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Monday, August 29, 2011

Review: NYX Eyeshadow Base White

I honestly didn't set out to purchase this product when I was at my local beauty supply a few weeks ago, but something about it called out to me. I've been perfectly happy with my CoverGirl Intense Shadowblast primer and I don't really need another primer at this point, but the idea of a pure white primer mesmerized me. Also, I had not read ANY reviews about this one, and since it was only $5.99 at my local beauty supply (it retails for $7 on the NYX site), I couldn't resist:

(retail: around $7, 0.25 oz)





Looking at the ingredients, and noticing that mineral oil is near the top, got me nervous. I don't usually think of mineral oil when I think of stay-put eyeshadow since I have super oily lids.


 Looking at product itself, it is definitely WHITE. Bright, true, white to be exact. The texture of this product has a greasier texture than other pot primers I have tried, but it is not super oily and it doesn't feel like I'm applying a heavy, oil-based product on my lids. It actually feels like a cream eyeshadow to me when I'm smoothing this onto my skin. And it's about as pigmented and some cream shadows I own:


If I apply too much of this stuff, it looks REALLY white on my lids, so less is more with this product. Also, the scent smells very much like Dove bar soap to me. I love the scent of Dove, so that was a nice surprise.

I find the texture of this product quite easy to apply with either my finger or a concealer brush, and it's easy to cover my entire lid with just a tiny tab on my brush. It spreads smoothly and evenly without feeling too oily, but since it does have a greasier consistency than other primers I own, I was still nervous to see how it would do to preserve my shadow in 90 degree weather (which we've had for about two weeks straight here in San Diego). But more on that in a bit.

The thing I want you to take away from this review is that this primer is downright magical when it comes to INTENSIFYING the color of your eyeshadow. 

I swatched a variety of different eyeshadows over this primer to give you an idea:


Here I swatched my Jesse's Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eyeshadow in Kiwi Shine alone, and then over NYX Eyeshadow Base White. The funny thing is, this shadow is actually nicely pigmented without primer, but when photographed next to the swatch over NYX white, it pales in comparison. Seriously, I tried to wear Kiwi Shine in the daytime recently and when I wore it over this primer, it was so bright I couldn't walk out of the house. When Mr. G saw me he said, "Did you MEAN for your eyes to be THAT bright?" It was insane!


Here is NYX White undernearth an old Physicians Formula matte pink shadow that I don't wear too often because it's just a very pale shade on me. As you can see, it pumps up the color of mattes as well. 

For this next round of swatches, I thought it would be helpful to show you what each shadow looks like alone, and over:
  • NYX Eyeshadow Base White
  • Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • CoverGirl Intense Shadowblast in Beige Blaze

 For the swatches above, I used the matte white shade in the Milani Paint Palette. This is a wonderful, very silky matte white on its own, but check it out over NYX White. Even over UDPP it's not that intense, and over my CG primer it becomes more of a cream-white.


For this next round of swatches, I used Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow single in Lagoon. This is a nicely pigmented blue shadow to being with, but I wanted to show you how it can really intensify the shade. It's almost impossible to distinguish between UDPP and NYX White, huh?


And finally, I wanted to show you this primer underneath the crease shade in the Wet n Wild I'm Getting Sunburned Trio. For these swatches, I used a sponge-tip applicator to apply the shadow to the back of my hand. The color becomes more of a charcoal brown with a little bit of shimmer when swatched on bare skin. But over NYX White, the shimmer seems to come alive and the color looks much more like what you see in the actual pan. Even over UDPP, which usually really intensifies things for me, it didn't bring out as much intensity as the NYX White did.

As for staying power, this primer tends to crease a tiny bit after about four hours of wear if I'm not careful. If I apply too much, then I see creasing by mid-day, but if I'm careful and only use a very thin layer, I don't experience creasing until maybe 8 hours into the day, and by that point it's pretty minimal.

In terms of fading, that's where this primer REALLY shines. The shadows I have used with this primer stay rich and vibrant all day and night on my eyes. It's truly incredible in person--I sometimes can't believe my eyes (literally and figuratively!).

FINAL VERDICT: For whom would this primer work best? I'd say that if you have dry skin and are looking for a primer to REALLY pump up the color of your shadows, this would be an awesome choice. If you have oily lids like me, this could still be a great choice, but you'll just have to remember to use a very light hand during application and apply the thinnest layer possible. I still love my CoverGirl Intense Shadow Blast when staying power is more important to me than color intensity, but if I want my color to POP, then I'll reach for NYX Eyeshadow Base White, without a doubt. For around $7, this one's a winner in my book.

In addition to White, this primer also comes in White Pearl and Skintone shades (although I haven't tried those varieties). Have you tried any of the NYX Eyeshadow Bases? If so, how do you like them?

Some of the products featured in this post were given to Nouveau Cheap for previous reviews. NYX Eyeshadow Base White was purchased with personal funds.
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28 comments

  1. I've been interested in this for *ages*, so I'm thrilled to see you've reviewed it! The swatches are incredible, I can't believe how much it intensifies the colors. I don't personally tend to go for bright, bold eye looks, so it might not be ideal for me, but that's one of the beauties of good reviews––they give you an idea of what you shouldn't buy, too! Awesome job, as always! :-)

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  2. I, too, have oily lids and have used this primer in its Skin Tone shade. It didn't prevent creasing for me. In fact, the only primer I have tried so far that prevents creasing all day and night is Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

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  3. oh I will be checking them out now! great review & swatching! thank you!

