April 13, 2016

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm Review

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm 5

I waited a crazy amount of time to try out Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm ($10). Blame it on the fact I’m quite happy with Mally Face Defender, it’s the only reason I could think of for not picking up Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm sooner!

But I’m glad I waited as I was able to get it on sale for $7.50 recently during Stila’s 25% Off sale.

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm is a solid primer slash touch up balm that’s formulated like Mally’s Face Defender as well as Covergirl Tru Magic Skin Perfector Mattifier. If you’re tried either of these products you’re quite familiar already with this formula.

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm comes housed in a dual compartment which holds the primer on top and a sponge under it.

This is formulated for use in one of two ways either under makeup as a primer or over it to perfect makeup and curb shine. I’ve always described these primer balms as being a solidified version of a silicone primer. To me it looks like someone poured liquid primer into a compact and left it to harden. So I think of it as just a different formulation of a liquid silicone primer! Now I’m not a huge silicone primer fan since I have drier skin however, I get on rather famously using Mally’s Face Defender after applying my makeup. It softens the overall look of my makeup, perfects it, and just gives it a smoother more airbrushed appearance. I do not like it under my makeup all that much but over it, it works very well. I tested out Stay All Day Primer & Anti-Shine Balm both ways for this review.

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm 2

Technically, the balm-like texture is the same as Mally’s version. It’s a transparent formula that has a smooth, velvety consistency that almost feels like a silky powder when applied to skin. Sadly, that’s where the similarities end. To pills horribly on my skin. It might be best suited for oily skin but just as a note I do not have pilling issues with Mally’s formula. This just kinda rolls off in big old chunks on either bare skin or even over makeup.

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm 1

I couldn’t help but express happiness I didn’t pay the original $30 price tag for it. Where as Mally’s formula perfects and creates flawlessness, this formula just creates a big old hot mess. I wouldn’t give up on it totally as it may very well work for oily skin but if you have drier skin you might want to avoid it. I’d recommend Mally’s over this for sure.

If you are curious, Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm is available on sale at stilacosmetics.com.

Tried it?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • Anne

    I have combination skin and I like it–maybe my skin is oily enough that it works for me? It’s in my gym bag because it’s a solid and comes with its own applicator. I use it under my makeup and as an eyeshadow primer. It’s not my favorite primer but it keeps my makeup in place for the workday.

    • Isabella Muse

      Likely! I think it’ll work well for someone with a bit more shine/oil than my own!

  • Chynna

    Thank you for comparing it to Mally’s Face Defender. I bought this and didn’t love it and haven’t tried Face Defender for that reason. Your information has put Mally’s Face Defender back on my list. 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      DO get the Mally one. MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better. This pills and just looks horrible under or over makeup! Mally’s is much much better. It’s my HG!

    • Anne

      same here–I’m thinking if I kinda like the Stila primer, maybe I’ll love the Mally primer.

  • Dee

    Your sentence that started “sadly” just saved me some money. Mallys product has no dupes!

  • Megs B

    Interesting – I have oily skin and I hate Mally’s face defender over makeup, but it actually makes a great primer under foundation for me! I’ve used up an entire compact of the stuff that way. I’m always amazed at how differently the same product can work for different people.

    • Isabella Muse

      I really like it over 🙂 But yeah, agreed, it’s kinda weird hearing how differently people use stuff 😀