Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

I have been reading rave reviews about the new Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick formula, I have never used this type of lipstick formula before but the manager of Sephora told me to try it out when I was lipstick shopping earlier in the summer.  I had the itch to buy more lipstick the other day and visited the MAC counter but nothing was jumping out at me so I decided that I would visit Sephora and see if that same manager happened to be working.  Luckily she was and she remembered my questions from the previous visit.  We had a second discussion on this product and she told me how the product was revamped and renamed from a previous Stila lipstick formula.  She encouraged me to try it again and I decided to pick up a few tubes of it. 

"A highly-pigmented, liquid lipstick that's weightless on the lips and delivers long-lasting coverage.  This creamy, full-coverage lip color provides intense hydration with bold, long-lasting pigment that stays put for up to six hours of continuous wear. Featuring an array of matte and shimmer shades, this lip formula imparts a comfortable texture that feels lightweight on lips, and its color-rich formula does not bleed or transfer. Enriched with vitamin E and avocado oil, Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick hydrates and softens lips so they look and feel beautiful.", states the Sephora website.

The reviews on this product are all over the place but I do attribute some of this variance to the overall nature of a liquid lipstick.  Liquid lipstick is a great product to impart matte long lasting color with lots of pigment.  This type of finish is not for everyone and not for every occasion.  I love this type of formula when I want my lipstick to stay in place all day and when I want a matte lip.  I have not found any type of liquid lipstick that has the moist look of a traditional cream lipstick and doubt that I ever will. 

I purchased a pink and a red shade in this product and wore the red shade for the first time last Saturday night.  I applied it at 6:00 at night and expected wear until midnight.  There were some great aspects to the wear of this product and then some drawbacks.

The pros of this formula were that is lasted about five hours through sipping a drink and normal conversation.  It was very pigmented when applied and dried down to the same level of pigmentation, my lips looked great all night and I was loving this aspect of it.  The application was slightly off but I am putting this down to not being used to this type of formula.  The formula is on the heavier side and it felt almost "gummy" on my lips when it was drying and through the initial wear period.  It started to feel more comfortable on my lips once I had sipped my drink a few times and it seemed like a bit of excess product wore off.  I did need to bring a separate lip balm along with me for touch ups since any liquid lipstick formula is more drying than any other type of lipstick formula on the market.  My biggest disappointment with this product occurred when I had a midnight snack of a salad.  As soon as the liquid dressing hit my lips and mixed with the formula, the product melted all over my lips and it began to bleed onto my chin.  I was a bit surprised at how fast it melted since it held up wonderfully to the whole rest of the night.  I will need to remember this when I chose what occasions to use these shades for.

The Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick is available in a range of pigmented hues. 

- Fiery - deep red
- Beso - true red
- Tesoro - orange red
- Carina - vibrant coral
- Bellisima - pale neutral pink
- Fiore - hot pink
- Patina - dusty rose
- Amalfi - coral pink
- Bella - bright pink
- Rosa - bubblegum pink

I purchased Beso and Bella to start with.  Both shades give full pigmentation and look exactly the same on my lips as they do in the tube.  I was very happy with the color payoff of the shades.  I would also like to purchase Patina once Sephora has it back in stock, I saw the tester and it is a lovely shade of neutral rose.  I would use that shade for work and could use it all the time. 

This product was a solid introduction to liquid lipstick formulas, I love the pigmentation and color payoff of this type of product.  I would use this formula for times when I wouldn't be eating very much and would only be sipping cocktails or coffee.  I will always need to carry a separate lip balm with me as these types of formulas tend to be drying.  I will keep an eye on Patina and will start to look for more companies that carry this type of lipstick formula.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Stila Fall 2013 Collection

I have been thinking about Stila products since I created my Current Favorites! list from yesterday and I decided to check out their website this morning and see if anything new was listed on it.  I was very happy to see that the company has put up their newest products for fall and I can start shopping right away.  Stila collections rarely have any type of theme and the fall products are no different.  This collection contains new makeup shades of current products, several new face products, and then I see two Lip Glaze sets at the bottom of the page.  I already know that I will want a Lip Glaze set but need to check everything else out before I begin adding more lip gloss to my collection.

Face makeup is one area that I own little of from Stila, I tend to buy more of their lip products than anything else however I am very impressed with the quality of the Convertible Color that I rave about often and have high hopes for the new foundation and CC Cream from this company.  I just finished up a tinted moisturizer from them which I really loved also so I feel confident picking up some of the new face products that are being introduced.  I have been using the Urban Decay Beauty Balm all summer and will be needing to look at new formulas before Labor Day.  Might as well start today...

Here are the new products from Stila!

CC Color Correcting Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20 - Stila’s NEW CC Color Correcting Cream SPF 20 is a breakthrough skincare-meets-cosmetics hybrid offering the ultimate in color correction while creating a smooth, flawless, natural looking complexion. Bursting with revitalizing skincare benefits and broad spectrum SPF protection, this green based formula color corrects upon application to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brighten skin while helping to soften fine lines and wrinkles. Micro-Encapsulated Pigments adapt to skin tone creating flawless, invisible coverage, while Hydra-Extend Technology, comprised of sugar molecules, provides up to 72 hours of continuous hydration.  Photonic Crystal Technology contains a color corrector and an optically transparent polymer that helps soften the appearance of wrinkles and other skin imperfections for a natural, youthful looking appearance. Exclusive, photo-protective Chroma-Luminescent Technology helps brighten the skin while shielding it from damaging environmental elements.  This product is available in six shades to complement all skin tones.

CC Color Correcting Stick with SPF 20 - Stila’s CC Color Correcting Stick SPF 20 is an innovative, multi-benefit product that helps color correct, reduce redness and brighten the skin. The luxe, high-definition formula is buildable and glides on smoothly, leaving a natural-looking, satin finish.  HPP (Highlighter Performing Pigments) Technology provides rich color payoff with long-lasting staying power.  The green core center color corrects redness and contains an array of skin-loving ingredients to help promote an even skin tone and a healthy, youthful looking complexion.  It also includes skin barrier repairing Dermaxyl peptide technology which helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, prevent the onset of premature aging, stimulate cellular communication and reverse age-related skin damage. An infusion of antioxidant rich Gamma Oryzanol provides photo-aging protection properties which have been shown to help intercept ultraviolet rays at the skin’s surface and hinder their transmission to help prevent damage to the skin.  This product is available in eight shades to complement all skin tones.

Stay All Day Concealer - This creamy, full coverage concealer blends seamlessly to instantly neutralize under eye circles and hide skin imperfections, including blemishes and age spots, to create an impeccable canvas for flawless makeup application. Ultra long-wearing, this emollient, crease resistant formula is designed to Stay All Day® while looking and feeling natural on your skin.  Enriched with Vitamins A, C & E, this buttery formula provides antioxidant benefits while helping to prevent premature aging. Available in 16 shades so you’re assured to find one that is perfect for you.

Stay All Day Prime and Anti-Shine Balm - This multi-tasking, secret weapon provides invisible coverage for a flawless complexion. Use under makeup as a primer to create an impeccable canvas for flawless makeup application, use over makeup to set and extend wear, or use in place of a pressed powder for touchups throughout the day.  This versatile, cream-to-powder formula smoothes skin imperfections, minimizes pores, evens skin tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and controls oil production. A silky, translucent crystal finish catches and re-emits light, diffusing imperfections for a perfectly smooth and even skin tone. Makeup glides on with ease and sets for long-lasting, high-definition results. When used in place of a powder, it absorbs excess oil, eliminates shine, and never leaves a powdery trace behind. This weightless formula is easy to apply, velvety soft and completely undetectable on the skin.
Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner - Finally, a waterproof liquid liner that glides on with ease, won't smudge or run, and stays in place until you say when! The thin marker-like tip is easy to use even for the least experienced, and delivers a defined thin line to a dramatic bold line with precision.  Goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and lasts all day!
- Cobalt - bright navy blue

Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner - Smudge that won’t budge... in every shade of the color wheel!  Our bestselling Smudge Sticks are now available in an array of matte, shimmer and pop hues that hold tight. Made with a cocktail of moisturizing ingredients, including vitamin E, color glides on smooth (no tugging or pulling) in a waterproof formula that won’t budge or fade. With 9 gorgeous shades to pick from, discover intense & immediate color payoff in a single swipe!  What’s more? Our Smudge Sticks pack a one-two punch: you can use it as a classic pencil liner or a smudgy eye shadow - simply smudge with your fingers or a brush before color sets.
- Cobalt - bright navy blue

Lip Glaze Trio - Chic Cobalt - Fall in love with Stila’s fall lip glaze trios in beautifully wearable neutrals. Designed to be worn alone or over your favorite lipstick, they add just the right amount of shine.
- Orchard - soft copper shimmer
- Rose Gold - hibiscus
- Kitten - bronze shimmer

Lip Glaze Trio - Elegant Emerald - Fall in love with Stila’s fall lip glaze trios in beautifully wearable neutrals. Designed to be worn alone or over your favorite lipstick, they add just the right amount of shine.
- Pout - guava pink
- Kaleidoscope - peach shimmer
- Apricot - sheer apricot

I like most of this collection and can see myself getting a good amount of use from all but the eye products.  The eye products themselves are good but I would not use either product in the new Cobalt shade so I am just going to skip over them for the time being.  I would start with the CC Cream since I am in need of a product to replace my current BB Cream on the days that I will not be wearing foundation over the next few weeks and my second favorite product is the primer balm.  I am not in need of a new primer right now but this one will be good for the cold weather months as it appears to be a thicker formula.  I will order this one once my current tube of primer is getting low. 
The CC Stick Cream is a very interesting product and I will want to play around with it at Sephora before I make a decision.  I haven't used a stock foundation product since the beginning of college and I wasn't never very good with blending and the correct usage of the product.  However I would also think that formulas have improved since then and I would like to try this product on the red areas of my cheeks (on days that I wouldn't wear foundation and just need a little coverage).  A new concealer formula isn't needed right now but its another product that I would keep in mind when I use up the Benefit formula that I am currently wearing. 

