I seem to be on a quest to find a good eyeshadow base or primer. I used to use Urban Decay Primer Potion, and I liked it. But maybe my skin got drier, or maybe the formula changed. The UDPP was so drying that my eyeshadow literally cracked on my eye lid. Not a good look. Next, I bought Lorac eye primer, recommended by one of the beauty consultants at Sephora for dry or mature skin. It was a good primer for my dry lids, but it was too thick and heavy. I started looking for something lighter. A couple of months ago, I switched to Too Faced Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop to reduce the redness on my eyelids and around my eyes. I reviewed it on the blog, and I gave it a good review: moisturizing, the redness was covered and the eyeshadow looked good for many hours. But what I didn’t realize initially was that it migrates from my eyelids into my eyes and creates a film on my contact lenses. So annoying because I have to throw the contacts away almost every time I use it!
Just the other day, I had the opportunity to try I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base from essence.
Honestly, I didn’t have high hopes for this one. It comes in one shade, but luckily the medium-ish shade that’s a tad too dark for me is neutral when it goes on. Plus you cover it anyway. It comes in a tube with a wand like lipgloss, and it’s a cinch to apply. I dab a little on my lid with the wand (less is more), and then apply it where I need it with my finger. It has a creamy texture that blends well, feels good and dries smooth.
I’m just amazed. It works! In fact, it reminds me of my beloved Georgette Klinger Eye Foundation from years ago. My eyeshadow stays where I put it and still looks fresh many hours in the hot sun, as well as time spent jogging, later. On Sunday, I had it on for almost 12 hours with my neutral shade Charlotte Ronson powder eyeshadow, and on Saturday, it did a good job with Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow. I’ve been trying to get a decent photo to post but photographing a close-up of my eye is a fool’s errand. It just looks gross because I have such veiny, thin skin around my eyes. Take my word for it, the eyeshadow is still nice and smooth, and it did not crease.
I’m sold! For $3.49, it’s a steal. It comes in a 0.13 fl. oz./4 mL tube. Made in Poland. Not tested on animals. You can purchase essence at Ulta, ulta.com, Fred Meyer stores, and select Walgreen’s.
In addition to working as an eyeshadow base, the Ulta website says it can also be used as a primer for concealer. I applied it on the big sun damage spot next to my left eye before I put on my concealer, and after mowing the lawn in the humid weather, the concealer is still covering up my sun spot. Typically, the concealer would be gone by now. I am even more impressed that essence I Love Stage base could help with that!
Ingredients Aqua (Water), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Stearoyl Inulin, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).
The product appears to be gluten-free, but always check your own list of ingredients to avoid. It contains some mineral sunscreen which is a plus. I looked at the product’s ingredient list on the Cosdna website, and the ingredients are all rated in the “green/low hazard” range, yay.
[easyreview title=”Product Rating” cat1title=”Coverage” cat1detail=”Very good coverage for me” cat1rating=”4.8″ cat2title=”Effectiveness” cat2detail=”Long-lasting on my dry eyelids, stays put, no creasing” cat2rating=”5.0″ cat3title=”Comfort” cat3detail=”Not moisturizing, but not drying” cat3rating=”4.0″ cat4title=”Price” cat4detail=”Inexpensive” cat4rating=”5.0″ summary=”Great product that works for me” icon=”bluestar”]
Interesting. For the price why not try it. Thanks Allison!
I haven’t seen this product lately, Laura. But essence has some good quality products for when I feel like a treat but don’t have any money. I liked that product. I also like I <3 Crazy Extreme Lashes in the hot pink tube. And I like the lipsticks in the black tube with the shade around the middle.