Browsing Category

Lips

Lips Roundup

Favorite Luxury Lipstick Formulas

July 29, 2016

 

It’s National Lipstick Day today so I’m rounding up some of my favorite luxury lipstick formulas. I think everyone has their favorites – many of you want to know what I think the best ones are and as always, I have to say it depends! It depends on color preference, formula, finish, coverage and packaging. I gravitate towards neutrals and nudes, often times I have duplicates of the same color – but there are so many nuances in undertone, shimmer, finish I think often times they are different enough to justify owning. I’ve split mine into formula categories.

 

Best Full Coverage

Best Matte

  • Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution (Very Victoria and Sexy Sienna shown) hands down best matte because it’s a luminous matte that also has a hydrating formula that won’t dry out the lips, swatches here and here

Favorite Classic Formulas

  • Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lip Color (Pure Impulse shown) my all time favorite in the top 3 lipstick formula, I will have a dedicated post swatching and reviewing all of his lipsticks soon, they are fig scented, creamy and just perfect in terms of pigment and coverage
  • Tom Ford Lip Colors (Guilty Pleasure shown) always a favorite, this is also in my top 3 for the ultimate luxury splurge, formulas have either a cream or shimmer finish, coverage is smooth with medium to full coverage, swatches here
  • Tom Ford Lips and Boys (Austin shown) perfect clutch-sized lip colors, multiple colors and shades reviewed and swatched here
  • Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G (Penelope Pink shown) review and swatches here and here
  • Chanel Rouge Coco (Marie shown) is a classic, they have a wide range of colors from neutral, pink, plum, reds and browns, eight shades reviewed + swatched here
  • MAC Lipstick (not shown but Sunblessed a Nordstrom exclusive featured in intro and final images) this has to be added to my favorites list because even though the formula makes my lips dry and peel a bit by day 2, I just can’t resist the classic and edgy colors, they wear really well all day long and I wear them frequently, I just have to add lip balm to my lips like crazy at night

Most Hydrating

  • Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo (Recit and Message shown) is the most hydrating and comfortable lipstick formula I’ve tried, I love the slim click up wand and the best thing about this one is it’s not just a one-way click (you can click it back down too), all the colors reviewed here

Best Sheer and Glossy Formulas

  • Louboutin Sheer Voile (Rose du Desert) is the most expensive lipstick on the market and comes with a hefty price tag, I will say that I don’t know that I think any lipstick is worth $90, but it doesn’t mean that I won’t buy one (or several), the Sheer Voile has a gorgeous glossy finish, it’s sheer but gives the lips a visible tint, review on these soon
  • Chanel Rouge Coco Shine (Boy shown) is what I think of as the epitome of classic beauty, Rouge Coco Shines have been a favorite for years, if you want a natural tint of effortless color, these are the way to go
  • YSL Rouge Volupte Shine (Shade 47 shown) are another favorite, they are similar to Rouge Coco Shines but the YSL is a bit more emollient and comes with a fruity mango scent (swatches of the latest Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick eight shades here)

Best Liquid Lipstick Formulas

  • Too Faced Melted Chocolate are my favorites for liquid lipstick because these also have a chocolate scent! They come with a sponge tip applicator. Swatches of all the chocolate shades in this post here.
  • Anastasia Liquid Lipstick (Crush shown) come with a love-hate feeling from me. I love these because the color really does last all day long but I am not a fan of matte finish lipsticks. This one can be fixed by adding a bit of balm or clear gloss on top and then I have a lipstick that will last from morning to night and through snacks/lunch.
  • Chanel Rouge Double Intensite (shades shown Darling Pink, Bright Rose and Light Rose) is another one that will literally last all day on my lips. It’s a two step application process, first color, let dry, then top with the clear gloss on the other end. Bright Rose swatched here. Darling Pink is the best baby pink I’ve ever tried (I don’t think I’ve reviewed it) and Light Rose is a gorgeous pinky rose color too.
  • NARS Lip Cover (Get Dirty shown) is a liquid lipstick with a glossy finish. I have two shades in Get Dirty and Overheated. I believe these are limited-edition from summer, I hope NARS considers adding this formula to the permanent line because the formula is really really good. Both shades swatched on lips here.