I have focused on some of the products that would be practical for me to buy but now we are going to look at the new Lip Glaze sets.  Elegant Emerald is the set that I must have since these are the cooler shades of the two sets, I love the Pout shade and will want to order this one in the full size tube also.

photo courtesy of Stila

Current Favorites!

August is almost half over and I am in in between soaking up the last long days of the summer and thinking ahead to the fall months.  I am enjoying my last weeks of using self tanner and doing yoga outside while starting to collect the candles that I will want to burn this fall.  I have been using my favorite shades of summer makeup and beginning to transition some of the early fall shades that I have purchased into the mix.  I haven't switched any of my fragrances or body product over yet and don't think that I will for about a month yet.  I have been loving the tubes of Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick and one shade is topping my Favorites list.

My Current Favorites of the late summer...

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked - "A luxury lipstick that delivers intense color payoff plus creamy shine.  Revolution Lipstick is rich, buttery lipstick at its best—with the signature Urban Decay pigment-rich color you crave. Addictive to apply (and even more addictive to wear), Revolution Lipstick glides on without dragging or skipping and hugs every curve. Just one swipe gives you a big, gorgeous lay down of color. And with shades that range from gorgeous nudes to bold brights, there’s something for everyone.  Urban Decay’s Pigment Dispersion System™ gives Revolution Lipstick its super creamy texture, intense pigmentation, superior color dispersion, and extended wear. Maxi-Lip™ defines and hydrates lips while making them look plumper and fuller. And a nourishing blend of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keeps lips super moisturized and cushiony soft. The luxe, custom-designed gunmetal tube (lined in Urban Decay’s signature dark purple) looks so gorgeous, you’ll want to keep pulling it out of your bag.  Naked is a 'nude pink' with a cream finish."  This creamy lipstick lasts all day and keeps my lips hydrated and healthy-looking.  I love this nude-pink shade and I use it for all kinds of makeup looks and I find myself reaching for this product more and more.  I barely need to retouch this product and just add a bit more when my lips are feeling a bit dry.

Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist - "A weightless, nutrient-rich oil mist that protects hair from heat styling tools, enhances shine, and boosts hair's health.  This double-duty formula can be used as both a deeply nourishing treatment that helps to repair split ends and environmental damage, and as a color protecting style primer. Made with strengthening organic bamboo and smoothing organic kendi oil, it banishes frizz and imparts intense shine while providing vital nutrients.  Bamboo extract and kendi oil contained in this product are eco-certified, fair-trade compliant, and certified organic. Their production and sale aid in supporting the development of local communities while remaining environmentally friendly. Free of gluten, TEA, and phthalates."  I use this on wet dry before blow drying and styling and it helps to soften and reduce the amount of frizz that comes up this time of the year.  It helps to protect my hair from the sun and keeps it looking shiny all day long.  I love that it hydrates while I style and helps to protect my color from the high amount of heat styling that I do all the time.  I have been burning through my bottle of this and will need to re-order very soon.

Butter London Nail Lacquer in Slapper - "A heavily pigmented, high-fashion nail lacquer.  Created backstage at fashion week for the world’s top fashion designers, Butter LONDON’s lacquers are rich in color, giving your nails a look that is more vibrant. The vitamin-enriched formula promotes nail strength and provides beautifully consistent coverage.  Butter LONDON is a new-era design house, creating extraordinary moments in color by living on the inside edge of fashion. Butter LONDON does not add formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP to any of its nail formulas. It's color without compromise. For brilliant results, use butter LONDON lacquers with the corresponding butter LONDON base and topcoats. When used together, the products last significantly longer than a typical manicure.  Slapper is "truly teal'."  This bright teal cream has been a favorite of mine since I ordered it last spring.  I have been using it at least once a week for almost four months and intend to keep it up until I bring my fall colors out.  This teal is highly pigmented and the formula lasts for about four days with only minor tip wear.  I get more compliments on this than any other shade and this might be one of my favorite shades that I have ever bought!

Stila Lip Glaze in Vanilla - "An ultra high-shine lip gloss in a nifty click pen.  Stila's ever-popular lip glaze is back in action with larger pens (twice the size of the original) guaranteed to keep your lips glossier, longer. The gloss gives lips a punch of color and adds a delicious scent. Whatever sweet flavor you are in the mood for, it is sure to be found in this collection of classic shades.  Vanilla is a 'pearly nude gloss'."  I use this shade at least three times a week and it works with any makeup look that I have come up with so far.  This gives my lips shine and a bit of a pearl finish, it will work well with my tan now and then with my pale skin in the coming seasons.  I will be ordering another tube of this shade before I run out and then a few other shades of Lip Glaze.

Stila Convertible Color in Peony - "A lipstick that doubles as a blush.  Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves irresistible. Non-greasy, this creamy, sheer tint adds an natural glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. A mini mirrored-compact makes touch ups on the go a snap.  Peony is a 'neutral medium pink'."  I have been using this color for a long time now and it continues to be a favorite Stila product of mine.  This shade is easy to wear and the formula lasts all day in the summer months, it lasts through running outside and also hitting the gym after work.  I have no idea when I got this product the first time but I have been using it for a long time and I have not hit the bottom of the pan yet and I should have at least another yet of my pot.

This is my last post about any kind of summer beauty and my big focus in the upcoming weeks is working many of these great shades into my fall beauty looks and then buying new products to work with them.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Stila Lip Glaze

Today we are going to look at a product that will make many of you laugh that I have not used it before.  I'm not kidding...I have used several products from Stila before (eye shadows and tinted moisturizer are among my favorites from them) and have given many of their sets as gifts.  Even though I have given many of my friends the big Lip Glaze gift sets that they make around the holiday season, I have somehow never bought one for myself and resisted the urge to try any of them.  I have heard very mixed reviews on these lip glosses, people either love or hate them but almost everyone agrees that there isn't enough product in the tube and they burn through them very quickly.

My lip gloss addiction runs very much to MAC and NARS, I am not often in the market to try new lip gloss formulas since I have such a large collection of my beloved Lipglasses.  I happened upon the Stila Lip Glaze formula when my brother gave me a few of these glosses for my birthday last month.  I was hooked on this formula after using one of the shades a few times however I completely agree that I can almost see the product getting used up in the tube each time that I release more gloss.  I didn't need another lip gloss obsession but now I have one...

The Sephora website contains all of the shades of this product and will often have exclusive gifts containing many shades of these glosses for the holidays.  " An ultra high-shine lip gloss in a nifty click pen.  Stila's ever-popular lip glaze is back in action with larger pens (twice the size of the original) guaranteed to keep your lips glossier, longer. The gloss gives lips a punch of color and adds a delicious scent. Whatever sweet flavor you are in the mood for, it is sure to be found in this collection of classic shades."

My favorite aspects of this lip gloss is the formula.  I love that the formula is on the thicker side (more like NARS) and therefore will last for several hours after initial application.  It is one of the better wearing glosses that I have used, I will still have it on after eating or drinking and do not have to reapply as much as I do with Lipglasses.  This is a sticky formula gloss and will not appeal to anyone that does not like that feeling on her lips, I have had to pull my hair out of my lip gloss several times already when wearing one of these shades and I will admit that this can get annoying when it is a windy day and my hair is all over the place.  This lip gloss formula has a time and place (or certain hairstyle). 

The pen style applicator still slightly puts me off this product, as I said earlier I can see the product advancing up and agree with most people that there isn't enough product in these tubes.  I will give Stila a lot of credit for making the tubes larger and giving us more product without much of a price bump.  The sets that contain the small tubes are the best choice for trying out colors and then I would recommend buying the best ones in the large size.  I am looking forward to the holidays so that I can order myself a big set of these and trying out a whole range of shades!

The color list is pretty extensive and we will look at right now...

