I’ve only been stung by a bee once before, and it was because I accidentally stepped onto it. My bad! It wasn’t very painful, but I remember having a friend’s mom use her credit card to get the stinger out of my foot.

It makes me wonder why people describe full lips as being bee-stung. It doesn’t bring up any pleasant thoughts for me! Since I definitely wouldn’t want to have anything on my face stung, I’ll whip out a effective lip plumper like the Stila Plumping Lip Glaze in Minty Mint ($24 US) instead.

Though Minty Mint is a clear gold with golden shimmer, the color is more on the sheer side, emphasizing shine rather than opaque pigmentation. The minty flavor also tastes good while making lips tingle ever so slightly.

After swiping on one coat of the shiny gloss I love what I see. Cushier, pillowy lips. But honestly I think that the beautiful shininess of the gloss contributes more towards the result than the claimed peptides, Vitamin E, and Camellia Oil.

I mean, just take a look at the flattering golden sparkle! Once applied to the lips, it subtly adds dimension and reflects light to make any pout seem larger. The thick texture isn’t goopy or sticky, but it does feel substantial on the lips.

Even though the Stila Plumping Lip Glaze doesn’t stick around on the lips for any longer than 2-3 hours max, the convenient brush applicator is something to think about. I love having the option of control which a traditional sponge tip can’t offer.

Do you wear plumping lip products? What glosses are in your purse right now?

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I haven’t taken an art class in a while, but the Stila Art of Color Collection is giving me some artistic inclinations. How do their artists’ palette-inspired palettes strike you? It’s definitely one easy way to feel colorful!

If you’re not so crazy about vivid eye makeup, but wouldn’t mind giving it a try this season, the Stila Eye For Color Eye Shadow Palette ($18 US) is an economical way to squeeze some color into your eye shadow stash. There’s 13 new shades to work with!

For those of us who grow excited over the nuances that make each shade of a color unique, the Stila Color Wheel Eye Shadow Palette ($38 US) is a thrilling value. The mirrored, 37-color palette is sold with an eye shadow brush and 16-page look book.

Stila also tells us specifically that these shadows can be used dry or wet for varying intensities. As they say, it’d be perfect for holiday parties since you would never have to repeat the same look with all the possible combinations.

The five brushes in the Stila Brush Set Essentials ($28 US) have a medium length handle unlike the normal mini ones for holiday sets which might appeal to those who like to apply cosmetics on the go. The pretty fuchsia accents don’t hurt either!

You’re only going to want the basics so the lip, under-eye concealer, all over blend, concealer, and powder brush are just enough for keeping makeup flawless and minor touch ups. I wish they included a brush bag though to store them in.

When it’s chilly, all I really want to wear is a perky blush and flushed lip color and Stila Acai Crush Lip & Cheek Stain ($24 US) is one product that fits the bill. It’s a deep red lip and cheek stain with antioxidant boosters that comes in a click-pen.

As with all stains make sure to blend quickly, especially on the cheeks, to avoid streaks. I love multi-tasking makeup, and the fact that this one is long-wearing is a huge bonus. Stila has six different shades of these so swatch them up next time you’re at the mall to find your favorite.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Stila Lip Glazes. And this year, Stila increased the amount of product in each of the eight glosses in their Holiday Lip Glaze Collection 2010 ($25 US) by more than 50% so I can’t wait to check these out in person!

Four of the shades are classic bestsellers like Kitten, while four are limited edition holiday colors like Seashell, a shimmering lilac. It’s the same great formula with a twist pen applicator, so you don’t have to be shy about trying these out or splitting them up with a lucky friend!

Which holiday collections have you seen popping up in stores lately? Are you excited with these value sets or are you more into Stila’s Fall collection?

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What would you say the color of innovation is? I automatically picture the vibrant hues and rich textures in Project Runway creations since Tim Gunn constantly advises designers to “be innovative” in their choices.

The Stila Color of Innovation Collection goes along with this notion for Fall. They’re giving us “rich, velvety, bold…color” with “metallic, shimmery jewel-tone shades” and a hint of innovation to “Make it Work!” as Tim Gunn would put it!

Read on to see our picks from this new fall collection:

The six brand-new eye shadows in the Backstage Eye Shadow Palette ($28 US) can be used wet or dry. The sparkling textures and trendy packaging are all inspired by the runways so you can go from subtle to sultry in seconds!

The Custom Color Blush ($20 US) seems like an interesting concept. It is a powder blush designed to match your skin’s pH for a perfectly matching cheek color. With special silicone powder, it can also smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.

