Marshmallows…affordable…a primer that works….did I mention marshmallows? The NYX Cosmetics Marshmallow Primer will tick all your boxes if you need an affordable primer pronto. It smells dreamy and pairs beautifully with your everyday makeup application and look. Not only is it your next go-to primer, but it is also affordable and smooths out your skin using a vegan whipped cream-like formula.
The NYX Marshmallow Primer became a viral sensation on the social platform, TikTok. Offering 10-in-1 makeup benefits – this primer is already exceeding expectations.
What do I think of NYX Marshmallow Primer?
I absolutely love this primer for my combination skin. With just 3 or 4 pumps, my skin felt smoother; it evened out my complexion and gave me a smooth, softer base to apply my makeup to. This is one of my favorite go-to drugstore primers and I recommend NYX Marshmallow primer to all my friends!
This primer smoothes, softens, extends makeup wear for 16 hours, hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimizes texture, blurs lines, adds a soft focus finish AND keeps makeup fresh.
10-in-1? The Marshmallow Effect
Yes! NYX calls it the “Marshmallow effect” and claims that this primer has 10 outstanding makeup benefits:
- Smoothes
- Softens
- Extends makeup wear for 16h
- Hydrates
- Soothes
- Evens tone
- Minimizes texture
- Blurs lines
- Adds a soft-focus finish
- Keeps makeup fresh
Wowza! What a list. This formula has smoothing marshmallow root extract, which gives it its soft whipped texture.
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What Is a Primer?
If you are new to the make-up world or simply need a refresher, a make-up primer works by preparing your skin for foundation and depending on your skin type, the primer can do many things such as reducing shine, reducing pores, providing hydration, or creating the ultimate smooth canvas. NYX Marshmellow smoothing primer claims to do all of these things and more.
But Is a Primer Necessary?
Make-up primers aren’t always necessary (ie. quick under-eye concealer before the shops look!) but are a must if you want your make-up look to stay on all day and look flawless. Some primers can also act as a moisturizer which is great for hydrating your skin.
So How Does NYX Marshmallow Primer Perform?
Well first off the scent is dreamy – a sweet marshmallow scent immediately hit me when I first used this product. Once I put it on my face, its soft, whipped texture stood out as I rubbed it onto my skin. It looked transparent and absorbed quickly – which is a must for primers. I used about 3-4 pumps of the primer and felt like it was very moisturizing on my skin (combination skin for me). It was a little bit shiny at first but then settled into a matt, soft-focus finish. I noticed it really evened my skin tone out too.
The main test for the primer was the day ahead. My makeup stayed on during my daytime errands and there wasn’t a crack in sight. NYX Marshmallow Primer passed with flying colors! I’d say it lasted between 5 to 6 hours, which is what I expected for a drugstore primer.
This primer smoothes, softens, extends makeup wear for 16 hours, hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimizes texture, blurs lines, adds a soft focus finish AND keeps makeup fresh.
My verdict? This long-wearing primer creates a silky smooth canvas ready for your go-to makeup looks and keeps my look in place.
How Do I Use It?
Make sure to apply a pea-sized amount to a clean face with your fingers or a makeup brush before applying your regular foundation.
NYX Pro-tip is to use the Marshmallow Blending Sponge to apply the product and blend for a smooth and soft complexion.
What Does It Look Like?
The primer comes in a sweet pink plastic bottle with a thin pump where you get 30ml of the product. The formula literally looks like marshmallow fluff and is very lightweight. With the NYX signature logo on the front, the rest of the text is in bold black and “Marshmallow” is in a large bold font.
The product has a light pink tint to it but blends out clearly with its sweet candy-like smell.
Pros and Cons of the NYX Marshmallow Primer
Pros
- The cost! £15.00/$17.00 on most beauty sites
- Its sweet ‘marshmallow’ scent
- Long-lasting primer
- Vegan ingredients
Cons
- Not good for dry skin types due to its being super moisturizing on the skin
- Simple packaging
My Ratings
- Packaging: 6/10 – I wish they were more creative with the bottle and used a marshmallow design instead of keeping it plain
- Longevity: 7/10 – I wouldn’t say this lasts up to 16 hours, but it is great for your day-time errands
- Application: 9/10 – I love a good pump! It was so easy to apply, and I loved the whipped texture of the primer
- Formula: 10/10 – Vegan-friendly and marshmallow root – a perfect blend
- Effect: 8/10 – I wouldn’t say this ticks all of their “10-in-1” benefits, but it ticks most of them!
- Scent: 10/10 — I love the smell of this product; it’s sweet but not overpowering!
NYX Marshmallow Primer: Did TikTok Made this Viral?
Like many beauty brands at the moment, TikTok is quickly becoming a cosmetic company’s heaven due to its powerful effect on making beauty products sell out. Don’t believe me? Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara was sold out everywhere once TikTok made this mascara vital. Beauty vloggers are quick to review items on the video-sharing platform and TikTok is a quick and easy way to know which products people are raving about.
People cannot stop raving about the scent! I have to say, the scent is one of the reasons I strongly recommend this product as well. One reason why the NYX Marshmellow Primer is such a hit is its sweet marshmallow scent. The scent became popular with TikTok’s younger demographic and then beauty gurus swept in to announce its long-lasting wear.
