Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa

Just few weeks ago, I attended Etude House Playhouse event and Ana’s meet and greet. To see the pictures of the event, click HERE.  There I met a reader of my blog, Jhessica, who accompanied me throughout the event!! As in, she toured me around the event. She’s so fun to be with, I swear, as if we’ve known each other for a long time already! She’s my newly found friend. Celline even asked us (Ana, Jhessica and I) if we have known each other even before the meet and greet, then I realized, “Onga no. Feeling close na pala kming lahat? Kahit kaka-meet lang” LOL

Anyway, the event supposed to be an introduction for this lippy. (Napahaba lang yung kwento). Jhessica, who won the best makeup for the meet and greet, wore this lip product on the event. When I first saw her, the first thing I noticed is her makeup (pasensya, mahilig lang sa makeup) especially her lipstick.

During the event, I opted to wear my Mac Lipstick in Pink Nouveau. We had some snacks at the Etude House event (macaroons, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream!) and because of that; I had to retouch my lipstick again. However, Jhessica’s lipstick stays on amazingly! Out of my curiosity I asked what lipstick she is wearing.  (Even Ana asked the same question too!). Then, she told me it’s NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM in ADDIS ABABA. And so, I promised myself to include this on my “TO BUY” list!

Then after few days, Ate Myla of Fabshopaholic (who also attended Ana’s meet and greet) contacted me through facebook  and asked me if I would like to do reviews on some of the products on her shop and she asked me to pick the items that I would to get. Of course, Addis Ababa was first on my list. In fact, it’s the only thing I picked on her shop then I let Ate Myla choose the rest of the things she wants to send me. That’s how much I like to try this lip product!

Take note: This product was sent for me to test out and make an honest review!

For sellers/bloggers: You may use the pictures below but please provide a link back.

The packaging of this lipstick is like a typical lip gloss container containing a typical sponge applicator.

D E S C R I P T I O N

"It’s not a lipstick nor is it gloss. It’s like nothing you’ve experienced before. It’s lipstick cream that goes on silky but looks soft matte"

The description says it all! There are products that promise you heaven but deliver hell instead! But this one, hands down! Indeed, it’s like nothing I’ve experienced before.

When it first came into our door (together with my other package from Ate Myla), I immediately unpacked the cover and tried this lip cream on my lips (oo, sabik lang no?). Originally, I was expecting a liquid lipstick consistency. Surprisingly, it has this weird mousse consistency.

 I’m a huge fan of liquid lipstick, I admire whoever created it. It has the pigmentation of a lipstick but feels moisturizing as lip glosses. However, liquid lipstick has several cons like it feels heavy and sticky, it’s quite messy to apply, it goes everywhere on my lips and even on my teeth and it doesn’t last very long!

This Nyx soft matte lip cream can solve all the problems mentioned above (believe it or not!).  I honestly think that whoever created this technology for a lip product is such a genius! LOL.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa is a cool-toned (blue undertone) hot pink lipstick. Pink Nouveau (a cool-toned hot pink lipstick) has more purple-ish undertone while Addis Ababa appears more pink-y blue.

Left: Addis Ababa
Right: Mac Pink Nouce

Once blended, I noticed that it has blue-shimmers which are weird since it’s a matte lipstick.

This lip cream has a superb pigmentation that is buildable. On my normal days, I usually use one coat of this lip cream on my lips. If you want to build it up, you can apply more layers. However, take note to always start with one thin coat then let it dry for a minute before adding another layer. Take one layer at a time.

Lip cream glides smoothly like whip cream (feels moist on my lips) but dries into a nice matte finish. Unlike liquid lipsticks/lip gloss, this is not sticky at all! It’s very light on my lips that I sometimes forget I’m wearing it.

This lip cream does not transfer (100% kiss-proofs) when it’s completely dry (the key is to let it dry for a minute or more).

This lip cream can be really drying on my lips especially after few hours; however it’s nothing too dramatic (like chapping your lips) when applied in the right way (one layer at a time). You can definitely use it with or without lip balm. I honestly use it without lip balm. Normally, I use one wipe of this lip cream on my lips so it won’t be so drying.  I noticed that the more products I apply on my lips, the drying it is after few hours.

