Tuesday, November 6, 2012

A Touch of Sun

I've never been particularly into bronzer, but when I saw the Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder on sale for $9.50 on StrawberryNet, I thought it was as good as free. Not the most logical deduction, but I fancied the thought of adding a Stila product to my already bloated makeup collection for such a low price. Of course, I had some concerns about why it was on sale in the first place. I can't help thinking it's ancient stock that they really needed to move. It's back its usual price now, which I find somewhat gratifying. Helps to convince myself I genuinely nabbed a bargain (even though if it weren't on sale, I wouldn't have looked twice at it).







l-r: NYX Taupe, Stila Shade 01, Benefit Hoola

Before purchasing, I had a look at reviews on MakeupAlley. I didn't know whether to get Shade 01 or Shade 02. In the end, I settled for the lighter shade, as it seemed to be the safer and more obvious option for my skin tone. From reading some comments online, it seems like Stila at some point reformulated the bronzing powder, so the original (and now discontinued) Shade 01 is a different colour to the new Shade 1. Browsing the Stila website, I also noticed the ingredients are different to that listed on the box I received, in part due to the lack of SPF in the new one. It's all a bit confusing.

Some initial comments about the packaging — when I first opened it up, the pan was completely loose as it had separated from the base of the compact. The glue had dried up. My suspicions about it being a really old product were more or less confirmed at that point. I ended up using some sticky tape to adhere the pan to the compact. Not the most effective method, but it did the trick.

The powder itself is distinctly orange. It's nicely but not overly pigmented, soft in texture and easy to blend. I like that it's not chalky or powdery. I can see very faint shimmer particles in the pan, but applied to the skin, it's more or less matte. However, it doesn't quite work as a contouring bronzer because it's too orange. Shade 01 could almost pass for a soft apricot/tangerine blush. I find it works best with a light hand, otherwise at some point, it will appear overly orange and unnatural. Applied to the parts of the face where the sun naturally hits, Stila Sun Bronzing Powder does give a golden, lightly bronzed touch to the skin. I'm looking forward to getting decent wear out of it this coming summer.

51 comments:

  1. I've been wanting a bronzer for a while! Even though I have tanned skin, I love contouring my rather oblique face with just a little bronzer. So incredibly effective! Love this review - your images are so lovely and clean!

    <3 Mandy xxx
    http://frocksandotherfrivolities.blogspot.com/

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    1. Oh please - what oblique face! If you have an oblique face, I have a moon face :p

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  2. I bought that too... and it is currently sitting in my basket of products to review. I also got it from strawberrynet and I had to super glue the pan back on!

    I'm glad you like it though, I thought it might make a soft bronzer for summer!

    http://kitschsnitch.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Also I tagged you in my beauty bloggers tag! check it out if you have a chance x

      http://kitschsnitch.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/beauty-bloggers-tag.html

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    2. Lol what a coincidence! It'd be fun to read your opinion/review on it :) I'm quite liking it, I don't mind the orangeyness since it's not too bad with a light hand and fluffier brush :)

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  3. Its great for a soft bronzer/blush in one! :)

    ♥,
    Shari
    The Misty Mom

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    1. Agreed! That is totally what I am using it for :)

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  4. I had the same issue with my LM Undercover when I bought it from StrawberryNet! One of the pans had fallen out but the glue was still in decent condition so I just nudged back into the slot. I've heard some good things about the Stila Sun bronzer, but I didn't know it was so orange! I guess that makes it ideal for true bronzing (something I tried today with the LM mineral powder... not sure it worked haha). If it's light enough to border on a blush, it can double as one of those sculpting blush hybrids? Reformulation issues are the worst- there's always debate about it and so much confusion. I'm becoming more keen on bronzer- I blame ViviannaDoesMakeup- though I think I might branch out into other ones because the Bourjois Delice de Poudre is such a pain, sealing off in certain areas of the pan. :/

