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Stila Mystery Bag Review – January 2020

Abby Holsinger
ByAbby HolsingerJan 13, 2020 | 19 comments

Stila released a mystery bag just in time for the holidays featuring mostly full-sized items for $60. Stila is a cruelty-free brand known for their chic packaging and high-quality, cult products like their infamous Kitten Highlighter and the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.

FYI - this Mystery Bag is no longer available for purchase!

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About this Mystery Bag

The Box: Stila Mystery Bag

The Cost: $60

The Products: A range of mystery full-sized products and 1 deluxe mini

Ships to: The US for free

Stila Mystery Bag Review January 2020

 

 

The first layer of products in the box were all free samples including two full-sized items, one travel mini and two blister pack card samples. I am such a sucker for free samples and the more the merrier! Using these free samples and the mystery items I was almost able to create a full face of makeup! The Lingerie Soufflé sample card featured their lightweight and skin-perfecting primers, and the Hide & Chic Foundation blister card included 8 shades of their new skin-like, high pigment foundation.

Bonus Item: Stay All Day Eye Liner Black Mini - Retail Value $10

This travel mini of Stila's super popular pen liner is worth $10! I love deluxe samples for traveling, and this classic black is perfect for on-the-go touchups. This fantastic liner is easy to use and stays put all day long without smudging or running.

Bonus Item: Glitterati Lip Top Coat in "Ignite" - Retail Value $20 (currently on sale for $10)

Bonus Item: Glitterati Lip Top Coat in "Transcend" - Retail Value $20 (currently on sale for $10)

I love playing with sparkle, and I've been so curious about these lip toppers. I was shocked to see these were full-sized to boot! Start by shaking the tube to disperse the sparkles, and after a few seconds, the product is ready for application. The formula is very thin and runny, and I couldn't really feel it on my lips. I love the sparkle of this product, and its effects seem to last a while before needing a reapplication.

Let's move on to the mystery items!

Stila Mirror

It is hard to find a big enough travel mirror, but this one is a generous size. The ultra-thin packaging is sleek and will fit easily into any travel or gym bag.

Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in "Espresso" - Retail Value $22

I totally forgot about Stila's Smudge Sticks, but this eyeliner used to be my go-to! I'm not sure why I ever strayed, but it checks all of the boxes for me. Twist-up eyeliners eliminate the need for a sharpener, and the tip always creates a clean, thin line. I also love this color, which seems to stay put after it sets, even in the waterline.

 

Micro Tip Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Retail Value $22

Imagine Stila's Stay All Day Eyeliner but with a sharper tip; it is glorious! This eyeliner is my new favorite. I love that the tip of this liner hugs my lash line so closely; it even makes my lashes look fuller. It makes getting the shape you want super easy, and you don't have to worry about your makeup budging.

 

Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in "Twig"- Retail Value $24

I was hoping Stila would include one of their liquid shadows in here! This beautiful warm brown is so flattering for any eye color, and it is a one-stop-shop for a bold, dimensional eye look. I used an eyeliner brush for my look below, but you could go straight in with the wand for an all-over eyelid color. It stays all day long, and it doesn't flake like a lot of other liquid shadows.

 

Twin Cheeks Kitten & Bronzer Duo - Retail Value $32

This full-sized cheek duo is perfect for a dazzling bronzed look. The bronzer isn't too dark (after I tapped off excess product), and the Kitten highlight is a glorious, glowy beam of light for your cheekbones. The texture of each powder wasn't so soft that it concentrated my brush, which I like in cheek products, and it was easy to build up each color for the desired effect.

Magnum XXX Mascara Mini, 0.24 fl oz - Estimated Value $13.80 (Buy a full-size 0.40 fl oz for $23)

Being a total mascara snob, I was shocked by how much I liked this one. The very black formula is a thicker, more waxy than wet texture that glides on your lashes, instantly plumping and volumizing with contact. I brushed out any clumps, and I was left with a full lash look. I am not the biggest fan of its chubby applicator because I am quite clumsy, but I didn't make too much of a mess (this time).

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in "Fia" - Retail Value $22

My chronic dry lips usually do not like liquid lipsticks, but this one felt pretty comfortable. It felt thicker than what I am used to, and it didn't accentuate any of the lines on my lips. Brown is not my go-to lip shade by any means, but paired with one of the freebie top coats, I made this color work for me (pictured below)!

Swatches of the makeup (top to bottom): Glitterati Lip Top Coat in Ignite, Glitterati Lip Top Coat in Transcend, Kitten Highlight, Bronzer, Smudge Stick in Espresso, Stay All Day Eye Liner, Stay All Day Micro Tip Eyeliner, Shimmer and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Twig, Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fia

Here is the makeup look I came up with using all the items from this mystery set, including the free products that came with my order. I only had to pull eyebrow products and concealer to create a full look! I am actually really liking this lip combo, too.