- Brown Sugar - shimmering golden nude
- Vanilla - pearly nude gloss
- Apricot - melon nectarine
- Banana - shimmering gold
- Kitten - nude pink shimmer
- Kaleidoscope - glimmering pale pink
- Grapefruit - frosted pink
- Passion Fruit - shimmering bright pink
- Watermelon - clear pink
- Guava - sheer rosy mauve
- Raspberry - high gloss fuchsia
- Tangerine - shimmering peachy melon
- Starfruit - shimmering coral
- Fruit Punch - creamy red
- Strawberry - deep red
- Cranberry - sheer brick red
- Black Cherry - sheer deep purple
- Sugar Plum - sheer nude plum
- Blackberry - purple wine
- Roseberry - glimmering nude plum
- Berry - pearly mauve gloss
- Mocha - sheer plum brown

I was given Brown Sugar and Kitten, two neutral hues that look great with any eye makeup look that I pair them with.  I have used Brown Sugar more than I thought that I would, this is the shade that is pictured and looks really deep in the tube but becomes the perfect sheer nude on the lips.  I love this shade and this is my favorite of the two.  Kitten is a lighter version that has a bit more pink in it, they look very similar on the lip and both shades are very easy to wear.  I also want to buy the following shades: Vanilla, Kaleidoscope, Passion Fruit, Watermelon, Strawberry, Sugar Plum, and Berry.  The last three shades I will put off buying until fall since they are deeper hues that will work very well with the fall trends that we have looked at in a previous post.

I didn't need a new lip gloss love but I found it and will have more lip glosses to collect and add to my already huge lip gloss collection.  This is a formula that is best suited for ladies that like a longer wearing lip gloss formula and don't mind it being a bit stickier than many other formulas.  The shades that I have tried are sheer and could work very well in any type of circumstance or with almost any look.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Current Favorites!

This is one of the best beauty times of the year for me...the spring shades are all able to be worn easily and I get to start mixing in some of the summer products that I have been so excited to pick up.  I am going to start self tanning soon and my favorite sundresses are ready to come out of the closet, I just love the end of the spring semester and all the promise that it holds for the upcoming months.  I have picked up a few items for summer already and am beginning to dig through all the items that I bought for spring and am deciding what pieces will work as well in the warm weather months. 

I still have a bunch of current favorites from earlier in the spring, I have made a bunch of really good purchases over the past few months and have found some new products and shades that I will use for years.  I think that this has been one of the best seasons for finding great products and I believe that I have made that comment more than once over the past few months but it is just so true in this case!

So what are my favorites now?  More and more I find myself reaching for my bottle of Stella McCartney's L.I.L.Y. and the level of the bottle has been going down more rapidly than almost any other fragrance that I have used in a long time.  I still love one of my lipsticks from MAC that I have been using for almost two months now and I plan to keep using all the way into the summer months.  I also have a new favorite in a cream blush from Stila and a bright aqua polish from Butter London.  My beauty loves are being used at least two or three times a week for me right now and I do not see this trend ending any time soon.

My Favorite Five right now!

Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y - "Lily is like nature—vivid and sensual. The contact with nature awakes her sensations and emotions. “It makes me think of my mum. Her nickname from my Dad was Lily. From Linda I love you.” —Stella McCartney".  The notes are: "Black Truffles, Black Pepper, Lily of the Valley, Pink Pepper, White Musk, Oak Moss, Patchouli."  I bought a bottle of this fragrance during the first round of my shopping from the Sephora Friends and Family Sale and I have been using it all the time ever since I first opened it up.  I have received more compliments on this fragrance than most of my others (exception is the original Stella from the same designer).  People actually will stop their sentences to ask me what I am wearing that smells so amazing and it is quickly becoming a favorite warm weather fragrance of mine.  The Lily of the Valley note and the Bluebell note (not listed but I found it in another description in a magazine) create a light, pretty floral on me that I can wear in any circumstance and whether I am dressed up or down.  I have a feeling that I will run out of this perfume faster than normal and will need a new bottle by next spring.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Behave Yourself - "Combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. This is a must-have for all those who have craved this kind of fusion."  Behave Yourself is a "light blue pink".  This lipstick formula is very hydrating and reminds me of a lip gloss in that respect yet the pigmentation is completely that of a full coverage lipstick.  My lips are always dry and I can easily wear this lipstick without worrying about dryness breaking through and having to always use a separate lip balm.  Behave Yourself is a perfect cool pink shade for me and compliments my cool-toned skin and I fully plan to use this shade all throughout the year.  Friends and co-workers always compliment me on this shade and I plan to get more shades from this formula for the fall and winter months.  I have a new favorite MAC Lipstick formula!

Butter London 3-Free Nail Lacquer in Slapper - "A heavily pigmented, high-fashion nail lacquer. Created backstage at fashion week for the world’s top fashion designers, butter LONDON’s lacquers are rich in color, giving your nails a look that is more vibrant.   Butter LONDON is a new-era design house, creating extraordinary moments in color by living on the inside edge of fashion. It is a “three-free” company, meaning products are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. For brilliant results, one should always use butter LONDON™ lacquers with the corresponding butter LONDON base and topcoats. When used together, the products last significantly longer than a typical manicure."  Slapper is a "truly teal" and is the best teal shade that I have ever seen.  I use this shade at least twice a week and have been using it in both manicures and pedicures for the past three weeks.  Butter London polishes are long lasting and I can go about four days with only minor tip wear, I reapply top coat every other day to keep them perfectly shiny but this is one of the lowest maintenance nail polish formulas that I have ever used.  I always want new colors from this company and this will continue to remain one of my absolute favorites!

Stila Convertible Color in Peony - "A lipstick that doubles as a blush. Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves irresistible. Non-greasy, this creamy, sheer tint adds an natural glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. A mini mirrored-compact makes touch ups on the go a snap."  Peony is a "neutral rose cream" that I would imagine works with almost any skin color or undertone, this is truly a universal shade.  I use this formula mostly as blush, it works well to give me a natural flush that stays on through work, class, and then the gym yet too.  This formula spreads easily and is best when patted onto the apples of the cheeks and then blended with a clean finger, this is one of the few cream blush formulas that easily blends right into the skin.  I will use this formula in the summer since it has proven to not budge at all under pressure and I can use it in winter since it blends so easily and won't create an issue with my dry skin.  I want to try and purchase more shades from this product the next time that I go to Sephora.

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask - "A deeply nourishing hair treatment to undo and prevent damage by up to 96%.  Strengthening your hair is the only way to lengthen it so you can do whatever you want with it. To really fortify fine, fragile, or chemically-treated hair requires major nourishment found in the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask. Added to the rejuvenating Monoi Oil – a repairing Tahitian blend of the Tiare Gardenia Flower and Coprah Coconut Oil – is rebuilding Bamboo Water and protective Hydrolyzed Silk.  This product is free of alcohol, petroleum, mineral oil, and artificial colors. For over 2,000 years, Tahitians have used Monoi Oil for its natural reparative properties that undo and prevent damage from the sun, sea and surf. Using ingredients that only grow in Tahiti, Monoi Oil is made by taking 15 freshly picked Tiare Gardenia Flower blossoms and combining them with 15 ounces of Coprah Coconut Oil over a 15 day sacred ritual, passed down only through an oral tradition."  This hydrating mask was another key purchase during the Sephora Friends and Family Sale and will lead to more purchases from Carol's Daughter.  This tropical floral-scented mask hydrates and smooths my hair and the results of the first usage lasted for an entire week.  My hair is much more manageable after use of this product and styles much easier than before I tried it out.  I am excited to see that Sephora carries an entire line of Monoi Hair products from Carol's Daughter and I will be ordering more very soon.  I am seeing this being a key product when my hair needs a bit of extra help after a summer of running outside and then into the cold weather months.

This Sephora Friends and Family Sale was great for me, four of these five products were from my first order and they all turned out to be true winners.  I am really excited that I have found some key additions to my product line up and have more colors to order in many of these products.  I look forward to adding more to my beauty product collection over the next few months while retaining all my current loves!

photo courtesy of MAC

Stila Summer 2013 Collection - Festival of Color

I most often buy Stila products around the holidays, I love the gift sets and palettes that this company brings out and I have given the lip gloss sets to many friends over the years and have always gotten rave reviews on the colors and formula.  With all the applause that I have gotten from friends and family about these sets over the years, I have decided that I should continue to try more products from this line with every passing season, especially more of the Lip Glaze shades.  The summer collection has just been released from Stila and now we are going to look at what is coming up for the next season.  I am very excited to see two new Lip Glaze sets, just in time for spring and summer birthday season and I know that I will pick up a few of these the next time that I go to Sephora.

This collection is named Festival of Color and contains only a handful of new products.  These new products all look as though they contain tons of bright pigments and would really pop against a summer tan.  I have been getting more and more into colorful eye makeup throughout this spring season, I have been wearing pale lilac more and more now and am looking for a mint green eye shadow shade now too.  Who knows what colors I will want by the time that summer rolls around?!

Here is the Festival of Color collection from Stila!

