So, a few Sunday’s ago I trotted off to The
Studio (pretty much an empty studio conference room, on Lever Street in the
Northern Quarter, Manchester) to see what it was all about. The venue wasn’t
the greatest – it is what it is – but inside Essence had managed to add a bit
of their sparkle to it, including a heck of a lot of their products… All of
which were free!

Arriving at the venue half an hour after the
start time – fashionably late, don’t you know?! – I had unfortunately missed
the presentation about the company and it’s launch in the UK, which is a shame.
I would have liked to have had the chance to see the presentation again later
on in the day, but a few Essence employees were on hand to answer any questions
about the brand which was really nice. They had jetted straight from the German
head office!

Essence was launched in 2002 and, forgive
me if this is incorrect, but I believe is now in 72 countries and is Europe’s
no.1 makeup brand. No wonder it’s name rang a bell! I was surprised that is has
only just launched in the UK – it’s brand really does seem familiar to me, and
reminds me a lot off the more affordable drugstore brands over here, like Miss
Sporty, 2True or Me Me Me.

Like Miss Sporty, 2True or Me Me Me, I get
the impression that the brand is aimed at younger girls – think teenagers just
getting into makeup – as the packaging is all very colour and SUPER affordable.
Their cosmetics prices range from £1 – £4, which certainly doesn’t break the
bank. Although I’m probably not their target audience and can be a bit of a
high end makeup brand foundation snob, I’ve been known to slip into Boots or
Superdrug to pick up a cheap and cheerful nail polish before.

At the event, we were each given very generous goodie bags – which I would have
been delighted with – but were then invited to pick out any products that took
our fancy from the tables laid out in the room, or the two huge display stands
at the back of the room. It kinda felt like shoplifiting, which felt so wrong
yet so right, and I can’t believe the generosity of that. The main items I
picked up were nail polishes and lip products– I tend to steer clear from high
street facial products as I’m yet to find a range that does any pale enough for
me. After a few swatches from the brand, it was clear this would be the case
for Essence too!

Over all, the event was absolutely
fantastic. Aside from the freebies, there was a makeup artist on hand to
deliver Essence makeovers and a couple of beauty therapists there to give
manicures using Essence nail varnishes. There were also plenty of refreshments,
snacks and new blogger faces to be seen. The event ended by being escorted to
Manchester Arndale by Essence’s event team to view their new pop up store,
featuring a huge Essence nail polish made out of real life nail polishes! The
pop up store will be in the Arndale (think between USC and Wilko’s) for a year
and is available to buy all your new favourite makeup goodies from. Upon
arriving there, we were even given another goodie bag – wow!

After the event, I went home and sorted out
the bits and bobs I was given at the event. Although I only picked out samples
that I knew I would use (hello, red lipstick), our goodie bags already came
with some bits in them which I shared out between my Mum, Sister, cousin and
four friends! To say the event was generous as an understatement and I am so
thankful for Essence for having me. My favourite of their samples so far have
to be the coloured nail polish – retailing at approx £1.50 the shades are so
pigmented and last for days – and their tinted lip balm, which honestly lasts
me about 5 hours before needed to reapply. I am so impressed.

Thank you again for Essence for having me –
I had a makeup blast!