Stila • Illuminating Liquid Foundation • Liquid

stephsgotskills on 7/31/2009 3:42:00 AM more reviews by stephsgotskills

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I personally didn't like this foundation, it didn't provide me with as much coverage as i would have liked.The bottle is very cute but the fluid doesn't travel through the pump well, it always ends up shooting out in big amounts. :(

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tallulah_starr on 6/28/2009 7:29:00 AM more reviews by tallulah_starr

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Hmmmm, this is a tricky one. Firstly, I'd have to say don't even consider this foundation if you have any skin problems - it won't hide them and would probably just make them more obvious. Also not really one for oily skin (though it doesn't cause breakouts on me). IMHO its best for older skins which areflawless but have lost that youthful glow. I'd say its glowy rather than "sparkly" (as some other reviewers have felt - if you peer at your face really close you can see a little sparkle, but the overall effect, at a natural distance, is a soft glow). Its a runny, watery liquid that goes on VERY sheer. This is not my everyday, HG, foundation (see my review of Chanel's Lift Lumiere for that), but some days its what I reach for.

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giraffesintheair on 6/18/2009 5:57:00 PM more reviews by giraffesintheair

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is a big NO to oily skin or people who want to cover up blemishes. The dewiness that people love makes oily skin look ultra shiny in a bad way. It is a very runny liquid so sponges are definitely not recommended and even brushes tend to absorb a lot of the product.

I purchased a shade too light so I use it for highlighting larger areas of the face and the sparkle that it gives is nice. Because it is so sheer it is also nice to put over your body for a nice sparkling, dewy and matted effect

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lizzy28 on 6/8/2009 8:58:00 AM more reviews by Lizzy28

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I got this foundation in shade 10 Watts. I have very sensitive, dry Rosacean skin and I'm a quite neutral NW10. First of all I really like the texture; some reviews mentioned it being a thin, watery liquid but my sample was a rich, fairly thick liquid. I didn't notice a "paint-like" smell. Yes, it has a faint smell but nothing offensive and I'm very picky with fragrances.
I apply with my fingers in tiny dots allover my face and blend with a damp sponge. The coverage is sheer to medium but it's buildable w/o looking cakey. I just apply some more onto my ruddy cheeks. The texture feels very nourishing to my dry skin. No clinging to any dry patches, no flaking and no settling into fine lines.
The colour is quite yellow toned. I prefer my foundations to be slightly yellow toned to cancel out the redness in my skin but for my skin I'm afraid it's just a tad too yellow. Also this shade is slightly too dark for my skin; IMO it would match NW/NC15 better. I'm not that fond of the illuminating particles in it; they're not that obvious and not as bad as for example in Clinique Supermoisture Makeup but they are there. Putting a matte powder on top of it would minimize the shimmer but both my facial powders are glowy too (La Mer #Translucent and Chanel Poudre Douce #Rosee) and they emphasize the shimmer which I don't like. However I still really like the way this foundation feels on my skin and it does make my skin look healthy and radiant. Most important part this is one of the few foundations not irritating my skin and not causing any breakouts. I would purchase a full-sized bottle if there was a lighter, more neutral toned shade and if it wasn't that shimmery. But I would still recommend dry, sensitive skinned girls giving this foundation a try if you can find a colour match and if you don't mind the shimmers. Update: I added some MAC F&B in White and I quite like this foundation right now; it's less dark and yellow and less shimmery, just glowy. I will use up my bottle. *PPP Foundations List in My Notepad*

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* katemvirginia on 6/8/2009 8:04:00 AM more reviews by katemvirginia

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I really wanted an illuminating fndtn. This was cheaper than Chanel so I thought I'd give it a try first. I am NC20 dry/acne prone. I usually break out right away from now products. This did not break me ot at all! I was really shocked it didn't by reading mixed reviews. It makes me look glowy & not greasy. I will definately repurchase! This photographs like a dream too!

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*TOP REVIEWER* junomacguff on 5/27/2009 2:45:00 AM more reviews by junomacguff

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I used to use this years ago but stopped when my Saks stopped carrying Stila. I had been using Bobbi Brown's Tinted Moisturizer for a couple of years but for some reason it started to irritate my skin a few months ago.

So one day while I was browsing at Ulta, I saw this foundation and remembered how much I liked it. I ended up purchasing the 10 Watt for my N3/NC15 coloring and it's great. It's a smidge yellow but just enough that it covers my rosacea redness but not at all heavy. It's not sparkly like other illuminating foundations can be, rather just glowy. I use Laura Mercier Loose Powder with fluffy powder brush over top especially on hot/humid days. Love the pump and will definitely repurchase.