Countless Color Pigments - Introducing Stila’s NEW innovative Countless Color pigments in a beautiful and exclusive, first-to-market formula. Each pan is a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind piece of art, created with vibrant pigments and handmade using a proprietary pressing and baking process. Use your creativity and let your imagination run wild.  There are endless ways to apply… use each of the three shades individually, blend two shades that are side by side for custom colors, swirl a brush in a circular motion to create one pop shade or swipe the brush across the product to create a unique multi-shade streaked effect.  Use fingers or a foam tip applicator for intense payoff. It is not recommended to use this product wet.  Endless color combinations in each pan.  No two Countless Color Pigments are alike.  Full coverage, pearl formula.  Long-wearing.  Vibrant, color-matched compact.
- Acoustic - red/beige/chocolate brown
- Light Show - yellow/bright blue/navy blue
- Indie - lilac/magenta/deep purple
- Center Stage - bright blue/bubblegum pink/coral
- Melody - lilac/periwinkle/deep purple
- Encore - chocolate brown/pale gold/rose
- Groupie - beige/bronze/deep brown
- Finale - bright pink/light pink/coral
- Lyric - medium pink/orange/pale pink

After Glow Lip Color - Dazzle by day and glow by night. Stila’s black light responsive lip color contains florescent pigments that are three times brighter than conventional colors, creating a vibrant pop of color in the sunlight. Once the sun goes down, black light sensitive pigments cause the product to glow when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.  Medium, buildable coverage with staining properties for lasting color.  Sunflower seed oil nourishes and moisturizes, while oat kernel extract soothes and calms the lips.  Algae extract helps retain moisture and contains antioxidant benefits.  Glycerin attracts water from the environment and the lower layers of the skin increasing hydration levels.  Natural blend of waxes deliver a creamy, easy-to-apply consistency.  Vitamins C & E provide antioxidant benefits.  Cherry flavored.
- Tangerine Dream - deep burnt orange/bright coral
- Vivid Violet - deep purple/bright magenta
- Rave Red - deep red/bright red
- Party Pink - deep berry/medium neutral pink

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Just in time for summer comes this new, limited-edition shade of Stila’s best-selling Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in head-turning turquoise.  This easy-glide, quick-dry precision liner stays in place all day - no smudges, feathering, or running. The thin, marker-like tip is easy to use, even for the least experienced and delivers any look, from a thin line to a bold, dramatic stroke. It goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and stays in place until you say when!  Striking turquoise shade (serene blue-green).  Waterproof and long-lasting.  Felt tip applicator for easy, precise application.  Goes on smoothly without skipping or pulling.
- Turquoise - bright blue green

Lip Glaze Trio - Music Fest - Fun is in full swing with Stila’s limited-edition “Music Festival” Summer Lip Glaze Trio in three music-festival-inspired, glossy shades with succulent scents. 
- Freestyle - medium fuchsia
- Harmony - cotton candy pink
- Ballad - neutral nude

Lip Glaze Trio - Road Trip - Fun is in full swing with Stila’s limited-edition “Road Trip” Summer Lip Glaze Trio in three music-festival-inspired, glossy shades with succulent scents. 
- Pink Sunset - medium soft pink
- Open Road - tangerine coral
- Rising Sun - bright coral pink

I am very happy with many of these new products and I think that I am well on the way to start using Stila products more than just around the holidays.  My favorite piece of the collection is one of the Lip Glaze Trios, Music Fest contains the shades that are on the cooler side and are all pinks and nudes.  All of these shades will be great for me and I will pick this product up the next time that I get to Sephora.  Road Trip's shades are pretty but will look much better on a complexion that is much warmer than mine. 

The After Glow Lip Color is a really interesting concept, I will have to try this one out before I really give any thoughts on it.  This could be either the greatest new lip product ever or one of the biggest let downs in cosmetic history.  Party Pink will be the first shade that I try and I will have to comb beauty blogs and magazines to find more feedback on this product.  Anyone reading this that knows anything about this product, please comment and let me know how it worked out for you.  The same thoughts hold for the Countless Color Pigments, great idea but could be either great or awful in application and wear.  My favorite shade here is one of the more neutral ones, I think they will be easier to start out with.  I want to buy Encore, the mixture of neutrals and rose, first and then get some ideas on how it works.  I will put off buying the bright shades until I can use the neutrals correctly to create a pretty eye look.  If I can get the application on the neutrals down then I will venture into the world of the brights and add more color to my eye makeup collection. 

This collection has given a lot to think about this summer, I have a new lip gloss set to order and two new products to really test out and write solid reviews on.  I have more Stila products to buy and try in the upcoming months and I will be writing more on this company's products over the next few months.

photo courtesy of Stila

Stila Spring 2013 Collection - Beauty in Bloom

The Stila spring collection has finally arrived and I am more excited about it than in years previous.  After all of my holiday shopping was done, I looked back on what I purchased and I bought more Stila sets and palettes for my friends and family than I did from any other beauty brand.  This is a first for me, usually Philosophy or MAC earns the title among my holiday shopping.  Now I am excited to see what this brand has to offere for the spring since this time of the year is when I am buying items for myself and my makeup collection will be expanding...

The new collection is called Beauty in Bloom and I am hoping for lots of pretty pinks and some new Lip Glaze shades and sets.  I saw at the very beginning of this month that Stila will be introducing a new skincare line to Ulta, making me even more excited to shop this brand over the coming months.  In this new collection, I see a new formula of lipstick, several new eye makeup palettes, and two sets of their famed Lip Glaze lip glosses.  I might be the most excited about the new lipstick formula, spring is the time of the year that I buy the most lip products and I love all the lip shades that I have seen on the spring runways...

Here is the Beauty in Bloom collection from Stila!

Stay All Day 3D Wet-to Set Eye Shadow Trio - Unleash your inner artist and paint the perfect eye with Stay All Day® 3D Wet-to-Set Eye Shadow Trios.  A first of its kind, this water activated revolutionary formula delivers excellent payoff that is ultra-long wearing and stays all day.  These high performance, velvety shadows create unique, luxe finishes on your lid when combined with the water on your brush.  Dampen Stila brush #30 with water and swirl into shadow to create a creamy consistency and sweep onto lids. Let dry, then repeat and layer until desired effect is achieved. Use Stila brush #4 to apply as an eye liner. 
- First Light - pale champagne/medium rose bronze/deep warm brown
- Safari - light taupe/deep cool brown/medium brown
- Thunder Cloud - pure white/medium blue silver/deep charcoal
- Desert Sunset - medium nude/warm medium bronze/deep warm brown
- Skyline - neutral medium pink/medium taupe/deep warm charcoal

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - Off the runway and into your makeup bag! Stila presents a new, limited-edition shade of Stila’s best-selling Stay All Day® Liquid Eye Liner in a stunning Periwinkle shade.  This easy-glide, quick-dry precision liner stays in place all day - no smudges, feathering, or running. The thin, marker-like tip is easy to use, even for the beauty beginner, and delivers any look, from a thin line to a bold, dramatic stroke.  It goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and stays in place until you say when!  Waterproof and long-lasting.  Felt tip applicator for easy, precise application.  Goes on smoothly without skipping or pulling.
- Perwinkle - lavender blue

Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner - The hottest hue of the season! Stila presents this limited-edition shade of best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in attention-grabbing Periwinkle.  This eye liner glides on smoothly with no tugging or pulling and provides immediate color release. The formula is long-wearing and delivers an extreme color payoff.  A high content of volatile silicones and modern wax oil combinations make this innovative formula wearable and comfortable.  Waterproof and long-lasting.  Smudge, transfer and fade-proof.  Optimal play time to smudge out the formula.
- Periwinkle - lavender blue

Color Balm Lipstick - A modern take on traditional lipstick, this creamy lip color provides the full pigment load of a lipstick, yet delivers the nourishing properties of a balm.  Featuring a luxe, satin finish, this formula offers excellent color payoff while phyto-derived emollient properties deliver hydrated, healthy lips. Naturally cooling peppermint oil provides a fresh and rejuvenating sensation on the lips, while an exclusive certified organic sunflower-based polyglyceride soothes, smoothes, and adds volume and definition to lips.  Luxuriously creamy and hydrating formula with excellent phytoderived emollient properties.  Certified organic sunflower based polyglycerides hydrates and smooth lip contours, while adding volume and definition.  Naturally cooling peppermint oil is an emollient-rich botanical that provides excellent antiseptic and astringent benefits with a refreshing tingle that both soothes and stimulates irritated lips.  Knocked-out Stila logo on cap, color-matched to the shade within for easy at-shelf navigation.  A handy mirror on top of the cap for easy application on-the-go.
- Valentina - bright warm red cream
- Sheri - medium mauve cream
- Isabelle - neutral medium pink cream
- Evangeline - medium berry cream
- Maya - medium nude cream
- Vivienne - medium warm nude cream
- Elle - medium warm pink cream
- Ruby - deep cool red cream
- Ali - deep cool wine cream
- Gemma - deep cool magenta cream
- Amelia - bright blue pink cream
- Sonya - medium neutral pink cream
- Olivia - pale nude cream

Lip Glaze Trio "Flower Power" - Beauty is in full bloom with Stila’s limited edition “Flower Power” Spring Lip Glaze trio in three floral-inspired, glossy shades with succulent scents.
- Peach Blossom - warm pale peach
- Pink Orchid - medium blue pink
- Lilac - pale lavender

Lip Glaze Trio "Awesome Blossom" - Beauty is in full bloom with Stila’s limited edition “Awesome Blossom” Spring Lip Glaze trio in three floral-inspired, glossy shades with succulent scents.
- Dahlia - deep rose cream
- Cherry Blossom - pale blue pink
- Rose Bud - medium neutral rose

This is going to be another strong lip collection for me!  My favorite choice from this new product line-up is the Lip Glaze Trio in Awesome Blossom, all three of these shades are cool-toned and will be fantastic for the spring and summer months.  The Flower Power Trio I will skip over because I would never wear the peach shade in it (unless I can find a friend to give it to) even though I like both of the other shades.  I am also interested in trying the new lipstick formula, the first shades that I want are Sonya (medium neutral pink) and Isabelle (a lighter neutral pink), I need a few shades that are not bright and can be worn in a more professional environment.