 

 

That wraps up my lipstick favorites in honor of National Lipstick Day! What are your favorite lipstick formulas or colors?
43 Comments
Clarins Lips Skincare

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors + New Shade Extentions

July 13, 2016

 

I first tried the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector ($25 each for 12 ml/0.35 fl oz, made im France) over a year ago in Rose Shimmer 01 and have been so thrilled to find quite a few Clarins fans among my readers. For summer I always feel like multi-tasking products are in and the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors combine makeup and skincare in one product. These come in the squeeze tubes with a sponge tip applicator. There are tiny holes in the tip so you simply squeeze the tube to dispense product. This summer there are new shades that have been added to the permanent lineup and three new shades which are limited-edition. The Clarins team sent over all the shades for me to play with and I’ve swatched all the colors to share today.

 

The Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors have a glossy finish with semi-sheer pigment similar to the Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors (the stick version) but the squeeze tubes have a slight sheen and shimmer to them. They have a pleasant sweet scent and taste to them, like a sweet vanilla but not overly sweet. The Lip Perfectors contain mango, shea and licorice to protect and moisturize the lips. Color-wise most of the original shades look pretty much the same on my lips once blended out. They have a sheer finish but there is a noticeable tint. I have pigmented lips so some of the shades will most likely show up better on your lips compared to mine. The colors have names and numbers, but on the tubes there is only a number label.

 

 

A quick look at the packaging and applicators:

 

 

The new shades include 7 and 8. New limited-edition shades include 10, 11 and 12 which have a special design on the packaging. These all have some degree of shimmer in them but on the lips it’s not visible – the shimmer gives them what Clarins calls a 3D effect. Shown below are the colors in numerical order, left to right:
  • 1 Rose Shimmer is a light medium neutral pink
  • 2 Apricot Shimmer is a light apricot color
  • 3 Nude Shimmer is a light peachy shimmer
  • 4 Petal Shimmer is a pale light baby pink
  • 5 Candy Shimmer is soft medium pink
  • 6 Rosewood Shimmer is a neutral medium brown pink
  • 7 Toffee Pink Shimmer is a neutral mauve
  • 8 Plum Shimmer is a red plum
  • 10 Pink Shimmer (limited-edition) is a bright sheer pink
  • 11 Orange Shimmer (limited-edition) is a bright sheer orange shimmer
  • 12 Red Shimmer (limited-edition) is a bright sheer red

 

 

 

 

All swatched on bare lips, no lipliner or lipcolor underneath. This is the case with all lip swatches unless another color is specified. The only reason I mention it is because I frequently receive e-mails asking what lipliner I’m wearing or why I would wear a dark lipliner with a light lip color. I have pigmented lips and in many cases light colors that have a transparent finish will allow my natural lip pigment to show through, especially around the edges.

 

 

Many of you have e-mailed me in addition to leaving comments about these and out of the tinted balms out there, this formula appears to be well loved. That surprised me considering how sheer these are, but I will say that the formula is comforting and hydrating on the lips. As with any lip balm they won’t last all day long. They do stay put and don’t slide around as long as you don’t snack or drink. Since they feel nice I don’t mind reapplying. The packaging is pretty and the sponge tip makes it easy to apply.

 

Shades 1 through 4 almost look identical on me. Shade 5 shows up better than Shade 1. My favorites in the line are the new shade extensions 6, 7 and 8. For the limited-edition colors 10 is the one that has my heart. If you like the concept but don’t like the packaging/style the Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors come in a twist up stick format although they don’t have all the same colors. If you prefer a more hydrating formula but in an oil format, you might want to check out the Clarins Instant Light Lip Oils instead.

 

You can find the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors now at all Clarins counters. Online at Clarins, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s.

