Let's see if we can save some money in the beauty department? Since y'all loved last week's dupe buster I am doing it again, thanks to a comment's suggestion. Today I'm testing for a Stila "Kitten" dupe--the most common one suggested is L'Oreal "Iced Latte." Stila is $18 (Sephora) and L'Oreal is around $7.99 (+ or - at any drugstore). "Kitten" is my favorite shadow of all time. This shimmery pink nude looks amazing on everyone, but what if there is something for half the price? Let's see:
I happen to own "Kitten" in a palette (top pic, In the Light palette) and in the small pot (pictured above from a gift set). As you can see in the side-by-side comparisons, they are similar.
Next is the finger swipe test. It's hard to tell here (please watch the video below to see) but they are definitely different.
Then, I did a swatch test on my arm (hand swatch in video). "Kitten" is a pinky champagne whereas "Iced Latte" is more of a white gold. Again, this is VERY obvious in the video.
And then I applied them on my lids. I used a brush and then my finger. As I have found with the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, the latter is the best method. In person the difference is obvious. But don't take my word for it. I asked two others for their opinion:
- A guy: "Yeah."
- 6 yr old: "Why are you making me look at your eyes? You look crazy."
There you have it.
And here they are on my light-medium skin tone with full makeup (and some taupe shadow in the crease). In this instance they look identical. While I prefer Stila, you can't go wrong with L'Oreal.
In the video below, I go into more detail:
Did you like the video? Let me know!
Also watch it here: https://youtu.be/AleIgZN77Os
What dupes would you like to see busted next?
Extra Elle:
- My Thursday began horribly: one of my good friends passed away suddenly. I had to step away from everything for a couple of days, so if you noticed my absence here (and everywhere) that is why. Thank you for your prayers and sweet words. She was our sunshine and she is so missed. I'm still in shock and denial.
oh my...sorry for your loss! losing someone is difficult; much more so when it happens suddenly. i can see a slight difference in color, but otherwise looks like a great dupe!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you lose. Thanks so much for sharing this dupe with us. Have a great week.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home
I am so sorry to hear about your friend, it's so hard losing someone you're close to. Especially suddenly. On to the eyeshadow, you're right. It's easier to tell in the video than the pics. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
ReplyDeleteI enjoy these types of posts especially and also hearing of brand I have never tried before. Thinking of you right now. m
ReplyDeleteThey really are pretty close in coloring - it's actually a color I use quite often so it's nice seeing other brands...so sorry for your loss - thinking of you! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, Elle (((hugs))))
ReplyDeletePS Thank for this comparison. I've always been a big Kitten fan, so it's good to know that the L'Oreal one is pretty close. You so can't tell the diff in pics!
Aw Elle..I am so sorry for your loss. It seems like this hasn't been a very good month for you, so I really hope things turn around for her! Sending virtual hugs your way!!
ReplyDeleteELLE, LOOSING A GOOD FRIEND IS NEVER EASY. I am so sorry for you and her family and friends. That sucks.
ReplyDeleteThe eye makeup you did with the Stila colors is gorgeous. I love that is neutral yet a little icy and special, also.
so so sorry to hear about your friend. sending many good vibes your way. and on a lighter note (mild pun intended) - i love that stila shadow. and applying it with the finger is def better! hope you have an ok monday <3
ReplyDeletexoxo cheshire kat
I'm so sorry for your loss, Elle. Saying a prayer for you today and just know that you have tons of support if you need it <3
ReplyDeleteAs for the eye shadows, I have both and loooove both. I use them interchangeably!
I'm so sorry for your loss! Sending hugs and prayers!
ReplyDeleteI love Stila shadows but might need to try the dupe!
Jill
Doused In Pink
I am so sorry you lost a friend so suddenly - you've had so much loss lately. Sending you hugs!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Iced Latte. I don't own Stila Kitten, nor do I feel like I "need" it in my collection. I have sooo many pretty champagne colors. haha. Again, sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the memories you have of your beloved friend. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry about your loss! I usually prefer not to use eyeshadow dupes since their lasting power doesn't always live up to the higher end ones, but these ones look very much alike.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss, Elle, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I don't think Iced Latte is a spot on dupe but it's a pretty decent one. Not bad for anyone who is on a budget.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
Unfortunately we don't have those L'Oreal eyeshadows in the UK anymore. But it's a spot on dupe for Kitten. Would be great to find a more affordable dupe for it here where I live. x
ReplyDeleteRenata | Speaking Beauty UK
Oh my gosh, my heart just sunk for you gurlie *hugs*. I can't even imagine what you must be feeling right now, sending prayers your way and to your friends' family. This looks like a great dupe, and loving the responses you got from the 6 year old and the guy - classic!
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
I think it's a great dupe.
