Blossom Dearie

A review of Essence Cosmetics “Blossoms etc.” Limited Edition Collection
By Jessica M

Essence Cosmetics releases several Limited Edition seasonal
collections per year, and the offering for this spring and summer in
the United States, called Blossoms Etc., is my favorite yet. It
features “gentle pastel shades and floral designs,” with the good
quality and low prices that Essence is known for.

I’ve been impressed by Essence’s nail polishes for a while, and the
Blossoms polishes live up to my expectations for the brand. I’ve
tried Forgot-Me-Not, a lavender-blue crème that reminds me of the
Periwinkle crayon from the big Crayola crayon box. (It looks more
shimmery in the bottle than it does on the nails.) I wore two coats
of Forget-Me-Not as my manicure last week and received several
compliments. The other shade I’m testing is I Like, a mermaid-y green
that dries to a cool seafoam crème (with very discreet shimmer) on the
nails. Like Forget-Me-Not, it lasts well and it’s eye-catching in a
fresh, soft way. ($1.99 each)

The eyeshadows in the Blossoms Etc. collection are duos: the darker
shade is a well-pigmented matte shadow, and the lighter shade is
shimmery and sheer. Bloom-a-Loom is the lilac/pink duo, and
Forget-Me-Not is the purple-lavender duo. I usually stick to neutrals
for my eye shadows, but these colors are flattering and not overly
bright, so I’m able to fit them into my everyday “look.” ($2.49 each)
And wait, what’s that interesting-looking compact peeking into the
corner of the photo?

Here’s a better look at Flower Power Multi Colour Powder, an embossed
mosaic of pink, peach, nude, and light bronze shades. It has fine
shimmer, so it’s a perfect finishing touch for cheekbones or temples.
I always admire high-end embossed highlighting powders and blushes,
but I rarely buy them, because I know I’ll end up hoarding them at the
back of a drawer. This powder is priced so affordably, however, that
I can use it without guilt. ($2.99)

And what spring line would be complete without a pretty lip gloss?
This shade is Flowerkissed. I love its carnation-pink color. This
gloss has a doe-foot applicator and applies smoothly for a creamy,
moderately shiny finish. ($1.99)

Blossoms Etc. was released in May, and this line of May flowers will
be around only until supplies are gone, so if you’re curious, do check
it out soon!

Essence Cosmetics is available at Ulta stores, the Ulta website
(http://www.ulta.com/), and Fred Meyer stores (in the Pacific Northwest
region).

Images: All photographs by Jessica M for BlogdorfGoodman
Disclaimer: Press samples were provided by Essence Cosmetics

Spring Fling

Some new products from Essence Cosmetics
A review by Jessica M

About a year ago, I reported on the United States launch of Essence
Cosmetics, a German beauty line that has turned out to be one of my
favorite bargain brands. I was especially impressed by Essence’s
mascaras (All Eyes on Me and Multi-Action are my favorites), blush
brush, and nail polishes, and they’ve all gained permanent places in
my makeup drawer.

I was recently invited to another event hosted by Essence cosmetics
and I had a chance to revisit the line and try some more products.
One new item is Stay With Me Long-Lasting Lipgloss ($2.29), offered in
seven crème shades that start with lots of shine and gradually wear
down into a tint of color. Candy Bar (coral), Trendsetter (cherry
red), Me & My Ice Cream (light pink), and I Like Cotton Candy (rich
berry) are all perfect for summer wear, and they would suit a range of
skintones. (I particularly like the contoured doe-foot of the gloss’s
applicator.)

Essence also recently added lipsticks to its offerings in the United
States. It’s hard for me to ignore any lipstick (especially one that
retails for $2.49), and Essence’s lippie is available in ten sheer
shades, all with shimmer, that range from cool to warm. The three
that worked best for me were Kiss You (baby pink), Look at Me (bronzey
nude), and Fairy Tale (deep mauve). Their plastic cases match the
shades inside, which is a nice touch. I’m also constantly on the
lookout for sweet and simple neutrals that suit a fair complexion, so
I was happy to try Essence’s Lipliner in Soft Rose (99 cents for a
high-quality pencil) and nicely milled Silky Touch Blush in Adorable
(a very light peach, priced at $2.49).

