Stila Painted Lady Glitter & Glow Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches
Painted Lady
Stila Painted Lady Glitter & Glow Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.20 oz.) has a translucent base with finger copper flecks of sparkle and larger pink and gold glitter. It had a subtle shift from pink to gold from some of the sparkles. It was difficult to tell I had any product applied if I wasn’t staring at myself a few inches away in a mirror. This was one that I did not think could be worn alone (which the brand says is one way to use this formula!), and it was somewhat more interesting over another highlighter or blush color, but it was still pretty minimal.
The consistency was thin, watery, and very quick to dry down to the point where half of the product seemed to dry on my cheekbones and half on my fingertip from trying to blend out the product. It did not get better with a brush or sponge, though brush deposited more product but did not seem to blend out the product as well without lifting up base products very easily. The product was best applied last as any additional blending on top resulted in a lot of the glitters coming off the face and creating noticeable patchiness. If left alone, there was minimal movement over the eight hours it lasted for.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Snowflushed (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Hen Party (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Theia (LE, $39.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Celestial (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chiffon (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Mendoza (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Transcend (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Mystere (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Quartz (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Own Your Light (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.2 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
The brand says it's supposed to be a "complexion-enhancing formula [that] contains a sheer base with a multicolor mix of pearls and visible flecks of glitter." It can be used alone or layered over other products. The brand reiterated that the Highlighter formula is "not pigmented" compared to their Glitter & Glow Eye Shadows, which I appreciate. Similarly, the brand clearly stated that these should not be used on the eyes due to sizes of the glitter used in the cheek highlighter. I find this to be an odd product that I expect to work for a few but largely, it didn't work as described.
The do have sheer bases with light-to-moderate amounts of glitter; some are chocked-full of glitter and others are sparser. The ones with less sparkle and glitter did not work well alone; they looked more like random bits of grit on the face rather than a highlighter as it illuminated nothing. The ones with lots of sparkle and glitter could be used alone. They seemed to be better layered, but the effect that these added was rather minimal.
The more glitter there was, the more prone to migration/traveling, and these absolutely have to go on last and cannot be blended with a brush or else most of it comes off and goes wherever it is destined to go (nose, chin, trapped in one's brush). The formula was thin and more watery, though it did not take too long to dry down. It was more challenging to apply as the glittery bits tended to adhere a bit too easily to my fingertips while a sponge absorbed the wetness quickly and then the glitter dried more on my sponge than on my skin.
They're a bit larger (but more expensive) than the Glitter & Glow Eyeshadows, which run $24.00 for 0.15 fl. oz. or $160.00/oz.; the Glitter & Glow Highlighters are $30.00 for 0.20 oz. or $150.00/oz. My advice is to opt for one of the eyeshadows, where some of them are sheerer and often can be sheered out if desired, and could be used on the eyes OR the cheeks as a more glittery highlighter.
Browse all of our Stila Glitter & Glow Highlighter swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Glycerin, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Bis-C16-20 Isoalkoxy TMHDI/PEG-90 Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Do you feel these could work on the eye?
Stila says that they should not be used on the eyes. Given that they are glitter, I would, personally, never use them near the eye for fear of causing permanent damage!
Thank you for your response!
This shade has the look of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”! Like, invisible. Which is truly bizarre for a glitter finish. Yikes.