Today, the first official day of summer, has been the hottest day of the year so far, yet shortly after it topped 92 °F this afternoon (33 °C) I exclaimed, “cool!”
Thanks to the shine-preventing power of powder (in this case MAC Blot), you may not be able to tell from these pics that my air conditioner is busted. I considered retreating with my water noodle to a pool, but then I would have had to wait before telling you about these bargain basement glosses from Essence.
Dang, right? Today has been all about the glosses. 🙂
The Essence line, an import from Germany, is still new to U.S. shores. Price-wise, it fits nicely next to other drugstore lines like NYC New York Color and Wet n Wild, and can be found at Ulta stores and also online.
From the left: Me & My Ice Cream, I Like Cotton Candy, Candy Bar, Trendsetter, Kiss Kiss Kiss and Berry Me
Although I felt just so-so about Essence’s $2 eyeshadows, their Stay With Me Longlasting Lipglosses ($2.29) are in a whole different league. If I hadn’t known better, I would have pegged these as $18 glosses from a high-end brand.
Why do I like Essence Longlasting Lipgloss?
- Pigment like whoa! — These are some of the boldest, richest drugstore lipglosses I’ve seen in a really long time, and kudos for their creamy finish. For sheerer coverage, all it takes is a few dots dabbed on the lips.
- That feels good — I feel like cheering, “These feel good, oh, they feel so good, UH!” 🙂 Non-sticky and smooth, they’re like slightly thicker MAC Cremesheen Glasses, and moisturizing as all heck.
- You’re sweet — I’m not often a fan of candy-flavored lip products, but these, I like. They taste and smell faintly of red gummy bears (fades after about 10 minutes), which takes me back to the fights I used to have over those with my brother back in the day.
I like all six of the colors, but I 
purplish pink I Like Cotton Candy (a dead ringer for Benefit’s discontinued Kiss Me Gloss) and Candy Bar, a pinkish coral that looks great with summery golds and teals.
Swatches from the left: Me & My Ice Cream, I Like Cotton Candy, Candy Bar, Trendsetter, Kiss Kiss Kiss and Berry Me
I Like Cotton Candy
Candy Bar
Me & My Ice Cream
Berry Me
Trendsetter
Kiss Kiss Kiss
Considering the price, these approach perfection, but I would still swap the spongy, soft hourglass-shaped applicator with a doe-foot if given the chance. I’d also applaud any increase in wear time, which at about three hours is slightly above average, but not as long lasting as befits the name.
Both are minor quibbles that I’m glad to overlook. 🙂
PRICE: $2.29 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Ulta stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
I’m this close…
…to setting up an inflatable kiddie pool in my dining room. That’s how it is right now.
It would almost be worth the mess just to see how Tabs would react. He’s not built like a swimmer, which is to say he’s not one of those water-loving cats. One drop of water 
on his little tabby head, and he’s like PEACE OUT!
Unless he’s drinking it…Tabs doesn’t do water
Does your cat or dog love water? What I wouldn’t give to be able to take Tabs swimming with me (yes, I know that sounds crazy).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I want to try these now, usually I’m more of a lipstick gal since I find most glosses to be too sticky….Candy Bar and Trendsetter are calling out to me.
Yeah, Missy would not be having a pool set up in here either. It was SOOOOO hot today, although it seems a bit cooler tonight than it did last night at this time.
These glosses come in some gorgeous shades! I’ll have to check them out the next time I cruise on over to ULTA.
Stay cool, Karen!
Ohmygoodness. Love candy bar! These arnt availible in canada yet, but when they are Im so buying them. I guess when I go to Europe this Summer I’ll have to check these out!
Strangely enough, I also featured this very same gloss in Berry Me today! 😀 I love the colour and I love how it looks on you too. It actually lasts quite long on me and yeah, I’d prefer they switched the applicator too. Trendsetter and Kiss Kiss Kiss look lovely too but the sweet scent does get to me a tad. 😀
Cotton Candy, soooo pretty! I wish I could find stuff like this in my drugstores D:
Wow! With a price like that there’s no reason not to get every single one!
I love Essence’s lip products. Their eyeshadows have been hit or miss for me, but they do lip products well. I haven’t been to my Ulta in awhile to see if they had these yet, but you better believe I will be buying all of them. Especially when you mentioned them and Cremesheen in the same sentence.
Yikes, i can’t imagine being without A/C. It’s been over 100 degrees every day here for the past few weeks.
I actually just picked up Candy Bar this Monday! Haha. Haven’t reviewed it yet (but I have tried it on – feels really good compared to the macs I agree!) I only picked up candy bar because my haul was already pretty big, but i’m definitely going back for more!
I have this in Trendsetter and I agree with everything you said. The color is beautiful and pigmented but the staying power is only average and I wish they switched applicator too
All the colors look great on you! And your look is just so put-together sophisticated!!! Love it, girl!!
Earlier this year I bought the regular Essence lipgloss from Ulta. It is a nude color, I forget the name, but it was only $2 so I thought hey why not?? Omg I LOVE it! It looks good, feels good, smells good, and lasts! Bravo Essence! Definitely recommended!
