Essence Summer 2018

Essence (available in the UK at Wilco stores with the exception being the new one that’s just opened near me…grrr) is not letting the mermaid trend escape under any circumstances, although there’s no sign of any unicorns. I love this Glow Like A Mermaid highlighter for being so pretty and giving a little kick of sheen to cheeks. My swatch efforts have failed on this one but the overall tone of the glow is golden, despite the dots of pink and green.

Essence Summer 2018

The dewy look Holo Stick is really effective if you want that shade-shifty, obvious iridescence that looks so lovely in summer, as is the 3D Dewy Look stick although it’s no more 3D than the holo stick is holo! They both give a wash of light-catchy, multi-toned gleam that Instagram loves. Don’t discount these as blenders with your regular creme blush to just give it a boost – blend both in the palm of your hand and pick up with a brush before applying to your cheeks.

Essence Summer 2018

In one way, I was put off this because it really does look quite childish, as opposed to fun or ‘kawaii’ (it’s supposed to be a mermaid tail fanned out). However, I can’t fault the pigment. If you can look past that, there are some gorgeous shades, and particularly the blues. Blues are so difficult to get right and these are absolutely true to the colours you see. Very often, blue can shift green or petrol-looking, and these don’t. In fact, with all the shades, what you see in the pan you get exactly on your skin. At £4 there really is nothing to complain about!

Essence Summer 2018

I can see that Wilco has the Summer collection loaded up on the site but they haven’t gone live yet. It’s so inexpensive but definitely worth a second glance if you’re in store, if only to get that turquoise shade that’s cheaper in the palette than any singles I can think of.

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