Essence Cosmetics: Essence Lip Stick in Miss Peachy (67) #Beauty #Review #ExpressyourEssence

• Essence Lip Stick in Miss Peachy (67):

Product Retails for about: $2.99

I did not wear any foundation around my lips or lip liner in these pictures but thankfully the subtle shimmer takes attention away from all that. They say a good mascara and a good colored lipstick can be used when you are in a hurry and out the door!  You know those mornings you hit the off button versus the snooze button, and this peach with a touch of coral hues would do the trick. Easy to apply and not long wearing, but once you gather your thoughts and make it to work, you can touch-up and smile like nothing happened. The nice part is when it wears down, you are left with super soft lips that look beautiful.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Essence Cosmetics: Essence Kajal Eye Pencil in Beach Bum #Beauty #Review #ExpressyourEssence

• Kajal Pencil in Beach Bum (26):

Product Retails for about: $0.99

Being new to the Essence eye pencil line, I trusted the formula because of my past experience with the Long Lasting Eye Pencil and I was so right! I could use the eyeliner and without a hiccup you get a nice smooth line that did not break or bump when applied. It just flows with the shape of your eye and no tugging on the skin. I usually do best on my first strokes, so this gave me a flawless liner that looked beautiful. The blue color is gorgeous and perfect for a day at the beach or for me, a day by the pool. This is a pencil you will be happy with and I purposely broke the tip to see how well it sharpens and it sharpened as smoothly as it applies. I again use it and no breakage or pieces dusting off that turn into smears (ooooh, can that ruin a perfect look). At a dollar a piece…….again, I want to kick myself for spending more on eyeliners that did not work half as good as this one does!

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: Essence Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara #Beauty #Review

• Essence Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara

Product Retails for about: $4.99

 

Wand’s brush

I used this mascara in all the pictures! I love the brush and formula. I know they say non-department store mascaras perform the same or even better but that has not always been the case for me. I will find a great formula but it would come with a lousy brush and I have resorted to using a brush from another brand to make it work. I sort of did not really like having to wash it each time after use. Essence got both right and it all comes packed in one tube! Yes!!!! Finally, because black icky hands in the morning made me cringe at thinking of washing that wand again. The formula on the Lash Mania lengthens and also plumps your lashes, but without a fake-o look. I look like I was born with naturally long lashes. I only applied one (heavy) coat first, then the second coat used mostly for directing and setting the lashes. I did not want to obscure the eye shadows I was testing but when I was done taking pictures, I did apply a good 2-coat application and you can get some long looking lashes that are minus the clumps. Me-likey 🙂

Lash Mania Reloaded Mascara with Metal Glam Frosted Apple (03) from the Essence Spring 2014 collection

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in Give me Nude, Baby (152) #Review #Nails

• Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in “Give me Nude, Baby (152):

 

Product Retails for approximately; $1.99

This color of nail polish  is not your typical nude/sheer and actually gives your nails a touch of shimmer. It’s very soft and think of a white colored pearl effect, minus the rainbow hues. I was able to test out and this polish in an easy one-coat application. You get nice settling and an even finish due to that unique brush Essence uses. You can also build up and intensify the white color by adding a second coat. The picture reflects how many coats I used and the #2 nail looks whiter because I used a thin first coat and a thicker second coat. Nail #3 is three coats, all thin and waiting in between for the polish to dry. I experienced a quick dry and by the time I completed polishing on my tenth nail, I could start again. 10 minutes under a fan and this testing was done with zero clear top coats, base or ridge filler polishes. Essence’s nail polish also lasts and you can’t beat the price point of $1.99 a bottle! The 2 buck price point makes the Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish line great when it comes to those trendy colors you want to try and are unsure about, to even using them as part of your Nail Art formulas.

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: French Manicure & Pedicure Pen for #Nails #Review

• French Manicure and Pedicure Pen:

Product Retails for approximately: $2.49
Finally, an art pen that works as it should! The pen dispenses a beautiful white colored nail polish, which dries quickly. The flow of the polish is steady so you can easily control how much you want. Coverage evens out nicely and you can even do designs, so this pen for your nails is not limited to a French Manicure. I enjoyed using it and was able to get a white perfect tip with ease on my first try.

