I love beauty products.
Full stop.
I could just leave it at that, but let’s take it further… I love beauty products even more when they are also affordable. I tend to spend on my beauty habit… ahem, all in the name of research to share with you right here on Vanilla Blonde and also for my Beauty with Bailey segment every Tuesday on Expresso Morning show, SABC 3.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Especially when my husband looks bewildered and asks: “More make-up?”
Essence (& Catrice) is my favourite in terms of price and their quality is excellent too.
Essence have come out with new products and some have been around for a while, but are new to me!
Let’s start with the beauty haul that cost me less than R500…
Shape Your Face Contouring Palette (R76,95.) The peachy colour blush looks good on every skin tone and the brown is a warm shade that really enhances beautifully. 
This is the second time I’m buying this All About Nudes Eyeshadow Palette (R76,95.) The pigments are beautiful and work even better when you use an eyelid primer. Read more about my best Primers and how they work here.
This is a Blush Ball (R57,95) in Peach Candy. You can apply it directly onto the cheek area, but don’t forget to blend or use a blush brush to apply it. 
I love the shimmer too… It looks beautiful on!
This Eyebrow Gel (R57,95) in Brown needs to be applied with an angular brush. I love the pigment, a little goes a long way and it also keeps my eyebrows in place. 
The Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara (R57,95) really does what it says and doesn’t clump.
The first one in the pic below is a Liquid Lipstick (R47,95) in Colour Party. It’s the perfect pink – it glides on, isn’t overly sticky and leaves great lip colour coverage!
The second lipstick is matte (R44,50), in the colour Velvet Matt. Even though it’s matte, it doesn’t leave your lips feeling dry at all.
I’m all for their Gel nail polish range (R24,95) as I feel it lasts a little longer than usual polish – granted that you take care of your hands. This peachy pastel colour called Ice Cream Party is really pretty.
Which is your favourite?
18 Comments
That eyebrow gel and blush looks amazing!
May 9, 2016 at 10:45 amI never used to like gels but they’re impressive in colour and keeping them put the whole day! Thanks for popping in 🙂
May 9, 2016 at 10:46 amEssence really has some great products and for the price, they are great when working on a budget! I have been wanting to try the Nudes eyeshadow palette for an everyday natural look, but haven’t been too sure. I know there are other colours as well in the palette range. Anyway, great post as always! Xx
May 9, 2016 at 10:52 amThanks Brenda, I alternate between the Bronze Palette and the Nude Palette – they’re beautiful and blend really well too
May 9, 2016 at 10:55 amThanks for reading x
This brand is so underrated, and I must say I am IN LOVE with Essence make up. My all time favourite product is the soft touch mousse foundation!
May 9, 2016 at 10:54 amOh cool… I haven’t tried that mousse foundation yet, so thanks for the heads up! x
May 9, 2016 at 2:28 pmIve never used Essence before…but a bronzer is £3 in the Uk…um, bargain. Im totally checking them out 🙂
May 9, 2016 at 11:49 amYay! I’m so impressed with the quality considering the price! Let me know what you think x
May 9, 2016 at 12:53 pmAnd the mascara? How do you like it? I don’t like cheap mascara’s I’m afraid. All other essence products rock.
May 10, 2016 at 3:46 amI have lash extensions so I don’t usually use mascara until I absolutely have to – aka – I’m over due a fill… but I liked this one! That’s the thing with mascara, once you’ve found “the one”, stick to it!
May 10, 2016 at 6:13 amLove Essence! Especially their nail polishes – that colour is great, will go looking for it.
May 10, 2016 at 6:12 amI’ve seen both the contour palette and the blush balls, but haven’t picked either of them up – the blush in the contour palette looks UNBELIEVABLY orange – does it apply to your face in a nicer colour? Also the blush balls looked very chalky to me.
Please do a review on these products!!!!!
May 10, 2016 at 6:45 amThe Nudes Eyeshadow Palette is my staple now. Love it. Makes my brown eyes pop like crazy!
May 12, 2016 at 11:16 amYay Tracy! Ditto! 😉 Thanks for sharing xx
May 12, 2016 at 11:18 amI think I’m going to try “Velvet Matt” lipstick 🙂 I often use “Barely there” color from Essence :> In love with that one, I honestly don’t know a person that looks bad wearing that color 🙂
May 18, 2016 at 3:54 pmThanks Raimonda! I’m definitely going to check out that “Barely there” colour – thanks for sharing and thanks for leaving this comment! x
May 18, 2016 at 3:57 pm[…] Do you remember when I shared this Essence beauty product haul? […]
June 8, 2016 at 7:17 amHi Bailey, which bronzer do you use on your face when applying in the shape of a number 3?, I have a similar skin tone as you and would love to try it out!Many Thanks!
June 28, 2016 at 11:35 am