The new Essence makeup display was up and running at Target this morning and I was curious (sorry to my husband for this impulsive mini-haul). So after looking at the different products I decided to try out Essence Sheer and Shine Lipstick in 5 colors.
I like sheer lip color anyway, because it’s easy to pull off. But what sold me on Essence Sheer and Shine Lipstick was the smell (the caps are not sealed on, so I peeked and smelled the lipsticks). As soon as I smelled that MAC-ish / Bobbi Brown-ish vanilla smell I decided to go all in!
All but Sparking Miracle 07 (last on the right below), are sheer with no glitter or sparkles. Miracle has the slightest glitter, but definitely fine for older women because it’s so subtle.
I tried out these 5 shades. They were $2.99 each so I didn’t break the bank.
From left to right: Essence Sheer and Shine Lipstick Candy Love – 12; BFF – 03; All About Cupcake – 11; Like A Princess – 13; Sparkling Miracle – 07. Shades swatched on my lips, below.
Below: Candy Love – 12
Below: BFF – 03
Below: Like A Princess – 13
Below: All About Cupcake – 11
Below: Sparkling Miracle – 07
Below: Bare lips
Don’t expect long wear from these lipsticks, nor a residual tint / stain. They wear off easily. However, keeping in mind the low price and availability of these lipsticks at Target, I rate them highly. The color range isn’t amazing, but there are some deep tones and cool tones and a few brighter shades (like Like A Princess). I also really like the ingredient list, which is wonderfully free from any petroleum or irritating menthol!
Sidebar: (I mentioned lack of menthol because I recently tried two different lip glosses from Europe and both have a menthol (NOT mint) smell and taste. I find the smell of Halls throat lozenges to be very un-sexy and just gross on my lips! Essence is also a European brand but didn’t have this problem in the Sheer and Shine Lipsticks. Thank goodness.)
Ingredients:
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polybutenes, Octyldodecanol, Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Polyethylenes, Ethyl Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Saccharin, Aroma (Flavor), Benzyl Alcohol, CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).