NYX Synthetica Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Synthetica
NYX Synthetica Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder ($7.99 for 0.21 oz.) is a pop of orange with warm, red undertones and a gold, frosted finish. It had good color coverage–not quite full coverage but close–with a smooth, silky consistency that was denser and firmer in the pan. It blended out easily on the skin, but I would recommend using a denser brush or using a heavier hand to get product onto the brush. I didn’t feel like the powder was stiff, but it wasn’t as loosely pressed as a lot of highlighters on the market, which did make it easier to control and build coverage and sheen up. This should work well for highlighting on darker skin tones and act more as a highlighting blush on lighter complexions. On me, the highlighter lasted for eight hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Bottomless (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced I Will Always Love You (P, $26.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Seduced at Sea (LE, $31.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Me First (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Esoteric (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Soulshine #2 (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Becca Tigerlily (DC, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- NARS Frenzy (Right) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- MAC Linda (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Irresistible (210) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.99/0.21 oz. - $38.05 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "blend like a dream" and have a "luminous finish." The pigmentation varied from semi-sheer to mostly opaque with a denser, lightly creamy texture that felt thicker in the pan but did not look or feel that way on my skin. I would recommend using a denser brush or using a heavier hand to get product onto the brush. I didn’t feel like the powder was stiff, but it wasn’t as loosely pressed as a lot of highlighters on the market, which did make it easier to control and build coverage and sheen up. They lasted around eight hours on me.
Browse all of our NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Tin Oxide, Barium Sulfate (CI 77120), Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Ooh, cute!
🙂
Wow, that really packs a punch!
It does!
What a pleasant surprise to see you reviewing this! There have been SO many drugstore releases as of late that I wasn’t expecting you to pay NYX much of any mind! I hope to see your reviews on some of the lighter shades, as I’m not one for blush toppers like I used to be. If I was, though, this would be right up my alley. I can definitely imagine setting this over a lovely coral (Mac Fleeting Romance anyone?) and having a great time! I really love how the duochrome is ACTUAL duochrome and not just a haphazard random shimmer. These look WAY smoother than I was expecting based on other reviews, despite their stiffer texture. I’ve heard people say mean stuff about these so I am very excited that you are shining some positive light on them. I feel like I’ve seen these at the drugstore and, had I not been swayed by the negative reviews, I would have swiped one up. Good thing there’s still time!
They feel denser but feel very smooth – more like MUFE Artist Eyesahdows to me, which have a denser, firmer, creamier feel but not stiff where you have to scrape product off, or it isn’t blendable, etc.
You know what’s really funny about that? As a birthday gift year before last, I got that 50 Shades of Grey/MUFE Eyeshadow palette with the mini brush. I remember thinking to myself “Goodness, I don’t like these on the eye, but I feel like I could work them in as blushes or highlighters” and they actually worked out great! Thanks for the texture comparison!
SOOOO PRETTY! That duo-chrome effect is so out of this world!
It’s pretty!
I’m in love with this one!!! Synthetics will be mine! Even though I normally hate orange on my cheeks, this shade is so multidimensional that it looks red, pink, orange, peach, gold all at once!
I think you will like this one a lot, Nancy!
My jaw DROPPED. You look STUNNING in this Christine!!
Thank you, Shannon!
So pretty and fairly unique, too!
It is a lovely hue!
OHHHH, loving it for the price!
The price does make it sweeter!
This is lovely!!!
So glad you liked it, too!
This is so pretty, it makes me wish that orange looked good on my cheeks!
Awww!
Very nice.
Agreed!
WOW, look at that peachy gold shimmer!! And the price is so cheap! Think this needs to be mine
We saw 4 of these new NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powders (but only 3 testers) in the Toronto flagship store on Monday. My friend was smitten with this Synthetica shade. 😉
Pretty color! Not my kind of finish though.
I just purchased this the other day and absolutely LOVE IT! Such a pretty highlight for when you want a subtle highlight on the tops pf your cheekbones. I’m a chocolate girl and it looks marvelous against my skin tone! I was pleasantly surprised by this one.