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  4. I have the NYX primer in a skin tone color. I wanted it in white, as well, but I was hesitant to get it. After seeing this, I am adding it to my wishlist, like, yesterday. lol.

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  5. hey i am putting it in my wish list...great primer...thanx for showing with great swatches...

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  6. Every color of eye shadow I've ever tried has disappointed me in that they never look the same in the pot as they do on my eyelids. I think this white primer might be the answer to getting the "true" color from all those lovely shadows taking up valuable real estate in the bathroom.

    Thanks for the great review and wonderful swatches!

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  7. I have pearl & skin tone! Love them!! :)

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  8. I do have all three. Maybe my past problems with these is that I am applying too much. ?? I get creasing rather quickly. And I don't have unusually oily lids. However, I wasn't getting any staying power with mine.

    I am, however, going to give them a try again.

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  9. I have all 3 tones of this and I also have super oily lids. It ALWAYS creases on me after a few hours. I never use them anymore but I should try them again with a lighter touch and see how it goes.

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  10. This is the one I use (I alternate it w/ the nude color) and I love it! My eye make-up lasts all day!

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  11. This is what Nyx Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk and TFSI do for me! I think this may be a product I need to get! It would be great if it could combine the two steps into one and last as long as TFSI does on me! Thanks so much for this!

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  12. I LOVE these bases. The flesh one is EXCELLENT for blending And the pearl one gives Macs luna a run for thier money :D

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  13. I grabbed it awhile back because I saw it all over blogs. The first time, I used too much and it creased like mad. I used my finger for application that try. The next time I used a brush and went lighter on it, no creasing. FYI UDPP with this base on top = intensity and staying power. It works =) (even with south east US insane humidity and 100+ temps)

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  14. Lucky you, it creased like crazy on me pretty much instantly and I tried using various amounts of it and putting it on in different ways but there was just no way for me to get it to work.

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  15. I have never tried this but i have the Nyx HD shadow primer and love it better than anything ive ever tried.

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  16. I was totally impressed it dont let your shadow budge tile you remove it and does not crease I bought all 3 of their bases and used them all and they are the bomb a must have

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  17. I have NYX Milk, which sounds like a similar product in a different form. I like to use it as a base instead of a primer (basically I apply it after UDPP but before eyeshadow). It's great for bumping up color intensity, but creases really quickly on me w/out a primer underneath.

    Thank for all the swatches, you did a good job showing NYX Eyeshadow Base's intensifying powers :D

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  18. I used the base in skin tone. I found it to be sticky and my shadow creased by the end of the day. I wrote to NYX and they sent me an HD primer to try. That I love. I'm thinking a base is more for color correction and intensifying color and a primer is more for lasting power and no dressing.

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  19. I have both the white pearl and skin tone pots as well as an assortment of jumbo eye pencils as well, and they are the only primers I will use! I also have oily skin and lids, but you're right.. a light application is all you need. The white pearl base gave me a similar result with turquoise shadow. I like bright shadow, but it was almost TOO intense! I've been raving about these products forever but have never done a full review. Great job! ♥

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  20. I swear to you that this is my primer HG!! I have crazy oily lids, lke my makeup artiest sister in law HATES doing my makeup because she swears my lids just eats the makeup.

    So when something works as well as this I buy it in bulk, (I'm super afraid this will sell out/stop making it just because I like it so much) I use this over my UDPP and my eye makeup stays on like iron! I use UDPP as the staying power and this base as the stuff that glues the color to my eyes. I tell everyone to try this product that will listen!

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  21. I love this stuff! For me, though, the key is to use a primer, and THEN the NYX base. I have pretty oily lids, and have no trouble with creasing when I do it this way. It may seem like an extra step, but when you want the intensity from a white base, you can't beat it!

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  22. This is excellent G! What great comparisons!!! Thank you!!

    xoxo
    Wing

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  23. I agree with Kelly. You have to use a primer and then the base and it works great. I've tried it with nothing and it was HORRIBLE. It works the same as the Jumbo pencil in Milk which you have to use with a primer. I use it often just so I get the color that my shadow is suppose to be.

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  24. Wow, I love your really thorough review and awesome pictures! I've been wary about trying this primer because I've tried their concealer pot and it is a bit greasy and creases, but after seeing how vibrant it made those eye shadows, I'm considering giving it a try.

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  25. I've just discovered your blog and so far I'm very impressed! You seem much more thorough and informative than the average blog! I see an evening ahead of me devouring many reviews LOL

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  26. I am excited to try the white shadow base for myself after seeing your swatches! And for less than $10? A bargain.

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  27. Would you believe my Ulta store only recently started carrying these? I'd go buy this right now if I didn't already have the Jumbo Pencil in Milk, which I don't use often. But if I ever use it up I'll definitely go pick up one of these bases.

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