Is NYX a good makeup brand?

Although priced well below prestige brands, NYX Professional Makeup is known for its high-quality formulations and impeccable textures that make it one of the most sought-after lines in the beauty world.

Is NYX makeup cruelty free?

According to the company’s website , NYX Professional Makeup is certified by PETA as cruelty-free, meaning they themselves don’t test products or ingredients on animals, nor do they require anyone else to test on their behalf.

What is NYX Professional Makeup known for?

NYX’s claim to fame is as a drugstore brand that stands out because of its ability to rival some of today’s hottest (and, incidentally, more expensive) prestige brands with a lineup of dependable, high-quality products that are beloved by both the public and makeup artists alike. The brand's Micro Brown Pencil and Soft Matte Lip Cream are particular fan favorites.

The 6 Best NYX Professional Makeup Products of 2022

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NYX is a makeup bag staple that’s like an old friend you’ve had for years. Dependable, always there when you need them with the uncanny ability to make you feel great about yourself, and forever keeping it fresh. While others come and go, you can always return to a trusty NYX product to give you exactly the look you’re after.

Performing like a prestige brand—but without the hit to your wallet—it's no surprise that NYX Professional Makeup is one of the most popular makeup brands shopped by makeup artists and consumers alike. Finding makeup that serves incredible results that’s also friendly to your budget can be quite an arduous task—so when you do, you hold onto it.

Known for beautiful colors and a variety of products that work alarmingly well, you’ll immediately fall in love with NYX Professional Makeup upon first application. The brand offers range, selection, and quality, and it’s relatively easy to find virtually anywhere. What’s not to love about NYX?

Now that we’ve got you all hyped up on NYX, what are the best products to invest (a minimal amount) in when it comes to this brand?

Keep scrolling for my picks of the best NYX Professional Makeup products.

NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Nyxcosmetics.com

What We Like

Includes a spoolie at the end
Precise application
Vegan

What We Don't Like

Shades pull warm

When shaping your brows, it’s imperative that you have full precision control, which is why this pencil is perfect to create the right amount of arch and believable hair strokes. Start at the inner corner of brows and brush short strokes in an upward motion all the way through to create a fuller brow with the right kind of shape. With a convenient brush located at the end, you’ll be able to brush through your brows at the end for the perfect finish.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.003 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.7

Nyx Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Contour Concealer

Courtesy of Ulta

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What We Like

Lightweight
Easy to blend
Great for contouring

What We Don't Like

Can oxidize

Available in 24 shades, this concealer allows you to brighten your complexion, cover up hyperpigmentation, and sculpt and contour your heart out. The lightweight texture blends easily on the skin, making it feel more natural, while the staying power helps concealer last all day so makeup looks fresh. If you choose to use the concealer for all three things, have a few shades on hand that slightly vary in color, especially if you’re using them for contouring (meaning you'll need a shade that's a few steps darker than your natural skin tone).

View On Nyxcosmetics.com

What We Like

Great color payoff
Can apply with fingers
Ideal for beginners

What We Don't Like

Has fallout

All of your metallic eyeshadow dreams just came true with this user-friendly eyeshadow palette. You can simply use a brush or your fingers to dab these mixed metal tones onto the lids. Wear alone (or pair them with other eyeshadows) and your eyes will dazzle in an instant with the wide variety of colors to choose from. Want a glossy eye look? Apply some of the Glazed and Confused Eye Gloss on top of the shadow to switch your look up.

Shades: 6 | Size: 0.04 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Creamy texture
Doesn't need to be sharpened
Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Can break easily

This retractable lip liner gives a creamy, professional finish to any lipstick look. It's also a favorite of Kelli J. Bartlett, artistic director of Glamsquad, who says, “I love this lip liner [in Nectar] for a spring nude lip that still gives shape and dimension. Since it’s mechanical, there’s no need to sharpen it, and it’s really creamy. All of the shades in the range are gorgeous!”

Shades: 15 | Size: 0.01 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Amazon

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What We Like

Comfortable wear
Lightweight
Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Can apply patchy, may need multiple layers

It’s hard to find a matte lipstick that stays without flaking, and this particular matte from NYX Professional Makeup gives an easy, creamy application that lasts all day without all the excess mess. With 34 shades to choose from, you’re bound to find one (or two, or three, or five) colors you love. Apply to lips and shape with the retractable lip liner for the perfect-looking pout.

Finish: Matte | Shades: 34 | Size: 0.27 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Doubles as a highlighter
Buildable
A little goes a long way

What We Don't Like

Compact can be hard to open

Give your cheeks the ultimate flush with these beautiful shades of ombré blush, perfect for building color to however much you like. The gradient colors allow you to mix everything together and apply with perfect control. Blend on eyes as well for a soft, flushed monochromatic makeup look.

Finish: Matte, satin, shimmer | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.28 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What To Look For in NYX Professional Makeup

Versatility

As NYX makeup is created for professional use, its high-quality formulations lend themselves to a variety of uses. Case-in-point: its famous concealer, a highly pigmented wand-of-all-trades with the ability to brighten, highlight, and conceal, even doubling as a contouring product.

Matte Lipstick to the Max

One of NYX’s most famous offerings is its Soft Matte Lip Cream. Available in a staggering 40 shade range, this lip icon easily glides on mess-free and stays in place for as long as you need it to.

High Intensity Eyes

Those who like to dramateyes (see what we did there?) with intense eye color will find no shortage of highly-pigmented eye shadows that make achieving super impactful looks easy and fun.

FAQ

Is NYX a good makeup brand?

Although priced well below prestige brands, NYX Professional Makeup is known for its high-quality formulations and impeccable textures that make it one of the most sought-after lines in the beauty world.
Is NYX makeup cruelty free?

According to the company’s website, NYX Professional Makeup is certified by PETA as cruelty-free, meaning they themselves don’t test products or ingredients on animals, nor do they require anyone else to test on their behalf.
What is NYX Professional Makeup known for?

NYX’s claim to fame is as a drugstore brand that stands out because of its ability to rival some of today’s hottest (and, incidentally, more expensive) prestige brands with a lineup of dependable, high-quality products that are beloved by both the public and makeup artists alike. The brand's Micro Brown Pencil and Soft Matte Lip Cream are particular fan favorites.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Ashley Rebecca is a freelance makeup artist in New York City with an extensive list of clients, including editorial and celebrity. Her attention to detail, product knowledge, and overall experience has set her apart as a go-to beauty guru and trusted expert in her field. She combines her love for makeup and writing by bringing her clients and readers the latest scoop on what is relevant in the industry. With exclusive opportunities to see new product launches such as NYFW, print, editorial, television, and celebrity, she's always in the know of what's up-and-coming.

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