The barrel on the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil neither twists nor retracts, so anyone who wants it as liner has to buy a jumbo sharpener (NYX Professional Makeup FAQ, 2026).
NYX sells it as one jumbo stick that works as an eyeshadow and as a liner.
Most buyers also miss a correction. NYX’s own answer on a Target product page says the pencil is not waterproof, which contradicts retailer copy that calls it waterproof.
What can you do with the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil?
On its product page NYX lists eyeliner and all-over mono eyeshadow, plus use as a primer under powder shadow (NYX Professional Makeup, as of October 2026).
Walmart’s listing for the Iced Mocha shade adds highlighting.
| Use | How it goes on | Sharpen first? | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyeshadow base | Sketch on the lid, smudge, top with powder | No | Creases if layered thick |
| All-over cream shadow | Color the lid with the broad side, blend | No | Needs blending for soft edges |
| Lash line eyeliner | Sharpened tip traced along the lashes | Yes | Wide tip, softer line |
| Waterline liner | Sharpened tip along the inner rim | Yes | Tends to migrate |
The rows run from strongest fit to weakest. One Beauty Crew reviewer says the larger tip makes the pencil work slightly better as shadow than as liner.
A few specs worth having on hand.
- 16 shades (NYX Professional Makeup, 2026)
- 5 g net weight, or 0.18 oz (iHerb, 2026)
- A barrel 12.2 cm long and 1.3 cm wide (iHerb, 2026)
- Sharpen only, with no twist and no retraction (NYX FAQ, 2026)
Under powder shadow, the pencil does the work of an eyeshadow primer, giving pigment a creamy layer to sit on.
Pale shades like Milk and Yogurt also make a quick highlight on the inner corner of the eye. One Well.ca reviewer found the Frosting shade went on unevenly there.
The formula is creamy, and NYX states it smudges because of that.
Older retailer copy calls it a mineral oil and powder blend. The ingredient lists shown on H-E-B (Frappe) and Apotea (Iced Latte) name emollient esters, candelilla and carnauba wax, beeswax, mica and iron oxides, and do not name mineral oil.
Lists vary by shade and market, so read the pack.
How to sharpen the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil
Use a jumbo-size sharpener, because the barrel does not twist and is not retractable (NYX FAQ, 2026).
NYX’s own copy anticipates the problem. If you cannot find a sharpener big enough, it points you to its dual eyeliner sharpener.
That tool is the NYX 2-in-1 Dual Makeup Pencil Sharpener, with one hole for regular pencils and one for the jumbo barrel, $4.50 at Ulta (2026). Place the tip in the hole and twist gently, per the usage note on Macy’s.
Only sharpen when you plan to line the eye. Shadow and base work uses the blunt barrel anyway.
NYX says you can keep sharpening and use the pencil down to the bottom.
For a step-by-step version, there is a separate walkthrough on sharpening this pencil.
People do run into snags. A Desert Cart reviewer twisted the base for months, convinced the pencil was broken. An Ulta reviewer complains about a loose sharpener lid that spills shavings, and a Beautylish reviewer finds the soft, thick barrel hard to sharpen.
How to use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil as an eyeshadow base or all-over shadow
Sketch the color on, smudge it, then top it with powder shadow if you want it to stay (NYX Professional Makeup, 2026).
- Sketch color across the lid with short, light strokes.
- Smudge it out with a fingertip or a flat brush until the lid is covered evenly.
- Add depth by coloring a triangle on the outer corner and blending the edge with a clean fluffy brush.
- Press a powder shadow over the cream layer.
- Check the crease and re-blend with a fingertip if the color has settled.
The triangle in step 3 comes from a beaut.ie guide. The crease check is prompted by a 2012 Musings of a Muse review, which reports that the pencils crease a little.
As an eyeshadow primer
Keep it to a thin layer. A Beautylish reviewer says too much creases a few hours later, and powder shadow goes on top, as NYX instructs.
NYX calls the pencil a primer, but that reviewer finds it works as a color base, not a true primer, and saw creasing even with a primer underneath. Treat it as a color base and keep the layer thin.
