Last month, the good chicks at Essano sent me a freakin’ BOX of goodies. Suffice to say I was fizzing with excitement and my colleagues were dead jelly. One of the ladies who works on our floor was slightly perturbed at my good fortune and has since been musing starting a stationery blog. Anyhoo, I’ve been thrashing all of these products on a daily basis for the last month ready for this review blog post. Now, I’m good to go! So, here’s my Essano review. Put the kettle on love, park up and get reading.
Spoiler alert: I was already a fan of Essano prior to this goodie box arriving. I’ve reviewed their body lotion and cleanser that I snapped up on sale at the supermarket in this blog post.To save you time, the executive summary of that blog post was I reckoned both products were the schizzle. FYI, both products have been repeat purchases. I’m currently on my third bottle of cleanser. High praise.
In my box of Essano goodness I got: The Hair Recovery Serum; Keratin Complex Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner; Moisturiser, Collagen Repair Serum and Rosehip Oil (I know! Spoilt).
Here’s my thoughts, broken down by product. First up though, a disclaimer: These are my own opinions. Everyone’s skin is different, this review is based on my findings, with my oily and slightly wrinkly, forty year old skin (oh, and in terms of my hair, this is colour treated, bloody greys…I’ve got oily roots and dry ends).
Face products
Essano Rosehip Collagen Repair Serum
Earlier this year I raved about Trilogy’s Age-Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum. To cut to the chase, I reckon Essano’s offering is a dupe for Trilogy’s serum – and it’s nearly $20 cheaper! I love it when that happens. I’m hooked on this and this is my absolute favourite product out of everything I was lucky enough to be sent.
Serum is used to address your skin concern. Well, my skin concern is my aging skin – and keeping my oil under control. Essano claims this product is scientifically formulated to repair and protect the epidermal layer of your skin and that regular use will smooth and soften wrinkles. I agree that it does just that. My skin is plumper and, pleasingly, I swear fine lines have been minimised. Big ticks too for a little bit of product going a long way (two pumps is ample for your face, neck and decollatage), as well as the the non-greasy finish. This formula soaks in readily, there’s no shiny look afterwards and it wears beautifully under my makeup. Great for my oily skin.
This product, I note, is one of the awards Essano is up for BeautyHaven.com.au’s Best in Beauty Awards in the anti-aging skincare category. I won’t be surprised if Essano take this award out with their serum: It’s that good. Suffice to say: I’ve voted for it!
Will I repurchase? Absolutely! Price: NZ$29.99.
Essano Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
I’d already tried this, as I ended up buying Essano’s ‘Treat Your Skin Pack’ after falling in love with the two products originally purchased.
I’m a complete facial oil convert. As an oily skinned chick I clicked on a while ago that, by including a facial oil as part of my evening skincare routine, I’ll have less oily skin. Sounds nuts, I know. But that’s what’s happened!
Routine wise, first up I cleanse, tone, apply serum and then I’m into oil. I simply apply a few drops of this oil to the palm of my hand, dot the oil all over my face and blend away (FYI I follow up with night cream). My skin SUCKS this oil up, leaving me with a temporary glow and skin that’s instantly plumped up, soft and hydrated. I swear a few of my old acne scars have faded away – thumbs up! I also slather this all over my decollatage: Morning and night. I’m not left looking oily (unless I apply too much).
One thing to note, the smell can be a bit off-putting, it’s slightly fishy, not over-powering, but nevertheless, slightly odd smelling. I don’t find it offensive… But I don’t love it!
Random tip: I’ve been adding one small drop of oil to my foundation for a night out (i.e. on the back of my hand and mixing it together). For my matte foundations, like my Revlon Colourstay, this adds a gorgeous healthy glow (but not an oily one). Give this tip a whirl! Price: $22.99 (for 20ml)
Essano Facial Moisturiser Pure Defence SPF 15
I’m already sounding like I’m stuck on repeat. I love this. This moisturiser contains rosehip oil, all natural botanical extracts and Vitamin E. I especially rate the non-greasy formula, this bad boy soaks straight into the skin. It’s got a surprisingly light finish, which gets the thumbs up from me as it wears beautifully under makeup. Oh, and it smells glorious to boot and I dig the cute little pump bottle. Sensational bang for buck at $19.99 (for 75ml). Once again, this would be a repurchase from me. Note: Hubby has been using this and likes it too.
