A long overdue review, mostly because I had to revisit this blush again before I realized how great it is. That, my friends, is one of the perils of setting up a beauty blog without knowing much about it. But anyway.
The NYX Powder Blush in Taupe is a much talked-about product in the beauty world for a reason. Because most bronzers are too warm or golden to be used as a “proper” contour shade, this near-grey blush has been high up in the ranks of the too-few products that can mimic an actual shadow.
The “correct” contour shade relies heavily on the preference of the wearer, but if you’re someone who wants to lay off the orange, this one’s for you! It’s been mentioned a million times, and that’s because it works. It’s a great way to try out this shade, too, because NYX is cheaper than most of the grey contour powders or blushes out on the market.
The packaging is very un-glamorous and nondescript, but when a product works, you hardly notice the rickety mechanisms. You just enjoy it for what it is. The powder is not the best quality, but the pigmentation is good enough to show up and subtle enough to be able to blend away nicely and imperceptibly into the skin.
Swatched: NYX Powder Blush in Taupe
Overall, this is a great, budget option if you’re considering a great grey-toned contour. I’ve got light-medium skin tone (click here for foundation matches), but it shows up really well on me. I use a NARS Yachiyo Kabuki brush, a Hakuhodo H601 Powder Brush or the Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush (from the Travel Essentials Kit) to apply this to the hollows of my cheeks and blend away.
Here’s what it looks like used:
Now, the cruelty-free issue. NYX claims to retain its cruelty-free status despite being bought out by L’Oreal. Typically, when a CF company is owned by a non-CF parent company, I will still support it. But, as much as possible, I do not want to purchase from L’Oreal in particular because of reasons that go beyond animal testing. This is a personal consumer issue; I urge you to obviously only support companies you are comfortable supporting.
Because of this, I probably won’t be repurchasing it when I run out. Which will be a long way away. Thankfully, the Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Abundance, though not a dupe, lends a similar effect. But yes, it’s a cream, so there’s that.
* Items marked with an asterisk are PR Samples.
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Softly Sometimes 
I have definitely heard a lot of great things about this! I’ve been wanting to try it but they don’t sell that shade here, and I can’t be bothered to order online heh. I do love cool-toned contour shades though! They give the most natural cheekbone effect for sure.
Tasha // shiwashiful.
I think it’s a very dupeable shade/effect, so I’m sure you can find something similar over there. 🙂 Like the one in that palette you got!
Thanks for the post. This is one of my absolute favorite blushes from NYX. This colors compliments you so well. 🙂
Thank you so much. 🙂 Glad it works well for you, too!
“When a product works, you hardly notice the rickety mechanisms. You just enjoy it for what it is.” Too true. Oh, how I wish nearby department stores provided testers so I could swatch this product and see if it compliments my medium skin with yellow undertones.
Ack, I can’t imagine not having testers for drugstore products! We have testers for them here. :0
Oooh I see. But I do want to try Nyx blushes 😀
They’re quite nice. 🙂
Thanks for explaining the “cruelty-free” status. I’m not a fan of L’Oreal either. –Angela
I agree, this one’s a great contour shade. The powder is very stiff which is weird, but shows up well when applied with a brush. Maybe it is hard so that you won’t overapply the contour? Hehe.
Diba? Hahaha nakakaloko!
Can you make a list of cruelty-free products available in the Philippines? The only 100% cruelty-free products I know of here are The Body Shop (some of their stuff are good but not all) and Lush Cosmetics (never tried their products!). And maybe do a post on CF makeup in general (what it means to be CF/testing in China and how it affects CF status/etc.)? Hehe. I feel like this is a beauty/environmental issue that local bloggers don’t really care for, as this is the first time I’ve read about it from one.
I’m also trying to veer away from non-CF brands but it’s incredibly difficult given the limited options + I personally dislike buying makeup online (quality and shade-matching issues). I mean how can you not buy MAC or Bobbi Brown, amirite?
Hi Ina! I’m a friend of your sister’s 🙂 She never mentioned you having a blog! I’ve been reading here all day!
The Body Shop is actually owned by L’Oreal! It’s technically cruelty free itself, but it’s owned by a company that’s not CF. Same with NARS (Shiseido), NYX (L’Oreal), MAC (Estée Lauder, but they also sell in China, so they’re technically not CF for me). I’ve posted about CF/China stuff na before, though matagal na rin. I tend to do most of my shopping online, because of this CF issue, but I understand how that’s hard to do for base products.
NARS has a pretty extensive range, but they also don’t bring in all of the shades. I think in the department store, sila yung safest in terms of CF status. BECCA is sold in Adora, and they’re also CF + a great brand, but medyo mahal. Inglot is also (I think?) CF and has a great shade range. Wet n Wild, essence, and elf are CF drugstore brands. Beauty Bar has a bunch of good CF brands also like Koh Gen Do, Bloom, Juice Beauty, The Balm, Art Deco, Human Nature, etc. but they also carry non-CF brands like Smashbox which was CF started selling in China. 😦 It’s nice to buy locally also, from brands like Ellana, because there’s a smaller carbon footprint since they’re made here. Ellana has a “find your foundation shade” free sampler pack, but it’s a loose foundation formula, so I don’t know if that’s something you’re interested in.
Haha yay, hi! Thank you for reading and hope this helps!