Barbie Loves Stila Event

As a kid, I never played with Barbies. Mama didn't buy them, so I didn't own them. She said they didn't look right--and I sort of agreed. So when Stila launched their Stila Loves Barbie line this year, I wasn't too intrigued. If I didn't want a girl with a plastic face sitting in my room, I sure didn't want one now, plastered on a makeup palette.

But then...Ulta called. They were having an event with Sarah Lucero, Stila's well-known and sought after makeup artist. I decided to give the whole thing a try, and arrived to cupcakes and pink m&m's. The place was packed, with several artists working on girls.

Sarah is the extra tall one in the boots

And needless to say, I walked out of the store a good hour later, with Stila products...complete with Barbie plastered on the front. No, it doesn't take a whole lot to twist my arm--and even less so when you throw in vibrant shadows and liners.

The popular All Dolled Up quad palette contains twelve buttery shades. The typical Stila fallout has not be experienced with this palette, and I'm pleased to say that they even stay put when I failed to remember a shadow primer one day.

At less than thirty dollars, this gives you a lot of bang for your buck. I don't get stressed about the size of shadows, as I feel that it's very rare to hit pan on a bright blue or purple.

Side note: The trio in the top left corner reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream, right? Right?!

I thought that would be the extent of my Barbie-related products, until I saw the bright blue Smudge Pot liner in Cobalt Clutch. It's just so bright. I figured that instead of using it as a base (as suggested), I could use it to pep up an otherwise boring nude/brownish eye.

Stila brushes in my opinion, are some of the best out there. I still own (and use) a powder brush from 1999, and it's in perfect condition. It's among the softest of those in my collection, and I wish they still had the range they once did. One that caught my eye, was the double-ended shadow brush. The tapered side of the brush is much thinner than its typical competitors, which meant it would be a unique addition. Only problem is, as there are hairs on either end, I'm never quite sure how to store it.

I did pick up the Kajal Liner in Topaz, as it's as creamy as the infamous Onyx sister, but in a flesh-toned shade (when I say flesh, I'm clearly speaking of someone else's flesh..not mine). It works great on the bottom waterline as a means of opening the eye and making the general area appear more awake. Typically, many people will use a white liner for this purpose--but I think that gives more of a "I don't know what I'm doing" effect on women with brown skin. However, using this liner on the actual lid--where you would typically apply an eyeliner--similarly gives you the look of a Russian matryoshka doll. Freaky.

So then there was the gift with purchase. The items that typically remain unused, but in this case had enough appeal to make me want to use them immediately. There were three paint tins, stuffed with a shadow palette, lip glaze and mascara. The tin itself was much better than a cheesy leopard print bag that comes with perfume samples *cough cough*..Neiman's..*cough*. I could definitely use it to differentiate brushes that need to be washed, from those that haven't been used. I picked Black Barbie. Of course, because they sure didn't have Brown Barbie..or Polynesian Barbie for that matter.

The palette is also cute, with two office-appropriate eyeshadows and a blush.

The gloss reminds me of orange jello. Leaving the store, I ended up with purple eyes (the artist used the purple and pink from the palette), and a purple hoodie--only to realize that I was stuck in a swarm of fans that had just left our University's Football game--the team colors are purple and gold. Meaning, I looked like one crazed, overdone fan.

Did you pick up anything from the Barbie line? Classic Disney, a big yes. Fafi, for me--a double yes. But Barbie...is it just too much?