Veracious Product Review: NudeStix Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic and Magnetic Eye Colour in Spirit

Hi, everyone! I'm a sucker for a new brand release at Sephora, particularly when that brand has been raved about left and right in the blogosphere. I'd heard nothing but good things about NudeStix, so was beyond excited to spot them in-store last month. 

Created by two fresh-faced aspiring models, Ally and Taylor Frankel, and their mother, a chemical engineer, NudeStix is all about convenient, natural-looking, universally flattering beauty. All of the products are housed in portable crayon-like packaging and the coinciding shade range is decidedly neutral. The girls tout that their items will help to create a "no makeup makeup" look in a snap! The products also offer skin-loving ingredients, such as vitamins and antioxidants. 

Although I'm a vibrant makeup lover through and through, I can be incredibly loyal to a flattering, easy-to-wear neutral. In this hope, I picked up two NudeStix products during the recent Sephora VIB Sale and was quick to put them to good use!

All NudeStix products come in lightweight metal tins that contain an insert describing the brand's vision and directions and tips for the specific item inside. They also include a handy jumbo sharpener that can whittle the pencils in no time. While the packaging is sleek and rather unique, it is a touch bulky, given the size of the actual product. Luckily, the tins are rather sturdy, so I've repurposed them as jewelry holders on my dresser! A handy touch is that they do featured mirrored lids, which is perfect for touch-ups on the go. 

The first product that drew me in was the NudeStix Lip + Cheek Pencil. These little chubbies offer ultra creamy, pigmented, blendable colour that is suited for both lips and cheeks. Here's what the brand has to say about this offering, including some cheeky recommendations:

The second product that caught my eye was the NudeStix Magnetic Eye Colour Pencils, which promise extremely long-wearing. bold, and blendable colour. They offer a subtle metallic finish and are touted as ideal for oily lids. 

Here's a peek at the pencils! The two products are nearly identical on the outside, save for a touch of extra length in the Magnetic Eye Colours. They feature glossy bottoms, matte caps, a tone-on-tone logo, and a strip of colour featuring the shade name and a hint at the shade itself. 

Upon removing the caps, you can see that the pencil tips are slightly different. The Lip + Cheek Pencil looks like a traditional wooden pencil, while the Magnetic Eye Colours have a more rounded, molded tip with a black base. 

Now onto the most fun part- the shades! As for the Magnetic Eye Colour, I selected Spirit, a warm, shiny, plum-tinged, mid-tone bronze. I have to say that it's incredibly wearable, yet quite a unique hue in my stash. The Lip + Cheek Pencil I chose was Mystic, a warm caramel peachy-nude. Since my collection is rife with bold hues, this truly neutral shade was much needed!

Here they are swatched on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

(L-R): NudeStix Magnetic Eye Colour in Spirit and Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic

Here are closeups of the texture and shades of Mystic and Spirit on my complexion...

... and in the context of a completed makeup look!

NudeStix Magnetic Eye Colour in Spirit, applied to lids, blended up to the crease and Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic, dabbed on apples of the cheeks and layered on the lips. 

In terms of the formula, here are my two cents on both of these goodies from NudeStix:

• Magnetic Eye Colour in Spirit is my favourite of the pair. The texture is creamy and blendable, but soon sets and stays put all day. It truly doesn't crease or budge. Spirit is an incredibly beautiful, multifaceted shade. When layered and blended, different lighting can bring out hints of lilac, ruby, and bronze. It is a perfect and rather modern way to create a sultry, smokey eye without turning to blacks or silvers. I really have no complaints!
• Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic is a handy multi-tasker. It is noticeably more emollient than the Magnetic Eye Colours, which translates into a less stubborn formula. Sure, it isn't budge-proof, but it does wear well on both cheeks and (especially) lips for 5-6 hours. Not shabby! The formula does touch-up well without any cakiness, which is a bonus. On top of that, Mystic channels my inner 90s child and is also work-friendly. 

Overall, I am very happy with both of these! The formulas are comfortable on the skin, the shades are neutral but not at all boring, and the packaging is ultra handy. While the price tag is a bit steep ($28 CAD each) and the outer case a touch bulky, I have been reaching for these often. Spirit in particular has snagged a spot in my regular rotation- it's become my go-to for a subtle, Autumn-friendly, smokey eye!

Have you tried anything from NudeStix? What are your fave handy, no-makeup makeup products?

Cheers :)