Just like what I’ve said before, it’s a long-wearing lip product! If you hate retouching, I definitely recommend this to you. This can last even after a meal or two! (Depending on the layers you put on your lips). Nevertheless, it’s not something that stays on forever! If you like eating A LOT, you still have to retouch it once in a while, I guess. 

Overall, I find this lip cream better than any lip products I’ve tried. I’ve always wanted to wear matte lipsticks but I never had the courage to wear one as Matte lipsticks are very drying on my lips! (Eto, medyo drying lang hahaha!)

This lip cream was absolutely a heaven sent! I highly recommend it, it feels light, it’s non-sticky, kiss-proof and transfer-proof, and long-wearing! I will definitely purchase more shades in the future!

PROS:

- cheap

- non-sticky

- kiss-proof

- long wearing

- very pigmented

- amazing formulation

- glides smoothly on lips

CONS:

- can be drying

- tricky to apply

- can look cakey if applied too much

- it has blue shimmers that are somehow noticeable on my lips

- time-consuming in applying this lip cream (one layer at a time)

I'm not a huge BOLD lipstick person. I prefer nude-ish peach shade. I was thinking of purchasing Stockholm next.  How about you girls? Have you tried this lip cream? Share your favorite shades!

WHERE TO PURCHASED:

- Any online sellers like Fabshopaholic

SWATCHES (1 coat)

New applied (natural lighting)

Newly applied (with flash)

After few seconds

after 15 minutes ( blue shimmers! I told you, these are noticeable! haha)

Recent Haul

Hi lovelies, I have a mini-haul to show you! Just recently my sister attended a makeup workshop from Suesh. These are the goodies she got from the workshop.

 Suesh 7 pcs Brush Set

The black case for the brush is super travel friendly (style and size!)! I love it! 

Magic BB Cream from Suesh

This is a nice base for makeup but has no coverage

Hengfang Beauty Angel Cosmetics

The design of this palette is super cute, as if you're just reading a magazine!

This palette reminds me alot of Elf Beauty Book.

Unfortunately, the eyeshadows were very shimmery and pigmented. I will do a detailed review on it soon

Finally, goodies from Ate Myla of Fabshopaholic

 Ate Myla gave me accessories! I love these!

 My very first Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream. Seriously, the staying power of this lip cream is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

 Sleek Makeup Palette in Storm

This palette is something I will definitely repurchase someday! This Sleek Palette is definitely a MUST-HAVE. Very pigmented plus tons of tutorials using this palette are available in Youtube.  Famous gurus like TheMakeupChair, Pixiwoo and Pixi2woo are using this for their tutorials! For Php 650, this is definitely a steal! 

I can't stop thanking enough, Ate Myla. Ana is sure right when she said you are like her fairy godmother. Because you are indeed, like my fairy godmother too! 

Please check Ate Myla's fabulous store: 
FABSHOPAHOLIC

NYX HD STUDIO PHOTOGENIC PRIMER and THE BODY SHOP SKIN MATTE IT PRIMER

Whew. Another year to start. Good vibes for 2012. Hope I could do more reviews, more sponsorships, more contests for you, gain more readers, more improvements in writing and more years for my blog! Hooray!

And to start the year right, I will do a review on two of my primers for 2011 

I couldn’t pick one (best) since both works for me in different ways and I would recommend them to people depending on skin conditions and preferences.

Let’s start with the highly rave NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer.

I don’t know if it is available in other shades but the one I got is in HDP 01.

PACKAGING:

 

It comes in a sleek black and white (reminds me alot of Makeup forever) packaging with a pump dispenser. One pump will dispense enough amount of product for your face (and probably, neck). The pump is quite good for controlling the amount of product you want to dispense off the packaging--- if you’re someone like me who do not really use this primer all over your face. I usually use 1/2 pump for covering some parts of my face (tzone).

I  like that the  packaging has almost everything you need to know about the product... the name, the ingredients, some info, the claims, the site where you can purchase it.. except for the expiration date (and it’s the most important things of all!--- or maybe, one of the most ;)).

