Target’s on fuego right now! They’ve ditched their strict low price image and now carry a growing number of high-end, top quality beauty products like Pixi by Petra Strand. Take Tarte’s “health couture” philosophy, Benefit’s commitment to versatility, and Pop Beauty’s love of color et voila! — you’ve got Pixi.
You gotta plan that next trip to Target because Pixi’s where it’s at. The line features a wide array of more than 90 eye, lip and face products, as well as makeup tools at a reasonable $12-$39 each. Created by Swedish makeup artist Petra Strand, a 20-year veteran of the beauty industry, Pixi aims to make you look and feel like you got a great night’s sleep — fresh, healthy and ready for anything.
Like the JK Jemma Kidd line Target debuted earlier this month, Pixi is an import from Europe, but beyond that the two lines share little in common. JK Jemma Kid seeks to dazzle with trendy, makeup artistry-inspired colors, while Pixi takes a simple, easy-to-use “You, but only better” approach.
Pixi Lip Blush in Happiness, $18
I tested four products from Pixi and went apesh*t for Pixi Lip Blush in Happiness.
An $18 lip stain might seem a little steep for Target, but this is so worth the moolah. A water-based stain that comes in pen form, Lip Blush feels feather-light on my lips yet lasts all frickin’ day long! I applied it in Happiness (a hot pink) onto my lips one morning when I was really hungry. After breakfast, lunch, several glasses of water and a handful of See’s candies my lips were still stained pink (NOTE: That’s how I test the durability of lip products — I eat, lol!).
The Magic Marker-esque tip tickles a lil’ at first, but you get used to it. I learned the hard way that Lip Blush exaggerates any lip faults. Puckers should be in tip-top shape if you’re gonna wear this stuff. The first time I used it, my lips were a little dry and flaky, and the color applied unevenly.
Swatch of Lip Blush in Happiness
Other deets: it’s taste-free and has a light rose scent that fades quickly, yay! I liked Happiness so much that I told myself to get the three other shades — Youth (a light pink), Purity (light peach) and Love (coral) — on my next trip to Target.
Pixi Rose Lip Treat in LipNude, $12
Rose Lip Treat, a sheer lip balm, moisturizes and conditions lips, and, according to the packaging, even protects against free radicals. Boo, down with free radicals!
Packaged in a slim, pink tube with a pretty flower design, it’s all business — no taste or scent to speak of.
It does a great job softening and soothing my lips, too, and comes in two shades — LipNude (light peach) and LipRose (light pink).
Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Blue, $19
Pixi Lash Booster also comes in two shades — Blackest Black (uh, black) and Blackest Blue (blue-black). I tried Blackest Blue, which looks like a rich, navy blue on the brush and a pure black on the lashes. The marketing claims it has a unique “push up effect” that lifts and coats each lash. I gotta say, Lash Booster does do a bang-up job of really holding the curl. You want that wide-awake look? — you get it with Lash Booster.
Lash Booster’s got game, but I would have liked to see it thicken a bit better than it does. I thought two coats delivered the best overall results, making my lashes look visibly longer and shinier, but not significantly thicker. I mainly like it for its ability to hold a curl.
Pixi Energy Blush in Pick-Me-Up Pink, $21
If James Bond were a girl, she’d probably like Energy Blush. It’s a very sheer, pressed powder blush and highlighter packed into a super cute green compact with a secret compartment that houses a soft, flat brush. Uh, who doesn’t love secret compartments?
While I like the packaging, the powder feels grainy to the touch, and I didn’t think much of the color payoff. Neither the blush nor the highlighter really registered on my skin tone. I get the glitter with little of the color. If you’re several shades lighter than I am, you may get better results from the color, but I think there may be a little something off with the texture.
Next Up — Palettes!
I’ve yet to try the eye or lip palettes, so it’s back to Target for moi! Because I liked the lip products so much (like gravy on mashed potatoes!), I have a feeling I’m going to be impressed.
