'essence XXXL shine lip gloss' swatch and review

essence is a cosmetics line that I recently saw at Ulta. The products are inexpensive so I thought I would give one of their lipglosses a shot. My first impression is that this company is kind of the like the European Wet N' Wild. Inxpensive cosmetics that a lot of people can try out and see if they like what they have to offer.

essence describes this gloss:

the XXXL shine lipgloss ensures outrageously shiny and pampered lips. shimmering color pigments conjure-up an amazing volume effect while a rich complex containing vitamin e and panthenol ingredients prevents your lips from feeling dry.

 essense XXL shine lip gloss in Pick Me Up

This lip gloss is not amazing but it isn't so bad either.  It's very sheer, you can see from my swatch above that it doesn't add any color to my lips, I might as well have bought the clear version.  The formula feels moisturizing and smooth on my lips, not sticky or tacky.  It also has a scent that I can't quite place.  It is kind of a fruity scent but has a bit of something else as well.  I like it.

Additionally, the brush is unique.  It is like a long, thin paddle mixed with the doe foot applicator.  I thought that was interesting when I first opened it.

Pros - very inexpensive (approx. $1.99), variety of colors (haven't tried any others to know if they are sheer or not), nice scent, moisturizing, not sticky, no taste.

Cons - not pigmented, comes off after a bit (you will have to reapply often).

Milani 'Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer' Swatch and Review

A swatch of Black Magic liner in Blackened Pink (bottom) and Eye Glimmer in Pink Magic (top)

Milani Cosmetics states this eyeliner can be used in the following way:

A dual-ended pencil that delivers three amazing looks! Apply blackened liner on lash line or on the eye lid for deep, dramatic eyes. Use the glimmer top coat over the blackened liner to create a spectacular dazzling look.

Wear the glimmer top coat by itself on entire eye lid for a magical effect!

Use blackened eyeliner to create a thin or thick line on lower or upper lashlines. Can also be used to color in eyelids for an instant striking look. Apply glimmer topcoat over eyeliner for a dramatic finish or wear alone on entire eyelids for a shimmer effect.

Tip: To extend the wear, apply your foundation or pressed powder on entire eyelid before applying Black Magic Blackened Eyeliner & Glimmer Topcoat.

Pros - compact, easy for travel, a variety of fun colors, affordable and easy to find at stores.

Cons - creases easily, not as deep and pigmented as I would like, large pieces of glitter, fades and gets spotty as the day goes on.

I think this eyeliner/eyeshadow is just OK.  I don't hate it but I definitely don't love it.  I am going to have a try a variety of ways to keep it from creasing (a normal base just didn't help it enough).  I like the idea of this kind of 2-in-1 product that allows me to go from a light to a more intense look.  I think that this will definitely be able to be used as a base and then I can layer other items on top of it.

Have you tried this or a product like it?  What did you think?

Coastal Scents 'Frenzy' Eyeshadow Swatch

 This is what a sample size container looks like.

A swatch of Coastal Scents Frenzy eyeshadow

Coastal Scents describes this eyeshadow:

Frenzy is satiny smooth with the faintest touch of peach and tan tone. This color works great all over eye prior to adding contrast colors.

To me, this color is a light pink and is a great neutral, shimmery color.  I think this could also be used as a highlighter for the brow or for the inner corner of the eye.  I forsee myself using this color a lot in the future, especially on days when I just want a simple/light wash of color.

Milani Lipstick in Rose Hip

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Rose Hip (an intense pink)

This lipstick is exactly what I was looking for.  I am totally impressed with this drugstore brand and I look forward to trying more of their products!  This lipstick is creamy, moisturizing, vibrant, true to color, affordable and lasts a long time with minimal touch-ups needed.  This is probably one of the best feeling lipsticks that I have worn in a long time, it feels so light weight on my lips.  I really like it!

Check out more color options on Milani's website and if you have tried this lipstick, what did you think of it?

Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in 'Fetish'

Delicate, fresh... Introducing Urban Decay's first-ever powder blush... appropriately named Afterglow. Small enough to fit in your clutch, this blush can be perfectly paired with your dressy pearls or worn alone to recreate summer's glow. Bronzed pinks and hints of gold are here for the taking. Available in several colors to enhance a wide range of complexions

Made with Chamomile -- Nature's best, with these properties:
Healing/soothing effect
Anti-inflammatory
Relieves dryness
Rich in B vitamins and minerals
Suitable for all skin types, including very sensitive skin

Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Fetish

Urban Decay describes this blush as: light pinky plum w/ shimmer

A 'hard' swatch of Fetish (left) and Fetish blended out (right)

I think this blush is great, it has awesome staying power and applies nicely.  I find myself reaching for it everyday and I would definitely want to check out some of their other colors in the future.

MAC 'Viva Glam Gaga' Lipstick Swatch

MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick (Lady Gaga Lipstick)

MAC describes this lipstick as a cool-blue pink shade.  It's great and I think it would be wonderful layered over other lipsticks as well (if it's not opaque enough for you).  At first I thought it might be similar to MAC California Dreamin' but I find this Viva Glam lipstick to be a bit more full coverage (though not totally) and more vibrant, less subdued. 

This is limited edition, get yours while you can and help support the fight against AIDS/HIV.  This shade sold out quick at first, I had to preorder it and then pick it up a few weeks later.  Ah, I am really liking creamy pink lipsticks like this right now.

Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss Swatches & Review

Lancome Juicy Tubes Jelly Lip Gloss in Magic Spell (left) and

Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie Lip Gloss in Simmer (right).

These glosses come in easy to use, portable squeeze tubes and that's really nice and all but I am really not liking the consistency of these glosses.  I find both of them to be tacky, sticky and grainy feeling on my lips.  Both of them leave my lips shiny (as Lancome claims for them to do) but I always want to wipe these off after I put them on.  I find these glosses to have a slightly sweet scent but hardly any taste. 

