I tried a $14 foundation and I liked it. And it’s from a brand I’d never really considered for my older-than-40 self.

NYX Born to Glow Foundation surprised me and didn’t surprise me at the same time. Wait, what? Okay, I’ll explain.

I’m just going to say it: I’d never considered NYX Cosmetics for myself because I saw it as an Instagram-makeup brand, designed for teen-and-20-something makeup junkies who want full coverage, matte finishes, bold colour, and stuff that stays on (hopefully theoretically) for a week. Plus the marketing, full of Instagram-makeup images, just turned me off – it’s so far from my own barely-there preferences.

Still, I’d forgotten that really, some of the formula qualities an NYX fan looks for are what we all want: good textures, long-lasting finishes, and prices that don’t make our wallets run and hide.

And obviously, just because something isn’t for me doesn’t mean it isn’t good for someone else, right? In fact, I bought a colourful NYX palette of shadows for my eldest niece Erin, then 17, because I knew she’d love a yellow shade that was part of the mix. I was right; she’d actually just bought herself the same palette for that very colour. *grin*

Anyway, some time ago I received a couple of NYX limited-edition Love You So Mochi shimmery eyeshadow palette samples that intrigued me enough to put them aside to use on Erin’s sister, Lauren. Many, many moons later, after the palettes were already long out of circulation, I used one to do her makeup… and nearly said a bad word.

I wish I’d tried them as soon as I’d got them because the textures were brilliant, silky smooth and beautifully easy to blend.

Fast-forward to a recent preview featuring an array of new-to-me items, including a just-launched medium-coverage foundation designed to enhance the complexion rather than cover. The following is a little IGTV video of all the products on display.

nyx born to glow naturally radiant foundation

The new NYX Born to Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation surprised me in that it’s a medium coverage formula and it’s only $14 CAD*/$10 USD. Okay, I shouldn’t have been surprised that it’s only medium coverage rather than full, but whatever. That price though – why do I feel like it’s been forever that I’ve seen a price that reasonable for a foundation?

That it has no shimmery mica or bismuth oxychloride in it to supply assisted glow also surprised me. Wouldn’t you expect ingredients like that in an inexpensive formula?

So far, it’s all surprises. However, that it’s a lightweight texture and looks good on skin didn’t surprise me because I expected it to measure up to my experience with the Love You So Mochi palettes. So there’s that. But that I like it enough to wear again – well, yeah, that kind of does surprise me a little. I figured I’d go right back to my go-to, It Cosmetics CC+ Cream SPF 50. But no, I’m actually willing to apply sunscreen then this foundation as a separate step.

NYX Born to Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation ($14 CAD at nyxcosmetics.ca* and $10 USD at ulta.com) seems like a fairly uncomplicated formula (I’m not a chemist; if you are, would love your input) that includes silicones, conditioning agents (such as jojoba seed oil and panthenol) and pigment of course.

Obviously NYX Born to Glow Naturally Radiant foundation isn’t for the silicone-averse. If you’re okay with that ingredient, though, here’s a fun fact: in an icy climate, a silicone-based liquid foundation wears in the cold better than a water-based formula because it won’t freeze and melt on your skin. If you don’t want to spend a lot of cash and need a light, sheer finish you can build to medium coverage that delivers a nice, subtle radiance, NYX Born to Glow foundation is worth a try.

Normal-to-oily or combination skin will need a bit of setting powder to temper shine and increase wear time. Textured skin that needs some cushioning and smoothing will want a primer first.

As for shades, there are 45, which, because they’re sheer, will suit far more than just 45 different complexions. (Their website says “inclusive” shades, but really, that there are 45 hues IS inclusive.) I wear Nude.

P.S. A few words about the large, colourful NYX Modern Dreamer shadow palette: I’m actually wearing a few shades in the above face photo, but you can hardly tell. It was bolder, but I toned it right back down to my comfort zone. *grin* Still, I can tell you that some of the shimmers have a texture similar to the Love You So Mochi palettes, and some really don’t – a gold I tried on my niece was quite dry and resulted in a ton of fallout.