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Product Description
NYX Sculpt & Highlight Face Duo is a two-in-one cream product containing both a highlighter and contour shade. The formula is not as emollient as the type of cream product you’d find in a pan or stick but it offers a finish that looks more like skin than a powder. It doesn’t smell fragranced but it does have a very mild paint-like smell that I did not find noticeable during normal use. Each side of the product contains 0.17 fl. oz / 5.3 mL. It retails for $12 and can be purchased at NYX and Ulta.
Performance
I bought the lightest shade option, Taupe/Ivory, and neither side had any shimmer or sparkle at all. Taupe is very neutral, neither leaning warm brown nor cool grey. Ivory is also very neutral, not too pink and not too yellow. The color of the highlight shows up on my skintone better than many other highlights included in contour/highlight products I’ve tried but how well it shows depends on the shade of foundation I am wearing. One interesting and useful thing I use it for is, if I am using a foundation that is a tad darker than my complexion, the highlight enables me to use the foundation shade as a subtle contour. I apply this by dotting it in the areas I want to highlight or contour, then I blend it in a little with my fingers and finally I use a brush to finish blending it in. It doesn’t dry down too quickly so I have plenty of time to work with it and sets well enough that I don’t feel the need to apply powder on top. It doesn’t look patchy or streaky but the more I blend it in, the better and more natural it looks. Both shades sit on the skin extremely well, not emphasizing pores, fine lines or dry patches. I wore this for 9 and half hours and it did not fade or break down.
Worth Buying?
This product is very easy to use so it seems like it would be really great for people that are new to contouring or who want to try something different than a powder or cream/stick formula. This formula is thinner and less emollient so it would work well for someone with oily or combination skin. For those with active acne or who need to conceal in areas where you will use this, it might be tricky because blending it in could wipe off the concealer underneath. In that case, you’d probably be better off using a powder formula.