I found using Essence’s “Give me Nude, Baby (152)” gives you a nice perfect finish and also fills in any voids, for a flawless look. The shimmer is soft so you get a nice day to night look that is classy and different from the typical pinks with white French Manicures. I never thought of buying a pen and usually would “free-style it” but I always goofed on one or two nails and needed a redo. No errors means I can finish quicker and no awkward moments while trying to take off the polish of the nails you error on, while keeping the ones you are happy with untouched.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: #Essence Metal Glam in Jewel Up Ocean (01) #Review #Beauty

With Spring in full swing and experiencing close to 100 degree weather in California, the heat has definitely arrived. A new season means a new look and time to play with colors. Essence Cosmetics offers you to play with beauty products at a very economical price point. Affordable does not mean you should overlook this brand because it does deliver performance and I’m always for less “ouch” on the pocketbook and more glam added to my beauty box.

Pictures are untouched and I did not even put foundation on or any eye primers. I wanted to test the colors and products on their own, so I could attribute quality and performance 100% to the product I was trying. No fake lashes and just some brow gel and pencil because a girl must have tamed eyebrows 🙂

Essence Metal Glam in Jewel Up Ocean (01):

Product Retails for approximately: $2.99

Jewel Up Ocean

Don’t be fooled by the blue and sparkle. Yes, you get a shimmer glow but not crazy like a disco ball. Pigmentation in this line varies by color and this one was medium but can easily be built up or down to suit your needs. Easy to apply and not like other shimmer/glitter pods, this color does not scratch. The shimmer is kind to your eyelid and stays nicely in place. I went with an ocean waters look by swiping the blue eye shadow and then using a black colored liner to get a nice “cat eye” look. I did the same on the lower lashes.

Swiped first with Jewel Up Ocean and then with black pencil and touched up with more eye shadow

Before applying mascara, blend colors to create a “wave” look.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http:// essence-cosmetics.com
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics
• #ExpressyourEssence 

 

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence: Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Scorch (19) #Beauty #Review

With Spring in full swing and experiencing close to 100 degree weather in California, the heat has definitely arrived. A new season means a new look and time to play with colors. Essence Cosmetics offers you to play with beauty products at a very economical price point. Affordable does not mean you should overlook this brand because it does deliver performance and I’m always for less “ouch” on the pocketbook and more glam added to my beauty box.

Pictures are untouched and I did not even put foundation on or any eye primers. I wanted to test the colors and products on their own, so I could attribute quality and performance 100% to the product I was trying. No fake lashes and just some brow gel and pencil because a girl must have tamed eyebrows 🙂

Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Scorch (19):

Product Retails for approximately: $2.49

• Hot Scorch (19)

Love this pencil and I’m not always a user of the non-sharpening kind but the glide and pigmentation of copper and golden tones is just too beautiful to pass up. You can use it as an eye liner or even blend it in for a smoky eye look. The formula lasts no matter the weather and I have used this paired with eye shadows or just alone. The color is gorgeous and the metallic flecks add life to your liner but not like you went to glitter town. I will definitely be picking up more in this collection and I feel foolish for paying so much and not nearly getting the staying power this liner has. I used it with the 3D Duo Eyeshadow to give my daytime “natural look” a little touch from the copper goddess. Looks so beautiful outside when the sun hits your eyes……almost seems a shame to wear sun glasses!

 

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http://essence-cosmetics.tumblr.com/
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Essence Cosmetics: 3D Duo Eyeshadow #Review in Irresistible Vanilla latte

 

With Spring in full swing and experiencing close to 100 degree weather in California, the heat has definitely arrived. A new season means a new look and time to play with colors. Essence Cosmetics offers you to play with beauty products at a very economical price point. Affordable does not mean you should overlook this brand because it does deliver performance and I’m always for less “ouch” on the pocketbook and more glam added to my beauty box.

