NYX Butter Lipstick is a survivor. Seriously. In an industry that moves faster than a TikTok trend, where "holy grail" products are replaced every eighteen seconds, this specific tube of color has managed to keep its spot on drugstore shelves while others vanished.
You know the feeling. You're at Target, you’ve got a cart full of stuff you don’t need, and you wander into the beauty aisle. There it is. The NYX Butter Lipstick. It isn’t flashy. It doesn’t claim to be made of crushed diamonds or rare Amazonian berries. It’s just... good. It’s reliable. Honestly, it’s one of the few products that actually delivers on its name because the texture is literally like softened butter hitting a warm piece of toast.
But why are we still talking about it years after its peak hype? Because the makeup world has a short memory, yet our lips remember what it feels like to be comfortable.
The Science of That "Butter" Feel
People often confuse this with a tinted lip balm. Big mistake.
While a balm is mostly wax and oils meant to sit on top of the skin, the NYX Butter Lipstick formula is a hybrid. It’s a "satin finish" powerhouse. If you look at the ingredients—and I’ve spent way too much time squinting at the tiny print on these tubes—you’ll see things like Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil and Ethylhexyl Palmitate. These aren’t just filler. They are emollients. They create a barrier that prevents moisture from escaping, which is why your lips don't feel like sandpaper three hours after you apply it.
Why Texture Actually Matters for SEO and Your Face
Let’s be real. Most matte lipsticks feel like you’re applying a crayon to your soul. They crack. They settle into lines you didn't even know you had. The NYX Butter Lipstick does the opposite. It’s forgiving. If you have dry patches, it glides over them. It doesn’t "grab" onto the texture of your skin in that weird, flaky way that liquid lipsticks do.
- It’s lightweight.
- The pigment is "medium-buildable." This means one swipe gives you a sheer wash, but three swipes give you full-throttle color.
- It has a slight sheen, but it’s not a "wet" look. Think more like a healthy, hydrated glow.
It’s the kind of lipstick you can apply without a mirror while you’re walking to the subway. You can’t do that with a red matte. You just can’t.
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Shades That Defined a Generation (and Some You Forgot)
If you were around for the 2014-2016 makeup era, you remember shades like "Pops" and "Licorice." NYX has always been genius at naming. They use food terms because it triggers a sensory response. You hear "Root Beer Float" and you can almost taste the nostalgia.
"Pops" (now often labeled as "Root Beer Float" in some markets) is arguably one of the best "My Lips But Better" (MLBB) shades ever created. It’s a mauve-toned pink that somehow looks good on everyone from the fairest porcelain skin to deep cocoa tones. It’s the universal sisterhood of lip colors.
Then you have "Mary Janes," a classic, blue-toned red. It’s sophisticated. It’s punchy. But because the formula is so buttery, it doesn't look as harsh as a traditional matte red. It looks "lived-in." It looks like you just finished a glass of Pinot Noir in a dim Parisian cafe, even if you’re just sitting at your desk eating a salad.
What Most People Get Wrong About the NYX Butter Lipstick
Here’s the thing: people complain about the longevity. I hear it all the time. "It doesn't last through a burger!" Well, yeah. Of course it doesn't.
It’s a cream lipstick. The very thing that makes it comfortable—the high oil and emollient content—is what makes it move. It’s a trade-off. You can have 12-hour wear that feels like drywall, or you can have 3-hour wear that feels like a hug. I’m choosing the hug every single time.
If you want it to last longer, there’s a trick. Apply a thin layer. Blot with a tissue. Dust a tiny bit of translucent powder over the tissue while it's against your lips. Apply another layer. This "sandwiches" the pigment and helps it grip. But honestly? Just bring the tube with you. The packaging is cute, and re-applying is part of the ritual.
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NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick vs. The Modern "Lip Oil" Craze
Right now, everyone is obsessed with lip oils. Dior, Fenty, Rare Beauty—they all have them. And while I love a good oil, they often lack the "grip" of a lipstick. They slide off in twenty minutes.
The NYX Butter Lipstick is the middle ground. It gives you the shine and comfort of an oil but with the staying power of a traditional bullet lipstick. It’s the OG that the new kids are trying to emulate.
