The Fancy Face: Stila

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Aug 20, 2015

SWATCHES | Stila Cosmetics Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes - Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul

Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes

Eyes are the window to the body, mind, spirit and soul.
This year, Stila celebrates 20 years of infinite style. Create endless looks with our new Eyes Are The Window™ shadow palettes. Inspired by the spiritual notion that true beauty is revealed from within, each palette is curated with 12 luxurious eye shadows to illuminate your inner beauty. Encased in exquisite, jewelry-inspired compacts-a precious mix of rose, yellow and white golds-the shadows will inspire intrigue and delight.

Each palette comes with a look book curated by Sarah Lucero, Stila’s Global Executive Director of Creative Artistry.

Size: 12 x 0.051 oz

Price: US $49.00

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The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes retail for $49 for 12 x 0.051 oz of product. Keep in mind that typical small eyeshadows on the market are 0.05 oz each - think MAC and Urban Decay eyeshadow pans.

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes fall middle of the road when it comes to price point and has a competitive price tag when compared to other mid-end makeup brands. They also contain the average amount of product for eyeshadow palettes with 12 eyeshadows at the same size as a full sized MAC or Urban Decay eyeshadow.

One thing to note, is that these palettes do not come with a bonus item such as an eyeshadow brush or deluxe primer sample, etc. Some more pricey palettes do include these add-ons which somewhat 'balance out' the price. There is, however, a look book in each box which shows a variety of inspired looks with guides on how to achieve each look from the shades in the palettes.

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are currently available for purchase in store and online at the following locations:

Select Sephora Stores and on the Sephora website
Select Ulta Stores and on the Ulta website
On the Stila website
Any other location that sells Stila Cosmetics

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes come in beautiful metallic rose and yellow gold themed hard plastic palettes. Each palette is color coded with a different shade of gold or rose gold lid which makes it easier to differentiate among the 4 palettes.

Mind - white gold

Body - rose gold

Soul - yellow gold

Spirit - pale rose gold

Inside each palette is a full sized mirror (in the lid) and the eyeshadows (in the base) are housed in a gold grid of 4 rows and 3 columns. The lid itself opens via a hinge which pivots at a 120º angle rather a full 180º. This comes in handy when you use the mirror in palettes for makeup application.

The eyeshadows are not individually labeled with names inside the palette. However, there is a label on the back with all the eyeshadow names in the grid layout. Be careful not to flip the names (I only mention this because I did)....the names read as if your were looking at the eyeshadows from the top rather than matching them from the bottom....that may not confuse anyone else but myself :(

Another thing of note - the eyeshadow pans are embedded a bit deeper than the divider grid which actually helps to keep the extra powder from mixing into neighboring shades as you use the palette. Or maybe it's just me that can appreciate the separation? Yes? No? :)

While the palettes are gorgeous on display, they will hold on to fingerprints due to the metallic finish of the palettes. Some people may find this bothersome....but they are quite easy to wipe clean so I have no worries.

Oh yea....there's a clear protective plastic sheet inside each palette with a quote from a renaissance or modern scientist/engineer/philosopher/artist...'cause you know beauty and science and stuff *wink* ;)

Overall I think the jewel themed compacts were beautifully done and are solid without being bulky. There is a feel of luxury without the overly expensive price tag.

"Each palette inculdes 12 luxe eye shadows that range from calming, soft shades to smoky hues that can be mixed and matched and worn wet or dry."

COLORS/SHADES

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes come in 4 different color themes ranging from brights to neutrals. Overall the palettes tend to lean toward more wearable everyday shades rather than in your face brights.

Body: A colorful collection of 12 bright and neutral shades

Mind: A well-edited assortment of 12 matte eye shadows

Spirit: A stunning palette of 12 of Stila’s most iconic shades

Soul: A luxurious palette of 12 sumptuous, everyday eye shadows

TEXTURE & FINISH

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes feature various finishes from matte to satin to frost and glittery shades. The Mind palette is, however, an ALL matte palette.

PIGMENTATION

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are overall nicely pigmented with/without a primer or eyeshadow base. The shimmer shades have the best color payoff with the matte/glitter hybrids being the least pigmented. We will talk more under the swatches.

APPLICATION & WEAR

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are nice palettes with good color payoff and are blendable without being overly patchy. I did not have issues with fading or creasing when I used these palettes.

The glitter shades will undoubtedly have fall out so be careful when using these shades. The matte shades can be on the drier side so they do kick up some powder and can cause fall out as well.

The shimmer shades are the best performers and they are really creamy with excellent pigmentation. They are not highly frosted shades which is a plus for all ages, skin tones and tastes.

We will talk more under the swatches.

The Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palettes are some great palettes that don't get enough recognition. But alas in the ADHD world that is makeup what can we do? They are nicely pigmented and easy to work with. And they come in a good selection of wearable shades with a decent price point. I enjoy them a lot and I do recommend them....except maybe the Body palette.

Have you tried these palettes? Interested?

Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner) - REVIEW and SWATCHES...

Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner)

REVIEW and SWATCHES...