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    1. Oh really? What do you mean sealing off - like your brushes aren't able to grab any pigment? This Stila is really quite orange, but I still use it as if I were contouring, but with a lighter hand and larger/fluffier brush. I've never been particularly in bronzing but I do think it makes a difference if I incorporate it into my morning routine. I think it just gives the finishing touch and makes me look a bit more done? I'm not sure why :p I like how easily blendable this powder is and how it's not overly pigmented. I don't mind that it's a bit orange, mainly because the other 2 bronzers I have (well, if you count Taupe as a bronzer) are distinctly more muddy/grey/cool, so it's nice to have a change. Are you contemplating NARS Laguna? I think that would be a good middle ground.

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  5. It really compliments your skin tone :) I love Stila!

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  6. This looks lovely on your skin, but I think I'd be better off with Nyx's Taupe :) it's on the never-ending list of things I want to try. I mainly use bronzer as a contour though.
    x

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    1. Yes, I heard Taupe is the magical contour colour for girls with paler skin - I think you'll really like it! :)

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  7. Looks pretty on you, but yes looks more of a blush than a bronzer , but nonetheless pretty

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  8. thankyou so much for your motivating comment :) yes i'm working on my self esteem because honesty i don't really believe in myself :( i love stila's stuff! what a nice review post you have here :)

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    1. You're not alone with your struggles - I definitely feel in the same boat a lot of the time. It's a work in progress to have self-confidence and be assured in your capabilities. I can only hope the both of us get there eventually :)

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  9. $9,5 for Stila bronzer is such a great deal! Too bad we in Germany are no longer allowed to access strawberry.net.. the access is denied bcause from what I heard, there were a lot of problems in the past with the german customers. I dunno who blocked the website but it's more likely the german govt did that. lol
    anyway, the bronzer looks a bit orange on your hand swatch, but I didn't see it on your face, it looks like a nice bronzer! and the case is so cute with the sun on it :)

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    1. That really sucks - I love SNet for its huge range of products and fast (and free!) shipping. However, I am a tad wary of just how old their stock is, and I heard there have been MAC fakes sold on there. What websites do you usually buy your makeup from? It does look quite orange, especially compared with the other 2, but I think it's not Oompa-Loompa levels thankfully ;)

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  10. I have the Milani XL Bronzer in Fake Tan and it is amazing for contouring. It has two sides, one matte (for contouring) and one shimmery (for bronzing) so you basically get the best of both worlds and the best part it usually retails for 9-10 USD. It's not orange, it's more like a soft skin-tone brown, ideal for yellowed-undertoned skins. I have NYX Taupe but haven't used it yet for contouring, it frightens me a bit! LOL xx

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    1. Oh, how cool - sounds like a dream product :) Never heard of it before, but it seems perfectly suited to you and very versatile with the two sides. Taupe can be a bit intimidating, it's not something that I reach for often but it can make a huge difference (perhaps too huge LOL)

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  11. I got it for free on StrawberryNet but I tried it once and I don't like it

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  12. To me it definitely looks more like an apricot blush than a bronzer. It looks great on your skin though!

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  13. It is quite orange, but that's good sometimes because overly cool toned bronnzers can look a bit muddy or "dirty" on some skin tones. It's great to have more than one bronzer shade to experiment. x

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    1. Totally agreed! In the mind of a makeup addict, the more, the better ;)

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  14. This shade is actually very natural, it looks perfect with your skin tone. I don't wear bronzer alot but my fav is Harmony from mac which looks alot like benefit Hoolah. :)

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    1. Ooh, yes - I have heard good things about Harmony. I was contemplating picking it up while I was in the US. Pixiwoo use it quite a lot in their videos. Apparently Avon Earthen Rose is very similar but much cheaper :)

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  15. So pretty! Now following.

    http://everydayrachel21.blogspot.com/

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  16. Thanks hun!!! Following you now!
    Stay in touch<3

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  17. That looks so pretty on your skintone, really suits you! From the swatch I thought it would definitely look more orange on the skin, but it looks like it adds a nice sunny glow instead xx

    http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Evelyn :) I'm glad that it doesn't look too scarily orange as it suggests when swatched on my hand :p It's not too bad when used lightly with a fluffier brush - I like the Real Techniques Multi Task :)

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  18. Wow that is a great deal! It would've been a crime not to pick it up ;) Good thing the product is still working well despite it being so old!

