February 11, 2015

NYX HD Finishing Powder Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

NYX HD Finishing Powder

NYX HD Finishing Powder ($10) is a new translucent finishing powder available in three different shades with a matte finish that launched permanently for Spring 2015. I know, you’re probably thinking, “well there’s plenty of finishing powders on the market already, what sets this one apart?”

It’s actually available in the regular transparent white version AS WELL as a green shade to diffuse redness and a banana one that will lighten up duller complexion! Or in my case, I purchased the banana because I thought it would be great to set my concealer!

Take a look!

NYX HD Finishing Powder is an absolutely skip. If you’re heading in for a purchase I’d highly recommend getting one of their new loose Correcting Powders which I loved however, this new HD Finishing Powder, skip it.

This comes housed in a simple black plastic compact with no mirror, no brush, and no sponge. Initially the powder was very, very dense and I could barely swatch it or pick up color with my brush. There is a bit of a harder shell that does wear away with use but once that’s gone the powder’s texture fails to improve. This is a dense and dry formulation. On top of the density of the product you’ll also find that it applies very, very pasty (so much for transparent). I used it under my eyes and on my face and both times it failed it made me look very chalky and pasty. The smallest amount (which is all you’ll get when you swipe a brush through it anyway) doesn’t buff out well and causes a major chalky finish on my medium fair skin.

NYX HD Finishing Powder3

NYX HD Finishing Powder (Banana)

NYX HD Finishing Powder swatches

NYX HD Finishing Powder Swatches (Banana)

I only tried Banana mind you! For all I know the white transparent shade and the green might prove better but I’m going to throw it out there and say likely not.

NYX HD Finishing Powder offers a unique take on the traditional finishing powder shade selections however, the dense formula and lack of silkiness plus the horrible pasty finish leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I’d skip this one if I were you!

NYX HD Finishing Powder is available now at Ulta and Ulta.com.

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • CatG

    Oh no!! This post made me realize I got this in Banana mistake when what I wanted was the Correcting Powder!! noooo!!!!

    • Isabella Muse

      this is the pressed power cat, the correctors are loose! Return it, it’s awful imho!

  • Molly

    I want to try the loose banana powder from nyx but all my ulta had was this one and i must have gotten lucky because mine is soft and sets my concealer perfectly on my dry under eyes while brightening. it might hit hg status!

    • Isabella Muse

      awesome happy to hear it molly! I got mine at ulta.com but sadly formula was really dry, dense!

  • Rose

    As Molly mentioned above, it seems Ulta, or at least its website, only carries the pressed colored HD finishing powder, and the NYX Cosmetics website only carries the loose color correcting powder. I really wish it were reversed. 🙁 Even if the pressed powder you reviewed wasn’t so dense and difficult to work with, I would still prefer the loose powder–I use the method promulgated by Wayne Goss of dusting fine powder over moisturizer and sunscreen before applying primer and foundation, and I think the green powder would be great for obscuring my rosacea as an extra benefit. Guess I’ll just wait until the NYX website has a decent deal.

    I’m pretty sure this is my first comment on your blog, long-time lurker here! Thank you for all that you do for your readers ^ ^ ^ ^

    • Isabella Muse

      perhaps ulta will get the powder at some point!? I sure hope so as I really liked the loose powder more than the pressed! aw thanks so much Rose 🙂

  • Katherine T.

    Yikes, it looks really dry and chalky. I can see it settling into every line, crack, and wrinkle. And no mirror or sponge? Doesn’t sound convenient at all.