Hey Guys
In the spirit of our #naijabrandsrock initative today’s featured brand is Nigeria’s own answer to Anastasia Beverly Hills.. aka Hegai & Esther.
The brand consists of both makeup tools and products. One of their goals is to totally eliminate total dependence on foreign beauty brands by offering products that meet the unique beauty needs of the African woman. They are driven by a passion to find out about their customers’ beauty culture, which helps us to anticipate their needs, and offer products that beat their expectations, without them necessarily spending a fortune.
This is why their pricing strategy is designed to suit the average young lady/ working class woman
Gbemisola Adebayo is the Managing Director of Hegai & Esther. She’s the brains behind the best selling Eyebrow Definer which has been a staple in every makeup lover and makeup artist in Nigeria’s bag. A few years ago she also pioneered the successful Makeup Hygiene Campaign which revolutionised the practice of makeup amongst makeup artists.
Gbemisola’s career in the beauty industry started in 2001 as a self taught makeup artist before joining House of Tara as a member of the brand’s first mentees. As a wife & mother of 3 little girls I wonder where she finds the energy!
Her spirit and passion are infectious as her smile. I can’t get through a simple conversation without laughing about something with her. I asked here what her motivation for setting up and running her own business was:
‘I’m motivated by the many opportunities I’m surrounded with everyday in Nigeria. The many beauty challenges and problems I see, from the complaints I hear from the makeup retailer to the ones I hear from the everyday woman. These are the things that motivate me, while others see them as problems i see them as opportunities to make relevant beauty accessible to the average Nigerian woman and Africans as a whole.’
We recently added 7 products to our makeup line: Foundation, powder foundation, setting powder, face perfection kit (contour kit), Flash pan (highlighter), eyeshadow, and lipsticks. All these products have been developed utilizing both harmless chemicals and naturally occurring materials from the earth. Making them safe to wear.
Image Courtsey of www.themakeuptales.com
Initial Impression / Branding
Hegai & Esther are not beginners in the beauty industry. They’re an established brand who know the importance of quality branding. Picking up the products the packaging looks good. The print is sharp and the black sleek boxes are all covered in cellophane to stop the from getting damaged and/or dusty. That just by itself is pretty impressive as it’s rare in the Nigerian Market to have those finishing touches.
I love the full descriptions on each box. All the hows and whys are covered. Is this product what you need and if it is, how to use it!!
It looks and feels like a luxury brand.
Product Quality
The initial impression of the foundation was that it had a distinctive smell. A light mixture of floral and powder. I was a bit hesitant as I’m quite sensitive to smells but after applying the product on my skin it didn’t really bother me. It was actually quite pleasant. But to be honest I was more blown away by the actual finish of the foundation to even notice the smell anymore.
It literally felt like a second skin. It went on smoothly and dried to a nice powdery finish. I used my fingers to apply the foundation as sometimes using a blender or a brush ‘helps’ the product blend in. I wanted to see how it performed by itself!
But the lipstick.. WOW.. it went on like a dream. It’s called Velvet Matte for a reason. Super moisturising it didn’t leave my lips feeling dry so definitely no cracking through the day. I didn’t use a lip liner I applied it with a brush to get a super sharp outline and I was really impressed with the fact that as it was so thick it didn’t bleed and stayed in place for hours.
The eyeshadows were really creamy and were easy to work into the skin. I didn’t use an eyeshadow base but they went on well and didn’t crease. (Good job girl!)
Which Palette Do you think this is?
I’ve used the Brow Gel for years. I was a big fan of Anastasia Beverly hills.. but when you realize that ABH is now almost 4x more expensive it’s not brain science!!
Value for Money
Foundation: N4,500
Lipstick: N3,500
Eyeshadow Palette: N3,500
Eyebrow Gel: N2,500
Overall i’d say that the products were AMAZING value for money. Because it’s a Nigerian brand alot of people already have the expectation that you’ll have to compromise on either quality or packaging. H&E ticks all the boxes.
Final Verdict
I love this brand. When ever I see their logo it’s like a mark of quality. I know it’s going to be good. Because if it wasn’t I honestly don’t think Gbemi would put her name on it. Great products at a great price!
Contact Details
Tel: +234 80 3580 6183
Email: info@hegaiandesther.com
Web: www.hegaiandesther.com
Full face created using H&E Products
(excluding Sacred Lashes)
We have a fabulous goodie bag up for grabs for one lucky winner. All you have to do to stand a chance of winning.
- Make sure you’re following @hegaiandesther and @thebfcollective on instagram. Like the giveaway picture.
