Introducing NYX Cosmetics

For the new year I've decided to start a new series of sorts on the blog, taking a different brand and solely focusing on everything I own from them, what worked for me and what didn't. I personally find these posts hugely helpful when I'm feeling a little spendy or want to dip my toe into a brand but have no idea where to start and after posing the question on Twitter, I had a really positive response! For today's post I'll be looking at NYX Cosmetics, the hugely popular American brand that we are now lucky enough to have over here in the UK. I'm not entirely sure how accessible NYX was before they launched on Feel Unique, Very, Selfridges and Boots but whenever I'd been on their website they barely had any stock or recent products so now I feel positively spoilt for choice! I'm going to talk you through four of the different bits I've tried and hopefully give you a few ideas as to what might work for you. 

Let's start with the base. I'd heard amazing things about the NYX Angel Veil Primer from Kathleen Lights on YouTube and had added it to my Pinterest wishlist long before Christmas, luckily my sister decided to pick one up for me as part of my Christmas presents and I am so glad she did. This may have just knocked One Heck Of A Blot by Soap and Glory off the top spot for my favourite drugstore primer. The first thing I will say is that if you don't like silicone based primers, then this probably isn't for you. It does have that silicone feeling similar to a lot of other primers but I feel like it's nowhere near something like Porefessional by Benefit. Silicone based primers are personally my favourite as I think they create a perfect smooth base for the foundation and this is no exception. I've never used a product that's left my skin feeling so smooth and soft. It comes out in a white cream of almost moisturiser consistency, it's only when you start to blend it on the skin that you get that super smooth silicone feeling to it. My foundation glides over the top of this like a dream, blends seamlessly and there's no balling up of the product underneath. I personally don't moisturise before primer, so I can't comment on how the two would work together. I've used this continuously since Christmas and my makeup has lasted incredibly long, some days even more than 12 hours with nothing more than a dab of powder needed around my nose. A* from me!

Next up is the Matte Finish Setting Spray, I picked this up as a replacement for my dwindling bottle of Urban Decay Chill and I must admit that for a fraction of the price, I can't see a huge amount of difference. The only huge difference is the size of the bottle, with the NYX version being a lot smaller but other than that, I virtually can't tell the difference. Though this is described as a matte finish, I personally don't notice that much of a mattifying effect to my makeup, just a really long lasting finish. Combined with the Angel Veil primer and my Loreal True Match, this makes for a perfect combination that sees me from day to night and even my 8 hour bar shifts. There is also a dewy version which I wouldn't mind comparing this to in order to see how much they differ but for now, this is a wonderful cheap alternative to a pricer setting spray.

The Soft Matte Lip Creams were probably one of the most hyped up parts of NYX's collection and the one I was most excited about trying. As a self confessed lipstick junkie, I'm always up for trying new products, especially anything described as matte. I was immediately drawn to this one in the shade Copenhagen. First up, these aren't a liquid lipstick. The formula isn't as liquid as something like a Stila liquid lipstick, instead it feels a lot softer and creamier on the lips. This also isn't as drying on the lips as your bog standard liquid lippie and so in turn, I didn't find this as long lasting. My major issue with this product however, was the pigmentation. While it is a gorgeous colour and you can't tell from my swatch below, I found the colour to be incredibly patchy on the lips and no amount of layering it up seemed to give me an all over opaque colour. A shame really, as the colour is gorgeous. I might try out some of the lighter shades to see if these work any better. (Side note, these smell divine, like vanilla and cupcakes mmmmm)

And finally, the NYX Contour Palette. Now, call me a bad beauty blogger, but I've never been one for contouring. I use bronzer on a daily basis and apply it to the areas where one would contour and I highlight my cheekbones but I've never been into doing anything as serious as to require a whole kit but I have officially been converted. Not a day has gone by now where I haven't carved out my cheekbones and temples with this palette and I am seriously impressed. I've always wanted to try out something like the Anastasia Beverly Hills kit but been a little hesitant, mainly due to the price tag attached, so this is a really nice alternative. It's not the cheapest around, still coming in at £18 but you get a really nice selection of bronzing, highlighting and contouring shades to play around with.

When I first got this out of the box I was really confused as to why the whole thing sounded so noisy and rattled so much but it's because you can take out each individual pan and swap in whatever colours you please or customise it to your liking. So, if like me for example, some of the shades are a little dark, you can purchase a lighter shade and swap that in. (A fully customisable palette would be great to avoid having to buy both though). I was also really pleasantly surprised by the quality of these powders when I first swatched them and they've continued to impress me through use. They're really pigmented and super blendable, making them a dream to work with. And though I find myself reaching for certain shades a lot more than others, I think this will work nicely for most people!

Personally I've been loving using Soft Light as a general highlight powder, setting areas that I've brightened using concealer and Cream under the eyes to brighten up those pesky dark circles. Nectar is probably my preferred shade of the two highlighters though in all honestly I've been reaching for Champagne Pop by Becca over these recently. In terms of contour, I've been pretty much using Sculpt religiously. It's the perfect cool toned brown shade to add a really natural shadow to the temples and cheekbones, along with a light dusting of bronzer around the jawline and forehead. The shade Hollow is just a little dark for me, even with fake tan on but would be lovely for those with a deeper skin tone. Overall this is a really nice palette and definitely one to try if you're looking to start experimenting with contouring.

Tan, Toffee, Sculpt, Hollow, Ice Queen, Soft Light, Cream, Nectar. 

Have you tried anything from NYX? What are your favourites from them?