When Gemma from Gemma Etc posted on Facebook about the new Fresh & Fit Awake Primer from Essence being a Charlotte Tilbury dupe, I knew I had to buy it. Considering Essence and Charlotte Tilbury are two of my favourite makeup brands, how could I resist? I also picked up the Fresh & Fit Awake Foundation on Wilko.com and have been using the duo every day for the past three weeks. You can read Gemma’s original post here.
I’ve enjoyed many free samples of Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonderglow over the past year but I’ve yet to take the plunge and buy it because, you know, it’s kind of pricey (£38.50|40ml). The Essence Fresh and Fit Primer is an incredibly affordable alternative. It contains subtle light-reflecting pigments that minimise pores and give your skin a beautiful glow that lifts your whole complexion. As I have oily skin, I’m usually all about mattifying products but since using this new duo from Essence I’ve actually had people complimenting my makeup.
The foundation has a light to medium buildable coverage and gives your skin the same delicate all-over glow whilst looking natural and slightly dewy. It does have its drawbacks, I can only get a few hours wear before I need to pop into the toilets to add a little powder and the shade selection is very poor. Wilko currently stock only four shades with Ivory 10 being the palest. I can just get away with it but super pale skin tones might run into difficulty. Luckily I’ve found that adding a few drops of lightener doesn’t alter the formula drastically. It blends very easily and feels hydrating and light.
This combination really gives your skin a boost, one person even commented that they thought it gave me a ‘pregnancy glow’, which… I think is a compliment?! I’ve been enjoying wearing this combo with a dab of my Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff on top, ColourPop concealer under my eyes and the DHC Pro Double Protection Mascara to create a more minimalist, fresh-faced, pretty look than I’m used to. For only £10 for both the Fresh and Fit Makeup and Primer I’m super impressed. I get the fear that dewy makeup products will make my skin look greasy but this duo gives my skin a healthy glow and a must-needed early morning pick me up.
The Fresh & Fit Awake Foundation & Primer from Essence retail for £5 each and are available at Wilko.com.
