January 7, 2011

NYX HD Studio Primer Review, Swatches, Photos

I’m not diligent with primer. I know, I know, I should be. For me priming isn’t a necessity in terms of concealing larger pores but more an optional one that helps prep my skin for makeup and hopefully keeps it wearing long and strong and of course, if it’s Summer, I have hopes it’ll keep oily skin from making me look all kinds of greasy!

In almost all cases I prefer a primer that’s hydrating and moisturizing however I do find such a primer does oxidize my base fairly quickly so it isn’t helping to keep my makeup around long, it is however aiding it to disappear quicker. Not cool. I do know for a fact that prepping prior, not just with moisturizer, is essential for me because my skin is drier in the Winter and it doesn’t look too fabulous if I don’t add some sort of primer prior to adding my base product.

So I guess primer does become an essential item in the long run for me….

After hearing about NYX HD Studio Primer, I simply purchased one on a whim because I knew many of you would want to hear about it. I expected very little from it because I assumed it would prove to be 1. filled with silcones (my least favorite formula when it comes to primer and oh so damn itchy) and 2. gimmicky due to the “HD” nature of the product. I’m not a big “HD” makeup fan and find it a little ridiculous however NYX did successfully make me smile and start to believe in the HD idea after reading the boxes on their HD Collection which simply read “…perfect coverage for taking fun pics with pals….” I don’t think any HD line has successfully said it as nicely or as cute. I see HD lines being pimped out on how great you’ll look, how flawless, etc…kinda makes you think you’ll be on TV or in print ads if you use the line…but NYX just puts it out there that you’ll look good in photos that you take with friends….I dunno I find this cute and very down to earth.

Anyway…

You’d like the review eh?

Well jump!


A facial primer that softens lines with a light diffusing effect for giving your face a more flawless appearance.


NYX HD Studio Primer is probably one of thee best beauty budget purchases I’ve made in a while. You NEED this.

First off, much to my delight and surprise it isn’t a silicone based primer. Bless be! Thank goodness because I seriously can’t take silicones, they make me itchy as hell.

I was disappointed at first since the formula is very runny and watery plus it’s a white base that has a pale blue iridescent thing going on, weird shade choice. And finally it gave my skin a white SPF kinda cast which scared me but no worries it absorbs and blends out beautifully.

Part of the beauty of the product is the interesting texture that it morphs into when it hits your skin. It does come across super watery but once you blend it onto your face, you’ll notice the formula starts to adhere and become a bit rubbery kinda like the way Urban Decay DeSlick in a Tube feels. It’s almost as if it creates a second layer of thinner skin across your face for makeup to adhere to. The formula should prove incredible for mattifying (can’t say if it does since I’m dry at the moment) and it works just as well on my dry skin and absorbs easily and flawlessly leaving behind a bulletproof base for makeup.

It does brighten skin rather wonderfully and creates a good, even flawless canvas for makeup. My skin doesn’t automatically look amazing on application but does look stunning after full makeup application as it seems to brighten, ease dullness, and diffuses minor issues creating a smooth, flawless finish. I don’t have larger pores but I’m going to throw it out there and say that this should create a secondary skin for you, concealing larger pores and creating a smoother facial canvas for you to work on!

Part of its greatest appeal is its ability to hold makeup and foundation in place for long hours at a time. I’d say I can get through an 8 hour or more day without a touch up thanks to way this seals and locks foundation on. The base it creates over my own skin allows foundation to adhere and remain wearing long and strong. This is saying something considering my foundation tends to oxidize fairly quickly. It keeps makeup very FRESH for a very long time!


Absolutely, positively nothing bad here!

  • Anyone who needs a primer to hold makeup in place for hours at a time.
  • Anyone with oily skin that needs their face to remain matte and oil free for a long time.
  • Anyone who has problems with foundation that oxidizes quickly.
  • Anyone who loves Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube (same concept but works double time to not only mattify but keep makeup wearing true and strong!).

  • There can’t possibly be anyone out there who won’t love this!


At $14 this is by far the best beauty budget purchase I’ve ever made. I cannot believe how well it works. I had high hopes it would be good but was concerned about it possibly having a silicone formula however it proved me wrong in that department and proceeded to give my skin a really perfect finish plus allowed my makeup to wear long, strong, and hard all throughout the day. I can’t imagine my makeup life without it, def an essential part of my beauty arsenal from this day forward. Professional quality primer without a drugstore price!

AMAZING!

Brilliant!

Get it, NOW!

Muse Approved for purchase!

Have you tried it?

What did you think?

Do share!

Available from www.nyxcosmetics.com

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Daniel

    very helpful! I might purchase it, Will you do a NYX hd foundation review? :O I would love that!!

  • Lisa

    about to run out to buy and try this now!
    btw muse, have you ever tried Josie Maran Mist Primer and Lorac Aquaprime? to me these have to be the best light weight primers.

    • the Muse

      lisa good luck hope it works for you as well as it worked for me hun keep me posted. I have the lorac aquaprimer but haven’t used yet never heard of the mist primer from josie, sounds cool!