CONSISTENCY:

 The consistency is more liquidy than typical lotions (and less thicker too).  For some reasons, the consistency reminds me alot of Liquid paper (or correction fluid).

This primer contains silicone (Dimethicone), the one responsible for smooth silky feeling (to blend the makeup smoothly and evenly) and helps fills in lines or large pores on the face. Silicones also makes the primer lightweight. However,  in spite of the fact that it contains silicone, i find this primer difficult to blend on my face especially if my face is not totally dry.

Another thing that add burdens in blending out the product was the white color of primer. If not blended really well (or you put too much amount of product) on skin, this has the tendency to leave white cast on your face. On the other hand, if the product is well-blended on skin, this instantly brightens up the face.
NOTE: dispense the product onto the back of your hands. apply pea size amount on your face, part by part. then, blend out. It's better to start from little on your forehead going on your nose and other parts of your tzone, then if you like on your cheeks.... If you put too much products, the only choice you'll have is to erase everything, so I suggest don't do the "dot" rule on this product (dot rule- dotting all the foundation on your face before blending out). sayang naman yung time, effort and products, db? ;p

CLAIMS:

High definition, photogenic primer. Perfect for liquid makeup, foundation or face powder. Silky, lightweight application helps erase the appearance of fine lines and pores for a flawless finish. You makeup will stay fresh until the party’s over!

If I would have to recommend this primer, I would definitely recommend it to people with normal to oily skin since unlike most face primers, it does not have that smooth-silky feeling to it. If you have really dry and flaky skin, you will end up having trouble blending out the product on your skin.

In my case, I have combination skin (oily in tzone, dry and flaky on cheeks). I tried putting this on my flaky skin (cheeks) and i couldn’t make it works for me. I was expecting that it would smoothens out that area so I could apply my liquid foundation better, but it failed me. However, I would highly highly recommend it to people with oily skin!

During my OJT last December, I hardly retouched my face (mostly, no retouching at all). Imagine, 8-13 hours of no retouching??! Pretty amazing, huh. (Note: I haven’t tried it on summer yet)

Overall, I’m pretty amazed. It did make my makeup lasts longer and keeps my oil at bay! I haven’t used any products as good as this in oil control. Plus, it’s only PHP 650! (more or less).

PROS

-Lightweight

-cheap alternative for high-end primers

-It’s HD! (bongga db? High definition talaga)

- Mineral-enriched, talc-free and paraben free

- Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and lead free

-dries fast (make sure to blend well)

-it does give your skin smoother and flawless look (can brightens up your face)

-not greasy

-superb in oil control

-makes any makeup last longer!

CONS

-hard to blend

-can leave white cast if applied too much

-it has scent (it has a mild powdery smell + something weird) – not really bad, though.

Next in the list is the THE BODY SHOP SKIN PRIMER MATTE IT

PACKAGING:

Unlike Nyx, TBS skin primer matte it comes in a much simpler tube packaging. There’s nothing much on the packaging, no ingredients, instructions or anything like that. While I was searching for the product details (for this post) I was surprised to know that this product main ingredients are Aloe vera extract and camomile extract. And guess what, it can be use as primer for lipstick too! LOL! I haven’t tried it yet, though. I will try, maybe tomorrow? (I wish it was included in the packaging)

CONSISTENCY:

It comes in a clear gel, like the infamous Smashbox primer. Both nyx and tbs contain silicone but unlike nyx, this is much easier to blend on skin.

CLAIMS:

This primer for normal and oily skins creates a smooth base for foundation. It has been designed to deter shine and make make-up last longer.

Smoothes

Banishes shine

Helps make-up stay in place

According to the description, this primer is for people with normal to oily skin. But I honestly think that this works better for people with dry to normal skin (plus sensitive skin). People with oily skin may find this product not-so-well in oil control. I even came across someone who mentioned that she reapply this every 2-3 hours. I was like, “Who the hell reapply primer every 2-3 hours?!” LOL. Maybe, she was referring to foundation, not primer. Anyway. Sorry, I’m being rude again.

