Stila Glitter Underground Collection Review

I am pretty sure if you are into beauty and social media (Instagram, YouTube & Twitter), you'd have heard about the Stila Glitter Underground Collection especially their Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow. When I saw the new collection on Stila UK's social media, my interest was instantly piqued. You can imagine my delight when I got an email inviting me to the London launch of the Glitter Underground Collection. The event was held at the tail end of January so I've had ample time to play with some products from this collection so I can share my thoughts on them.




I was more than excited to attend because it was my first Stila Cosmetics event. Stila Cosmetics has been a brand I have always wanted to try but for some reason, I never got around to trying or purchasing any product. The event was held in the swanky Vinyl Factory in Central London. I loved the ambience of the event as it was upbeat with a beautiful array of the new collection as well as other Stila products. There were drinks and canapes as well as several makeover stations as expected and I had a great time. There was even a board where we painted luscious lips using the Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick and whoever painted the most creative lips would win the entire collection of the Stila All Day Lipstick. I obviously did not win because I am terrible at drawing...hehehe but I enjoyed trying.





Of course, I got a makeover and the makeup artist used the new Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows which are so divine as well as other products from the new collection. I took some photos and also met some lovely bloggers including new bloggers I only knew from social media. I love these kind of events because it's always an amazing chance to network and make new blogger friends. I stayed for a little while before heading home as I came straight from work and was exhausted. As mentioned earlier, I was kindly gifted some amazing products which I have really enjoyed. Now, I have new products on my wish list & repurchase list too!!






Brief Overview of Stila
Stila Cosmetics is a US (Los Angeles) based makeup brand which was founded by top celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell in 1994. Stila Cosmetics is known for its modern and sophisticated approach to beauty with a goal of ensuring that every woman celebrates their unique beauty.  Stila made their way to the UK some years ago and they have a Stila UK website where products can be directly purchased. There are also a handful of other retailers where you can purchase Stila products including Marks & Spencer (online and in-store), Selfridges, etc.


Stila Glitter Collection
The Stila Glitter Collection is inspired by glitter and glamour of the 70's era as you'd have guessed from the name alone. Within the collection, there are rch warm tones mixed in with metals and glitter which are all very wearable. I  love glitter but I am not a fan of its application or removal whether it is in nail polishes, highlighters, eyeshadow, etc. However, Stila have absolutely nailed it and I cannot believe how much I am loving glitter now especially in eyeshadows. The collection consists of the folowing products: Magnificent Metal Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows, Heaven's Hue Highlighters, Matte 'n' Metal Eyeshadow Palette, Glitteratti Lip Top Coat and the Stay All Day Liquid Lipticks. 



Packaging 
I was very kindly gifted the following products during the event: Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner*, Stila Heaven Hue Highlighter (Kitten)*, Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow (Molten Midnight)* and the Stila Skin Tone One Step Corrector*. I love the lovely gold themed packaging as it makes these products look so gorgeous. They are quite sturdy and well made which I think really adds to my makeup experience. It just goes to show that amazing packaging is always a plus (for me) and sometimes, it influences my purchases.



Stila One Step Correct* (Serum/Colour Corrector/Primer) //Link // £24
This corrector primer is not part of the new Glitter Underground Collection as it has been around for a while now. I was a little cautious about this corrector/primer hybrid  initially because it has correctors I won't normally reach for (e.g green and lavender correctors). If you know your onions about colour correcting, then you'd know that green correctors cancel out redness, peach correctors cancel out dark circles & spots and lavender correctors cancel out sallowness. I don't suffer from redness or sallowness but I do have dark spots, however I usually opt for peach correctors (but a deeper peach shade) for my complexion. You can imagine why I was thinking that these multi coloured correctors in this primer will look dodgy on my complexion but I was quite wrong (surprisingly). I like the transparent packaging as the pretty sprialised correctors inside is visible and the pump dispenses a mix or sometimes two correctors in one application.



On my complexion, it actually works well and just sets my face ready for my foundation and concealer. It feels really smooth on application and seems to help my foundation apply so much better. I have some enlarged pores around my face especially around my cheeks and this primer just helps keep these areas smooth while improving their appearance under my foundation. This primer also has a slight cooling/refreshing effect on the skin and I really like it. More importantly, it has a slight demi-matte finish and helps my foundation last longer.  For me, I love it mainly because of its priming benefits. It would not have been my first choice if I purchased mainly because of its colour.   However, I am surprisingly impressed and I am glad I got a chance to try it. I feel if you have a paler complexion, you would apprecate both its colour correcting and priming benefits.




Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter* //Link //£28
I was very excited to find this gorgeous highlighter in the goody bag from the event because the makeup artist did a demo on me with it and it looked fabulous. I believe she used Bronze which will be a winner on many skin tones but darker skinned ladies will absolutely adore it. Stila Cosmetics describe it as a gossamer-light, radiance enhancing highlighter with a bouncy-to-the-touch texture that melts into skin for a barely there feel. I agree with the description but I have to add that it is intensely pigmented so you need a very light hand for everyday wear. If you love highlighters that pack a punch, you'd adore this highlighter so much because even a light swatch goes a long way. There are three shades within the collection : Transdence (opalescent pink), Kitten (shimmering nude pink) and Bronze (radiant sun-kissed bronze). I was kindly gifted the Kitten Shade which has a shimmering nude pink undertones. Although it is described as shimmering, it does not have glitter particles that are reminiscent of a disco ball. It has a very smooth luminous finish. I really love the packaging as it looks so chic and of course, gold themed packaging always stands out.



