Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like some Stila in the sky!
Like the brightest stars on a crystal clear night, the shadows in the new Stila Backstage Eye Palette twinkle just a little brighter than every other fall product that crossed my path at Sephora yesterday.
Affordable ($28), and filled with fun colors, Backstage looks lovely in its pretty purple packaging.
Girls who like brights might love how intense these colors are and appreciate the thought that clearly went into picking the mix of shades.
Backstage’s frosty shadows sure love to shimmer in the light, and while I think frosts like these can be a lot of fun to play with, these particular ones aren’t the easiest shades to wear. They can be a little messy.
All six of these shadows feel noticeably loose and airy compared to other Stila shadows I’ve tried — like fluffy whipped cream as opposed to smooth cream cheese (yep, I’m hungry).
After applying and blending them, I detect some shadow below my eyes, on top of my cheeks and even on the tip of my schnozz.
Not a problem to clean up with a makeup wipe, but it’s a potential extra step, for what it’s worth.
Swatches on NC35 skin from left: Chiffon, Flamingo, Pacific, Luster, Poetic, Coal
Because of fallout, I don’t see myself rushing through many looks with these, but when I do have the time for them (and some makeup wipes nearby), I’ll be going Backstage again soon. 🙂
If you like frosty brights and don’t mind cleaning up wayward eyeshadow fallout, consider going Backstage with Stila this fall. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B/B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rae says
I’m not sure how I feel about the amount of fallout, but the packaging *is* super-cute, as are the shades!
P.S. Care to share what you have on your lips? 😉 They look great!
Karen says
Hi Rae,
That’s Stila’s new Long Wear Liquid Lip Color in Patina.
Rae says
Thanks Karen! She looks great on you 🙂
Karen says
Thanks! I’ll have more pics and a full review of it up soon.
knownever says
I agree with Rae. Who needs to be knowingly bringing fallout into their beauty stash? lol
Karen says
I hear ya. I suppose there are beauty folks who don’t mind it so much!
Ashley says
Oooh.. Pretty.. I kind of want it! But I know I can resist, I need me an iPhone 4!
Karen says
The new iPhone is very nice. I like the screen, especially!
Citrine says
The paper box for the palette is pretty as well!
Karen says
It’s very clever and cute!
makeup morsels says
oooh I like the packaging. not crazy about fallout, but Pacifica in particular is such a gorgeous, vibrant shade.
Karen says
The fallout’s kind of a bummer. I wish there wasn’t so much of it, sigh.
Kymberlee says
What pretty colors! Will you please do some more tutorials? I need all the help I can get!
Karen says
I’ll try! They take a lot of time… hopefully I’ll be able to squeeze a few things in soon. Is there a particular type of look you’d like to learn?
Kymberlee says
I’d like to learn how to contour better and how to create eyeshadow looks with more than just three colors (that’s all I’ve been able to manage). I love how you did this eye and how it has the gradient effect all the way from the lashline to your eyebrows so I’d like to recreate something similar!
Sarah says
I love your hair with big curls like that! Looks so classy!
Karen says
Hi, Sarah!
I did it a little differently today… thanks for noticing. 🙂
Nina says
I iz back in Houston … after a supershort visit to the Hubs’ parentals.
Oh my I am liking the colors on that palette – Stila has never disappointed me and I kinda fell out of the loop as far as Stila is concerned, but this and the Travel Palettes are pulling me right back in!
Karen says
Hi! How was the trip? Did you guys have fun?
You’ll want to check the texture on this before you get it… it feels quite different!
Nina says
The trip was fun but tiring … ive a bit of a cold now.
I did find a present (yay for that!) and I also swatched this palette today at Sephora. I didnt come home with it …. im still thinking about it.
I was in a weird no makeup mood today so I ended up buying the Stella McCartney perfume that I love! 🙂
House of Accessories says
Pretty!!
