Make-Up Review: NYX Cosmetics Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation

Hi loves,
I've finally returned after the longest break from posting. I haven't been in the mood to write up reviews, so now I'm playing catch up.
NYX recently launched their foundation here in South Africa late last year and being the makeup junkie that I am, picked it up in store in the week of the launch. Why must I wait?

The Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation was developed in collaboration with Beauty Youtuber Alyssa Ashley; it comes in 45 shades, it's long-wearing (24hr wear), waterproof, transfer-resistant, matte and full coverage. Is what they claim...


I popped into the NYX store in Canal Walk, just as they were packing out the foundations onto the shelves. I love being the first to use testers, before they get thrown all over the place. I swatched a couple of the shades before, picking out my shade; I ended up going for shade 21 Cocoa.

Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation in the shade Cocoa

I've worn the foundation for about 7 months, because I don't believe in first impressions ... Let me tell how much I loathe first impressions *😑* they don't tell me anything about how the foundation wears over time, how it performs with different primers, powders, setting sprays? does it settle into the smile lines? Ok, I'm done!

Foundation swatches

Packaging
It comes in the standard rectangular glass bottle with a pump and a clear plastic cap. The bottle is clear without frosting, which is great because you can see the colour of the foundation clearly. Don't use this as a guide for selecting a shade, always swatch before buying.

Texture
The foundation is thick, it doesn't run at all, it's not oily at all and it drys really quickly.

How it applies?
I didn't pick up the Can't Stop Won't Stop primer, I tried it in the store and I'm not a fan of the texture. It's very thick and slightly tacky.
I wore the foundation without primer or powder, just over my sunscreen. I applied it with my fingers (this is how I usually apply all my foundations), you have to work fast because it drys quickly. On first application it looks like it runs a little red, but the dry down is neutral...thank God!
The finish is VERY matte; like powdery matte, I use setting spray just to add some luminosity to my face afterwards. One pump is enough for my entire face, this is because I prefer a more natural finish and not the cake face full beat.

It's MATTE!

How it wore?
I wore it through December to March, during our hot African summers and it's a done pretty well. My face was matte for at 4 hours before my oils peaked through in my T-zone, but I didn't need to blot, I just had a natural glow, which is what I prefer. It lasts all day without moving, separating or settling into my smile lines. I performed well and I think performance-wise it is comparable to my high-end holy grail, the Lancome teint idole ultra 24hr.

3hrs after application, when the glow comes through

Do I recommend it?
Yes! But I don't think those with dry to normal skin will like this one. Even I found the foundation drying, even without the companion primer. Regardless of the price ZAR 279.95, this is a well performing foundation, that's worth it's price but not prohibitively expensive as high-end foundations.
I suggest getting a sample from the clicks and NYX stores before committing to a full bottle.

Brand Overview: Essence Cosmetics

Hi loves,
Today, I thought I'd do a brand review on Essence cosmetics and just tell you all about my favourite products from the brand.
Essence is a German drugstore brand that first caught my eye ...many many moons ago on my first overseas trip, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. way before it became available in South Africa. I was super-excited when it became available in Clicks and Dischem. It's a cruelty-free brand, that's super-affordable and they make amazing colour products; my favourites are the nail polishes and the eyeliners. Below, I talk about my impressions of the different types of products and my favourites and not-favourites.

Lip products
The best lipsticks from Essence always seem to be part of a limited edition range: I've swatched lipsticks from the permanent range but I'm never impressed. I've picked up the limited edition lipsticks though. I love the formula of the Lights of the Orient lipsticks; 02 Bellydancing queen is my favourite from the collection and 03 Princess Jasmine's Choice paired with the Miss you much lipliner gives a mauvey nude.

Soft neutral look with the Lights of the Orient eye shadow palette and the Metal art  lip & liner in 02 you're mermazing.
On my lips is 03 Princess Jasmine's Choice with the Jumbo 2-in-1 lip pencil.

I recently tried the metal shock lipsticks and liquid lipsticks from the Metal Shock collection; I love the formula of the lipsticks, they're very comfortable to wear and highly pigmented. the Liquid lipsticks are pigmented but they feel more like lipgloss and don't have very good staying power.

Essence Metal Shock Lipstick in 07 Venom

It's a bit loud... but I love it.

Eye Products
Essence eyeliners are the best you can find at the drugstore, especially given the price you're paying. My favourites are the long-lasting liners: I have them in five colours and they last all day without fading.
Eye shadows are not my favourite; I've tried the palette from the Lights of the Orient collection, it's decent but it doesn't have any mattes in it, so you need to pair it with mattes from elsewhere.

I recently tried out the Metal Shock shadows; these are really good dupes for the Stila liquid shadows. The pigmentation is amazing, you don't get any fallout and they don't fade or crease during the day.