Essence’s Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish colors (99 cents each)
are on-trend, long-lasting, and unbelievably affordable. Some of the
newer shades that caught my eye were updated neutrals like Date With
the Night (futuristic charcoal shimmer) and Irreplaceable (pale
putty-gray with gold shimmer) and the more colorful Choose Me! (bright
teal with holographic glitter) and Where Is The Party? (holographic
purple with green).

Essence is also continuing to release several limited-edition “trend”
collections per year, and I’ll be back soon to review the latest one
available in the United States. It’s one of my favorite “trend”
releases yet, and just like the products I’ve already mentioned, it’s
completely spring-worthy.

Essence Cosmetics is available at Ulta stores, the Ulta website
(http://www.ulta.com/), and Fred Meyer stores (in the Pacific Northwest
region).

Images: Illustration from the Essence Cosmetics website
(http://www.essence.eu/).
All photographs by Jessica M for BlogdorfGoodman
Disclaimer: Press samples were provided by Essence Cosmetics

Do you love me, do you, Surfer Girl?

Essence Cosmetics “Surfer Babe” Collection
Review by Jessica M

Essence Cosmetics, the German makeup brand that recently launched in the United States, recently brought out its summer collection. It's a limited edition line called Surfer Babe, and it promises “that sun-kissed laid-back surfer look---carefree and casual.” Well, I avoid the sun and I don’t even like to swim, so you’ll never see me on a surfboard, but I can still appreciate some of the products in this line.

The Eyeshadow Palette in Surfer's Kit, for example, is on-trend and versatile ($2.99). I like the pale matte lilac as an overall wash shade, and the frosty white as a highlight on the browbone. The purple and orange shades have high-octane shimmer when applied with a sponge applicator, but a fluffy shadow brush sheers them out and makes them useful as day-to-night layers over a more basic eye shadow. The deep shimmery charcoal would make a good smokey liner.

Surfer Babe Refreshing Lip Gloss ($1.99) is like an affordable little sister to Lancome’s Juicy Tubes. Once applied, the gloss formula has medium shimmer, high shine, and a cool, tingly feeling. These shades complement the eye shadows: The World’s Coolest is a light aqua in the tube, Hang Loose is lavender, and Tube Rider is orange. They have less visible pigment when worn, so that they add just a hint of color.

I’ve raved before about Essence’s high-quality, budget-friendly nail polishes. Surfer Girl Nail Polish ($1.99) is a color family with four shades. I’m especially happy with Surferama (a punchy berry crreme) and Hang Loose (lavender creme); both applied smoothly and gave complete coverage in two coats, and they lasted well. World’s Coolest (light aqua with light shimmer) felt a bit thicker and harder to work with, and I haven’t tried Pointbreak yet (medium gray creme), but I love its name. Surf’s up!

Essence Cosmetics’ Surfer Babe collection will be available from June through August at Ulta stores nationwide. It also includes waterproof liquid eyeliner, an eyeliner pen, and powder blusher.

Title: Lyric by The Beach Boys
Images: Cover of Gidget by Frederick Kohner; all product photos by Jessica M
Disclosure: Press samples were provided by Essence Cosmetics

Beauty and the Bargain

Essence Cosmetics Review
By Jessica M.

Last week I reported on Essence Cosmetics’ launch in the United
States, and now I’m back to update Blogdorf about my favorite products
(so far) in the line. I’m trying to spend a little less money on my
makeup acquisitions this year, so it will be nice to have another
low-priced, on-trend option to satisfy my cosmetics cravings.

The Colour & Go nail polishes, priced at ninety-nine cents (yes!) are
Essence’s best-sellers. I couldn’t decide between Just in Case
(bronze), What Do U Think? (melon creme), and Space Queen (holographic
sparkles in a pinkish-clear base). There’s also a shimmery cobalt
blue called Underwater that Annie would love. I’ve given myself a
manicure with No More Drama (lilac creme): it applies smoothly and
evenly, and two coats gives a creamy, streak-free finish. It also
wears just as well as most of the higher-priced polishes in my
collection.

Some of Essence’s eye colors are very easy to integrate into my usual
“everyday” look. The eye duo in Ever Glam is packaged in a portable
little compact with a sliding lid, and its pair of bone and
mossy-brown shades carries an amazing amount of shimmer and color
pay-off ($2.49). I’ve also combined two mono shadows ($1.99 each):
Blockbuster is a silky, matte ivory that’s perfect for using all over
the eyelid, and Metropolitan is a rich, deep brown (with a dash of
fine golden sparkle) that works well for defining the crease. All
these shadows stayed put and lasted well when I wore them over Urban
Decay Primer Potion. Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Chocolate is
simple to use ($1.99), and Lash & Brow Eye Gel Mascara keeps my brows
neat ($2.49).

