Hey, kids.  😉 Welcome to another one of my new product reviews!  Today I will be reviewing a few of NYX Cosmetics’ newer products for 2016.   NYX has come out with so many new products already this year and while it was a challenge not to immediately purchase everything that peaked my interest; I chose to start small and go with my top 3,  based on what was available in store (Ulta).  [I learned my lesson after trying to thoroughly test & review my huge drugstore haul that I made over a couple days, just after Christmas.] Product. Overload. 🙂 Anyway, lets begin; shall we?

The Mini Haul:

The Goods:

NYX Cosmetics Strobe of Genius Palette: $19.00

This photo depicts the true shades a bit better as the natural light washed out the lavender hue in shade three, top row.

Close Up

Top Row, left to right

bottom row, left to right

OK, now that you’ve seen it, in all of its glory, let’s talk about how it performs.

The texture of this product is nice; smooth and velvety.  It is just a tad less smooth, creamy/velvety than some of my high end versions but still quite good.  If anything it takes a bit more layering to achieve the same impact as say; the Becca highlighters and do not impart the exact amount of glow vs. shimmer (this stuff is all pretty subtle though)  The top 4 shades, I’m going to simply consider ‘the extras’.  The yellow shade is similar to that in which you would use in the under eye area, a bit more gold…but you wouldn’t want shimmer in these areas and it simply doesn’t work on my skin.  I can see it working for those that may have very cool skin with excess blue or purple tones, prominent veins, etc.  My skin is cool but I do not like the look of it much.  The lavender hue, which is also used as a color correcting shade, is another shade I’ve found no use for.  I own other mixed color palettes that contain this shade in a less ‘strobe like’ version and it always leaves a garish lavender tone to my skin.  This shade, just as it does with haircolor removes unwanted brassiness, (gold tones) so if you have a lot of yellow undertones in your skin this shade may work for you, brighten you up some.  The other two are basically darker and/or pinker variation of the bottom shades.

Strobing palettes

Here is where it gets fun… the bottom three shades.  You get a good sized pan in each of these 3 shades and I’ve found them to be very near dupes to 3 of the wildly popular and sought after Becca Cosmetics highlighters.  I own loads of the Becca products as well as the two limited edition palettes (shown above) and I am going to show you the comparisons:

(OK, because the NYX palette does not have names for their shades; I will refer to them as simply 1, 2 & 3  from left, bottom row)

really, really close..

(The Jaclyn Hill palette shown above was limited edition and is no longer available, but; the single powder compact in Champagne Pop is available at Sephora)

again; really, really close..

(The Becca shade can be purchased in the afterglow, Ulta exclusive palette, shown above or as a single powder compact at Sephora.)

This is really close as well but the Moonstone is clearly a bit warmer; while the NYX version takes on a slightly cooler, frostier gleam.

I don’t generally do dupe posts and I certainly wasn’t looking for it but b/c I often compare my drugstore products by trying them against my very favorite, amazing quality, high end goods; this one kind of fell right in to my lap.  If you spent time swooning over the countless posts pertaining to the Jaclyn Hill/Becca Cosmetics, constantly sold out Champagne pop or any of these other two wildly popular shades, yet they simply were not in your budget; you can ‘just about’ gain all 3 plus 4 more shades, in this palette.  At only $19.00;  it’s a pretty great deal.

NYX Cosmetics Ombre Lip Duo: $11.99

While I’m not super big on prominent ombré lips, major Instagram lips and other super intense makeup [on myself]; I thought this product might be fun used a bit more subtly.  This shade is not what I had originally wanted but they were out of many shades at my time of purchase.  I ended up going with Ginger & Nutmeg.  The product is creamy and easy to use.  The darker shade is thinner tipped, like a liner and the lighter shade a bit thicker.  Line your lips as you would and then line inside that line, fill in lips with the lighter shade, beginning in the center and working out to the inner lined portion.  Blend with a lip brush…or press lips together and smudge it around, quickly and haphazardly as I did…maybe don’t do that. 😉  It’s a fun product even if you don’t really do Ombré lips and comes in some great shade duos.

I personally, prefer this version. 😉

Swatched

NYX Cosmetics Sculpt & Highlight Face Duo: $11.99

I’ve talked about my preference for precision tools/products and when contouring, especially my nose, I prefer cream stick contouring products or concealers and a very small concealer brush and tiny damp beauty blender.  When I first heard this product would be debuting I knew I’d have to try it.  I chose the shade light/Almond though I think the tone of the ivory/taupe may have been more suitable to my skin tone.  I wish the product was a bit more like a concealer but it isn’t bad.  It dries to more of a powdery finish and sets fairly quickly.  Some people have said they find it hard to blend.  I think it blends fine as long as you stick to one area at a time, unless you work very quickly.  My first attempt I did my nose, cheekbones and took a couple pictures, by then it was pretty much set and even with the damp beauty blender it was hard to blend without messing it up.  My next attempt I did my nose, blended, moved to cheekbones etc. and it worked much better.

 I still prefer concealer and a small brush for my nose contour, and the Smashbox contour sticks which are ultra creamy like a concealer.  I prefer Amazing Cosmetics Concealers, which are excellent and have an extensive shade selection.  Cover FX has a nice cream contour palette as well;  b/c theirs comes in 6 different shade/tone versions you have a good chance of finding your perfect fit.  This particular Sculpt and Highlight duo is good for a quick go though and after a bit of practice you can certainly achieve a nice look.  The product has both your highlight (non shimmer) and contour shade with a sponge tipped concealer like applicator wand for each end.

Swatch

Blended Swatch

Simple contour, step 1 (never mind the fact that I appear to be toothless )

Post Blend

…and finished

Thanks for sticking around for this extensive review!  I hope you found what you were looking for and gained some tips and/or insight!

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-Kelli xoxo