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NYX Matte Lipsticks: Haul, Swatches and Review!
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It seems everybody is crazy about NYX’s soft matte lip creams, but I couldn’t help feeling there are too few colors, and too little product in each tube.
I was, however, extremely curious about NYX’s matte lipstick range, which does not seem to get any press. I couldn’t find ANY reviews on them; not even on Makeupalley. So I decided to do one myself.
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Colors I got (shown with flash)
Top L-to-R: NYX Matte Lipsticks Hippie Chic, Natural, Shocking Pink, Pure Red
Bottom L-to-R: NYX Matte Lipsticks Pale Pink, Summer Breeze, Sweet Pink, Indie Flick
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General Pros:
- Affordable. Each of these are under US$5 at Beautyjoint.com and Cherryculture.com. This makes it easy to experiment with many different colors to find what suits you.
- Good range of shades. I like how you can find brights, nudes, neutrals, reds, all in one line. The brightest permanent matte/satin at the MAC counters here is Pink Nouveau, which is sad, and our drugstores stock just a pathetic 2-4 shades of Revlon Matte lipsticks in the most “safe”, boring colors. You will not find nudes or brights in most places, and THESE are the colors of the moment when it comes to mattes.
- Not shimmery. There is nothing more potentially disastrous than matte metallics. Unless you’re on an 80s sci-fi film set.
- Generally great quality for the price.
General Cons:
- Textures are not always consistent. The deeper, brighter shades are generally good, but the pale, nude ones tend to be drier, and go on patchy. They are also hard to remove.
- Not as opaque as most higher-end lines like MAC or Lime Crime. Which is understandable.
- Aside from the 2 palest shades (Hippie Chic and Pale Pink), I found NYX Mattes to go on smoother than Revlon’s Mattes. They’re also a lot cheaper.
- Most of the more intense shades stain. And they stain more than Lime Crime lipsticks, even.
- Horrible, chemical “fruit-punch” scent.
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SWATCHES
From L-to-R-to-bottom: NYX Matte Lipstick Hippie Chic, Revlon Colorburst Soft Nude, Lime Crime Cosmopop.
Hippie Chic could be an interesting shade, but it’s very patchy and dry, and almost impossible to even out. Works better with taupe liner to define the lips first. Cosmopop is a much more interesting orange nude and far more comfortable to wear.
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From L-to-R-to-bottom: NYX Matte Lipstick Pale Pink, Lime Crime Great Pink Planet, MAC Angel
Better in the tube than on the lips. NYX Pale Pink could be pretty if you are extremely pale. This shade is way too white and chalky to be flattering for most skin tones. It also doesn’t go on smoothly. Expect to highlight every flaw on your lips.
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L-to-R: NYX Matte Lipstick Indie Flick, Revlon Kiss Me Coral
Indie Flick is a lovely matte coral. It’s a little brighter, more true-to-red and less brown-based than Revlon Kiss Me Coral.
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L-to-R-to-Bottom: NYX Matte Lipstick Natural, MAC Syrup, MAC Pro Longwear Till Tomorrow
Natural is a little deeper than natural, but it is a nice, rosy taupe which would be great for work. This is Syrup in opaque, matte formula.
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L-to-R: MAC Russian Red, Revlon Matte Really Red, NYX Matte Lipstick Pure Red
Everyone should own a matte, fire-engine scarlet. Especially when it’s under $5. NYX’s is smoother than Revlon’s, and easier to apply than Russian Red. But Russian Red lasts the longest.
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L-to-R: NYX Matte Lipstick Summer Breeze, MAC Pink Nouveau
Pink Nouveau’s peachy cousin. The flash makes it look a lot more blue than it actually is in real life. If you’re scared of blue-based shades but want a strong medium pepto bismol pink, Summer Breeze is the perfect one.
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L-to-R: NYX Matte Lipstick Shocking Pink, NYX Black Label Hot Pink, NYX Matte Sweet Pink, Sephora Rouge R11
By far my favorite 2 of the bunch, Shocking Pink and Sweet Pink are strong, deep pinks. Shocking Pink is brighter and more blue. If you like Candy Yum Yum, but missed out or can’t afford it, YOU HAVE TO GET THIS NOW.
If you find blue-based pinks and fuchsias a little intimidating, or need something a little more appropriate for work or school, try Sweet Pink, which is much easier to wear.
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My Recommendations:
- Pure Red: This is a true, fire-engine red. The most classic, matte scarlet you will find. Most other matte reds I see around are darker, almost wine-toned. True Red is brighter and more eye-catching, but still wearable for most skin tones.
- Shocking Pink: It’s no surprise, since I’m on a “bright-matte” kick lately. This is perfect. I don’t own Candy Yum Yum, so I can’t swatch it here for you. But I am very confident it’s real close, if not identical. Hot Pink (black label) was previously named the dupe for CYY, but it’s too sheer and too glossy. Shocking Pink is its matte, opaque twin.
- Summer Breeze: If you want a retro barbie-pink lip but prefer warmer undertones over cool ones, check this one out.
- **Sweet Pink: Special mention to those new to bright/hot/strong pinks. This is the shade you want to wean yourself on.
Step 1: Apply MAC Blooz pencil or any soft metallic navy pencil along the upper lash line and the outer half of the lower lashes. It should be thicker on the outer halves of the upper lids, as it would be if you were applying winged liner.
Step 3: Pack a deep tarnished antique-bronze over the entire lids, above the blue. You can over lap the blue JUST a little, but not too much or you will muddy the colors. Blend towards the outer corners, following the downward curve of your socket line towards the navy flick. Run along the inner half of lower lashes as well. I used Coastal Scents Antique Gold mica here. 
Step 4: To keep the lash line blue, apply navy mascara. I don’t own colored mascara so I applied black mascara and then picked up navy blue shadow with a fluffy brush and wiggled it gently over my top and bottom lashes to coat them with a little blue.
Finished Looks with flash; Coastal Scents Antique Gold mica pigment with MAC Blooz pencil and Stage Makeup Poison eyeshadow
