You’ve seen it. That little glass jar with the gold flakes floating inside like some kind of fancy apothecary potion. It looks expensive, which is weird because it’s NYX. It’s the NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer, and honestly, it’s one of those products that people either treat like holy water or absolutely despise because they used it wrong.
Let’s get one thing straight right now: it’s sticky. If you hate the feeling of anything tacky on your skin, just stop reading. But if you're chasing that "glass skin" look that everyone from Seoul to New York has been obsessing over for years, this might be your secret weapon.
What Is It Actually Doing To Your Face?
Most primers are basically just silicone. They feel like velvet, they blur your pores, and they make your skin feel like a plastic doll. This isn't that. NYX took a different route here, drawing inspiration from honey’s natural antiseptic and healing properties. The formula is a serum-primer hybrid.
It’s loaded with stuff your skin actually likes. We’re talking hyaluronic acid for moisture, collagen (though, let’s be real, topically applied collagen is mostly just a humectant), and those tiny gold flakes. Do the gold flakes do anything? Probably not much more than adding a bit of light-reflective shimmer, but they look cool. The real heavy lifters are the bifida ferment lysate and the honey extract.
When you slap this on, it doesn't "dry down" in the traditional sense. It stays tacky. That’s the point. It acts like a double-sided tape for your foundation. If you’ve ever had your makeup slide off your nose by 2 PM, you know the struggle. This stuff grabs the pigment and holds on for dear life.
The Ingredients: The Good, The Bad, and The Fragrant
The ingredient list is surprisingly sophisticated for a drugstore brand. It’s got Niacinamide, which is great for brightening, and Panthenol for soothing.
However, we need to talk about the smell. It has a scent. It’s floral, slightly sweet, and definitely present. If you have super sensitive skin or you’re a "fragrance-free or bust" type of person, this could be a dealbreaker. Some users on Reddit’s r/MakeupAddiction have noted that the alcohol content is a bit high up on the list (Alcohol Denat). Usually, this is to help the thick gel spread and dry faster, but if your skin is already peeling or ultra-dry, be careful.
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- Honey Extract: Natural humectant, helps with glow.
- Gold Fleaks: Purely aesthetic, but hey, we like shiny things.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Keeps the water in your skin so you don't look like a raisin by noon.
How Most People Mess This Up
I see people complain that this primer makes them look "greasy" or that their foundation "pilled."
Ninety percent of the time, it’s because they used too much. You aren't icing a cake. You need maybe two or three drops from that little spatula. Apply it, pat it in, and then—this is the crucial part—wait.
Give it two minutes.
If you put foundation directly onto wet primer, it’s going to turn into a muddy mess. You want it to be tacky, not wet. When you touch your cheek and your finger slightly sticks to the skin? That’s the sweet spot.
NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer vs. The High-End Competition
People love to compare this to the Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate. That one costs about $75. The NYX version is usually under $20.
Is it a "dupe"? Sorta.
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The Guerlain feels more luxurious, obviously. It’s smoother and the gold flakes seem to melt in better. But in terms of how your makeup actually looks at the end of a ten-hour workday? There isn't a $55 difference. The NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer holds its own because it’s more functional as an adhesive than the Guerlain, which acts more like a cooling moisturizer.
Then you have the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip. That’s the current king of "sticky" primers. If the NYX one is a 7/10 on the stickiness scale, Hydro Grip is a 10. If you find the NYX one too heavy or "yellow" (it does have a slight tint), you might prefer the green-toned Milk version. But for a dewy, golden-hour finish, NYX wins.
Does It Work For All Skin Types?
Honestly? No.
If you have very oily skin, you’re going to feel like a slip-and-slide. You're already producing enough natural oils; adding a honey-based gel might push you over the edge into "oil slick" territory.
But for dry or combination skin? It’s a literal lifesaver. It fills in those dry patches that foundation usually loves to cling to. It gives a plumpness to the skin that makes you look like you actually slept eight hours and drank your gallon of water, even if you stayed up till 3 AM scrolling TikTok.
A Quick Reality Check
- Mature Skin: This is great because it doesn't settle into fine lines like heavy silicone primers often do.
- Acne-Prone Skin: Be cautious. The tackiness can sometimes trap bacteria if you aren't double-cleansing properly at night.
- Texture Issues: It won't "fill" deep pores or acne scars. You'll need a pore-filling primer (like NYX Pore Filler) just on those specific areas if that's your goal.
The "Yellow" Factor
The gel has a distinct yellow hue. Don't freak out. It doesn't turn you into a Minion. On most skin tones, it shears out to be completely transparent. If you're extremely pale—we’re talking "porcelain" or "fair-cool"—you might notice a very slight warming of your skin tone. Most people find this helpful because it cancels out some of the blue/purple redness, but it's something to keep in mind if you're trying to stay as cool-toned as possible.
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Real World Performance
I've worn this under everything from sheer skin tints to full-coverage Estée Lauder Double Wear.
With a skin tint, it makes you look like you just walked out of a facial. It’s very "clean girl aesthetic." With full coverage, it prevents the makeup from looking "cakey" or dry. It keeps the finish looking skin-like.
One thing to note: because of the glass bottle and the spatula, it’s not the most travel-friendly. If you drop this on a bathroom tile, it's game over. And the spatula isn't the most hygienic thing in the world compared to a pump. I usually wipe the spatula onto the back of my hand rather than touching it directly to my face to keep the bottle clean.
Actionable Tips For Best Results
- Prep is everything. Use a lightweight moisturizer first. Let that sink in.
- Less is more. Use the spatula to dot a tiny bit on your forehead, cheeks, and chin.
- Pat, don't rub. Rubbing can cause the product to foam slightly or pill. Pat it in with your fingertips.
- The 120-Second Rule. Wait exactly two minutes before applying foundation.
- Setting Spray is still required. Just because the primer is sticky doesn't mean you can skip the setting spray if you want it to last all night.
The NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer is a staple for a reason. It bridges the gap between skincare and makeup in a way that feels intentional, not just like a marketing gimmick. It’s affordable, it’s effective, and it gives a glow that most $50 products can't replicate. Just remember: it’s a primer, not a mask. Use it sparingly, give it time to set, and watch your foundation transform from "sitting on top of the skin" to "becoming one with the skin."
To get the most out of this product, pair it with a damp beauty sponge when applying your foundation. The moisture in the sponge works beautifully with the tacky base of the primer to create a seamless, non-streaky finish that lasts through humidity and long days. If you find your skin feels too tacky afterward, a very light dusting of translucent powder only in your T-zone will take down the shine without killing the glow on your cheekbones.