❧❦ Stila In The Light Eye Shadow Palette ❦❧

Stila In The Light Palette

Stila In The Light Palette

I've been a Stila girl for years.  Even though I do love many of their products, I'm really a big fan of their eye shadows.

If you have never experienced them before, Stila eye shadows are finely milled and velvety.  Because they are so soft (especially the shimmer colors), they are more delicate and prone to breakage.  But this also means that you can use less product, and you don't have to dig into the product with your brush.   And if you aren't careful, you can expect a little fallout with the darker colors like Night Sky and Ebony.

But I simply adore this palette - the colors, textures, application, everything - just works for me.  I've used this palette for weeks at a time, and I've never grown tired of it.

For a comparison, as much as I love my Urban Decay Naked 1 and 2 palettes, I have used my Stila palette more often and have hit pan on several of the colors.

Stila In The Light Palette

The palette includes a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Damsel, a matte chocolate brown, and an 6-page booklet with detailed how-to tips.

Bare - matte ivory

Kitten - a shimmery nude pink

Bliss - matte beige pink

Sunset - shimmery canyon pink

Sandstone - matte light coco

Bubbly - shimmery pale gold

Gilded Gold - golden brown with shimmer

Luster - dark aubergine with gold shimmer

Night Sky - blue with shimmer

Ebony - black

Total eye shadow weight: .49oz/14g, made in USA.

The Smudge Stick is full-sized .01oz/.28g, made in Germany.

Stila In The Light Palette

Stila In The Light Palette

 

Stila eye shadows in Bare, Kitten, Champagne and Gilded Gold

Stila eye shadows in Bliss, Luster

Stila eye shadows in Sunset, Sandstone, Night Sky, Ebony

Stila In The Light Palette Swatches

Stila In The Light Palette Swatches

Pros:

• Versatile colors can create a multitude of looks from neutral to smokey.
• Can be easily layered and blended.
• Soft eye shadows - you don't need a lot of product to create a beautiful effect.
• Can be used wet or dry.
• Will compliment any skin tone.
• Long lasting.
• Highly pigmented.
• Smooth application.
• Unbeatable value of $39 for a palette of 10 Stila eye shadows! An individual Stila eye shadow is $18 for 0.09 oz.
• Includes a really good waterproof eyeliner.
• Not tested on animals.

Cons: 

• Because some of the eye shadows are very soft (like Kitten), by the time you hit pan they have a tendency to break.
• Some of the eye shadows can flake.
• No mirror - I don't mind but for others it's essential in a palette like this.
• A strange cardboard packaging that looks okay initially, but it dents easily and looks scuffed after several months of use making it look cheap.
• There is no clasp or magnet on the palette, and this makes it rather inconvenient to carry around in your purse or travel with because the lid can come open, causing obvious problems and exposing the makeup to bacteria.

I really love the looks that I can create from this palette, and I would repurchase it.

Available here!


- The Sassi Wench

October 2011 Favorites

The Sassi Wench October 2011 Favorites with the Urban Decay Quinceañera Makeup Bag

In October my makeup palette of choice was my Stila In the Light Palette.  It's a collection of 10 of Stila's most popular colors, including Kitten, and it includes a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in dark brown.  

Stila In the Light Palette

Other favorites in October include:

Bulgari Mon Jasmine Noir To Go

NARS Night Series Nail Polish Night Rider

NARS Bangkok Lipstick

Sally Beauty Sanding Stick

Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush

Macadamia Oil Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

Mally Volumizing Mascara

Chanel Eyelash Curler

Urban Decay Quinceanera Makeup Bag

For my October Favorites/Halloween theme video, I decided to go with a vintage look I've loved for years - Priscilla Presley in heyday, with more eyelashes, mascara and lipstick than a Las Vegas Showgirl!  It was when she was the bride of Elvis Presley in 1967.

Priscilla Presley Makeup

The Sassi Wench in bridal makeup inspired by Priscilla Presley

It took me about two hours of fussing with two sets of false eyelashes, adding layers of mascara and lipstick and lipgloss to get this look! I don't know how she did it each day - it must have been torture!