Metal Shock shadow in 03 galaxy rocks, matte shadows used for transition and crease are from the Saharan II palette from Juvia's Place. 

Moonlight cream shadows are also new; I've tried the shade cosmic, which is a duo-chrome brown with teal micro glitter. This shadow feels a bit wet, and has a consistency and feel similar to that of the Colourpop Supershock highlighters.

Moonlight eyes cream shadow in 03 cosmic with matte shadows from the Nubian II palette from Juvia's Place. 

Face products
Now this is where I feel Essence needs to put in more effort, because this is just sad. I've tried out the mousse foundation: it applies well but they do feel heavy on my skin. They dark shades also run a bit orange, which doesn't suit me, since I have neutral undertones. But they don't last all day and they transfer quite easily.

Nail products
The nail range from essence is probably my favourite of the lot. It's super  affordable  and just delivers as well as or even better than some of the high end nail products.
The colour selection and pigmentation is impressive and at R29.95 its a no-brainer.

Their base and top coats are the best I've ever tried; they wear better than Sally Hansen and Ciaté. My manicure usually lasts at least 5 days before it starts to chip. They range in price from R49.95 to R54.95.

The Metal Shock limited Edition range has some polish and powders and I'm really enjoying the Metal Shock Powders and they're really fun to play with. I've been using them for the last month to do metallic and duo-chrome manicures and I'm really impressed with the results.

Current favourites

Final thoughts: My holy grail products from Essence are definitely the nail products, they always come through for me. The Metal Shock products for nails and eyes are keepers, but it's a pity they're limited edition. They're still available in Clicks stores, so now's the time to get them.

Have you tried anything from Essence? What are your favourites? Comment below.

See you in my next post, 

xoxo

NYX Cosmetics Cape Town & Perfect Filter Palette Review

NYX cosmetics is finally here! Yes!I can finally, try all these products that I see on YouTube but never get to try 😁😁😁
As you can imagine, I dragged my BFF to Canal Walk, because needs must. I didn't queue at Unholy O'clock for the Goody bag, because I prefer sleep over most things these days. secondly, it didn't turn out well on some devoted fans who ended up missing out on freebies because some reorganizing of the queue.
Anyway we grabbed some coffee and took a place in the line, not for the store but at the NYX promotional stand in the food court; you could have your makeup done by local beauty influencers @kimlyn_makeuphair and @rushanaisaacs. They also had props for some selfies and had spin and win competition for those with proof of purchase from the store.

I didn't want to stand in the queue for the store like I did last weekend for the UD store; so we did our grocery shopping stopped for lunch and then went to the store. We didn't have to wait for than 15 minutes to get in the store, but the store was busy and it's not big, plus the excited junkies everywhere, I was out of patience. So I didn't really get a chance to explore the store at leisure; I did see a couple of things that I want to pick up when the hype dies down. I only picked up one item, and that's the Perfect Filter eye shadow palette in Olive You. I've been wanting to try this palette since it's being lauded as a dupe for the controversial ABH Subculture palette on social media, also I really like the colours.

My Favorites
NYX has some of my favorite drugstore goodies; I'm an avid fan of their primers. I love the eye shadow bases so much I have 3 of them 🙈. My absolute fav is the matte white, it creates the perfect canvas for my bright eye shadow looks and my makeup lasts all day without creasing or smudging. I've also been using the Angel Veil face primer for the last couple of weeks. I picked it up at a NYX store in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and since it was never available in the Clicks stores. It's got rave reviews - here's a review by Jackie Aina where she compares it to a high-end one.

My Favourite eyeshadow bases

Wish list
Proof It! Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer - because why not? They claim it's waterproof..I'll happily test that.
Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder highlighters in Snow Rose, Twilight Tint & Synthetica- I swatched some of these on Saturday...they're amazing, but not for the faint of heart. Someone say "highlighter to the gods".
Coloured Felt Tip Liners - in blue and green.
In Your Element collection - Fire palette (launching on  NYX website on 4 September, but I'm seeing it a lot on Social Media (check out the swatches here on iluvsarahii Instagram page).

The Perfect Filter palette in Olive You

Two of the looks achieved with the Perfect Filter palette

The colours used in the look on the left are marked with green dots, and for the look on the right, those shadows are marked with red dots.

This is a good everyday palette; it's a good combination of mattes and shimmers. I have tried using it on a naked lid, but the colour payoff is way better when I use primer. Also there's quite a bit of fallout, so don't be rough with your brush when picking up colour. I used the white eyeshadow base for both the looks above.
I think I'll do a one palette, one week palette and use this palette for the rest of week. I'll post the results on my Instagram page.

That's it for now, fellow junkies. I really recommend visiting the store and trying out what they have to offer; we finally have a decent range of everything the brand has to offer.

See you in my next post, xoxo