Pros - Portable, convenient to carry, give shine to the lips, have a slight shimmer which can be nice.

Cons - Sticky, tacky and grainy feeling; sheer color (don't reach for these if you want intense pigmentation), expensive ($18 at Sephora).

In my opinion, definitely seek out another kind of lip gloss.  And for that matter, what are your favorite lip glosses?  I would love to hear some suggestions.

Disclaimer:  I received these glosses as a gift.

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick 'Rosy Blush' swatch

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in 'Rosy Blush' (which is a yellow pink rose color)

I think that cream blushes are great and overall, I pretty impressed with this one. It blends nicely and lasts all throughout the day.  I swatched this so you can see both the color and then how it blends (which I blended it out above the swatch of color). 

If you are a big blush fan (which I am sometimes), definitely check Clinique's version out.  It's portable, applies easily and easy to use. I am going to check out their Glow Blush next, I think.

Clinique 'Different Lipstick' in 'Tenderheart' Swatch

Clinique describes this lipstick as:

Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. One of the best, from our wide range of shades. Sheer, glossy, smile-rewarding lipstick.

Coverage: Moderate

Benefits: Wearable Colour

Tenderheart is described as:

A midtone blushing nude brown.

Finish: Soft Shine
Colour: Group: Nudes

MAC 'California Dreamin' Lipstick Swatch

MAC 'California Dreamin' Lipstick

(LOVE IT!)

Sephora Lipservice Deluxe Sampler - Swatches & Review

I bought the Sephora Lipservice Deluxe Sampler over the holiday break for myself.  I think this set is hit or miss on most of the shades.  Swatches first:

0.12 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Crystal (Clear)

0.086 oz NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday (vibrant pink sheen, frosty looking)

0.8 oz Tarte Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Hatha (shimmering berry rose)

0.14 oz CARGO Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Muir Woods (sheer spiced mauve)

0.04 oz Laura Mercier Lip Coulour-Crème in Pink Champagne (cool rose)

0.02 oz Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Radiant Rosy 14

0.06 oz Korres Guava Lipstick in Wine Red (burgundy wine)

0.05 oz DuWop Private Red

As you can see, most of the shades of lipstick are nude and neutral colored.  I think that these colors are nice but I wish there could have been more variety in a kit like this.  I liked the deeper reds and more vibrant colors a lot more than I liked the neutral colors.  I felt that not only was the application better on the deeper colors but that they were also more moisturizing, lasted longer, etc.

The two lipsticks that I am least impressed with are the CARGO one and the NARS lip pencil.  The CARGO lipstick feels really dry on my lips and is hard to apply.  The NARS lip pencil applies very lightly and with a frosty finish.  I want it to be more true to color than the light, frosty look that happens when I put it on my lips.

Mainly, I bought this kit for the DuWop 'Private Red' lipstick sample.  One tube of that lipstick costs nearly as much as this whole sampler set cost me!  So, it was great to be able to try it.  Overall, I am impressed with DuWop and their lipstick.  It applies a rich, deep red to my lips and I feel it works well with my skintone.  I am not sure if I believe it changes color depending on your own chemistry but everyone can believe what they want to.  I have yet to determine if I would ever by the full-size version of this.

Overall, definitely get this kit if you want to try a variety of brands and are a wearer of neutral colors (with some space for some pops of red every now and then).  It is definitely worth the money and you get some full-sized and some deluxe-sized samples of products.  I know it sells out fast so if you are even thinking about it, definitely go for it when you see it!

If you have any questions about this sampler set, please let me know!

Coastal Scents 'Fusion' Lip Gloss Swatch and Review

Here is a swatch of 'Fusion' by Coastal Scents, I threw this color in when I ordered the Camo Quad that they just came out with (review here.)

Overall, I really wish this gloss was more pigmented that it is, I have these glosses in a few other colors (Strunt on Nude, Monroe A Go Go, Mega Mauve & Near Peach) and I think that it their only downfall. They are much more sheer that they appear that they would be in the tube. I like that this is 'wearable' but I was keeping my fingers crossed for something that would really pop when I put it on.

Pros - Easy application, small/easy to fit in a pocket, purse or bag, affordable (they lowered the price since they first came out!), variety of pinks, nudes and peaches; not sticky, smooth feeling on the lips.

Cons - Not nearly pigmented enough, especially with the lip trends going on right now, the brush/cap can feel cheap (bristles stick out funny) and the stopper can pop out and get stuck in the cap - resulting in a messy situation. Be careful when you first open to see if you got one that is going to come apart!


What are your favorite lip glosses, lipsticks, etc.? Which ones have the pigmentation you have been looking for?

Eyeko 'Pretty Polish' Review

Eyeko 'Pretty Polish' is a soft pink pastel color. I think that the color is super cute but the application was horrible. I had read that this would probably happen (on Scangie). But I thought, maybe, just maybe it would be different for me. Love the color, HATE the application, drying time and way that it dents easily for hours after applying it.

*Pros - lovely, feminine creme color. Perfect for people that are into light, non-threatening colors. Also has the cutest bottle design! Be sure to check them out!

*Cons - sheer, streaky application, this is with five coats - that's too many for the kind of lady that I am. This color takes forever to dry and it dented easily for be for about a whole day after I first applied it. It never seemed to completely dry.

I am going to review the other polish that I got, 'Vamp Polish,' tomorrow. I am hoping I will like it better because Eyeko seems to have some super cute things. They also offer free shipping on all orders which I think is fantastic!

You can view their nail polishes, as well as other cosmetics on their website, Eyeko.com.