Review: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils

If you read my recent mini-NYX haul, you'll know that I have just begun to try products by this brand, and I began my journey in the "eye" section since shadows/liners/mascaras are my favorites among makeup products. Unfortunately, despite the hype surrounding this brand, I wound up disliking a good portion of what I got -- the eyebrow kit was too dark for me, the glitter creams were too chunky and dry, and even the eyeshadows (which I have tried since my haul) failed to impress with their ultra-powdery formulation that makes for a TON of fall out (although to their credit I find this powdery-ness to be true only amongst their trio and palette shadows -- for some reason, I didn't have the same problem with their single shadows!).

Despite my general disappointment with what I've tried so far, there is one series of products that NYX has created that I find to be really original and worth purchasing, and those are the Jumbo Eye Pencils. Why do I like them? First and foremost, I've never seen anything like them from a drugstore brand, and the closest thing I've ever used from a department store is the Clinique Chubby Stick, which was a lipstick from way back when. Where else can you get an eye shadow and eye liner in one that is shaped like a chubby pencil, can be sharpened (so it's ultra sanitary) and is easy to store because it's long and thin?

Then we get to the color range. One word: AWESOME! Whether you prefer neutral or bright shades, NYX has something for you with more than 25 colors (pink, purple, blue, green, red, orange, yellow, brown, bronze, white, silver, gold, gray, cream, and more) to choose from. (P-S: the colors on the NYX site are TOTALLY off, so if you are going to order, I'd use another Web site, or just go see them in person at your local ULTA or drugstore.) On top of it all, the pigmentation is awesome and is easily buildable to an opaque shade. Right now, I own six shades: Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Strawberry Milk, Iced Mocha, Dark Brown and Oyster, and my favorite is Iced Mocha by far.

With and without flash. From L to R: Cottage Cheese, Iced Mocha, Oyster,

Yogurt, Strawberry Milk and Dark Brown

As far as wearability, I've tried the Jumbo Eye Pencils as eyeshadow bases, shadows by themselves, and as liners, and I think each has its pros and cons. As an eyeshadow base, you definitely achieve brighter shadows when you use complimentary shades (for example, I applied Pink Venus by MAC over Oyster and it made the pink shadow really pop!), however, I find them to be too thick to make blending with a brush easy (your shadow brush winds up getting all goopy from the creamy consistency!). As shadows by themselves, I always use an eyeshadow primer, so I haven't noticed any problems with creasing, and I find the colors to be quick and easy to apply because you can just rub them on, blend with your finger and you're good to go! Their third use as an eyeliner definitely makes for a pretty pop of color, but I find that the product fades fast on the waterline and is a bit too thick to make for an efficient upper lash liner.

To Recap:

Pros:

- Wide color range including neutrals and brights means there is something for everyone

- The pencil eyeshadow + eyeliner in one format is unique to NYX and makes for easy storage and a product that stays sanitary for longer than potted cream shadows

- At $4, they are very affordable, which makes it easy to build up your collection of shades

- Pigmentation is great and very buildable

Cons:

- A bit too thick to be used as an eyeshadow base

- Wears off very fast when used as an eyeliner on the water line

- Thick tip makes it tough to apply eyeliner to the top lash line

- Hard to blend with a brush (must use fingertips)

NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils can be purchased online at www.nyxcosmetics.com or at www.ulta.com.