As an all-over cream shadow
Use the broad side of the barrel for a stronger effect, as Rossmann’s product text advises.
Blending is quick because the formula is creamy. A finger gives softer, less rigid color, while a clean fluffy brush diffuses the edges.
The beaut.ie author builds a full look from just 2 shades and argues that pair covers most needs. A pale shade for the lid and a deeper one for the outer corner is a sensible starting point.
How to use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil as eyeliner
Sharpen the tip, trace the lash line, and expect a soft, smudgy line rather than a crisp one.
That matches NYX’s instruction, but reviewers split on the result. A Beauty Crew reviewer lists difficulty as a liner among the cons, while a Beautylish reviewer uses the pencil as a gel-style liner and says it works well.
Tip width explains the split. A sharpened jumbo barrel still draws a wider line than a slim pencil, so it suits smoky lines and bold wings better than hairline work.
Lash line and wing
NYX’s own method is to sketch the outline with the tip, then stretch the color with short strokes.
Smudge the line outward for a smoky edge.
A wing follows the usual winged eyeliner method, but the jumbo tip gives it a softer edge than a slim pencil would.
Waterline
NYX’s FAQ confirms you can use the pencil on the waterline to add a pop of color.
Beautylish reviewers say it does not irritate the waterline, and one prefers Milk there because other white liners fade out. The catch is that the creamy formula moves. One Beautylish reviewer warns it will migrate on the waterline and dislikes setting it with powder there.
Tightlining the upper lash line works with a sharpened tip, but keep the layer thin.
Overall it’s a good soft liner and a better shadow.
Blending the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil before it sets
Blend within the first moments after applying, and work one area at a time.
NYX publishes no setting time, so the window is a judgment call, not a number.
Beauty Bay’s German and French pages describe a cream-to-powder formula that dries to a matte finish. On the reviewer side, a Beautylish reviewer bought the pencil for how easily it smudges, and a Walmart reviewer says its thickness makes smudging simple.
Read together, the two describe stages. The pencil moves freely while fresh and settles as it dries.
One beaut.ie author (2015) puts the job of blending out harsh edges at about 2 seconds with a fluffy brush.
Black Bean is the shade one Beautylish reviewer wears for a dramatic smoky eye, and that look depends on blending the dark outer corner while the cream is still moving.
How to set, wear and remove the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil
Set it with powder and expect some creasing on certain lids. A regular eye makeup remover takes it off.
Sources disagree on wear time. Beauty Bay promises a matte finish that lasts all day, and one Australian retailer calls the pencil waterproof. NYX’s own answer on Target says it is not waterproof. A reader comment on a 2012 Musings of a Muse review reports creasing after about 3 hours, even with primer and powder underneath.
NYX’s US page states no wear time, so the all-day claims stay unverified.
NYX’s own method for locking the cream in is a powder eyeshadow on top.
A Beautylish reviewer adds that a light pass of setting powder also holds it, but dislikes powder on the waterline.
Since the pencil is not waterproof, a regular remover is enough. NYX’s oil-and-water Eye & Lip Makeup Remover is discontinued, and its site now points to Be Gone! Makeup Remover Wipes.
The basic method is covered in this guide to removing eye makeup.
Which shade of the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil should you buy first?
Start with a pale shade and a dark one. Milk or Yogurt covers bases and brightening, and Black Bean handles liner and smoky corners.
Shade counts depend on where you look. Beauty Crew’s page lists 6 shades, Superbalist’s Frappe page also says 6, and older catalogs such as Sleek Shop’s carry codes up to 632, including discontinued shades like Rust and Pure Gold.
Current US supermarket listings (Marianos, Fred Meyer, King Soopers) name the active line: Black Bean, Milk, Cottage Cheese, French Fries, Yogurt, Iced Mocha, Iced Latte, Frosting, Sherbet, Donut, Macaroon, Matcha, Cupcake, Frappe, Blueberry Pop and Eggplant.
| Shade | Type | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bean | Black | Lash line, smoky outer corner |
| Milk | White | Lid base, brightening liner |
| French Fries and Yogurt | Two-shade pair | Full lid look from one pair |
The pair in the last row comes from the beaut.ie guide, which builds a whole look from just those two.
