Manifesto
We’re a small team dedicated to bringing affordable, fun, and high quality products into the serious world of cosmetics. So why choose just one lipstick, eyeliner, nail polish, eye shadow, lip gloss, (you get the point!) when you can try them all? 

Here’s how it all started!

2001
essence was started by Christina, a fearless entrepreneurial woman, who wanted to make a different cosmetics brand – a really fun brand that offers both great quality and excellent prices.

2002
Launched in its first country – Germany.

2007
essence becomes #1 in Germany and is sold in 50 other countries.

2008
essence finally crosses the pond and lands in New York!

2009
Our first successful test in the United States with Ulta Beauty.

2010
We reach $1 million in North American sales and word begins to spread.

2011
We win the first of many Allure Best in Beauty Awards.

2012
We decide to go north to Canada and launch in Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix.

2015
New year, new essence!

2016

We launch in select Loblaw stores in Canada.

2017

We launch in select Meijer, Bed Bath & Beyond and Harmon stores. Lash princess false lash mascara goes viral!

2018

We DOUBLE our assortment in Ulta Beauty stores!

2019

Launched in select CVS stores across the country.

Beauty philosophies
Beauty is being who you are, who you want to be and having fun while doing it.
We think real beauty with a real story is inspiring – which is why we love our consumers!
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, it doesn’t have to be so serious, it should be fun.

We believe in high quality makeup and great prices
Beauty doesn’t have to cost a lot. We prove every day that excellent quality and innovation is not a question of price.
95% of our products are manufactured in Europe.
Our ingredients comply with the strict standards of the European Union Cosmetics Directive and United States FDA.

We do not test on animals
The contracts with our clients state that they must manufacture products in compliance with European union law, which strictly prohibits testing on animals.

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bye panda eyes! vol. def. masc.

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pure NUDE highlighter 10

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LIP CARE booster lip peeling

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I love extr. crazy volume mascara

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lash brow gel mascara

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mosaic blush 20

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get BIG! LASHES volume CURL mascara

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LIP CARE booster lip serum

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I like to mauve it! eyeshadow palette

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24ever ink liner 01

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make me brow eyebr. gel mascara 03

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Taupe it up! eyeshadow palette

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mosaic blush 40

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ess. w.t.fake! vol. & leng. masc.

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I love extreme vol.masc. waterproof

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make me brow eyebr. gel mascara 02

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LIP CARE booster lip butter

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make me brow eyebr. gel mascara 04

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baby got brow! eyebrow pencil 20

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make me brow eyebr. gel mascara 05

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get BIG! LASHES v. boost WP mascara

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get BIG! LASHES triple BLACK mascara

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get BIG! LASHES vol. BOOST mascara

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baby got brow! eyebrow pencil 30

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baby got brow! eyebrow pencil 10

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I love extreme vol. mascara

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make me brow eyebr. gel mascara 01

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pure nude sunlighter 40

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