Are all stick concealers created equally? Not really, especially not when one is using organic ingredients to produce something nearly identical (and maybe even better) than what we’ve used for years. I wanted to do a side by side with Vapour Organic Beauty’s award winning Illusionist Concealer with Stila’s Cover Up Stick – one that’s been around for years. Vapour has been slowly developing a cult following with Makeup Artists who are looking to green up their kits and among Beauty Editors who are handing out awards to the line like crazy.

Buying makeup online can be a little intimidating since you obviously don’t get to try anything on first. They do have a sampling program that I bitched about HERE and although the samples were over packaged and under-scooped, I ultimately liked the formulas themselves. That, along with a 30 day return policy makes me feel good about taking a chance on a line I’ve never used. I’ll be reviewing a few things from the line in the coming weeks, but first let’s see how two stick concealers stack up against one another in a side by side challenge.

Stila Cover Up Stick in shade B, Vapour Organic Beauty Illusionist Concealer in 020, both their second lightest in shade range offerings.

Side by side- same look, packaging, and size.

Stila:

Tone: Yellow.

Feel: Not luminous and a little drying – if you have dry skin, it might drag a little.

Cosmetics Database Safety Rating: 3

Wear Time: It stays put pretty well – doesn’t change color or slide.

First 3 Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (a form of coconut oil), Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate (skin conditioning agent.)

Would I Buy it Again?: Maybe, for my kit but the formula is too heavy for what I personally wear.

Summary: While I don’t mind Stila’s concealer (and have bought it in the past) there’s nothing overly special about the formula which can be a little heavy, yellow, and hard to blend.

Color and consistency, Stila on the left – a little heavier and more yellow than Vapour.

Vapour Beauty:

Tone: Yellow undertones but not too yellow, so it blends nicely into the skin.

Feel: Creamy and easy to blend with a touch of luminosity.

Cosmetics Database Safety Rating: 2

Wear Time: Same as Stila and most concealers. It doesn’t budge.

First 3 Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Castor Seed Oil.

Would I Buy It Again?: Yes, and will be getting a few more shades for my kit. I have a lot of clients who are undergoing chemo or have really sensitive skin so this will be especially nice to have on hand for them.

Summary: Illusionist is a great, creamy, concealer that gives all the coverage you need. The fact that it’s an organic formula just makes it all the more fantastic.

If you’re looking to lighten up on the amount of chemicals you’re using on your skin everyday check out Vapour Beauty, one of the few lines actually interested in both makeup quality and safe ingredients.