February 4, 2016

Essence Liquid Lipstick Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Essence Liquid Lipstick

Essence Liquid Lipstick ($3.49) are a new hybrid formula that has the pigment of a lipstick and the shine and texture of a gloss that launched with the Essence Spring/Summer 2016 Collection!

Essence is now available at select Target stores or at Target.com as well and although Essence does release some epic Spring/Summer Collections it seems like this year, with the brand now available at Target, the collection is even bigger and badder than ever with many, many new, fun, and inexpensive makeup options.

Let’s take a look at the Liquid Lipstick formula.

Essence Liquid Lipsticks are available in six MLBB (my lips but better) shades and come housed in a fat, chubby little square tube and are 0.13 oz in size. These are adorable in my opinion! For under $5 bucks they prove a nicely packaged and cute little makeup release.

Essence Liquid Lipsticks

I think the thing I liked the most about this product was the shade selection, it’s actually one of the main reasons I’m trying to give the formula a pass. Yeah, a pass, because it has a few quirks. This is a very thick formula and isn’t quite a liquid lipstick unless you’re taking into consideration it is as pigmented as one. I think traditionally liquid lipsticks tend to have a velvety matte formula but Essence goes with more of a thicker, stickier, tacky gloss formula. That’s fine, I’m not really too irritated by thick or sticky formulas as hey, if I can grow to love MAC Lipglass I figure I can totally do sticky formulas. Please keep in mind the tackier they are, the longer they wear! True story.

Essence Liquid Lipstick Swatches (Beauty Secret, Almost Real, Peach Party)

Essence Liquid Lipstick Swatches (Beauty Secret, Almost Real, Peach Party)

However, the problem here is the formula tends to drag a bit during application which results in a very patch finish. I resolved this by going over the color a few times with the sponge applicator but this didn’t prevent the product from settling into the natural lines of my lips. I just couldn’t get the color to look soft and smooth on my lips (Note, my lips aren’t even dry at the moment!). As I mentioned above the tackier formula does mean you’ll get a solid five hours wear from them at least but during that time the shine does fade away some. They are glossy and shiny upon initial application but shine dims considerably at around three hours. Color doesn’t migrate and the formula remains pleasantly moist through the wear but it is heavier so it is something you can “feel” hanging around your lips. As promise these are pigmented with excellent color pay off. They do have a sugary lemon plastic flavor and fragrance which deserves mentioning for those sensitive.

Essence Peach Party Liquid Lipstick

Essence Peach Party Liquid Lipstick

Essence Liquid Lipstick Peach Party

Essence Beauty Secret Liquid Lipstick

Essence Beauty Secret Liquid Lipstick

Essence Liquid Lipstick Beauty Secret

Essence Almost Real Liquid Lipstick

Essence Almost Real Liquid Lipstick

Essence Liquid Lipstick Almost Real

I like these colors a lot so I kinda doctored the formula up with clear gloss to get a smoother appearance. With clear gloss the color looks a lot better and doesn’t fall into natural lip lines. However, you really shouldn’t have to doctor a product up in order for it to work properly but my mentality is they aren’t too expensive so I can deal with using a clear gloss to make things nice and smooth.

Essence Liquid Lipstick aren’t the most ideal or perfect formula around but I kinda sorta like them and with a little clear gloss they proved wearable enough. If you manage to grab at least one to try you might feel the same and as I said some of these colors are such a joy like Almost Real is such a delightful nude!

Get them now at Ulta, Ulta.com, select Target locations, or Target.com.

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Tissam

    Hi ! 😀

    I read some of your posts quite everyday and I love the way you write and how precise and thorough you are. Thank you so much for your help and pics !

    PS. Can I please be somehow indiscreet ? I am wondering why you are wearing a bandana on pics. Are you a Muslim ? 🙂

    xoxo
    Tissam

    • Isabella Muse

      Thanks for reading my blog Tissam, glad you enjoy the posts and picture. I’m not sure what you mean of “somehow indiscreet” do you mean discreet in my reply? Little hard to be discreet as this a public comment you posted so everyone will see it. But I don’t think there’s a problem if I reply here as I’m not hiding anything nor are you so it shouldn’t be a problem if reader’s read your comment and my reply to you. I’m not Muslim. I simply have long, curly hair and I like it away from my face when I’m working so I put it in a bun and I push it back with a headband. Muslin women wear a hijab, I’m just wearing a headband. hijab typically cover the entire head, hair, and chest (sometimes even the face aside from the eyes). As you can see in my photos I’m not covering all my hair or all my head or my chest for that matter. Hope this helps answer your question.

      • Tissam

        Hi ! Sorry, I meant “intrusive”. I’m French and in French intrusive is discret. LOL
        I know what hijab is for I am a Muslim myself, but some over here in France wear just bandanas when they can’t wear hijab, that’s why I was wondering !

        It does help and I thank you very much.
        I will keep reading your blog as much as possible !
        Tissam

        • Isabella Muse

          Hi again Tissma. oh gotcha! I didn’t know that! I’ve been to France but I honestly never noticed many muslin women wearing bandannas only a hijab! You learn something new everyday 🙂 Thank you for reading my site! xoxo!

  • Chloe

    Hey there 🙂
    I have read a number of your reviews now and I think you are fantastic. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I feel like I can relate more to you than other reviewers because you are so real and down-to-earth. Keep doing what you do and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
    P.S. Do these liquid lipsticks dry down at all?

    • Isabella Muse

      aw Chloe thank you! that’s really flattering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo! They do not, they are more like a gloss formula versus a long wearing liquid lipstick! thanks again your comment made my day!

      • Chloe

        My pleasure! 🙂
        Thank you for your response, I was worried that that was the case. I’m just glad I didn’t have to buy it to find that out haha.

        • Isabella Muse

          xox! No problem! Sorry :-/ Pop has some new lip creams that set to a matte finish! Review on the way! If you’re looking for something long wearing 🙂