a summertime giveaway with stowaway.

August 23, 2016

stowaway contour set | reading my tea leaves



This post is sponsored by Stowaway, makers of makeup essentials in sizes you can carry and actually finish.

I’m not one to wax expert on cosmetics, but you already know that I stand on the side of less is more. This is especially true in the summertime when I already feel like the skin on my face is melting. No need to clog up the works further, I say.

Thankfully, my friends at Stowaway clued me into a secret that most other adult people seem to know which is that in the summertime—and anytime—a little powder can be the answer to makeup woes.
stowaway contour set | reading my tea leavesThis summer, along with an Essential Eyeshadow Palette, Stowaway released a much-awaited Contour Set. Full disclosure: Before trying the stuff myself, I was convinced it probably wasn’t for me. I thought it would be too fussy, require too much skill, and in my lay person hands, that the result would mimic clown makeup. I stand corrected. Turns out, I’m into it. It’s super easy to use, even without makeup artist skills. So while I haven’t become a master contourer (noun?) overnight, I have come to see the light (pun!) that a little brush of translucent powder or cream illuminator can offer. Combined with the bronzer, it’s like brushing on a bit of polish and luminance without any added weight. I think this set includes my favorite Stowaway products to date.

Like everything else the cosmetics company makes, the Contour Set is designed to be portable, use-up-able, and safe. All Stowaway products are cruelty-free and EU-compliant as well as being paraben-, phthalate-, and gluten-free. The powder trio features a translucent powder, matte bronzer, and cream illuminator. They each come in the same pint-sized containers as Stowaway’s other products. At half the size and half the price of conventional cosmetics, Stowaway explains that theirs are the sizes we should have been using all along. Their right-sizing philosophy means they’ve made products packaged to be finished before expiration with formulations that are safe, simple, and hardworking. Bonus on the packaging for this particular trio? It’s magnetized so you can keep all three products together in one neat tower. stowaway contour set | reading my tea leaves

Here are a few more details:

Translucent powder: As folks in the industry say, it’s a “setting, finishing, and brightening powder.” As I say, it’s like a bit of real-life air brushing. The powder has been triple milled so the texture is silky and the powder goes on smoothly. The light reflectors offer a little glow, but one that’s not shimmery or sparkly. 

Matte bronzer: I’ve been using the matte bronzer in the light formulation and it’s lovely. It’s got that same subtle glow effect as the translucent powder. I tend to use a super light touch with it, but if you’re into a deep bronze, the more you brush, the more color you build.

Cream illuminator: Otherwise known as a cream highlighter. It’s a thing to swipe along cheekbones and other features of note. Between you and me, I’ve been thinking of it as giving me that elusive pregnancy glow that the actual baby growing inside me hasn’t yet seemed to produce. 

Kabuki Brush: An angled brush made with super-soft synthetic fibers ideal for using with powders (and washing frequently). All three powders, including the cream illuminator can go on using the brush. 
stowaway contour set | reading my tea leaves

Lucky you, Stowaway is offering FOUR lucky readers the chance to win a Contour Set. The full set includes a Cream Illuminator, Matte Bronzer, Translucent Powder, and Kabuki brush. Follow this link to enter for a chance to take home a set of your own. Apologies international readers, Stowaway is currently only shipping in the US. The giveaway will close on Tuesday, August 31, 2016. Winners will be contacted directly.

PS. If you’re not one of the lucky four winners, there’s still something for you. If you purchase a Stowaway Essentials Kit, you’ll receive all three contour powders + kabuki brush for free (Add all three powders + brush to your order and enter the code RMTL4FREE to redeem.) Code expires on August 31, 2016.

If you purchase an Stowaway Basics Kit you’ll also receive two contour powders or one contour powder and a kabuki brush. (Add your choice of powders or powder and brush to your order and enter the code RMTL2 to redeem.) Code expires on August 31, 2016.

PPS. For those of you who’ve asked about it in the past, Stowaway now offers a recycling program for their containers! Once you’ve used something up, just pop it in the mail back to Stowaway. Bonus: For every three products that you return, earn a $5 shopping credit! Details here.

This post is sponsored by Stowaway. Thanks for supporting the brands that support original content on Reading My Tea Leaves.

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41 Comments

  • Reply Kimberley August 23, 2016 at 8:23 am

    It’s almost too much to bear that they don’t ship to Europe! Stowaway’s principles are everything that is good in the world

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  • Reply EMac August 23, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Thanks for the opportunity! 😀

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  • Reply Katharine August 23, 2016 at 9:14 am

    I’m so glad you introduced me (and many other readers!) to Stowaway, I love their products and ethics!

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  • Reply kelly libby August 23, 2016 at 11:43 am

    Oooh. It’s definitely time for some updated makeup. I love their philosophy!!

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  • Reply Yelle August 23, 2016 at 11:43 am

    The packaging is gorgeous!

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  • Reply Baltina August 23, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Love that they offer a recycling program now, and with a great incentive. Glad to hear that contouring doesn’t have to be all drama. Maybe I’ll have to give it a go.

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  • Reply Lisa August 23, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    Speaking from Canada. -The product sounds great. It is a shame however that they only ship within in the U.S..