 

Have you tried the new colors yet? If not do you have a favorite shade in the original lineup?

 

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors provided courtesy of Clarins for review consideration.
15 Comments
Charlotte Tilbury Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Collection Review

July 11, 2016

 

Charlotte Tilbury launched a new collection of lipsticks called Hot Lips ($32 each). This launch features 12 new lipsticks shades designed in collaboration with 12 celebrities to support Women for Women International a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women survivors of war and injustice. $2 from each lipstick sold will be donated to the organizations in the first two months of sales.

 

The launch features 12 new shades of both her lipstick formulas Matte Revolution and K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick which you can purchase individually for $32 each. The Hot Lips shades have a special box packaging with red lips on the exterior and the actual lipstick tubes themselves have a lip print embossed on the front of the product. There are a few re-promoted shades with this launch. On Charlotte Tilbury’s website there is an exclusive set that features all 12 of the new Hot Lips and a lipstick holder called the Hot Lips Luxury Collection for $350. I ordered this set direct from her site – purchasing 12 shades individually would have retailed at $384. I have all 12 shades swatched today.

 

Here is what the lipstick holder looks like, it’s an exclusive to Charlotte Tilbury’s website and only comes with the set.

 

I’ve split the twelve shades into two color groups, neutrals and brights:

 

 

Neutrals shown below from left to right:
  • Penelope Pink K.I.S.S.I.N.G  is a repromote, it’s a neutral light nude pink
  • Very Victoria Matte Revolution is a repromote, it’s a cool-toned mauve nude pink brown
  • Kim KW K.I.S.S.I.N.G is a pale flesh toned pink nude
  • Super Cindy Matte Revolution is a medium 90’s shade nude with peach tones
  • Kidman’s Kiss Matte Revolution is a light peach pink
  • Liv It Up K.I.S.S.I.N.G is a neutral-cool light pink
  • Secret Salma Matte Revolution is a berry mauve pink

 

 

Brights and bolds:
  • Hot Emily K.I.S.S.I.N.G is a bright orange cream
  • Miranda May Matte Revolution is similar to Hot Emily, Miranda May has a bit less orange and more pink, it’s a bright color
  • Tell Laura Matte Revolution is an orange warm red
  • Carina’s Love Matte Revolution is a bold blue-based red
  • Bosworth’s Beauty Matte Revolution is a medium bright cool pink
  • Electric Poppy Matte Revolution is a hot pink
  • Hel’s Bells Matte Revolution is a deep purple plum

 

 

Swatches of the 12 Hot Lips Shades on bare lips below. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundations in 6 and 7 mixed together set with the Flawless Finish Powder #2.

A few comparison sets below to other shades from her line. I’ve reviewed and swatched her lipsticks quite a few times before. For those new to her lipsticks, she has two formulas. The K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipsticks were the first formula she launched. This is a creamy high pigment lipstick with medium to full coverage and a natural shine. She later launched a matte lipstick called Matte Revolution which is a luminous matte lipstick. These also have full coverage and have a satiny sheen to them even though they are matte in finish.They have a slight vanilla scent and while they aren’t moisturizing like a lip treatment, I find they are hydrating and they do not make my lips peel. In terms of prep, I rarely wear lip liner these days but the ones I reach for the most are Pillow Talk and Iconic Nude which will go with a wide range of colors. For a base I like her Lip Magic to help moisturize and prep the lips or the MAC Prep and Prime Lip.

