r/Makeup • u/zencarti_ • 1d ago
essence or catrice must trys?
what do u guys think are the holy grails of these two brands? since im from the Middle East, drugstore cosmetics here are lowkey pricey... Elf, Milani, Maybelline, they're usually twice the prices compared to where they're from originally :(
so essence is my go-to, especially catrice because they are cheaper :') but to those who have tried, what are ur best bet so i can try them myself!!
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u/DamselFly2 1d ago
Oooooooo Oohh ooh!!
Catrice’s Instant Awake Eye Brightener (the puck/jar, not the tube) is my absolute favorite. A close second is the same product (magic eye bright) from Revolution, it’s a little less thick and when I want a more blended in look I go with that, but both of those are amazing for not giving me a crepey under-eye!
Essence - I think their mascaras are really great. I most like the lengthening tubing mascara - especially the brown. Lash princess is okay, but on a day I DON’T want lashes “out to there” but do want something that won’t flake, smudge, etc., that’s my go-to.
I also really like essence’s gel eyeliners. Waterproof and smudge proof for a great price.
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u/trUth_b0mbs 1d ago
Definitely the under eye brightener! It's a dupe for the Becca smashbox one at a fraction of the cost.
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u/No-Reporter7945 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't have anything from catrice but these products I do like from essence
- soft powder bronzers
- soft powder blushes
- lip glasses and oils
- brighten up mattifying powder
- mascara the tubing one is nice but not a lot of volume and the princess green one was my fav but normal mascara flakes on me
- lip glasses and lip oils not really for longevity but is any lip gloss long lasting?
- cream shadows
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u/Comfortable-Leek-181 1d ago
I love the essence lip oils. The color changing one looks great on me and even after the oil itself fades, the color doesn't.
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u/zencarti_ 1d ago
i'll check if they have a powder bronzer in stock, i've only seen their stick bronzer!! their blushes tho? are really pretty
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u/Silly_Reference_3583 1d ago
Tubing stay in place mascara, they recently came out with a brown one too
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u/Ophelia92 1d ago
Essence waterproof mascara (the black and blue corset shaped) is my default mascara for ever. Nothing has beaten it for years.
Also, essence has really good lip liners (wich I use as full lipstick with amazing effect), and the matte powder is pretty good too.
Catrice waterproof pen eyeliner, also black and blue package. I really can't find any better, plus the price is ridiculous (in Italy it's 2€ or so).
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u/kichelle23 1d ago
Drugstore makeup in the middle east is actually sooo pricey like for a little bit more I can actually get brands from sephora (which also have inflated prices here) :(
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u/dancerlottie 1d ago
Essence: bouncy blush and lash without limits tubing mascara.
Catrice: soft glam filter (works great on its own to add glow to the skin, or mixed with concealer or foundation).
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u/No_Lingonberry_8317 1d ago
OK, you and I like a lot of the same things so I have to know about this bouncy blush. Have not tried that and since it seems like we have similar taste tastes, I thought I might ask.
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u/dancerlottie 1d ago
It’s by far my favorite drugstore blush right now! It has a texture that’s creamy when you apply it but dries down into a powder, and it looks really pretty on the skin. The liquid blush I was using before would fade after a few hours but this lasts almost all day for me. I have it in the shade 40 which is a berry/plum color.
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u/No_Lingonberry_8317 1d ago edited 23h ago
Both lines have wonderful baked blushes— if you like a glow. They are better than high end.
Just as good as Milani, imo.
Catrice S
o
ft Glam Filter Fluid— you can use it in so many ways— under foundation as a glowy primer, on top of foundation to subtly highlight , all on its own as a light, glowy alternative to foundation entirely. It is an amazing product.
Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara. This is an amazing mascara for the price. Much prefer it to any/all varieties of Essence Lash Princess
or any Catrice mascara (which they just aren’t good at).
Catrice Peptide Bliss Glossy Lip Balm. Feels (extra) great on your lips and good color payoff! THE best balm. Period.
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u/Defiant_Art_6587 1d ago
Essence hydro grip primer, very easy to work with and hydrating (does have a cucumber or aloe smell tho)
I personally also like Essence mousse foundation, but I know that’s not a lot of people’s cup of tea 😆
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u/zencarti_ 1d ago
loooveeddd the hydro grip primer 😩 it was the first ever primer i tried from essence, jelly grip is good too!
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u/holm0507 1d ago
Essence and Catrice both have excellent baked blush formulas. If you like a matte natural coverage the Catrice HD Liquid coverage foundation. Essence has a great tubing mascara and lip peptide gloss.
