there in the form of these reviews at the blog. So far, I've reviewed the Catrice anti-redness primer (here) and the Catrice brightening eyeshadow palette (here). This time I have prepared five make-up pieces from Essence (two eyeshadows, two blushes and a highlighter). Since we have a lot of work to do, let's start! Essence 3D Eyeshadow in Irresistible Fullmoon Flash 07 (2.8g) is an eyeshadow duo which consists of a pearly, creamy white/ivory half and a gray-ish half with an interesting wave-like design. It seemed very promising as the texture looked creamy from the pan. I am not a fan of the packaging – yes it fulfills its purpose, it houses eyeshadows and it never cracked upon (accidental) drop tests but – it doesn't please me in the aesthetic sense. I do like that there are no silly sponge applicators included (thank goodness) thus eyeshadows end up having more purse/travel-friendly dimensions. These are supposed to be applied dry and/or wet. The texture isn't as soft, buttery or creamy as I've anticipated – instead, they're rather stiff. That stiffness decreases as time goes by. I've tried applying these eyeshadows dry and they have almost no color payoff (just shimmer). I've applied them wet and they did gain intensity to only realize that they sheer out anyways as you blend them out. I still find this eyeshadow duo to be decent as it does cost approx $3,5. I am wearing it on the photos below and I'm glad that they don't crease with a base underneath (without it they do).

Moram priznati da, iako istinski uzivam u dobrom komadu kozmetike iz drogerijskog ranga, nikada nisam bila narocito privucena nizem segmentu drogerija (brendovima poput Miss Sporty, Essence, Catrice i sl.). Ipak, imala sam priliku da isprobam doista sirok spektar proizvoda upravo ova dva brenda. Namjeravam uskoro napraviti post u kojem cu nesto detaljnije zapisati rijec-dvije o cjelokupnom dojmu koji imam i o preko 30 kozmetickih proizvoda dati neku vlastitu procjenu. U medjuvremenu, odlucila sam da na blogu osvane i par zasebnih recenzija. Do sada ste imale priliku citati o Catrice bazi koja neutralise crvenilo (ovdje) i o Catrice iluminirajucoj paletici sjena za oci (ovdje). Ovog puta sam za vas odabrala pet komada Essence kozmetike (dvije sjene za oci, dva rumenila i hajlajter). Posto imamo mnogo posla pred sobom, zapocnimo! Essence 3D sjena za oci u nijansi Irresistible Fullmoon Flash 07 (2.8g) je dvojac koji se sastoji od shimmeraste kremasto bijele boje (ukratko, boje slonovace) a druga polovina je shimmerasta siva nijansa. Sjene su ukrasene valovitim dizajnom na povrsini. Ova je sjena djelovala posebno obecavajuce jer se cinila da je divne kremaste teksture. Nisam ljubiteljica pakovanja – da, istina je da ispunjava svoju svrhu, dom je ovim sjenama i prilicno je cvrsto ali – ne ispunjava moja ocekivanja glede estetike. Ono sto imam potrebu pohvaliti je odsutstvo nepotrebnih spuzvastih aplikatora. Samim time, dimenzije sjena su dosta manje i prakticnije. Ove sjene se mogu nanositi suhom i/ili mokrom tehnikom sto sam i isprobala. Nanesene suhim kistom (ili prstima), ne ostavljaju impozantan trag vec shimmer. Tekstura uopste nije puterasta niti mekana kako sam ocekivala, vec prilicno cvrsta. Vremenom postaje nesto prijatnija za upotrebu. Mokro nanosenje je pruzilo dobre rezultate da bih shvatila kako se blendanjem intenzitet boje ponovo gubi. Bez obzira, prilicno mi je simpaticna ova sjena i mislim da ce biti narocito zabavna kozmetickim pocetnicima. Cijena joj iznosi 5,85KM a kako meni stoji mozete vidjeti na fotkama pri dnu posta. Drago mi sto mogu prijaviti da se sjene sa nanesenom bazom ispod, ne nakupljaju u pregibu oka.

