May 4, 2011

Stila Haute in the Hamptons Palette Review, Swatches, Photos

I’m a little out of order here as I’m reviewing the Stila Haute in the Hamptons Palette first when in fact it’s the second palette release. Oops…I like to live dangerously!

Hate to tease you but I purchased this about…two weeks ago? Stila had a preview of it for a single day but removed it from the site. It should be back again in June I believe.

The good news?

At least you know whether or not you need it as you get an early review of it from yours truly.

Let’s peep it!


A new budget friendly palette from Stila that features a complete face look!


As you know these palettes started popping up last year and each was $10 with four shades of shadow and one Convertible Color. This year they removed the Convertible Color replaced it with two powder blushes and kept on the four shadows. The price has gone up $4 this year however the quality is considerably better compared to the $10 versions.

Here’s the deal…

I love they did away with the Convertible Color. It was too messy to have a cream and four powders in one smaller compact. It was a good choice to remove it.

I liked the $10 price tag however I don’t mind the price raise because the quality has improved compared to those original palettes so the extra $4 bucks is well worth it.

The palette is a super small rectangle and features a Stila Girl on the cover. Very cute, very travel friendly. Inside you’ll find a small mirror, instructions for application, four shadows, and two powder blushes. Last year, I ranted a bit about the lack of instructions on creating looks. These were included on the Stila website however this year the instructions for a complete look are included in the palette below the mirror. I value this feature in a major way as sometimes I def lack the imagination to complete a look without a little guidance.

I wasn’t particularly in love with Haute in the Hamptons but that’s a personal preference. One reason was they included a blue shade to use on the lower lash line which I personally feel aged my eyes. However, I will say the other shades in the collection if I just toss out the blue, create a very nice look.

You get:

Eyeshadows

  • Sand (Creamy Matte Beige, great for brightening up tired eyes on its own!)
  • Linen (Dirty Gold Shimmer)
  • Blue Skies (Navy-ish Blue)
  • Route 27 (Brown with Greenish undertone)

Blushes

  • Hydrangea (Warm Pink)
  • Montauk Highway (Dusky Brown Rose)

For the look you’ll start with Sand all over your eye, follow up with Linen in the crease, line the upper lash line with Route 27, and the bottom lash line with Blue Skies. It’s a really simple look to complete. Personally I’ll avoid using Blue Skies in the future on my lower lash line but the other shades I generally enjoyed particularly Linen and Sand.

As I mentioned above the quality has improved on this palettes. They aren’t quite up to the regular Stila Shadow formula but they do come close. The shades have a soft, velvety texture that blends easily and has a very nice color pay off. The blushes also feature a very nice pigmented formula but are a heavier formula so a little goes a long way.

I think they did a fine job with these palettes and although I hate to see the $10 price tag go I don’t mind paying more for better quality!


The palettes are still Made in China. Personally it’s not a big deal for me but it deserves mentioning for those who aren’t keen on cosmetics that are Made in China.

  • Those wanting a travel friendly palette for a quickie holiday or getaway.
  • Those who liked the original Travel Girl Palettes (if you liked those, you’ll LOVE these as quality as improved dramatically)
  • Beauty budget girls (if you’re looking to indulge in Stila at a discount, here’s your chance).

  • Those who aren’t keen on makeup that is Made in China.


Overall, I wasn’t particularly a fan of this color selection but other than that the palette proves a worthy purchase and well worth a Muse Approval. Stila did a fine job with these and the overall quality has improved dramatically compared to last year’s release. Don’t get me wrong I loved the sweet $10 price tag but I find I’m not too bothered at all by the extra $4 since the quality is considerably better and the shadows just have a way nicer texture and feel.

click here for a peek!

Is Stila Haute in the Hamptons on your Summer wishy list?

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About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Nikki

    Muse! I really love your FOTD so fresh looking! I really like the li’l instructions Stila makes 🙂

    • the Muse

      shucks thanks nikki where you been? I haven’t seen you in ageszzzzzzzzzzzz! ;-D

  • Irene

    I normally adore Stila but these cheap-o palettes have lost their appeal for me. It was okay the first time around but it just seems like a fast and cheap way to put out something “new” that isn’t even all that new. These palettes are just too similar to the original Travel Palettes for me. I think they’re adorable but am so uninterested in them and that makes me sad.