Stila Smudge Crayon (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner )
A three-in-one gel-based eye primer, shadow, and liner that glides on with ease and stays in place until you say when.

This advanced, creamy, multi-pearl formula is infused with emollients for smooth, comfortable application. It provides rich, bold color and more than six hours of continuous wear that won't fade or crease over time.

This product features a pull-out sharpener conveniently hidden in the base.

Size: 0.04 oz

Price: $22

The Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner) are priced at $22 for 0.05 oz of product.

Initially the price of these eye color pencils may seem a bit daunting. However, when compared to other similar products you will find that they are priced within the expected range especially for Stila. In fact, it may even surprise you that they are a better value (price vs. oz) than the M·A·C Greasepaint Sticks that so many of us coveted.

Another thing you may find yourself doing is comparing these to non-twist-up pencils such as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils. But we must remember that non-twist-up pencils have issues with wasting product when they are sharpened - you lose almost half the product from sharpening alone. With twist-up pencils you won't lose as much product from sharpening if any at all (just don't sharpen). So you may be getting more product in a non-twist-up but that is overcompensating for the product loss during sharpening.

Another great thing about this product is that they are waterproof and smudge-proof and can be used as eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow and eyeliner. So keep that in mind when comparing them to drugstore alternatives, such as NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils, which are much cheaper but are not even close in terms of quality and longevity.

The Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner) are available in store at Sephora and Ulta locations as well as online at the Sephora and Ulta websites. There are 8 colors to choose from ranging from neutral tones to pops of color. Ulta seems to have 1 extra shade (Rose) in their range versus Sephora so check Ulta if you want to see the full spectrum of colors. They are also now available on the Stila website.

The Stila Smudge Crayons come in color coordinated twist-up pencil form with an attached sharpener on the opposite end of the pencil. The product/color name, quantity and company details are printed in silver on the pencil itself. The matching package color makes it much easier to grab the correct one from a bulging stash.

The product/pencil is extended or retracted by twisting the head on the pencil rather than the base. You can always retract the product if you have overextend thus avoiding wastage. At the base of the pencil in the included sharpener which you twist off to use. The included sharpener is a bonus since you don't have to buy a separate item simply to sharpen your pencil plus you can use it to create a point to the pencil once the initial one wears down.

The cap on these pencils snap securely into place for perfect storage and travel without breaking the product or causing unwanted damage. The overall pencil is solid and sturdy which makes it more durable and less susceptible to breaking (heaven forbid!).

Sharpener

The Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner) are touted as "three-in-one gel-based eye primer, shadow, and liner that glides on with ease and stays in place until you say when". They are said to have a "creamy, multi-pearl formula infused with emollients for smooth, comfortable application and "provides rich, bold color and more than six hours of continuous wear that won't fade or crease over time".

The Stila Smudge Crayons are extremely creamy and smooth. They glide unto the skin without tugging or dragging for a even layer of pigmented color. These are not drying at all but set to a smudge-proof, budge-proof finish after application.

The Stila Smudge Crayons have a couple of finishes from matte to semi-matte with slight sheen and frosts. The deeper shades are more on the matte side while the lighter (highlight) shades have more of a frost finish which is expected.

These products are packed with intense color payoff. Even the lighter shades have decent color payoff in a single swipe. This makes them much nicer to use for liners than sheer products. The deeper shades have great pigmentation in a single pass while the lighter shades can be blended out for a wash of color if that is your preference.

The colors are more on the neutral side with subtle pops of color such as navy blue and purple. None of the shades are overwhelming or neon in nature. This means that they are quite wearable and will appeal to a large audience. The deeper shades are perfect for smoky looks while the lighter shades make great highlight colors.

These Stila Smudge Crayons are so smooth I almost want to cry! LOL! They apply smoothly to the skin and blend seamlessly with each other and other eyeshadows. You can apply directly from the pencil or use your fingers or a brush instead. I prefer the ease of the pencil but you may wish to create more defined lines with a brush. Again, they glide unto the skin without tugging or dragging (ahem Shadesticks) for a even layer of pigmented color. These are not drying at all but set to a smudge-proof, budge-proof finish after application.

These work great as eyeshadow colors on their own, as colored bases for powder eyeshadow or as eyeliners. They wear perfectly well without a primer without fading or creasing. I find it interesting that Stila only claims 6+ hours of wear while these are long-wearing at least on me. I get at least 9+ hours of wear with no issues plus I can skip the primer and powder (oily lids rejoice). They also wear decently on the waterline (4+ hours) but fade over time as is usual with creamy products on my waterline. You may have better luck but so far only my L'Oréal HIP Cream Liner works on my waterline.Either way these are phenomenal!

The Stila Smudge Crayons (Waterproof Eye Primer + Shadow + Liner) are superb products! I am just in love! They have the creaminess of NYX Jumbo Pencils with the color payoff and longevity of gel eyeliners. These are what M·A·C Shadesticks and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencils should aspire to be - great products YES but a little drying. The Stila Smudge Crayons are creamy and dreamy beyond belief with full rich color and longstanding wear to top it all off. I insist you bite the $22 bullet and try out at least one of these! You WON'T be disappointed!