It has a decent sized mirror as well so if you ever needed to touch up on the go, you have a nice mirror. The texture of the highlighter in itself is quite bouncy and reminds me of Colour Pop highlighters/eyeshadows (pearl). I know everyone keeps referencing Colour Pop when there is a bouncy texture but they were the first brand I saw who used this texture. Anyway, I use my Real Techniques Fan Brush to apply this highlighter because it picks up the right amount of product and spreads it so evenly across my cheeks. Sometimes, I use my hands and the application is also great but I do prefer using my brush.


I feel the shade Kitten will best suit someone who has a fairer complexion to mine or who has a slight pink undertone. However, I do enjoy using this shade especially when I am wearing a good amount of makeup or on nights out. I have used it quite a few times for my everyday work makeup and it actually looked good so I am experimenting more with it. The key to it achieveing the best results with it for an everyday look lies in lightly applying it. I was also surprised to see that it has still maintained its beautiful texture depsite it being used well. There are no dents or scratches on the surface and I think that's brilliant. I have my eyes on the Bronze shade as I think it will be the best match for my complexion. For the price, texture and quality of product you get, I think it is absolutely worth the £28.



Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner* //Link //£14.50
Before I got a chance to try this incredible eyeliner, I'd heard so many great things about it and it was on my purchase list (along with the Tom Ford Eyeliner). I've used my L'Oreal Super Slim Eyeliner and L'Oreal Super Star Felt Tip Eyeliners for ages and still enjoy them but I was itching to try something new. I did a little research and read reviews/watched videos and one of the eyeliners that popped up the most was the Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. I must have let out a small squeal when I saw this in my goody bag and I even tried it immediately I got home (I could not wait!!). It is described as a waterproof liquid liner that glides on with ease, does not smudge and stays on until you want to take it off. I have to agree with this description as it is really long wearing, smudge-free and easy to use. This eyeliner has been around for a good while so it's not part of the new Glitter Underground Collection.




It has a pointed nib which offers so much control so it is suitable both beginners and experts. I can draw any type of wing or flick I fancy because it has a lovely pointed nib. It is also a really lovely black shade which I love. I have the shade Intense Black and there are 11 other shades (12 shades in total). The Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner really lasts all day, does not smudge and I have never had any issues with it. All the hype you hear about it is pretty spot on. One amazing feature it has which sets it apart from other liners (at least the ones I have tried) is its unique lid. I think there must be some sort of bouncy spring in the lid but this makes the liner very secure once it is covered with the lid. This means it is ideal for travelling as the lid will never come off and it prevents the eye liner from drying up so you get your money's worth. I am a huge fan and I have been using it every single day since it came home with me. I am super impressed and will highly recommend it if you are looking to get a new eyeliner. 



Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow* // Link //£23
I saved my favourite product for last and I can tell you I am absolutely obsessed with it. I think Stila Cosmetics went above and beyond with the development of such a brilliant product. It is described as a dazzling, long-wearing liquid, sparkle eye shadow with a perfect mix of pearl and glitter which adorn the eyes with incredible luster and shimmer. They come in 8 beautiful shades: Molten Midnight, Gold Goddess, Diamond Dust, Kitten Karma, Bronzed Bell, Rose Gold Retro, Smoky Storm and Smoldering Satin. I have the shade Molten Midnight and it just takes any eyeshadow I wear under it to an amazing level. I don't think I am able to even express how obsessed I am with this liquid eyeshadow. First off, I have always been intrigued by glitter eyeshadows and I have tried quite a few but I was left disappointed. Other glitter eyeshadows I have tried are very messy, difficult to apply, difficult to remove and they never look as great as you imagine they should. Stila has 100% solved all these problems by creating these liquid eyeshadows which has addressed/solved all these concerns of mine.




The packaging is so gorgeous (still keeping with the gold theme) and it looks like a lip gloss packaging. It comes with a lovely, non-messy doe foot applicator that picks up the right amount of product and helps apply it perfectly across my lid. It has glitters in it but they are not chunky at all and they stay put unlike other regular glitters that may get dislodged after application. The glitter is mixed in with the gorgeous liquid eyeshadow so it makes its application and staying power an absolute dream. It just takes seconds for me to apply and I love reaching for it on non-working days. I believe it can be worn on its own but I prefer to wear it on top of a powder eyeshadow.





In this picture I paired it with a Violet Voss Slaycation (from their Drenched Metal Palette) and the Stila Molten Midnight just instantly transformed it. It is quite expensive at £23 in my opinion but I think it is worth it because these liquid glitter eyeshadows are so well made. You don't need any extra mixing media and there is minimal mess with it. I have not noticed any glitter fall outs on my face all the times I have worn it so I am really impressed about that. I am happy to report that it is easy to remove and I use my La Roche Posay Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover* for it. I don't have to rub my eyes to get it off at all; just a little swipe and it's gone. I have my eyes on a few other shades including Smoldering Satin, Rose Gold Retro and Bronzed Bell. These gorgeous liquid eyeshadows are so popular that they are sold out from quite a few retailers but you can still purchase them directly from the Stila UK website.


Where to Buy
I am so glad that Stila has a UK website so it is so much straightforward to shop on there especially if you live in the UK. I try not to shop on US websites unless I am seriously lusting after a product. You can also find Stila in a number of retailers including Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Look Fantastic, Very UK,  etc.


Overall Thoughts
I am really impressed with the Stila Cosmetics products that I got to try out especially as it was my first time. I am going to have to purchase a few more because I am loving them so much. I definitely will be treating myself to another Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow because I have got so much use from the shade I have. I highly recommend giving them a try because they are high quality but not overly expensive. I also love that Stila Cosmetics pay attention to complexions as I have seen the range of foundation shades they offer and they are decent. That's my review and I hope you enjoyed it. See you in my next post...xx
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here