Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! No matter what your plans are tonight, why not use today as an excuse to wear your favourite red lippy? My hubby and I will probably just cosy up on the couch watching Avengers whilst tucking into a cheeky meal deal and a bottle of bubbly from ASDA as soon as the baby is asleep. Who says romance is dead? Whether or not I’ll actually receive a pressie this Valentine’s Day is yet to be discovered, but I won’t be completely empty-handed as the lovely people at Essence Cosmetics sent me this adorable little bundle of chocolates and makeup to try out. What more could a girl ask for?
Inside this cute package, I found love heart shaped chocolate caramels, confetti and three lip products from ‘The ‘Classic Reds’ collection including: the Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lipgloss in 13 Red Carpet Starlet (£2), Vibrant Shock Lip Paint in 02 Bloody Mary (£3.30) and Ultra Last Lipstick in 12 Head To Ma Toes (£2.30), all currently available at Wilko.
If your poor lips need a break from the combination of frosty winter weather and drying matte formulas, I highly recommend the Shine Shine Shine lipgloss collection. At only £2 each, not only do they give extreme wet-look shine without being overly sticky or too thick (they actually feel more like a hydrating lip oil) the entire range also smells like raspberry ripple ice cream. I also own the shades, One-Woman Show, Runway Your Way & Dress Up Our Lips. The swatches are available here. Red Carpet Starlet is surprisingly pigmented for a lipgloss and can be both worn over your favourite red lipstick to give your lips a juicy pop of colour or worn alone for a stunning glossy pout.
The Vibrant Shock Lip Paint in 02 Bloody Mary is a bold lip cream that dries down to give a full coverage, velvet matte finish. If it’s a touch of Hollywood glamour you’re after this Valentine’s Day then this is the lip product for you. The formula is highly-pigmented and long-lasting, almost like a stain. It’s surprisingly lightweight and doesn’t settle into cracks or accentuate any flaws.
The Ultra Last Lipstick in 12 Head To Ma Toes is exactly what you’d expect: a juicy tomato red with orange undertones that make your lips pop. Surprisingly, I find this the most wearable shade out of the three. It’s a touch sheerer than the product description makes out, but it’s buildable and incredibly hydrating. It feels so light you’ll forget that you’re wearing anything on your lips. While I personally don’t find it particularly long lasting, it does make your lips look fuller and plumper, and the creamy formula glides on effortlessly.
From left to right: Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lipgloss in 13 Red Carpet Starlet (£2), Ultra Last Lipstick in 12 Head To Ma Toes (£2.30) and Vibrant Shock Lip Paint in 02 Bloody Mary (£3.30).
These three budget-friendly options prove that you don’t need to break the bank in order to bring some glamour into your life this Valentine’s Day, or, anytime for that matter. Whether you prefer your red lipstick glossy, matte, vibrant or sheer, The Classic Reds collection from Essence Cosmetics has got you covered.
Essence is now available at Wilko.com with prices starting at only £1.
To catch-up with my previous Essence reviews click here.
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