YSL recently launched a new lip collection, Illicit Nudes, and it gives nude lip lovers the best of both worlds; the option of a glossy or matte finish. There are two lipsticks in the collection, the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick and the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stain Glow Lip Stain. Being a huge YSL fan, I had to review them...
Delivering the matte finish is the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte (£30 feelunique.com) - a creamy and smudge-proof lipstick that features an innovative square bullet for easy application. It is formulated with pearls for a luminous, glowy matte finish, as well as mallow extract for more hydrated and moisturised lips with a smoother finish.
The Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick is available in 12 modern nude shades to suit all skin tones. These include:
- No202 Insurgent Red - bold red
- No203 Restrictive Pink - bright rose
- No204 Private Carmine - rich red with a hint of pink (see swatch below)
- No205 Secret Rosewood - classic red with a burgundy undertones
- No207 Illegal Rosy Nude - beige rose pink
- No209 Furtive Caramel - toffee with warm pink undertones
- No210 Nude Out of Line - beige pink
- No211 Transgressive Cacao - dark red with a hint of burgundy
- No212 Equivocal Brown - brown (see swatch below)
- No213 No Taboo Chili - flamed red (see swatch below)
- No214 Illicit Orange - amber with a hint of red (see swatch below)
- No215 Undisclosed Camel - orange with a hint of brown
I'm obsessed with the texture of the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick. It is buttery smooth and moves across the lips effortlessly. It feels comfortable on the lips the second it is applied and this feeling lasts throughout the day. There is no drying and, most importantly, no horrible line left on the bottom lip as the lipstick wears away. This lipstick is also easy and quick to apply, thanks to its square bullet. It features a large flat centre and sharp corners to allow you to cover a lot of lip in just one stroke, whilst also achieving precision around the lip line. As for finish, the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick provides a well-pigmented glowing matte finish that packs some great lasting power.
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| From left: No214 Illicit Orange, No213 No Taboo Chili, No202 Insurgent Red, and No204 Private Carmine |
The Vernis À Lèvres Water Stain Glow Lip Gloss is available in nine intimate nude shades (all of which are also available in the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick). Each shade is designed to enhance your natural lip tone and is formulated with rose-gold pearls for cooler undertones and gold-bronze pearls for warmer undertones. Shades include:
- No202 Insurgent Red - bold red
- No203 Restrictive Pink - bright rose
- No204 Private Carmine - rich red with a hint of pink (see swatch below)
- No205 Secret Rosewood - classic red with a burgundy undertones
- No207 Illegal Rosy Nude - beige rose pink
- No211 Transgressive Cacao - dark red with a hint of burgundy
- No213 No Taboo Chili - flamed red (see swatch below)
- No214 Illicit Orange - amber with a hint of red (see swatch below)
- No215 Undisclosed Camel - orange with a hint of brown
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| From left: No204 Private Carmine, No213 No Taboo Chili, and No214 Illicit Orange |
I absolutely love the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stain Glow Lip Gloss. It applies beautifully, thanks to its perfectly shaped applicator that allows for both speed and precision. As for the formula, it glides on to the lips, is easily buildable, and is, by far, the most hydrating and nourishing stain I've ever worn. Unlike other lip stains I've used in the past, this stain does not bleed - the pigment stays exactly where I apply it.
One of my favourite things about the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stain Glow Lip Gloss is its shiny finish. Now, if you purchase this lip product expecting a traditional glossy finish you will be disappointed. It provides more of a shiny finish than a glossy one. But the finish it gives is soo pretty. It is also comfortable, lasts much longer than a traditional gloss and isn't sticky!!