Tag Archives: NUDESTIX
NUDESTIX · Rock N’Roller Eyeliner Ink, Love Me Nudes Kit & Nude(Art)Ist Box
NUDESTIX continues to impress me, and apart from the fact that it’s a Canadian brand (#CanadianPride ??), I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the 2 brilliant sisters & founders, Taylor & Ally Frankel. So here’s the deal: fuss-free makeup in the form of jumbo crayons that don’t need specific tools for application (in most cases, fingers will suffice), made with the finest ingredients AND they’re all super travel-friendly … what’s not to love? So when this package containing some of their latest goodies arrived in this absolutely adorable vegan makeup bag, let’s just say that both my inner child and the makeup geek in me was very, very happy.
NUDESTIX · No-Makeup Makeup Box 2017
Canadian brand NUDESTIX is basically the adult version of Crayola makeup — and with the same level of fun, I might add. Founders Taylor & Ally Frankel (supported by Jenny, their brilliant mom & creator behind MAC’s Lipglass formula) are two young women who have a pretty good handle on what people want out of their makeup and have created this easy goal: how to simplify one’s beauty routine. Take this “no-makeup makeup box” I received a few weeks ago for example; no tools or assembly required, with the possible exception of mascara. Done & done.
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil & Blur Pencil
Having made an impact on the beauty scene from the very start (see previous reviews here and here), NUDESTIX continues its meteoric rise in the beauty world with the introduction of their Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils and Blur Pencil (CAN $28.00 each). As we all know, matte lips are still trending strongly and while I do love the look, I’m not a fan of the way most products seem to suck out every last drop of moisture in my lips. That’s where these Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils (available in 8 shades, four ‘nudes’ and four ‘reds’) come into their own; glidingly smooth and super-pigmented, each pencil deposits enough colour in one swipe for excellent coverage without any tugging along the skin, in a waterproof, long-wearing, and non-feathering formula that lasts 6+ hours, staying true throughout the wearing.
The Blur Pencil is an unscented clear pencil that has been designed to be worn several ways; applied to clean lips before adding colour, it serves to act as a smoothing base and may also help minimize the look of lip lines. Applied to areas of the skin where pores are visible, it works as a ‘filler’, helping to give the appearance of smoother skin. Lastly, it can also be used as a liner around the lips to ‘clean up’ any unevenness and create a sharper line, especially effective when wearing any of the brighter/darker Intense Matte pencils.
Each NUDESTIX product comes housed in its own matte black rectangular metal case that has the brand name in raised lettering on top plus a large mirror on the inner lid for convenient on-the-go touchups. All NUDESTIX pencils also come with their own sharpener that caps snugly on one end, making sure you’ll always have a sharpener on hand when needed. Another bonus to the case, is that it’s large enough to accommodate several of your fave products while keeping them safe and protected – plus it just looks pretty cool, no?
As a fan of multi-tasking products, I really appreciate how wearable each Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil shade truly is, not to mention how one simple pencil is all you actually need to provide both lip and cheek colour. Bonus points scored for how easily the product blends into the skin for a believable and even-looking hue that will also last beautifully until removed. For obvious reasons, the nude shades are much easier to use on cheeks and require less effort to appear ‘natural’, and while the red shades provide a true flush of colour, you do need to be careful to start with a small amount and blend, blend, blend (you can always add more, if needed). Another option is to combine one or more shades for a completely customized hue, whether on lips or cheeks.
For convenience, the 8 shades have been broken down into 2 groups: the nudes & the reds
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil & Blur Pencil
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil (sharpener)
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil swatches
The Nudes:
- Tamed – nude with a mauve tint, cool leaning
- Entice – neutral nude, wearable by both cool & warm complexions
- Belle – nude with a soft plum tint, provides just the right amount of colour
- Purity – flesh tone nude, the most pigmented of the four
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils, the ‘nudes’ swatches
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils, the ‘nudes’
The Reds:
- Kiss – described as a ‘rude’ nude, looks more like a bitten-lips effect to me
- Stiletto – sizziling chili-pepper red, flattering on all skin tones
- Royal – classic true red, both sexy and sophisticatedly modern
- Raven – deepest red of the group with aubergine hints, wearably dark – not goth
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils, the ‘reds’ swatches
NUDESTIX | Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils, the ‘reds’
INGREDIENTS: Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Distarch Phosphate, Polybutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Isoceteth-10
I am a 100% bonafide fan of every single product produced from this brand; not only is the packaging on point and well-thought out, but care goes into the ingredients listing to ensure performance and quality are what comes through every time. From the nude group of these Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils, my personal faves are Belle for its Brigitte Bardot-nude vibe and Purity for those times I want a darker neutral. From the red group, my standouts are Stiletto and Royal, two shades that are heart-stoppingly gorgeous with some seriously amazing pigmentation + staying power. The only issue I can find – and remember that this is just a personal quirk of mine – is that I would much prefer the pencils came in a retractible format, as I don’t like the product waste that accompanies sharpening, especially when talking about a product that’s THIS good and that you want to hang onto as long as possible. But then again, why hoard when there are so many other gorgeous shades to try?
