Stila

I’ve traditionally always been a powder compact bronzer gal (this one and this one are holy grails). I never truly ventured into any other territories until now. I decided to test out a few different types of bronzers (of course I had to throw some regular powder ones in for good measure) and share my favorites of the bunch.

1. Make Up For Ever Pro Fusion Bronzer in 10 and 15 – So much buzz surrounding these bronzers and for good reason. They are stunning. I have both a matte (10) and a shimmer (15) shade and wear them equally. They do apply quite sheer which is nice because I don’t have to worry about having a heavy hand. But for those that want a bolder application, they are buildable. The matte one is my favorite (surprise, surprise) and wears great as a cheek color or contour. The texture is powder but feels smooth and silky like a gel which allows for an effortless application. I prefer a stiff and densely bristled brush rather than something a bit fluffier since I find that it really buffs the product into the skin for a seamless finish.

2. NUDESTIX Bronzing Pencil – Those who love to use fingers as their primary means of makeup application will love this Nudestix bronzer pencil. Just like the Nudestix lip and cheek duos and magnetic eye pencils, this is easy to blend and perfect for a quick application without a lot of need for accuracy. One side is matte and one side is shimmer and I like to use them separately as well as together. The shimmer is great for cheekbones when dabbed lightly and the matte shade for contouring. While some bronzers just add warmth to the face, I find that these are great at adding dimensions and some light sculpting.

3. Laura Geller Bronze and Brighten in Medium – While I have heard of Laura Geller makeup before, this is my first time trying anything from the line. I am a sucker for anything marbled, so I instantly was drawn to this bronzer. Just from the first swatch, I could tell this would secure a spot in my regular makeup routine. As you can see from my below picture, this bronzer by far gives the most even application – with no streaking or patchiness. Because of it’s slight rosy undertone, I find that it wears better as a cheek color rather than a contour or traditional bronzer. It gives a nice flush and glow to the cheeks and goes with any eye or lip I pair with it.

4. Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Instant Mineral SPF 45 – Is it a bronzer? Is it a sunscreen? Is it a powder? I had all the questions when I first tried this product. But those questions slowly faded into oblivion when I applied it and said “who cares what it is?! It’s beautiful!!!” LOLZ to how easily I can be swayed. I loved the ideas of a loose powder with a hint of color that could also provide some sun protection during the day. It’s perfect as a weekend product to add over a tinted moisturizer or as a touch up throughout the day, but surprisingly I love it during the week with a more polished makeup look. I dust it all over my cheeks and forehead to give a subtle wash of color. I definitely don’t think it should replace sunscreen, but it can add an additional layer of protection for my skin throughout the day without messing up my makeup.

5. Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Bronzer -Truth be told, this was the one bronzer I was most hesitant to try. Liquid or gel bronzers never really excite me and when I first swatched this, it appeared to be very streaky. No thank you. But I pressed on for the sake of the blog (I’m such a martyr) and used a buffing brush to apply in hopes that it would make a difference. Welp, it most certainly did. I used my Real Techniques stippling brush which applied the color evenly to the skin allowing for a smooth and buildable application. I primarily kept it to my cheek area and then popped the apples with a bright coral. It is even sheer enough to mix with my makeup to give my face a nice bronzed glow and find it’s the perfect solution for some foundations that may be a hint too pale.

While I will forever be #teamneutrals in both my makeup and fashion preferences, I can’t help but be drawn to the vibrant colors that are found in summer beauty collections (and clothing – I love a good print!). Stila’s newest summer collection is not for the faint of heart, but after playing with it all, I was happy to see that there is a little bit of something for everyone.

1. Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush – The swatches may look beautiful in the pictures, but to truly appreciate the beauty of this product you have to physically touch it. It’s a mix between a gel and a liquid that applies a sheer wash to the skin or can be built up to give a bolder color payoff. There is a little bouncy netting in the actual pot that helps to keep the product from spilling out everywhere and I find that dipping a sponge, brush or fingers into it once gives enough for a single application. The colors wear all day and disappear into the skin completely giving that nice “flushed from within” look that everyone craves in the summer. And the pigmentation and shade range is perfect for any and every skin tone.

2. All Day Bronzer for Face and Body – There are three shades to this bronzer formulation though I found the light was perfect for me. It is matte with a hint of radiance and applies evenly to the skin. It is not as finely milled as other formulas I have used, but it was the color that won me over with this bronzer. The shade is a yellow-brown which doesn’t sound appealing but when on the skin makes my complexion look bright and healthy.

3. Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer – If there is ever a time that you want to put a cooling primer on the face, it is summer. This Aqua primer stick has a gel texture that immediately feels cool on the skin and helps to give a nice burst of hydration. I didn’t find that this kept me very matte unfortunately, but for those with dehydrated or drier skin types, this is absolutely the most refreshing product to apply under makeup in the morning. Makeup applied beautifully on top and it made my skin look fresh and smooth. In fact, I don’t see this being only a summertime priming option. This would be perfect for the harsh winters up here in NYC when skin needs the most moisture to deal with the frigid temps. Ok, let’s not even talk about it – I shiver just thinking about it.

4. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick – If you have never had the pleasure of owning a Stila Liquid Lipstick, please do me a favor and pick one up immediately. Start with Fiery or Beso for the most perfect red.  You won’t be disappointed. They are a liquid lipstick formula with a matte finish and last ALL. DAY. LONG. You will most certainly need a cleansing oil to get these off but surprisingly they stay comfortable on the lips despite their intense staying power. There are a few new shade extensions for summer and they are bold, bold, BOLD. The hot pinks in Bella and Amalfi were naturally my favorites, while the vibrant purple shade called Como is definitely for those that prefer a lip color that makes a statement. It’s a bit too out of the box for me, but I can’t deny that it feels like velvet on the lips. 

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