My exams are officially over, my degree is officially completed so regular posting can recommence.
I mentioned some weeks ago now that I was going to be teaming up with NYX. There were delays and complications, mostly from my end, and the post is now finally happening! Massive thanks to Abbie from NYX Birmingham Bullring for this opportunity! Sorry about my delay.
Firstly what I will say is a standard disclaimer. Numero uno, there are some products that I have used in this post that belong to myself and have been purchased with my own money. I love NYX as a brand and it’s been a pleasure to trial their range. Secondly, I do not guarantee any party positive reviews in exchange for products and this is covered in my About page. Thirdly, whilst this is a collab post I have not been paid for this and their are no affiliate links present.
With all that being said let’s look at the products!
With access to a wide range of products to test. There were some items which were a hit while others were a miss for me and my skin type.
Let’s start with the base products:
Primer: NYX HD Primer:
Designed to be paired with our HD Studio Foundation, this water-based makeup primer helps minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines for a seamless finish. The primer helps improve foundation performance and wear.
This retails at £13.00 for 51g. The claims are:
This primer was a miss for me. There is a scent to the primer that smells like paint which I’m not a fan of that. The primer has a slight colour to it – a blue, grey tone – which shows on the skin. This gave a corpse like cast on my face and it’s a miss for thisreason. I also prefer, at this moment, a silicone texture primer. The HD primer is a lotion texture, it feels like applying a second moisturiser. I feel texture is down to preference. If you like lotion primers and you have a normal to a dry skin type this may be for you.
I tested this with other foundations including my L’Oréal, Maybelline and The Ordinary. I felt my skin looked oiler sooner and all the foundations begins to break apart on my face shortly after application.
Primer: Born To Glow Illuminating Primer
Enjoy a luminous, lit-from-within glow all year long with our luxuriously lightweight Liquid Illuminator. Now available in four light-catching shades, this multifunctional formula can be used as a foundation base or over cheekbones, décolletage, and cupids bow for a natural-looking radiance that’ll have everyone talking.
The Born to Glow Illuminator retails for £7.50
I have been using this product as a base under my matte foundations to give a “glowing from within” look. The product works amazingly for that!
As a standalone illuminator it is more subtle than anything – which is again down to preference. The product is lightweight and does have scent to it but once applied the smell does not linger.
The Born To Glow illuminator is a multi functional product but I love to use this as a radiance primer. I reach for this more than my L’Oréal True Match Liquid Highlight which is high praise as that has been supreme for a while.
Overall: Hit
Primer: Angel Veil Primer
This super silky, light and fresh formula creates a comfortable cushion on your skin to enhance makeup application. The incredible formula creates a smooth uniform canvas that minimises shine and makes application flawless. Your skin will feel like it has been touched by an angel.
I had high hopes for this as I’ve seen it everywhere; on Instagram, YouTube being used to by all beauty gurus and bloggers.
The Angel Veil Primer retails for £13.00 and is an absolute hit! This product has a mousse-like texture, doesn’t have a scent and blends like a dream. I can see why so many people rave about this primer and it is one of the best drugstore primers.
Foundation: HD Foundation in Nude
This foundation and I have problems.
We are just not compatible, as much as I want to be we aren’t. The shade, called Nude isn’t fair enough but it’s workable and isn’t too dissimilar from my L’Oréal total cover foundation.
The foundation separates on my skin super quickly within an hour. It looks awful the longer I leave it on. When I first tested the foundation, I forgot to shake the bottle and when I squeezed some out the oils and foundation came out separately – think pre-ketchup wateriness. If you have dry skin then this may be for you but oily skin types steer clear! Even powder can’t save you.
Overall: A Miss
Eyeshadow: NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette
We named this collection the Ultimate Shadow Palette because that’s exactly what it is–a pro-level palette packed with 16 high-performance eyeshadows in a rainbow of tone-inspired shades. Available in four striking color combinations–Neutral-Cool, Neutral-Warm, Bright and Smokey/Highlight–each set features a vivid mix of velvety-rich textures and mesmerizing finishes that range from mattes and satins to shimmers and metallics.
This shadow palette is beautiful and the type of colours that I reach for daily. I always reach for browns and reds and this pallete has a combination of matte and shimmer shades. Slight fall out and kick back from the pan but otherwise the claims are 100% accurate. A definite hit.