NUDSTIX products are available through Sephora stores across Canada, as well as Beautylish. Find more information on the brand via www.nudestix.com
Product samples kindly provided by NUDESTIX for my unbiased consideration
Post may contain affiliate links
NUDESTIX | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting the awesome girls (and their mom) behind one of the beauty world’s up-and-coming brands, NUDESTIX™ (read previous review here), where I was not only able to sit down and chat with them all, but also get the scoop on some of their upcoming launches (reviews coming).
As someone who has been obsessed with beauty from a young age (as in: from the womb, to hear my mother tell it) I love it when I’m introduced to a product that happens to not only work (and beautifully at that), but that looks good … for me, it’s all about the details.
The limited edition #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit, (CAN $55.00 – an $84.00 value) from NUDESTIX™ comes with three of their best-selling Magnetic Eye Color pencils in Gilt, Twilight, and Night (with an included sharpener), in the brand’s signature tin case (that also holds a full-sized mirror on the inner lid) that’s been given a new – and collectible – look by Toronto live, pop, & abstract artist Jessica Gorlicky.
What makes these pencils so incredible, apart from their cast-iron staying power and how ridiculously easy they are to use, is primarily the founders behind the brand; both Taylor and Ally are girls that truly epitomize their ‘Go Nude But Better’ motto and have translated that into an ever-growing range of products that are designed to do just that: help you look your best, in as natural and fuss-free way possible. Add to the equation my new-found obsession with beauty pencils, and we definitely have a winning formula here.
With Taylor (to my left) and Ally (on my right)
With super-mom & total beauty, Jenny Frankel
NUDESTIX™ | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
NUDESTIX™ | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
NUDESTIX™ | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
NUDESTIX™ | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
NUDESTIX™ | #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit
Gilt Magnetic Eye Color | A warm gold hue – this lustrous colour shows just enough pink in its base that will make it workable on fair complexions as well. This is perfect worn as a light wash along the mobile lid to brighten the entire eye area, or go ahead and add some quick drama by applying Gilt more opaquely along the lower lash line. Tip: makes a fabulous highlighter for the cupid’s bow of the lips, provided you blend it out well.
NUDESTIX™ | Gilt Magnetic Eye Color
NUDESTIX™ | Gilt Magnetic Eye Color
Night Magnetic Eye Color | A deep midnight black hue when worn thickly/opaque, but that can also be blended out for a smokier finish (you do need to work quickly, because once the colour sets, any blending is out of the question). Not all black pencils are made equal, so the seriously intense ebony pigmentation of Night makes this one of the most standout black eye shades I own. Tip: works incredibly well applied to the waterline/lower inner lash line – mega staying & non-smudging power when worn this way.
NUDESTIX™ | Night Magnetic Eye Color
NUDESTIX™ | Night Magnetic Eye Color
Twilight Magnetic Eye Color | Much like black, taupe is the other colour that should be an absolute staple in your makeup drawer, and Twilight is that perfect mix of both cool and warm tones that makes it so totally wearable by all complexions across the spectrum. For a unique and lighter take on a smokey eye, apply this shade along the lid then lightly smudge it all in — finish off by adding more and deepening the outer edges and along the lash line. Easy-peasy.
NUDESTIX™ | Twilight Magnetic Eye Color
NUDESTIX™ | Twilight Magnetic Eye Color
Ordinarily, I steer clear of pre-packaged beauty sets, but I happily make an exception for this NUDESTIX™ #GILTYLOVE Holiday Kit. I love how well-curated the selection of shades are, making them useful as well as wearable, while the impressive staying power of these pencils is unlike anything I’ve come across before; seriously, I even tested them while showering, and they did.not.budge. One last bonus: tell me this trio wouldn’t make an absolutely awesome Christmas stocking stuffer? Just passing along an idea …
Available now through select Sephora and Space NK stores/online, find more information on the brand by visiting www.nudestix.com
Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration
NUDESTIX | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil, Love Cheek + Lip Pencil, & Shimmer Eye Pencil
Question: what do you get when you cross a chemical engineer mom with 2 impossibly gorgeous teen daughters? Answer: why, makeup, of course. Introducing NUDESTIX™, a line of beauty pencils to help you achieve the ‘no makeup makeup’ look, or as the brand’s tagline says “go nude, but better”. With her daughters Ally & Taylor as muses, Jenny Frankel – a woman with over 20 years experience in the beauty industry (she was the creator behind M.A.C’s Lipglass), decided to streamline the everyday woman’s beauty routine. Observing how her daughters preferred minimal, neutral shades and used fingers instead of brushes for tools, evolved into a luxury beauty range comprised of portable ‘crayon’ style pencils (with the exception of their mascara, which comes in a usual format with a brush).