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Wileycoyote on 5/12/2009 1:39:00 PM more reviews by Wileycoyote

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

It's definately not a full coverage. I like to mix it with my daily moisturizer for an illuminating effect but I don't like it full strength and I don't wear it if I need coverage.

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shoppingorders on 5/2/2009 10:09:00 PM more reviews by shoppingorders

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is my work makeup but i work in a dimly lit nightclub . i get soooo many compliments on my skin when i wear this which is why i buy it over. I hate the smell. I don't wear this in the day time because it feel like its too fake. I love the glowy look. I decided to get the sephora brand recently and im not sure which i like better.

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chaeriste on 4/13/2009 12:50:00 PM more reviews by chaeriste

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Don't like it. Tried it for a week and while I like the feel of it, it was just too yellow and too sparkly. It's going back.

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katcomer on 4/13/2009 10:39:00 AM more reviews by katcomer

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I got a sample from Sephore of this is 50 Watts. I didn't originally want a sample of it but I wanted Diorskin nude and she said this was similar. ummm DEF NOT! This stuff is garbo, it's like a tinted moistrurizer and all my flaws show through. This is not even close to the amazingness that is Diorskin Nude. It's also $50 CAD..outrageous. The consistency is awful too. Try before you buy ladies

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ironyisforsuckers on 4/5/2009 4:16:00 PM more reviews by ironyisforsuckers

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

i've been using dream liquid mousse & carmindy airbrush foundation for a while now, and decided to go back and try this on again today. i used to love it. but after using the other two i'm not feeling it at all. it's very oily & the coverage is minimal.
the smell is also super weird.
definitely would not buy again.

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Vanessa_poc on 4/2/2009 2:32:00 AM more reviews by Vanessa_poc

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This foundation is very yellow. I have 50 watts and can tell immediately that i'm yellow. I don't really like that, but I love it's dewey effect so much that I keep using it. I also cover it with bronzer and that seems to work alright. It is also very light coverage, but I don't need much. Perhaps next time I can ask a consultant about a similar foundation without the yellow.

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*TOP REVIEWER* WendyW on 3/28/2009 8:01:00 AM more reviews by WendyW

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I stated that I would buy again because it did help me out during a dry skin winter months, but it's not a summer foundation. It's just too dewy and slick to be a summertime foundation for my skin. What I've been doing now that it's Spring is mixing a little of Stila with my Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation. Now I get the slightlly dewy look, but with more staying power and coverage.

I love the pump bottle, but my cap did crack.

I love the shades since I like colors that a bit more yellow to neutralize my slightly ruddy complexion.

I have gotten compliments on my skin while wearing this, hence the 4 lippies.

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pixyjess115 on 3/11/2009 8:36:00 PM more reviews by pixyjess115

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I didn't like it. After I tried the stila finish oil free foundation I loved it so much that I went out to buy other stila face products. I really love their illuminating tinted moisturizer as well even though it can be a bit thick sometimes. After I bought this I noticed that it was a lot more sheerer than I expected it to be...it has this sheer, watery, oily texture to it. Th second thing I noticed was that even though this was the same shade as the natural finish foundation I have, the color was different. It was a lot more beige and and a bit darker as well. For reference I wear shade B. When I tried it on, it did illuminate my skin but I think the coverage is way too light. It also broke me out as well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Sarasotagirl on 3/11/2009 12:06:00 PM more reviews by Sarasotagirl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I go back and forth about this foundation for my slightly dry, over-40 skin. Some days I think it is heaven in a bottle and then others I think it's a hot mess. I thought I'd come to a decision about it after using it a while, but since I haven't, I'll review the pros and the cons.


Pros: Lovely, dewy finish, much more naturally glowy than MAC HyperReal, for instance, which looked like a disco ball on my face. If you're not over-40 and dry, you might not know why dewy is such a great thing, but it's exactly what I want. On my not-so-sculpted face, this creates lovely bone structure. On my uneven, melasma bedevilled skin, this creates youthful, even color. Love that.


I also love the thinner texture of the foundation, which feels like silk and goes on absolutely smoothly and streak-free, no matter what application method I use. This is one of the few foundations I can put on evenly with my fingers, so the application can be very fast.


