Brandwave

Essence vs Kosas:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, Essence had more branded searches than Kosas among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide. Essence had about 181,000 branded searches, while Kosas had 74,000. Essence made up 1.7% of all makeup and cosmetics brand searches we track, and Kosas accounted for 0.71%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about makeup and cosmetics brands, Essence appeared in one of the five answers and Kosas in none.

Among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Essence, about 2 searches for every 1 for Kosas

Essence 181K searchesKosas 74K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Essence, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Kosas in 0

Essence in 1 of 5Kosas in 0 of 5

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Top makeup and cosmetics brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Essence was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kosas did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Maybelline1st
  2. Rare Beauty2nd
  3. Charlotte Tilbury3rd
  4. Fenty Beauty4th
  5. NARS5th
  6. Clinique6th
  7. NYX Professional Makeup7th
  8. Makeup by Mario8th
  9. +2 more
  10. Essence11th
  11. +5 more
  12. Kosas–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Rare Beauty5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Maybelline4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Fenty Beauty4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Charlotte Tilbury3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NYX Professional Makeup2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Clinique2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • L'Oréal Paris2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Makeup by Mario2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Essence1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kosas0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+7 more

See every answer about makeup and cosmetics brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Essence or Kosas more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Essence and Kosas by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 28 makeup and cosmetics brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Essence and Kosas among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Essence, Kosas. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCharlotte TilburyEstée LauderHuda BeautyMaybellineNYX Professional MakeupCliniqueRare BeautyFenty BeautyMorpheKylie CosmeticsL'Oréal ParisMakeup by MarioNARSBobbi BrownColourPopEssenceKosas
Nov 202517.2%9.4%21%5.1%5.6%6.3%6.3%4.2%1.3%1.9%1.5%2.3%3.5%2.3%1.5%0.62%0.69%
Dec 202519.9%10.9%7.3%7.3%6.6%7.3%7.3%4.9%1.8%2.2%2.2%2.2%3.3%2.7%2.2%0.72%0.66%
Jan 202612.9%8.6%10.5%7.1%7.8%7.1%7.1%4.7%2.1%5.8%3.2%2.1%3.2%3.2%2.6%0.85%0.78%
Feb 202612.6%10.4%8.5%8.5%7.8%7%7%5.7%2.1%5.7%2.5%2.1%3.1%2.5%2.1%0.84%0.77%
Mar 202614.4%11.7%6.4%7.9%7.2%7.9%6.4%5.3%2.9%2.4%2.9%2.9%3.5%2.9%2.4%0.95%0.87%
Apr 202613%10.6%7.2%8.7%8%8.7%7.2%5.8%3.2%1.8%2.6%2.6%3.2%2.6%2.1%1.1%0.96%
May 202612.2%10%6.7%8.2%7.5%8.2%5.5%4.5%3%3.7%2.5%2.5%3.7%2.5%2%0.99%0.91%
Jun 202614%9.5%6.3%9.5%8.6%7.7%5.2%4.2%3.5%4.2%2.8%2.3%3.5%2.8%2.3%1.1%1%
Jul 202616.1%8.8%7.2%8.8%8%7.2%7.2%4.8%3.2%1.8%2.6%2.2%3.2%2.6%2.6%1.3%0.8%
Aug 202615.9%8.7%8.7%8.7%8%7.2%5.8%4.8%3.9%1.8%2.6%2.6%3.2%2.6%2.1%1.3%0.96%
Sep 202616.2%8.9%7.2%8.9%6.7%7.2%5.9%4.8%4.8%1.8%3.2%2.6%3.2%2.6%2.2%1.6%0.8%
Oct 202614.4%9.6%7.9%7.9%7.2%6.4%6.4%5.3%5.3%3.5%2.9%2.9%2.9%2.4%2.4%1.7%0.71%

How has branded search for Essence and Kosas changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending October 2026: Essence took it in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Essence’s share of searches among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide moved from 0.62% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 121K to 181K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Kosas’ share of searches among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide moved from 0.69% to 0.71%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 74K.

How did search popularity change for makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Essence rose from 19th to 18th among makeup and cosmetics brands worldwide.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Kosas worldwide fell 45.2% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 74K in October 2026.

How are Essence’s and Kosas’ branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essence’s and Kosas’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Essence

2 branded search terms

  • essence cosmetics
  • essence makeup

Kosas

1 branded search term

  • kosas

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among makeup and cosmetics brands

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