Karen says
Yup!
snoopysteph says
I *almost* bought this at Sephora today, but the colors are just a bit outside my “every day” range I need to make quick & easy makeup looks. It’s very pretty though! I was tempted to pick up one of Stila’s new liquid lipcolors too but decided to wait til you review them first. 🙂 Besides, I didn’t have time to play with the shades to see which looked good on me (the Coral one looks like a winner though!)
Karen says
You’re in luck! I just swatched Coral today. I have a little more testing to do but the review will be up soon. 🙂
OzAmanda says
OMG HELP!!
I’m new to the make-up world (very sad as I am in my mid 20’s!) and I am dying for your help
I have a presentation night coming up and I would love some help with a sexy yet classy look. The only problem is my makeup kit contains only 4 shadows! *Lame I know* A black , silver , sheer cream and gold (that I have a lot of trouble with as it is very bright in the pan but takes a lot of layering to get the colour to stand out) Can any of you ladies help me out with a simple eye look that will stun and amaze??
Karen says
Hi OzAmanda,
I’d go with something fool-proof and easy. Practice applying your makeup this weekend (or any time you have before the presentation… just don’t leave it to the last minute). I’d go with something classic that photographs well, like the sheer cream over the entire lid from lash to brow and then the black shadow applied wet as liner (or if you can swing it as cat liner) along the upper lash line.
Another idea: before your presentation make an appointment to get your makeup done at a MAC counter. Bring in a picture of a look you like and ask the make up artist for something similar. Most counters offer free makeovers, but it’s courtesy to purchase at least one thing when they’re done.
Melissa W. says
You look great all Stila’d out! I really like their fall line more than many I’ve seen. The colors are nice and it actually fits in my budget. 😉 Love the lipcolor too!
Karen says
They really did a good job with this one. Do you think you might get anything?
Trisha says
This looks very nice and the colors look beautiful on you. I have to admit, I’ve been a fan of Stila’s eye shadows in the past. I think I might try this one.
Karen says
I hope these work out for you! Watch out for the fallout.
Ana says
You look especially stunning in these pics!
Luster looks like a gorgeous color judging by the swatch 😀
Karen says
Luster’s really pretty. I mixed it with Pacific and popped it along the lower lash line.
Kim says
Oh, the pinks and blues bring me back to high school – of course they look much better on you than anything I did with them back in the day!! 🙂
You’ll be proud to know that when I walked into work today, one of the gals yelled “HEY! You’re wearing make-up!”. I kindly reminded her that I actually do wear make-up everyday… except for liner… and shadow. 🙂 She laughed and said they made a big difference. I went with the brown neutral shadow pallet and my splash of color was the feared purple liner (lower lash line). Thanks for recommending that as my baby-steps toward more color. It’s a hit! 🙂
Karen says
That’s great, Kim! 😀 I’m so glad you’re experimenting. Oooh, how about teal next time?
Kim says
Is it telling that I gasped and put my hand to my mouth while thinking “oooh, teal? I don’t know…”?! I think I’ll have to throw caution to the wind and say HECK YEAH! 🙂
gio says
The packaging is very pretty and the shades are nice, too bad for the fall out though.
I love your hair, it’s very classy and beautiful.
Karen says
Thanks! I had a good hair day, hee!
Ru says
Is that coal color on their pemanent line? I just really want that one…
Karen says
Hey Ru,
I checked their online site and it appears they don’t have Coal as a single.
Lindsay says
Very pretty palette! Your FOTD reminds me of the looks from MAC’s Liberty of London collection. Coal= birds & berries maybe?
lexi says
I concur. I noticed a lot of fall out from my beloved Barbie palette. That’s when I decided I’m not buying Stila shadows anymore. Also, I loved the line more when Jeanine Lobell was still the owner.
Vonvon says
You look great, Karen!
Like the packaging of the palette, right down to the 1st impression of the shades. Chiffon and Flamingo look very pretty.
Tara says
Great palette! Great blog as well 🙂
beth says
i dont mind fallout
just bought it!