One Beautylish reviewer says Black Bean makes brown eyes stand out.
Finish is tagged by shade, not by product. Walmart lists Milk as matte, and Galaxus lists Iced Latte as shimmering. H-E-B, by contrast, describes Milk as a soft shimmer, so retailers do not always agree.
Buy for the finish you need, not only the color.
When the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil is the wrong tool
Pick a different NYX pencil when you need a thin line or a look that survives water.
For thin lines, NYX offers the Slim Eye Pencil, sold as a creamy longwear liner (Walmart listing). For water exposure, the Retractable Eye Liner is listed as a waterproof mechanical pencil (Walmart listing).
Reviewers split on the slim option. A Superbalist reviewer prefers NYX’s small pencil for liner, while a Beautylish reviewer ranks the Slim Eye Pencil as a least favorite among NYX pencils because color payoff takes more effort.
The jumbo’s upside is simple: one pencil covers base, shadow and liner, and NYX says it sharpens down to the end. The downsides are a wide tip and creasing on some lids. One Beautylish reviewer’s cap cracked within days and the pencil dried out.
The Slim Eye Pencil gives a finer line, and a Walmart reviewer says it smudges little once set with eyeshadow. It does only that one job, though, and the payoff per swipe is less creamy.
Jumbo suits shape and base work. Slim handles line work, and the waterproof retractable is the one to grab near water.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil FAQ
Is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil waterproof?
No. NYX’s own answer on Target says the pencil is not waterproof, which overrides retailer copy claiming otherwise.
Walmart lists NYX’s Retractable Eye Liner as a waterproof mechanical pencil if you need one.
How much does the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil cost?
Current US listings run from $5.19 at Marianos to $7.49 at Fred Meyer (2026), with Walmart at $6.47 for most shades.
Elsewhere, Well.ca lists CAD 7.99 and Rossmann EUR 5.99, while Chemist Warehouse asks AUD 14.99.
Where can you buy it?
Target, Walmart, Vitacost and iHerb all carry it, as do US supermarkets such as Marianos, Fred Meyer and King Soopers.
NYX also sells it directly on nyxcosmetics.com.
Is it cruelty-free?
NYX’s product copy lists the Jumbo Eye Pencil as cruelty-free (NYX Professional Makeup, 2026).
Retail listings at Navy Exchange and King Soopers repeat the claim.
Is it a good pick for beginners?
A Beauty Crew reviewer recommends it for anyone who wants a jumbo liner and shadow pencil in one.
Begin with base and shadow work, where the large tip is no handicap, and add sharpened liner once blending feels easy.
How should you use it on hooded eyes?
Keep the layer thin and set it with powder, since creasing is a common complaint in reviews.
No source tests the pencil on hooded eyes specifically.
For placement advice on folded lids, see this guide to makeup for hooded eyes.
Is One NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Enough?
One NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil covers base and shadow work, but sharp lines and water exposure need a second pencil.
A sensible buying order starts with a pale shade for base and brightening, then Black Bean for liner and smoky corners. A slim or waterproof liner comes last, and only if line work or water demands it.
The order follows the strength of each use. The pencil performs best as a base, so the first shade returns the most.
One pencil replaces three products, and the price is a softer line plus a powder step to hold it.
Sharp lines call for a slim pencil and a separate method for applying eyeliner.
This position holds as of October 2026. If NYX publishes a wear time or a waterproof version, the third purchase drops away.
She started writing on the site after fielding the same questions from clients and friends often enough to just write the answers down: which red won't turn orange on a warm undertone, how to keep lipstick from feathering into fine lines, why a "12-hour" formula rarely survives dinner.
Every review on the site follows the same rule she uses with paying clients: wear it first, then decide if it's worth recommending.
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