Mix and Match with the NEW essence #insta perfect foundation + Makeup Drops

Essence Cosmetics recently released a new foundation in their makeup line: The Essence #Insta Perfect Liquid Makeup Foundation. It is available in 9 different shades and is super affordable. They also encourage you to mix and match their new foundation, with their brand-new makeup darkening and lightening drops, to attain your perfect shade.

THE PRODUCT: The Essence #insta perfect liquid makeup is a strong matt and waterproof foundation. It has a medium to high coverage that is buildable to your desire. Essence claims that the product is lightweight and has a strong matte effect for a perfect skin tone.

THE PACKAGING: The foundation is packaged in a 30ml (1.01 fl oz.) plastic bottle with a dropper at the top, but you have to squeeze a little to get the foundation out. It is not my favourite since I do prefer a pump, but the break and the twist off cap will ensure no spillage in your makeup bag.

THE FORMULA AND FRAGRANCE: The foundation has a water liquid consistency that is easily applied to the skin. There is no chemical smell, but it does have a faint clean (soapy) smell to it.

THE COVERAGE: The Essence #insta perfect foundation does not claim any coverage on the packaging. I applied it with both a beauty sponge and a brush. The beauty sponge side seem to have a light to medium coverage whereas the brush side had a more medium to medium high coverage.

THE RESULT: The foundation dries quickly into matte effect and it is build-able. It makes your skin feels smooth and velvety. It also works well if you don't set it with a translucent powder. The foundation wears relatively well during the day, but becomes a bit worn-off after 10 hours. Adding highlighter and bronzer didn’t affect or move the foundation around.

THE APPLICATION METHOD: The Essence Fresh and Fit Awake Foundation can be applied with a beauty sponge, brush or fingers. Al three application methods works well. c

DOES IT OXIDISE? No (THANK YOU!!)

PERFORMANCE WITH PRIMER(S): I paired this foundation with the new Essence + Studio Mattifying + pore minimizing primer (with black clay) and it worked so well together. It dried down quickly, didn’t cling to dry patches or make my T-zone oily.

PERFORMANCE WITHOUT PRIMER: The foundation wore well for like 5 hours before it started to settle in my fine lines and creases. I would suggest setting it well if you don’t wear primers.

SHADE SELECTION: YAYYYYYY!! Essence expanded their range up to 9 shades AND they even added some mix to match lightening and darkening drops! They mix well with almost any foundation and you do really feel like a makeup artist when mixing the drops into your foundation. I bought the shade 40 #prettybeige which is a bit lighter than my skin tone, then mixed it with the darkening drops and it looked STUNNING! I also mixed a bit more to create a custom contour & bronzer.

PRICE: Foundation was R99.95 or $3.99

Darkening drops was R64.95 or $2.99

MY THOUGHTS? This foundation is my NEW HOLY GRAIL! I love the effect it gives and the fact that you can mix the shade to your summer tan or winter paleness (hehe). Considering the price (totally affordable!), the smell (love the fresh smell) and the different shade ranges, this foundation is pretty great value for money! I would just have loved a pump…

RE-PURCHASE? I would definitely repurchase this foundation. The product is affordable, works well with and without primers, is build-able for your own coverage taste and can be mixed or matched to your own unique skin tone!

Score: 8/10

xx Aesthetically Sarette