Fresh Summer Beauty with Essence!

Hi, everyone! While I am the ultimate sucker for a luxurious beauty brand, I am no makeup snob. If I can find an affordable, drugstore line that gets my juices flowing, I'm happy as a clam! Essence is a brand that's been on my radar for ages; all of their line is under $10 (with several items under $5), but their products don't reflect that. Their packaging is adorable, the shades are diverse and modern, and their new releases are fun, unique, and on-trend. I was thrilled when the brand sent along a selection of their newest makeup goodies my way. I oohed and ahhed at the shades and designs as I unboxed them and realized that they would all work wonderfully together for a soft, warm summer look! 

Essence, though wildly affordable, always aims for cute, unique, trendy packaging. Case and point- these new goodies looking adorable against the brand's kitty- and heart-laden tissue paper :)

The product with the prettiest design is most definitely the Mosaic Blush in All You Need is Pink**. It comes in a transparent plastic compact that allows you to see the beauty inside- a geometric mosaic of three shades of blush- a cherry pink, a soft baby pink, and a warm peach with a subtly shimmery finish.  

No new collection would be complete without a good highlighter and Essence has fit this bill with the Pure Nude Highlighter in Be My Highlight**. It's a warm, summery champagne gold highlight whose hue reminds me of a long-time favourite, BeneFit Watts Up. 

Next up, we have some new shadows! The Velvets Eye Shadows offer smooth, pigmented colours with a satiny-velvet finish. I received You Better Mauve!** (a mid-tone pinky plum) and Mr. Mocca-Bean** (a neutral, deeper brown). The woven design in the product is also very pretty and unique!

We also have the Forbidden Volume Mascara** that promises full, bold lashes. The wand isn't too big nor too teeny and has a slightly tapered shape. My expectations were luke-warm given my general dissatisfaction with drugstore mascaras, but- as you'll see below- this totally took me by surprise! 

We all know I'm a sucker for a good lip product, so I was pleased to test out a couple! First is the new 2-in-1 Lipstick and Liner in Vintage Rose**, a cool-toned rosy pink with a precise tip to both line and fill in the lips. Even more luscious is the Prettifying Lip Oil in SOS, My Heart**, a totally lightweight smooth lip moisturizer with a sheer cherry tint. 

I'm so lazy when it comes to painting my nails, but I'll likely make an exception with this one. I Love Trends The Porcelains Nail Polish in Truly Mine** is a lovely pale pink with a beautiful, subtle golden sheen. I really enjoy shades like this for summertime! 

My sparse brows are always eager to try something new, so I was psyched about the Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara in Soft Browny Brows**. Despite being a blonde, this shade worked wonderfully on me. Not too deep at all! Since my brows and roots of my hair are naturally darker, this brunette hue layered perfectly over my Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe. Plus, the teeny, tiny brush made application super breezy and precise. 

Here are swatches of these goodies, on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

(L-R): Pure Nude Highlighter in Be My Highlight, Mosaic Blush in All You Need is Pink, The Velvets Eye Shadows in You Better Mauve! and Mr. Mocca-Bean, 2-in-1 Lipstick and Liner in Vintage Rose, and Prettifying Lip Oil in SOS, My Heart

And here I am wearing all of these goodies in a makeup look! I applied the Mosaic Blush to the apples of the cheeks, blending up to the temples and the Pure Nude Highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. I swept The Velvets Eye Shadow in You Better Mauve! all over my lids, blending up to the crease and Mr. Mocca-Bean softly along my upper lash line and on outer corners of the eye. I applied two coats of Forbidden Volume Mascara to my top and bottom lashes for some serious oomph. I first moisturized my lips with the Prettifying Lip Oil in SOS, My Heart, then applied 2-in-1 Lipstick and Liner in Vintage Rose for a soft, shiny pout. Finally, after filling my arches with brow powder, I swept on the Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara. Here's the finished look! 

After sampling a few products here and there, this is my first serious delving into Essence Cosmetics and I have to say that I'm properly impressed! These rank among the best drugstore products I've tried and a few have become instant favourites; the Forbidden Volume Mascara gives the most incredible length and volume to my lashes and, despite not being waterproof, lasts very well during a sweaty yoga class; the Prettifying Lip Oil leaves my lips feeling so hydrated with no hint of grease or stickiness, and The Velvets Eye Shadows are so beautifully smooth and pigmented. Can't argue with the beauty of the Mosaic Blush or Pure Nude Highlighter either! Whether you're a loyal fan of the brand or are simply looking for some new affordable favourites, I would totally recommend giving these new goodies from Essence a go! 

If you want to find Essence in Canada, you can track it down at Shoppers Drug Mart or on the brand's website, here!

Have you tried anything from Essence? Favourites? Fave drugstore items for a soft, summery look?

Have a fantastic weekend!!

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** These products were sent to me for consideration and review. All opinions expressed are 100% authentic and my own.