Cheap Thrills: Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base
Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base ($3.49) is newly launched eyeshadow primer to the Ulta Essence Collection.
Essence designed this to be used like Benefit’s Stay Never Stray as you can use it as an eyeshadow primer or a prep and prime for concealer. The creamy texture promises a crease-free, longer wear for both eyeshadows and concealers.
I’m quite interested to try it as I am currently between eyeshadow primers at the moment but not sure I should invest too much hope into a under $4 eyeshadow primer.
Think it’ll be awesome?
One wonders!
Available now at Ulta and Ulta.com
I’m interested to try this too. I used UD Primer Potion for several years, but after they switched to the tubes, I found that the formula seemed different and it didn’t work as well for me. I currently use NYX High Definition Eye Shadow Base, the formula is very similar to the genie bottle UD Primer Potion and it works very well on my oily lids.
same here laura! ud def changed since switching to the new packaging. I like NYX high Def also like MUFE’s new primer however always up for trying something else ;D
I’ve heard good things about it, but I haven’t tried it myself.
It’s not something big, actually
I have very oily lids and eyeshadows still crease with this base. It works with several shadows from my collection, but mostly it fails – only 3-4 hours of wear 
I sometimes use it as a concealer and brightener, though – it works fine
I’ve had this for a few months and can’t really say anything but – meh. Good ol’ UDPP it ain’t but it’s not awful either. Shadows typically don’t crease on me anyway but they do last longer with this. Sometimes I use it sans shadow just to even out my lids since it’s not translucent but a light beige-ish color. I’d say it’s worth trying at 3.50, it just might work for you (and I’m personally not huge on primers anyway – too lazy to bother every morning with another step):)
ljana tell me ’bout it, so many steps in makeup it gets absurd sometimes haha!
I got a sample size of Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray, and I have to say it’s quite handy! At least I don’t have to carry a separate concealer when I’m out. I think I might give this a try.
I’ve tried this before and actually like it. It is my fallback primer when I’m out of UD. Picked it up during my trip to Germany in June, it’s a wee bit dry, reminds me very much of Laura Mercier’s base.
thanks sierra for the mini review
sounds promising!
This showed up in Canada recently. I am going to try it and see how it works for me. I’m not expecting too much for the price but if it keeps eyeshadow on for a bit longer, I’ll be pleased.
I am really REALLY loving the Lorac primer, you get a ton too and the applicator is very nice. Have you tried it Muse?
I have but not a huge fan Tammie. right now really love MUFE’s Primer but still always looking ;D
I guess primer is like mascara, some people love it and some people hate it you just have to try it yourself.
I’m curious about the MUFE one now, but I have soooo much Lorac left lol. Remind me in a year? haha
LOl will do! “Siri remind me to tell tammie about Mufe’s primer, 2013″
BTW It prob got lost in your pile o’ tweets, but I sent you a pic of my BBW receipt from Sunday (no need to go look, it’s cool). I bought the Lambie slippers and it did indeed say “Lambie” on the receipt, so this is not a knockoff wannabe Lambie, it’s the real thing
oooo I def missed that dude! I got a ton on my timeline at the moment due to contests! AHHHHHHHHHH! lucky girl! are they cute?! ballet style or the big chunky ones?
No worries, I figure you get tweeted at a lot, and this was over the weekend too. They are super cute, they have a clear plastic bow on Lambie’s head with gold glitter inside. They aren’t ballet slippers but they aren’t chunky either, something in between (they are slip ons though). Unfortunately I had to return it because the Large wasn’t big enough for my huge feet, but while I tried them on they were very cozy, they have that soft fluffy material inside, knit outside
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I have had it for about one year now (in Portugal it was launched last Summer, I believe) and I love it.
I have hooded eyes and eyeshadows tend to crease on me, but even those which have more tendency to, do not crease when I use this Primer. Although, I believe it doesn’t work that well in people with oily skin.
