Stila 'In the Light' Eyeshadow Palette Review

Stila 'In the Light' Eye Shadow Palette Review

This is, hands down, one of my favourite eyeshadow palettes ever, and as you can see from the photos it has been very well loved and used! It is rare that I say I would re buy a whole eyeshadow palette as I usually find other favourites or duplicates but I literally cannot imagine not having this palette in my collection. The variety of the colours allows for an array of looks from simple basics, brown smokey eyes, golden goddess eyes and a dark, blue toned dramatic eye. The eye shadows themselves are intensely pigmented and super blendable  

 This is one of those palettes where you will literally use every single colour. I use some more than others just because they create the perfect every day look, but I can make almost any look I want with a variation of these colours. It also comes with a brown pencil liner, and I love Stila eyeliners but I wish it were black purely because I use that colour more. The great sized mirror is also an added bonus as it is perfect for travelling. 

 'Bare' 
This is the perfect brow bone highlight, it blends outs what ever colour you've used as a transition and just completes the look and lifts your brow bone. I love that its matte because it looks far more natural then a sparkly shade.

 'Kitten'
Undoubtedly one of Stila's most popular shades, this colour is absolute perfect, super creamy and just sweeps onto the lids. Works great as either an inner corner highlight or a full lid colour or an inner high colour. It is brilliant for opening your eyes and making them look very bright. Another bonus is that it looks brilliant in photos!

'Bliss' 
Some people don't like this colour as it is too similar to some peoples lid colour. However, this is the perfect colour for a transition shade on my skin tone (lighter olive skin). It adds depth to the eye and blends darker shades brilliantly. As you can see from the photo I use this shade almost daily and will probably buy the full sized when this runs out.

 'Sunset'
Now I do not use this shade enough purely because I don't do many copper eye looks, but when ever I use it, it looks stunning and reflects the light in a way that makes my skin look more bronzed! Its crazy super pigmented and would work as an accent colour or just a sweep of colour across the lid. 

 

'Sandstone' 

I adore this chocolate brown for both my out corner, smudging under my lash line or in the crease/socket of my eye, especially when blended in with Bliss it creates stunning depth that make your eyes look bigger and brighter. A staple for a brown smokey eye! 

'Bubbly'

This is the perfect gold shade that I use either as a centre colour on my lid to blend from 'kitten' to 'sandstone' or just as a sweep of colour across the lid for a golden bronzed look. Like the other sparkly colours it is super pigmented and very soft and easy to pack on colour. That being said a very light layer is more than enough because of how well pigmented it is.

'Gilded Gold'

Again, I don't use this colour enough probably because I prefer a matte brown in my crease. That being said, it is stunning and the mix between the brown and gold makes a brilliant warm golden smokey eye and works very well on the outer corner.

'Luster'

This shade mind with the next two give the palette such versatility and allow for cooler eye looks which I adore. This colour is a serious multi-tasker as it works super well on its own or blended with numerous other shades to create a gradient and depth. This is flattering on all skin tones and I use it continuously.

'Night Sky'

This is such a beautiful shade and is super rich and pigmented. I don't usually go for cooler eye looks as I have warmer features (brown hair, hazel eyes) but when ever I use this, it picks up the green in my eyes and really makes them look wide and bright. Mixed with 'Luster' and 'Ebony' it makes the most beautiful blue/silver smokey eye.

'Ebony'

Every good palette that allows for smokey eyes needs a good black and this photo doesn't do this colour justice. It is so pigmented and dark and just a fantastic addition to the palette. It can either be packed onto the eye for a dramatic look or smudged into the upper and lower lash line for a softer look. Overall, a fantastic black eyeshadow and its definitely my favourite.

Here are swatches of all the colours ('Bare' on the left is quite hard to see). As you can see, they are super well pigmented and all just mix well together allowing for a huge amount of different looks. I will definitely be repurchasing this palette when I run out. If you are looking for a started palette or something to expand your collection, you cannot go past this palette. Incredible colour payoff and so well pigmented. 

I am yet to try out the other palettes in this range but if they are anything like this, I'm sure I will love them just as much!

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what else you'd like to see a post on!

Anya xx

My Go To Every Day Makeup Products

My Go To Everyday Makeup Products

I thought i'd share with you the products that I use pretty much every day and continuously reach for to create my everyday makeup look, so here goes!

