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December 14, 2011

MAC's Bare Study Paint Pot vs. Stila's Kitten Smudge Pot

I'm a sampleaholic. I love samples. Surely everyone does? Firstly, they're free! Secondly, they provide us with opportunities to check out the beauty products we've wanted to try for ages without forking out big money. In my opinion, it's a fantastic to way to get to know products and an even better way to keep customers. 

A while ago I hit the town and scored six make up samples (three of which were MAC) without spending a cent (click here to see related post). During this time I managed to get samples of MAC's paint pot in Bare Study and Stila's Smudge Pot in Kitten.

I've wanted to try/buy Stila's Smudge Pot in Kitten for as long as I can remember. Whenever I watch it being used on YouTube I die a little on the inside. The colour is so amazing and all I ever hear is fantastic things, but I'm always hesitant to pay $42.00 for a product I've never used before. On the other hand, I didn't know too much about MAC's Paint Pot in Bare Study. I'd look it up online a few times and, again, it looked beautiful. 
My MAC Paint Pot sample in Bare Study
My Stila Smudge Pot sample in Kitten
When I got these two samples I instantly noticed the similarities between the two. 
Left to right: MAC Bare Study Paint Pot & Stila Kitten Smudge Pot
(Sorry about the poor quality, it was taken in artificial light)

As you can see from the above swatches, the cream shadows/liners (whatever you want to call them) are very similar in colour. Mecca describes the Stila Smudge Pot as 'shimmering nude pink', whilst MAC describes their Bare Study Paint Pot as 'champagne with gold and white pearl'.


Although they are very similar in colour, the MAC Paint Pot is a more yellow based champagne colour, as opposed to a pink champagne. In my opinion, the Stila Smudge Pot is also a lot more shimmery. 


Unfortunately I have run out of my MAC Paint Pot sample. I used this product almost everyday for about a week and could not get enough of it. The product applied smoothly and cleanly. There was no fallout and, from what I could tell, it didn't crease throughout the day. The colour of this Paint Pot made it a fantastic all over eyeshadow colour or an eyeshadow base, depending on my mood.

On the other hand, I still have some of my Stila Smudge Pot left. Unfortunately, however, I don't often use the product anymore. When I first received the sample I was over the moon and, much like with the Bare Study, I was using it as often as possible. Very quickly the product began to dry out. The drying out of the product meant that, not only was it difficult to apply, but it was difficult to blend and it often remain quite heaped in a particular part of the eye. 

I really like both of these cream eyeshadows. In my experience neither of them creased, however I never apply anything to my eyes without an eyeshadow primer. If I was recommending one of these products to, well, anyone, I'd definitely recommend the MAC Paint Pot. Don't get me wrong, I love the Stila Smudge Pot but I wouldn't commit to a $42.00 purchase of a product that's prone to drying out quickly. The application of the MAC Paint Pot ($35.00) was also a lot better, making it easier to use quickly and on the go.

I hope this has helped, ladies. I'd love to know if you own any other MAC Paint Pots or Stila Smudge Pots. I'm always looking!

Always look your best,
Sophie
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2 comments :

  1. haha told you you'd be converted to Paint Pots! They're incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahaha, you do did. Next time I'm at a MAC counter I'll check out Painterly for you!

    ReplyDelete

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