I had I Love Cotton Candy for about 3 weeks now and I am in love with this gloss!! I actually prefer the hourglass applicator because I feel like it conturs to the shape of my lips better. Plus this gloss is really moisturizing and doesn’t dry out my lips which is a major plus
I used to like lipstick more than lipgloss, but as of recently, I think I’m transitioning. And with this kind of pigmentation, what’s not to like. The only problem is, I won’t be able to find them here in Singapore. 🙁
These lipglosses look lovely. Will have to find out if this brand has made it to my neck of the woods.
My cat HATES rain and wind. On miserable days she won’t go out lest her paws get wet, so she stomps around the house like a sulky child, knocking ornaments off shelves and generally being a nuisance.
This is so exciting! I currently live in Denmark, but stay in Berlin for a few months a year and although I’ve tried essence’s nail polish (which, with a good base- and top coat, is actually pretty good for the price) I’ve never had a go with their lip glosses. I’ll put it on my shopping list for the next time I get to Germany – thanks, Karen! 🙂
I’m not a fan of these glosses, but I should say that they are the most pigmented ones I’ve ever seen! And the packaging rocks 🙂
Ok, candy bar will be mine soon.
I just went to try one of these today (Berry me!) I also picked up a couple of their gel eyeliners. I went to pay and it seemed the price was even lower than expected, turns out there was a 25% off Essence at my store (Kruidvat)! Score!
Wow! The pigmentation is incredible for a drug store lippy! And the colours look gorgeous, I especially love Kiss Kiss Kiss, Trendsetter, and Me and my Icecream.
My kitty Dizzy hates water too. We tried forming an association between bathtime and his favourite tinned food, but yeah. he still hates it.
And, once again, every lip color looks great on you! 🙂 I’m partial to the berry, myself (of course).
My cats love running water from the faucets and tend to want to walk the rim of the tub while anyone is showering. I don’t think they’d be keen on taking a swim, though. Then again, our littlest is more like a dog than a cat, so she might be up for it. 🙂
I have Me & My Ice Cream and love it. I was also able to get another one only sold in Europe called My Favorite Milkshake. It is amazing how many awesome enhanced lip products they have for Essence in Europe.
I saw the Essence stand at my local grocery store last Sunday. Of course, the Hubs was with me, so I wasnt able to browse. Ill get to that soon!
oooh! I love the colors! For a product that is under $3, it’s a total steal! lol… I think Trendsetter has my name on it! 🙂
You’re right candy bar is gorgeous! And for the price it’s even better
How does EVERY color look good on you!?! 😀 I have the hardest time finding colors that go well w/ my complexion.
I want to buy Trendsetter! I might make a run into Ulta later today just because of this post!
My cat Java doesn’t like water either, but sometimes he’ll go into the shower (not while it’s on) and just take a look around. He’s ridiculous!
Hmm.. I haven’t had much success with Essence, but these gorgeous colors (and price!) make me want to try their lipgloss!
My pup, Truffles, hates baths but loves running around the sprinkler and being chased with a hose. I haven’t taken him to a pool, but I suspect that, because it’s kind of like a giant bath tub, he would hate it!
All of these colors are beautiful on you!!! Are you wearing that Pacifica coconut body shimmer lotion?!?! Your tan looks so even and your skin is glowing!
LOL, I think that’s the MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow. I had a little bit of accidental fallout on my cheeks (whoops), and instead of brushing it off I decided to just go with it. 🙂
Candy Bar is seriously GORGEOUS!
Wow, those look so nice and for such a steal! Finally something that I wouldn’t feel guilty if I bought all of them to try. I’m definitely trying these very soon.
We have a yellow lab that has got to be the only lab that hates water. He won’t even let me hose him down when it gets super hot. He runs away like a little baby, haha.
Dang, Karen! You always make me want to buy every color in a gloss line! They all look so great!
My cat despises water just like Tabs, but his brother is a different story. He lounges in the bathroom sink while I put on my makeup, and likes nothing better than when I turn the faucet on drip. Think of crazy Youtube cats chasing lasers, except instead of lasers a cat in a very small sink attacking those mischievous drops of water. Ah, morning entertainment :-).
OMG, as always you look amazing in these pictures, how do you do tour makeup???
Hi Lucia,
Thank you! Here’s a breakdown:
Face
MAC Strobe Cream
MAC BB Cream
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC42
MAC Careblends Powders in Light Plus, Medium Dark and Dark
MAC Blot
Cheeks
Jouer Mineral Blush in Peony
Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eye Primer
MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow
MAC Soba Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
Buxom Amplified Mascara
Benefit Instant Brow
you have NO dark circles. is that just ur foundation?!?! seriously consider doing a foundation routine video
I can not wait to try Candy Bar and Trendsetter, and for that price these seem like the best deal ever!
Ahhh so jealous of these! Wish they would bring this brand to Canada!
