REVIEW: Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadows

i've been eyeing the Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadows (5.5 g) for a while now and finally took the plunge. mind you, it was more like a little hop since Essence products are so reasonably priced and i even got these two on sale (75% off!).

i picked up the Stay All Day Eyeshadows (which are cream eyeshadows) in "02 Glammy Goes To..." and "09 For Fairies". these eyeshadows come in a tiny clear pot with a dome lid.

"Glammy Goes To..." is a shimmery champagne gold. when you layer it, it becomes darker and more brown.

"For Fairies" was released after "Glammy Goes To..." and has slightly different labeling. the color is a shimmery pink with a golden sheen.

i love both of these colors!!! they are both very pretty and wearable. keep in mind that they are really shimmery so i love to use them on the inner half of my eyelid and then a dark matte powder eyeshadow around the crease. i am surprised that even though the formula feels rather thick, it actually lasts 8+ hours on my oily eyelids if i am wearing good primer (for the "Glammy Goes To..." anyway - haven't used For Fairies on my eyes yet!). i only noticed the slightest trace of creasing after i've been wearing it for 11 hours - there was also some fading of the color but otherwise, it was still very impressive.

the eyeshadows are very pigmented - the top picture shows a swatch of when i just lightly rub my fingers in the eyeshadow. i also decided to use this close-up to try to show you how the eyeshadow may feel patchy and uneven. note that "Glammy Goes To..." looks more gold here than in the bottom swatch, which is where it is layered. when i wear it on my eyes, i only need to use a tiny bit since a little goes a long way.

like i said, the texture is slightly thick and patchy but as long as you put in a little effort to blend it out, you shouldn't have any problems. the eyeshadow dries nicely afterwards and does not budge. when you first touch it, it does feel a little hard but it's only because the top has dried a bit. 

warning: it looks like these eyeshadows are in the process of being cleared out for the new Essence releases so if you want to get your hands on these before they are gone (possibly forever), head to your Shoppers Drug Mart right now where you will find them for $3.99 or probably cheaper in the Clearout section! hurry hurry!

GLOSSYBOX: February 2013

soooooo i am stuck in Fernie right now due to poor road conditions but i am not complaining since i actually have time to put this post up right away! (had to call in to work though... not sure how well they took it since i've only been there for a little over a month!)

i bring you Glossybox's One Year Anniversary Box which i received just last Friday (March 1). i am totally trying to do these posts quicker for you... i still have my ipsy one to do but i can't upload those pictures yet since i don't have the right camera with me :/

just take a look at this pretty packaging! the pink, the bow... it really makes you hope that the contents inside are not a disappointment (Glossybox actually delivers this month!)

for this special box, i got V2. there was also a Golden Ticket item (ruffle undies) for 50 people. i still haven't been lucky enough to be 1 of the 50!

February's box of love:

1) Givenchy Gloss Interdit in "03 - Coral Frenzy" - ooooo Givenchy hey? Glossybox got all fancy shmancy with their anniversary box. this tube of gloss may seem tiny but considering that the full size is less than twice its size, the sample one is worth over $15!

"Coral Frenzy" is described as a soft coral. on my lips, the coral hardly shows but the shimmer is definitely there. the floral-scented gloss has a brush applicator and lasts about three hours on me. i like that it feels lightweight on my lips. at first, i would've said it was non-sticky, but after trying Benefit's lip glosses, i'd have to say that this one feels stickier than that.

on the Sephora website, the scent is described thoroughly - with top notes, middle notes and base notes - like a true fragrance - i am guessing that Givenchy put a lot of thought into the smell of their lip glosses.

size: 3.5 mL
retail value: $30 (6 mL)

2) Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in "03 Vamp It Up" - i've tried a ton of Essence products since i love the range and how affordable it is but i haven't tried their eyeshadows. the colors of "Vamp It Up" look fun and are colors that i'd use so i gladly opened this.

i found that the colors, although pretty, are rather chalky and the pigmentation is just okay. i'd say the blue is the most pigmented.

size: 5 g (full size!)
retail value: $3.99

3) Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (Ultra) - ooo i am going to have some fun nights with these! the last time i used them was in August and it was my first time in a long time. the strips got really hard around my nose and i felt that it worked pretty good. yay for no blackheads!

size: 6 nose strips (full size!)
retail value: $9.99

4) Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment - it seems like hair oils are getting really popular now... this specific brand has been widely talked about on the blogosphere and i'm glad that we get to try a full sized version of it! i've been using this on the ends of my dry hair and it feels softer and actually looks healthier.
not exactly sure how to describe the scent to you but it is what you'd think macadamia oil would smell like...

size: 30 mL (full size!)
retail value: $13.50

5) Anatomicals You Need A Blooming Shower! Your Nose Smells Rose Body Cleanser - this cleanser is now called "Rose and Jasmine Body Cleanser". i think Glossybox might have gotten a load of the old packaging but i am not complaining since i have never heard of this English brand and i am happy to try it.
it is interesting how they use they term "blooming" as you learn from the excerpt on the back.  the paraben-free cleanser smells like roses and it might smell really strong when you sniff it right from the cap but when i use it in the shower, it is actually not overpowering.