*Go Target!*
(I’m all about the positive reinforcement)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Like you, I like Pixi more than JK Jemma Kidd line. And I especially heart the palettes, I think they’re good bangs for your buck. Target really spruces up a lot and I heard Thakoon will be their Go! International designer this December.
*Go Target!* 😀
Daos last blog post..New Mineral Makeup Company: Adorned with Grace Minerals
i was actually playing with this stuff this past weekend while my fiance perused the electronics dept
i was all over the lip stuff!
i didnt buy anything because i have been saving up for my chanel date lol
i am totally thrilled with these products being at target though!
Yay! Pixi!
I just picked up the sheer cheek gel blush and have tried it out once or twice (I’m a total cheek-stain addict, so I had to!). I also picked up the Sparkle Stix because I thought it would be good for highlighting — it’s a little too glittery/gritty, but I’ll see if I can make it work.
I was definitely tempted by the lip stain pen, though, and particularly “Happiness”. I’m definitely an “eat your way through the day” type of girl…
Thank you so much for doing reviews on these products! I’m very excited to buy some items. There have been so many people just trashing these brands without really giving them a try. Thanks again 😀
Tanyas last blog post..Taupe Tuesdays! – BOGO!!
Hi Karen,
I love the look of that stain, I think on my next trip to NY im going to have to venture into the suburbs to find a Target, the list of things I want to try from there is growing all the time – all your fault I might add!
After me saying how I wasnt too keen on Exceptionnel just yesterday I got a nice little delivery from Chanel today of a tube of Exceptionnel and the new Coco Mmml twist and spray eau de parfum! I was hoping it would be one of the tissage de chanel blushers but hey I can’t complain when its a free surprise-I love my job more and more every day haha!!
Hi Dao,
I’m really looking forward to testing out the palettes. Which one is your fave?
Hi YadiQ,
The lip stuff is really stellar! I gotta get more lip blushes, ASAP!
LOL, I always end up in the beauty section while El Hub is checking out games/electronics at House of Tar-ghay. 🙂
Hi Jeanne,
Here’s another good thing about Happiness: I found out by accident the other day that Happiness looks great underneath red glosses. I popped it MAC Cult of Cherry Lipglass on top and it looked fab.
Hi Tanya,
You’re welcome! I think that they are worth a good look — hey, ya never know what you’ll find at Tar-ghay, right?
I do hope you give the Lip Blush a try. It’s the best!
Hi Holly,
I am *really* psyched about the blushes. I can’t wait! You better let me know when you get the chance to play with them. I hope they are just as pretty as they are in the promo pics.
Hey Karen!
I love the mascara’s shade 😀 The lipstain looks great as well!
I remember you asked me abou my bunny, she is better right now! But I’ve had four days of lack of sleep because she has been pretty ill. Now both of us are feeling better 🙂 Hope you and Tabs are doing great as well.
Hugs!
Erus last blog post..Good news :3
Hi Eru,
Oh no… poor thing! I hope you both are on the road to recovery.
I read somewhere that cats and bunnies are supposed to get along very well. Maybe Tabs and your bunny can be homies. They both rock the smoky eye very well.
Oh yah, been meaning to tell you that the Twilight movie is going to be out in November. Here’s the website with the trailer: TEAM JACOB B*TCHES
*go Target, go Target! go, go, go Target!*
I have the purity lip blush and I’m very impressed too. 🙂 I have been most curious about the mascara so I’m glad you tried it first. I may pick up a tube soon-I’m almost done with my stila major lash and was debating either the pixi or new tarte one. hmm, decisions, decisions.
Hopefully you will get to try an eyeshadow pallette-I’m on the hunt for one to travel with….(right now tarte’s day to night is top of the list, but the pixi price is better so if the quality’s good…..) well, ya know. 🙂 have a great evening!
Hey Karen! So you finally tried the Pixi stuff…isn’t it awesome!? I’m still dying over my gloss and loving it. Wearing it today! I’m so obsessed with it…it’s going to be the first gloss that I’ve EVER finished.
I love Pixi! I love the neutralizing cover up kit, but I’ve never tried the lip products yet!
