NYX Novitiate? Here's Where To Start

Named after the Greek goddess who ruled the night, LA’s NYX Cosmetics has generated lots of beauty buzz on Irish shores of late. The brand – which has just been bought by L’Oreal – is now available in Ireland with stockists including Clerys in Dublin (at Wink Eye Bar), Shaws in Athy and Drogheda and Medicare in Northern Ireland, among others (the stockist list is here).

There’s a LOT of choice in the line – so for the NYX novitiate, where should you begin?

Wearing butter gloss in Peaches and Cream; Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation; Jumbo Eye Pencil in French Fries; Nyx Fly with Me Mascara and NYX HD Photogenic Concealer

I’d make straight for the butter glosses: these sweetly-scented, pretty little tubes remind me of Clarins’ excellent Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors – but are about a tenner cheaper at just €6.49.

They’re a balm/gloss hybrid so they’re plumping, feel rich and nourishing on the lips, aren’t remotely sticky and come in a lovely range of shades – I’m rather addicted to Peaches and Cream.  Some of the shade names are a little confusing, and they can apply a little thickly, so use a light hand.

Fly With Me mascara is a little underwhelming, but the Jumbo Eye Pencils are really worthy of the hype. For €4.99 you get a chunky crayon that works really well as a base for shadow, as a liner or smudged around the upper and lower lashlines. They don’t set, so I find they crease on me if worn all over the lid – not that it stops me, sometimes, because the shade range is exceptionally pretty. French Fries – a golden brown - and the shimmery taupe, Iced Mocha, are now firm favourites.

As above but with with matte lipstick in Pale Pink

While you’re at it, I’d pick up a Powder Blush or two – for €7.49, these are SO good; they’re nicely pigmented and apply and blend really well. I was sent Pinky, which has a touch of peach in there too, and of course the much-lauded contour colour, Taupe, is firmly on my list.

Base wise, both the NYX HD Photogenic Concealer, €6.99, and Stay Matte But Not Flat foundation, €9.49, are worth a whirl on normal/combination/oily skins (drier types, avoid).  I like the demi-matte finish of the latter, but found it gathered in my pores - a primer helped to fix this. 

The concealer has a fine consistency; it's brightening and blends well underneath the eyes -  but occasionally, it sits atop my creases and, as you'll see above, it's met its match in my dark circles. If you're in your teens or twenties, I'd say both will be a hit - but with older skin (like, sob, mine), it pays to put your money where your base is.

I’d skip the matte lipsticks – I find them thin and chalky – but the extra creamy round lipsticks, €5.49, are lovely – and I’ve high hopes for the Soft Matte Lip Creams which I’ve also yet to try.

Have you tried NYX, and what are your favourites from the range?

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