Other shades are perfect for experimenting, especially since they’re
not big cash investments. I’ve been meaning to try some lavender and
purple eye shadows for spring, so I’m testing the waters with Go Glam
mono shadow (lilac), the Mix It Baby! duo (pearly lavender and deep
shimmery purple), and the Quattro quad in Sooo Cool ($2.99). Again,
the shadows feel smooth and soft, and they’re well pigmented. Some
shades fade slightly by the end of the day, but not enough to bother
me. Essence also makes brighter shades (green, orange, hot pink,
yellow) for bolder looks.

Have I mentioned mascara? I’m a terrible klutz with mascara, and I’ve
had bad experiences with mascaras from all kinds of brands. I tried
Multi Action Mascara ($3.49), mainly because I liked the swirly,
Pucci-like pattern on the label, and it turned out to be an easy,
mess-free everyday mascara that gives my eyes just enough “oomph.” I
also sampled Maximum Definition Volume Mascara ($3.99), which has a
skinny rubber brush. I needed to comb out a few clumpy bits after I
applied it, but once I’d done that, I had nicely defined lashes that
didn’t flake or smudge or feel crusty -- for half the price of most
drugstore mascaras.

There are many, many more products in Essence’s import line, and I
definitely haven’t tried all of them. I’d probably pass on the lip
glosses, though; they feel smooth and they give lots of shine, but
they don’t have much pigment when applied. I wasn’t crazy about the
feel of the Kajal Eye Pencils, and the Soft Touch Mousse Foundation is
better for normal-to-dry skin. (I need something oil-free.) For the
most part, though, I’ve really been enjoying this line, and I’ll keep
coming back for Essence’s affordable and well-produced polishes, eye
shadows, mascaras, and makeup brushes.

Essence Cosmetics is available in the U.S. at Ulta stores and
http://www.ulta.com.

For more information and product listings, check
out the Essence website: http://www.essence.eu/us/usa/.

Photos by Jessica M.
Disclosure: Press samples of these products were provided by Essence Cosmetics

Imported treats and local sweets

Essence Cosmetics Launch in the United States
by Jessica M

As any true cosmetics devotee knows, makeup thrills can happen at any kind of retail location, on every price level. Sometimes it’s a pleasure to “cave” on a hard-to-find product with luxurious packaging and a designer logo, and sometimes the “aha!” moment comes from an impulse purchase at the drugstore. Annie and Cavewoman have always inspired me to look high and low for rave-worthy makeup, so I’m happy to be able to report back to Blogdorf about Essence Cosmetics.


Essence Cosmetics has been around since 2001: it was founded in Germany, it spread to more than thirty countries in the global market,and it has just arrived in the United States. Most of the products are made in Europe, and the company is known for offering high quality formulas and on-trend colors at very low prices. In the States, every item is priced under five dollars. I recently had a chance to see and sample the line at a get-together hosted by Essence in New York, at the uptown location of Magnolia Bakery. (Yes, home of the famous cupcakes!)

Essence’s product displays are definitely eye-catching: they’re crammed with all the colors of the rainbow, and they’re decorated with big pictures of Bratz-like girls. Once you look past the bright colors and cartoony imagery, however, you’ll notice some very clever,high-performing products. The selection being brought to the States—it’s being sold at Ulta stores and Ulta.com--includes color cosmetics for eyes, lips, and face, nail polishes and nail art accessories, and a few makeup tools.

In addition to the permanent product line, Essence releases limited edition collections several times a year. They recently offered a“Moonlight” collection inspired by the “Twilight” books and movies; it won’t be available in the U.S., unfortunately, but I couldn’t resist taking a photo for Annie, who introduced me to “Twilight.”


The first limited edition collection to be released in the States will be “Surfer Babe,” due out in June.

I’ve had the chance to sample a few products, so I’ll be back in a few days with reviews of my favorite picks from Essence Cosmetics.

Have you ever tried anything from Essence? Feel free to comment!

Photos by Jessica M.