NYX Cosmetics: The Review

NYX Cosmetics are a much raved about make up brand from the USA that have launched in the UK at long last.  I cannot tell you how pleased I am about this as I've heard so much about their products on blogs and on Youtube for years but haven't found them to be too easily accessible, until now.  In the past, I've ordered a few things from eBay but in all honesty I'm much more of a eBay seller than an eBay shopper so now that NYX have launched their UK website, I'm a happy bunny.

 

Over the last few weeks I've been trying out a few staple products from NYX; a foundation, an eyebrow pencil and a mascara.  Here's my thoughts.
 

The stand out product for me is the Doll Eye Mascara, so let's start with that.
 

 

NYX Doll Eye Mascara

NYX Doll Eye Mascara, £8

 

Wow this mascara is actually amazing.  It is up there with my favourite mascara of all time, YSL Faux Cils, so yes it has achieved holy grail status.  That is not to say it makes my lashes look the same as the YSL mascara, completely different in fact, I just love the way it makes my lashes look just as much as the YSL mascara.  The NYX Doll Eye Mascara comes in three different versions (what a fabulous idea); lengthening, volumising and waterproof, all with the same wavy shaped wand that creates the most fantastic curl in the lashes.  I have been trying out the Volume version and boy do I love the results.  Very fluttery, doll like lashes that fan out at the ends.  The nylon fibers in the mascara combined with the natural oils and Vitamin E combing to really lengthen my lashes, make them super black and volumised without drying out or becoming clumpy.  The mascara itself is quite wet, not runny in consistency but wet enough that it makes it very easy to work with.  The wand literally grabs every lash, even those on the very outer and inner corners that I find so hard to reach.  I love the wispy, fluttering look that this gives, almost as though I'm wearing false lashes.  The effect it gives to the natural lashes is very similar to that of wearing a pair of Ardell Demi Wispies and I don't even need to curl my lashes before I apply it, in fact, it looks better when applied to lashes that haven't been curled!

NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil

in EP03 Medium Brown

NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil, £4

 

Whilst on the subject of eyes, lets take a look at the Auto Eyebrow Pencil. It is available in 8 shades and I have the shade EP03 Medium Brown which is  probably a little too warm for my colouring but a very natural colour all the same.  That's one of the main things I've found when looking on the NYX website, their colour range is realistic and natural.  The pencil is retractable which is great as I cannot abide pencil sharpeners; they're so messy and the pencils still manage to snap every time I use them so this retractable twist up pencil is a much better option for me.  It also comes with a brush on the end which is handy for combing through the brows before and after application.  The eyebrow pencil itself is smooth to apply, produces a colour that is buildable once it is warmed up and it is very easy to use and blend.  Since the colour is buildable it allows you to keep adding to your brows until they are defined to your liking, rather than going in too strong and ending up with the scousest of scouse brows.

 

NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation

NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation, £9

This is one of those products that really taught me not to judge a book by its cover as on first inspection, I didn't think much of the product, simply because of the packaging.  There isn't anything wrong with the packaging at all but it is a far cry from the higher end Estee Lauder Double Wear/ Double Wear Light that I usually wear. The packaging just looked basic to me and I thought the product inside would be too but I was sooooooo wrong.  This is a really lovely foundation, particularly for the £9 price tag.  If you're looking for something that's going to cover almost everything, even your skin tone and keep it matte but full of life then this is for you.  For a more budget end foundation, I think it is excellent value for money and a great product all round.  Its a medium to full coverage foundation that is water based so its going to hydrate your skin rather than dry it out which is great for a full coverage foundation and since it is oil free and adding water rather than oil to the skin then it is suitable even for oily skin.  I'd say this foundation is probably one of the few that is perfect for all skin types.  Many people with dry skin stay away from matte foundations because they dry out their skin further and make it flaky, whereas this one doesn't.  It is also great for people of all ages too as it is light in texture which not only makes it easy to apply but it doesn't sit too heavy on the skin which is something younger people tend to look for in a foundation but it also contains Vitamin E which helps to soften blemishes and fine lines which will be a hit with those who are older.  The foundation itself is pretty long lasting too.  I have really oily skin and find that it lasts about 7-8 hours on me before I need to top up with a little powder which is perfect for days when I'm at work.  I apply it using a flat top kabuki brush and find it really easy to blend and it works really well with my other makeup products too.  There's a great selection of 15 shades too which should mean that the majority of people will find a shade to suit them.  This foundation definitely gets a thumbs up from me.
 

 

To see a full makeup look using these NYX products, have a look at yesterdays Green Eyed Monster makeup post.

To have a look at the other great products from NYX and to order online, pop on over to their UK website here.

 

What are your favourite NYX products?  Come on girls, give me some recommendations!