  • Julia

    wow. lol I’ve been waiting for reviews on a few other sites but I was most anxious to read yours (same sort of skin tone and type) and I just added it to my cart lol. Are you going to review the other products from the HD line?

    • the Muse

      yay Julia happy to hear it ;D it’s awesome! Yup working on the testing phase now 🙂

  • Heather

    Okay. So would it be useful if I do not use a foundation? I use a bronzer or highlighter, blush and concealer. I don’t fancy foundation.

    • the Muse

      heather perhaps with oily skin might be useful but does leave a white cast and foundation seems to help ease that. if you have oily skin, larger pores, etc…it’s worth trying out just blend well! 🙂

  • tini

    oooh want! have you tried any of the other HD goodies? Wonder what I should haul it with?

    • the Muse

      still in the process of testing ’em tini will post an update soon 😀

  • jbrobeck

    Yay! I also despise any silicones! thank you so much for this review!

    • the Muse

      completely diff Alicia. texture is just totally different on this. MUFE’s are hydrating, creamy….this has the texture of DeSlick once once in place!

  • Wendy

    Thanks SO much for this review! I had yet to see a decent review on this and was curious. The others I saw just didn’t go into enough detail about the product! 🙂

  • LorraineER

    Wow, I didn’t pay much attention to this because I didn’t expect it to be any good for some reason, even though I like NYX. I generally feel like brands like NYX are better at color cosmetics but I look to higher-end brands for skincare and face makeup like concealers, bases, primers, etc. So, I’m glad you tried it.
    I currently go between MUFE HD and L’Oreal Studio Secrets base…I’d love to have a cheaper alternative to the MUFE although this looks like a different texture completely. If it works I’m all for it though and I think I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the review.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure lorraine, check it out, I thought it was fab imho! MUFE’s are more creamy this has a rubbery texture once it’s on your face, it’s interesting to say the least, really seals makeup in place!

  • Shannyn

    Hmmm. You’re actually tempting me to buy my first face primer. Though it’s most definitely a long overdue purchase.
    I just always find myself diverting my attention from primers to the pretty, colourful cosmetics 😛

    • the Muse

      same shannyn, absolutely obsessed with color and always forgetting the essentials 😀

  • HautePJ

    do you think it would give darker skin in ashy look? i’ve been using too faced primed and poreless on top of benefit that gal and loving it!

    • the Muse

      yes but it absorbs pretty well pj. it gave me a white cast but after makeup app I was good.

  • Karrie

    I am going to look for this the next time I am at my Ulta.
    I have oily skin and it is getting on my last nerves.
    Hopefully this will be a great base for me.
    Thanks for the great review.

  • Gloria

    Guess I need this! Too bad nyx is so hard to find 🙁 few items are at my ulta n love nyx products!!!! Where r people getting this???

    • the Muse

      nyx’s website gloria, cvs also carries some of the items (not the HD yet though), and cherry culture as well.

  • Elena

    Do you use ur moisturiser and then the primer…or just the primer before ur foundation is fine?

  • Donna

    Hi There,
    I bought this product based on your recommendation and I do like it a lot ! Thank you !!
    My question is what do I do about my moisturizer now ?
    I use Retin-A at night and like to moisturize in the am before applying my foundation
    Should I use my moisturizer before the primer or after ?
    I tend to run dry skin but as the day goes on I get a little shiny.

  • Hazel Lyn

    Just bought this online. Will probably arrive around 2 weeks up to a month. So excited to use this! I have oily/combination skin depending on the weather and I’ve always had a problem about foundations oxidizing on me. That’s why I usually buy a color one or two shades lighter than my skin tone. This solves it hopefully. Can’t wait to use this along with the NYX HD Foundation!

  • Christina

    Have you tried the other NYX primers? I think they’re called Studio Perfect primer, and they come in clear, purple and green.

  • dismassia

    hi, after reading the review, I think I need it badly but I’m still hesitant as my skin is very sensitive and oily so I have large pores, wear the wrong ones and whiteheads and blackheads will appear in no time, is it non comedogenic/hypoallergenic?
    what about the HD Foundation?

    thanks

  • carishma

    i really wanted to love this product,, but im not even liking it,
    i have a dark complection and since this primer has a minty color to it it deff shows on my skin badly, even after putting on foundation i can still see hints of green ish blue color on my skin which isnt pretty. its supose to lower the chances to see wrikles and large pores but in my face its even more visible after using this primer. i will never buy it again!

  • MakeupByAnna888

    I think this is silicone-based because it contains dimethicone which is a silicone polymer.

  • Jocelyn

    Hi! I was wondering if you would recommend this HD primer or the NYX pore filler? Which do you think would be better for normal/combination skin and semi large pores?

  • Nadya Sadri

    Happy New Year Bella Muse xx

    Just bought this.. beeffffooorrre reading about it.. aaand thank God I came across ur review. Horraaayy!