Stila Cosmetics Review: Uncovering This Celebrated Makeup Brand
When it comes to high-performance, user-friendly makeup that delivers on its promises, Stila Cosmetics is a brand that consistently delivers. Beloved by casual makeup lovers and celebrity artists alike, Stila has cemented its status as a go-to for accessible, professional-quality cosmetics.
In this comprehensive Stila cosmetics review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand‘s background, bestsellers, and see how their raved-about products perform in real life. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to determine if Stila deserves a spot in your beauty arsenal. Let‘s dive in!
The Story Behind Stila Cosmetics
Stila Cosmetics was founded in 1994 by makeup artist Jeanine Lobell. The brand name "Stila" was inspired by the Italian word "stilare," which means "to pen." This is a nod to Stila‘s mission of empowering women to express their own unique beauty and creativity through makeup.
Over the decades, Stila has gained recognition for their innovative, easy-to-use products that don‘t compromise on quality. The brand has been spotlighted in major publications like Allure, Refinery29, and CNN, and boasts an impressive following of 3.3M on Instagram.
Stila is also well-known for being a cruelty-free makeup brand. They are PETA-certified and do not test on animals or allow third parties to test on their behalf. However, it‘s important to note that Stila is not 100% vegan—some products contain animal-derived ingredients like carmine or beeswax.
Stila Makeup Bestsellers Reviewed
Stila‘s expansive range spans the gamut of color cosmetics, with eyeshadows, eyeliners, foundations, blushes, lipsticks, and more. According to the brand, their goal is to "make creating a professional makeup look effortless for women of all ages and skill levels."
As a makeup artist myself, I can attest that Stila products strike the perfect balance between being user-friendly for beginners and high-performance enough for pros. The formulations are reliably pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing.
But you don‘t have to just take my word for it. To see how Stila‘s top-rated products fare in the real world, I‘ll review some of the brand‘s bestsellers that I‘ve put to the test:
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Ask any beauty buff to name an iconic liquid liner, and chances are, Stila‘s famous Stay All Day liner will come up. This waterproof, felt-tip pen has reached cult status for good reason—it‘s completely budge-proof yet glides on smoothly and precisely.
The fine marker tip makes it easy to create any eyeliner style, from thin, subtle flicks to bold, graphic wings. Once it sets, this liner does not move until you intentionally take it off with an oil-based cleanser. It‘s a staple in my pro kit for clientele with oily lids or teary eyes.
While $22 is pricier than the average drugstore liner, I‘ve found that the Stila Stay All Day offers much better staying power and precision. The intense black shade is also very opaque, so you get your money‘s worth without having to re-dip or retrace your lines.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow
If you love a high-impact, shimmery eye look but can‘t stand the fallout of loose glitter, the Glitter & Glow shadows are a revelation. These click-pen liquid eyeshadows dispense the perfect amount of product onto the sponge-tipped applicator for foolproof sparkle.
The weightless, water-based formula contains ultra-fine glitter particles suspended in a clear base, so you get long-wearing, reflective shimmer without chunkiness or grittiness. You can swipe on a sheer wash for a subtle glow, or build up the opacity for full-on glam.
At $24 each, these are a fantastic way to amp up any eyeshadow look with minimal effort and no messy glitter. Some of my favorite shades are Kitten Karma (champagne pink) and Smoky Storm (pewter taupe). For extra dimension, layer them on top of the Stila Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadows, which have a smooth matte finish.
Stila One Step Correct Primer
Most makeup artists would agree that skipping primer is a cardinal sin for long-lasting, flawless makeup. If you have redness, dullness, or an uneven skin tone, the Stila One Step Correct Primer can neutralize discoloration while prepping skin for foundation.
This color-correcting primer has a unique triple-swirled helix with green (neutralizes redness), lavender (counteracts sallowness) and peach (brightens and illuminates). When blended together, the sheer tint becomes a universal shade that color-corrects on virtually all skin tones.
In addition to perfecting the skin, this primer contains a proprietary Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex that hydrates, balances, and nourishes. I appreciate that it gives skin a smooth canvas without feeling heavy, greasy, or silicone-y like some other primers.
At $36, the One Step Correct is a valuable multitasker that can replace the need for multiple color correctors and serves as skincare too. Even on no-makeup days, it‘s great for making the skin look more even and radiant on its own.
Customers Weigh In: Stila Cosmetics Review Roundup
Of course, a Stila cosmetics review isn‘t complete without seeing how the products fare in the court of public opinion. To gauge what real customers think of their Stila purchases, I combed through hundreds of online reviews.
Overall, the vast majority of Stila reviews are glowingly positive, with shoppers praising the products‘ performance, shade ranges, and ease of use. On Influenster, Stila products have amassed over 95K reviews, with most items earning at least a 4/5 star average rating.
The Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner is one of the brand‘s most popular offerings, with over 10,000 5-star reviews on Sephora. Customers rave about its unmatched staying power:
"I‘ve tried so many liquid liners over the years, and always end up coming back to Stila. This liner is completely transfer-proof, smudge-proof, and budge-proof. It never flakes or fades throughout the day. The applicator tip is also perfectly shaped for precise application. HG status for sure!" – Sephora reviewer
The One Step Correct Primer also has its fair share of fans, with reviewers reporting noticeable improvements in their skin:
"I‘ve been using this primer daily for a month now and am obsessed! It really does help neutralize any redness/uneven patches and makes my skin look so healthy and radiant even without foundation. It also doesn‘t break me out despite my sensitive skin. I would 100% repurchase this." – Ulta reviewer
That said, no product is perfect for everyone. A small number of customers did experience issues like dried-out eyeliner tips, flaking eyeshadow, or skin reactions to certain ingredients. It‘s always a good idea to read through reviews to see if a product will suit your specific needs and sensitivities.
Is Stila Cosmetics Worth The Hype?
Based on my personal experience as a makeup artist, the stellar customer feedback, and Stila‘s proven track record—I have to conclude that Stila Cosmetics is indeed worth the hype.
While Stila is a bit more expensive than your average drugstore brand, I believe the quality and performance justifies the cost. You can feel the difference in how pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing the formulas are compared to cheaper alternatives.
I also appreciate that Stila is cruelty-free and offers a wide variety of shades to suit different skin tones and aesthetics. Whether you‘re a die-hard colorful eyeshadow fan or a my-lips-but-better nude lipstick devotee, Stila likely has an option for you.
If you‘re new to the brand, I recommend starting with one of their famous eyeliners, shimmery eyeshadows, or complexion products—you really can‘t go wrong with their standout formulas in those categories. And if you‘re on a budget, keep an eye out for Stila sales on the brand website and at retailers like Ulta or Amazon.
Stila Cosmetics Review: The Final Verdict
All things considered, Stila gets my vote as a professional, user-friendly makeup brand that can help you achieve endless eye and complexion looks. While no single brand is the end-all-be-all, I‘ve consistently had positive experiences with Stila products across the board.
I hope this Stila cosmetics review helped shed some insight on the brand‘s history, bestsellers, and real customer opinions. Have you tried Stila makeup? Let me know your personal favorite products in the comments below!
