Stila Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation Review

Remember when I told you that I’ve always had difficulty finding foundations that match? Well recently most of the products I’ve been sent to review look amazing on my skin! I don’t know if it’s because beauty companies finally understand the value of incorporating more women of color but things are definitely improving for girls in the medium range of the color spectrum.

I was matched with Stila’s Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation ($51.00) in the shade Tan/Deep 1 and decided to test the formula on date night. I had pretty good results with Stila’s Lingerie Souffle Skin Perfecting Color and if this one didn’t work, I knew my husband wouldn’t call me an oompa loompa over a candlelight dinner...he’d wait until we got home and let me down gently.

Hide & Chic is described as “a magic elixir” infused with botanical ingredients that smooth, blur, refine and even the complexion. I love makeup enriched with skincare and this golden bottle contains plant collagen and vegetable extract to firm and tone, baobab tree root for moisture and Irish sea moss.

What I love most is the customizable coverage. The consistency is light and very liquid-y so the color blends effortlessly and provides a natural, skin-like veil that is long-wear, flexible and humidity-proof. It is also very buildable so you can easily go from medium to full-coverage with no trouble concealing blemishes and discoloration.

The foundation is quite runny so be careful when using the pump dispenser. Yesterday a stream of it shot across my vanity and ended up in a drawer. 

Fortunately this shade makes my complexion look flawless. I used my beauty blender for quick, seamless application and it spread beautifully!

The swatches below show the texture of the foundation blended and unblended (FYI, my face and forearm are different colors and this photo was taken in direct sunlight).

I always set my liquids with powder and after a full night of fun at the fair, my skin wasn't greasy at all! There was no transfer (my hubby occasionally complains about makeup on his shirt) and the color didn’t oxidize in the sun – no harsh red tones. A little goes a long way so use it sparingly. If you wear too much it may look cakey and pasty.

The silica coated pigments create a bouncy, breathable finish that feels silky, hydrating and smooth. I didn’t experience any irritation and the formula is suitable for all skin types with the perfect balance of matte and dewiness. 

There are 30 shades to choose from and about half of them are in the tan, medium and deep range.

If you’re looking for a great foundation that makes your skin appear healthy and luminous, I definitely recommend trying this one. Stila is available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and beauty.shoppersdrugmat.ca.

Stila Lingerie Soufflé Skin Perfecting Color Review

Summer in Toronto is beautiful but we often experience severe heat waves and high humidity that elevates UV levels. I enjoy spending time outdoors but heavy foundation can melt, streak, clog pores and feel very uncomfortable.

This spring I’ve been searching for lighter options and just in time for beach and barbecue season Stila has launched the Lingerie Soufflé Perfecting Color ($49.00), their most luxurious multi-purpose skin perfector ever!

This opulent water-based mousse is whipped to perfection with 70% water and natural botanicals that nourish and protect without stickiness. It also contains light reflecting pearls to enhance your natural glow and blur pesky imperfections.

Once blended you will notice shimmering micro-beads dispersed throughout the foundation. They sit on the surface and create a dazzling veil of radiance. In theory this effect seems pretty cool but I’m usually more selective with my highlighter and a face full of sparkles isn’t really necessary.

The heavy glass bottle is gorgeous but quite impractical for travel. You may have to transfer some product into a portable container for use on-the-go.

Although the consistency seems thick, rich and heavy, the mousse is virtually weightless. It doesn’t look or feel like you’re wearing a ton of makeup and it doesn’t cake, crease or settle into lines.

There are 8 colors available that range from fair, medium and deep. Each Soufflé is designed to cover a multitude of skin tones so you don’t necessarily need an exact match. According to the Stila representatives at their media event, my shade is 5.0 (in the middle range).

I tested the pigment for an entire day – at work, running errands and during an evening power walk with my husband. It is a tad darker than my complexion so I used powder to even out the color and prolong wear. The flexibility is nice (my face never felt stiff) and there was minimal fading, transfer and greasiness.

Applying the pigment takes patience because it dries quickly and once the cream becomes matte, it can be difficult to blend seamlessly. For consistency, I use a beauty blender and then go over patchy areas with a small concealer brush for more precision.

The color will camouflage faint blemishes and discoloration but the coverage is light to medium. You may need to touch-up problem areas with a bit of concealer if they still show through.

