Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss in 24 Just Gorgeous

I know what you're thinking: tacky name, tacky packaging...tacky gloss. That's what I was thinking too when I walked past this on my regular trips to the Essence stands, but then I heard a couple of people praising the gloss and started to question my initial judgements. I love Essence but they can get it wrong sometimes and for someone like myself who isn't even a lipgloss fan in the first place, this was a recipe for disaster. It was on sale for 50% off in Priceline, making it $1.50 so I took the plunge. In short, it's fabulous.

Beginning with the packaging, I have to say I am not a fan. I don't know what it is but I find this to be terribly childish and unappealing. I think the awful name contributes to this too but this gloss is just something I would never have been drawn to had I not read positive reviews about it online and found it on sale. In saying that, regarding practicality this is sturdy and most importantly doesn't leak everywhere like I have experienced with cheaper glosses in the past.

In regards to the gloss, it's pretty darn lovely. Though the shade can appear to be painfully bright - perhaps even borderline neon - it translates onto the lips as a lovely mid toned pink that is incredibly flattering. I've been reaching for this on a regular basis which I so very unusual for me as I love my lipsticks much more than a gloss! It is a real pleasure to wear on the lips because the gloss is so very smooth and comfortable to wear. It is a little on the thicker side which means it's not the type of gloss that you forget you are wearing, however I find that it stays in place and is relatively long lasting all things considered. As is the case with every gloss that has ever existed, you can't wear your hair down when wearing this as you will find it sticks to your face and smears your pretty pink lips over your chin but that is just the nature of a lip gloss.

This product has what I perceive to be the stock standard 'gloss' smell, the vanilla crossed with fruit plastic chemical kind of fragrance that isn't too potent yet probably wouldn't be described as overly pleasant by most people either. I adore the shape of the wand it comes with. It is like a traditional doe foot applicator however significantly longer with a thick and flat edge making it considerably easier to apply both accurately and efficiently.

Never did this gloss bleed out of the lip line, sink into the fine lines or look patchy in any way. As implied by the name of the gloss, the shine this gives really is impressive, so much so that I found it to be a little too intense as it gave a slightly plastic, almost fake look that I'm not very used to with the makeup I usually wear.

When this gloss wears off it leaves a slight pink tone to the lips but nothing drastic. It certainly could not be considered a lip stain and needs reapplication regularly.

I've come to realise that more and more I've been enjoying lip glosses that I come into contact with. I don't think I have the right to say that I'm not a lipgloss girl anymore because the last heap that I have tried I have enjoyed immensely! Have my personal tastes changed or have the formulas of glosses improved over the years? Probably a bit of both, but this is certainly a gloss to consider purchasing as it is so darn affordable, comfortable to wear and rather pretty if I do say so myself!