Essence Metal Glam Eyeshadow in Choco-Chic 18 (2.7g) comes in an equally simple plastic packaging (completely flat this time). This shade looks very interesting from the pan – it's a chocolate brown/rusty/red little number with a beautiful bronze-like shimmer. Unfortunately, this is just an overspray which fades away as you use up the eyshadow. You still get some sparkle later on but the color looses its charm with loosing the overspray, in my opinion. Sure, shimmer is the drugstore curse as most brands add it to everything and anything but this time it could have been this eyeshadow's advantage (if it was shot all the way through). I'm not enamoured with this eyeshadow's pigmentation as it's almost non-existant without a primer. However, with a primer both eyeshadows deliver acceptable results. Creasing is an issue in both cases without a primer. This eyeshadow costs approx $3. Hoping to get better results with blushes, I've tried my luck with the Essence Silky Touch Blush in Autumn Peach 80 (5g for approx $3). I've heard so many good things about this blush and was even set to purchase a cherry shade but I've ended up stepping away from the idea whenever I've alternated it with any Sleek blush I had. Packaging is simple yet sturdy and the shade is truly gorgeous! It's a peachy color with some reddish undertones and a slight golden micro shimmer (evenly distributed). I think that the pattern on the surface is a nice detail as well. Pigmentation of this blush isn't special, I'm afraid. This does make it suitable for teens and make-up rookies as they'll find it easy to use. Lack of pigmentation means that even if you don't have a light hand you won't end up with horrific application. However, if you do own a Sleek, NYX or any other good drugstore blush – I think you won't be satisfied with this one. I've concocted a simple make-up look down below and you'll see that the blush is barely visible on me which is a shame as I do love the color. My cheeks are dehydrated yet they eat up this blush within 4h which is something to bear in mind.

Essence Metal Glam sjena za oci u nijansi Choco-Chic 18 (2.7g) dolaze upakovane u jednako jednostavno plasticno kuciste kao i prehodnica (ovog puta je kuciste potpuno plosnato). Nijansa koju gledamo mi je djelovala jako lijepo iz pakovanja. Rijec je o krasnoj cokoladno/crvenkastoj boji (hrdje?) koja je prozeta sarmantnim bronzanim shimmerom. Nazalost, taj shimmer je impresivan samo na pocetku jer kada se taj povrsinski sloj ukloni koristenjem, ostaje dosta drugacija sjena (sa manje shimmera). Vjerovatno cemo se sloziti da je shimmer kletva drogerijskih brendova jer ga upotrebljavaju kada treba ali kada i ne treba. Ipak, u ovom slucaju je taj shimmer mogao biti velika prednost jer je jako lijepo iskombinovan sa bojom sjene. Steta sto se samo radilo o povrsinskom sloju bez kojeg, po mom misljenju, ova sjena gubi na sarmu. Pigmentacija me nije osvojila jer je slabo primjetna bez upotrebe baze. Sa bazom za sjene pak pruza pristojan rezultat no ista je stvar i sa nakupljanjem u pregibu oka – bez baze nisam bila zadovoljna. Ova sjena kosta 5,25KM. Nadajuci se da cu imati nesto vise srece sa rumenilima, isprobala sam Essence Silky Touch rumenilo u nijansi Autumn Peach 80 (5g za 5,25KM). Cula sam toliko dobrih stvari o ovoj liniji rumenila i cak sam namjeravala nabaviti jednu drugu nijansu. Na kraju sam odustala od te ideje. Zasto? Zato sto, kada bih god bih poslije ovog rumenila koristila neko svoje Sleek rumenilo, jednostavno je razlika u pigmentaciji bila isuvise velika. Pakovanje je jednostavno no kompaktno a nijansa bas ovog rumenila mi se jako dopala. Breskvasta boja sa crvenkastim primjesama i uz delikatni zlatni mikro shimmer (jednako rasporedjen) je zaista lijepa. Mislim da je i uzorak na povrsini rumenila isto lijep detalj. Nazalost, pigmentacija ovog rumenila me ostavila relativno ravnodusnom. Mislim da ce ova rumenila odgovarati tinejdzerima i osobama koje tek ulaze u svijet kozmetike kojima slabija pigmentacija nece biti nedostatak. Ono sto u ovom slucaju moze biti prednost jeste sto, iako mozda niste ‘lagane ruke’, tesko je pretjerati sa nanosenjem. Ipak, ako posjedujete Sleek ili uopsteno drogerijsko rumenilo dobre pigmentacije – necete biti narocito zadovoljni. Ispod mozete pogledati i make-up look za koji sam (medju ostalim proizvodima) koristila ovo rumenilo. Vidjeti cete da je na meni jedva primjetno sto je zaista steta jer mi se boja dopala. Moji obrazi su blago dehidrirani ali ‘pojedu’ rumenilo za cca 4h sto treba imati na umu.

