Stila Queen Glitter & Glow Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Queen

Stila Queen Glitter & Glow Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a light-medium lavender with large, chunky silver sparkle and smaller pink and lavender sparkle. It had a sheer base, which is line with how the brand describes the coverage, with moderate glitter/shimmer. This was slightly noticeable on my skin from a normal viewing distance, though it was obvious that it was larger particles and did emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It lost a lot of its depth/dimension applied to my cheeks–more like a pale pink than multi-colored lavender.

The consistency was thin and watery with a fast dry down, which resulted in a slightly unblended appearance and the product more prone to clumping in places as I worked to spread it across my skin. It applied best as the very last thing on my face as any attempt to blend or spread it after it dry down resulted in most of it falling off my face. When left alone, it stayed on well for eight hours with slight traveling over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Too Faced Plumagranate (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Pretty Vulgar Lilac Lust (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Swirl (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
KVD Beauty Roseshock (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Urban Decay Disco Queen (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
MAC Anarchista (PiP, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Anastasia Purple Horseshoe (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Blush Pearl (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
ColourPop Trickles (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
ColourPop Stormy (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

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.