Essence has gained popularity for its affordable and effective skincare and makeup products. The Hello, Good Stuff! line, in particular, has garnered attention for its vegan, cruelty-free, and budget-friendly options. This review delves into several products from this line, offering a detailed analysis of their performance, ingredients, and overall value.
Hello, Good Stuff! Product Line Overview
The Hello, Good Stuff! line includes a variety of products, such as serums, primers, tinted beauty creams, bronzers, mascaras, and face mists. Essence is slowly introducing a lot of vegan products into their regular range and I had the chance to try out few skin care and makeup products from Hello, Good Stuff collection. The products are known for containing a high percentage of natural ingredients and being vegan-friendly.
Serum Reviews
Essence Skin Clearing Serum
The Essence Skin Clearing Serum is marketed as a mild exfoliator, containing 97% natural ingredients. It features PHA and AHA, kiwi water, panthenol, and lactic acid. Lactic acid is known for being a gentle exfoliator. At €4.95, this serum is an affordable option for those looking to incorporate exfoliation into their skincare routine.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Vegan
- Contains gentle exfoliants
Cons:
- May not be effective for mature skin
- Some users may not notice a significant difference in skin texture
One reviewer, with dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin in their late 30s, found that the serum did not deliver the desired results. While acknowledging that it might be suitable for younger users starting their skincare journey, they felt it lacked the potency needed for more mature skin. By now I have nearly used this up. And while this is nice, I again feel this is one from Essence that doesn’t quite deliver. I am not really noticing a difference in my skin’s texture.
Hello Good Stuff! Glow Serum Primer
The Hello Good Stuff! Glow Serum Primer gained popularity as a dupe for the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum. Priced at $6, it is significantly more affordable than its high-end counterpart.
Read also: Coconut Rose Facial Oil Benefits
Pros:
- Affordable
- Moisturizing and lightweight
- Gives a dewy finish
- Vegan and paraben-free
Cons:
- Does not contain hyaluronic acid
- May not provide enough hydration for very dry skin
Many users appreciate its light, cooling, and moisturizing feel, as well as the dewy finish it provides. One reviewer mentioned using it five days a week and planning to repurchase, highlighting its effectiveness as a primer and its ability to help the skin retain moisture. The longer I used this product, the more I liked it. I really think it helped my skin retain moisture, and it felt so smooth.
Hello, Good Stuff! Face Serum
The Hello, Good Stuff! Face Serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper for easy application. The formula is water-based and includes pineapple fruit water, glycerin, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate. The serum has a yellow tint and a smooth, viscose texture. The serum costs 4.89€. It leaves a glow on the skin and has a sweet pineapple scent.
Pros:
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Contains natural ingredients
- Leaves a healthy glow
Cons:
- May be too basic for those with extensive skincare needs
- Scent may be overpowering for some
The lightweight formula makes it suitable for most skin types, providing hydration and a healthy-looking glow. As it's such a lightweight products, I feel this would be suitable for most skin types.
Primer Reviews
Hello, Good Stuff! Face Primer
The Hello, Good Stuff! Face Primer comes in a small plastic tube and features a white gel-cream formula. It contains 98% natural ingredients and leaves a velvet finish on the skin. The primer has a natural herbal scent, reminiscent of green tea. The primer costs 4.29€.
Pros:
- Lightweight and moisturizing
- Contains a high percentage of natural ingredients
- Suitable for normal to combination skin
Cons:
- May not be necessary for those who already use a moisturizer
- Scent may not appeal to everyone
This primer is essentially a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates the skin without feeling heavy. You could call it hydrating primer, but it's a moisturizer and moisturizers are in fact primers for makeup too, you don't need a separate product.
Read also: Smoothies for Glowing Skin
Essence Hydrating Serum Stick
The Essence Hydrating Serum Stick is a unique product that combines skincare and priming properties. It contains hyaluronic acid and cucumber, providing a refreshing and cooling sensation upon application. It costs €4.95.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Contains hydrating ingredients
- Creates a tacky base for makeup application
- Travel-friendly
Cons:
- May not be moisturizing enough as a standalone skincare product
- Some may find the stick format gimmicky
While it may not be a comprehensive skincare solution, it works well as a lightweight primer, creating a tacky base that helps makeup adhere to the skin. This is definitely a good product from Essence but I also feel it is a touch gimmicky.
Jelly Grip Hydrating Primer
The Jelly Grip Hydrating Primer claims to be hydrating while gripping makeup.
Pros:
- Hydrating
- Makeup wears well on top of it
Cons:
- Not super hydrating
- Didn’t notice a miraculous increase in wear time
Tinted Beauty Cream Review
Hello, Good Stuff! Tinted Beauty Cream
The Hello, Good Stuff! Tinted Beauty Cream is a lightweight cream with 90% natural ingredients. It provides light coverage and a hydrated, creamy finish. The cream has a sweet powdery scent. The cream costs 4.39€.
Pros:
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Provides light coverage for a natural look
- Suitable for everyday wear
Cons:
- Limited coverage for blemishes or spots
- Shade range may be limited
The tinted beauty cream is perfect for days when you want a polished look without heavy makeup. This gives you light coverage and leaves that hydrated creamy finish on the skin.
Read also: Customer Experiences with Bliss
Bronzer Review
Hello, Good Stuff! Matte & Glow Bronzer
The Essence HELLO, GOOD STUFF! Matte & Glow Bronzer is split into two parts: matte (darker) and glow (lighter). The bronzer has a formula with 99% natural ingredients.
Pros:
- Natural formula
- Affordable
Cons:
- Matte formula is highly pigmented and hard to blend
- Glow formula is not very glowy
- Strong cocoa scent
Face Mist Review
Hello, Good Stuff! 3in1 Face Mist
The Essence HELLO, GOOD STUFF! 3in1 Face Mist is a hydrating spray that can be used before, after, or throughout the day to refresh the skin. The mist has a natural formula and a watermelon scent. The mist costs 3.29€.
Pros:
- Hydrating and refreshing
- Pleasant watermelon scent
- Fine mist
Cons:
- Not a matte finish, leaves a satin sheen
- May not be mind-blowing
The mist is a good option for adding a veil of moisture to the skin and achieving a worn-in look. This on top of makeup gives me that worn in look, meaning like my natural oils have come through and my skin looks very hydrated and a bit shiny.
Other Standout Products
What the Fake! Plumping Lip Fillers
The What the Fake! Extreme Plumping Lip Filler in Pepper Me Up and the What the Fake! Plumping Lip Filler in Oh My Nude are popular lip glosses priced at $4.99 each.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Plumping effect
- Pepper Me Up leaves a berry stain
Cons:
- May tingle or burn for some users
- Thick formula
These glosses provide a plumping effect and come in various shades, with Pepper Me Up leaving a beautiful berry stain.
The Slim Stick Lipsticks
The Slim Stick Lipsticks are priced at $4.99 each and come in shades like Brickroad, Choc-o-holic, and Over The Nude.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Velvet matte formula
- Comfortable and long-lasting
Cons:
- Stylo type lipstick
These lipsticks offer a velvet matte finish that is comfortable and long-lasting.
Blush Crush! Blush
The Blush Crush! Blush is priced at $3.99 and comes in shades like Lovely Lilac.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Good formula
Cons:
- Not as creamy and blendable as previous blush lines
- May require more effort to blend over acne scars
The blush provides a beautiful color but may require more effort to blend evenly.