Saturday, October 3, 2015

Brows on Fleek: Nudestix Brow Stylus & Brow Wax Reviews*


Sorry vampy lips, there's another fall makeup trend that's seriously stealing the spotlight. Whether they're ultra defined or soft and natural, anything brows is so hot right now (Mugatu, anyone?). From pomades, to gels, to powders and pencils, the beauty scene is currently overflowing with products to help you get those #browsonfleek. Wanting in on the action, up-and-coming brand Nudestix recently launched their own badass brow products to add to the mix. There's the Eyebrow Stylus Pencil & Gel, which ingeniously pairs a defining pencil and setting gel in one sleek stick and the Brow Wax pencil to help tame even the most unruly of brows. As someone who loves all things brows and all things Nudestix, when they asked if I'd like to give them a try my response was an incredibly enthusiastic yes. I've had my hands on these bad boys for a few weeks now, and can't wait to share my thoughts on them with you!


Before I get all caught up in brow-love, let me get you up to speed on what this brand is all about. Founded by incredibly savvy and inspiring sisters Ally and Taylor, Nudestix is all about creating a fresh, youthful, natural look. Their products are not only smart and multi-functional, but they're also packed full of vitamins and antioxidants to help your face feel as good as it looks. I fell in love with the brand after trying their Lip & Cheek Pencil, which blew me away with how creamy and blendable it was. I think the whole stick concept is playful and fun, being a sort of homage to one's school days. Every product even comes in its own collectable pencil tin with a mirrored lid. At the same time, Nudestix products still look and feel incredibly sleek and stylish, making them friendly to girls of all ages. So whether you're a teen who's just starting to experiment with makeup, a mom who can barely find 5 minutes to get herself ready in the morning, or anyone that appreciates looking polished with minimal effort, Nudestix may be a brand you seriously want to consider checking out.


So now that you understand the awesomeness that is Nudestix, let's chat about this Eyebrow Stylus Pencil & Gel ($24). This double-ended duo pairs both a creamy brow color pencil and a tinted gel so that you can both define, fill, and set your brows. The stylus end is retractable, which means there's no need to worry about sharpening, and has a slanted tip for flexible application. You can use the broad side for fast and quick application, or use just the pointed tip to create a really precise line. Then, when your brows are defined to your liking, you can unscrew the bottom of the pencil to reveal a tinted brow gel to set everything in place. There are four shades available (Blonde, Dirty Blonde, Brown, and Brown/Black) so just about anyone should be able to find a good match. I personally was sent the Brown shade, which worked decently well for me, but was perhaps a little warmer than I would like. If I was to repurchase I think Brown/Black would probably suit me a little bit better.

Formula-wise I'm really quite impressed with both the pencil and the gel. The pencil is actually quite soft and creamy, so it glides on with incredible ease. However, its not overly pigmented, which means its quite easy to control how intense the color is and keep things looking natural. The gel does a decent job of holding everything in place without making your brows stiff and crunchy. It has a very slight tint to it that matches the shade of the pencil, so it helps to add a little definition without going overboard. If you'd like to see this pencil in action, check out my Fall Makeup Tutorial where I actually tried it out for the first time.


Having a brow pencil and gel in one stick is such a small but genius idea. When it comes to travel or even just carrying makeup with you on-the-go, being able downsize in any way can be really helpful. I hadn't ever seen a product that had done this before, especially with brows, so I have to give Nudestix a ton of props for being so innovative!


Now, maybe you're someone who prefers to use a brow powder, or already have a pencil you're totally in love with. Don't worry, Nudestix has you covered too. Their Brow Wax ($24) pencil is the perfect compliment to any brow color, and helps to set unruly brow hairs in place. What I really love about this pencil is that even though it gives you incredible hold, its still very soft and doesn't make your brows appear waxy. You can still shape and move your brows around easily with a spooly after you swipe this through, but they won't stray on their own. This is a great alternative for those of you who aren't a fan of brow gel, or who have super unruly brows and need an extra layer of hold. Unlike the stylus, the Brow Wax pencil does need to be sharpened, but Nudestix thoughtfully includes a sharpener in every tin. 

Since it's always helpful to have a visual, here are a few little before and after shots to show you what my brows look like with and without the help of these products!


Long story short, Nudestix has my heart more than ever! If you're in the market for a new brow pencil or brow gel, I would highly recommend checking these two products out. Looking at the rest of their line, I've got my eye on this gorgeous double-sided Bronzing Pencil and pore refining Blur Pencil next. If you're also a Nudestix fan, I'd love to hear your recommendations! Which of their products are your favorites?

*I was sent this product complimentary for review purposes, however all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information regarding my affiliations and disclosures click here.