little white truths

This is another product that I'd meant to review ages ago but it kept getting put aside for more urgent posts. However I've almost finished it now (I pulled the stopper out weeks ago) so I definitely need to post on it before it's gone!

I do love this gloss, just as much as I loved Apple Strudel (reviewed here). Indeed, these NYX Butter Glosses have become my favourite glosses - whether budget or high-end - and I have a feeling that I'll always have one in my handbag.

Back when NYX first arrived in Priceline, I bought a few of these and I've been opening them one-by-one. I'm sorry if that's annoying for anyone who prefers to see comparison swatches between different shades, but panning has taught me not to open too many things at once, so that's just the way I've decided to do it.

This gloss in Madeline was the second one I opened and I picked it because it's neutral and subtle: since I've been panning some brighter lip colours, it's been a good one to pair with those to tone them down a touch.

NYX claims/product details:

• Buttery soft and silky smooth 
• This scrumptious gloss tastes as sweet as a sugar cookie - and makes your lips look downright luscious
• Swipe it on alone or over your favourite lipstick for a creamy, sheer-to-medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky 
• Leaves your lips soft, supple and kissable
• RRP $9.95 AUD for 8ml, but do shop around

There's the tube and applicator in direct sunlight above.

There's a swatch, indirect sunlight:

And in natural light:

My bare lips for reference:

Wearing the product, indirect sunlight:

Verdict

I absolutely love this gloss and I've given the formula an HG tag. I also think this particular shade performs better than Apple Strudel because it doesn't settle into lip lines, so I would recommend it over that one.

It's a standard gloss that comes in a plastic tube with a doe-foot applicator. It has a sweet, sugary scent that's not overpowering so it's a good, balanced kind of scent for a product like this.

The gloss feels very comfortable to wear and it's hydrating enough for my dry lips that I can rely on it for hydration during the day. For this reason I always carry one in my handbag, because I can layer it underneath or over the top of less hydrating products to keep my lips feeling comfortable.

The formula isn't sticky but it does have a tackiness to it that helps it stay put. Sure, it's not a super long-lasting product (I wouldn't expect it to be), but it does stay longer than other glosses so that's a plus.

What I like about this formula is that you can apply a very fine layer (eg, over a lipstick or liner) and just add a bit of shine, or you can add more and get a medium coverage and just wear the gloss by itself. Not all glosses are opaque enough to give good colour, but all the shades I've tried so far of these ones are. Tick.

Madeline is a nude brown shade that goes with just about everything, and while it's very subtle on me so it doesn't 'do' much, it does just enough to give my lips some life and make them look more polished. It's also the kind of shade that goes with everything so I've been using it a tonne.

Also, as mentioned above, Madeline doesn't have a tendency to settle into lip lines (Apple Strudel does) so it's flattering and it also plumps the lips up a little and reduces the look of lines. This makes it perfect for those of us who are over 30 and need something with a smoothing effect.

Overall I love this formula and I recommend it: it's the nicest gloss formula I've found so far - whether budget or high-end. I can see myself buying a truckload of these whenever Priceline has a sale. You can't beat a great gloss that you can grab for a fiver on special, that's for sure.

Love.