Face Primer - Stila One Step Correct

I often change my face primer but this is the one that I reach for the most. Not only does it colour correct every imperfection but it also brightens my complexion incredibly. It covers my dark circles, it lessens the redness of imperfections and it just gets rid of any dullness on my face and creates a smooth base that allows my foundation to blend effortlessly. It looks amazing in photos and my makeup lasts and lasts. This product does wonders and even though it lasts ages I'm already on my second bottle!
Available Here AUD$53

Foundations - Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation with Comfort Serum & bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream

 If I want a lighter base this is my go to product. This beauty complexion cream from BareMinerals is both light enough to let my skin breath by pigmented enough to cover imperfections and create an even base. Definitely a must try!
Available Here

 If I want a more coverage then this is my holy grail foundation that is light enough for the day and full coverage enough for night. It looks exactly like my skin but completely perfect and blends beautifully. It lasts ages and always looks perfect.
These products works best with a stippling duo fibre brush.
Rimmel Foundation - Available Here AUD$17.95
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Available Here AUD$38

Concealers - bareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener 'Luminous 2' & M.A.C Select Cover Up in 'NW15'

I have two concealers for a reason. 'Stroke of Light' by BareMinerals both covers up imperfections and is my ultimate under eye concealer, it brightens and conceals and doesn't cake (providing you don't use too much). This product works best if you draw it like a triangle under the eye and blend it with gentle patting motion with your ring finger. The lighter M.A.C Cosmetics concealer is perfect for when I want my eyes to look a little brighter (either for an event or when I haven't had enough sleep!) I use a tiny bit right under the lash line. These two products combined work wonders and fake a great nights sleep!
BareMinerals Concealer Available Here AUD$27 M.A.C Concealer Available Here AUD$32

Powders - Maybelline Fit Me! Powder 220 & Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent

From the photo you can see that I use this product a lot! I've been using this powder for as long as I can remember and have re purchased many times. Its just a really light powder that I use to set my foundation and creates a soft even base. This colour matches my skin beautifully and looks lovely in photographs and works on top of every foundation.
I do like the matching foundation that Maybelline has but I prefer the powder.
Available Here $14.95

 

 This product is perfect for under the eyes to set under eye concealer and to brighten the area and make you look more awake. Just ensure you don't use too much as it can be obvious in photographs. Other than that, a definite staple in my collection. Available Here AUD$50

Bronzer - Nars Laguna Bronzer

Im sure many of you will of seen this bronzer before because it is a cult classic. I have been using this product for over a year and nothing works better for either adding a warm glow to the face or contouring. I first thought looking at it in the pan that it would be way to dark for my lighter skin but it just blends and glides onto the skin so effortlessly and doesn't look muddy at all. I am yet to find a bronzer that I like more! I use this both on a daily basis for a slight glow and for a strong contour and face framing for events. I use this on clients all the time and it works beautifully with so many skin tones and just frames the face perfectly. Whilst it is quite pricey being a high end makeup product, it is definitely worth it as it lasts ages and looks incredible. Available Here AUD$56

Blush - Nars Blushes in 'Madly' and 'Deep Throat'

For years I have struggled with the concept of blush, purely because I didn't know how to pick a shade that worked for me or how to apply it. But with a lot of practice I have gotten better and have found shades that work for my skin tone. Usually I like darker, more dusty shades, (Like M.A.C 'Pinch Me') but these two colours combined create the perfect peachy glow. (On Left is Madly, Middle is Deep Throat, Right is the two combined. It makes my skin look sun kissed and effortless. Whilst i wouldn't recommend this for a night out as it is quite light and pink, it is perfect for every day and just completing your makeup look. I would definitely recommend mixing blushes as you can customise the perfect colour for your skin tone/the look you are trying to achieve. 

* Note - My deep throat blush is a simple size not full sized

Both Blushes Available Here - Each AUD$42

Highlighter - MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder in 'Light'

Whilst my actual favourite highlighter is 'Soft and Gentle' Mineralised Skin Finish from M.A.C I find its just too sparkly for every day wear. That being said, I still like to have a highlight on my face to catch the sun and to make my skin glow so this product is brilliant. I hadn't heard of it until a girl at M.A.C suggested it to me. Its the Studio Sculpt Defining Powder in 'Light'. It doesn't look like much in the pan but when swept onto the top of the cheek bone it just gives off such a subtle gorgeous glow. It doesn't have chunks of glitter but it definitely reflects light in such a unique way. It can also be swept all over the face for a light glow but I prefer to concentrate it on my cheek bones and sometimes on my brow bone for a simple glow. A new product for me but once I started using it i couldn't stop! I think this product works best with an angled brush similar to what you would use for contouring or a fan brush; I swap between the two. Available Here.