My cats are not a fan of water either although one jumped in my bathtub once and when he was small, he fell into the toilet drinking water LOL
Karen, you look gorgeous in these pics. I’m definitely purchasing Kiss Kiss Kiss & cotton candy today.
I picked up a bunch of eyeliners and a crease shadow brush from Essence at ULTA the other day. The lip glosses caught my eye but I think in the back of my head I was just waiting for you to do a post on them first. LOL.
Wow, I’m amazed you managed to miss the heat wave a few weeks ago. I live in NW Indiana, and I had a day that hit about 97!
I keep meaning to try Essence, but my Ulta never seems to stock the products I’d like to have. 🙁
I really love Tarte, their lippies are so moisturizing! And have you tried their eyeliners? So cool, refreshing and last a loonngg time!
lucky it passed 100 degrees where I live
Absolutely loving I Love Cotton Candy on you! Definitely going to pick it up the next time I’m at Ulta.
I gotta try these! There’s an Ulta pretty close to me.
Karen,
I love how you take different pictures with different makeup and different poses. It’s more realistic and a nice change from another blog that I read.
All of your looks are so nice – they look great, and you are so photogenic!
Ooh, these are tempting!
Allow me to be the devil on your shoulder/computer monitor and second the kiddie pool (however, Tabs might puncture it with his scissorpaws) :D. It would be awesome to swim with a kitty. In real life, though, you’d end up with a frantic cat trying to get out of the pool! None of my cats except Aisha ever had any aquatic interest (aside from drinking). Up until she was about 9 or so, she would walk along the edge of the tub and bat at the water if you were taking a bath. It was really cute! Of course, one day, she reached just a little too far — and then never jumped up on the tub again. She was NOT pleased. I felt bad for her, but I have to admit, I really wish I had taken a photo of her when she was all wet, lol.
I noticed that all Essence products that contain carmine state so on the label (“contains carmine”). I think that is pretty cool since I like to avoid carmine (crushed beetles used for coloring… eek).
These look great!!! I ♥ I Like Cotton Candy & Trendsetter!
Now, I’m definitely going to have to go to Ulta to purchase these!! The colors are gorge.
Sad 🙁 Just stopped by Ulta on the way home to check these out (read: buy all of them) and my Ulta doesn’t carry them yet 🙁 Se la vie…
OMG! I like Cotton Candy, candy Bar, and Trendsetter are so gorgeous! I need to find these. Phaedra hates water, even though she’s a poodle and they’re supposed to love the water. As a puppy we gave her swimming lessons in our pool, so in case she ever fell in she’d be able to get out and not drown. She has NEVER fallen in. She HATES the pool. She HATES it when I’m in the pool, as she’s afraid of my demise.
I was so tempted by your post and how great they looked that, I had to buy these this weekend. Very happy with the pigmentation and lasting power. You never steer me wrong ;)5
I want these. Aside from Ulta, where else can I get it online? I’m from Asia and I need to find an online store that would accept non-US issued credit card payments or PayPal. I will ship it within US though to my courier who can send it here faster than local mail. 🙂 Help pls.
I bought two of these glosses and I must say I was disappointed in them. They were not very pigmented by themselves. They were okay over lipstick. The applicator is not good at all. Very flimsy. Wish I liked them better.
I’d never heard of this brand before seeing it on your blog, and after this post I was so smitten with these glosses – so pretty! so cheap! – that I ran out to Ulta and bought all 6. And I LOVE THEM!! Candy Bar is my favorite, with I Like Cotton Candy (my first purple gloss!) and Kiss Kiss Kiss coming in second.
Thanks for reviewing these!
pigment like woa?? you’re so right! i absolutely love how bright yet subtly pretty & sexy the colors are! they make you stand out but not in an obnoxious way! also, did you say gummy bears? mmm~ sold!
Just bought this gloss. I went for the Berry Me cause the last gloss I had was also purple, but the color was translucent a lot. Figured it’d be the same with this gloss, too. Too bad I didn’t read the label that said ‘contains carmine’ BEFORE I bought it. 🙁 The color’s nice, but for my blue eye/red hair complexion it’s too intense, especially since I wanted to wear it for New Year’s Eve. I was gonna go for the smoky eyes look and I bought this gloss (the only one I’ve got FYI). What should I do now? I can’t have smoky eyes and wear this gloss at the same time…
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I like this gloss a lot. Its color is really intense, and the color palette is great! I just don’t like the hour glass shaped applicator, it makes it really difficult to put on a thin layer, which is very important to me since the color is so intense. Besides that, love the gloss!
I am so going to run out and buy these. I just got a load of their lipsticks (very buttery and lovely) actually have a giveaway on my you tube (msspencerinfrance). They are so lovely and so cheap. If you live in France at the moment Scheckers are having a 30% off sale. I did see the lipglosses you reviewed (I dont know why but I was put off by the packaging) but I got the XXXL gloss instead (apparently like Mac lip gloss). so going to go to the shop tonight after work and buy these too. ehehhe
Where can I buy these Stay With Me Lip glosses from??
I live in the U.K BTW 🙂