I have heard a lot of buzz about Essence cosmetics recently so I took a trip to my local Wilko's (the only place that stocks it near me) to pick up some bits and pieces for review. If you're interested you can see my haul video here, if not I'll just get on with it, shall I? These lipsticks were the first things to catch my eye, matte nude tubes.. something a little more expensive looking than your average and I'm a sucker for the darker, cooler, taupey nudes that are cropping up now. The two shades I bought are Cool Nude and Come Naturally, ironically cool nude is the warmer of the two but I can make my peace with it as they're both VERY nice. I also picked up a lip liner. my new favourite thing, I would have bought more had they had them in stock but the stand had been ravaged.. which I guess is a good sign. The liner is Wish Me A Rose and is the perfect mid toned pink.. I bet you've missed me saying that haven't you? It's spring! The mid toned pink obsession is BACK!

Worn alone it's a bold, opaque finish, matte but comfortable and it doesn't NEED a lipstick on top if you didn't want to add one. I've been wearing it with a NYX gloss, but that's a post for another day. It's not too creamy, firm enough that you can draw a nice shape and sharpens without falling apart. I'm going to need them all!

You have to agree with me here, Come Naturally (above) it's much cooler and mauve toned than the rosy Cool Nude below. It's not just me, is it? I can see how perhaps compared to the uber warm yellow nudes that we're used to from lower cost brands it might seem cooler but c'mon? Shade names aside Cool Nude is a more flattering colour on me but Come Naturally has that unusual edge that will probably mean I'll wear it more often. Plus it kind of goes with me hair..

The formula is very creamy, not entirely opaque unless you build it up and not at all long wearing but they wear nicely and they're not so bold that you need a mirror to reapply throughout the day. I would imagine you'd need a liner to get a nice shape in a brighter shade in this formula but I'm reaching for one wherever possible at the moment anyway (damn, Kylie jenner!) so that's no great inconvenience here. Packaging is nice, sturdy and wont fall apart in your handbag, oh and each bullet is embossed with the 'e' logo - nice touch, Essence. Nice touch!

You can find the range online here

Miss BB