Classy on the Run: Essence Spring & Summer 2015 (+ my first giveaway!)*

This month I am so excited to share with you some products from a brand that I have really grown to love over the last few months: Essence! It all started in April when I was invited to a PR event featuring Essence. I was already a fan of their nail polish (great colours, cheap, east to apply), but I did not expect to fall in love with their other products (especially their lipsticks!) as much as I did. Essence was very generous with the samples they gave to me, and in turn, I am so excited to share them with you! At the end of this post you will find a special giveaway featuring some of my favourites from their new and existing lines.

Essence is a German brand that is readily available at Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada. Everything is $5 and under, making this a great line for last minute fixes, experimentation, gifting to little cousins, and of course, girls on a budget!

I'll admit, last year I put together a gift for my little cousin (she's 13!) full of products from this brand because I thought it would be an affordable, age conscious way for her to have some fun with make-up. However, after learning more about the brand, and getting to spend some quality time testing their products, I have caught myself reaching for my Essence Longlasting Lipstick in "Adorable Matt!" *almost* as often as I have been reaching for my Hourglass "Icon". The difference? "Adorable Matt!" retails for about $3, where as "Icon" will set you back $35.

After setting aside my biases, it was time to have some fun with Essence!

Their Longlasting Lipsticks retail for about $3 each. Featured here is "Natural Beauty", "Adorable Matt!" and "Nude Love". I find these lipsticks apply smoothly and evenly. They have a considerable wear time, and don't feel drying on my lips. I would describe the finish as "semi-matte". "Nude Love" looks beautiful for a subtle, no-make-up-make-up look, though my favourite is "Adorable Matt!". I love how bright and bold it is!

Wearing Nude Love.

Wearing Adorable Matt!

"Lash Princess" has a similar intent to Benefit's (very popular) Roller Lash. While I was open minded to both mascaras, I did not walk away loving either. I found both brushes a little bit awkward, and both formulas more dry than I prefer.

I did, however, love their "2 in 1 Eyeliner Pen". One end is "skinny" where as the other is thicker. Each makes different line. I really enjoy using the skinny end to do my inner eye corner when I do a cat's eye. The teal gel liner is simply stunning. You could put it in Marc Jacob's packaging and fool me! I will be picking up this in more colours.

Up close with the Lash Princess brush.

Up close with the Pump no Clump! brush

Skinny end of eyeliner pen, thicker end of eyeliner pen, teal gel eyeliner, Adorable Matt!, Natural Beauty, Love Nude

I was already a fan of Essence's nail polish before I attended the event. I love this classic mint polish for spring and summer. "Shake Me I'm Pretty" is an interesting, light topcoat that adds a pretty reflective shine to any polish. This product is great for girls who love their shimmer, but as somebody who prefers classic cremes, this simply isn't for me. Finally, their "Gel-Look Plumping Top Coat" is a great value topcoat for a high shine finish. While not quite as effective as my high-end favourites, this product packs a punch for its less-than$5 price tag!

One set of products that I had never touched before the event was Essence's eyeshadows. Their "3D Eyeshadows" have an irresistible sheen to them that are so easy to wear! I love "Caramel Cream" and "Fullmoon Flash". While I was in Europe I was constantly reaching for the lighter shades as a highlighter, and for the mid-tone shade as a lid colour. These little duos are perfect for travel or for when you are in a rush!

"Metal Glam" shadows are full of sparkle, and not my normal routine. However, "Lavender Frost" has earned a spot in my make-up drawer (yes...drawer. Oops?) for the odd evening that I head out with friends. Watch out for fall out!

"Smokey Eyes Set" in "Smokey Day" (Brown) is a very well put together set. I find the shadows to be easy to blend, and that they go well together for a simple day look. This is a great, minimilistic set that is also great for travel. Everything you need, no filler. The bottom shade is particularly buttery. (This trio would be perfect to keep at your boyfriend's place...)

While this lipgloss did not make the initial photo, it still has earned a place in my heart. "Fabulous Fuchsia" packs a serious colour punch on par with what I would expect from Sephora. Not tacky. Wonderfully shiny. I need to find this in "Poppy Red".

Fabulous Fuchsia

Left: Fullmoon Flash, Caramel Cream, Lavender Frost

Right: Smokey Day

I want to share my new love of Essence with you! And so, I present to you, my very first giveaway! Also, think of it as an apology for being MIA for the last..week..or three. Between getting home from Europe, starting a new job, and moving to a new apartment, things have been pretty crazy!

Win Me!

Enter my first giveaway for a chance to win this gift set that I put together with a few of my favourite Essence products! Contest is open to Canadian and US residents and closes on June 16th at 11:59 pm. Good luck!