NYX Cosmetics 2018 Holiday Collection & Gift Guide

“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the lane snow is glistening”...I’ve been singing Christmas carols for weeks now and the NYX Holiday Collection is definitely putting me in a festive mood. Spoiler alert, I busted into the advent calendar early to show you what’s inside and I’ve gathered some pretty palettes that you’ll probably want to add to your wish-list (you’re welcome).

This year it’s all about Sugar Trip so the advent calendar ($75.00) is loaded with colorful treats. The box features a few social media influencers in cartoon form although the girl at the bottom looks a bit like Rihanna.

The artwork on the inside is also bright and fun. Everyday until Christmas Eve you can pop open a new window to reveal a luscious lip product, blush, highlighter or eye shadow.

The calendar contains a selection of our favorite NYX lip formulas including: Butter Gloss, Liquid Suede, Soft Matte Metallic, Soft Matte Cream, Strip Tease and even a couple tinted lip oils to keep your pout chap-free.

Don’t you just love it when brands make gift giving simple! The Sugar Trip Lip Treats Set ($23.00) is perfect for teacher’s gifts, friends, secret Santa, co-workers and stocking stuffers. Everyone’s lips get a little dry during the winter so this trio comes with lip oil, balm and scrub – everything you need for a mistletoe smooch.

There is no denying that makeup junkies love to sculpt and with the Love Contours All Palette ($27.00) you can chisel those cheekbones, fill in your brows and accentuate the eyes with rich bronzers and silky highlighters.

Away We Glow ($25.00) is loaded with 12 buttery shadows that transition from summer to fall with striking bronze, rose gold and brilliant green.

The Ultimate Eye Shadow Palettes ($22.00 each) range from shocking neon to deep sultry tones and if you love fall shades Warm Rust is gorgeous! Some YouTubers have compared this little gem to Urban Decay’s Naked Heat (one of my all-time favorite palettes) and I have to admit, the color scheme is similar. I like that the shadows are color coordinated in vertical rows so you can create 4 specific looks or mix it up.

The pink glitter from Warm Rust looks gorgeous with the Vivid Brights Pigment in Bad Blood ($12.00). I love the rich burgundy and the color lasts all day without transfer, fading or creasing. Unfortunately the cream formula is dense and dry so getting the pigment out of the jar and evenly blended can be a challenge. I use my finger to dab and smear it on (you may have to go over the same area several times to cover patchiness) but it definitely makes a bold statement.

If you’re feeling a bit daring why not try the Electric Palette? I don’t have many of these shades in my collection but they are very dramatic.

A few swatches of Warm Rust and Electric

The Dream Catcher Palette in Stormy Skies ($18.00) contains cool neutrals. This item is currently sold-out online but you might want to swatch it first. The colors are too tame for my taste and many lack the pigmentation and quality NYX is known for.

The NYX Loose Pigments ($9.00) are a staple in many professional makeup kits and the weightless pearlescent finish looks phenomenal! To avoid fallout and improve coverage, use primer or an adhesive base and pat the color on instead of swiping.

The Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks ($10.00 each) have a creamy formula that stays put for hours without becoming dry or uncomfortable. I also recommend the Suede Matte Lipsticks ($10.00) which have a wonderful texture, buildable saturation and enough suppleness to keep lips hydrated.  

NYX Cosmetics is available at freestanding stores, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, London Drugs and online at nyxcosmetics.ca.