Essence Lipliner

I bought this one day when I needed something I could put under my lipstick to set it better. It was something like $2 and I expected its performance to reflect the price I paid for it.

As a lipliner, it is mediocre. It doesn't make a sharp line, lasts about as long as a creme lipstick (2-4h), and it's so soft that lipstick doesn't stick to it very well at all. In fact, that's what I ended up using it as. Because it's smooth and creamy I either wear it on its own or mixed with another lipstick to get a good colour. That is actually one thing that is really good- the colour payoff. The only trouble with using it to cover the lips is that because it's so soft a lot of product comes away when I apply it, and I use it up at a rather fast rate. For the price though it's not hard to replace!

Swatch of Essence Lipliner in 008 Red Blush

Essence lipstick in Look At Me!

I got this a while back and didn't really use it that much. I've started wearing it a little more now for the Fall season. It looks like a shiny nude colour in the packaging, but the swatch looks copper, and it seems more bronze on the lips. It is really shimmery and shiny though! There's a ton of little flecks of shine that are super reflective.

It's good for a quick application, but it does need to be reapplied quite often. The texture is really smooth and creamy, and it smells like vanilla which is a major plus! I find I mostly wear it over other lipsticks because my style tends toward bold lips, and on its own this is a subtle colour with quite a bit of transparency.

Swatch of Essence lipstick in 40 Look At Me!