1.27.2015

This or That: NYX Wonder Stick Vs. Em Cosmetics Chiaroscuro Reviews

Contouring and highlighting the face is a technique that isn't going anywhere, regardless of whether it is "in" or not. In fact, it's even easier to find the products to do so. Today I'm sharing two creamy versions that conveniently carry highlight and contour in one product. I hope you enjoy this week's This or That (I've done these almost every week for over a year).

NYX Wonder Stick

  • Recent release
  • $12 ULTA, Target, online
  • 4 shades, including "universal"
  • Very creamy, so a powder is needed to set
  • No shimmer
  • Breaks easily if too much is rolled out.
  • cheap looking packaging
Em Cosmetics Chiaroscuro 
  • Released last year, by Youtube beauty guru, Michelle Phan
  • $24 emcosmetics.com
  • 4 shades
  • highlight is a shimmer
  • easy to blend
  • gorgeous packaging
To apply:
Place the highlighter on the areas you want highlighted, like the forehead, under the eyes, the chin, Cupid's bow, etc. Apply the contour to cheek bones, jawline, around forehead, etc. Blend it all out thoroughly.

This or That:
I love having two products in one-makes for less clutter and fewer products in the drawer. However, I know not everyone is into creamy products for H&C, some prefer powder instead. While I have purchased both twice, it really comes down to the type of highlight you want. If you prefer a shimmery one, go with EM. It's excellent quality. But if you don't like shimmer, go with NYX, but carefully use it or it will break.

Extra Elle:
  • Currently watching The Fall on Netflix. I'm really into it and have almost finished season 2.
  • Still having video problems--my 4th time filming. Finally got it edited and then went to upload. Files are suddenly gone. Poof. So I shall splice the other attempts in. Can't wait to show it to you--it's a highly-requested tutorial!
  • Hope you're keeping warm where ever you are!



44 comments:

  1. I've heard of these sticks but never actually tried them.

    xo
    PinkSole

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  2. hi dear, i tried this product and i think is very good
    kisses

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  3. Indeed to start contouring, it's just so intimidating!! Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have to give them a try!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire

    Peaches In A Pod

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  4. I've never used a highlighter before because I was not exactly sure how to apply it! I'll have to check them out!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  5. The two-in-one products are the best and I love they they do double duty!!! Thanks for sharing - I'm going to check the NYX one out! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  6. These look so interesting and I hadn't seen them before. When you do get videos going up again, I'd love to see a demo. Isn't The Fall thrilling? I have about 40 minutes left.

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  7. I'm so sorry you are having video problems! How frustrating! I love reading your this or that posts! You always give the positives and negatives of each product which really helps when deciding!

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  8. I loved to know this product! It seems it's good and I love new things, to try things and this product seems to be very good - I love reading about contouring and highlighting! I hope you solve your video problems soon!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  9. the em looks great! bummer about the video issues! can't wait for the next one. xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  10. I haven't tried either but love HAC I tend to use two seperate products, but love it being in one product!

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  11. I have never tried a cream contour before {though I do use a cream highlight quite often}. I think I would go with the EM - I like a little shimmer!

    xx

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  12. I am still trying to master contouring. Right now I have a creamy contour stick and a powder highlighter. I think a two-in-one stick would be great!

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  13. The contour/highlight stick by Michelle Phan looks really nice! I do enjoy a bit of shimmer :-) I've also heard great things about the Smashbox Contour Pencil Kit. It's definitely on the pricier side, but you get a bronzing stick as well.

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  14. Great post friend! I need to submit some blog post requests to you soon! - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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  15. Great post friend! I need to submit some blog post requests to you soon! - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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  16. Love your comparison posts, Elle. I'll give NYX a try as I am not a fan of shimmer.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  17. I have never try contouring out before. I still learn the rope on makeup.

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  18. I haven't tried contouring - I'm a pretty simple makeup gal. (As in - slap it on and go...) One of these days, I'll have to give it a try.
    Thanks for sharing your review.