Brows - Kit Cosmetics Brow Gel & Kevin Aucoin Brow Pencil in 'Brunette'

When I was younger I never did anything to my brows, I just didn't know how. A makeup artist from Napoleon Perdis once told me 'once you start filling in your brows you won't stop', she couldn't be more right! I'm lucky to have a good shape to my brows but the hair colour is quite light compared to my brown hair so filling them in is necessary, my face just doesn't look complete without it. This Kevin Aucoin Brow Pencil in 'Brunette' (with built in spoolie in the end) is perfect, its waxy so it shapes the hairs and fills in exquisitely and I can't imagine using any other product. The Kit Clear Brow Gel is perfect for setting the look and just keeps it flawless all day. This product also works if you don't want to add colour to your brows just groom them. My favourite brow products by far! 

Kit Brow Gel Available Here AUD$17.95. Kevin Aucoin brow pencil Available Here AUD$35

Eye Primer - Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I would be the first to admit that I am not very adventurous with eye primers, aside from a few samples this is the only full size eye primer I have. This is purely because this product is so good that I don't see the need for another one. It creates a smooth perfect base and ensures eyeshadow glides on and makes them both look stronger and more pigmented and last literally hours and hours. My favourite eye primer hands down, use it every single day. 

Available Here AUD$26

Eyeliner -  Stila Stay all Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black

It took me a while to master winged eye liner (and I mean hours of watching YouTube videos and taking it on and off and almost covering half my eye trying to make it even) but once I did it is once of my all time favourite looks and I think every one should master it. (Post on this is coming soon) I have experimented with many different products and have found some more affordable dupes (Maybelline has an amazing one!) but this is my holy grail, hands down, use almost every day eyeliner. This is my 4th repurchase and I will forever love this product. It is super well pigmented (not on the first try, it takes at least one or two goes to get the product into the felt tip) and has a very sharp felt tip point which makes it super easy to apply. Its not even super expensive so is justifiable as a staple for your collection. As you can see you can make either a thick line or a super precise flick. A must buy! Available Here AUD$29

Mascara - Rimmel Scandal Eyes Extreme Black Volume Mascara

I have tried a lot of mascaras and whilst I really love this mascara, I am yet to find my holy grail, purely because I can't justify buying heaps of mascaras, especially if they are high end. But so far, this is the only one that I have repurchased. I love the thick brush and the formula because its lengthening and super volumizing which I love in a mascara. Its not expensive but definitely a fantastic every day mascara.

Available Here AUD $11.95

Eyeshadow - Stila 'in the light' Eyeshadow Palette

I have a separate post on this palette coming up because it is so spectacular that it needs a whole post! I literally use this almost every single day, the colours are so versatile and pigmented and can make so many looks from every day simple to a dark smokey eye. My literal holy grail favourite eye palette. Thanks Stila! Im fairly sure this is discontinued in Australia which is so sad, but I think you can still get it in America and it is definitely online in places like beauty bay.

So there you go, these are my every day, go to favourite products that I use to create my every day look. Whilst this changes slightly daily, like sometimes more bronzer, a different eye look, sometimes eyeliner, different lipstick etc. but these are the products I use pretty much every day. I hope you enjoyed it! Comment what else you would like to see on my blog

Anya xx

Red Lipstick

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.... That, or a kick-ass red lipstick" Gwyneth Paltrow 

For me, this is so true, a good red lipstick can pull an entire look together. It has the power to give so much confidence, something that should never be underestimated. For decades, red lips have evoked power and class and for me will always be timeless. The search for the right red lipstick is a difficult one, so i have listed below some of my favourites. I gathered a couple with different formulas, some matte, some sheer and glossy.

So here goes!

Chantecaille Lip Chic 'Amaryllis'

Chantecaille Lip Chic 'Amaryllis'

This stunning colour from Chantecaille (Mecca Cosmetica) is perfect for anyone who wants to rock the red lip but isn't quite ready to commit to a crazy vibrant statement lip. Its fairly sheer but still a perfect red in my mind and would suit any completion. Obviously because its not a super thick lipstick its staying power isn't perfect but definitely great for a beginner looking to experiment with a bold lip.As you can see its a slightly blue under toned red but fairly sheer. Overall, i love this product for a pop of colour and is a great formula

Without Flash - Natural Day Light

With Flash

Part of Chantecailles 'Lip Chic' Range 

Available Here AUD$50

Chantecaille Lip Stick 'Cerise'

