Winky Lux Cosmetics Review: Fun, Affordable Luxury Makeup
If you love fun, whimsical makeup that doesn‘t sacrifice quality, let me introduce you to Winky Lux. This cruelty-free cosmetics brand has gained a loyal following online for its unique and effective products in adorable packaging. But is Winky Lux really worth the hype?
As a beauty junkie always on the hunt for the best new products, I decided to dive in and test out this Instagram-famous brand for myself. In this mega Winky Lux review, I‘m sharing my honest experience with their bestselling makeup and skincare. Plus I‘m digging into what other customers really think and spilling all the insider details you need to know before shopping. Let‘s get glowing!
What is Winky Lux?
Winky Lux is a luxury makeup and skincare brand that believes beauty should be whimsical, delightful and accessible. Founded in 2015 by Natalie Mackey and Nate Newman, Winky Lux is on a mission to reimagine and redesign the beauty industry into a more joyful, transparent experience.
You‘ve likely spotted Winky Lux‘s dreamy pastel products all over your Instagram feed. With nearly half a million followers, they‘ve quickly become a favorite among beauty influencers and editors. The brand is known for its viral sensations like the original Flower Balm lipstick with a real chrysanthemum inside. They‘ve even earned major recognition, including being named the Concealer Product of the Year at the 2020 Beauty Independent Innovation Awards.
But Winky Lux goes beyond just being pretty and Instagrammable. The brand is dedicated to creating clean, cruelty-free products with ethically sourced ingredients. And they‘ve prioritized building close relationships with their community of "Winkies."
One of the coolest things about Winky Lux is their innovative approach to manufacturing. As Forbes put it, "Winky Lux products follow an untraditional manufacturing cycle that‘s rapid enough to serve the instant and fickle nature of the Millennial beauty market." They‘re constantly rolling out new, of-the-moment products that still deliver serious quality.
So now that you know the deal with Winky Lux, let‘s get into my experience actually trying the products. I tested bestsellers from nearly every category, from eyeshadows to lip balms to skincare. Here are my thoughts…
Winky Lux Makeup Review
Eyeshadow Palettes
Hands down, Winky Lux makes some of the cutest darn eyeshadow palettes I‘ve ever laid eyes on. I tried two of their most popular nine-pan palettes:
Winky Lux Latte Kitten Eyeshadow Palette: This coffee-inspired neutrals palette legit smells like a vanilla latte and I‘m obsessed. It features the perfect mix of mattes, shimmers and metallics in buildable, blendable formulas. The shades aren‘t super pigmented right away but can be layered for surprisingly dramatic looks perfect for day or night.
Winky Lux Mermaid Kitten Palette: If you want ethereal, wearable pops of color, look no further than this stunning ocean-inspired palette. The four duochrome shimmers are the stars of the show, shifting between blue, teal, purple and pink as they catch the light. The buttery mattes make for great crease and transition shades too.
Lip Balms & Glosses
Winky Lux‘s pH-reactive lip products are some of their most iconic offerings. The Green Flower Balm was the first Winky Lux product I ever saw on Instagram and I immediately needed it in my life. Luckily, it did not disappoint IRL.
The clear balm is housed in a green tube with an actual chrysanthemum flower inside – almost too pretty to use. But I‘m so glad I did, because the balm is incredibly nourishing and leaves my lips with the perfect shade of rosy pink. It‘s not super long-lasting but I don‘t even mind reapplying.
I‘m also a huge fan of the Disco Gloss, which has light-reflecting glitter to give you a megawatt sparkly pout. The gloss itself is sheer but the shimmer makes a big impact. I love pairing it over a more pigmented lip color for extra dimension.
If you prefer traditional bullet lipsticks, check out the Winky Lux Watermelon Jelly Balm or Matcha Lip Balm. They have the cutest packaging and provide a sheer wash of color while keeping lips soft and hydrated.
Base Products
For complexion products, I tried the Winky Lux Diamond Powder Foundation and Whipped Cream Primer. The foundation gives light, natural coverage with a radiant finish thanks to the diamond powder. It‘s not full coverage by any means but works great for good skin days. The primer has a unique whipped texture that feels cooling and hydrating on the skin. It definitely helps my makeup last longer without feeling heavy.
My one gripe with the face products is the shade range. The foundation only comes in five shades which is pretty dismal. I‘m hoping Winky Lux expands the range soon to be more inclusive!
Winky Lux Skincare Review
In addition to color cosmetics, Winky Lux offers a small selection of skincare basics. I‘ve been using the Watermelon Jelly Cleanser and Dream Gelee Moisturizer for a few weeks now in my nighttime routine.
The cleanser has a jelly texture that lathers into a gentle foam. It smells amazing, like a fresh slice of watermelon, and doesn‘t strip my dry skin. The moisturizer is a lightweight gel-cream that absorbs quickly and layers well under makeup. It‘s hydrating enough for my skin but might not be enough for super dry types. Both leave my skin feeling clean, soft and pleasantly plumped.
Overall, these are solid everyday skincare staples that smell great and have cute packaging. Nothing groundbreaking but they get the job done!
The Pros & Cons of Winky Lux
So now that I‘ve shared my personal experience, let‘s summarize the highlights and lowlights of Winky Lux as a whole.
