NYX Cosmetics: Drugstore Gems Worthy of Being Unearthed
Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive. I love hunting for the latest, amazing drugstore finds. After all, there are some “gems” to be unearthed!
I recently bought some NYX items to try out. They have an amazing reputation and are constantly compared to MAC. Lots of people rave about their products saying that they’re almost as good, if not equal to those of MAC. Was everyone just exaggerating or were they right? I was eager to find out!
First, I tried NYX Doll Eye Mascara ($8 US) in Volume Extreme Black. The brush shape is curvy, but thin in size. I found the formula to be a little too thick making it clump a bit after 2 coats, but I love the pitch black color.
The wand is nice in size for maneuvering around short stubby lashes like mine and is useful for helping the mascara to apply easily. Overall, Doll Eye is okay, but for the price, I’d rather buy MAC mascara.
Next up, I was dying to try the infamous NYX Single Eye Shadows ($5 US), but I didn’t want to go on a spree, so I only bought two. I tried Charcoal (left), a shimmery silver gray with blue undertones. You can layer the color to get a darker gray, which I really like.
I also got Rock (right), a pigmented, pure black with bits of sparkle and glitter. This shadow didn’t apply as smoothly as Charcoal and was a bit gritty in texture. The glitter made it less smooth. I liked Charcoal better, because it applied like silk and was pigmented.
At the recessionista price, they are exquisite. In my opinion, these eye shadows are very similar to MAC and definitely deserve to be considered.
Finally, I got the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils ($3.50 US) on an impulse. Use these to shade your eyelids in or apply thickly as a colored base. These are pigmented and smooth in application. I like that the colors were long-lasting; I found them to be intact even at the end of the day.
Gold (left), an orange copper that would make a nice, neutral base. Pacific (center) is a gorgeous periwinkle blue. Lemon (right) is a light yellow-green. They all do a great job and would make a great dupe for MAC Shadesticks.
What are your thoughts on my NYX haul? Are these MAC-worthy dupes?
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On May 21st, 2009 Phyrra said:
I wish that they were available at a Drugstore near me, but I usually have to buy them online or at Ulta. Personally I love Nyx. I specifically love the Jumbo Eye Pencils and the Jumbo Lip Pencils. Some of their nail polish is nice. I really like their glosses and lipsticks, and I like their Felt Tip Liner in Extreme Black (which is similar to the MAC pentultimate liner). The eye pencils are definitely nice as a base, and I really like the Hera jumbo lip pencil. Definitely a great haul
On May 21st, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Phyrra!
I agree! I wish NYX was sold in more places! I haven’t tried the Jumbo Lip Pencils, but I do love the Felt Tip Liners! They work well for me too.
On May 21st, 2009 Sasha said:
My fav. NYX products so far are their round lipsticks! So pigmented and smooth. And the Mega Shine lipglosses are nice too, and not sticky at all. I have some of their single eyeshadows and trios, but I don’t reach for them often (probably because I have so many other eyeshadows lol).
I’m still waiting for a big NYX order I placed during a recent sale on CherryCulture; I ordered all of the Jumbo Pencils, Ultra Pearl Eyeshadows, and Powder Blushes that I didn’t already have, plus one nail polish (just to try it out). Can’t wait to get my hands on everything!
On May 21st, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Sasha!
I haven’t tried their round lipsticks, but I adore their mega shine lipglosses!! I’m on a no-buy for the mega shine lipglosses though. Until I finish at least one tube!
Lucky you! Waiting for your haul must be torture! It’s worth it in the end though!
On May 21st, 2009 Rae said:
Thanks for the reviews, hon! Everyone’s been raving about the NYX Milk pencil, and from what you’ve said about them… I think I’ll have to hunt one down.
The only place we can get NYX in Canada is Save-On Foods, and they’re always out of that shade, boo. I guess, in a way, that’s a good thing
At least I know it’s a well-loved product!
On May 21st, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Rae!
Sorry that the Milk Pencil is always out! I’ve heard lots of raves about it. Definitely worth the hunt!
On May 21st, 2009 Marisol said:
The only products I have are the Jumbo Eye Pencils which I use as a base which work great. For as cheap as they are, they work great.
On May 22nd, 2009 Cecily T said:
What drugstores carry NYX? I keep looking for it, and not seeing it.
On May 22nd, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Marisol!
I love the jumbo shadesticks too, as you can tell!
They are definitely cheap and work great. I just absolutely have to agree with you!
On May 22nd, 2009 Crystal said:
Hi Cecily T!!
I find my NYX at small local store nearby me. However, you can find NYX at Ulta, cherryculture.com, and some drugstores.
Since you can’t find it at your drugstores, you should look at Ulta or cherryculture.com.
Good luck in your quest for NYX!!!
On May 26th, 2009 p-ham said:
The e/s aren’t all good (just like MAC!!). Some are really pigmented and smooth, while others are chalky and sheer, u just gotta find the good ones^_^ This is not a problem at all for me considering the price and huge color selection. I haven’t tried the volume one, but I LOVE the doll length/long lash fiber mascara! One of my HG for lengthening my stick straight/short asian lashes. I don’t care for the jumbo eye pencils cuz they don’t do well with my oily lids (UDPP is the best!), but I think the colors are still gorgeous and they’re soooo cheap! if i could recommend one e/s right now, it would be Hawaiian Coffee – perfect crease color for neutral, brown, and/or smokey looks. It’s a deep warm matte brown (does not have ugly red undertones).
On September 17th, 2009 daisy said:
hey,, um i looked for the nyx jumbo pencil (milk) at walmart but i didnt find it can you tell me in what drugstore they sell it? =D
On September 18th, 2009 Crystal said:
Hey Daisy!
I find nyx at Ulta and Fashion 5 Clothing Stores. Store selection is usually different in everyone’s area, but Ulta always has nyx products in stock. I hope you find the nyx jumbo pencil in milk!