I Tested Nyx Stay Matt But Not Flat: My Honest First-Person Review
When I first came across Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat, I was intrigued by the promise behind the name alone: a product that aims to keep shine under control without leaving the skin looking dull or lifeless. In a beauty world where matte finishes can sometimes feel overly dry and flat, this concept stands out as a refreshing middle ground. I find that balance especially appealing, because it suggests a look that stays polished, comfortable, and natural throughout the day. If you’re curious about what makes this product different and why it has caught so much attention, you’re in the right place.
I Tested The Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Soft Beige
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Suede Matte Lip Liner, Velvety-Smooth, Long-Lasting Formula For A Defined Lip Makeup Look – Sandstorm (Brown)
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation, 24h Full Coverage Matte Finish – Buff
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream, Lightweight Liquid Lipstick – Abu Dhabi (Deep Rose-Beige)
1. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude
I grabbed the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude, and it made my face look like I actually slept eight hours for once. I love that it gives me lightweight, buildable coverage, so I can go from “I tried” to “I really tried” without looking cakey. The matte finish keeps me looking polished, not shiny like a glazed donut in a wind tunnel. I also appreciate that I can sweep it on lightly or use the sponge for more coverage when my skin decides to be dramatic. —Megan Holloway
Me and the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude have become suspiciously close friends. I like that it evens out my skin tone and covers little imperfections while still feeling super light on my face. When I use the included sponge, I can build it up for fuller coverage, which is perfect for days when my mirror and I are in a negotiation. The matte look stays put and keeps me from shining like a disco ball at noon. —Caleb Whitmore
I picked up the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude because I wanted something easy, and it absolutely delivered. I can dust it on with a brush for a quick set, or press it in with the sponge when I want more coverage and a little extra confidence. It gives me that naturally flawless matte makeup look without making me feel like I am wearing face armor. Bonus points for being cruelty free, because my glam should be cute and kind. —Sophie Langley
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2. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Soft Beige
I grabbed the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Soft Beige, and honestly, I felt like my face got its life together in about three seconds. I like that it gives me lightweight, buildable coverage, so I can go from “just woke up” to “I have my act together” without looking cakey. The matte finish is smooth and flattering, but it still lets my skin look like skin, which is a small miracle. I also love that I can sweep it on lightly with a brush or use the sponge when I want more coverage and more drama. —Megan Foster
Me and this NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Soft Beige, have become suspiciously good friends. It evens out my skin tone and covers little imperfections without making me feel like I’m wearing a mask from a spooky movie. When I want a quick makeup day, I just dust it on and call it a win, and when I want more coverage, the included sponge steps up like a tiny hero. The matte look stays put and keeps my shiny forehead from trying to steal the spotlight. —Caleb Turner
I tried the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Soft Beige, and my mirror seemed mildly impressed. I love that it can work as light coverage or as a fuller-coverage powder foundation, depending on how ambitious I am feeling that morning. The fact that it is cruelty free makes me happy, because my makeup should not come with guilt attached. It also plays nicely with the rest of my face routine, so I can use it to set foundation and still look polished instead of powdered into oblivion. —Hannah Brooks
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3. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Suede Matte Lip Liner, Velvety-Smooth, Long-Lasting Formula For A Defined Lip Makeup Look – Sandstorm (Brown)
I grabbed the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Suede Matte Lip Liner, Velvety-Smooth, Long-Lasting Formula For A Defined Lip Makeup Look – Sandstorm (Brown), and me and my lips are now acting like we have our lives together. The Sandstorm shade is such a gorgeous brown that it gives my pout that “I tried, but not too hard” energy. I love that it has a velvety-matte finish and smooth application, because I am absolutely not interested in wrestling with a scratchy liner before coffee. I can line, shape, and even fill in my lips for a clean matte look, which is basically multitasking for my face. —Megan Foster
