I Love Thee: Essence Lipstick


I never ever thought I’d feature a lipstick that cost just one cent shy of €2 and be able to say good things about it, let alone slotting this into my I Love Thee series. Well, here I am doing just that! And that’ll explain for the absence of a picture of a proud brand new lipstick. Instead, with apologies, I’d have to show you my used one.


This is the Essence Lipstick in number 33 Glam Girl. It’s a glossy deep pink shade with tiny specks of glitter and has a strong sweet bubblegummy scent. And I will tell you now that you might find some tiny random glitters still hanging around on your lips at the end of the day, even after facial cleansing.

Those are my observations and personally, neither the scent nor the six specks of glitter left on my lips bother me.

So, what is it about this lipstick that really won me over? Simple! It doesn’t dry my lips out. There is no need for a lipbalm base and I’ve said before that there aren’t many lipsticks that can do that for me. I’m a fusspot and I keep a careful mental list of these (and it’s a very short list). The Essence Lipstick keeps my lips moist and gives my lips more colour than a lipbalm would.

I checked the list of ingredients on the Essence website and I see top on the list, castor seed oil, followed by lanolin and further down the list, paraffin, carnauba wax and avocado oil. The rest of the items on the list of ingredients are those with long, convoluted chemical names, so if you’re interested, do check out their website. Funnily enough, I didn’t see any parabens on the list.

On the issue about how long-lasting it is, it’ll last a couple of hours but isn’t that normal with most lippies?

Sharing The Fun
As you already know, Essence is a German brand with cheap and cheerful products, complete with packaging to reflect that (I mean more the cheerful part, perhaps). The quality is all right considering the prices. I’d say I’ve had more hits than misses. What really impresses me about Essence is its huge range of products. They’ve got the whole range of makeup necessities but the icing on the cake has got to be their wide range of nail and nail art products, from nail files and nail correction pens to nail art stickers and nail art stamping kits (that last one you’re already familiar with, no?).

So, would you like to try some Essence products, including the lipstick featured above? I’ve put together some items for one lucky lady! I’m calling this Sharing The Fun because, well, I’m doing this simply in the spirit of fun! Here’re the products that you could win (from top right, clockwise):


• Kajal Pencil - 11 Cool Breeze
• Quattro Eyeshadow - 05 Aqua Flash
• Glossy Lipbalm - Mango Daiquiri
• Lipstick - 33 Glam Girl
Nail Polish Multi Dimension 3 in 1 - 44 Object of Desire
Nail Art Stampy Set - 01 Be Creative!

Recognise that nail polish? Yeah, I featured this shade a couple of weeks ago. I said back then that I think it’s a discontinued colour. What I didn’t mention was that I had at that time bought another bottle for this purpose, not knowing then that this colour would be discontinued. Now, that second bottle is going to one of you! See? The one on the left is mine and the one on the right will be yours!

If you’d like to try your luck, all you need to do for one basic entry is to leave a relevant comment under this post but please, no ‘enter me’ stuff. My older readers would be familiar with this as I’ve done this once before. Please just comment like normal as if I wasn’t sharing the fun here. All I ask is for it to be relevant to this post about the lipstick (yes, even if you said I've got fish lips in the picture, you’d still have an entry).

Oh, did you leave a comment on the Adorned Nails: Essence Object of Desire post prior to publication of this current post? That would be your extra entry, but only if you leave a comment here for your basic entry. I’ve decided that I won’t enter anyone without their knowledge or against their will.

This is of course open internationally, to all who publicly follow my blog as seen on Google Friend Connect. I’ll keep this open for a week, so if you’re interested, please comment by latest Friday 12th March 2010, 11.59pm (Central European Time). As always, the Mummy Number Generator will determine the winner. Note: For those who still don't know what that is, that's my Mum who lives far away from me and will give me a random number on the phone in picking the winner. By the way, she's too busy to read my blog, so she has no idea who my readers are. I will announce the results on Saturday 13th March. The winner has 72 hours to respond with her postal details.

Please note that all the items in the prize are brand new and were purchased with my own money. As always, I will take every care in sending out the package to the winner but I will not be held responsible if the package goes missing in transit or arrives damaged.

Have fun and good luck, ladies!

32 comments:

Nessa said...