Pictures are untouched and I did not even put foundation on or any eye primers. I wanted to test the colors and products on their own, so I could attribute quality and performance 100% to the product I was trying. No fake lashes and just some brow gel and pencil because a girl must have tamed eyebrows 🙂

Essence 3D Duo Eyeshadow in Irresistible Vanilla Latte (08):

Product Retails for approximately for: $3.49

• Irresistible Vanilla Latte

Each compact provides you with two options when applying, wet or dry and the colors do look different with either application. Easy to pick-up onto the brush and I used both a natural and synthetic brush head. I noticed the eyeshadow has a beautiful shimmer effect and you can play with the intensity of color by building it up, so great for day looks that can pop with a little touch-up for a night out. The formula feels soft on the lid and settles smoothly. I used the dry method on my lid with the wet application on the crease towards the outer corner of the eye. It took me 5 minutes to get a nice natural look and I paired it with Essence’s Hot Scorch color from the Long Lasting Eye Pencil line.

Connect with Essence and their entire beauty collections at:

• On-line– http://essence-cosmetics.tumblr.com/
• Twitter– https://twitter.com/essence_US
• Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/essence.north.america
• Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/essencecosmetic/
• Instagram– http://instagram.com/essence_cosmetics

I received the above product free of charge from Essence.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

BeautyBox5: Monthly Subscription Beauty Box 5 Review ; Beauty in a Box

I have been interested in subscription box programs and have committed to some from Allure and especially their seasonal (quarterly) boxes. I wanted to try something on a smaller scale because that also means a smaller price point, which is welcoming on a monthly basis.

BeautyBox5 costs just $12 and that includes shipping. No surprises or fluctuating price points, just $12! I already love this part because it takes a bit of the fear away from committing.  You also get added perks, like exclusive discounts from the brands featured, so if you like an item….you will be able to purchase it at a special price. That again falls in the “love-it” category!

So let’s get started in opening this already pretty on the outside turquoise colored box…..

Item #1: H2O+ Plus, Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash

I received a generous sample of 1 fluid ounces making this a nice deluxe sized bottle. The scent is Sea Spa Lotus and advertised as uni-sex. I quickly get my guinea pig (hubby) and ask him to test it out with me because very few products come to this house that I can share. The product’s fragrance is strong but welcoming because it has a pleasant scent. I washed my hands and notice as my Husband did, you are left with a nice scent but most of all, you do not lose your skin’s moisture like you do with hand soaps. Lathers up nicely and no film is felt on the body and hands. Definitely an item I would purchase and the standard bottle from H2O Plus, retails for just $17.00 for a 12.5 fluid ounce size.

• Visit H20 Plus at- http://www.h2oplus.com #h2oplususa

Item #2: Nubar Cuticle & Nail Oil

Included is a green colored bottle measuring 0.25 ounces and you know nail and cuticle oils tend to go far. I am glad I received this because I am not happy with my current brand. I tend to dehydrate my nails by using acetone to remove those glitter based polishes and my cuticles…….well, I pretend I don’t have any so I do not have to address their issues 🙂 My denial is not working out. Now even sleeping with lotion drenched hands in cotton gloves is not fixing my dilemma overnight. I also have been informed that sleeping with a “mime” is not something my husband appreciates. At-home manicures are something I do not want to skimp on and especially after Santa brought me so many nail polishes, so I give Nubar a try. The elixir is advertised as having Jojoba oil, Vitamins A, D and E, so I am liking the natural approach already. My green colored bottle is labeled as Green Apple and you get a very faint smell of the fruit, but mostly the oil just smells clean/fresh. The brush is on the stiff side, which is smart because I can apply oil to target areas without wasting or making a mess. The oil is thin but stays where you apply, no dripping off or travelling anywhere. I treat both my cuticle and nails by just applying small amounts and I like that the brush does not even waste a drop when it travels from the bottle to my nail, and back and forth….sort of makes me wonder how easy this is and why I did not do it sooner. One of the reasons has been that my former oil was messy and left a residue on my actual nail. Nubar has more than just oils and gorgeous nail colors, so I definitely added them to the “buy list” because I’m loving this cuticle and nail oil! A 0.5 fluid ounce bottle retails for $10.00 and they have other scents like Vanilla, Passion Fruit & Grape.