The Sassi Wench in 1960's Priscilla Presley makeup

To get this look I used:
Stila Jewel Eyeshadow Palette - Black Diamond
MAC blush in Dame
MAC Yogurt Eyeshadow
MAC Lipstick in Naturally Eccentric
Stila Lip Pencil
Clinique Lipgloss
Asastasia Brow Duality in Matte Camille/Sand Shimmer (layered)
Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Waterproof Eyeliner 
Two sets of false eyelashes


- The Sassi Wench

What's in My Travel Makeup Bag?

Paul & Joe Makeup Bag and Furla Makeup Bag

The last time I did a "What's in my Travel Makeup Bag" video or blog post was in January, and I've travelled so much this year, so this video and blog post is long overdue!

Inside my Paul & Joe Makeup Bag

Like so many women, I do tend to take too many products with me.  I know that I have never ever used absolutely everything I've ever brought with me while on vacation. 


I also use travel time to test out new products and play with samples that I may have forgotten about , or just never got around to using.  Often I find that I have more time in the morning to apply makeup and style my hair than I do in my regular day to day life.  


I did splurge a little and I bought a new foundation brush (Louise Young), a new eye brush (Edward Bess), and a new eyeshadow palette just before I left to go on this vacation.  It was the perfect opportunity to experiment with the new shadows and brushes.


And all of these products fit comfortably into the Paul & Joe makeup bag!

All of this makeup fits inside the Paul & Joe Cosmetic Bag!

On this road trip we traveled to Washington, D.C., Manassas and Leesburg in Virginia, and to Gettysburg Pennsylvania for a vacation seeped in American Civil War history.

The Hakuhodo makeup brushes (on the left) are my all time favorite!

We saw The White House, took bus tours, auto tours, visited museums and monuments, shopped in Tysons Corner Mall and The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, ate cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes, saw $64 million in cash money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and sat down to a Witches Brew Tea at a plantation in Virginia!

Furla Makeup Bag filled with Chanel Particulière Nail Polish and nail tools.

I found that I used everything that I brought with me, except for two makeup brushes, the nail polish remover wipes, my backup mascara (explained in my video) and the NARS highlighter.  I just wasn't in the mood to use the highlighter.  So all in all, I feel that I did pretty well and didn't overpack too much this time around.


I took all of my nail tools with me because I gave myself a mani-pedi in my hotel room.  I don't use lip gloss and I rarely use a primer or concealer, so I didn't bring those products with me.


2009 Paul & Joe Waterproof Cosmetic Pouch:

• Lipsticks MAC Creme d' Nude, NARS Bangkok
• Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
• MAC Blush Dame
• MAC Beauty Powder in Light Sunshine
• Anna Sui Beauty Mirror Rose
• Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone
• Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara (this might just be my favorite mascara of all time!)
• Laura Mercier Mascara (backup)
• NARS Highlighter in Luxor
• Too Faced Eye Love Sephora Eyeshadow Palette
• Stila In the Light Palette
• Mbeze Sweet Sanura Natural Perfume 
• Boots No7 Beautiful Brows Pencil
• Makeup Brushes:
• Hakuhodo
• MAC
• Louise Young
• Edward Bess

Furla Makeup Bag:

• Chanel Particulière Nail Polish
• OPI Base Coat
• Essie Super Duper Top Coat
• Nail Clippers
• Cuticle pushers
• Bloom Nail File
• All Season Sanding Stick
• Polish Off Nail Polish Remover Pads
• Nail Buffer

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench

Review: The Stila Breathtaking Beauty Palette

Watch my review and see me use the step by step guide included with the palette, here:

Having been a devout Stila girl for around 10 years now, I was excited to check out their new range of E! Red Carpet Palettes.


