Veracious Product Review: Nudestix Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms

Hi, everyone! If you read my last post, you'll know that I was lucky enough to attend a Nudestix event last month where we got to preview some exciting new products. Among the offerings were the Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms**, multipurpose pencils with a moisturizing, glossy finish. The beauty world has been so saturated with matte lipsticks of late and, though I wholeheartedly love a matte lip, the emergence of more hydrating, sheer, glossy formulas for summertime is kind of like a breath of fresh air! I am ready to fully embrace more hydrating lip products (as are my winter-worn lips), so the Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms** caught my attention right away! 

As with other Nudestix products, the Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms** feature crayon packaging housed in reusable metal tins that also include a handy sharpener. 

Each tin also features an insert that tells you more about the brand and the product. Nudestix promises that these new pencils are ultra moisturizing and feature glossy, saturated colour with a unique gel formula. They are composed with over 30% plant oils for serious hydration as well as Vitamin E for antioxidant protection. They tout a smooth, non-sticky texture that stays fresh and luminous all day long. 

The two shades I was given represent a bold and a nude option from the range. First we have Wicked**, a saturated slightly cool berry. It's not quite red, not quite vampy- and very wearable! Next we have Posh**, a peachy nude with very subtle plum undertones. It also has a more metallic, almost frosty finish, which makes lips look very plump and luscious! 

And a quick note- Posh only looks different here because I used it so much before photographing it (bad blogger, true lipstick fiend!) that I had to sharpen it :)

Here are swatches of both on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

Nudestix Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms in (L-R): Wicked and Posh

Here I am wearing Wicked on both my cheeks and lips. As you can see, it can actually be sheered out quite nicely on the cheeks, while offering bolder colour on the lips. 

And here I am wearing Posh on lips and cheeks. It's a bit lighter of a shade than I'd typically wear on my cheeks, but it really gives a lovely glow! And on the lips, it's one of the best nude shades I've tried. 

So how am I loving the formula? Here's a full breakdown of the ups and downs: 

Pros:

• The texture really is smooth and comfortable- glides on easily and totally non-sticky!
• These do feel quite hydrating both on the cheeks and lips
• The colour is truly buildable- they can be layered for bold colour on the lips, but sheered out very well on the cheeks
• The glossy finish makes lips look incredibly full and moisturized
• These blend out very well as a blush, for a sheer, even application
• The wear time is quite good for a glossy product, especially on the lips. These wear well for about 4-5 hours before a touch-up is needed
• These are vegan and cruelty-free!

Cons:

• Given that my skin is on the oilier side, these do not wear all day on me as a blush. They look good for 4-5 hours, then begin to fade (but do fade evenly!)
• I always prefer a twist-up packaging to those that need manual sharpening 

Overall, I am quite smitten with these little pencils! The texture is smooth, glossy, and comfortable and is especially flattering on the lips. So perfect for summertime! The wear time as a blush isn't the best on my oily skin, but should be just fine for those with drier complexions. And I was pleasantly surprised to find how well a darker shade like Wicked blended out naturally on the cheeks! Also, Posh has totally stolen my heart- one of the pretties nude shades I've come across in a while. Makes my lips look so juicy and lush. Who doesn't want that?! I really think fresh, glossy formulas will be making a comeback and perhaps overthrowing the matte lip trend (or at least making a strong bid) this summer. I'm so ready to jump on that glossy lip train! 

If you're tempted by the Nudestix Gel Colour Lip + Cheek Balms, you can find them at Sephora and Beautylish! 

Do you like to use lip/cheek crayons? Are you gravitating towards glossy formulas for summertime or will you be sticking to mattes this year? Are Wicked and Posh your kinds of shades?

Thanks so much for stopping by! xo

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** These products were provided to me as PR samples for consideration and review. All opinions expressed are 100% authentic and my own!