Every blogger in my subscription box and their mother is talking about these lip liners, overwhelmingly in positive tones and yet, despite the price I had a hard time deciding to try one because I'm genuinely not a fan of the "original" Essence lip liners (too soft and too creamy with poor lasting power - not my cup of tea). The fact that they are retractable liners didn't sell me either since Catrice's version break like crazy plus they are sticky and these are made by the same company. I ended up actually liking it and went back to get another shade, however, these are not my favourite, as I still find them average (average good, not average bad).
Although these are still creamy, the texture is less soft than at their original lip liners which is a good thing because it means a higher level of precision, but because these can't be sharpened, once they are blunt, the edges aren't super sharp any more. Contrary to Catrice version, it doesn't brake or at least it hasn't to me, so I'm far more comfortable with applying it. The formula is again closer to a lipstick than a lip liner, but that apparently appeals to most consumers and I completely get why these are so popular. They apply nicely without dragging and aren't drying, though they aren't moisturising either.
The colour Yummy Berry, is quite different on my lips than I imagined based on so many swatches (see how it looks on Taya and on Breath of Colour blog). It's a cool toned fuchsia shade on me. I have nothing like it in my collection, as most my lip colours are warm and even though it's a cool toned shade, I actually really like it. It does make me look paler, but I can make it work for me and I'm thinking about finding a proper lip colour in such a shade.
Staying power is in typical Essence fashion a bit disappointing. It lasts ok if you don't touch your lips, drink or eat, but if you happen to do any of those thing it erases the lip colour completely, which is a bit surprising considering the intensity of the shade.
These cost 1.59 € in Müller and I am considering getting a few more shades, just for fun to see if such colours suit me, but as far as the quality goes these are nothing exceptional. I'm currently very much enjoying the shade Lovely Frappuccino. It's the first such colour I actually like and you can see me wearing it here.
Have a great day!