Considering the fact that a Stila Lip Glaze alone is $22 - $24, I thought that $25 for this palette was an almost too-good-to-be-true deal.  The Lip Glaze, the colors, the price, and the fact that this particular palette included an All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten sold me! Kitten is my all time favorite (and most versatile) eye shadow color, and it should be a staple in any Stila makeup collection.  I didn't have a Kitten powder, so this combination was just too good to resist!

I promptly ordered the Breathtaking Beauty Palette!

Stila Breathtaking Beauty Palette.

Stila Lip Glaze in Guava is included!

When I got the palette, I was concerned, because the palette is made in China!  After my disastrous experience with the China-made Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Palette I have vowed to never purchase Smashbox again.  EVER.

At least the Stila Lip Glaze is made in Belgium.  I really thought that this palette would be made in the USA. The last Stila palette I purchased was a Stila Kitten It Girl Trio palette, and it was made in the USA.

At first glance - The Stila Breathtaking Beauty Palette.

The Palette is on the small side.

The eye shadows are silky.

Kitten is gorgeous, as usual, and Breathtaking compliments the guava pink in the Lip Glaze.

Close-up of the Stila Eye Shadow Base colors.

Close-up of the Stila Eye Shadow Lid colors.

Close-up of the Stila Eye Shadow Liner colors.

I found Academy to be my favorite pick from this palette.  It is a simply irresistible gold shade, perfect for highlighting the brow bone area.  

Stila Breathtaking Palette Academy swatch.

Cinema and Theater and the lip colors are matte and the rest of the palette is shimmer.  But bear in mind that this is supposed to be a "Red Carpet" inspired palette.  I experienced a noticeable amount of fall-out from the darker eye shadow colors.  

The colors are easily blend-able, and even though I didn't use an eyelid primer, both the base colors and the lid colors lasted all day.  Academy on the brow bone could have been touched up a little if I had been planning to continue to wear the look after around 7 o'clock.

In addition, I was surprised by the Convertible Color in Breathtaking.  I love the Convertible Color formulas, and when I first got a look at this palette I was a bit surprised at how pinky/orangey it appears.  But once you apply it, it's a pretty guava-pink that compliments the Guava Lip Glaze perfectly.

Stila Convertible Color in Breathtaking

I do think that Guava and Breathtaking were strange choices to combine with the rest of the colors in this palette.  To me, the eye shadow shades here beg for bold red lips, or, nude lips.  Guava and Breathtaking are perfect for a fresh summer look, and I couldn't imagine anyone really wearing these colors on the "Red Carpet".

Eye Shadow: 

• Cinema - pale nude, base shade
• Best Picture - shimmery lavender, lid shade
• Film - black with shimmer, liner shade
• Academy - pale gold, base shade
• Theater - shimmery brown, lid shade
• Drama - rich purple, liner shade

Powders and Lip Colors:

• All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten
• Convertible Color in Breathtaking
• Lip Glaze in Guava.  Guava is a deluxe travel size.

Pros:

• Unbeatable Value for Money at $25!
• Blend-able, silky eye shadow that is Stila's trademark.
• Staying power.
• Compact.  Will easily fit into even the tiniest of purses.
• Mirror.
• Makeup instructions inside.

Cons:

• Strange (but beautiful!) summery lip/cheek color choice to pair with the more dramatic eye shadow shades in the palette. 
• A little fall-out from the darker shades.
• Small amount of actual eye shadow product.  The 6 eye shadows combined is only .23 oz./6.45 g.

Verdict:

I absolutely love this palette!  After I got over the small size, I realized how practical and compact it is.  It was easy to throw in my purse and very easy to use, especially with the built-in mirror.  Also, if I continue to use the palette regularly, it should last several months before it's finished (I have a thing about using up all of my makeup!), and by then I'll be bored with it anyway, and it will be time to move on to the next collection.

I'll save the gorgeous guava-pink lip and cheek colors for summer.

Simply put, the value for money is extraordinary for the number of looks you can create with this palette. 

There are two other palettes in this collection - the Stunning Starlet Palette, and the Glamour Goddess Palette, also at $25 each.

You can find them online here.