The Verdict: I was really impressed with the curation of this mystery box. It didn't feel like they were trying to get rid of old stock or sale items, which I sense some brands do with releases like this. This compilation reignited my love for Stila products, and I am very pleased with my new finds. This box has a value of $135.80 not including any of the free samples, bag, or mirror, which I think is a total steal!

To Wrap Up:

Can you get this box if you order today? Unfortunately, this mystery bag is longer available.

Value Breakdown: This box cost $60, and I calculated a total value of $135.80 not including the value of the bag, mirror, or samples. Here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Stay All Day Lipstick: $9.72
  • Micro Tip Eyeliner: $9.72
  • Smudge Stick Eyeliner: $9.72
  • Two Cheeks Duo: $14.14
  • Magnum XXX Mascara Mini: $6.10
  • Shimmer & Glow Eye Shadow: $10.61

Check out our list of the best niche and specialty beauty boxes!

What do you think about the Stila Mystery Set

Abby Holsinger
Abby Holsinger
I’m a self-proclaimed “cool mom” who loves a little, who am I kidding, a lot of razzle-dazzle. I have been box-obsessed for over 10 years, and I am always on the hunt for new beauty, fun flair and trendy clothing boxes. A fun night for me includes an exfoliating foot mask and a bag of Dot's Pretzels while binging Rupaul’s Drag Race.

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19 comments

cheryl s zaccone

I decided to buy this today. I had the 40% off code to but it was only for yesterday. I still think it’s a great deal and its been awhile since I ordered any makeup and Stila. I really want to try the new foundation as I’m in need of one and have been holding off buying IT cosmetics. I hope I get the same colors.

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Julie B

I was thinking of getting this last night when someone commented it was still available, and the free blue liquid shadow was showing up then. However, today I got the 40% off coupon code for signing up with my email yesterday, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger. It’s a good discount, but the blue eyeshadow no longer comes up, and also I had to add a couple of sale items to get free shipping since the discount makes it lower than the $50 free shipping,

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cheryl s zaccone

I amso sorry I missed this. I used to be a Stila girl when they were brand new. These are amazing products! How do you like the foundation?

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Mimosa

Hi Abby, great review thank you! Love your look with the products and how you managed to get a brown liquid lip to look terrific. Quite a feat. Gotta say, I think I got heart palpitations when I saw the first shot of the opened box with that trove of stila products languishing in there! Even if this box isn’t available still, I am looking forward to the next time they’re on offer. Thank you!

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Carla

Thanks for the super review! I LOVE Stila products very very much! They are quick and easy to use which help when you’re time poor and want a speedy but pretty look. I like all the items you used and you look FABULOUS!! I had placed a random order myself (not for the mystery bag) and also received the 2 FREE lip glitters like you and several other samples as well. I thought they accidentally sent me the wrong items or wondered if I had ordered wrong but no they were greatly appreciated gifts! I mostly use their liquid eye shadows and eye liners. I have ZERO complaints or than they’re expensive BUT I only buy them when they are on sale.

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Jen

Is this the same product you reviewed? If so, it is still available…

https://www.stilacosmetics.com/mystery-bag/SD46010001.html

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Lori

Looks like all the same except the blue liquid shadow instead of the 2 lip toppers. Bummer because that blue shadow looks bad and the lip toppers are gorgeous.

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cheryl s zaccone

How do you know it will have the blue color?

Julie B

You look great, and your lips especially! I think when this mystery bag came out, I felt like I had just bought a ton of makeup so had to resist, but now I’m sad I didn’t get it.

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Abby Holsinger

Thanks, Julie! 🙂

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Lori

I was really on the fence when this came out and not finding any previous reviews (if I recall), I wanted to avoid exactly what Abby mentioned–old stock or off colors that didn’t sell. Now I’m sad I didn’t order, but I will definitely jump on this next time. Great box!

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AmyM

Not sure how I missed this one; I would have jumped on it as I love Stila products. That lip combination is very pretty! Love the whole look you came up with.

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Abby Holsinger

Thank you 🙂 It is my go-to right now; I would have never thought I’d be reaching for a brown liquid lippie!

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Mel

Same. I love Stila, and would have bought one.

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tat2

I missed it as well :O

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Jenna

You look beautiful! Wish I would have caught this bag while it was available!

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Abby Holsinger

Thank you! 🙂

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Liis

What Jenna said 🙂

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