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry for your loss dear. A big kiss from a new follower! :)
Elle, I'm so sorry for your loss. You'll be in my thoughts - sending good energy that way.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss, Elle. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Please know that I'm sending you comforting wishes and a big hug. I also love Stila shadows and really appreciate this review.
ReplyDeleteOh no, a friend passed away, I am sad for you, dear Elle! Please know that I will include you on my prayers! I read about the brush or fingers and the reactions - yeah and why looking at your eyes? But now I can't comment about it, sorry :( I can totally understand why you were absent, of course!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
I am so sorry for your loss.. I can't imagine what you must be going through.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I am sure it has been a hard couple of days. Thoughts and prayers sent your way.
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I am so sorry for your loss, Elle. Thinking of you during this time.
ReplyDeletexo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I am so sorry for your loss :( It is never easy loosing someone, but especially when it is sudden and unexpected. I am sending you lots of hugs.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the shadow goes, I have looked at the Loreal one in stores a few times because I was on the fence to purchase it. I feel like it is more taupy than pink looking in the store. I cant really see a difference in pictures of the two...but I can see the difference on your hand in the video. Both colors are pretty though!
Sorry for your loss Elle :(
ReplyDeleteThe Iced Latte is definitely more white than Kitten. However, its a good alternative to the higher end Stila shadow. It doesn't look THAT different when you use it with other shadows.
I like the L'Oreal shade but I tend to go more gold than pink with my skin tone.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. Sending lots of hugs.
So sorry to hear your sad news:(
ReplyDeleteBoth shades look lovely on you. If you're watching the budget a slight color difference it's worth it for the money you save sometimes isn't it?
I've never tried the Stila one but Iced Latte is a favorite of mine. I use it as a highlight and an eye shadow. So sorry to hear about your friend! You and her family are in my prayers
ReplyDeleteoh Elle. I am so sorry for your loss, that is so unfair. Hugs. xoxo
ReplyDeleteto be honest, i can't quite tell the difference between the two, they both look amazing on you though!
Love the drugstore vs high end posts oh and sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you lost someone close to you :( Hugs. I can't tell the difference on either of these shades, maybe the Kitten is a little pinker (which I like).
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
Oh wow! I couldn't tell a difference in the colors until I saw it in the video on the back of your hand. I definitely see it now. But I do like that these are so similar. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I can't even imagine. *hugs*
So interesting! You can't tell the difference on the photos, but you definitely can on the video!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your friend! Sending hugs your way. <3
I am super interested in this series! Even if it's a product I wouldn't buy (this shadow I would buy though!) it just fascinates me to see which dupes work and which don't!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. :(
OMG the 6 yr. old response was just hilarious. But Elle, I think you should definitely continue with doing these dupe busters. I have one for you that I hope you may show. The Naked palette dupes I've seen are The W7 palette or MUA 12 Shade Heaven and Earth Palette. I have no clue which one of those are correct matches. And I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she is being loved on in heaven.
ReplyDeleteKia / KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
Wow I'm sorry for your loss Elle, you've had a tough year. I hope things start getting better for you. This was a really cool post--I love seeing things like this! ❤️
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss, Elle. Sending hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteP/S - I think the kitten is more opaque and prominent. It looks pretty on you!
I like the names: kitten and iced latte. You look great.
ReplyDeleteAnd like I said on Facebook, I am so sorry about your loss.
Those are really close, but I like the color of the stila in swatches more. I am so very sorry to hear about your friend! My thoughts and prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteThey really look so so similar! and I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your friend.
ReplyDeletexo,
Angela
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I am thinking of you and sending love your way!
ReplyDeleteThe 6 year old's response is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your friend. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Elle. Sending prayers your way. I'm not surprised that L'Oreal isn't a dupe, although it's probably the one I would buy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your friend Elle! Sending lots of hugs and prayers!
ReplyDeleteI have the stila all over shimmer duo in kitten and one side is a pink nude highlight but I'm not sure if it's different from the kitten eye shadow. I have the loreal ice latte and I love it. I'm excited to see your video so I can see the swatches of these two in action!
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend! Praying for you and everyone who knew her! How did the L'Oreal hold up? It might be in the video but I'm at work and can't watch it right now :(
ReplyDeleteI love Kitten!!!! They do look close online... I wish I could see you in person! lol
ReplyDeleteThey do look different in the swatch on the video, but I'm glad that they are very similar once they're on. I'm so sorry for your loss, Elle. My best friend from childhood passed away suddenly several years ago, and it was just terrible. It's so hard. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend passing away-- sending you my prayers! I've wanted kitten forever because its such a cult favorite, but have never purchased it. I have iced latte, so I was so excited to see this post pop up! I think iced latte is definitely slightly more icy (go figure, haha), but they are definitely similar.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your loss! (((hugs))) I really think they are identical but I imagine there is a huge difference in quality.
ReplyDeleteI love how thorough you are in your comparisons.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend. :( You've had a lot happen this year. I hope the year finishes out happy for you. *hugs*