Product Review: Stila Eyes Are The Windows Palette (Spirit)

Confession Time: I love eyeshadow. Shocker. I know. I have a weakness when it comes to them because it's the only place on your face you can completely be a nut. Usually, we wear colors on our face that enhance a color that could actually happen: Your lips could be a pretty pink, when you are flushed, your cheeks will fill with color, you enhance the black in your eyelashes with mascara, and your natural brow color with brow gels and pencils and powders...

But could your eyelids be green? Maybe if you had some strange disorder, but most likely, no. You can be completely unrealistic when it comes to your eyelids and color and that's why it's fun. I happened upon the Stila Eyes Are The Windows Palettes in the store at Sephora and I just had to go and play with them. I fell in love and left the store.

This is my policy.

If I see something I like, I leave it there and wait to see if I want it the next day. Well, the next day...

Even though it was a ridiculous $49, I went back for the Spirit Palette. The colors were too pretty when I swatched them on my hand and Stila's best-selling shade Kitten was in there. I could not resist. These palettes were created as a celebration of Stila Cosmetics' 20th Anniversary which is super cool! The other palettes are Mind, Soul and Body. Spirit had the colors I was most attracted to. The packaging is beautiful. It's rose gold (so is the band on my engagement ring, so I am partial) and very shiny. It's not super heavy, but it's a lovely quality packaging and the palette opens and closes with a magnetic closure. When you open it...it's breathtaking. And it comes with a ginormous mirror. 

Here are the swatches on my arm...this is where it starts to get disappointing...

Brush Swatches, No Primer

Finger Swatches with Primer

As you can see, the pigmentation is not that great even though the darker colors are nicely pigmented. The colors are densely packed and a slightly powdery texture, not a buttery texture that you get with some other brands. When I had my brush in the palette, I had to really get in there and powder got all over the pan. However, even though the colors are pretty sheer, they are buildable and you can apply more product to get a more intense color. They blend very well and they are fun to play with, but you have to really get in there with your brush and grab product.

The Verdict? Is this worth $49? Not really? The packaging is gorgeous, but you will get your fingerprints all over it. If you're looking for a super high quality palette, both Urban Decay and Too Faced make beautiful shadow palettes. If you have $49 to spend and you want to try it, go ahead! It's a gorgeous palette and perhaps it would make a great first palette for a beginner, as it's impossible to be heavy-handed with the colors here.

I'll personally be keeping it, as I enjoy it, but it's not worth the $49 pricepoint in my opinion. But, there's no doubt that it's beautiful and I finally have a Kitten Shadow! Anyone else tried any of these new Stila palettes?

Reviews are Back! (Part One - Seperates)

Hi, everyone! I was feeling great and popped into my local Anthro today to try on lots of pretties. Fall is when the beautiful clothes roll out, so I love this time of year! I originally went in to pick up the Lemon Liftoff Blouse, (I cannot resist things with owls on them.) but I had fun trying on some other stuff too :)

Today, I'm going to review seperates (tops and a skirt).

Ruched Heather Tee? (Polka Dot Colorway?) $68
Made to Measure Tee Weston Wear $68

I can't find this top on the website, I just think it's another colorway of the Ruched Heather Tee.  (Corrected by the wonderful Patti, thank you!) Someone correct  me if I'm wrong. It's SUPER cute. I would never in my life pay $68 for a tee shirt, but the moment this goes on sale, it's mine. It's very comfy, a flattering shape and who doesn't love polka dots? It's form-fitting, stretchy TTS. CUTE.

Effortless Corduroy Skirt (Maeve) $88

A lot of ladies love this skirt, but I am not a huge fan of it. As someone who is a small frame, I'm finding the pockets to be a little bulky. I wish it didn't have the pockets, otherwise it would be something I would be excited about. The material is very soft and this color is to die for. The fit is slightly large but it looks cute from the side. I didn't like this very much for a petite person. I recommend this, but TRY IT ON FIRST. Pricepoint is a little high in my opinion for what it is. $68 yes. $88? No.

