Essence Beauty...I NEED MORE!

I am currently in the midst of a trade with another beauty blogger from Slovenia. I came across some cool nail stamping plates by the German company Essence (US site here), but they are not sold here in the US. Some friends of mine reminded me that Ulta sells Essence. And I recalled writing about them in my blog entry about Konad nail stamps. So, I went to my local Ulta to check it out.

Just my luck, my local Ulta is being renovated and everything was moved around. I looked and looked. Finally got to see a good selection of NYX products up close. Came across another line I had never seen/heard of before. But I couldn't find any Essence. I was on my way out the door when I noticed the display on the end of an aisle.

It was a little overwhelming because the line offers so many different types of products. Fortunately, there were no nail stamping products, so my international trade is still justified! But there were nail polishes, lip stuff, eye colors and liners, face products...you name it! And the prices are BEYOND reasonable! If there isn't an Ulta near you, the products are online too! And right now there is a coupon for free shipping on a $25 purchase!

Here's the breakdown of what I got:

• Quattro Eyeshadow Quad - Chic-ify and To Die For $2.99 (Not on Ulta's site)
  
• Color and Shine Eyeshadow - Bling Bling $2.99
• All Eyes On Me Mascara - $1.99
• 2-In-1 Kajal Pencil $1.49
• Black Mania Eyeliner Pen $2.49
• Lip Liner - Honey Bun $0.99
• Smokey Eyes Set - So What? $2.49
• Nail Art Freestyle & Tip Painter - Silver Surfer $1.99

I am really impressed with ALL of it! The prices are better than Wet and Wild. The packaging is cooler! I was so overwhelmed, I forgot to pick up a lipstick and a gloss! I really like the double-ended eyeliners. And the nail art polish is SUPER-metallic...chrome-like, even!! The shadows aren't insanely pigmented, but are fine for everyday use! I can't wait to try out more stuff. I just wish there were more places to find Essence in the US. Their European site doesn't even list places in England where it's sold. I mean, they have magnetic nail polish that has designs depending on where you wave the magnet over your nails!! How cool is that??

After I swatched my colors and washed them off, the Smoky Eye Set is STILL on my arm! You should definitely check this line out. It's fun and inexpensive!