Moving on, I apply this on my cheeks where my skin tends to be flaky (due to my acne soap). I don’t know if it’s only me but after applying it on my face, I squeeze another amount of product into the brush and mix it with my liquid foundation. In that way, the primer would help my liquid foundation (or even powder foundation) not to accentuates my dry and flaky skin. You may shoot me now, but it’s how i do it! I am not a professional, so I don’t follow rules. 

Anyway, the oil control works for me (somehow). If normally, I would retouch at least 2-3x a day, using this primer I would just retouch 2-3x at most. It’s pretty ok too. Not superb but it works for me.

In spite of all the bad reviews in the internet, I still recommend it for people with dry to normal skin. It’s my saviour for my dry skin. Definitely, a great base to smoothens surface for better makeup application. (BUT overpriced! It was really pricey for the amount I was able to get. Imagine paying Php 800+ for 25ml??)

Btw, it reminds me of Ellana Primer, but TBS is less greasy. I’m not sure yet since it's quite a long time now since I had that. I will try to repurchase Ellana primer and see if it will be as good as this primer.

PROS:

-great base (smoothens skin) for makeup

- contains Aloe vera extract and camomile extract

- 2-in-1 primer (face and lips)

- helps control oil 

-works really well for people with dry-normal skin

CONS

-overpriced!

-not superb in oil control

Wish list for 2012 (First taglish post)

Hello girls, I'm so jealous with bloggers posting their wishlist kaya gumawa din ako ng wishlist ko (baka sakaling may generous dyan na makakapagbigay) LOL!  :) Hindi ko pa mabili lahat kasi you know, I'm so poor these days kaya you can help me na bilhin lahat yan . or if not, pede rin donations. ;p (kapal eh no?)

1. Flat shoes - nude color . Kahit anong brand pa yan, carry lang basta hindi masakit sa paa :)

2. Maybelline Lasting Gel Liner - weee! nabili ko na tooo! Sale kasi. 30% sale until December 31 (ata?)! Hurry girls!

 3. Suesh Brush set - or kahit anong brush set. Ewan ko, feeling ko hindi ako bibili nito hanggang walang nagreregalo sakin. Hooray sa pagiging kuripot ko

 4. Covergirl Lip Perfection in Delish- Bumili ako lately ng heavenly and narealized ko tapos na ko sa "pinky" stage sa lipstick. I want something NUDE please!

 5. Venus and Mars Lip Butter Tints- Saludo ako! Meron akong Wine Pearl and super love ko yung moisturizing factor niya! Bongga! I want to try other colors. Yung peach and pink :) Less than Php 200 each lang yan. Perfect gift for me ;p

 6. Venus and Mars La Chica- sa totoo lang, naimpress ako dito!! Bukod sa like ko yung smell, havey na havey ang staying power!

 7. Suesh foldable mirror- Php 300+ lang yan. Sobrang cute db? 

 8. Bobbi Brown Lipsticks - eto na yung medyo high-end na wishlist ko. I want a bobbi brown lipstick. Medyo nagiipon na nga ako at matinding pagiisip kung gagastos ba ko ng more than 1k for a lipstick. Gusto ko ng nude shade na medyo peachy 

 9. Mirror with Light- I know, 100x ko na atang inulit ulit pero gusto ko talaga ng mirror with lights. Sabi sakin ni Ate ko papagawan daw niya ako! *excited*

 10. Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It- Savior ko to ngayon! Less than 50% nalang natitira kaya I need to buy new na. I saw someone selling it in Gtalk, nagpareserve na ko. Bayad nalang kulang :)

 11. EOS Lipbalm - Okay, pede niyo na akong sabunutan! Sobrang kacheapan ko, inabot na ko ng 1 taon kakaisip kung bibili ba ako nito. I want to try pero Php 300 din halos for a lip balm. Hmmmm. :) Iba parin pag libre eh no? 