Pilcro Serif Cords $88 (This link is for another colorway)

Hey look! I tried on pants at Anthro! It's a rare occasion that I would try on pants here. Not because I don't like them, but because they usually do not fit me (too long). I happen to actually adore a nice pair of pants. I am still getting used to the idea of a tapered hem or "skinny jeans/pants" as people like to refer to them. When I was a kid in the '80s, you loved having your pants do this. In the late '90s early 2000s pants started to flare out at the bottom and I gladly got on that train and never got off. When this shape came back, I was a little disturbed. All that aside, I saw these and thought they were cute and they looked like they might fit ok. They do. I'm not totally in love with them in this color or how they look in the back. They fit relatively well (I could have taken a 24, but 25 is the smallest). They are easy to get on and soft. They were very comfy, I'm just not comfortable in these. Heck, they are sort of cute, but I don't think I can rock fitted, mustard pants. I am interested in the Stevie Cords in purple though. Pass.

Swoop & Glide Pullover Field Flower $118

Did this used to have another name? I feel like it's been around forever. Anyway, I love Wendi Reed sweaters and I love this one too! It's following the 2011 theme of "Put a bird on it and people will buy it". Other companies are really getting into birds too, especially Umbra (who I adore). This is a comfortable, slouchy cardigan. It DOES have some buttons on it, but I didn't mess with them. This is an awesome sweater, fits TTS...amazingly cute!

Sunset Sails Cardigan Lilli's Closet $118

When I saw this cardi on the website, I was all excited over it. Orange, grey, stripes. All my favorite things packed together in one sweater. I picked this up and was blown away by how soft it is. It is definitely well-made and great quality. Just one thing bugs the crap out of me...

Look how FREAKING short it is! I have the torso of a 6 year-old and this cardi is about 5" too short for me. How sad!! I was so disappointed over this...if it were longer I would have probably walked out with it. It might work with a dress. Sadly pass for now.

Breezed Needlework Top Bordeaux $78

Hm...this is weird. It's a tank top, but it's got a little bit of a lacy thingie on it. Plus, you can detach it and just wear the tank top - or the little lacy thing I guess. This seemed like a good idea and looked really cool on the hanger, but I'm not sure this really works in real life. Where would I wear this? The tank top is very casual with no embellishments. I wanted to like this, but it's weird, The fit is nice and it's TTS. The little lace bit has two bands that attach to the top. A neat idea, but not for me. Pass.

So, that's it for today! Hope they are helpful! In the next round of reviews, I will show dresses! Any special requests for next time? I might have time to stop by Anthro tomorrow too!

TGIF and some dress reviews! Snowy Egret, Perthshire and Crocheted Clouds

Happy Friday everyone!!! I hope you all have exciting weekend plans! I have some reviews for you! I spotted some beautiful new fall items at a local Anthro today after work. Such gorgeous stuff and I spotted the coveted Foxy Tights, but refrained from buying them. They are super cute, but I have NO idea what I would wear them with. As a matter of fact, I left the store with NOTHING, which is a great thing. I am saving up for the hall rental fee for a couple of recitals I am programming next spring and summer!

Snowy Egret Shift $168 Floreat

 I had a feeling going in that this dress would not work for me. The pattern is SO STUNNING and the colors are beautiful. It is a nice quality lining. This dress was a PAIN in the you-know-what to put on. I almost gave up and didn't try it on. It took me a couple of minutes to struggle my way into this frock. The whole thing is unfortunate and I can't believe the reviews online and how good they are. This was a fit disaster.

 Puckering in the back.

Super-duper weirdly tight in the chest. The area in front pancakes your boobs down. I am a small-chested gal and I was uncomfortable. This dress just was a huge letdown as I would never be able to wear this. Mega pass.

Perthshire Dress $168 Edme & Esyllte

Just for the record, they didn't have my usual size 0 in, so this is a 2. The fabric of this dress is not what you'd expect from the product photo. It's soft and a little sheer, but it's nice. I liked this dress! I liked the funky asymmetrical neckline and it's a lovely navy plaid. It's not a heavy fabric, so I don't think it will keep you warm or anything. Wait for the sale on this one as I don't think it's worth full-price.

Crocheted Clouds Dress $188 Moth

 This dress is lovely. The fabric was delicate and the lining is a nice touch and the color is a soft, buttery yellow. It was super comfortable...it didn't fit me. If you are an xsp gal...you will not fit this dress, but if this dress fits you, you will love it. At $188, I would say wait for the sale on this one.

I'll be back tomorrow with some cardigan reviews! Enjoy your weekend!