REVIEW: Essence Lipstick in "Like a Lady"

i really enjoy checking out the Essence makeup stand at Shoppers every time i am there, just to see what kind of (affordable) impulse purchases i could make.

the current line of lipsticks include 10 shades, 3 of which are new. i am guessing the 3 Essence is introducing means that a few shades would no longer be available. which meant that i could pick up the Essence Lipstick in "49 Like a Lady" at $1.99 instead of the usual $2.99. hurry if you want to pick up this color!

what's handy about Essence lipsticks is that the packaging is the same color as the lipstick. with "Like a Lady", it is very accurate - both are a very bold and bright pink. if you look at it directly in the light, you can actually see some very subtle blue and orange shimmers.
the lipstick smells delicious - i have lipglosses that smell sweet like this (vanilla?) but not usually lipsticks. it reminds me of my teen years with Bonne Bell (i actually still own a couple of their products).

this is how much product you actually get (4 g):

it applies very smoothly to the lips - no tugging whatsoever. the color payoff is good - slightly on the sheer side with a glossy finish. it actually looks a bit more intense than shown below - but still, not as bold as the lipstick color itself. my lips felt hydrated the entire time i was wearing it (lasted over 3 hours but transfers easily).

top to bottom: artificial lighting; natural lighting

i am continually amazed that Essence lip products are all less than $3 each. i am definitely going to pick up a few more even though one look at my lip products stash would have you wondering why i even bothered to buy the last thirty.

oopsies.