Pretty in Pink: Barbie Loves Stila Palette in All Doll'd Up and Swatches

While this isn't a new launch, and is in fact from 2009's AW Stila collection, I've just been sent the Barbie Loves Stila Palette in All Doll'd Up from online etailer Beauty Fragrances as a testing sample, and thought you lot might like a little gander.

Despite the cutesey appearance, this is actually pretty good. Pretty darn good, in fact. And cheap, what with being older stock - you'll bag this for £21.99 as opposed to the original price of £35 - a nice little saving I think you'll agree. And you get 12 - yes, TWELVE - shadows for the price, arranged in trios.

Want a look at the goods? They're after the cut.

First, a little look at the whole palette - the cover features one of those yokeys that does one thing flipped one way, and another when you flip it back - in this case, Barbie winks at you. It's well done as it happens - these things have moved on since Tony the Tiger thrilled me with similar japes in 1980s cereal packets.

Here are our four duos. Because my camera was acting up I only managed swatches of the top two, but naturally I have had a play with the rest. These don't disappoint: Stila always had a good reputation for the quality of its formulations and I have shadows that are probably four or five years old from the brand that're still going strong.

Pigment is good, the textures are very soft and velvety and the colours are absolutely terrific. My pick is the trip to the top right - wow. Those shades are absolutely gorgeous - but in actual fact they're all nice, usable and wearable hues. This is really great value for the price and will give you tons of options.

Any downsides? Well, because the shadows are so soft you'll have to watch for shedding as you apply and the strips themselves may be a little too slim for some shadow brushes, so unless you're mindful you may get a little of a neighbour on your brush as well as the shade you're trying to pick up. All textures are shimmers or metallics with a little iridescence thrown in for good measure, so this isn't one for matte fans.

I think it's bloody brilliant, though. Wanna see some swatches?

Here're the three on the top right - gawwwwjus, eh?

And here's how the trio top left looks - scrummy and really wearable.