NYX Soft Focus Primer Review
NYX Soft Focus Primer ($10) is a product I knew nothing about. This is a silky primer balm much like my beloved Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender which can be used to create a flawless, soft focus on skin.
I personally love primer balms so, recently when I came across NYX Soft Focus Primer at Harmons I was not only surprised but very eager to try it out.
Here’s my review!
Facial balm primers have becoming increasingly popular in the budget world. The first time I tried a solid primer was when I got Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender in a QVC Today’s Special Value Set. It was game changing for me and even as a dry skin users I appreciated how polished, perfected, and flawless it made me look. It has been, since trying it in 2011, a very important part of my makeup routine. Many have replicated it but few have replaced it’s formula in my routine.
There have been a number of budget friendly options that have popped up since like Covergirl Tru Magic Skin Perfector Mattifier and Avon MagiX Essential Face Mattifier just to name a few.
NYX technically never gives directions about how to use their primer balm. Mally’s formula can be used before or after makeup but typically I apply it after makeup as it works best this way. NYX’s version doesn’t have directions so, I used it both ways to test it out for this review.
This comes in a dual-compartment compact with a rubber sponge in the well below the balm and the balm itself with a mirror above. One of the key factors of this review focuses on the smaller size of 0.21 oz compared to 0.46 of Mally’s version. I’m mentioning this because NYX’s formula isn’t nearly as dense as Mally’s formula which means I hit pan the very first time I swiped my sponge through it. This soft texture combined with the smaller size (there’s more compact and packaging here than actual balm) makes for a rather crummy experience.
If you’ve never used a primer balm allow me to briefly explain the formula. This is like have your favorite silicone primer melted down, poured into a compact, and left to solidify. Comparing it to Mally and Covergirl’s formula you’ll find that the texture is a lot softer and creamier which I think is part of its down fall. I find it pills on me horribly and rolls off in tiny little chunks when I use it before my foundation and makeup. When I apply it on top of foundation and makeup it ends up going on rather patchy and I have to gently pat and smooth it out. It’s just a rather messy application which I was particularly impressed with. It also feels rather slick on my skin where as Mally’s formula is very lightweight. I wouldn’t say it extended the wear of my makeup by any means. Those with finer lines and visible pores will likely notice it does smooth out these areas and blur their appearance however, I think Mally’s formula does the better job of this as it softens and smooths skin to a point that it looks photoshopped where as NYX’s formula seems to add shine and gives my complexion a “made up” appearance.
NYX Soft Focus Primer definitely gets a miss from me. This formula clumps up, pills, and gives skin a very made up appearance not to mention you’re likely going to hit pan on it instantly on the first application and likely use it all up within a month or less due to the smaller size and softer formula.
This one was a sad dud for me and made me appreciate my Mally Face Defender all the more.
Skip it!
But if you must try it, it’s available at Ulta.com as well as Urbanoutfitters.com.
Tried it?
Do share!