NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Is it too late to hop onto this bandwagon? I don’t think so. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams are a standard in many beauty lovers routine and I wanted to know what the fuss was all about. I used to own one of these in Addis Ababa, but hardly wore it. Turns out that that is one of the worst performing shades in the range. So it wasn’t me. When I found out that some shades perform better than others, I decided to try some more. Now I know what the fuss is all about.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
Stockholm, Cannes, Morocco

The Soft Matte Lip Cream is one of the older liquid lipstick formulas on the market. I bought that first one in 2012, but only in recent years did a huge amount of hype revolve around this affordable product. These lip creams retail for €7.31 in The Netherlands, which is a bit more expensive then in the States where these retail for $6.00 tops. I decided to pick up some nudes and a red to try out.

The Packaging

The packaging is very simple. Just a simple tube with a black cap and the name printed on the bottom. What’s great about this tube is that the color of the lipstick is the actual color of the tube. Even if you own a few of these, you will always be able to find the color you are looking for at just a glance.

The Shades

I got 3 shades: Stockholm, Cannes and Morocco. Stockholm is much too light for my liking: it is truly a beige nude. But I bought it for layering over Cannes to create the perfect ombre lip. Cannes is my type of shade: a mid toned pink is perfect for everyday. Morocco is an orange toned red which is one of my favorite reds to be wearing in the summer time.

The Swatches

Stockholm – Cannes – Morocco

As you can see these lip creams have a very mousse like texture. This makes them easy to apply and while these do dry down matte, they are anything but uncomfortable. These do transfer and they don’t stay all day: after a few hours of wear (5 – 6 hours) these could do with a new application.

The Application

What’s great about these is how easy they are to apply. The only shade that looks a bit patchy on me is Stockholm. Like I said, I didn’t buy this for wearing on its own, but for layering. That is why you can see the two lipsticks worn separately on the top two pictures, but combined in the bottom left. Morocco is the shade in the bottom right corner. These can accentuate fine lines depending on the shade. It is also a good idea to exfoliate your lips before applying these just to make sure you always have a smooth canvas.

Full Face

You will notice how a full face picture of Stockholm is missing. That is because that shade is not flattering by itself and I already knew that when I bought it. That is why these pictures first show you Cannes by itself and then with Stockholm layered on top. The second look has a hint more dimension than the first, but I like how it’s subtle and not a super in your face ombre. I think it makes my lips look fuller, yet it doesn’t look overdone.

Morocco is a stunning shade as well and I have been wearing this loads in the summer months. I love wearing these on warm days. I don’t have to worry about the lipstick melting in my bag when I’m on the go and the texture ensures this stays on my lips all day.

The Conclusion

These NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams are aces in my book. They apply well, stay put a reasonable amount of time and are some of the most comfortable liquid lipsticks on the market. Add in the fact that they are affordable and you have a good lip product that is worth every penny. Just make sure you look into the shades first, as not every shade performs equally well.

What is your favorite budget proof liquid lipstick?