I’ve had this primer since June. I don’t think it’s good for summer months as it isn’t waterproof like UDPP or Shadow Insurance. It does make the eyeshadows last, and I don’t get any creasing until 6-8 hours. The texture is really creamy, and the soft beige shade makes it a good eyelid concealer a la Benefit’s LemonAid. I thinks it’s great for its prize tag, but for those who need perfection, look elsewhere!
marta I like the idea that it’s a soft beige-y shade…I love lemonaid so I’m always into something to brighten up lids ;D
Sooo… I tested this primer, Elf Mineral primer and UD’s Eden these last 3 days. Because I have all 3, and they have a similar almost-concealer finish. Eden definitely holds better and is waterproof. But Essence and Elf… I thought them similar, but if you do one eye with each, after 6 hours you see the difference. Elf looks so much better. I think I hadn’t noticed because even w/o primer eyeshadows usually don’t crease on me. But comparing one next to the other, Elf gives more vibrancy and is pretty smudge resistant. And even if I don’t like Lemon Aid on me, I must admit these help even out the lids but more as concealers than illuminators.
I can’t say enough about this primer!!! I am one of the few that doesn’t like udpp (gasp) Ikr? This stuff works wonderful for me. It’s got a creamy consistency & keeps my shadow on from morning til night! Try it… For 3.99 which is what I paid at ulta you won’t be out much if it’s not great for you:)
sounds great michelle!!!!!!!!
I don’t wear concealer, and I don’t think Stay Don’t Stray is the best eyeshadow primer (though my lids aren’t THAT picky about primers on the whole). So…between one deluxe sample and the tube of SDS I got in a Benefit set, I don’t really have a need to try a $4 version of a product I have plenty of but don’t use.
At least I bought the one Benefit kit for Bella Bamba, High Beam, Eye Bright and the bag…since I knew I had no use for the mascara and SDS, haha.
It’s a decent product. Not the BEST primer I’ve used, but good enough that I still use it on my oily lids and it does make my shadows last through the workday with minimal creasing.
I saw this at shoppers drug mart (canuck ladies) and thought about it for 3.49 it seems like a good deal-but then I thought I’d just save myself 4 bucks and stick to what works. Glad I skipped this, as I loathe benefit stay don’t stray. Too much quirk and not enough quality.
its quite good, I must say as this not only do as a good base for my eyeshadows, also a good base for my concealers so that it wont slip during the day, I’m buying three backups! that’s how much I love it.
Hey – I picked this up recently and wanted to tell you how great it is! I think it’s pretty miraculous that a $4 primer works so well but it is really great. I notice some slight fading after about 7 hours but it’s pretty minor. Also, this is a nice under-eye prep for concealer for me. I have really oily skin and it’s oily under my eyes, too. This works so well and I can’t believe it’s $4. I’ll keep using UDPP for dramatic looks or when I know my makeup is going to have to make it until midnight but for just everyday use, this is pretty fantastic! You need a tube!
thanks chica! I need to get to Ulta ;-D I have a wish list a mile long but haven’t had a chance to get there ;-D this is on it for sure now!
this is honestly the best primer i’ve ever used and i’ve tried quite a few. the formula is really creamy but it really covers all the discoloration in your lids. this is a MUST HAVE!!
this is the drugstore eyeshadow primer in my country, Malaysia. i am in love with this primer because the shadows don’t crease at all except u have oily lids.
i would repurchase this eyeshadow primer~!
I don’t know what it is but I’m obsessed with trying every eye primer and concealer I see. I will definitely be buying this . I recently tried Palladio eye primer which I like and have heard it’s made by the same company that makes udpp.
Why did I just realize this was an old post?! Sorry
I just discovered this product a couple of days ago, and I am amazed at how well it has performed. I honestly wasn’t expecting much, but it works so well on my dry eyelids to keep my eyeshadow from cracking. I used to use UD Primer Potion, but something changed,maybe my skin?, and it was so drying that I couldn’t use it. Switched to Too Faced Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop, nice and moisturizing, but it migrated into my eyes and coated my contact lenses with a film. essence’s eyeshadow base stays put, doesn’t crease and my eyeshadow looks good 12 hours later. A keeper