Contour: NYX wonder Stick & NYX pro contour and highlight palette
Amplify your look with our all-purpose Wonder Stick that has a creamy finish that conceals, highlights and contours with ease. The Wonder Stick is available in 4 different shade combinations to fit every skin tone, including one universal shade.
Firstly, contour is not my forte. I am a bold eyeshadow and lipstick girlie but I have heard positive reviews from NYX contour products.
The contour shade in this is warm toned but I like it. This can be applied under and over foundation, I prefer to apply under and then layer my foundation over. I am a pale princess and too much of a warm tone looks like badly applied bronzer.
But, that being said I’m not a fan of the “highlight” end. It removed product from my face and the colour pay off was weak.
That being said the product is a miss for me as it retails for £10.50 and I only enjoy half the product.
Define your features like a pro with our highlight and contour palette! Each set includes eight customizable highlighting and contouring shades perfect for emphasizing your favorite features.
This I loved! For use as a personal palette, the deeper shades double up as gorgeous eyeshadows.
I have the shade HCP01 which retails for £18 and can be pricey if you wish to use only one contour shade. Though as a professional tool this is a hit!
Overall: hit
Lipstick: Mat Lip in 07 Alabama
Guys. Guys. Oh. Em. Gee. The formula is creamy and smooth with a rich pigment. The formula lasts for ages and I think I’m in love.
I have always been a number one fan of NYX lip products. They are well priced with great formula and stunning shade ranges. The matte lipsticks retail for £7.00. I have bought several NYX lip products and I’ve have loved them all. complaints. Defo a hit.
Blush: Sweet Cheeks Blush Pallete
This palette retails for £17.00 and has 8 blushes in different shades. Like the contour palette I have been using Sweet Cheeks to achieve rosy eyeshadow looks and it works amazing!
There is one shade in particular I am obsessed with. It is a gold based blush with red reflects that gives a duo-chrome effect. I couldn’t recommend this pallet enough. Hit, hit, hit.
Powder: HD Finishing Powder in 01
This powder is one of the better loose drug store powders. It is translucent and can work for all skin tones without leaving a white cast. This retails at £9.00 for 6g and is similar in consistency and results to the Make-up forever HD powder. Warning: when applied with some foundations it can cause said foundation to become cakey. A hit.
Concelar : NYX gotcha covered in 01
Gotcha Covered Concealer always has your back. NYX’s full coverage and long-lasting concealer can effectively cover up discoloration as well as a variety of imperfections without creasing or caking. Infused with coconut oil, this highly blendable concealer also leaves your face with a healthy-looking glow.
L-R: NYX, Maybelline Age Rewind (Light), Revlon (Light) and Collection in (Fair)
The claims are correct. The colour is spot on! Usually drugstore concelars in fair shades are more orange than fair. This concelar is high coverage and long wearing. It is better for spot and small area coverage as it is a somewhat stiff consistency.
Overall: hit
Eyeliner: Gel Liner and Smudger in 02
Our Gel Liner & Smudger delivers bold colour that won’t quit. Whether you’re after a perfectly defined line or a smokey eye, these silky shades blend easily and don’t crease or fade.
Browns are my go to colour and this liner is perfect. For the days that black liner is just too dramatic and you want a softer more natural look this is the item for you!
Retailing at £8.00 this is a make up must have! Hit
Mascara: NYX more to love 07
I’m going to be blunt. This is a miss. It claims to be volumising, lengthening and curling but to be honest, I’m not seeing it.
There are better drugstore mascaras for the same price, £7.00, that do a similar or better job. This mascara wasn’t for me. If you prefer a natural mascara that accentuates what you already have this may be for you.
- Other NYX items I own and love
- The lip pencils are a serious investment and a make up bag must have.
- The singular eye shadows can be hit and miss in terms of colour payoff
- Vivid Brights are amazing but for newbies to liquid eyeliner you may struggle with the flexible tip.
Overall NYX is a hit. There may be items that do not work for me that may work for you. Nonetheless across the board NYX produce consistently good products at drugstore prices.
Here are some photos of looks I have created with these products:
Thanks again to Abbie and the Bullring Team for this opportunity.
Stay blessed,
Emily x
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Emily Elizabeth | EmilySaidHello 