NYX Matte Lip Creams truly rival high end brands in the market of liquid lipsticks. If you don't care to dish out for a lip tar or Hourglass - this product is one of the best budget brand makeup items I've found to date. Application as easy as gloss, amazing pigmentation, and buttery cream to matte texture. It is light weight once dry, minimal transfer, and has a long staying power. The best part is that they only retail around $6. I got hooked after purchasing my first one, San Paulo. After realizing my lips still looked fabulous after a long night out, I had found a holy grail lip product. Naturally I had to get them all...well almost.
The doe foot applicator isn't hygienically ideal, but makes for simple and great for on the go application. They also apply great with a lip brush. The texture is a velvety cream with an apparent silicone feel that disappears when dry. They do take a a hot minute to dry, so be patient and the payoff will be long lasting lip color. A caveat, as with any matte lip product it's important to exfoliate and moisturize lips before application. Although I do not recommend to apply directly on top of balm, an equation for a hot mess. For best results apply over your favorite lip pencil or primer.
Here is an in depth review of some of the colors in this line because we all know swatching things we are not supposed to is bad manners (and gross). Plus, the packaging is slightly deceitful in person. Hope this helps with you selections!
(All photos taken in natural daylight on my iPhone, the photos are over exposed so the true color is more deep in person.)
Top (L to R): Antwerp, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, San Paulo, Abu Dhabi, Milan, (2013) Bueno Aries, Sydney
Bottom (L to R): (2014) Zurich, Ibiza, Prague, Cannes, Copenhagen, Transylvania, Morocco
Original Collection
SMLC 05 Antwerp
SMLC 05 Antwerp
A warm mid tone coral pink.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
SMLC 06 Istanbul
SMLC 06 Istanbul
True mid-tone pink. (Looks deeper in person)
Pigmentation: (3/5)
SMLC 07 Addis Ababa
SMLC 07 Addis Ababa
A berry pink.
Pigmentation: (2.5/5)
SMLC 08 San Paulo
SMLC 08 San Paulo
A warm mid-toned berry.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
SMLC 09 Abu Dhabi
SMLC 09 Abu Dhabi
Nude beige with rosey undertones.
Pigmentation: (3/5)
SMLC 11 Milan
SMLC 11 Milan
Cool mid-tone pink.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
2013 Collection
SMLC 12 Buenos Aries
A light peach coral.
Pigmentation: (2/5)
SMLC 13 Sydney
SMLC 13 Sydney
Cool tones barbie pink.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
(Applied half and half.)
DUPE: MAC Saint Germain
Texture is different, but the color is the same. NYX dries matte, MAC is a creme finish.
NEW 2014 Collection
SMLC 14 Zurich
SMLC 14 Zurich
Dust muted rose.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
SMLC 17 Ibiza
SMLC 17 Ibiza
Deep rose, warm undertones.
Pigmentation: (3.5/5)
SMLC 18 Prague
SMLC 18 Prague
A true mid-tone plum.
Pigmentation: (3.5/5)
SMLC 19 Cannes
SMLC 19 Cannes
A muted mauve with pink undertones.
Pigmentation: (4/5)
(L - Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry, R- SLMC in Cannes)
DUPE: Revlon Colorburt Matte Balm in Sultry
I found that these two are pretty close, Sultry is ever so slightly more blue toned.
SMLC 20 Copenhagen
SMLC 20 Copenhagen
A deep wine, slight red undertones. (One of my favorite colors)
Pigmentation: (3/5)
(Applied half and half.)
DUPE: OCC's Lip Tar in Black Dahlia.
Black Dahlia acts more like stain, deepening in with buildablity and also richer color, where as Copenhagen is a flat color.
Top - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Black Dahlia, Bot - SLMC in Copenhagen
SMLC 21 Transylvania
SMLC 21 Transylvania on the lips in natural light.
Blackened purple.
Pigmentation: (2.5/5)
Somewhat streaky, this is the only one I had a significant issue with streaks and patches.
(Applied half and half.)
DUPE: MAC Cyber
In person the colors are practically indistinguishable, photographed, Cyber appears slightly more blue - toned. Cyber is also a creme finish.
SMLC 22 Morocco
SMLC 22 Morocco on the lips in natural light.
Bright red-orange.
Pigmentation: (5/5)
(L - R: Urban Decay Super Saturated Lip Color in Punch Drunk, SMLC in Morocco, MAC Cyber, SMLC in Copenhagen )
DUPE: Urban Decay Super Saturated Lip Color in Punch Drunk
Punch drunk is high-gloss and a bit more true orange rather then red based like Morocco.
I'm going to have a try on of my favorites from this collection on my channel coming soon so look out for that! Thanks for checking out the blog. I'm going to sit outside for the first time in months. Enjoy the fresh are and get some vitamin D. Have a beautiful day XO