- The Sassi Wench

Lady Gaga Makeup Tutorial with Feather Lashes!

The Sassi Wench as Lady Gaga

I have been filming and editing my new video.  I'm very excited about it - it's my first makeup tutorial ever!  Check out my Lady Gaga look!

Up close - the Lady Gaga eye makeup and Lady Gaga feather lashes. 

Halloween Lady Gaga. I love the look!

Products used for the Lady Gaga Makeup Tutorial:

Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Gold

Stila Brow Set in Dark

MAC Prim and Proper Powder Blush

Stila Cheek Color in Hint

Stila Jewel Eye Shadow Palette - Rose Quartz

Stila Shadow Pots Eye Mousse - Moon

The Body Shop Colourglide Lip Color 54 Pastel Rose

Boots No7 Line & Define Lip Pencil in 20 Nude

Boots No7 Maximum Volume Mascara 01 Black

Boots No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil 05 Black

Eyelene Costume Lash Kit 

Duo Eyelash Adhesive

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation

Nicole by O.P.I - Light a Candle

Lady Gaga Sunglasses

Platinum Wig

- The Sassi Wench

Venetian Masquerade Masks, Drew Barrymore Earrings, and D.L. & Company Candles!

These are my October Favorites!

Venetian Masquerade Masks - http://www.pier1.com/
D.L. and Co. Black Dahlia Candles - http://www.dlcompany.com/
Drew Barrymore Covergirl Earrings by Lara Lewis - Hollywood Glam Estate Style Earrings -http://www.laralewis.net/

I am wearing:
Stila Jewel Eye Shadow Palette
Benefit High Beam
China Glaze - Watermelon Rind
Lashes - Ardell InvisiBand Glam - Lacies Black


I had a lot of fun with this Halloween Masquerade Mask look.  Masquerade masks are really hot this year, for some reason, but they are really beautifully crafted (the best ones are made in Venice, Italy), and you can just imagine throwing a party where everyone is wearing these gorgeous masks!

Venetian Masks, Venice, Italy

I was in Venice last year, where I took this photo, and I became enthralled with their masks.  There are so many different styles and colors, to suit every taste.  Naturally, because your face is covered, it gives you an aura of mystery.  Just who is the person under that mask?  

These are the earrings Drew Barrymore wore in her Cover Girl Lash Blast Ad.

I first saw these earrings in Drew Barrymore's Cover Girl Lash Blast advertisement.  I fell in love instantly, but I assumed the earrings would be too expensive for me.  Then I found them online and they were only $15!!!  That's completely within my budget, and I ordered them.  They are beautiful and simple.  Everything I wanted, and more!

Sumptuous D.L. and Company Black Dahlia Candles

If you have never heard of DL & Co. Candles before, you have been missing out.  Their candles are unlike any other!  The special blend of soy and waxes keeps them burning for hours.  Not to mention their unconventional designs.  The designs of the candles and their containers run from Gothic to Macabre!  Check them out online.  You'll be amazed.

The Black Dahlia Candles come beautifully packaged.

This is the most exquisite smelling candle - The Black Dahlia.


- The Sassi Wench


http://twitter.com/sassiwench
sassiwench@gmail.com

Mini Haul: A Sephora Haul, Stila, Benefit, Bare Escentuals

Sephora Haul, including the Stila It Girl Palette.

I had to stock up on a few goodies, so I ordered from Sephora.

Like many others, I am a huge fan of Stila makeup, and I was truly Smitten with Kitten!  I love that color and I have it in the eye shadow version and the smudge pot.

I decided to try out Bare Escentuals Foiled Eye Tutorial.  This is my all time favorite eye color combination and it works well with my dark brown eyes.

Urban Decay Primer Potion, and my favorite favorite find out of this group has to be Benefit's The Pore Professional.  This cream smoothed out my skin like nothing ever has, leaving me with a much more even skin tone.  This was an amazing find for me!

There were a few samples in there and a blending sponge too.  All in all, a nice little Haul.

- The Sassi Wench