Eyeliner + Kajal
Quantity discount
CHF12.– per piece for 2 units
NYX Professional Make-Up Epic Inky Stix
06 Cobalt Click, Cobalt Click
Your search for the ideal graphic liner ends here
12.2.2026
Translation: machine translated
Have you ever seen an eyeliner tip like this? I haven't. The "Epic Inky Stix" from NYX seem to be well thought out, at least in terms of design. Will they make applying make-up easier?
I have to hand it to Nyx: Her releases literally scream fun. Both in terms of colour and function. The latest example: the «Epic Inky Stix». Creamy gel eyeliners in stunning, bright colours that dry matt, are supposed to be waterproof - and have an unusual lead shape. It resembles the cross-section of a lens. I'm referring to the legume. Not the visual aid.
In front of me are two test products from the range: «Cobalt Click», a rich, bright blue for eye-catching looks and «Ember Energy», a deep chocolate brown for everyday use.
Eyeliner + Kajal
Quantity discount
CHF13.50 per piece for 2 units
NYX Professional Make-Up Epic Inky Stix
Cyber Cyan
Packaging and design
The pen format fits well in my hand. Standard. It only gets interesting when we take a closer look at the refill. It slides out of the barrel as soon as you press the button at the back. Click, click, click! But be careful: The «Epic Inky Stix» have a so-called «Propel-only» mechanism. This means that you can extend the refill but not retract it again. So don't overdo it! Such designs are often used with particularly soft, pasty product formulas to minimise the risk of breakage.
In the application
«Wow, this glides on quickly», I think to myself as I swipe the colours over the back of my hand. Creamy, well pigmented and with relatively clean edges. Remarkable for a non-liquid formula. And an ideal starting point for graphic statement liners. But what works on the back of the hand doesn't always translate one-to-one to our eyelid. And that's exactly the case here. Unfortunately.
The skin on my eyelid is more flexible. That's why the pencil behaves much more waxy in practice. It slows down. Gliding is therefore only possible to a limited extent. That's why I work with small, almost stamp-like movements. It works, but it costs me more patience than I expected after my hand swatch.
More often than not, comparable gel liners offer enough time and leeway to blend them a little if needed before they dry down completely. If this feature is important to you, the «Inky Stix» are not for you
Once you have applied the colour, you should leave it alone. You can add a second coat to intensify the colour. However, rubbing the colour in with a brush or your finger will lead to a blotchy, unsightly result. To be clear: Nyx does not claim to be a blendable product. On the contrary: «Our quick-drying formula sets in a flash to an intense, vibrant finish that resists smudging and abrasion and keeps your look perfect and clean all day long.» The liner is therefore unforgiving and doesn't have to be.
The bevelled lens shape of the lead, on the other hand, impresses me. It is perfect for precise, creative eyeliner lines. Its slim line hugs my lash line and follows my eye contour almost automatically. The two tips can be used to finish off eyeliner lines without the wing «looking frayed».
How well do the «Epic Inky Stix» last?
The richly coloured liner dries instantly to a matte finish. As long as you don't touch your eyeliner during the day, it stays in place. However, if you run your fingertip over it, it can be rubbed off «» .
I didn't notice any transfer residue. By this I mean the colour imprint that can occur on the upper lid when blinking. The line that I drew just above the crease also stays where it is. Great!
When removing make-up, the hold shows another side. My micellar water is almost no match for the «Inky Stix». Its oily counterpart, a bi-phase remover, on the other hand, makes my experiment disappear in no time at all.
In a nutshell
Top - as long as every move is right
The "Epic Inky Stix" from Nyx are inexpensive and pretty cool. Provided you know what you're doing. They are sure to give beauty fans a lot of fun and room for creativity. While the shape of the lead may serve as a support for eyeliner beginners in particular, the colour-intensive, quick-drying formula does not forgive any mistakes or unsure hand movements. Once the make-up has been applied, everything is bombproof. This makes the formula unsuitable for people who want a flexible product that can be blended.
Pro
- Long-lasting (waterproof)
- Strong colour release
- Practical mine design
- matt finish that does not wear off
Contra
- glides poorly over the eyelid
- Cannot be blended
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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