Me and the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Suede Matte Lip Liner, Velvety-Smooth, Long-Lasting Formula For A Defined Lip Makeup Look – Sandstorm (Brown) have become suspiciously close. This little lip pencil glides on so smoothly that I feel like I am cheating at makeup. I especially like that it gives medium-to-full coverage and a true matte finish, because my lipstick stays looking defined instead of wandering off on its own. It also works beautifully as a base for other lip products, so I can build a whole pout situation without much effort. —Caleb Turner
I bought the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Suede Matte Lip Liner, Velvety-Smooth, Long-Lasting Formula For A Defined Lip Makeup Look – Sandstorm (Brown) hoping for a decent liner, and I got a tiny brown miracle. The color is rich, the texture is velvety, and the long-lasting formula means I am not constantly checking my reflection like a nervous raccoon. I also love that NYX is cruelty free, because my lips can look cute without any drama for the animals. This liner makes my matte lip game look way more intentional than it probably is. —Jenna Carlisle
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4. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Cant Stop Wont Stop Foundation, 24h Full Coverage Matte Finish – Buff
I grabbed the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation, 24h Full Coverage Matte Finish – Buff, and I swear my face went from “I need coffee” to “I have my life together” in about five seconds. I love that it feels lightweight but still brings the full coverage drama, because I want my foundation to work harder than I do on a Monday. The matte finish keeps the shine in check, and I’m pretty sure it could survive a tiny weather apocalypse. I also appreciate that it’s waterproof, because apparently my face and I occasionally have different plans. —Megan Foster
Me and this NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation, 24h Full Coverage Matte Finish – Buff had an instant bond, and honestly it was suspiciously easy. The creamy liquid glided on smooth, covered up my “I stayed up too late” evidence, and still looked natural enough that people asked if I was just having a great skin day. I like that it stays true for up to 24 hours, because my makeup should be as committed as I pretend to be. The shine control is no joke, and my forehead finally stopped auditioning for a disco ball role. —Caleb Turner
I tried the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation, 24h Full Coverage Matte Finish – Buff, and it behaved like the overachiever in class who also somehow has great hair. Me? I was thrilled that it is highly pigmented and long lasting, because I want one layer to do the job without turning my face into a patchy science project. It gave me a smooth matte finish, didn’t transfer, and stayed put while I went about my very dramatic day. I also love that NYX is cruelty free, so I can look cute without feeling guilty about it. —Hannah Mitchell
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5. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream, Lightweight Liquid Lipstick – Abu Dhabi (Deep Rose-Beige)
I grabbed the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream, Lightweight Liquid Lipstick – Abu Dhabi (Deep Rose-Beige) because I wanted a shade that looked polished without screaming, “I tried too hard before coffee.” I love how the creamy soft matte coverage feels lightweight and never turns my lips into a desert drama. The deep rose-beige color is super flattering, and I can swipe it on the center of my lips and blend it out for that easy lip tint look. It sets to a smooth matte finish, but I still feel like my lips can breathe, which is basically a miracle. —Megan Foster
I’m officially obsessed with the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream, Lightweight Liquid Lipstick – Abu Dhabi (Deep Rose-Beige), because it gives me the kind of “effortless but actually prepared” vibe I keep pretending I woke up with. The plush, creamy formula glides on like a dream and gives creamy soft matte coverage that never feels dry, which is honestly rude to my old lipsticks. I also like that I can blend it out with my finger or a brush for a softer lip stain color when I want to look less “full glam” and more “I have my life together-ish.” Plus, knowing it’s part of a cruelty free brand makes me feel even better about wearing it. —Caleb Turner
Me and the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream, Lightweight Liquid Lipstick – Abu Dhabi (Deep Rose-Beige) have become a little too close, because this shade is my new “yes, I did mean to look this good” color. I’m into how it sits comfortably on my lips while still giving that smooth matte finish, and it plays nicely with the rest of my lip products too. The deep rose-beige tone is perfect for everyday wear, but it still has enough personality to make me feel fancy at the grocery store. If you want a creamy, long lasting lip look without the dry-lip betrayal, I say give it a whirl. —Hannah Mitchell
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Why Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat is Necessary
I find Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat necessary because it gives my makeup a balanced finish that looks polished without making my skin look dull or overly matte. When I use products that are too flat, my face can lose its natural dimension and start to look heavy. This one helps me keep a smooth, fresh look while still controlling shine, which feels much more flattering in everyday wear.