I've anticipated a similar scenario to happen with the Essence Soo Blush! Cream To Powder Blush in Sweet As Peach 10 (4g for approx $3,5) – but has it? I am not a fan of cream blushes to be quite honest. I have had a phase when I've tested lots of them but I've concluded that I am definitely a powder blush kinda girl. That's why this cream to powder formulation seemed intriguing. This peachy shade is quite simple in the pan but on the skin it has a pinky undertone and looks a bit coral on me (very nice!). It doesn't contain shimmer or glitter but imparts a rather healthy sheen. It's of a pleasant creamy texture, you can apply it with both clean fingers and/or a stippling brush. It gives a natural, healthy flushed look which is perfect for every day make-up. I am happy to report that indeed this is a cream to powder finish meaning that it applies as a cream product yet it dries to a powder. Along with drying, it ‘sets’ into place and has a good lasting power for such a blush! I get 6h of wear easy and that's best I got from any type of cream blush – good job Essence! I'm equally satisfied with the Essence Soo Glow! Cream To Powder Highlighter in Bright Up Your Life 20 (4g for approx $3,5). Sure, this is no Mary Lou-Manizer but it's a rather good drugstore highlighter. I'm actually impressed with this one! You know how the packaging story goes – simple, transparent, plastic, basic. Again, we have the creamy texture that transforms to powder upon drying and longevity is also decent with at least 5h-6h wear. Pigmentation isn't too serious but it is buildable which makes it suitable for absolutely everyone to use. The shimmer in this pinky-hued highlighter is subtle and imparts a delicate glow to the skin. I'd be interested in trying the golden-hued version as well as this one is really lovely. To conclude – I'm not as impressed with either of Essence eyeshadows. The lack of pigmentation and obligatory eyeshadow primer to achieve acceptable results aren't enough for me to appreciate the low price point. The powder blush seemed promising but also, the pigmentation isn't as grand as I have expected. Cream to powder blush and highlighter on the other hand are worth purchasing and testing – especially if you're a make-up rookie or if you prefer natural make-up looks.

Ocekivala sam slican scenario i sa Essence Soo Blush! Cream To Powder rumenilom u nijansi Sweet As Peach 10 (4g za 5,85KM) – no sto se zaista desilo? Iskreno, nisam ljubiteljica kremastih rumenila. Prosla sam kroz fazu kada sam dosta takvih rumenila isprobavala no na kraju sam zakljucila da preferiram klasicna rumenila u kamenu. Iz tog razloga mi je formulacija koja je kremasta a pretvara se u puderastu djelovala zanimljivom. Ova breskvasta nijansa je dosta jednostavna no na kozi kao da ima neke ruzicaste primjese te izgleda i kao da ima koralnog stiha (jako lijepo izgleda!). Ne sadrzi sljokice niti shimmer no odaje jedan ‘zdravi’ odsjaj. Prijatne je kremaste teksture, koju mozete nanositi kako cistim prsticima tako i sa (stippling) kistom. Licu pruza zdrav, osvjezen izgled koji je idealan za svakodnevni make-up. Drago mi je prijaviti da se zaista radi o kremastoj formulaciji koja se susenjem transformise u puderasti finis. Nakon susenja, rumenilo se fiksira na kozi i bas takav efekat pruza jako dobru trajnost. Na meni ovo rumenilo traje cca 6h sto je najduze sto sam ikada iskusila od jednog kremastog rumenila – odlican posao Essence! Jednako sam zadovoljna i sa Essence Soo Glow! Cream To Powder hajlajterom u nijansi Bright Up Your Life 20 (4g za 5,85KM). Da, istina je da ovo nije proizvod dorastao famoznom Mary Lou iluminatoru ali je za drogerijski rang sasvim solidan. Cak me impresionirao! Znate vec pricu o pakovanju – jednostavno, transparentno, plasticno, obicno. Ponovo, imamo krem teksturu koja se susenjem transformise u puderasti finis koji pruza pristojnu trajnost od cca 5h-6h. Pigmentacija nije narocita ali je nadogradiva slojevitim nanosenjem – zbog toga je ovaj hajlajter pogodan za doslovno svakoga. Shimmer koji sadrzi je ruzicaste boje kao sto je i sam hajlajter u tom tonu i pruza jedan jako lijep, delikatan sjaj na jagodicama ili ispod obrve (gdje god ga odlucite koristiti). Zainteresovana sam i za topliju verziju ovoh hajlajtera. Da zakljucimo – nisam narocito impresionirana Essence sjenama koje sam recenzirala – simpaticne jesu ali nedostatak pigmentacije te obavezna baza ispod njih mi naprosto nisu dovoljni da se povedem za niskom cijenom. Puderasto Silky Touch rumenilo me ostavilo relativno ravnodusnom dok su ‘cream to powder’ rumenilo i hajlajter dosta zanimljiviji proizvodi za koje mislim da su vrijedni isprobavanja – posebno ako ste pocetnik sto se tice kozmetike ili ako preferirate neutralnu sminku.