Pros:
– Fun, innovative products in adorable packaging
– Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and phthalate-free formulas
– Many vegan options
– Sheer, buildable color products for a natural look
– Effective, gentle skincare staples
– Positive customer reviews
– Affordable prices for a luxury brand
– Student discount and rewards program
– Great customer service
– Free shipping over $25
– Easy returns within 30 days
Cons:
– Limited shade ranges for complexion products
– Some eyeshadow palettes lack pigmentation
– Products may not work for all skin types
– Some customer complaints of damaged/defective products
All in all, I think the pros outweigh the cons for Winky Lux, especially if you enjoy playful, everyday makeup looks. The reasonable prices and satisfaction guarantee make it a low-risk way to try out a trendy brand.
What Do Customers Really Think?
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it. I scoured hundreds of online customer reviews to get the complete picture of how Winky Lux products perform for different people.
On the Winky Lux website, most products have over a 4.5 star rating from dozens to hundreds of reviews. Customers rave about the cute packaging, beautiful colors and effective, non-irritating formulas. Here are a few quotes that stood out to me:
"Winky Lux has a magical way of making me feel confident and beautiful! The products are amazing and so easy to use. I‘ve switched my whole collection over to strictly Winky Lux and I‘m so so happy I did!"
"I love that they are vegan and cruelty free and still have bright and pigmented make up. They always come out with new products and the prices are not bad at all. 10/10 would recommend to anyone and everyone!"
"I absolutely adore this brand! I love how they have a wide range of products and everything just works so well. Definitely a must have in my collection!"
However, some less favorable reviews mentioned issues with product performance and consistency. A few customers noted that certain eyeshadow shades were less pigmented or blendable than expected. Others had problems with damaged palettes or dried out lip products arriving.
The most common complaint was the lack of options for deeper skin tones in face products. As one reviewer put it, "The only reason I took off a star is because the shade range isn‘t very inclusive which is a little disappointing. I hope they come out with more shades soon!"
Overall though, the vast majority of Winky Lux customers seem thrilled with their purchases and the brand experience as a whole. The negatives appear to be isolated incidents rather than widespread problems. And Winky Lux customer service is very responsive to any issues or complaints based on reviews.
Is Winky Lux Worth It?
So is Winky Lux worth the hype? Ultimately, I have to give this brand an enthusiastic yes! While no product is 100% perfect, I think Winky Lux offers great quality, clean ingredients and a joyful beauty experience at reasonable prices.
If you‘re looking to treat yourself to some fun new makeup that performs well and looks great on your vanity, Winky Lux is an excellent choice. I especially recommend them for gifts – the flower balms and kitten palettes are sure to impress any beauty lover on your list.
Plus, the 30 day return policy and helpful customer service means you can shop with confidence. Don‘t like something? No worries – just send it back.
Since Winky Lux is always launching limited edition collections and products, I recommend snagging anything that catches your eye. Some of their most unique offerings like the Mermaid Kitten Palette tend to sell out fast and may not be restocked.
While Winky Lux may not be the most wallet-friendly beauty brand out there, I think the prices are actually quite reasonable for the level of quality and performance you get. Many luxury makeup brands charge double or triple the price for similar products. Winky Lux allows you to feel a bit bougie and splurge-y without totally breaking the bank.
Of course, as with any beauty products, your mileage may vary with Winky Lux. What works for me or other customers may not be your cup of tea, and that‘s okay! If you‘re unsure, I suggest starting with a small order of one or two products you‘re most excited about to test the waters.
Luckily Winky Lux is pretty easy to get your hands on these days. You can shop the full collection on the brand website, but they‘re also available at major retailers like Nordstrom, Ulta, Amazon and ASOS.
Final Thoughts on Winky Lux
Winky Lux has quickly become one of my favorite makeup brands for its unique products, cheeky packaging, and impressive performance. From the skin-enhancing Whipped Cream Primer to the color-shifting Mermaid Kitten Palette, these products deliver the perfect combo of whimsy and wearability.
I love that this brand is cruelty-free and uses thoughtful ingredients while still keeping prices accessible. The recurring themes in customer reviews are great quality, pretty colors, nice formulas and an overall positive brand experience. With the exception of some constructive feedback on shade ranges, there are very few complaints to be found.
While Winky Lux may not be the most revolutionary or prestige beauty brand on the market, I think they excel at what they do: making luxury beauty playful, inviting and fun. The brand is a great example of how to engage today‘s beauty consumers through Instagram-worthy products, authentic brand values and a strong community.
If you‘re in the mood to treat yourself to something a little bougie but still practical, I highly recommend checking out Winky Lux. Start with a few of my favorite products:
- Flower Balm in Green or Purple
- Kitten Eyeshadow Palette in Latte or Mermaid
- Disco Gloss
- Whipped Cream Primer
- Watermelon Jelly Cleanser
I hope this uber-comprehensive Winky Lux review has been helpful and informative as you consider the brand! Let me know in the comments if you‘ve tried anything from them and what your experience was like.
Now if you‘ll excuse me, I need to go place another Winky Lux order…for research, of course. 😉
Happy shopping Winkies!