Hi Amanda,
Not to complicate your mascara decisions, but there’s also a new Tarte one called 4-day stay! I am testing that right now. 🙂
Tarte palettes are FAB, btw. I have their Pret a Porter palette and I love it.
Hi Shefali,
I love the lip stuff! I will def. have to try your gloss next. 🙂 You gotta get your hands on the Lip Blush!
Hi Ellery,
Oh! I had my eye on that one. Do you use it often?
i saw this the other day when i was in target but i didn’t have time to play w/it. now another excuse to go there!
Ninas last blog post..Murphy Label
Thanks for the reviews! I am definately going to have to check these out! Shefali, which lip gloss did you get?
I’ve been seeing all the commercials for Target lately, and I so wished they would hurry up and build one here already! I’m pretty sure they’re building one, but ALL THE WAY IN KAPOLEI! so far 🙁 But the packaging is so cute! I especially like the blush! Can’t wait for your eye/lip palettes review
Go Target! Holy cow… they are going to give Sephora a run for their $$
Marisols last blog post..Happy Independence Day to Mexico!
Oh no! I’ve intentionally been walking very quickly past the cosmetic aisles the last several trips to Target for this reason – major temptation! So, I may need to walk a little slower next time.
I forgot to ask you before if you’ve tried the 30-Day Shred DVD yet? I’d love to know what you think! Hopefully I gave a good recommendation.
that happiness lip stain is gorgeous!! i was just at target today and did not see Pixi!! this is a great excuse to go back tomorrow! 🙂
Ginas last blog post..What is a Flirge?
Hey Karen! I’m so trying that lip blush. You and I have the same coloring and your lips seem pigmented like mine. So far everything you like on your lips I like on mine too…can’t wait to try that lip blush!
Hi April – I got the Pixi Lip Booster lip gloss in Daisy. I love it.
Hi Nina,
It totally is! Then again, I’ll use any excuse to go to Target. 🙂 Have fun — and please try the Lip Blush!
Hi April,
You’re welcome! If you end up hauling let me know. 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
LOL, girl, you know that ain’t that far! It’s funny, the first time I heard one of the aunties say that the trip from town to the windward side was “reeeeeally far” I couldn’t help but chuckle. Here in the bay it feels like it takes two hours to get anywhere sometimes!
Hi Marisol,
Right? Next thing you know they’ll be offering makeovers. They’ll set up lil’ stations in the shampoo section…
Hi Tuprnut,
Yah! When you walk by be sure to go extra slow when you see the JK Jemma Kidd shadows, too. 🙂
I haven’t had the chance to try THE SHRED yet! I’ve been kinda swamped with work, but I’m really looking forward to getting my booty whooped. 🙂
Hi Gina,
Oh! Lemme know if you end up hauling tomorrow! Have fun!
Hi Shefali,
Yay! I hope you like it. I found out today on accident that it looks really pretty underneath lipglasses.
I am so itching to try the other shades!
Hi Karen,
The new blushers are actually already on sale here in the UK, they are beautiful! I have been wearing mainly the coral coloured one which is kinda like a more highly pigmented NARS orgasm with that peachy undertone but they are honestly all gorgeous!
I have the lip blush in Purity. It gives a natural rosy tint to my lips. Just the barest color. And it lasts forever.
Think I might go back and get every color now that I see how great happiness looks.
See what you’ve done!?! (I was going to anyway, but now that I’m blaming you I don’t feel so bad)
Have to say, I am wild about the Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Natural. Makes you look perky and refreshed, especially when you’re not. It has honest-to-goddess good ingredients (sodium PCA is a natural humectant) and is oil-free. Last ferever. Worth every penny.
.-= Carolyn Blount Brodersen’s last blog post… Tumerica Slacks off on Politics, but Cooks in Other Venues =-.
Hey there — just wanted to share that right now hautelook.com has Pixi on sale super cheap. The blushes are 6.40 and eye palettes are around 8 dollars!! Deal ends Monday at 8 a.m.
Here is a link for a free membership: all required is your email address.
http://www.hautelook.com/invite/JAlberti6644
Take care.