Stila Lip Polish in Luster ($24)
Stila Convertible Color in Magnolia ($28)
When I asked Sarah, who works at the Sacramento Nordstrom Stila counter, what was special about the products I was about to purchase, she told me that nobody else offered a combo lip and cheek color. She added that other cosmetic lines claim that they have one but they really don't. I was actually looking for a different answer, like it has a 15 or 30 spf or it stays on all day.

I've read a lot about Stila - especially in Allure and InStyle. I know that it was created by Jeanine Lobell, make-up artist and wife of ER's Anthony Edwards, and that almost every movie star and/or celebrity uses at least some piece from the line. So, I was eager to try it so I could be one of the beautiful people, too!

I really looked forward to falling in love with this line like the first time I tried MAC or Trish McEvoy. I feel like an oddball and an old one, at that, but, I don't really care for the products I tried. The description that springs to my mind is: Stila is a young person's line.

First of all, I admit, I may have bought the wrong colors. I deferred to Sarah's choice for me - usually I pick my own color no matter what the counter person recommends. This time I did not. The Magnolia did nothing for me. The Lip Polish in Luster is quite nice if you like a lot of shine, which I don't, and very little cover, which I do.

Next, the packaging is too much work for my type-A personality. The Convertible Color comes in a small mirrored compact which I found a bit too difficult to open. I do have longish nails, so maybe that's why. The compact is plastic, pinkish-mauve and made to look like old-fashioned tooled tin. When applied to my lips it is too light. Also, I am left with a sticky residue on my finger and have to find a tissue to get rid of it. Give me a tube or wand, any day. As a cheek color Magnolia is alright except it is too much work to apply. It has to be tapped into my cheeks because if I spread it with my fingers my skin becomes red. I am not a fan of cream blushes to begin with. Give me a powder blush with a brush any day.

The Lip Polish is shaped like a fat pen or a marker. It has a removable cap at one end covering the application brush and the other end is twisted clockwise which sends the color/shine down to the brush end. It takes just a few twisting clicks and, voila, there it is. However, those few twisting/clicks are a few too many for me, but the application is nice. The brush allows control when applying, which I like. The lasting power did not impress me. The Lip Polish is great for applying at home but not for a quick on-the-run touch-up.

Finally, Stila is not shy about $$$$. The Convertible Color is $28, which, I guess, isn't bad if you consider it as two products, and the Lip Polish is $24.

Having said all that, I plan on trying some other Stila products. I'm not writing them off. I've heard great things about their eye shadow and the Lip Rouge which is color and liner in one - sounds great.