You’ve probably seen that iconic, stout little tube in your friend’s makeup bag or rolling around at the bottom of a Target clearance bin. It’s the NYX Pro Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream. It is arguably one of the most successful drugstore beauty products ever launched. But honestly, in a world where "liquid lipsticks" usually mean your lips feel like cracked desert pavement, why is this specific formula still a bestseller?
It’s weird.
Beauty trends move at lightning speed. We went from matte to gloss to "clean girl" oils and back again. Yet, this little hybrid product refuses to die. It isn't a lipstick. It isn't a gloss. It’s this mousse-like texture that feels like absolutely nothing once it sets. If you’ve ever tried the shade Cannes or Abu Dhabi, you know exactly the vibe I’m talking about. It’s reliable.
The Chemistry of Why NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Feels Different
Most matte lipsticks rely on heavy waxes and high-load pigments that suck the moisture out of your skin to stay put. The NYX Pro Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream works differently. It uses a dimethicone-based formula. This is basically a silicone that creates a breathable barrier.
Think of it like a primer for your lips that just happens to be tinted.
Because it’s a cream-to-matte transition, it doesn't "lock" in the same way a waterproof liquid lipstick does. That is both its greatest strength and its only real weakness. It won't survive a greasy burger. You’ll have to reapply after lunch. But, you also won't need to sandpaper your lips off at the end of the night to get it off. For many of us, that's a trade-off we're willing to make every single day.
The scent is another thing people obsess over. It smells like vanilla cake batter. Not that chemical, fake vanilla you find in cheap candles, but something actually pleasant. It’s subtle enough that it fades after about five minutes, which is great if you’re sensitive to smells.
Decoding the Shades: From Stockholm to Transylvania
NYX named these after world cities. It was a brilliant marketing move. It makes you feel like you’re collecting passport stamps instead of just hoarding thirty different shades of nude pink.
- London: A true, warm-toned beige. It’s the ultimate "90s supermodel" lip.
- Copenhagen: A deep, rich burgundy that actually applies evenly—which is rare for dark drugstore mattes.
- Antwerp: A bright, poppy coral that somehow looks good on almost everyone.
There are over 30 shades now. Some are hits, some are misses. If you have a deeper skin tone, shades like Berlin or Dubai are incredible chocolatey nudes. If you’re fair, Istanbul gives that perfect soft pink flush. The pigment density is surprisingly high for the price point, which is usually under ten bucks.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Application
I see people swipe this on like they’re painting a fence. Big mistake.
Because the formula is a mousse, if you pile it on too thick, it will pill. It’ll get those tiny little rolls of product that look like you’ve been eating eraser shavings. Not cute.
The trick is thin layers. One thin coat, let it set for sixty seconds, then another if you want more "oomph." If your lips are peeling, this product will find every single flake and highlight it with a neon sign. You have to exfoliate first. A quick scrub with a damp washcloth or a sugar scrub makes all the difference.
Does it actually last?
Let’s be real. It’s not "life-proof." It’s "errand-proof."
If you’re going to a wedding where you’ll be sipping champagne and eating multi-course meals, this might not be your first choice unless you keep the tube in your clutch. However, for an 8-hour office shift or a coffee date? It’s perfect. It wears down gracefully. Instead of flaking off in chunks, it sort of fades into a stain.
The Competitive Landscape
When this launched, it didn't have much competition. Now? Everyone has a matte cream.
The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain is a close rival, but it’s more "liquidy" and definitely more drying. Then you have the high-end stuff like the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro. Is the Armani better? Honestly, yeah, the texture is more refined. But is it $30 better? Probably not for the average person just trying to look put-together for a Zoom call.
NYX has managed to keep the price accessible while maintaining the quality. That’s why it’s a staple for professional makeup artists’ kits. They can buy ten shades for the price of two luxury lipsticks and cover every skin tone on a photoshoot.
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Why the "Professional" in the name matters
NYX started as a brand for pros. Even though you can find it at the drugstore now, the formulations still lean toward high-pigment performance. The Soft Matte Lip Cream was one of the first products to bridge that gap. It gave "regular" people access to a finish that used to require a lot of blotting and powdering with traditional lipsticks.
Real World Wear Test: The Honest Truth
I’ve worn Cannes through a three-hour lecture and two cups of coffee.
By hour four, the inner rim of my mouth needed a touch-up. But the rest of the lip looked blurred and soft, almost like a filtered photo. That "soft focus" effect is really what sets it apart. It doesn't settle into the fine lines of your lips. If you’re over 30 and worried about matte lipsticks making you look older, this is the one you want. It’s forgiving.
It’s also surprisingly versatile. You can dab a little bit on your cheeks and blend it out with your fingers for a monochromatic blush look. Since it’s a silicone-based cream, it blends beautifully into the skin without lifting your foundation. Just work fast before it sets.
Sustainability and Ingredients
One thing to note is that NYX is PETA-certified cruelty-free. In 2026, that’s basically a requirement, but they were doing it long before it was trendy. The ingredient list is straightforward, though it does contain parabens in some older batches, so if you’re a "clean beauty" purist, you’ll want to check the specific label on the tube.
How to Choose Your Perfect City
Choosing a shade online is a nightmare. The swatches on the boxes are... let’s just say "optimistic." They rarely match the actual juice inside.
If you want a safe bet:
- For warm undertones: Look at Rome or Leon.
- For cool undertones: Check out Prague or Milan.
- For neutrals: Toulouse is a sleeper hit.
If you’re feeling bold, Moscow is a navy blue that is shockingly wearable if you’re wearing an all-black outfit. It’s about the attitude, really.
The Actionable Verdict
Stop trying to make this a 24-hour liquid lipstick. It isn't that.
Treat the NYX Pro Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream as a comfort-first daily driver. To get the best results, prep your lips with a non-greasy balm about ten minutes before application. Blot the balm off so the surface is dry but hydrated. Apply one thin layer starting from the center of the lip and moving outward.
If you want it to last longer, line your lips first with a matching NYX Slim Lip Pencil. This gives the cream something to "grip" onto.
The reality is that for under $10, you are getting a product that changed the industry. It’s a cult classic for a reason. It’s comfortable, smells like a bakery, and gives you that blurred, soft-edge look that is much more modern than a harsh, dry matte. Pick up a neutral shade next time you’re out—it’s the easiest way to upgrade your daily look without breaking the bank.
Next Steps for Your Routine:
- Exfoliate: Use a sugar scrub or a damp towel to remove dry skin.
- Prime: Apply a thin layer of lip balm and blot.
- Line: Use a neutral liner to define the edges.
- Apply: Swipe one thin coat of Soft Matte Lip Cream and let it dry for 60 seconds without smacking your lips together.
- Clean Up: Use a tiny bit of concealer on a flat brush to sharpen the edges if you're using a darker shade like Copenhagen.
This approach ensures the product stays put without pilling or feeling heavy, giving you that signature soft-focus finish that has kept this product on top of the charts for over a decade.