NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Istanbul

So even though I love living in Australia, when it comes to makeup sometimes we just can't compete with our American and British counterparts. Sure, we have some killer products from brands Face of Australia and Australis that are exclusive to Australians only, but it doesn't really make up for the gazillions of other brands we can't get hold of (or if we can, they are twenty times as expensive). 

However, sometimes a very special thing happens whereby a brand makes it to our shores, like when Essence came onto the Target scene, and we go crazy (as is to be expected). This happened very recently for me when NYX decided to make itself comfortable on the shelves of Target once again.

I eagerly went out swatching all the products and came home with this little beauty, the NYX Soft matte lip cream in Istanbul. This is one of those products that I have had my eye on for so damn long, practically since I started this blog, and now I finally own it is is just magical!

Though no amount of online photographs and swatches will ever be as good as swatching a product in real life, I knew this was the shade for me from the beginning. An incredibly beautiful warm toned pink, this is perhaps one of the most wearable and flattering shades that I own. 

In terms of the formulation, NYX wasn't wrong when they called it a soft matte lip cream. Soft, matte and creamy it most certainly is, though the addition of 'slightly drying' could have been included in the name just to make it that bit more accurate. This is of course to be expected with a matte lip product, but it is a little frustrating because I can't really wear it everyday because my lips get all gross and flaky! When you are actually wearing the product it is really comfortable and you can easily forget that you are even wearing anything. 

This does accentuate any dry areas you already have so a good lip balm needs to be lathered on prior to application. This is so easy and fuss free to apply, it literally requires no special attention. I find the lasting power of this to be amazing...once it has dried it withstands eating, drinking and general wear and tear for a couple of hours. 

This has a lovely fragrance, almost like a cake or baked goodies type smell. Having said that, it isn't too overpowering and therefore probably wouldn't bother someone who is sensitive to smells too much. 

I'm really fond of the simple but effective packaging. The tube is coloured in accordance to the product so if you own a whole heap of these you can find the shade you are looking for in an instant. The top of the wand is matte black (reflective of the nature of the lip product, obviously) and it comes with a doe foot applicator (my favourite). It also makes that satisfying 'thwop' sound when you pull the wand out of the tube at the right speed (does anyone know that sound I am talking about, it happens most often with sticky lipglosses!). 

Perhaps the only disappointing thing about this is that the prices are significantly higher than they are in America (of course, always is the way) which didn't occur with the introduction of Essence to Australia. Still, they're hardly expensive, it is more that I am just bitter about the fact that we have to pay so much more than everyone else! This cost $12.95.

I am so looking forward to purchasing some more products from NYX...I have a feeling this brand is going to be my new favourite!

I give this product 8/10.