The Price Factor
We have to talk about the cost. In 2026, everything is expensive. A high-end lipstick can easily run you $40. NYX keeps this around the $6 to $8 mark depending on where you shop. That is incredible value. You can buy five shades for the price of one "luxury" brand. And let me tell you a secret: the labs that produce these formulas are often the same ones used by the big names. You’re paying for the heavy metal packaging and the brand name on the box, not necessarily a "better" product.
NYX is "Pro Makeup at an Accessible Price." That’s their whole thing. And the Butter Lipstick is the crown jewel of that philosophy.
Real Talk: The Fragrance
Some people hate the smell. I love it. It’s a sweet, vanilla-custard scent. It’s not overpowering, but it’s there. If you’re super sensitive to fragrance, this might be the one dealbreaker. But for most, it adds to the "dessert for your face" experience. It’s part of the charm.
How to Style It for Different Looks
You don’t just have to swipe and go. Because it’s so blendable, you can use it as a cream blush. Seriously. Take a bit of "Cupcake" or "Little Susie" on your ring finger and tap it onto the apples of your cheeks. Since the formula is designed to be skin-friendly and emollient, it blends into the skin beautifully, giving you a monochromatic look that looks very "clean girl aesthetic."
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- The Blurred Lip: Apply the color only to the center of your lips. Use your finger to smudge it outward. This gives you that K-beauty "just bitten" look.
- The Defined Lip: Use a lip liner one shade darker than the lipstick. NYX Slim Lip Liners are great for this. Outline, fill in the corners, then pop the Butter Lipstick in the center. It creates dimension and makes your lips look huge.
- The Gloss Overlay: If you want it even shinier, layer the NYX Butter Gloss on top. It’s a bit much for some, but if you want that high-octane glass look, this is the combo.
Common Misconceptions and Limitations
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s perfect. It has flaws.
The cap can sometimes crack if you drop it. The plastic isn't indestructible. And because the formula is so soft, if you leave it in a hot car during a Florida summer, it will melt. It’ll turn into a puddle of "Peach Cobbler" in the bottom of your bag. Keep it cool.
Also, the color on the tube doesn't always 100% match the color on your lips. This is because your natural lip pigmentation interacts with the semi-sheer formula. "Gumdrop" might look like a bright lavender in the tube, but on someone with very pigmented lips, it might just look like a cool-toned pink. Always swatch if you can, or look up "arm swatches" for your specific skin tone online.
Why NYX Stays Relevant in 2026
NYX was one of the first brands to really embrace the internet. They listened to makeup artists. They didn't gatekeep. While other brands were busy being "exclusive," NYX was being inclusive. They offered a range of shades that catered to everyone before it was a marketing requirement.
The Butter Lipstick is a testament to that. It doesn't discriminate. It works for a 16-year-old going to her first dance and a 70-year-old who wants a lipstick that won't bleed into fine lines. It’s democratic beauty.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Makeup Run
If you’re ready to dive back into the world of buttery lips, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Exfoliate first. Even though it’s moisturizing, no lipstick looks good on top of dead skin. Use a sugar scrub or just a damp washcloth to gently buff your lips.
- Check the batch code. If you’re buying from a discount bin, make sure the product is fresh. Cream products do have a shelf life (usually 12-18 months once opened).
- Start with "Pops" (Root Beer Float). If you don’t know which shade to get, get this one. It is the safest, most flattering bet in the entire lineup.
- Use it as a "topper." If you have a matte lipstick that’s too drying, dab a bit of NYX Butter Lipstick in the center. It adds just enough moisture to make the matte wearable.
The beauty world will keep changing. There will be new "miracle" ingredients and "innovative" applicators. But at the end of the day, we just want something that feels good, looks pretty, and doesn't cost a week's worth of groceries. That’s exactly why the NYX Butter Lipstick isn’t going anywhere. It’s a classic for a reason.
Go ahead and grab that tube of "Angel Food Cake." Your lips will thank you. Honestly, mine are thanking me right now. No more dry, cracked, "liquid-matte" regrets. Just butter. Simple, beautiful butter.