    I never typically use bronzers but feel like I should get into them esp. in the summer time cause I'm so pale.. haha I'll have to check this one out!

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    1. Hehehe, thanks for trying to make me feel better about my unnecessary expenditure ;) I don't really use bronzer either, but I suppose it's an inevitable addition to my routine as I move further and further away from a minimalist look LOL

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  19. I love your reasoning for getting this product, I would have done exactly the same haha!
    I'm always slightly weary about reduced price Stila now, but at least you like the product and will get the wear out of it :)

    xoxo

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    1. Yeah, I don't know much about the Stila brand but I think they did a massive product overhaul at one point? I haven't sampled too many of their products, but I do like their range (still trying to convince myself I do not need In the Light LOL)

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  20. great bronzer from Stilla! it suits your skin really well :) I still love the Benefit though. i think it will suit me better, great for contouring :) thanks for the great review! I'm really looking for more bronzer to try, i'm tempted to purchase that Still bronzer, although Bourjois is still my fave so far :)

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    1. I really want to try the Bourjois - heard so many good things about it :) I was debating between Hoola and NARS Laguna, but ended up opting for the former. I do like it but I find that it's not really that pigmented and it can be hard to get product onto the brush ... not sure if I just got a dud one (I don't experience the same issues with Dallas or Hervana), or whether it's just designed like that :p

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  21. It really looks great on your cheek, I think even though it's orangy it's suited to light asian complexions. A light touch as you mention is best, it brings warmth I believe. I love when people pick things up on sales online!

    When I get my own credit card or means of online purchasing I need to be careful!

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    1. I can imagine! I suppose the trick is to delay getting one as much as you can - because you KNOW what's going to happen once you do ;)

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  22. Such a good deal! I'm actually pretty into bronzers, so I'll look out for this one. The color is a little too orange for me, but the price is great.
    Girlie Blog Seattle | Mom Fitness Journal

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  23. Like you I'm not really into bonzer neither but I admit that this one looks very natural I dont see it that orange.
    hugs

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  24. Great review! The shade looks a little too orange for me though but it definitely gives a nice bronzed look with a light hand!

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  25. Really nice review, like the shade.

    Lovely greetz from germany

    xoxo
    Ina :*

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  26. wow the stila packaging is so pretty! looks quite orange but great review! xx
    beautybynaynay.blogspot.com.au

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  27. The cover case is so pretty! It is quite orange, but in the pic where you have it on, it doesn't seem overly orange and it looks quite nice on you. :-)

    ~ Yun

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  28. It suits you; very subtle and feminine. And I love Stila products :D

    Found you through noiredame's blog hop & am your newest follower! Would love it if you checked out my blog & did the same.

    - Erin xo

    365mu.blogspot.co.uk - One girl's attempt at creating 365 different make-up looks in as many days

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    1. Thank you for following, that's so cool you're doing a look every day! I've followed you back Erin :)

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  29. Really very soft and cute bronzer sweetie~~

    Xoxo

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  30. This looks like a nice and natural colour!
    I adore your blog, would you like to follow each other?
    km-iamyou.blogspot.com.au
    xx

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  31. Not sure if this is on your list but you might want to give Too Faced's Chocolate Soleil bronzer cause I've heard so many good reviews (plus it smells extremely yummy)!!!! haha I'm tempted to buy/try more bronzers but I'm on a ban from having too many. :S

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