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  19. I don't GET HOW TO DO THIS! I am sooo frustrated by it because I think I end up contouring all the wrong things.

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  20. I've never tried cream ones before. I had bad luck with a cream blush once so that's probably why I haven't tried any. I like the packaging to the em cosmetics one!

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  21. Contouring is a concept I'm still trying to wrap my brain around. Good to know about these.

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  22. I had a blog friend that just used a youtube video for contouring & I couldn't believe the results!

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  23. I've never tried cream contouring, but it intriuges me. Maybe this is something new I'll try this year.

    That's disappointing to hear about the NYX cream contour duo. I prefer mattes, but sometimes don't have the lightest hand with things...lol. But maybe I'll buy it when it goes on sale at Ulta. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the two!

    Katie // From My Vanity

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  24. I've really wanted both. First the Em which was ALWAYS sold out then the Nxy. I haven't got either but I prefer no shimmery so if I get either, it will be the Nyx one. Maybe at Imats!

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  25. Oooh- cream contouring is a skill I could use a little brushing up on. I have a few cream sticks (not these, I need to check these out), but am mostly a powder contour girl.

    Great post, Elle!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  26. I'm a shimmer girl and I break things easily, so the second product is more my alley.

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  27. What a great find. This seems like the perfect contouring all in one tool!

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  28. Thanks for the heads up on the NYX product, I'm new to their stuff, and have been liking it so far, I've never tried cream products but I'm excited to do so now :)
    It'sMyLife

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  29. I hope you're staying warm too Elle! I've tried highlighter, but never contouring. I may have to try the NYX version.

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  30. I like to see contouring, but I'm not sure I'll do it myself. I don't tend to spend much time on my face makeup. Most days I don't even wear it. I do do a highlighter though.

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  31. Love this! I've been thinking about buying these :)

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  32. I'm not really 100% sure what contouring is but if I ever figure it out, this is going to come in very handy. Also, I love NYX brand stuff.

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  33. You are truly a tremendous help when it's time for me to figure out which product I want to try. Thank you for that :)

    Kay of Pure & Complex
    www.purecomplex.com

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  34. I love that this is a two in one product! I will have to check them out for sure. My highlighting stuff is out and I haven't replaced it..and it has been out awhile! I hate that the first one breaks easily. I might check out both and see which looks better on me.

    Sorry about the video problems, technology can be so fickle sometimes, right?!

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  35. I'm not really into cream products, but I do think this could work on low key days over a bb cream for a really natural look. I may check out the NYX. Great review! xoxo

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  36. Oh I'm so glad you did a this or that for these products because I just saw the nyx on recently on another bloggers instagram and I have been wanting the one from em for awhile but wasn't sure about. I don't like shimmer so I will have to try the nyx one out.

    Nina
    http://curvymod.blogspot.com/

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  37. Great review! I haven't seen either of these products, I'm going to be on the lookout for the one from NYX!

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  38. I never could get into shimmer for highlighting, so I think I'll have to go for NYX. I'm glad that there are so many contouring product options these days... I remember when I used matte brown eyeshadow!

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  39. Oh no! I hope you can get your tutorial up! Looking forward to it. We're staying warm! Lots of wind and snow though. /:

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  40. I've been wanting to try NYX products for a while now. I am vowing to do so. T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  41. I've never heard of these, but they sound cool!

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  42. Looks like we'd totally go for NYX on this one, looks like such a neat product. Thanks Elle!

    xx 365Hangers

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  43. I literally just ordered the NYX stick a few minutes ago before reading this, damn, but I hope it works well enough!

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  44. Hi Elle! I’ve wanted to try out one of these for a long time, I’ll probably go for the non-shimmer one though since it will look better for contouring I think I recently started my own beauty-related blog, I’d love for you to come check it out! X Josune, Your Beauty Script

    http://yourbeautyscript.com/

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