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    • Reply Erin Boyle August 23, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      International shipping can be tricky for new businesses, but I know they’re working on it!

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  • Reply Jessica August 23, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    What a charming company! Can’t wait to try their products

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  • Reply Suzanne August 23, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    I’ve loved the kit I got from them a year ago! And am so excited the have added powders.

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  • Reply ladylyn August 23, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    I adore my Stowaway makeup! Thank you so much for introducing us. 🙂

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  • Reply Patricia August 23, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    Another make-up minimalist here but would be fun to try!

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  • Reply Kate August 23, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I’ve been intrigued by Stowaway for a long time. How lovely that they have more products! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂

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  • Reply Sarah Davis August 23, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    Wait…the actual baby growing in your belly?! Are you expecting?! Did I mis-read that or was I just excited about glowing skin 🙂

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    • Reply Erin Boyle August 23, 2016 at 8:01 pm

      I am! (I think you just missed last week’s posts;))

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  • Reply Sarah Davis August 23, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    Congrats! I’m a daily reader (or so I thought :).

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  • Reply Alexis August 24, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Thank you for this thoughtful and straight forward review (and giveaway) I’m always hunting at Sephora for cruelty free products, but to know their ingredients are clean AND they have a recycling program is just ideal. I’ll be ordering the kit even if I don’t win the giveaway:)

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  • Reply Annette August 24, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    When will the promo codes expire?

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    • Reply Erin Boyle August 25, 2016 at 1:50 pm

      Just updated! They expire on August 31, 2016.

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  • Reply art linfoot August 24, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    I like!

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  • Reply Vilma Pacheco August 24, 2016 at 9:40 pm

    Thanks so much!!!!!!

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  • Reply Karen August 24, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    After visiting their website I’m impressed by the simple products and advice. I can see myself downsizing to many of their offerings.

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  • Reply Connie August 25, 2016 at 12:46 am

    I was trying to enter the giveaway. I have tried the lipstick and love it, would really like to have the giveaway items. Thank you!

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  • Reply Lisa August 25, 2016 at 1:50 am

    Nice bonus for using the recycling program. Mother Nature AND myself are long overdue for a makeover!

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  • Reply Kai W. August 25, 2016 at 2:33 am

    Love the colors.

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  • Reply Joy Isley August 25, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Thanks for the information on your products. I think I am going to like them.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win some.

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  • Reply Erika B. August 25, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I’m not a big makeup person – that being said, these products look like something that I would like.

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  • Reply Kimberly M. August 25, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Thank you so much. I have heard great things about Stowaway products.

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  • Reply Catherine C. August 25, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    So simple but so perfect for life on the go.
    Love that the contour set stacks with magnets.

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  • Reply Florence Mims August 25, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    Stowaway products sound amazing!

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  • Reply Michelle August 26, 2016 at 1:16 am

    I need something to make my pore disappear they’re getting larger

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  • Reply Laura G August 26, 2016 at 8:46 am

    What a clever idea – makeup we actually use all of before we toss! I haven’t given contouring a go yet but now I’m thinking I will. Thanks for the non-makeup pro write up.

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  • Reply connie danielson August 26, 2016 at 9:57 am

    thanks for the chance ! connie danielson

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  • Reply Sally August 26, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I’ve been dying to try these products for a while now, tyvm for this opportunity!!

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  • Reply sam-c August 26, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    OK, even if I don’t win, I may have to buy this contour set..
    But, dumb question- do they have some sort of recommended tutorial on ‘contouring’ ? I am not big on a ton of makeup either, and have never done this contouring business. Is there a tutorial for subtle contouring that could recommend?

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    • Reply Julie August 30, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Hi Sam! We sure do and honest it is super duper easy (hi I’m Julie the company’s co-founder) since complicated is just not our style. The TL:DR is highlight what you love and want to bring forward and contour or shadow what you want to push back (for me I love my nose so I highlight a dab there and on my inner eyes and brow bone but I’m not wild about the softening on my jawline so I contour/darken a little here). You can see it all here http://current.stowawaycosmetics.com/category/contouring/

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  • Reply judy h. August 26, 2016 at 9:09 pm

    I’d never heard of Stowaway before! When I visited the website I was SO impressed with their products, they are the very cosmetics I’ve been wanting forever, but thought didn’t exist! Right size is right up my alley. I can’t tell you how many lipsticks, blushes, mascaras, etc. I have tossed out because I couldn’t use them up before they expired. The giveaway is icing.

    BTW, this is long overdue. I enjoy your blog so very much! Everything about it is delightful and calming. Not to say that other bloggers are not talented, but many blogs feel like they are “IN MY FACE”! Not so with yours.

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  • Reply Chris Ann August 26, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    I’ve never tried powders…makeup as a whole is a mystery to me…I am just so basic. I read your post and entered, Thanks

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  • Reply Carolyn Reilly August 26, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    This looks great and not too challenging! Thanks for the honesty.

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  • Reply Kim F August 27, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Seems like a great company and good quality products. Can’t wait to try them…

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  • Reply KENNETH OHL August 29, 2016 at 5:52 am

    love to win these for my wife. thankyou, ken

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