If I had to rate this product I’d give it 3.7/5 for great texture and excellent staying power. I’d most likely wear the soufflé to the gym, beach, cottage, park or mall but for high profile events or special occasions I require more coverage.

If you don’t wear much makeup, you will probably like this. It gives your pores a chance to breathe and looks quite natural (minus the shimmer).

Stila is available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca

Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter and NEW Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

When it comes to liquid lipstick and glitter eye shadow, few brands can outshine Stila and the Heaven’s Hue Highlighters ($42.00 ea) have been cult favorites for years.

The collection includes 8 iridescent shades with a variety of undertones to suit every complexion. Two of my top picks are Kitten - a universal gold and Brilliance - a subtle pink that brightens and accentuates.

The powder is infused with ultra-fine light reflecting particles that melt in seamlessly and produce a soft, glamorous effect. Because the texture is weightless, the pigment sweeps across the skin effortlessly without gathering in fine lines. I love the natural candlelight glow but resist the urge to over-blend as the shimmer may scatter.

Kitten

These silky highlighters are also buildable and versatile so you can take your look from soft and subdued to dramatic.

Brilliance

The Heaven’s Dew All Over Glimmer ($36.00) is currently sold-out at sephora.ca and stila.ca because makeup junkies are obsessed! The pearlescent shimmer with micro-glitter has a translucent cream to powder base that can be used on the cheeks, eyes and body for a super-lustrous glow. Wear it alone for extra frostiness or layer over highlighter for a dazzling multi-dimensional effect with no creasing. The silvery particles disperse widely for more transparency and diamond-like sparkle!

I have a love-hate relationship with liquid eye shadow but The Shimmer & Glow - Vivid & Vibrant ($31.00) formula is amazing! The pigment is extremely saturated with incredible longevity and once dry, the color stays put all day with no fading or smudging. I usually apply a bit of pressed shadow first (similar to whatever shimmer I’m using) and dab or swipe the color onto my lids (depending on how much coverage I want). These two shades – Vivid Garnet and Vivid Sapphire are must-haves if you like sultry jewel tones.

Stila is also available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Click HERE to see some of my favorite Stila lipsticks

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Review & Must-Have Shades

While working in the beauty industry I’ve amassed more lipstick than any woman could ever use. There are hundreds of beautiful shades in my collection but when asked to pick favorites, Stila always takes the cake.

The Stay All Day liquid formula is rich, dramatic, smooth and vibrant with excellent coverage and reliable durability that outlasts the messiest meals. The incredible color selection is what makes these lippies so addictive! There are stunning shades for every complexion, occasion and style with sheer, shimmer and full-coverage finishes.

If I had to wear one shade of lipstick for the rest of my life, it would probably be Bacca. If you don’t have this amazing pigment in your collection, stop what you’re doing and rectify the situation immediately! The versatile color makes a bold statement day or night, taking your look from boardroom chic to red carpet glam without smudging, smearing or fading for up to 6 hours. The undertone is a unique combination of deep pink, burgundy, and red that looks stunning on everyone! My second favorite shade in the collection is a sexy pink called Lume (I dare you not to fall in love).

I wasn’t a huge fan of the nude lip trend until recently discovering that I could jazz it up with soft shadow and wined liner for a sophisticated “more is less” effect. In the neutral category you have: Sonata (a bit too light for my taste), Portofino (the only shade that doesn’t completely wash me out) and Carmello which is definitely more suitable for fair complexions since it looks like concealer on me.

For fall, Bacca, Paradiso and Chianti are a must! The velvety formula is ultra smooth and highly pigmented for buildable saturation and phenomenal color payoff. You might need a liner for neatness, precision and definition but once dry, the color stays put and amplifies your pout. I prefer the matte formula for its bold vividness but the sheer pigments can be enhanced by layering.

Enriched with nourishing avocado oil, the texture is lightweight, non-sticky and relatively comfortable. The creaminess transforms into a matte lacquer-like finish but my lips remain soft and chap-fee. At the end of a long day, a touch of gloss instantly revives the color and moisture.

Application can get a bit messy when the lipstick collects heavily on the wand but it's a small price to pay for amazing color.

For the holiday season (yes I went there already), try the mesmerizing shimmers! I have the shade Beso (Stila’s popular bombshell red) infused with a multidimensional metallic effect!

