Essence Cosmetics are now in Canada and waiting for you at your local Shoppers Drug Mart!

They're fun, they're hip, they're cool and man, are they affordable - I'm talking about essence cosmetics my friends and for all of you Canadians who have been waiting for them, they are finally here! I've heard this and that about them over the past few years from my European friends but had never seen anything in person until this past week - and I'll admit it, I'm impressed! Which is saying a lot considering that I had already pretty much written them off in my mind after hearing the price points, it never occurred to me that products so cheap (they range between $1.49-$4.99) could also be so good!

In addition to its standard product range, essence will also release six new and unique limited edition collections in Canada each year. Both ranges can be found in over 900 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores across the country.

Of course products and colours will come and go but here's what you can expect to find for Spring/Summer 2012:

Eyes:
Smokey Eyes Set - $2.99 - contains a coordinated cream eyeliner and powder eyeshadow with a double-ended applicator
Smokey Eyes Brush - $1.99
Eyeshadow Brush - $1.99
Stay All Day Longlasting Eyeshadow - $3.99 - with a creamy longlasting formula
Eyeshadow Applicators - $1.49
Colour & Shine Eyeshadow - $3.99 - baked eyeshadows with a marble appearance that offer exciting shimmer and beautiful colour accents that can be used wet or dry
Glamour To Go Eyeshadow (shown) - $4.49 - a palette of 8 sunny colours for creating a gorgeous radiant look
Eyeshadow Mono - $2.49 - in matte, metallic and sparkling effects
Eyeshadow Quattro - $3.99 - perfectly coordinated shades with a wide variety of effects

Gel Eyeliner - $3.99 - available in 3 colours
Gel Eyeliner Brush - $1.99
Eyeliner Pen - $2.99 - for precision lining with a fibre tip nib
Liquid Eyeliner - $2.99 - also available in waterproof
Eyebrow Stylist Set - $3.49 - a mini-kit for gorgeously groomed brows
Eyebrow Designer - $1.99 - 2-in-1 brow pencil and grooming brush
Kajal Eye Pencil - $1.49
Long-Lasting Eye Pencil - $2.49 - a creamy eye pencil with maximum staying power
Sharpener - $1.99 - sharpens small and large pencils

Get Big! Volume Boost Mascara - $3.49 - offers up to 7x more volume
Get Big! Volume Boost Mascara Waterproof - $3.99
Maximum Definition Volume Mascara - $4.99 - for ultimate volume and perfect definition
Multi Action False Lashes Mascara (shown) - $4.49 - for incredible volume, length and density
Lash & Brow Gel Mascara - $2.99 - clear conditioning gel
Lash Mania Mascara - $4.99 - for an ultimate XXL volume effect
All Eyes On Me Multi-Effect Mascara - $2.99 - for volume, length, curl, thickness and separation
Fancy Lashes - $3.49 - false lashes kit includes lash glue

I ♥ Extreme Volume Mascara - $4.99 - with an XXL brush for dramatic volume
I ♥ Glam Powder Eyeliner & Eyeshadow (shown) - $3.99 - with a shimmering texture
I ♥ Rock Gloss Eye Pencil - $1.99 - glossy accented black eye pencil

Lips:
Lipstick - $2.99 - the outside case matches the smooth-textured colour inside
Glossy Lipbalm - $1.49 - in 6 fruity flavours
XXXL Shine Lipgloss - $2.49 - sheer & shiny colour
XXL Nudes Lipgloss - $2.49 - creamy and smooth for a perfect nude look
Tint It! Colour Changing Lipgloss - $2.99 - a glossy lipstain for long-lasting wear and gloss
Stay With me Longlasting Lipgloss - $2.99 - the full colour coverage of lipstick with the shine of gloss
Mini Lipgloss Set (shown) - $3.99 - with 3 stylish little lipglosses
Lipliner - $1.49

Face:
Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder - $4.99 - available in 2 shades
Mosaic Compact Powder (shown) - $4.49 - a combination of 5 shades for a natural and fresh look
Mattifying Compact Powder - $3.99
Powder Brush - $3.99
Forget It! 3in1 Concealer - $2.99 - mini palette covers blemishes, dark circles, redness and shadows
Coverstick - $2.49
Blush Brush - $3.99
Silky Touch Blush - $2.99

Nails:
Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish - $1.49 - in a multitude of ultra trendy and wearable shades.

Out of all of this what are my faves? So glad you asked! I must admit to be taken with the Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in I Have A Green - a fabulous teal, Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss in Candy Bar - a gorgeous coral and Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish in Break Though - a dreamy purple!

Off you go to your nearest Shoppers Drug Mart to check it out for yourself and be sure and visit the essence website to learn about product innovations and get makeup tips - www.essencecosmetics.com

- Lisamarie -