 12. Planner- I saw this planner from Ms. Nikki! Uber cute!!!! I want to buy one naaaa! 

 13. Mac Lipsticks - ayoko talagang bumili nito sa Pinas. The heck kasi, before bumibili ako sa U.S Php 750 lang. Tapos bibili ako dito, Php 1k? Waaa! 

 14. Nude Shoes with heels- pero wag killer heels ha. Yung carry ko lang isuot. I told you, nude stage ako ngayon

 15.Nyx Studio Primer- nakabili kami kahapon sa Bazaar sa Eastwood! Php 650 lang! 

 16. Revlon Lip Butters- Eto ang feel kong bagay saking lipstick talaga. Yung hindi drying. Kaso wala pa itech sa Pinas. 

 17. Venus and Mars Anti Bacterial Brush Set- I'm not a huge red fan, pero tignan mo. Super cute and parang ang soft! Best of all, antibacterial pa! 

So far, ayan lang naman ang 2012 Wishlist ko. Go na!

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

NYX ROUND LIPSTICK IN EROS

Do you know when is the last time I posted a lipstick review on my blog?? It was last April 27. LOL! I was asking myself, “Why on earth am I not posting lipsticks review??” then I realized it is because I haven’t been buying lipsticks for quite a while now. The last lipstick I bought was from Etude House (Look at my lips)  which I got just a month ago. I don’t use it that much though since the lasting power is so-so. Just 1-2 months ago, I tweeted that I want to purchase Mac Lipstick ‘coz someone is doing a preorder. Then, I realized that in reality, I really don’t wear lipstick that much. In school, I usually bring only few things on my makeup kit such as powder, brush, Le faerie lipgloss (in case I want to have a neutral color on my lips) and Careline lipgloss in 101.

Anyway, I don’t know if this introduction makes any sense but I just want to share with you why am I not posting lipsticks reviews.

Moving on, today, I decided to do a lipstick review for a change. And the lipstick that I decided to do a review on is definitely not my usual on-the-go lip color.

I am not a huge fan of red lipsticks, I usually wear nudes and pinks. I originally have 4 red lip color but then, just few days ago I decided to give my Avon red lipstick to my tita (aunt) since it is a really really bright red color, I just can’t wear it.

NYX ROUND LIPSTICK IN EROS

COLOR:

On tube, it was like a true red color but when I swatched it on the back of my hand, I noticed that it has a slight orange undertone to it. 

Definitely, a great color if you’re looking for a warm toned red lipstick.

Packaging:

It comes in a simple round, black packaging. 

 I like that you can see the name of the shade on top and  it has a color cap on the bottom which is exactly the same as the color of the lipstick itself. 

The packaging is made from a cheap material, not sturdy  at all. You’ll really get what you paid for.

Smells:

It has a distinct smell that I can’t explain. People often describe that it has a “soap like smell” but for me it wasn’t anything like soap. Although, I must agree that it tastes like soap.  The scent doesn’t bother me. It is the unique characteristic of this lipstick. In fact, I could tell that this is a nyx rls, even with my eyes closed, by just smelling it.

Pigmentation:

No doubt, it is one of the most pigmented kind of lipsticks I ever owned.It is very true to color on my lips.

Texture/Finish/Consistency

The lipstick is rich and creamy, thus, glides really smoothly on my lips. Once applied on lips, it has this slightly glossy in it but not as glossy as if you’re wearing a lipgloss on top. It dries into a nice matte finish. It doesn’t makes my lips dry inspite of being a red lipstick. You can use or not use lipbalm underneath.

Staying Power:

For nyx rls in general, the lasting power is so-so. Nyx rls would have been my HG only if the lasting power was good. But it wasn’t. It wasn’t good, not even average for most of the colors.

For Nyx Eros, this would last me few hours WITHOUT drinking. However, I notice that when I drink water,the color fades away but will atleast leaves stain on my lips. Inspite of that, i still think that it is pretty average. The staying power of careline lipglosses are better than this honestly.


Price: Php 150-Php 300. Depending on where you'll get it.

(UP: 100% not edited)

(UP: Sorry, I have to change my picture in grayscale and blurred some parts of my face since I'm having a bad breakout, nevertheless, the lips is 100% unedited.)