Beaut.ienomics: Pack Your Bags with Essence's Summer 2014 'Road Trip' Collection

Budget brand essence is getting ready to launch their Summer 2014 'Road Trip' Collection.

Now whether you're doing a road trip from Malin Head to Mizen Head with the entire staff of RTE's weather department, or whether you're just planning to do a little camping at a summer festival, this one will be of interest to you.

This collection has a small selection of hard workin' products that won't cost the earth, so even if Jean Byrne steals them or they get left behind in the war-torn aftermath of the camp field, your bank manager won't have a hissy fit.

So shall we have a peek at what will be hitting essence stands all over the country from July?

First up is their Allround Balm, a multi-talented little fella that can be applied on any dry areas  like lips, hands, nails, elbows, feet (and presumably festival-favourite David O'Doherty's sense of humour). At €3.79, it's like a poor girl's version of Elizabeth Arden's cult 8 Hour Cream, perfect for getting bashed around the boot of your road trippin' automobile.

And if you feel like a quick flash of colour, you can apply their blush and highlighter (€4.09) using your fingers. This duo has a soft texture that blends easily to give a soft flush and light shimmer.

Eyes are catered for with their 2-in-1 shadow and liner duos (€3.09), with one side a shimmering shadow and the other a creamy-textured liner.

- 01 'Highway to Pretty' is a beige blue combo

- 02 'I Don't Care! I Love It!' is a pink burgundy duo that actually looks very like the blush and highlighter palette, with a creamier finish.

There are four nail polishes to choose from (burgundy, beige, blue and pink) that each come with a different effect (leather, asphalt, gasoline and thermo). At €2.29 each, nail girls on a budget will be clapping their painted paws in glee.

I have both of their mini sheer lipsticks to swatch for you (€2.49). 'Hit the Road' is a bright red, and 'My Sweet Escape' is a very sweet and girly pink. It offers a medium coverage colour and slicks on with a velvety finish. But the lasting power is low so expect to reapply often.

And any Summer collection worth its travelling salt has to include a dry shampoo (€3.79), deo wipes (15 for €1.59) and a kit with the essentials of a small blush/powder brush, eyeshadow brush, eyeliner applicator and tweezers and mini mirror (€4.99).

What do you think of the collection? Is it a handy alternative to hauling your beloved (and often mostly costly) usual cosmetics on a weekend away? And don't you dare use those deo wipes on your face at 3am….