The collections consists of 2 types of eye pencils: the Magnetic Eye Color Pencils which come in 4 shades (Angel, Moon, Twilight, Night) – long wearing with a deep shine factor, 8 shades of Eye Pencils (Cream, Shimmer*, Stardust*, Golden*, Bronze*, Burnish* Pewter*, Smoke) – with all-in-one shadow, liner & highlighter properties for most hues (shades marked with * are soft metallics), 1 Mascara (in black), 8 shades of Concealer Pencil (from light to deep), and 8 shades of Lip + Cheek Pencils (Whisper, Love, Blush, Mystic, Ripe, Soul, Sin & Flesh) – that can be used just as effortlessly on the face as on the lips (you can also check out a few other shades, reviewed by Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book).
Each pencil (and the mascara) comes housed in an eco-friendly and reusable black tin that supports a full-sized mirror on the inner lid, an insert with easy & helpful instructions, as well as a total genius touch: a sharpener that not only fits snugly on one end of the pencil, but comes complete with its own cap to keep shavings (and messes) at bay (with the exception of the mascara that doesn’t need a sharpener *doh*). No more fighting with dull pencils when you’re on the go plus each unit has its own sharpener, so no sharing means no colours bleeding in to each other. Like I said, genius.
All NUDESTIX™ products are preservative and fragrance-free.
Ally & Taylor, the brain[children] behind NUDESTIX™
NUDESTIX™
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil, Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil & Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil, Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil & Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™
NUDESTIX™ | Open tin with insert
NUDESTIX™ | Inner cap holds a full-size mirror
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil (ingredients list)
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil + sharpener (included)
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil + sharpener (included)
Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil (CAN $28.00) | A nude shimmer eye shadow with a warm peachy tint, in a waterproof pencil format. The texture is incredibly creamy and glides effortlessly along the skin, leaving behind a rich shimmery veil of colour that can be sheered out – although you do have to work quickly to do so, or layered for more depth & intensity. Once applied, you have just a couple of minutes to blend this out because once it sets, it’s there for the duration; a swatch test on my inner arm even lasted through showering. On my eyelids (prone to oiliness), I was able to wear Angel without any primer and experienced no visible creasing at all – a highly impressive feature of the staying power of this pencil. NOTE: You will need a dual-phase eye makeup remover to take this off (I swear by the one from Neutrogena).
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil (ingredients list)
Love Lip + Cheek Pencil (CAN $28.00) | A petal pink hue without shimmer, in a highly emollient formula that can be worn either on the lips or cheeks. I love how easily this goes on and I experience no tugging or pulling in application, and even though this shade is just a touch too pale for my colouring, I am still able to pull it off for an easy daytime look. As a blush, I found it to be too sheer and it never really ‘set’ – especially on bare skin, unless I added a powder blusher on top for added longevity (which then defeats the purpose of using Love as a blush), although it did give a nice glow while it lasted. I had better luck wearing this shade over foundation, but again, the colour slides a bit too much to be built up. On the lips, this is an amazing pencil – soft, gliding and leaving a hydrated feel behind, with an average staying power of about 2.5 hours.
NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil (ingredients list)
Shimmer Eye Pencil (CAN $28.00) | An eye shadow pencil in a champagne hue that has an excellent mix of both cool & warm tones, making it wearable for basically all complexions. The smudger that is built in to one end, is of an excellent quality and soft enough to help you blend this shadow with ease. Not as long wearing as the Magnetic Eye Color Pencils, you may find you need to apply primer first for added staying power (especially for those with oily lids), although I didn’t see noticeable creasing until a few hours in – and that’s without primer. As an eye shadow applied to the mobile lid, Shimmer gives my eyes a nice ‘wide-awake’ shine that’s not overly blingy – just add a quick swipe of mascara and the look is done. This shade also works beautifully as an inner eye or brow bone highlighter, as well as to accentuate the cupid’s bow and even along the tops of cheekbones, although the latter means a bit more work to blend it out seamlessly there.
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil (smudger end)
NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil
What can be easier than using a pencil to apply all your makeup needs? There are enough shade variances in the eye, lip/cheek & skin (concealer) pencils available, to accommodate basically all skin tones and colour preferences, and the pencil-cap sharpener is an addition that makes you wonder why no one has thought of this before. The quality of the 3 pencils I tried is amazing and I’m also a fan of all the little details that went into this entire range – from the reusable tin (perfect to store several of your NUDESTIX™ pencils in), to the simple & clean concept, making these pencils a truly on-the-go product. For anyone who’s a fan of a more minimal makeup look while still appearing ‘done’, I find the NUDESTIX range to be definitely worth looking – and investing – in. Personally, I’ll be checking out some of the darker hues available … there’s something very addictive about scribbling on one’s face, and it actually looking good!
Available through select Sephora stores (Canada & US), as well as Space.NK – Find more information via:
*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