I am not as excited about the eye makeup products in this collection, I would certainly skip over the Periwinkle shade in the eye liners.  Neither of these are a shade that I would ever wear with my blue eyes.  The Stay All Day Trios are nice but nothing amazing (shade-wise at least, I cannot comment on the formula yet), I like the First Light and Safari shades but there is nothing about any of the shades that are unique or unlike any shade that I already own.

In addition to buying some lip items for myself, I will pick up one or two extra Awesome Blossom Lip Glaze Sets to keep on hand for small gifts for friends.  These Lip Glaze Sets are always appreciated by anyone that I give them to!

photo courtesy of Stila

Stila Holiday 2012 Collection - Light Up the Night

Urban Decay was the first company to release their holiday collection and therefore that is where I decided to start my holiday collection coverage.  Right after Urban Decay, Stila's holiday collection hit the Sephora website and exploded unto the scene.  As I have stated before, I run very hot and cold with Stila products, I have always liked everything that I have bought from them however they are not a brand that I turn to very often or own many types of products from.  I have found that one of the best ways to try more products from this brand is to take advantage of some of the lovely sets that are found in their holiday collection.  Stila is a brand that tends to be known more for their palettes and sets than their individual products and I know more people that will buy their sets and then fall in love with certain products and only then will rebuy the individual products themselves.  I am on the other side of this trend, I have bought a few of the individual products but actually have never bought any of the sets that this company offers.

Perhaps the holiday 2012 collection will change that!  This collection consists only of giftsets and palettes and there is not a single product in sight.  I already see several several sizes of palettes and products for every single facial feature.  I am very excited that every single facial feature gets some type of set or palette, I really dislike when I see collections that are based only toward one or two facial features and then nothing else.  This new collection is called Light Up the Night and the concept is that these sets and palettes will create a look that will "light up" your look for all the wonderful holiday parties that occur this time of the year.

Here is the Stila holiday gift collection!

All is Bright Holiday Lip Glaze Set - baby, it's cold outside! warm and brighten up your holiday lips with stila’s best-selling lip glaze set in 8 stunning, glossy shades with delicious flavors and scents:
Black Cherry/Sugar Plum/Jolly/Jingle/Holly/Splendor/Joy/Jack Frost.  a $110 value for only $25! with just a few clicks of the pen, your lips will go from demure to dazzling with stila’s iconic, high shine gloss.

Snow Angel Color Palette - Create as many holiday looks as there are snowflakes in the sky with stila’s festive limited-edition holiday color palette.  this pretty snowflake shaped palette contains 12 gorgeous cheek colors and 18 versatile eye shadow shades that can be worn both wet and dry.  It also includes a deluxe size stay all day™ waterproof volumizing mascara and an easy to follow step-by-step artistry look book for even more beauty possibilities.  this set is only $39, so make sure to add this to the top of your holiday list.   18 Eye Shadows: Peace/Love/Gold/Sleigh/Cookie/
Dashing/Eggnog/Icicle/Dance/Merry/Kitten/Jingle/Gingerbread/Truffle/Chestnut/Cool/Clove/Fairy.
12 Cheek Colors: Shimmery Snow Angel/Shimmery Coral/Shimmery Apricot/Shimmery Peach/Shimmery Pink/Shimmery Plum/Matte Pink/Matte Plum/Matte Berry/Matte Melon/Matte Clay/Matte Bronze.

Seeing Stars Smudge Stick Set - set your holiday eyes all aglow with this set of stila’s best-selling smudge stick waterproof eye liners in five shimmery metallic shades:

stargazer (golden olive shimmer)

angelfish (black with gold and silver pearl)

tetra (deep shimmery purple)

moray (golden olive shimmer)

oscar fish (warm brown with gold pearl)

Perfect for any day or evening holiday look, these waterproof and long-wearing shades in a propel pencil won’t smudge, budge or fade through holiday cheer or seasonal weather.  a great way to accentuate any holiday look or all year round, this set of 5 full size eye liners is a $100 value for only $32!

Luxe Eye Shadow Palette - A high-tech eye shadow palette featuring a mix of 6 cream-to-powder eye shadows and 3 inventive micro-matte shades (listed below).  The cream-to-powder eye shadows glide on with a mousse-like feel and transform into a soft, velvety powder on the lids. special pearls add brilliant sparkle and illumination to your eyes, while providing supreme comfort and extraordinary payoff.  The micro-matte eye shadow formula is buildable and has a soft and silky texture, delivering excellent payoff, while the presence of light and emollients ensure long-lasting color that stays true over time.  the palette also includes a smudge stick waterproof eye liner in ladyfish (golden pewter shimmer) and a mirror and look book with various looks and pro artist tips and tricks to complete your look.  Eye Shadow Shades: Bubble Bath/Pink Diamond/Cashmere/Silk/Marilyn/Crush Velvet/Bon Bon/Bordeaux/Love the Ocean.

Longwear Liquid Lip Set - A collection of four pigment-rich, creamy-matte, liquid lip colors that deliver intense moisture with bold, long-lasting color and stay in place for up to 6 hours of continuous wear.  The texture is weightless on lips and delivers superb comfort and its color-rich formula will not bleed or transfer. enriched with vitamin E and avocado oil, stay all day™ liquid lipstick hydrates and softens the lips so they look and feel beautiful!  Shades: Caprice (hot pink), Petal (pale pink), Coral (peach pink), Muse (natural mauve).

Written in the Stars Eye Shadow Palette - Your eyes will twinkle and shine with stila’s dreamy, limited-edition eye shadow palette in a whimsical star shaped pattern.  It contains 12 gorgeous, neutral eye shadow shades that can be mixed and matched for countless looks and can be worn both wet and dry.  This set is only $20, making it the perfect gift for everyone on your list (including one for yourself) this holiday season.

Holiday 2012 Brush Set - Create an infinite amount of holiday looks with stila’s limited-edition brush set, featuring five essential best-selling brushes that deliver perfect makeup
application for complexion and eyes.  This set is just $28, a flawless addition to any holiday list. 
Brushes include: #24 powder brush/#5 eye shadow brush/#33b domed concealer brush/#33a foundation brush/#4 smudger/liner brush.

Wish Upon a Star Holiday Travel Palette - Introducing an exclusive palette sure to add a touch of illumination and sparkle this holiday season. The palette contains six beautiful eye shadows that can be worn wet or dry, plus a convertible color for lips and cheeks.  The palette features a unique cut-out design on the cover to view the shades inside. Also included is a face chart on the back to help you create a radiant look in only minutes. The palette is the perfect size to tuck into a pocket or place in your purse for a complete look, any time, any place.  The Wish Upon a Star palette also makes the perfect gift or stocking stuffer!  A $65 value for just $16!  Eye Shadow Shades: Cosmic/Shooting Star/Wish/Dreamer/Starbright/Comet.  Packaging: Paper-wrapped compact with a face chart on the back.

Shine So Bright Holiday Travel Palette - An exclusive makeup palette that includes six gorgeous eye shadows that can be worn wet or dry, plus a convertible color for lips and cheeks to complete your look. The palette cover features a unique design with cut-outs to view the shades inside. Also included on the back of the palette is a face chart to help you create a radiant look in only minutes.  The Shine So Bright palette is the perfect size to tuck into a pocket or place in your purse for a complete look, any time, any place. The palette also makes the perfect gift or stocking stuffer.  A $65 value for just $16!  Eye Shadow Shades: Tinsel/Pantina/Miracle/Candlelight/Ornament/Rudolph.  Packaging: Paper-wrapped compact with a face on the back.

Under the Mistletoe Holiday Travel Palette - Introducing an exclusive makeup palette created exclusively for stilacosmetics.com that is sure to add a touch of illumination and cheer this holiday season.  The palette includes 6 gorgeous eye shadows that can be applied wet or dry, plus a versatile convertible color for lips and cheeks to complete your look.  The palette cover features a unique design with cut-outs to view the shades within. the under the mistletoe palette is the perfect size to tuck into a pocket or place in your purse for a complete look, any time, any place.  A $65 value for just $16!  The palette also makes the perfect gift or stocking stuffer!