Essano’s Rosehip Certified Organic Mist Toner
Lastly, I need to mention Essano’s Rosehip Certified Organic Mist Toner. I wasn’t sent this product, I bought it at New World, as a result of several recommendations from lovely blog followers. However, for the sake of completeness, I wanted to share my thoughts on this.
Containing a blend of antioxidants, kakadu plum, green tea, rosehip oil, aloe vera and witch hazel, this toner aims to balance and tone skin naturally. I’ve bought much more expensive toners that do just what this does… This is ANOTHER winner!
Hair products
Essano Keratin Complex Soothing Shampoo and Conditioner
I’m on the fence with both the shampoo and conditioner. First up, let me say that I’m a tough customer: I’m not generally not a fan of supermarket bought shampoo and conditioner I find they either leave my hair too dry, or my hair goes fluffy. Suffice to say, I’m a hair salon product geek (Vitamino and Kerastase)
Let’s work through my fence sitting, starting with the things to love: All the plant based ingredients, the scent of the products (slightly rose scented, with a bit of turkish delight chucked in). I really enjoyed the low foam sulphate-free formula, noting it took a while to adjust to not getting a good lather on in the shower. My hair was left feeling clean and fresh – no straw in sight. This is good so far, right?
So why am I on the fence? The key reason, and I feel pedantic saying this: Simply, my hair is so soft… It’s gone fluffy and well, I don’t like the fluffy look as I have to use too much product after shampoo and conditioner to tame it all down. I think on balance the shampoo works for me, but the conditioner is nowhere near nourishing enough. I feel like I need to double condition, which would be overkill, especially as I often do a double shampoo. Hubby, incidentally, has been using the shampoo too, his verdict is, whilst looking sideways at me “I like it” (sideways as in: “What a dumb question, it’s shampoo and it cleans my hair). I’ve passed this onto my mate Kellie to have a play, she’s got different hair to me, I’m keen to see how she finds it. I don’t dislike this, I just don’t love it and I wouldn’t buy it again. Bum.
All up, at $15.99 a bottle (for 300ml of product).
One last thing: The shampoo does a stunning job of cleaning makeup brushes!!!
Essano Hair Recovery Serum
This is packed full of ingredients that make me smile: Moroccan Argan Oil, macadamia and pomegranate oils. There’s aloe vera and plant proteins in here too. This is all designed to whack some moisture into your locks, protect against damage and restore hair health.
Whats the guts? This serum totally delivers and this product is one of my favourite of all Essano products that I’ve tried. I’m due for a haircut as I write this and, usually at this stage my hair is dry and suffering from split ends following too much over-zealousness with heated hair appliances. This month: I have no split ends. I’m staggered, frankly.
I’ve been using a few drops of this on damp hair, before styling and then following up with a few more drops post styling: See you laters, flyaways (so long as I haven’t used the Essano shampoo and conditioner…). Big thumbs up from me! Repeat purchase? Yes, noting this’ll be ages away: A teeny bit of this product goes a long way. Price: NZ$15.99
Note: Don’t store this next to Essano’s Collagen Repair Serum. Why? The two bottles are kind of similar and, at quick glance, you might mistake one for the other. Doh.
The Executive Summary?
Essano’s range gets, overall, a big thumbs up for me. The products are all natural, not a toxin in sight. They do what they promise. The price point is the bomb. The products are easy to buy from the supermarket. I adore the packaging and marketing. Look, I’m a convert and I’d recommend giving it a whirl!
If you want more, detailed, info on Essano’s range, check out their website.
On a final note, my friend recently opened up a hair salon and she was telling me the Essano range is great! She was also telling me about a wonderful business energy quote she found through Usave. She tells me she saved a bunch of money because of it. If you want to save money, go to this website.