The Stay All Day Lipsticks retail for $29.00 each at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and online at stila.ca.

Stila Eyes Are The Window Eye Shadow Palette Review & Swatches

When it comes to high quality pigment and stunning variety, Stila is way up there on my list of faves. I Know I’ve reviewed the popular Eyes Are The Window Palette before in the Spirit Collection but this time I’m warming things up for fall and transitioning from cool tones to warm, sultry hues.

This color collection is called Mind and along with a row of basic neutrals for transitioning, creating a base, blending and highlighting, it also has two rows of warm, rich shadows perfect for the season! The contrast of light and dark tones is always appealing and although I would have liked a few gold, copper, garnet or silvery hues for the lids, the palette has most of what I need to create the perfect day looks and deeper effects for a night out.

The middle row contains a selection of cream, grey and orange which I like using in the crease and blending with browns. The last row consists of rich, crease enhancing shades like black, deep burgundy, mocha and caramel which expertly deepen, shape and sculpt.

The texture of the shadow is smooth and easy enough to blend but a little more creaminess in the powder formulation would have made them even better! I am able to achieve a beautiful gradient and a nice level of smokiness for bold, eye-catching creations.

All of the shadows in this palette are matte so combined with the shades from the Spirit Palette (in the photo below) I have a beautiful selection to work with. (Review & swatches of this palette can be found HERE).

As mentioned I don’t think this range has quite enough options for the lids but the pigmentation is good so you can layer and intensify for more saturation. I highly recommend a good primer to really enhance the color but overall I have no issue with creasing or fading and I think these shades are suitable for all complexions. As you start mixing and matching, the combinations you can create are stunning and the darker shades pair beautifully with shimmers and glitter for textural versatility.

If you are looking for a nice range of essential shades for professional results this palette is a great option. It retails for $59.00 at Sephora.

Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette Review

When it comes to everyday makeup we all have favorite shades. I’m referring to the colors you hit pan on before even breaking the surface of the surrounding shadows and the flattering tones that effortlessly enhance the eyes to create signature looks. If you haven’t tried the pigments from Stila yet, you are missing out on some serious gorgeousness! Since receiving the Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Collection I’ve been using it on a weekly basis and I’ve recently been playing around with the Eyes Are The Window Palette - designed to illuminate your inner beauty.

The shadows are encased within a beautiful jewel inspired rose gold compact with magnetic closure and a large mirror that fills the entire lid. The box also includes a lookbook designed by Stila’s Executive Director of Creative Artistry should you need a little inspiration or guidance.

What I love most about the pigments is the intensity I can achieve without much effort or layering and the superb quality! The collection I have called Spirit includes 12 of Stila’s iconic shades and if you get your hands on these silky, shimmers they will probably become your newest obsession! Each shade is very wearable with an array of dazzling every day hues and a row of deep contrasting colors to offset, balance and create depth. You can go light and fresh, mid tone or even smokey and the shadows mix, match and pair well in almost any combination!

Every time I open a new Stila palette and run my finger across the smooth, rich pigment there is a wave of excitement and anticipation. Before the swatch even slides across the back of my hand I know it’s going to be good and truth be told, it always is! These amazing colors have saturated, pure color pay-off so you don’t even need a primer or base to enhance them. The shadows apply effortlessly and smooth with no creasing or flaking and they stay bold and in place all day without the slightest hint fading.

The color range includes some of my all-time favorites and the array of rose and yellow gold tones mixed with vibrant cranberry, bronze, silver, taupe and cream compliments every complexion from light to dark. The deepest hue is a soft black that pairs well with every shadow to contour and shape the crease. The addition of a deep red-brown would have been handy to have but I get by just fine without it. Most of the shadows have a degree of shimmer (some more than others) but there are also two mattes - taupe/beige and cream.

When it comes to expert blending, this luxurious formula is fabulous! The pigments create a lovely gradient that appears very cohesive and neat so you don’t even have to be a professional to achieve amazing results. There are 3 other color collections to choose from and I highly recommend checking them out at your local Sephora. The palettes retail for $59.00 ea and are free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette Review

I am always drawn to multipurpose products that are convenient for travel and versatile enough to create a variety of trendy looks, which is why I am totally obsessed with Stila's newest color collection! The Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Palette is available in 4 shade combinations (fair, medium, tan and deep) designed to work with your unique complexion and enhance your best features. These expertly crafted, high quality pigments take the guess work out of mixing and matching colors making it perfect for creating quick, flattering looks.