size: 150 mL (full size!)
retail value: $3

6) *bonus* Eucerin Hyal-Urea Anti-Wrinkle Day/Night Cream Sachet - i haven't tried it yet but it is nice to try the day version and the night one together; although, i do not have "dry and very dry" skin...

size: 1.5 mL each x 2
retail value: $18.50 (50 mL) each

7) *bonus* Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy Sachet - i have never tried Crabtree & Evelyn products before, even though i have walked by a couple of their stores. ever since i tried the Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange body butter, i have taken a liking to blood orange scents so i think i will like this. it would be nice to too, since the Glossybox card says to stay tuned for a full size version!

size: 5 g
retail value: $8 (25 g)

8) *bonus* Glossybox Glossy Anniversary Cupcake Kit - this was a cute idea to celebrate the first year anniversary. i haven't baked cupcakes for a while now but now that i have these...

size: N/A (full size!)
retail value: N/A

so as expected, Glossybox stepped up their game with their anniversary box. why, there were even a number of non-drugstore items in the box!! the packaging and bonus items were also a nice touch. sadly, i don't think these occasional great boxes make up for the other ones including the discontinued/expired product issue and the price hike.
what are your feelings on February's box?

REVIEW: Essence Breaking Dawn Makeup Collection

oookay, so i have to say that i have not seen a single Twilight movie because i have been stubbornly trying to convince myself that i could get through the books first. i heard the movies 'weren't that good' so i was hoping to read it first and let my imagination run a little wild, rather than having Kristen Stewart's and Robert Pattinson's faces stuck in my head.
so far, i've gotten through the first book. that was about two years ago.

Essence recently released The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2 Makeup Collection which can be found in many Shoppers Drug Marts (Essence also had an Eclipse Collection back in 2010!)

do you want to look like a vampire?? 

the collection consists of lipglosses, glitter eyeliners, nail polishes, and loose pigments eyeshadows as well as a shimmer powder, a blush and a lipstick. prices range from $1.99 to $3.99. some of the products have the same shades - such as "Edward's Love" which you can find in a pigment or a nail polish. i keep laughing at how strange the name "Alice Had a Vision - Again" is. does she constantly have visions or something? and is it just annoying when she does?

i picked up three items:

eep! this is the first time i've noticed "talc" in the ingredients. i knew this is a "bad" product but i didn't know why so i do a little search.
from American Cancer Society: there are two types of talc - one that contains asbestos and one that doesn't. the one that does contain asbestos is said to cause cancer if inhaled. in regards to asbestos-free talc, there hasn't been any clear evidence linking it to cancer. so since there is insufficient information on this, it might be best to just avoid talc whenever possible.
this is very difficult since i went through some of my other powders and just to name a few, Vasanti, Pandora's Box and Korres have talc.

- - - - -

right before the release of this collection, i was on the hunt to add some highlighters to my makeup collection. my curiosity about them began when i watched some YouTube videos on highlighting and contouring (thanks Goss Makeup Artist!).

and so i was excited to pick up the Shimmer Powder in "01 Bella's Secret" (11 g; $3.99). i figured it would be my first baby step in the world of highlighting.

natural light; closeup with flash

this powder definitely gives your skin a glowing sheen with its light golden shimmer. i really like using it right underneath my eyes to brighten up the area. i also brush it down the center of my nose.
this product will definitely last me some time - it's really big!! it's not something i'd carry around with me due to the size and unfortunately, that doesn't help since i feel like most of the shimmer has faded within 3 hours. i didn't wear a face primer though... maybe that'll help!

- - - - -

after seeing a few swatches of the blush (as well as Christine's post about NARS "Exhibit A" blush), i felt like i NEEDED a red blush. i didn't own a red blush prior to this because well, it's so red! but the pictures i saw were just amazing and so i hunted down the Blush in "01 Renesmee Red" (5.5 g; $2.99).

the blush looks like a cherry red and when you look at it very closely, you will notice a few shimmer particles in there. it is not as dark when you apply it - more like a softer pink-red. powder blushes often fade rather quickly on my skin but one is pretty decent. i don't have an exact time frame for this but around 6 hours?