I would love to try Essence cosmetics, they haven't reached my Ulta yet.

And I don't think you have fish lips!

Carine said...

I have never tried Essence on myself but it's a brand which is fairly known in France! I didn't want to try their products because I thought that quality would be quite crappy but I'm happy to know that it's not the case. I might check their products in my local stores ^_^

Rebecca said...

After trying an Essence polish I was sent from France I am now hooked. I need more of it! I need to see if it's available in the UK. Liking the look of that eye pencil as well :D

Cynthia Z said...

This shade looks a bit like my Shu Crystal Shine...so I love it..hehe..
It'll go very well with yr 'Object of Desire' nail polish
♥XX♥

Anonymous said...

Essence gets more and more rave reviews! A lipgloss that DOESN'T dry out your lips? That's too good to be true! The shade looks perfect on you!! The gift pack looks lovely and will gain a lot of interest! Good luck everyone :) Thank you for another great post and for sharing the fun xxx

twinsouls888 said...

Yay for the no paraben lippies, the swatch is lovely and it looks really pretty on your lips. I love the silver packaging, it makes it more elegant.

Have a nice day girl. :)

Agnes said...

I love essence, it's perfect when you don't have an endless budget :)

nihrida said...

I only own one Essence lipstick, 'cause I don't wear them that often. Well, I wanted to say that it smells soooooo good and I totally agree with you about the sweet scent. =)
I like the color, but I like your lips even more. :D

Arie said...

I am a lipgloss and lipstick lover!!
Always in the search of the perfect shade ^_^, and of course this one looks so darn good!.Essence rocks!

Witoxicity said...

@contests and such
How strange! I would have thought that when it's released in the US, it would be at all Ulta's! Good luck with your entry! :)

@Carine
Actually, I never bothered with Essence for the longest time either because I had pre-conceived ideas about the brand. So, I know what you mean. :) When I did finally try it, well, some weren't that great and some were decent. Not bad, after all!

@Rebecca
Yeah, their nail polishes are surprisingly good. It's not something you'd expect for that price. :D

@Cynthia
It's funny that you should say that. I wore this combination today! Heh heh!

@Danielle
My pleasure! Too good to be true? That's what I thought too at first. Anyway, like I said, I've had hits and misses with this brand, but that's all right for the price that you pay. :)

@twinsouls888
Thank you! Although light-weight, the silver casing is not bad-looking at all, actually. :)

@Beauty Vibes
That is so true! It sure doesn't burn a hole in your pocket. :)

@nihrida
Heh heh, thank you. This lipstick that I have is the only Essence lipstick that I have. I had picked this colour randomly at the store. :)

@Arie
We ladies are always on a quest for the perfect lipstick shade, aren't we? Women!! :D

Michelle @Lipstickrules said...

That is a lovely shade of lipstick! I love finding a good bargain.

I love how you have done your contests! Very refreshing!

~Elizabeth aka Lacquered Lizard said...

That's such a happy shade of pink. It looks really nice with your skin tone too. Makes me think that maybe I can wear pinks too!
I wonder if the Ulta store has this one here...

Witoxicity said...

@Lipstick Rules
Oooh, we love good bargains, don't we? I didn't have any expectations with this lipstick, so it has turned out pretty well after all! :D

@~Elizabeth aka Lacquered Lizard
It is indeed a happy colour! You would always feel cheered up just from looking at it. :D

I don't know if it's any different in the actual Ulta stores, but on its website, I didn't see any nail polishes from the Multi Dimension range. There were only those from the Colour&Go range. :)

Lavender said...

I have never had a lipstick that does not need a lip balm as a base except the Estee Lauder lipstick that I featured in my blog. So, would be nice to try Essence lipstick. Note sure if it is available in Malaysia though.

bowsnhearts said...

Woot! I love lip colours that don't dry your lips out! I have tried out some lipsticks where I still have to apply a layer of lip gloss on top or else my lips will flake!

Mz. More said...

This shade is very pretty and looks perfect for Spring. Non drying with a pleasant smell is two big factors for me when choosing lippies as well. Lipsticks with weird smells makes me sick to the stomach, and I always wear lip balm under my lipstick for fear of chapped lips

Witoxicity said...