NYX Cosmetics has used Tiktok brand awareness for other products too. Last year between March 12 and March 17 NYX used their lipgloss in a new challenge #ButterGlossPop to increase brand awareness – smart move!
The NYX Brand — Why Do We Love This So Much?
NYX Professional Makeup is an American cosmetics company. Founded in 1999 in Los Angeles, NYX was named after the Greek Goddess Nyx. It offers a wide range of cosmetic products and is known as a cruelty-free brand, offering vegan-friendly products. Owned by the powerhouse brand L’Oreal, NYX has helped increase its sales throughout the COVID pandemic due to clever marketing using social platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
What was already a well-known makeup company, the NYX Marshmallow Primer has really put NYX Professional Makeup’s name on the map for its younger demographic.
Face primers have become a beauty-must have. Beauty guru superstars like Nikkie Tutorials and James Charles have made primers super popular and swear by their everyday use. On the NYX website, NYX boasts of 99% customer satisfaction with the NYX Marshmellow Primer.
Best Products To Wear After Using The NYX Marshmallow Primer
After pumping this primer on you need to use foundation to see this primer work its magic. This primer helps make any makeup go on smoother, with a more polished, finish look but some products are just matches made in heaven. So, here are my makeup favorites that will go perfectly with the NYX Marshmallow Primer:
- Foundation: The Ordinary Coverage Foundation with SPF 15 – great coverage and a perfect pairing with the marshmallow primer
- Highlighter: Fenty Beauty Highlighter – a beauty favorite
- Blush: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand – in blush colors for a dewy pink glow
- Contour & Bronze: Benefit Hoola Powder in Bronze – a must-need product for a sunkissed glow
- Eyeshadow & Mascara: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk eyeshadow – a soft pink glow! Paired with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara to make your eyes stand out.
- Eyeliner: NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner in Black – to make a statement look
- Eyebrows: Glossier Boy Brow – hello fluffy brows!
- Lips: NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss – a final product to make your look pop
Any Negative Reviews?
Despite the praise from many in the beauty industry, there have been negative reviews. As mentioned this primer is not good if you have dry skin. These are a few of the negative reviews I have seen:
- Doesn’t hydrate the skin well if you have dry skin
- Wear doesn’t last 16 hours
- A bit sticky after foundation
- Caused some people to break out
Remember these are personal reviews people have made using the product. I have used this primer many, many times (it’s got top shelf in my personal makeup cabinet), but I have combination skin. If you have drier skin, you might want to look for an alternative to the NYX Marshmellow line that adds more moisture to your skin.
Want To Try Out A Different Primer?
Not a fan of the marshmallow scent but still want a long-lasting primer? Then check out these alternatives:
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
Another TikTok viral primer! This also has a lightweight formula and stays on for 8 hours or longer, so it’s designed to get you through the night! It’s a great luxury pick and is vegan and cruelty-free as well. I’ve tried this and found the formula to be easy to apply, and did last all day and all night as promised.
This powerful long-wear primer grips your foundation in place and boosts its staying power, so your makeup look lasts up to 8 hours longer.
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
In one of the cutest designs I’ve seen on a primer bottle, Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer is a fave. Infused with coconut water and skin-reviving ingredients, this primer hydrates and smooths out your face. Giving a flawless and dewy finish, this is best for dull and dry skin.
Got a beauty hangover? This replenishing face primer is your instant cure. It hydrates, smoothes and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy-looking finish.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
An illuminating, water-based primer with light-reflecting pearls that enhances skin’s luminosity and extends the wear of makeup.
In a similar light pink bottle and this is best for dull skin as it brightens your face immediately. This is an illuminating primer that contains “light-reflecting micronized pearls” and “porcelain flower extract” boosting luminosity while smoothing out the skin. If you want a dewy glow then this is the one for you.
Get 30% OFF on Sale Items! Exclusively at the Laura Mercier online store. 
NARS Pore Shine And Control
In a simple white bottle, NARS mattifying formula helps keep pores and oils in check. This primer helps prolong the wear of makeup and leaves a velvet matt finish – perfect for oily skin.
Mattifying. Refining. Oil-free. Pore Minimizing Complex diminishes the look of pores instantly and over time. Controls shine. Prolongs and enhances the look of makeup.
Final Thoughts
Primers come and go but NYX Marshmallow Primer is here to stay. With the social media platform TikTok to thank for its popularity, beauty gurus have praised this primer and made it a household name in the beauty industry. Its sweet marshmallow scent helps this primer stand out from the rest and its whipped, silky smooth texture stays in place all day long.
I’d say go and grab this primer now as it’s no longer sold out everywhere – it’s a steal in price and is perfect to whip on before you apply your favorite foundation or your regular makeup application. This marshmallow primer smoothes, and softens the appearance of your skin and helps to extend your makeup wear – it clearly has the “marshmallow effect” and is my new favorite primer.
This primer smoothes, softens, extends makeup wear for 16 hours, hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimizes texture, blurs lines, adds a soft focus finish AND keeps makeup fresh.
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- NYX Marshmallow Primer Review: Does This Primer Actually Work? - July 14, 2022
- Milk Hydro Grip Primer Review: The Perfect Primer to Add to Your Makeup Collection - June 27, 2022