Chantecaille 'Cerise' Lip Stick

This is another Chantecaille product (I love their makeup, their lip products are so moisturising and smell incredible). Whilst its similar in colour to Amaryllis its a much thicker consistency and far more pigmented. I would classify this as a more true classic red. Whilst from the tube it is quite thick to apply and a lip brush would probably help, it is the most gorgeous rich pigmentation and creamy consistency and definitely a go to for a classic red. It is a little more pricey but lasts ages, but definitely a more high end product

With Flash

Without Flash - Natural Day Light

Part of Chantecaille's "Lip Stick" Range
Available Here AUD$50





L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Colour - 304 'Ruby Opera'

 

With Flash

Without Flash - Natural Day Light

Whilst this lipstick is similar in pigment and thickness to Chantecaille 'Amaryllis' it is completely different in consistency. Its super glossy and ultra shiny and very buildable in colour, you can go from a thin sweep of colour or a slightly thicker layer like I did. Whilst its a gorgeous colour and photographs well it is a tad sticky. It does dry a little but slightly irritating on a windy day and getting hair stuck! Overall, the pigmentation is lovely and the soft doe foot applicator applies like a dream! No lip brush needed.
I do love the colour but i would say its a little bit more of a pinky red rather then a true red. Would work very well with any skin tone as its so sheer it matches your own lip and skin shade very well

Available here AUD$21.95



L'Oreal Colour Riche -  377 'Perfect Red'

 This is probably one of my favourite lip sticks in terms of consistency and pigmentation, it lasts really well and is super creamy and applies like a dream. I love the gold packaging and the shape of the lipstick as it fits the shape of the lip brilliantly. The only issue I have is the name, whilst it is a stunning colour I wouldn't call it the 'perfect' red as in person its far more orange based. Whilst I love this and it does suit my skin tone I don't think it would suit all skin tones, especially quite pale ones or pink based skin tones as a blue based red would match better.

With Flash

With No Flash - Natural Day Light

It also has a slight golden sheen to it which I personally love
as it looks awesome in photos but if you are looking for a matte lipstick this wouldn't
be the one. That being said, it is perfect for when i want to look a little more tan

Available Here AUD$21.95

Revlon Lipstick - 675 'Volcanic Red'

 This lovely colour is very similar in consistency to the L'Oreal 'perfect red' in that it is very richly pigmented and insanely creamy. Because of this it sits beautifully on the lips and I think is a truer red, in that it is neither blue or orange based but just the perfect quintessential red lipstick. I have always loved Revlon's packaging and this is no exception. Whilst this lipstick is very thick, I would still recommend a lip liner just to ensure it doesn't bleed through out the day and to keep a cleaner, sharper line.

With Flash

Without Flash - Natural Day Light

I personally use a lip brush just to keep the shape perfect but you could just apply it straight from the tube. I also love that it doesn't stain the lips after removing it. Overall a brilliant product and a long time favourite!
Unfortunately this product is discontinued, but a Revlon Dupe is 'Certainly Red' of 'Fire & Ice'

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - 'Cruella'

This is BY FAR my favourite lip pencil ever created for a matte lip. It is super creamy and easy to draw on - no lip liner needed, and has serious staying power. Whilst it is a little more berry then red (for a true berry - try Damned, for a brighter red - try Dragon Girl) I think it works really well with my skin tone. Nars makes lip pencils in 3 different formulas, the others being more of a gloss, the other like a typical lip stick, but this formula is definitely my favourite. I love the shape of the pencil and is super easy to use but be sure to have a very big pencil sharpener as they work best when sharp. A little tip - if you want a super sharp line then

With Flash

Without Flash - Natural Day Light

put it in the fridge for an hour or so then sharpen so it doesn't go blunt and sharpens easier.
Definitely a must buy!
Available Here AUD $39




Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick - 'Beso'

Natural Light - Not Flash

 This is hands down my ultimate go to lipstick. I am a massive fan of the liquid lipsticks that apply like a light cream but set into a matte lipstick. The doe foot applicator makes it super easy to apply and it lasts FOR HOURS! I have worn this during the day, to dinners, going out etc. and it pretty much always stays. It does last better with a little lip liner and it does come off a little if you're eating a lot, especially something like soup or pasta that hits your lips a lot but other than that it has incredible staying power. Whilst it isn't a true red, its a little darker once set, I love the colour and the way it completes any makeup look!

With Flash

They aren't as pricey as some other high end lipsticks so I would definitely add this to your collection. I don't own any of the other colours in this range but I have tried them and I adore the formula!
A must by and favourite!
Available Here AUD$32

I hope you all liked this post and that it helps you in the search of your ultimate red lipstick!

Let me know in the comments what other posts you would like to see in the future.

Thanks for reading!

Anya xx