Looks like a gloss and wears like a lipstick, the Long Wear Liquid Lip Color ($22 US) is the answer for bold, matte lips that stay creamy and moisturizing without a budge. In six shades, the pigmented formula keeps going with Vitamin E and avocado oil.

Match up your new lip color with four shades of Long Wear Lip Liner ($18 US) that don’t feather, smear or bleed all over the lips. This pencil also offers an impressive 70% pigment level with the bonus of smooth, glide-on application.

Are you on board for more dramatic Fall trends or sticking with lightweight Summer makeup? Do you feel Stila is being innovative with their latest collection?

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Shhh, don’t tell but one of my favorite ever “guilty pleasure” movie is Legally Blonde! I’m a huge Reese Witherspoon fan, and I love how her character Elle is a brainy beauty with a heart of gold.

When it comes to cosmetics, being a brainy beauty is easier than you’d think. Just take a peek at these Stila Eyeliners. I know Elle would give them her stamp of approval!

Being Brainy: The Stila Convertible Eye Color in ($22 US) Forest houses three products in one slim case – an eyeliner, coordinating eye shadow, and smudging tool. It’s a no-worry, one minute eye look that saves time and space in your routine and bag.

Tip: One smart way to wear Forest is to smudge the liner and dab the eye shadow on the lid, inner corners, and brow bone to fake a wide awake look after a long night of studying. It looks great on my brown eyes!

Being a Beauty: Stila put out 11 shades, so you can be sure to find one that’s flattering for your eye color. Forest comes with a deep forest green eyeliner and sparkly yellow-gold eye shadow. Pigmentation is vibrant and the color is smooth on skin.

Tip: I wish the pencil were more long-wearing since I only get about 5 hours of wear. To fix this, I use the smudger to smoke out the faded liner for a cool, worn-in vibe!

Being Brainy: The Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Purple Tang ($20 US) is a long lasting, waterproof liner that won’t let you down. Whether in the pool or out, it stays bright and doesn’t migrate. It feels, looks, and glides on like my fave Stila Smudge Pots.

Tip: When it comes to removing, you’re going to have to pull out the heavy duty oil-based makeup removers to get every last trace of these eyeliners off.

Being a Beauty: When I first swatched these I gasped, they’re so dazzling! All eight colors have an intense shimmer effect, kinda like MAC Dazzleglasses. Purple Tang is an incredible deep purple with matching shimmer and pops even if you draw a thin line.

Tip: Regrettably, the packaging for these is flimsy and looks cheap. Also, be warned that you can’t twist the liner back down after using, only up.

Which eyeliner appeals to you more? What fun eyeliner colors have you been wearing lately?

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Cherry popsicles always remind me of bright lipsticks. The chubby bullets are just the right shape and leave behind a sweet stain for the lips. I wish someone would invent a lip product that tasted, felt, and looked like them!

Until that genius product is made, I’ll console myself with some creamy, summery lip colors. Throw on a pair of sunglasses, cute dangly earrings, and a swipe of intense blush and I’m out the door with these fabulous tubes in tote.

The Body Shop Sheer Lip Shine in 09 (3 for $10 US) is the tinted moisturizer of lippies. It’s a hybrid with all the pluses of glosses and lipstick, but strikes a happy medium as semi-pigmented color. The moisturizing, non-sticky finish also keeps lips supple.

As one of the exceptions, 09 is a deeply saturated color; most of the others are sheerer. Rich raspberry in the tube, the color translates into a silver flecked fuchsia onto lips. It’s a gorgeous statement color that I found I’ve been applying constantly.

For a season-appropriate color, I’ve been layering the Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Red Hot ($6.49 US) and C Me Blush Lip Tint in Coral Sunshine ($4.49 US). The juicy blood orange color is surprisingly pigmented, but lightweight.

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t lick my lips more often when I am wearing this lip combination! I’m in love with the tingly mint flavor, the 95% organic ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, and the wallet-friendly price tag.

I like to defy nature a little by choosing lipstick that’s long-wearing like the Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Flushed ($20 US) whether it’s rain or shine. And just like a cherry popsicle, this crayon-style applicator glides on like a breeze.

Unlike a lot of other long-wear makeup, this true rosy pink lipstick doesn’t give you a case of dry, unattractive lips or gather in fine lines. Magically, the color almost melds into your pout and you won’t need to fuss over it for the next couple of hours!

What lip glosses and lipsticks are on your summer wish list? Have you been rocking a bolder lip currently? Share your thoughts with us!

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