- - - - -

finally, after much talk about the pigments on a Facebook group page, i had to have a Loose Eyeshadow Pigment (1.7 g; $3.49). i wanted "01 Jacob's Protection" when i saw the nail polishes, but since i have a ridiculously long list of polishes i still need to swatch, i figured i'll just get the pigment in the same color. plus, i've been having a thing for loose eyeshadows after i started playing around with the MUFE Holodiam Powder.

the pigment is indeed, very pigmented. it is a dark navy blue (verging on black) with green and purple glitter. the powder is not fine so it is a little harder to blend. i find that the color does start to fade near the end of the day and it begins to look like a boring gray (it also loses the glitter). the Essence website suggests using a base - more specifically, the Essence Colour Arts Eye Base from their standard collection. i've never seen that sold here but definitely use a primer!

here are my swatches of the above three products - note the shimmer powder and the blush are heavily swatched so you can see it. when you apply it on your face, you can definitely use a lighter touch. the pigment itself has great color payoff.

i tried to take a picture of my eyes but you can sort of see my cheeks too... i am wearing all three products here (plus eyeliner and a white eyeshadow):

the packaging is nothing special but it does feel sturdy. i don't expect the blush and shimmer powder to shatter easily. the pigment can be messy though - every time i open it, no matter how careful i am, some of the pigment will end up on my table or hand. i can't say this for the pigment, but the shimmer powder and blush have a slight scent to it if you sniff it directly... smells sort of like fake peaches.

overall, i've had a lot of fun playing with these new products. i think for the quality and the price, they are definitely worth a try. these days, i've reached for the shimmer powder and blush most often. were you tempted by the new Essence collection?

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.

REVIEW: Essence Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss

(note: that's not a typo in the title! Essence made "longlasting" into one word.)

so here i am again with another lip product review because i can't get enough!!
i actually picked these up before the Revlon lipsticks, somewhere near the end of April? it was during a Shopper's Drug Mart event where if i spent > $5 on Essence products, i'll get 15x the points. oh and i believe in Canada, they are found only at Shopper's.
let me tell you how difficult it was to walk away with just two products! with the current prices of Essence products (i think everything is less than $5), one can easily justify the purchase.
i've heard fabulous things about this brand from Germany and was super excited to try their products. i want to try lipsticks next, as well as eye liners and concealers and and ... everything is just so cheap! ONLY in price though - so far, i find the quality amazing.

i picked up two of their Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss for $2.99 each. there is 4 mL of product in each tube. the shades listed on their website and the shades available in store were slightly different - the "new" stickers were also different so i'm guessing one is newer than the other.

top to bottom: Candy Bar, Deep Rose

i already decided on "Candy Bar" before i saw it on the shelf. i loved the coral orange color.
at first, i was hoping to get non-shimmery lipglosses but i changed my mind with "Deep Rose". this one isn't listed on the website so i didn't know it existed until i saw it there, being such a pretty pink. it's a light shimmery pink and i picked it up since hearing that these lipglosses were surprisingly pigmented, i wanted to see if this would be the first light pink to show up on my lips.

i have never encountered this type of applicator before! it's a sponge tip but it's shaped like a hourglass. this actually makes it easier to apply on the bottom lip, where you can just lay it flat and sweep it across. then, on your top lip, you just use the tip to get the corners. however, i find it a little awkward to use on the rest of my top lip since my lips are not very thin.

.
since i bought these almost a month ago, these have been my go-to lipglosses. i am amazed by its pigmentation! i've never had lipglosses that were this pigmented! it's like lipstick but glossy! i love it. they also smell delicious, like candy.
i also wasn't really thinking when i decided to take these photos before blowdrying my hair because it will stick to the gloss. another downside is that layering the gloss doesn't mean adding more color since it will just slide the gloss around your lips. if you press your lips together after applying too much product, the lipgloss would look uneven and you would see the lipgloss separate from the top and bottom lip as you open your mouth. i am not sure if i explained that well enough. does anyone know what i mean? haha. the lipglosses aren't that long lasting either - i think many lipglosses tend to wipe off when you eat/drink anyway.
so other than that, this is probably my favorite lipgloss!

onto the swatches:

03 Candy Bar

i really like the color on my lips. it's a happy color on my lips that i can wear everyday.

08 Deep Rose

i think the color actually shows up pretty well on my lips considering it is a light pink.
note that under the name of the color, it says "contains carmine". i was a little scared to find out what it is since it looks like it was placed there as a warning. do you know what it is?
because it is actually common in cosmetics that require a red dye (check out wikipedia). apparently, it is also found in baby products and food (i.e.yogurt)!
carmine (also known as a bunch of other names, but what i've seen most often is Crimson Lake) comes from grounding up insects from South America and Mexico. these insects survive by living off cacti as parasites (source: EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database). that does not sound very uh.. good to me. i knew that "Deep Rose" tasted stranger than "Candy Bar" but i didn't know it was because of this... there are regulations with its use since many people are allergic.
anyway, good thing to keep in mind when you make your next makeup purchase!

finally, some swatches on my arm:

if you noticed the puncture wounds on my wrist, don't worry - my boyfriend's mom recently got a puppy and  she is quite the biter. seriously, she likes to chomp down on random places. i was walking around in the kitchen once and she decided to try to bite the back of my knee! so weird. i hope she gets over this phase soon. i can't take any more holes in my skin.

anyway - back to the Essence lipgloss: great color payoff and glossy. definitely worth the price! just be careful if you are allergic to carmine to avoid certain shades. actually, it is just a great idea in general to do a little research beforehand to find out the ingredients in the product.

so have you tried Essence lipglosses? or any other Esssence products? i'm excited to get my hands on a few more!