• Visit Nubar at- http://www.bunubar.com #bynubar

Item #3: Swissco Bath and Body Shower Exfoliating Gloves

These are pink in color so I can’t be called a mime in the shower! The gloves are easy on the skin while making the job of removing dead skin cells a breeze. I love that you can target areas like the ankles easily and because my fingers curve better than my shower poof, I can exfoliate between my toes!!! They also stay on and I find I use less shower gel than I did with the mesh poof, so I waste less! I make sure to rinse them off well, hang them, and they are dry and ready to use the next time I shower. Swissco, has so many products from these gloves to beauty items so get ready to spend some time on their site. I also like the price point of just $5.00 for a pair.

• Visit Swissco at- http://www.swisscollc.com #swisscollc

Item #4: Jergens Daily Moisturizer

Jergens is a brand that we always have in the home from their body moisturizers to their specialty lines, like products for dry skin to target areas like hands and feet. Included was a 1 fluid ounce bottle of their Daily Moisture lotion for dry skin. My skin tends to not retain moisture in the colder months, so I go through lotion quicker and especially if it’s not formulated to fit my needs. I used the Jergens Daily Moisture and found the formula lasted very close to the 24-hour hydration they advertise. The moisturizer soothed my skin and calmed irritations well after shaving, plus it costs less than my current brand. The scent is light and undetectable once applied and this bottle is the perfect size to have by the sink. Jergens retails the lotion at $6.99 for a 21 fluid ounce bottle. Add a coupon and you are golden!

• Talking about coupons, get a $1.00 off here- http://www.jergens.com/promotions/default.aspx
• Visit Jergens at- http://www.jergens.com #jergensus

Item #5: Epic Blend Hemp Coconut Lip Balm

I love coconut and I have owned hemp based products in the past but have never tried a lip balm. First, I must share that when I opened it, the balm smells like coconut but not the type they use like in car fresheners…..real coconut. I wanted to bite it! Now that I got that part out of my system and I applied the lip balm, it goes on silky and smooth and yes, I smell that coco-licious scent that is heavenly. I would say I miss the sun if I did not live in California! The product covers well but feels light, so you do not feel like your lips can’t breathe. It works and nicely moisturized my lips and when it wore down, my lips remained soft and replenished. Epic Blend labels this as an organic balm and that’s important with all the unhealthy stuff we tend to put on our lips for beauty’s sake. It’s nice to be able to treat my lips nice for once! It get’s better, petroleum free, non-GMO, gluten free and they are even kind to bunny rabbits…..not tested on animals. The product retails at a friendly price too of $3.99 for .15 ounces of balm.

• Save here- By using Code BB5 before 03/31/2014, to get 25% off sitewide
• Visit Epic Blends at- http://www.epicblend.com #epicblend

**Bonus** Item #6: That Awkward Moment Compact Mirror

I know I said 5 items but then BeautyBox5 added more so I am not complaining!  The compact encourages you to check out the movie trailer for, That Awkward Moment Movie.

• Movie Trailer- http://www.thatawkwardmomentmovie.tumblr.com

I highly recommend BeautyBox5 because I rarely find subscription boxes a positive experience when it comes to item selections, but you can see that this one not only included new products, but products that work well.  Yes, I have lip balms, lotions and nail products but I can say that I found new items to buy because they performed better than what I currently use.  BeautyBox5, helps broadens your brand experience because tunnel vision with anything is not such a good thing to have, so give them a try today!  It’s just $12.00 and that includes shipping….no funny stuff with them!

Connect and Subscribe with BeautyBox5 at:

• On-line: http://www.beautybox5.com/
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/BeautyBox5
• Twitter- https://twitter.com/BeautyBox5
• Pinterest-  http://www.pinterest.com/beautybox5/
• YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/beautybox5

I received the above product free of charge from BeautyBox5.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.