- Answer this simple question ‘which one of the Velvet Matte Lipsticks and Eyeshadow Palettes did we swatch and use to create the look in my review?’
Good luck!
Feel free to leave comments and also rate the brand as well. Join in the fun. Have you ever used any of their products, what do you think, lemme know?
The Wazu velvet matte lipstick and Trinity Bared Neutrals eyeshadow palette.
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Products used are – Wazu velvet matte lipstick and Bared neutral eye-shadow Trinity palette #Thebfcollective #naijabrandsrock
Thanks for entering. So close! Sadly the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
The Velvet Matte lipstick used is Wazu while the Bared Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette Sahara was used
You used the Bared Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette – Sahara and the Velvet Matte Lipstick – Wazu. No I haven’t used any of their products yet but I’m itching to get my hands on the eyebrow definer
Well your wish has just come true! Congratulations you’ve won the H&E Giveaway. Please DM us on Instagram so that we can arrange collection of your prize. 🙂
The velvet matte lipstick used is Wazu and the Neutral eye shadow palette is Trinitynons
Lip: H&E Lippie in Wazu
Eyeshadow: H&E Magdalene palette
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
The Wazu Velvet Matte Lipstick and the Trinity Bared Neutrals Eyeshadow Pallette was used. #naijabrandsrock
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
I believe it’s Wazu- Velvet Matte Lipstick and Bared Neutrals Eye Shadow in Magdalene Palette.
I was so in love with the browgel I bought me a box and introduced to my friends.
Can’t wait to get my hands on these!!!
Oooh that’s awesome to hear. I really did fall in love with the brow gel. I keep recommending it to everyone!!
Wazu velvet matte lipstick and Trinity bared neutrals eye shadow palette
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Velvet Matte Lipstick – Calvary And
Bared Neutrals Eye shadow Palette – Sahara was used.
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Well I still love their brow definer. I have one in Nubia and ebony.. Iv had no regrets
You used The Velvet Matte lipstick used is Wazu while the Bared Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette Sahara(magdalene) .hope I win
Thanks for entering. You got the answer right but unfortunately you didn’t win this time. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
H & E Bared Neutrals in Magdalene Palette & Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu
The Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu
H & E Bared Neutrals in Magdalene Palette
I have used some of H & E products like the Waterproof Gel Eyeliners, Makeup Wedges & Isopropyl Alcohol. I must say I really loved them and can’t wait to try out their New Additions.
You used the Hegai and Esther eye shadow pallette in Trinity while u used the velvet matte lipstick in calvary in this review.
Eye shadow – Margaret Ekpo and Queen Nana Palette retractable pencil in 04 & 06
Lips: Osomote Lip Pencil Hegai And Esther Velvet Matte Lipstick
Hegai&Esther eye shadow pallette in Trinity and the velvet matte lipstick in Wazu
Hiya, it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Hegai and Esther Bared Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette – Sahara
Hegai and Esther Velvet Matte Lipstick- Wazu
Velvet matte lipstick in waxy and bared neutrals eyeshadow palette in trinity
The eyeshadow palette was Sahara. Good Luck next time!
Velvet matte lipstick in wazu
Bared neutrals eye-shadow pallete in sahara was used
Thanks for entering. Sadly you didn’t win. Good Luck next time!
U used the Hegai and Esther velvet matte lipstick in wazu and Sahara eye shadow palette
Well done hun. Unfortunately you didn’t win this time. Thanks for entering. Good luck next time!
Hegai and Esther velvet matte lipstick in Wazu
Hegai and Esther bared neutrals in Magdalene pallette
Thanks for entering. The Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Velvet matte lipstick in wazu
Bared neutral eyeshadow pallete in Sahara
The Wazu velvet matte lipstick and Trinity bare neutral eyeshadow palette was used #naijabrandsrock
Thanks for entering. It was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more giveaways to go over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Velvet matte lipstick- wazu and hegai and Esther bared neutrals eye shadow palette- sahara #naijabrandsrock
Well done! You got the answer right unfortunately you didn’t win this time. Lots of giveaways over the next two weeks. Keep checking and entering. Good Luck!
Lip stick used- velvet matte in Wazu and Trinity bared neutral eyeshadow palette #naijabrandsrock
Thanks for entering. Sadly it was The Velvet Matte lipstick in Wazu and the Eyeshadow Palette was Sahara. Lots more goodies over the next two weeks. Good Luck!
Velvet matte lipstick in Wazu and the Bared neutrals eyeshadow palette Sahara #naijabrandsrock
Well done! You got the answer right unfortunately you didn’t win this time! Lots of goodies left over the next two weeks. Good Luck!