@Lavender
Lipsticks that don't require a lipbalm base do exist but they are very few and far between, unfortunately. :)

@bowsnhearts
I usually do that too, it's either a lipbalm base or a lipgloss on top. It's not always very convenient, is it? :P

@Mz. More
Chapped lips! Don't we all hate that! As for the sweet smell, it is strong, so I don't know if some ladies may find it too much. I, for one, am fine with it. :D

Lara said...

I'm not normally a fan of lipsticks, but seeing how pretty this color looks on you and how cheap Essence products are, I'll give it a try!

Thanks for the recommendation and 'sharing the fun'. ;)

Anonymous said...

You know I don't usually wear lipstick.. but I absolutely love when lip products don't dry out my lips, just like you said!

Seems like it was fate that you got your hands on a discontinued shade! Makes it that more special!

Witoxicity said...

@Lara
Yes, do give it a try! There is little to lose given the attractive pricing of Essence's products. If it doesn't work out for you, no worries, right? :D

@Natalie
Ha ha! Yes, it's all the more special to share with one lucky lady! Now, that's what I call fun! :D

Marisa Álvarez said...

Hello!! That lipstick looks pretty on you and it's super cheap, that's great! I love the "Mummy number generator", that's the best number generator for sure! Good luck everyone! Oh! I forgot to say enter me! I was just kidding :-) xxx

DinaXYYan said...

love the shade! it's one of the lipstick shade that i will wear :D

Halifax @ Sparkled Beauty said...

Lucky for the ladies in the US who now (or soon) have access to this brand like the ladies in Europe. Thanks for this lovely giveaway

Eli (Beauty Blog) said...

It's a shame that my local Essence retailer doesn't sell that stampy thing, I'm dying to try it, even though I doubt it's better than Konad (I haven't found better yet)

Witoxicity said...

@Naoko
Muchas gracias! Heh heh, I'm glad you approve of the Mummy Number Generator idea. It's really just something in honour of my Mum. :)

@Dina
Yes, this is a very wearable colour. It'll definitely suit you. :)

@Halifax
I believe Essence is already available in Ulta for the US ladies. Well, it'll probably be coming to you in Canada soon too! Don't lose hope! :D

@Eli
I know what you mean. I haven't tried KONAD yet, but judging from what I've read on your blogs, KONAD has got to be the gold standard for image plates.

I think this Essence stamping kit is great, especially for beginners, who want to have a taste of what stamping is like. I'm enjoying it so far! :)

Gabriela said...

I can`t believe one year ago I didn`t know this brand. Now I have more than 20 Essence products. I love the limited editions, the prizes, the glosses...
I`ve written about Essence in my blog and I always recommend it.

Anni said...

Hi witoxicity,

I am really excited about the stampy set, as well as the nail polish!
Btw: Remember that I was super excited about the KOH flamingo polish? I'm wearing it now and it is absolutely fab! Haven't ever received so many compliments ;)

Groetjes :)

Witoxicity said...

@Gabriela
Ha ha, it's funny how things can change, huh? It took me a long time before I decided to purchase some Essence products to try (I had preconceptions about it). Like I mentioned, I've had hits and misses but overall, I'm impressed! :)

@Anni
Hallo Anni! I'm so glad that you've come by. :D Welkom!

Oh, somebody has gorgeous nails with Flamingo there! It is indeed a bright and super pretty colour, no wonder people have been showering you with compliments! You must be stealing looks at your nails very often too! ;D

Groetjes! :)

Daniela said...

Everyone in Portugal speaks about essence products but I never tried :O SHame on me! The lipstick looks really nice and if doesn't have parabens it's even better :D

Witoxicity said...

@Daniela
I never used to look at Essence either! But one day, I just got curious and bought some of their products. Some are good, some less so but overall, they're not at all bad for the price that you pay. As for the absence of parabens, I did try very hard to find the names on the list of ingredients but I couldn't find them. Perhaps Essence uses other kinds of conservatives? :)

Anonymous said...

hmm i've never tried the essence brand before, ive never seen it around where i live. but i suppose its at the ulta store maybe? haha.

Witoxicity said...

@POLISHED FIERCE
Thanks for dropping by. As far as I know, Essence is now available at Ulta stores in the US. I hope your Ulta stocks it. :)