Jingle All the Way Holiday Travel Palette - Introducing a festive, limited-edition, collectible makeup palette to help you create holiday looks for both day and night. The palette contains six stunning eye shadows that can be applied wet or dry. Create natural, wintery looks or a bold smoky eye in a matter of minutes. Or mix and match shades to create custom colors for a variety of eye catching looks… the possibilities are endless. A convertible color in a complimentary rosy pink shade completes your look. Simply tap onto lips and cheeks for a flushed glow.  A $65 value for just $16!  Eye Shadow Shades: Bell/Snowed In/Wonderland/Prancer/Giddy Up/Prime.  Palette Features: The cover features a unique design with whimsical cut-outs in a snowflake design to view the shades inside. The palette is the perfect size to tuck into a pocket or place in your handbag for a complete look, any time, any place. The palette also makes the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

My favorite palette is the one that I have pictured here,  the Snow Angel Color Palette is the biggest and most complete palette in this collection.  I believe that some version of this set comes out every single year and continues to be a top seller.  If I could only buy one item from this collection then this would be the one that I would buy.  I also realy love both of the lip gloss sets, I want both of them as they are both different formulas of lip products.  Stila lip products are top rated but this is an area that I haven't explored with this brand.

I find the small palettes to mkae great little gifts for friends and co workers and I will be stopping off at Sephora to pick a bunch of them up to give out throughout the month of December!

photo courtesy of Stila

Stila 5th Avenue Smokey Eye Collection

I have been all about buying more eye makeup this fall and I have decided to continue this trend into the winter months since I still have more lip gloss than I think that I could ever use in a lifetime.  With all the bright red lips that I have been sporting recently with the fall season arriving, I have dug out my old Stila Kitten Eye Shadow and I have fallen back in love with the shade and the formulation over the past month or so.  With how much I have been using my pan of Kitten lately, I have decided to check out more shades from the Stila Eye Shadow line up and see what else I will love...

I own a few products from Stila but there seems to be little rhyme or reason to my purchases from this company, I have a few eye shadow shadows and then a tinted moisturizer that I use at least one or twice a week.  I have always liked every product that I have bought from this company so I don't quite know why I have often skipped over their counter in Sephora.  I guess that I can only say that I get very distracted by the NARS counter and then end up at the perfume wall and then head right over to the Nail Bar...  I wonder how much else I have missed in the store since the Nail Bar was first put in last May.

For the fall and winter months, Sephotra and Stila have partnered up to create a series of shades known as the 5th Avenue collections  I believe that I saw more than one version on the Sephora website but today we are going to look at the Smokey Eye Collection and will see what the other one is over the next few weeks.  Deep jewel toned eye shadows is where I notice a series of gaps in my eye makeup collection so this is a series of shadows worth my time to look at, I want to see how many of the gaps can be filled in from this one collection!

From the Sephora website, "A collection of Stila’s award-winning eye shadows in six smoky shades. Create the perfect smoky eye or bold stare with this collection of Stila’s award-winning eye shadows that can be applied wet or dry. Shadows can be worn alone or mixed and matched for a variety of eye-catching smoky looks for both day and night."  Personally, I find smoky eye looks best for nighttime, I can rarely pull them off during the day but I would be very interested to meet a lady who could pull this much drama off during a regular day!

There are six shades in this collection and they are as follows...
- Moonlight - pale champagne with shimmer finish
- Twilight - medium silver gray with shimmer finish
- Black Cat - deep charcoal black with silver shimmer finish
- Azure - deep midnight blue with silver shimmer finish
- Poise - deep red plum with subtle shimmer finish
- Dahlia - deep purple with shimmer finish

I know that I would use Azure very rarely, I would only use this with a dampened eyeliner brush for a very thin line of navy.  Other than that, I can really see myself getting a good amount of use from the other shades especially Moonlight, Twilight, and Black Cat.  I would get less use from Poise and Dahlia as I would not be able to really use those two shades together and would have to use on against the more neutral shades.  All in all, I think this is worth a second look and most likely a purchase.  It will fill gaps in my eye shadow collection with Poise and Dahlia but all the others will just complement what I already own.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Stila Fall 2012 Collection

I don't remember Stila offering a traditional summer collection, I know that they brought out a few small new palettes but I don't remember seeing any brand new products or shades on their website.  However this company seems to be making up for the lack of new products over the past few months, they have just released their brand new fall collection.  As of right now, the new products are said to be exclusive the Stila website, however I found all them on the Sephora and Macy*s websites too.  The last product that I bought from Stila was a tinted moisturizer this spring, I loved the formula and I am hoping that I can find some more products to try with this new group.  Stila is always a company that I have liked but they aren't one that I immediately gravitate toward at Sephora.  I have always liked every single product that I bought from this company so I don't know quite why I don't spend more time at this counter. 

The Stila fall collection is a combination of new shades of some their best selling, cult products and several brand new products.  This collection is very typical Stila, there are some single products and several palettes and sets.  I am most excited for the new foundation and concealer formulas, after how much I loved the tinted moisturizer, I have very high hopes for this new formula.  I also see a very attractive eye shadow palette in this collection that I am very interested in trying out.

Stila's fall collection!

In The Know Eye Shadow Palette - Stila's original matte shades are back in this beautiful collection of eye shadows in universally flattering shades.  The In The Know Eye Shadow Palette contains 10 matte shades of Stila's award-winning eye shadows that flatter every skin tone and can be worn wet or dry.  The palette also includes an exclusive Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Halfmoon, a matte charcoal gray shade, plus an eight-page look book with detailed application tips and tricks.
- Air - matte beige
- Driftwood - midtone brown
- Wind - soft matte peach
- Fire - matte brick
- Desert - soft matte tan with warm undertones
- Rain - matte brown
- Clay - matte warm light brown
- Smoke - matte charcoal gray
- Earth - deep matte chocolate brown
- Ebony - matte black

Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer - An oil-free, high definition, high performance foundation that stays all day and delivers a flawless finish.  Unique oxygen technology leaves skin hydrated, nourished, and helps prevent premature aging.  This dreamy formula glides onto skin and immediately goes to work to help minimize skin blemishes and imperfections.  It is also enriched with an array of skin loving ingredients, and unlike other longwearing formulas, includes a synergistic combination of botanical extracts that have been shown to help enhance circulation and blood flow, resulting in an increase in oxygen being delivered to the skin and letting skin breathe.  These innovative extracts also help to slow down the onset of premature aging and promote healthy, hydrated, and vibrant skin.  This multitasker also contains a creamy, full coverage concealer cleverly hidden inside the cap (along with a handy mirror) that instantly hides blemishes, dark circles, and age spots creating an impeccable canvas for flawless makeup application.  Available in a range of 16 shades to suit every skintone.

Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner - A new limited edition shade of Stila's best-selling Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in a stunning matte white, as seen on the runways at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  This easy-glide, quick-dry precision liner stays in place all day - no smudges, feathering, or running.  The thin, marker-like tip is easy to use, even for the beauty beginner, and delivers any look, from a thin line to a bold, dramatic stroke.  It goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and stays in place until you say when!  Stunning matte white trend shade, waterproof and long-lasting Felt tip applicator for easy, precise application.  Goes on smoothly without skipping or pulling.
- Snow - bright matte white

Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner - Introducing a limited edition shade of best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in a striking white with shimmer.  This eye liner applies extremely soft and smooth with immediate color release and extreme payoff!  A perfect blend of pearls and intense pigment provide long-wear and excellent color payoff during application and a high content of volatile silicones and modern wax oil combinations make this innovative formula wearable and comfortable.  On trend shade Empress (white with shimmer).  Waterproof and long-lasting.  Smudge, transfer, and fade-proof.
- Empress - white with shimmer

Lip Glaze - New and beautiful shades of Stila's ever-popular Lip Glaze in our iconic click pen.  With just one click, you get a glossy pout with a hint of refreshing and delectable color.  Infused with Vitamins A, C, and E to keep lips hydrated and protected.
- Roseberry - light rusty red with gold pearl
- Pink Lemonade - nude pink
- Kaleidoscope - sparkling light pink
Lip Glaze Trio - Harvest - Inspired by the change of seasons and vibrant autumn colors, each Lip Glaze Trio contains an assortment of Stila's most popular lip gloss in three gorgeous hues that will add a splash of color and glossy shine to the lips.  The Harvest Set features three exclusive shades to keep your lips glossy and polished with one click of Stila's iconic pen.
- Orchard - deep warm rose with gold shimmer
- Twine - neutral pink shimmer
- Spice - deep bronze with shimmer

Lip Glaze Trio - Foliage - Inspired by the change of seasons and vibrant autumn colors, each Lip Glaze Trio contains an assortment of Stila's most popular lip gloss in three gorgeous hues that will add a splash of color and glossy shine to the lips.  The Foliage Set contains one bestselling shade and two new limited edition shades to keep your lips glossy and polished with one click of Stila's iconic pen.
- Delicate - medium cool pink shimmer
- Loganberry - medium berry with silver shimmer
- Fawn - deep cool plum with shimmer

There are two major items from this collection that I am really dying the try.  First of all, the new foundation formula looks great and based on my experience with the tinted moisturizer, this foundation will go to the top of my shopping list when I am shopping for a new formula.  Based on the description of this foundation, this formula should work well for me in the fall and winter months when my skin is much drier than usual.  I will wait a bit on this foundation and then I will try it out when I can reap the full hydration benefits.  The second item that I really craving is the Lip Glaze Trio in Foliage, this set contains three shades that look to be on the cooler side.  I love the rose and berry shades in this set and they will work so well with my skintone.