    /end rant 😉

    • the Muse

      irene don’t write it off chica, these are far better than the 10 dollar ones ;-D

  • Liz!

    Hey I don’t think the blue on your lower lash lines ages you, I think it looks nice! I’m kind of a fan of putting a little swipe of color there though, it can be unexpected and makes the eyes pop!

    • the Muse

      aw thanks Liz ;-D I’m not so sure if I like it ;D!

  • Dawn

    Haha I tend to be very wary of cosmetics made from China as well after so many reports on items tainted with harmful chemicals..

    • the Muse

      it always deserves a mention as a “bad” thing Dawn ;D

  • Cara

    I love these budget palettes… and I actually really love the blue on your lower lash line 😛

  • Anne Grant

    I know you are saying that you don’t like the blue shade on your lower lash line – but I think it looks amazing on you in the photos you posted! I totally agree about the necessity of including instructions in how to use the different parts of a palette – I bought a Bobbi Brown palette a couple of years ago and didn’t have a clue about how to create a ‘look’ with it so ended up throwing it away.

    • the Muse

      aw thanks anne you’re too kind xoxoxo! Def! agreed. If I didn’t have instructions for this palette I would have stumbled what to do with the blue…I love BB palettes but I WOULD her to include how to tips because she never has any looks on her site so you get the palette and just look at it but struggle with it ;-D

    • Kate

      ITA, the blue looks so gorgeous on her! I hate it when an otherwise neutral palette contains a blue shadow because I don’t wear them well or know what to do with them usually, but it really works here and is making me reconsider the palette. Beautiful eye look! (And eyes!)

    • Fey

      I totally agree. It looked AMAZING in the Muse’s picture! That surprised me too, because I couldn’t previously imagine wearing a darker blue on the lower lash line, just bright turquoises. I’ll definitely try that look.

      • the Muse

        aw jeepers thanks fey…I really didn’t love it that much ;-D you guys are making me rethink it ;D!

  • LaurieS

    I agree that little pop of blue looks lovely! I have most of these shades (and every other color in the rainbow) and will have to try that tomorrow. I’m always wary of using blue because my eyes are blue and all that.

    • the Muse

      aw thanks laurie ;-D hey no rules, you can use any shade you want ;-D don’t let blue eyes stop you from using blue eyeshadow chica!

  • Margaret

    Very pretty look! And I *love* the blue on your lower lash line!

    • the Muse

      yes krystal and sephora too. as of now the first one is on Sephora, I seen it also at an Ulta store and this one is on Stila Cosmetics today.

  • JCz

    I was kinda doubting that blue, but it looked really nice in the swatch, and it looks beautious on your lower lash line! I bet it would look stunning on you smudged out as liner on both the top and bottom lash lines.

    • the Muse

      jc I def wanna try lining my entire eye with ;-D maybe wet? 😀

  • Jenn S.

    Personally, Muse, I think you are rockin’ the blue on the lower lash line, but you know what looks good on you better than I do! Just thought I’d chime in with my two cents.

  • Andrea

    I was originally planning not to get this one, but your FOTD has me seriously reconsidering, Muse! That blue looks great!

  • Jane

    Surprisingly I loved the travel palettes, they were so work friendly – it actually works that they’re not as pigmented and creamy as original Stila shadows which can be a bit too frosty lovely as their texture may be. And I’m glad I don’t see Kitten!!! Really I can’t believe I’m saying this but I hope to never see Kitten from a Stila palette and Midnight Cowboy from a UD palette 😀

    • the Muse

      jane I agree the originals def prove too frosty but some of the travel palettes weren’t as great as I had hoped for. Thank GOD no kitten lol agreed UD and Stila should be banned from those shades for the time being :D!

  • Jovanna

    I love this blue. It’s not too 80’s and it goes well with my brown eyes. I have been experimenting with the color on the lower lash line and people have complimented me on it too! I like your make up with this. I agree, I love the powder blushes too.

  • kentuckygirl859

    Are you kidding me??? That blue looks freakin’ amazing on your brown eyes! And I’m usually a blue eyeshadow hater…