Essence Camouflage Healthy Glow Concealer

Essence introduced two new concealer formulas in their autumn/winter update, one is a matte one and the other healthy glow version. I have the latter and considering how there's nothing I can describe as glow at this formula, I wonder what their matte version is like. This is the type of formula that fits into the group of high coverage concealers like Catrice Liquid Camouflage, Collection Lasting Perfection, Look Matte Camouflage and The Saem Perfect Cover. 

Texture: The formula feels closest to Catrice's Liquid Camouflage, which is the most liquid out of the high coverage concealers I've mentioned above, but Essence's is a bit thicker. Given the name I expected something in the line of Maybelline Fit Me concealer, Bourjois Radiance Reveal or Maybelline The Eraser, but this is a high coverage formula with a satin matte finish that's won't perform that great on dry, tired skin. Due to a lot of pigment, it's takes some effort and time to blend it in seamlessly compared to more moisturising concealers. When I first used it over a mattifying primer, I could hardly blend the stuff and a similar thing happened when I applied it once on bare skin without a moisturiser. On my normal/dry skin I need something moisturising under it, just so it blends easier. With such a base I can blend with ease, either by using a brush or a sponge. It can be layered with no problems.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour in Embrace on the lips. 

Coverage: This is medium to full coverage and it doesn't differ much from Catrice's Liquid Camouflage. It covers my circles and some uneven areas, but I haven't had a spot in a while, so I haven't tried how it works over those. It doesn't cover my freckles completely. I tried to cover up a lipliner so you can see just how much it covers.

Shade: I'm delighted with how pale the lightest shade is. It's paler than Catrice's Liquid Camouflage 005, which probably makes it the lightest shade among Cosnova's brands. It fits me well, even though it's got a yellow undertone (I'm neutral), which is not strong anyway. Unfortunately, this comes in only two shades, both are very light, which excludes everyone that's not very fair.

Staying power: Like most such concealers this has quite an impressive staying power and because it's satin/matte, it also doesn't crease or move. I'm been wearing it on most days since I got it and I'm quite impressed with how nice it wears and how it's wearing off.

Packaging: It comes in a tube with a doe foot applicator. The latter is in a shape of a spade. There's always a lot of product on the applicator because the mouth of the tube is perhaps too wide.

Price and availability: It costs 2.99 € in drugstores.

Though first impressions were not that great, which was partly my mistake because I used it over a mattifying primer and the other part I'll attribute to Essence misnaming the product as a Healthy Glow, which to me means a moisturising formula, I've actually grown to quite like it. I've been using it on most days since I got it without foundation because I'm quite lazy right now with my base and it's working out great. I think this could also be a good foundation formula because it got a nice satin/matte finish without looking cakey (provided I have a moisturising base). Coverage is comparable to other medium-full coverage competition, it stays on well without creasing and the shade is great for us with a fair skin tone. Unfortunately the shade range is very limited and I hope Essence decides to expand it. Overall it's a nice buy for 3 € and I actually like it more than Catrice's Liquid Camouflage.

Have a great day!

*PR product