These palettes are all gorgeous so it may be hard to choose just one! Although my complexion is in the medium range, I decided to get the deep palette because I was drawn to the sultry warmth and I couldn’t say no to that irresistible terracotta blush! The beauty of this collection is that you can select the palette that best compliments your skin (if you prefer neutral looks) or you can do what I did and go for deeper shades to create a bold effect. Every compact is suitable for all skin tones so no matter which you choose, your makeup will always look stylish!

Since I love rich hues reminiscent of fall and glamorous red carpet fashion, the deep palette just spoke to me. The eye shades include ~ Imaginative (peach base), Brilliant (champagne, silvery highlight), Flirty (deep, warm brown for the crease), Adventurous (coppery gold for the lids) and Mesmerizing (black liner or crease shade). The blush hues are ~ Vibrant (deep peach) and Witty (brick red).

The pigmentation of these colors is remarkably vivid and they are formulated to look exactly as you’d expect on your skin with no ashy undertones. Each pressed powder is triple milled for exceptional smoothness, luxurious silkiness and full-coverage color requiring no primer (but I like to use one anyway). Simply apply with your brush and the amazing pigments build and blend effortlessly for all day wear with no fading or creasing.

One of my go to-looks for all occasions includes golden bronze eye shadow because it compliments deep brown eyes and makes them stand out! I like pairing the radiant gold with the brown crease shade and blending well to create shape and definition. When I crave a smoky look, I use the black to deepen the crease and smudge it under my lower lash line for a sultry shadow. The brilliant highlight shade can be used on the lids or the cheekbones for glowing skin.

Left to right: base, highlight, lid, crease, liner, blush, blush

The fabulous thing about choosing the deepest blush in the collection is that it doubles as a contour to sculpt the face while adding color, depth and dimension. When I want something lighter for daytime, I wear the peach blush for a beautiful flush and the texture is velvety and rich.

If you’re looking for a palette that you can use everyday to accentuate your beauty then this collections is a must! The palettes retails for $51.00 CAD or $39.00 U.S. and Stila is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sepora and online.

Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Palette Review

Is it just me, or have you noticed a recent surge in the popularity of lip palettes? For professional kits, having a variety of flattering shades on-hand is useful and when traveling, multi-purpose products are convenient. The new Lip & Cheek Palettes by Stila include 5 pigments that accentuate your pout and add a healthy flush of color to revive dull skin.

You can apply the creams with a finger (which can be a tad messy while on-the-go) or a lip brush as I prefer. The compact is light and small enough to slip in a purse plus it comes with a decent sized mirror. In the Sunrise Splendor Palette there are two nude pigments (English Rose & Lillium), two pinks (Cherry Blossom & Fuchsia) and one pretty berry hue called Tulip.

On my skin tone, I probably won’t use the nude shades for blush as they don’t provide the pop of color I crave to brighten my complexion and they aren’t deep enough for contouring. I usually prefer warmer shades of blush but the vibrant pinks may be more wearable for summer and I love how they enhance and moisturize my pout.

The texture of the pigments is what makes them so convertible. The consistency is light, rich, smooth and creamy with the ability to go from sheer to medium coverage. On the cheeks, they can be blended out for a subtle wash of color and blending thoroughly also helps soften and dull the shiny finish for a matte look. Despite the creamy consistency, they set well and last all day with no stickiness.

When layered on the lips, you can intensify the shine and color to medium coverage for luminosity and fullness. I also find that using the same color accent throughout the face can create beautiful symmetry and balance.

The inclusion of a lip brush would have been nice but the pigments are easy to work with and they smudge well to create a beautiful fade across the skin for a natural effect. The palette retails for $51.00.

Like many women who have had the pleasure of trying Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks I am totally hooked! My new obsession is the shade Bacca, a deep, sultry red that accentuates any makeup look for instant glam! The formula is matte and dries like a lacquer for hours of wear but it can make lips feel a bit tight and doesn’t offer much moisture. I recommend using a lip primer for more comfort but it’s a small price to pay for bold, full coverage color and this shade is an absolute must! The Liquid Lipsticks retail for $31.00 ea.

You can find Stila at Shoppers Drug Mart, beautyboutique.ca and Sephora