NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

It officially feels like fall!  I was in the hunt for a new lipstick that would be fitting for the season, and I wanted something matte and something with good staying power.  There has been so much hype over Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Lolita.  From pictures, Lolita looked like the perfect brownish pink I was looking for.  Unfortunately, it has been sold out everywhere for at least the last month.  I decided that I wasn't going to wait forever for Lolita to come back.  So I took to the internet in search of a dupe.  Someone on Pinterest claimed that the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Cannes was pretty similar,  Naturally, I ran out to Ulta to pick it up.

While I don't have Lolita to compare the color to, it's exactly the rosy, brownish pink I was looking for.  It has a doe foot applicator, and the formula is mousse-like and goes on easily.  I like the scent--it smells like straight up cake batter!  It dries fairly quickly, and I like to use two layers to ensure even, opaque application.  It feels lightweight and comfortable (or at least as comfortable as a long-wearing matte lipstick can be).  It feels similar to the Sephora Cream Lip Stain once it dries down if you are familiar with that product (which I love!).  The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream has pretty decent staying power--I don't think it's as long lasting as the above referenced Sephora product, but it's pretty good.  While not completely transfer resistant, it doesn't transfer as easily as most lipsticks I own.  That is one of the main reasons I like these types of lip products; I hate seeing lipstick rings around my water bottle.   This lipstick will fade when you're eating, especially if you're eating something with a lot of oil.  So while the staying power is good, this isn't a product you can just use once in the morning and have it look the same at the end of the day.  You will probably need to take it with you for touch-ups.  I find that I only need to touch it up one or two times throughout the day.  Another great thing about this product is that you don't have to constantly look in the mirror to see if it's feathered outside your lip line.  The applicator and formula provide a lot of control, and it will stay where you put it.

As with any long-wearing or matte lipstick, I would recommend exfoliating your lips prior to use, as it will accentuate dry patches.  The best way to do this is to use a lip scrub (or even a toothbrush to buff off the dead skin), then apply a moisturizing balm and let that sink in while you do your makeup.  When you're ready for lipstick, wipe off the extra balm before applying the lipstick--that way, the balm won't compromise its color or longevity.  I would also like to mention that as with any long-wear lipstick, applying a balm or gloss over it will re-liquify it, and it will transfer very easily onto a glass, water bottle, or anything your lipstick comes into contact with.  I learned this from emilynoel83 on YouTube and have found it to be true, so I would advise against putting anything like that over this lip product.

The verdict?  Thumbs up for NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream!  I really do like it and think it's great quality at a price point that can't be beat.  I definitely want to get a few more colors at some point.  It comes in 29 shades, so chances are you'll find something you like in this line.

Thank you for reading!