Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Nudey Tuesday: Stila Contouring Trio Review & Swatches (ONLY $9.99!!)

Repurchase: Yes
Price: $16 (0.32 oz), $9.99 @ allcosmeticswholesale
Product: 22.5/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: A-

I purchased the Stila Contouring Trio months ago (like earlier this year I think) and realized that I've never reviewed it! I use this on a daily basis as it's one of my favorites to use for contouring/highlighting so I figured it's about time I share this super sweet deal with you all.

I bought mine on Ebay but I know that AllCosmeticsWholesale has it for $9.99 and Stila has it for $16. I believe it used to be sold at Costco (not positive) but they don't sell it there anymore.

The Packaging: The silver cardboard packaging is rather ugly and bulky -not my favorite for travel. But because it's so ugly, I don't mind getting it dirty and scratched up. It's what's inside that counts right?!

On the upside, there's a mirror inside and some LED lights that frame the mirror. I can't comment on the lights as I haven't pulled the tag (to turn on the LED lights) yet because I really don't want to be bothered with the bright light everytime I use the powders.

The LED lights (above)
The Product: Now for the good part. The palette is only $16 retail ($10 and lower at other places online) so this is a great value even though we have to suffer and put up with ugly packaging. The powders are all finely milled, blend easily, don't irritate my skin, and last for about 5 hours on bare skin.

Flash (top middle) does feel a tad bit gritty due to its silver shimmer but I can deal with it. Flash is best used as a highlight for going out or mixed in with another blush. Dark, the shade I use most, is great for contouring without being obvious. It's fairly matte although there are little specks of (barely noticeable) shimmer. Light is a nice highlighting shade -I switch off between this and my other highlighters. Sometimes I want more shimmer and sheen but Light is great if I want something more natural.

The Color:
  1. Flash (top middle)- Soft neutral tan with silver shimmer
  2. Dark (bottom right)- Satin warm brown with the slightest bit of shimmer that looks more like a nice "sheen." It looks overall matte once it's applied.
  3. Light (bottom left)- Satin pale ivory highlight with a nice sheen.
Swatches..

Above (with flash) from left: Stila Contouring Trio in Dark, Light, Flash

Overall: This is an excellent palette for all your basic highlighting needs. It's cheap, efficient, and works like a charm without all the fuss. I used to have the Coastal Scents Contour palette (which I hated!!) and this is 100 times better. I highly recommend scooping this us -the only downside is that you'll have to order it online.

Where To Buy: Stila, All Cosmetics Wholesale, Ebay

11 comments:

  1. so, I need to start studying some highlight tutorials asap cause' I personally wouldn't know what to do with this trio. I have some highlighter in my sephora palette but it's brand new, haven't used it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just look up some videos on YouTube and I'm sure you'll get it down. I use the darkest shade to contour in the hollows of my cheeks, my temples, and along my jaw line. You could also use it to contour your nose. Then I apply my blush on the apples of my cheeks. I use the highlight for along my cheekbones. Just be sure to blend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Do you think this would flatter more fair skin tones too? It looks really nice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The brown is a little warm (not sure if you have cool or warm undertones) but with a lighter hand, I do think this could definitely work for fair skintones.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This palette looks really nice...I've been all about the contouring lately :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know! =P I always see your posts with all the bronzers and contouring powders. I love contouring too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks! I have cooler coloring, but that helps a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're welcome. If you decide to get it, I hope it works for you! The brown is "just a tad" on the warm side -not overly warm at all.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have this too! I find the powders hard to blend, which leads me to go for my nyx blushes for contouring most of the time. I put the sticker back on mine to keep the lights off; I wish there was just an on/off switch!

    ReplyDelete
  10. WOw, thanks for sharing!! Great find. I have their eyeshadow palette and am shocked that this only retails for that little. What a great deal! I actually think the packaging is a downside lol...my eyeshadow square talks which is quite annoying. I wish they skipped the gaudy packaging and just made a sleeker, thinner palette.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @ PoorCollegeStudent.. Oh no! They're hard to blend for you? =( I guess it's different for everyone -I find these A LOT easier to blend though after switching from my Coastal Scents brush to my MAC 168 so switching brushes MAY help. And I didn't know you could put the sticker back in.. good to know! Now I can use the lights if I need to.

    @ PAG.. You're welcome. =) I think I have 1 or 2 of their eyeshadow palettes too and I agree -great deals (I always get them on sale.) I know which palette you're talking about -a talking palette can be annoying!! LOL.. I think the packaging is sort of a let down for this one too as I'd much rather prefer a thinner palette.

    ReplyDelete