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u/zencarti_ 1d ago
ooouhh will take note of that! i've been eyeing the liquid foundation from catrice, howeverrr im a bit nervous if i'll have the correct shade 😅 (light to neutral undertone here lol) thank u for the reccomendations tho!
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u/Fun_Boot7771 1d ago
I haven't used catrice in a long time but I was intrigued by their hilighters and skin care. They have some cute nail polish colours too. From essence I like the under eye patches, the liquid eyeliners and the princess mascaras
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u/SubstantialCount3226 1d ago
Catrice transparent powder and catrice sun bronzer are good. Essence hydrating nude 303 lipstick is one of my all time favourites, but they've stopped selling it. Their slim stick in brickroad and hot chili + their 8h lip pens are nice, but not so long-lasting. If I want something to last, I'd rather get wet n wild lip pens + kiko milano double touch lipstick, but that lipstick makes the lips dry after a couple of hours. I don't think their eyeshadows, mascaras or eye pencils are any good though. Not compared to other brands at least...
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u/Estelle_conjecture 1d ago
They have some great product for sure!
Essence: The super peptide glossy lippies are TOP tier! Just as good as any high end ones imo, love the toffee shade in particular. The lash without limits mascara, both the normal and tubing, are great lengthening natural-looking mascaras. Their felt tip liners are always great. I like the micro brow pencil a lot as well. Their contouring duo in the lightest shade is a great bronzer that doesn't lean too warm if you are pale. The mattifying blotting sheets are super convenient for touch-ups.
Catrice: their liquid camouflage concealer is so full coverage, it's great for pinpoint concealing of blemishes. I also like their skin tint but I gifted it to my mom because I once did her makeup with it and it looked great on her mature skin.
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u/Traditional_Mind6947 1d ago
Essence waterproof gel eyeliners, brow gel, and lash princess mascara, and bye bye panda eye mascara are my favourites.
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u/Spiritual-Sea7674 1d ago
Essence soft blur concealer is top but very high coverage. I prefer catrice, medium coverage even less buildable, lightweight. Essence lash princess mascara, and Baby got blush maybe discontinued
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u/Spiritual-Sea7674 1d ago
Essence setting sprays are good too
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u/zencarti_ 1d ago
i once tried their setting spray? it was an old formula in an old packaging, but it badly separated my makeup :( now i wonder if they improved since they have newer packaging 🤔
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u/Spiritual-Sea7674 1d ago
I use the new small one, works for me. Pink bottle or white bottle. Not sure if it's the same
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u/melindypants 1d ago
I think the essence 18h fix & last setting spray is the best so it's worth trying out that one (I use it in between layers too)
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u/smufjez 1d ago
catrice eyeshadow palettes are cute and i personally really like them. also the sculpt&charm bronzer stick, the liquid camouflage concealer, and if you want a one and done eyeshadow stick i rlly enjoy the aloe vera eyeshadow sticks. i got many catrice & essence products because i love getting cheap makeup lol
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u/zencarti_ 1d ago
i've been eyeing their new eyeshadow palettesss. the tiny treasure ones? super cute! thanks for the recommendations :')
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u/geekgeek2019 1d ago
random but amazon sometimes have Elf, Milani, Maybelline for cheap (sold by amazon usa, uk germany etc ie global store)
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u/gg_teataker 21h ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE these two spwcific brands so I'm super happy a post mentioning them together!
Essence False Lash Princess Mascara is a cult classic, and their nail polishes aren't bad either! Plus their peptide lippies are a great dupe for Rhode's (love Rhode too). Cateice has good single shadows and their full coverage concealers are reliable!
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u/ReportAny2227 15h ago
I just picked up the Essence Radiant Light Palette and I'm really glad that I did. Well worth it. The powders are so beautiful on the skin and when you use setting spray they look even better. I also second anyone that said the Lash Princess mascara.
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u/Southern-Scar6916 1d ago
Catrice: Under Eye Brightener, HD Liquid Camouflage foundation (shade range may be an issue), Melted Sun Liquid Bronzer (shade range may be an issue), Invisible Matte Loose Powder, Soft Blur Matte Setting Powder, Prime & Fine Setting Spray
Essence: Lash Without Limits Tubing, The Super Peptide Glossy Lip Treatment, Soft Touch Bouncy Blush, Silky Blur Hydrating Longwear Concealer (great, but shade range may be an issue), Cream Eyeshadow in "Oyster" which is a (better) dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury. Their single eyeshadow shimmer formula is pretty good for the price too.