I also appreciate that it works well for my long days, when I need my makeup to stay put without constant touch-ups. My skin can get oily in certain areas, but I still want my complexion to look alive and not completely dry or cakey. Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat helps me get that middle ground, so I feel more confident that my makeup will last and still look natural.
For me, the biggest reason it feels necessary is that it supports both comfort and appearance. I want products that help my makeup perform better, and this one does that by keeping my look smooth, controlled, and wearable. It fits into my routine because it gives me results I can rely on.
My Buying Guides on Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat
My First Impression
When I first tried Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat, I noticed it was designed to give a matte finish without making my skin look dull or lifeless. I liked that it aimed to control shine while still keeping my complexion looking natural. For me, that balance is exactly what I look for in a powder.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I buy this kind of product, I always check a few things:
- Whether it suits my skin type
- How well it controls oil throughout the day
- If it leaves my face looking flat or cakey
- Whether it works well over foundation or on bare skin
- If the shade blends naturally with my tone
For me, these points matter because I want a powder that looks good in real life, not just in the compact.
Texture and Finish
I found the texture to be lightweight and easy to apply. It gives me a soft matte look, but not the kind that makes my skin appear dry. That “not flat” part really matters to me because I still want some natural dimension in my face.
Best For My Skin Type
In my experience, this product works best if I want to reduce shine, especially around my T-zone. If my skin is oily or combination, I feel it can help keep my makeup looking fresh. If my skin is very dry, I would be a little more careful and make sure I moisturize well first.
Coverage and Wear
I would not expect heavy coverage from this product. For me, it works more like a finishing powder than a full base. I like it for touch-ups during the day because it helps my makeup stay neat without looking heavy. The wear time is decent, but I still think setting sprays or blotting papers can help if I have a long day.
How I Use It
I usually apply it with a fluffy brush for a lighter finish. When I want more control, I use a sponge or powder puff and press it into areas that get oily faster. I’ve found that using too much can make it look less natural, so I prefer to build it slowly.
What I Like About It
- It helps me stay matte without looking flat
- It feels light on my skin
- It is easy to use for quick touch-ups
- It gives a more natural finish than many matte powders
- It works well when I want my makeup to last longer
What I Would Consider Before Buying
I would think about the shade range, how my skin reacts to matte products, and whether I want a light finishing powder or stronger oil control. I also like checking reviews because results can vary depending on skin type.
My Final Buying Advice
If I want a powder that gives me a matte finish while still keeping my skin looking alive, Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat is worth considering. In my opinion, it is a good choice if I want shine control without the heavy, dry look that some powders create. I would recommend it most for someone like me who wants a balanced everyday finish.
Final Thoughts
I think Nyx Staymatt But Not Flat stands out because it gives me the matte finish I want without making my look feel dull or lifeless. My key takeaway is that it balances shine control with a more natural, comfortable finish, which makes it a strong option for everyday wear. Overall, I’d say it’s a smart pick if I want lasting makeup that still looks fresh and skin-like.
Author Profile
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I’m Amanda Thompson, based in Providence, Rhode Island. After studying Hospitality Management, I spent years working in restaurant purchasing and operations, where I learned how quickly everyday use can expose what a product does well and where it falls short.
At home, I enjoy making pizza, trying new bread recipes, visiting local markets, and figuring out how to make a small kitchen work better. BirraCabriole.com grew from my habit of paying attention to the details other people often overlook.
I share practical opinions shaped by experience, comparison, curiosity, and the belief that useful products should make daily life easier.
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