I initially wanted the eye shadow palette when I first looked at the collection however that was before I read that all the shades had a matte finish.  I want to play with the tester at Sephora before I make a decision on this product, some matte shades have an awful texture and that is why I often avoid shadows with this texture.  I have loved the texture of the shimmery Stila shadows before so I am hopeful that this will be one of the better matte eye shadow formulas.  I love the shades in this palette and I can see so many great combinations that I could make from it.  Neither of the liner shades really speak to me, I don't wear many light liner shades so I will be skipping over these.

The Harvest Lip Glaze Trio contains three shades that are too warm for me so I will not be purchasing these shades.  The three new Lip Glaze shades don't really do anytime for me either, two of the shades are rather generic pinks and the red contains too much gold shimmer for me to find it flattering. 

I really like this collection, the products in it are great selections for fall.  In particular, the two Lip Glaze Trio contains perfect shades for fall.  The eye shadow palette holds a ton of potential as long as the formula is up to the Stila standards and I have a feeling that it will be.  I will be picking up a bottle of the new foundation formula later on this year, a hydrating foundation will be my best friend as soon as the cold weather hits!

photo courtesy of Stila

Current Favorites!

The last month has consisted of me trying product after product to keep the reviews coming and looking forward to what I am going to be buying this summer.  Over the past few weeks, a few winning products have emerged and I am going to be paying tribute to my current favorite products and why I love them.  I have been all about color and skincare the past few weeks, I have been using up most of my current perfumes in order to open some new ones up and the same is going for most of my body products, I can't buy any new bottles until some more space is cleared for the current products that I haven't even opened up yet.  My five favorites therefore are taken from my skincare and color purchases so hopefully the next time that I write a favorites list up, I will have more fragrances in it.

My current favorites!

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Sea Spray - "Unleash your inner color with China Glaze...your longwearing professional nail lacquer choice!  Longwearing formula with hardeners features great coverage and DBP free.  China Glaze Nail Lacquer makes nails look spectacular and dries in seconds.  China Glaze offers the latest technology in formulas and color selection."  Sea Spray is a shade from their spring Anchors Away collection that was released in early 2011, I was introduced to this collection last year when I purchased White Cap (still a favorite shade) and now I have added Sea Spray and Ahoy! to my collection.  Sea Spray is a lovely pale gray blue shade with a hint of a shimmer finish.  I started wearing this shade in early spring and have been wearing it ever since.  The best way to describe this shade is to tell you to look at the sky right before it begins to rain.  This shade is a new neutral for me.

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20 in Fair - "A tinted, oil-free moisturizer with a hint of color.  This water-resistant moisturizer is packed with sun protection and just enough color to even skintone.  The light, hydrating formula is ideal for all skin types and comes in natural, see-through shades.  Application is a cinch and the coverage is long lasting, leaving you with a perfect finish every time."  Fair is the lightest shade in this product and it turned out to be a perfect match for my skintone.  I only purchased this product to use when I am in a hurry, since my normal routine doesn't work well for busy morning.  However with me being on vacation from work this week, I have been using it almost everyday for a bit of extra coverage while I run errands and hang out, it is working its way into being a VIP of my traincase.  This product covers better than many tinted moisturizer formulas and lasts throughout most of the day.  It hydrates just enough for my skin to be soft and smooth, even though I have chosen the oil-free formula.  I am really liking this formula and being able to have a bit of coverage when needed but not looking made up.

Origins Gin-Zing Refreshing Eye Cream - "A clinically-proven eye cream that instantly de-puffs and reduces dark circles.  Late night?  Long flight?  Look tired all the time?  This natural, clincially-proven morning-after eye cream instantly reduces dark circles.  Unsightly bags and puffiness virtually disappear.  And Origin's  proprietary complex of caffeine from coffee bean.  Panax ginseng, magnolia extract, and natural optic brighteners rapidly wakes up, refreshes, and and restores radiance to tired eyes.  Best for all skin types."  I use this eye cream at night and the Cliniqe All About Eyes Rollerball during the day to take care of my puffy, allergy eyes.  This product helps to reduce my puffiness and my dark circles.  This is one of the few eye creams that I have worked with recently that actually helps dark circles look better and not just easier to cover up with makeup.  In addition to helping reduce both puffiness and dark circle appearance, this product helps to moisturize and to brighten the entire eye area.  This is simply one of the best all-in-one eye creams that is on the market today and I recommend it to almost anyone that needs help choosing an eye cream formula.

OPI Nail Lacquer in You Callin' Me a Lyre? and Pirouette My Whistle - "The world leader in professional nail care."  Both of these shades came out recently with their New York City Ballet collection released mid spring.  I put both of these together since I prefer to wear both of them together, I have worn each one alone but they pack a huge punch when used together.  You Callin' Me a Lyre? is a pale peach pink cream that is the epitome of the natural nail look and Pirouette My Whistle is a fine silver shimmer suspended in a clear base.  The combination of the two creates a natural nail look with a bit of pizzazz that keeps it from being boring.  I can get three to four full days wear from this combination so I use it at least once a week.  I have really been getting into OPI polishes lately and my shopping shows no signs of stopping...

Illamasqua Lipstick in Test - "Let your lips speak volumes.  Indulge in colour-intense lipstick with a highly pigmented formula, available in a choice of flawless finishes, from creamy matte to iridescent finishes.  Illamasqua Lipstick glides on smoothly and doesn't give up without a fight for the perfect all-night pout.  A must have for professional makeup artists, and those who want to make a statement."  Test is a "soft pink chocolate" with a matte finish.  For those of you who remember my initial review on the Illamasqua Lipstick formula, you will remember that I went on a near-rant about this shade and how it was described on the Sephora website (to sum it up - it looks nothing like what is pictured/described on the Sephora website and use the Illamasqua website for accurate descriptions) and I decided that I never would have purchased it had I known exactly what it looked like.  Application at full strengh produces a warm pink nude mouth with a matte finish, what sets this product apart is that it has a very full pigmentation and is not as subtle as I had been expecting, greatly reducing the amount of ways I could wear it.  I originally wanted a sheer, my-lips-but-better shades when I ordered this and not a shade with strong pigmentation.  However, recently I have been applying this shade with a bit of lip balm underneath, reducing the pigment strength and have been wearing it with all types of colored eye looks.  Even sheered out, this product lasts for several hours and stays color-true the whole time.  I love this lipstick formula and am happy that I have found another way to wear it!

These are my current favorite but I know that they will be changing again within the next few weeks, as I type this I am letting my newest shade of Illamasqua Nail Varnish dry and I just received a big Sephora order two days ago (complete with skincare and the 500 point perk of a Too Faced palette) and I will be working on getting some new fragrances and body products out.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

The final time that I used my Sephora VIB 15% coupon (it is finally expired!) was to actually purpose a product that I really needed, I had no tinted moisturizers in my collection and I found that my primer/foundation/concealer/loose powder routine was not the best choice when I had to get ready to go in a huge hurry.  I needed a product that I could use quickly in the morning and still create a flawless face.  I have used the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer in the past and I really liked the finish and coverage that it gave me, however the makeup artist at the counter used it on me and showed me a concealer to use with it so that I cover add an additional layer of coverage to red areas or dark circles.  I was undecided whether or not to just rebuy the Laura Mercier product since I really liked it but in the end I decided that I wanted to try a product from a different brand.  I then decided that I wanted to try a brand that I don't own very much from.  After wandering around the busy store and looking at every single tinted moisturizer that I found, I decided to try the product from Stila.

I found a great description on this product on the company's website.  "Stila's iconic tinted moisturizer got a makeover!  Introducing the new and improved Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 that is now WATER RESISTANT!  It's more than just makeup; it's sheer lumimous color infused with light-diffusing pigments to help diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, plus it includes skin-enhancing ingredients such as ginger root extract, gingko biloba leaf extract and chamomile for anti-oxidant protection.  This revolutionary oil-free, tinted moisturizer multitasks as a skin-hydrating, skintone-perfecting, SPF-protecting complexion enhancer.  The micro-fine light diffusing pigments create a sheer wash of natural color and help diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.  Its oil-free formula melts right into the skin and dries down, creating a gorgeous glow without the tackiness or greasiness."

This product is available in ten shades, not quite as big a shade selection as Laura Mercier but most people are still able to find a good match to their skintone.  My shade is Fair, the palest shade that is recommended for porcelain to fair complexions.  I tried this shade on one hand and the Bare shade on the other hand.  The Bare shade was made for fair skin with neutral undertones, it was slightly too dark for my skin and didn't look as natural as the Fair shade.  The other product that I tried was the Urban Defense product from Urban Decay, the coverage and SPF are comparable but the Halo (light) shade was too warm and too dark for my skin.  The shade choice was what pretty much made my decision to purchase the Stila product, I won't be able to use the Urban Decay product unless more shades are introduced.

