Welcome back Stila?

Years ago, I think in the year 2002, Stila was my first high end, somewhat exclusive brand I got in to. It was stocked at Liberty of London and SpaceNK, the brand was fresh, pretty, exciting and collectible with a very strong image.
The brand went through a few changes through the years and in my opinion lost a lot of elements which had made me initially adore it. However, such is my soft spot for the brand, when it returned to the UK recently I couldn’t resist picking up some things.
One thing I was sad to see is that the refillable palettes are not stocked at Boots, something which I consider an essential element of the brand, I remember the days on Makeup alley where everyone had at least one refillable Stila palette.

Here's a brief run down on what I bought:
Eye shadow trio in Bella (£13) contains a frosty whitened pink, shimmery deep plummy brown and shimmery bright coral pink.
Whilst these colours aren't the best on me, I can’t fault the formula, the pigmentation is great, they are creamy and smooth and apply and wear well.

I picked up two of the travel palettes (£10 each).
Whilst a great concept its ultimately let down by the quality. The shadows are sheer and don’t blend well nor last long and the cheek products apply a bit patchy. This is not really a complaint though as this quality is reflective of the price so I shouldn't have expected more, personally I’d be happy to pay double the price and have the same quality as in their regular line.

Stunning in Sayulita contains shadows in sheer peachy pink with silver micro glitter, dark cool toned brown, Forest Green, Mauve pink with micro glitter, blushers in dusky peach and peachy champagne
Striking in South Beach contains shadows in sheer silver grey, sparkly blue lavender, black with golden micro glitter and purple, blusher in bright cool toned pink and a terracotta bronzer
I bought two liners; Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Rock Candy (£14) is a brown with heavy golden sparkle. The liner lasts incredibly well although I do struggle to get a thin line. I do find this a bit uncomfortable and drying, although that is something I experience with a lot of liquid liners. The Smudge stick waterproof eye liner in Lionfish (£14) is a bronzed chocolate brown. It feels very smooth, applies well and really does not budge.

Smudge Pot Kitten (£13), is a high shimmer, bordering on frosty, peachy pink champagne. It blends nicely, does not feel dry and lasts all day with an eye base. I would say that if I apply too much it makes the area look crepey so it might not be the best option for mature skin.
The all over shimmer powder in kitten (£15) contains a peachy gold with a tiny bit of bronze and a golden pink. Although the shimmer level is high, I do like this used with a light hand on the cheeks and as an eyeshadow wash as it gives a nice warm glow. The texture is very smooth.
Swatched below L-R: Smudge Pot, all over shimmer powder swatched individually and then blended together.

The #9 all over blend brush (£15) is very similar to the MAC 224 although I would say that the MAC feels a touch softer.
I used to have quite a few of the Convertible Colours so I re bought a shade I had previously used up, lillium (£16).
Its a delicate warm pink flush. I don’t really like CC’s on the lips as I find they don’t provide enough moisture. I do however like them on the cheeks, despite the slight tacky feel, as they are very easy to blend in.

The brand is not quite what it once was, I would love if they brought back the cardboard packaged seasonally eyeshadow trios and collectible paint cans (notoriously hard to get in the UK ) and moved away from the more “budget” stance items. Overall the quality is still there for the price bracket so I will pick up things here and there from the brand I just wish we had the old Stila back.

I bought all of these from Boots