We tried Pixi’s new SS21 collection – here’s what we thought
From face masks and highlighters to lip balms, here's our verdict on every product from the latest launch
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Your support makes all the difference.Popular beauty brand Pixi is renowned for cruelty-free products which create a healthy, radiant finish. Established 20 years ago by make-up artist Petra Strand, loyal fans favour its botanical skincare treats and multipurpose cosmetics.
With glow tonic being its most famous accolade, the international name focuses on mid-range price points and innovative, natural formulas.
The brand-new spring/summer 2021 beauty range is no exception, featuring a hybrid of skincare essentials infused with flattering and complexion enlivening pigment.
Pixi’s global artistry director, Amanda Bell, says: “Pixi’s SS21 is a curated collection that is a fusion of results-driven formulations packed with floral and botanical ingredients to hydrate, soothe and revitalise all skins.”
From multi-tasking make-up to skincare TLC, the collection includes lip balm, toning face masks, setting powder, a brightening highlighter, illuminating primer and face oil. But does Pixi’s latest launch live up to expectations? After a month of trying the entire collection, here’s our verdict.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn some commission, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Pixi rose lip nourisher: £10, Pixi
Sheer and softening, this lip balm adds a subtle hint of colour and shine. Key components including rosehip oil, vitamin E and jojoba oil make for hydration and nourishment that feels gentle. Delicately rose-infused, we found it leaves lips lightly moisturised, but not overly coated in product. The twist-up tube is simple, slimline and compact enough for small pockets. A slightly tinted balm rather than buildable colour, understated lip product fans will approve. We’d recommend wearing underneath lipstick as a smoothing base if you do prefer a brighter look.
Pixi rose radiance perfector: £14, Pixi
Created to blur imperfections, the silky-textured face lotion is also an effective long-wearing primer. Hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-boosting rose water help moisturise and revitalise skin, while the sheer rosy tint adds a pearlescent effect. We really rate its efficiency as a tone correcting base under foundation, as well as an eye make-up primer. But you can also apply across areas such as the cupid’s bow, browbone and cheekbones, for a natural radiant sheen.
Pixi rose glow-y powder: £14, Pixi
Ideal if you’re into multi-tasking make-up, the shimmery compact doubles up as both a highlighter and blusher. Not for those who shy away from sparkle, there are glittery undertones when this pink and rose gold coloured mineral powder catches the light. A new addition joining the existing “peach-y glow” and “cream-y gold” glow-y powder shades, rose extract and jojoba elements ensure it is noticeably soft on skin. We’ve been using this as a rosy highlighter – easily upgrading an otherwise basic look – or building up with other favourite blushers. Worn alone, the blush impact is a brightening layer rather than full-on flush. Alternatively, try a sweep across the lids or dabbed underneath your browbone.
Pixi rose essence oil: £24, Pixi
Super lightweight thanks to a clever oil-water combination, the surprisingly refreshing formula soaks into skin fast. Instantly soothing too, its calming nature comes courtesy of the aforementioned-rose water and rose flower oil blend. There’s zero excess grease after application and your post-skincare base won’t slide around. A unique consistency, it’s almost tonic-like, rather than rich. Presented in a glass bottle with pipette and signature green lid, shake to mix before use. Our tester’s skin can break out from oil-based products and was impressed to have no issues with this slightly scented hybrid. Taking our skin from dull to dewy, we’ve found dotting a few drops over make-up adds welcome skin radiance throughout the day.
Pixi H20 skinveil in translucent and sunkissed: £22 each, Pixi
Want a setting powder that doesn’t look cakey? This loose, water-powder formula ticks that box in translucent and sunkissed shades. Apply using a fluffy brush all over your face, or delicately dab into blemishes for precise coverage. Talc-free and smooth to the touch, the powder is not drying either. Aloe vera and green tea soothe, and in our experience, it helps calms redness or blemishes. Plus, the weightless powder sits well over make-up or on bare skin and can be topped up without any annoying patchiness.
Choose between soothing, brightening and nourishing skin benefits with milky, vitamin C or rose remedy masks. An efficiently absorbed jelly texture, each mask has a handy applicator that clips onto the tub, so you don’t lose it. Because all three options target different skin needs, you can even use them together and multi-mask across separate areas.
Milky’s coconut, chamomile and oat combo is comforting, cooling and calming. Vitamin D brings a zingy and energising vibe with brightening citrus and green tea extracts. And for more intense moisture, try the rosehip oil, turmeric and argan oil-infused rose mask. The cica ingredient within this also has anti-inflammatory properties. We layered thickly, then rinse or wipe off after ten minutes for a low maintenance face mask fix.
There’s no gloopy dripping as you smooth the product onto skin, and both the satisfyingly tactile consistency and gentle fragrances deliver an express de-stress experience. Perking up our tester’s tired face, we’d say the standout remedy mask is milky because it’s a hydrating all-rounder. We saw brighter, fresher looking and feeling skin immediately after removal.
The verdict: Pixi Glow collection
Our overall tried-and-tested take? Pixi successfully delivers a fresh uplifting collection encompassing fun innovation and skin-friendly ingredients. Combining efficient skincare and lightweight, natural-looking make-up, our daily favourites are the vibrant, soothing + rose essence oil, paired with +rose glow-y powder for a shimmery, subtle glow. And when it comes to a weekly treat, the remedy masks are refreshing, faff-free skincare indulgence.
We tried Caroline Hirons’s skincare routine, read our review