I applied this product to bare skin with my hands, in the past I have used tinted moistuizers on top of skin cream or primer however I felt that this type of use actually detracted from the product and made the wear much worse but didn't add to the benefits of the product.  This product gave better-than-average coverage for a tinted moisturizer (major reason that I chose this product based on product recommendations from the associates at Sephora) and lasted all day.  I haven't tried the water resistant aspect of this product yet, I have only worn it out running and around the house on my day off.  This product held up well when I was sweating during my run so I can see that it would perform well on a rainy day or at pool party.  This product was hydrating enough to make my skin soft, but I can't see that it will be hydrating enough in the fall and winter months.  This is going to be an exclusively warm weather product for me, the time of the year that I try to wear less makeup anyway.

This is a good choice for a tinted moisturizer if you want a product that still gives medium coverage, this one could be too heavy for ladies who hate foundation but it is a great product for ladies who typically wear foundation every single day.  I like the shade range of this product, it was pretty easy for me to find a really close match to my skintone.  I still wish that tinted moisturizers had no SPF in them, they don't cover well enough for the SPF to be effective and having the SPF 20 in this product dilutes any other SPF that you would use during the day.  An SPF 20 is not high enough for me when I am out running in the summer months and would be much too low at the beach or pool.  Why do all tinted moisturizers contain an SPF 20?  Does anyone have an answer to this question?

photo courtesy of Stila

Stila Spring 2012 Collection

I have been putting off this post for quite a while now, I have found the new products for spring on the Stila website but have never seen them under anything other than the "What's New" tab on their home page.  I was hoping to find them all in the same area, under a heading of "Spring" or something that identifies them as the official spring products.  But alas, I am now seeing hints of the summer products on beauty blogs so I decided to take my best guess at what are the spring products from Stila and what are holdovers from last holiday.  I am a little lacking on information here so I do apologize in advance if this isn't totally correct in any instance. 
I like Stila products but I haven't been able to count any of the ones that I have tried among my top favorites yet.  Many of the shimmery shades (especially for eyes) are very pretty but I find that this company rarely puts out products and shades that are very unique and can't be duplicated by any other brand.  So I don't know that I am expecting much from this series of products and I still dislike when a company can't find a theme for their new products and shades and just throws them all under the heading of "What's New".

Here is the newest collection from Stila...

Jewel Eye Shadow - The perfect blend of pigment, binder, and pearl delivers a weightless feel on the eye, leaving lids glamourous and glittering.  Transparent talc delivers excellent color release and the perfect blend of binding oils ensure adherence.  Choose from eight sparkly shades.  High levels of pearl provide a brilliant sparkle effect.  Smooth and creamy texture.  Sheer, weightless wash of glimmering color.  Excellent color release and all day wear.  Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection.  Buildable shadows can be worn wet or dry.
- Blue Sapphire - shimmering periwinkle blue
- Black Diamond - shimmering deep charcoal
- Amethyst - shimmering medium purple
- Opal - shimmering light pink opal
- Rose Quartz - shimmering medium cool rose
- Citrine - shimmering medium bronze
- Aquamarine - shimmering bright aqua
- Golden Topaz - shimmering medium warm gold

Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Color - A gel-based primer, shadow, and liner that glides on with ease and stays in place until you say when!  This unique formula is infused with emollients for smooth, comfortable application and provides long-lasting, bold color that won't fade or crease over time.  Designed with optimal playtime, for application and smudging.  Smudge Crayon will be available in eight gorgeous hues.  Three-in-one gel-based eye primer, shadow, and liner.  Multi-pearl formula.  Waterproof.  Creamy, non-tacky finish.  Long-lasting and crease-resistant.  6+ hours of continous wear.  Vitamin E protects and conditions, while aloe soothes and supports healthy skin.
- Kitten - shimmering pink champagne
- Midnight Blue - deep navy
- Umber - deep chocolate brown
- Antique - medium pink gold
- Pink Violet - medium cool lilac
- Rose - medium cool pink
- Smoke - medium charcoal
- Black - deep true black

Sparkle Luxe Gloss - Sparkle Luxe Gloss is a decadent lip gloss that provides a subtle pop of color and rich glossy texture.  Infused with highly pigmented, ultra-fine pearl for dazzling sparkle and shine, plus camellia oil and Vitamin E to nourish and protect your pout.  Available in four glistening shades.  Ultra-fine pearl shimmer for brilliant sparkle.  Luxurious, glossy texture.  Subtle pop of color.  Camellia oil helps moisturize and nourish lips.  Vitamin E provides anti-oxidant protection.
- Tiara - pale cool pink shimmer
- Dazzling - medium bright pink shimmer
- Fairy Dust - medium warm pink coral shimmer
- Bling - medium warm pink shimmer

Hydrating Primer SPF 30 - Featuring exclusive synergistic combination of moisturizers and skin protectants.  Hydrating Primer SPF 30 provides hydration and nourishing benefits for the skin.  This skin-conditioning formula leaves skin with a soft, dewy finish and creates an impeccable canvas for faultless makeup application.  Packed with potent vitamins and antioxidants, in addition to Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays and help prevent premature aging.  Exclusive formula provides hydration, soothes, and refreshes the skin.  Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen SPF 30 protects the skin from the sun's damaging rays.  Helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and provides firming benefits.  Lightweight formula.  Contains an aray of skin protecting vitamins and antioxidants, such as Asian ginseng, shea butter, avocado, hazelnut, jojoba oils, and echinacea.  Perfect for all skin types.  Paraben free.

Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm - Age is nothing but a number with Stila's Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, a luxurious, priming beauty balm that seemingly turns back the hands of time by visibly improving the look and feel of skin and creating an impeccable canvas for flawless makeup application.  Luxurious beauty balm glides onto skin and leaves a silky, powdery finish.  High definition formula helps reduce pore size and provides oil and blemish control.  Contains innovative micro spheres, which have been shown to hide skin imperfections and reduce wrinkle depth by up to 84%.  Features an exclusive complex, which helps reduce redness and skin irritation.  Enriched with Tripeptide-37, bamboo and pea extracts, which help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Infused with natural, skin-protecting emollients which have been shown to increase anti-oxidant activity by up to 89.7%.  Uses the smallest particle size of coated pigments for seamless, smooth coverage.  Ideal for all skin types and skin tones.  Oil-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist tested.

In The Garden Palette - The new In The Garden Eye Shadow Palette is a stunning collection of Stila's award-winning eye shadows in wearable, botanical-inspired shades for every skin tone.  The palette also includes an exclusive Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Starfish (black with gold and green pearl), and an 8 page look book with detailed how-to-tips and tricks.  A gorgeous palette with 10 shades of Stila's award-winning eye shadow formula that can be worn wet or dry.
- Chinois - matte creamy white
- Breeze - shimmery beige
- Bark - shimmery taupe
- Freesia - shimmey violet blue
- Rosette - metallic pink violet
- Nectar - matte creamy beige
- Honey - metallic bronze gold
- Sage - shimmery translucent green
- Moss - dark olive green with shimmer
- Juniper - deep shimmery forest green

Jewel Eye Shadow Trio - A sparkly trio of luxe jewel eye shadows provide a sheer, weightless wash of color that delivers just the right amount of glittering glamour.  High levels of pearl provide a brilliant sparkle effect.  Smooth and creamy texture.  Sheer, weightless wash of glimmering color.  Buildable shadows can be worn either wet or dry.
- Opal - shimmering pure white
- Rose Quartz - shimmering cool blue pink
- Amethyst - shimmering deep plum

It seems like Stila has a high shimmer theme going on through out this group of new products, the Jewel Eye Shadows were originally introduced with a holiday collection and must have been so popular that Stila made them a permanent part of their collection.  Kind of a odd time of the year to do though, very few companies are showing tones of shimmer in spring collections.  I like the lip gloss shades and some of the eye shadows too, so I will be heading off to Sephora to see these in real life.  From the lip gloss, I want the Tiara and Dazzling shades, I really don't need to be adding more pink lip glosses to my collection so I will only buy these shades if the formula is fantastic.  From the Jewel Eye Shadow formula, I like the Citrine and Golden Topaz shades.  I wonder how different these are from the Vincent Longo Diamond Eye Shadows since I already own shades like these in this formula...

I love the Garden Palette and this one will be used a lot to create fun, bright spring makeup looks.  The new Eye Crayon also looks like a product that will be getting a lot of use from too.  My first pick would be Kitten since I already use this shade a lot against red lip looks.  I am hoping that this shade in the crayon formula will be longer lasting than the eye shadow and will create a look that will stay on all night.  Also from this formula, I want the Antique Gold, Pink Violet, and Rose shades.  I want to try using these shades to create a long lasting rose gold look for my eyes, I have fallen in love with the rose gold look since I first played around with it when looking at the newest Bobbi Brown collection and now I want to find more products and shades to create different versions of this look.

I like many of the products in this collection but I am hoping that the summer collection will make a bit more sense and will ahve some type of theme to carry it off...

photo courtesy of Stila