Cons: The dewiness can be a serious problem on hot days. If you're oily or combo-skinned, run the other way. Even I get days when I have to powder over it more than once, which kind of defeats the finish. My best results are when I use a more mattifying primer (I'm using Philosophy's The Present) -- although that does slow down the application.


Another con: Stila is notorious for the yellowness of their foundations. I use 20 watts in this, even though I'm probably a 10 level in MAC, largely because it's a more neutral undertone than either 10 watts or 30 watts. (The colors in this foundation run light in general; 10 watts seems to me about NC5-10; 20 watts is about NC15 or so.) Nonetheless, the color is a little dark and a little yellow for my neutral/warm skin. I lighten it with FACE Atelier's Zero Minus to get it closer, but it's still yellow in bright sunlight.


Another con: The coverage is sheer to maybe medium. I find it difficult to build; I generally use LORAC Breakthrough Performance underneath it on my melasma to get enough coverage.


Final thoughts: There's a lot of mineral oil in this foundation (it's the second ingredient after water), so if that's an issue for you, this is a no-go.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

san1275 on 3/10/2009 11:33:00 PM more reviews by san1275

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Thank God for a foundation that does not rely heavily on silicones. This foundation gives great and even coverage while remaining sheer. It is easy to apply and matches my fair (orange/red) skin tone perfectly. The color remains true for hours. Also, because of the lack of silicones, my skin has cleared up wonderfully. So - if you are trying to avoid silicones - this is the foundation for you!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

hva82 on 2/16/2009 3:06:00 PM more reviews by hva82

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

Overall I really liked the sheerness of this foundation and the close match to my skintone. I thought the packaging was adorable and cute and price was fairly reasonable.
Unfortunately this was not for me. I initially loved the dewy glow this gave me but within a very short time my skin developed into an oil slick even with careful attention paid to blotting sheets and powder. The foundation almost completely slid off nestling nicely and exagerating all my imperfections and little lines. Also found it to be too harsh to use anywhere near the eye area, stinging my eyes a lot.
However I am a believer of try it yourself as for those with absolutley perfect oil-free youthful skin this could be amazing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hawko on 2/12/2009 2:15:00 PM more reviews by Hawko

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I need medium coverage, this fdn offers sheer, for those lucky enough to have good skin. Building coverage with this fdn is not an option, mainly becuase of the "illuminating" quality, however fine the illuminators are, layering it will give a silvery/white appearance to the area. However, there is a difference between a dewy and illuminating look, this fdn offers the latter. Back it goes.

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*TOP REVIEWER* star_s_l_b on 2/6/2009 11:16:00 AM more reviews by star_s_l_b

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Other, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

My absolute favorite liquid foundation. Sure it's a wee bit pricey but one (careful) pump will easily do my whole face. It has a wonderful texture and blends very easily and leaves a moist, dewy finish. I use Laura Mercier's loose mineral powder on top of it & Stila's sheer pressed powder for touch ups during the day and it still looks perfect when I get home at night. Definitely a must try for Stila girls!

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jules2064 on 1/29/2009 8:55:00 PM more reviews by jules2064

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

I absolutely, positively LOVE this foundation. I have been on the hunt for a LONG time for that "perfect" foundation. I went to Sephora with the thoughts that I would buy a powder foundation, mainly for the ease in application and I'm not one to have that "hey I'm wearing foundation" look. After previously trying Bare Escentuals I knew that was not an option because it made my skin itch like mad. I told the Sephora lady that BE was not an option and we started on my quest for the "perfect" foundation. We tried ALOT of powder foundations and I just wasn't feeling it. I told her what I was looking for and she recommended this foundation. I was in love the moment she put it on my face! I'm medium skin toned and I tan 1 or 2 times weekly, so my face is fairly dark, I purchased the 70 Watt. She applied this with the Sephora foundation brush, another purchase of mine that day, and it went on like silk. This foundation has good coverage but doesn't have that heavy makeup look. It makes my skin and face illuminate! I have never purchased more than 1 bottle of any foundation in my life and I've bought 3 bottles of this! I'm in love! I hope they never stop making it! One word of caution if you have oily skin please be careful. I do not have oily skin, my face is normal/dry and I do need to blot face powder on to insure that my face doesn't look or feel oily. At 38.00 it's an investment that's for sure, but the beauty of Sephora is that you buy it, you try it and if you don't like it, you return it, no questions asked. Now that's a return policy any makeup junkie could love!

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