 

Comparison Set 1:
  • Hot Lips include Kim KW, Super Cindy, Kidman’s Kiss, Liv It Up
  • Matte Revolution includes Miss Kensington (swatch), Between the Sheets (here), Very Victoria (review)
  • K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipsticks include Nude Kate, Penelope Pink, Bitch Perfect and Stoned Rose (a;; swatched here)
  • Lip Cheat Lip Pencils include Iconic Nude and Pillow Talk (swatched here)

 

 

Comparison Set 2:
  • Hot Lips include Hot Emily, Miranda May, Tell Laura, Carina’s Love, Secret Salma and Hel’s Bells
  • Matte Revolution shades include Sexy Sienna, 1975 Red (here), Walk of Shame, Bond Girl and Love Liberty (rest here)
  • K.I.S.S.I.N.G shades include Kiss Chase (swatch)

 

 

Lip swatches for other shades linked above in comparison labels, but here are a few reswatched for reference:

 

 

Out of all 12 shades I think 10 are perfect. There were only two that I found a bit patchy or hard to apply including the lightest and darkest shades. Kim KW which I suspect is going to be one of the most popular options is one of those light nudes I cannot wear easily. It took me a lot of layering and blending to get smooth streak-free application. It’s very opaque and contrasts with my natural lip tone so it washes me out a little bit. Hel’s Bells went on my lips streaky and a bit patchy but did smooth out with layering. Adding a lipliner under both shades can fix any uneven application – and this might not happen to you if your natural lip tone is different from mine.

 

 

Some of the Hot Lips colors look nearly identical to each other in the tubes. The difference definitely shows up on the lips though. I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite because every single color is amazing. I will say that I do think Tell Laura looks identical to 1975 Red (discontinued). If you already own 1975 Red, skip Tell Laura. On the flip side if you missed out know you can buy Tell Laura as an exact dupe. My perfect Charlotte Tilbury nudes are still Penelope Pink and Bitch Perfect although Super Cindy and Kidman’s Kiss are both great peachy neutrals.

 

Overall the colors are all great which I think is rare for me to say on an entire collection launch. Charlotte Tilbury created a good range of wearable color options that are suitable for any occasion and any season. 100% worth the splurge for me. Because I know many of you will insist that I pick my top favorites, my top 5 are Super Cindy, Hot Emily, Secret Salma, Kidman’s Kiss and Liv It Up.

 

You can find the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Luxury Collection Set exclusively online at Charlotte Tilbury. Individual shades also available online and in stores at Charlotte Tilbury, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Beautylish and Selfridges.

 

Have you ordered any shades yet? Which ones?

 

31 Comments
Lips MAC

MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm Review

July 8, 2016

 

MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms ($20 each for 3g/.1 oz) launched earlier this summer in five shades. These are what MAC calls smart lip conditioners because they adjust in color based on your body chemistry. The concept is similar to that of the Dior Addict Lip Glow Revivers and Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector #3 where the formula is balmy and soft and also where colors will look very different on your lips compared to what you see in the tube is different.

 

The MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms come packaged in a sleek streamlined case much like the Huggable Lip Colors (some featured here and here). Tendertalks have an iridescent packaging that has a holographic 90’s feel. It flashes all kinds of fluorescent colors depending on how the light hits the packaging.

 

There are five shades which is the most I’ve seen for this kind of color-shifting lip product. To date most of the color options I’ve seen are the light pink that often shifts to fuchsia on me or a coral. MAC added a few more options that are perfect for that semi-sheer bright summer lip look. The sheerness gives the balms a more effortless casual feel compared to an opaque full coverage look.

 

Do note these will most likely look different on you depending on your lip chemistry but I thought these were worth reviewing and swatching anyways.

 

 

Colors from left to right:

  • Candy Wrapped is a sheer almost transparent pink that turns into a bright pink on my lips.
  • Pretty Me Up is a sheer peachy color that also turns pinkish on my lips.
  • Play With Me is a sheer red that deepens and brightens in color on me.
  • Teddy Pink is a bright cool pink in the tube it turns more mauvey and cool-toned on me.
  • Side Dish is a cool pink that turns into a deeper mauve bright pink.

Another look and swatches on my lips. They took about 30 seconds to adjust in color on me. Once on, they did leave a slight stain on the lips, but it was easy to remove with makeup remover (I used the Clinique Take the Day Off).

 

 

Everyone knows I’m a neutral lip lover at heart, but for this launch my two favorites are the deeper brights in Play With Me and Side Dish. For summer I love the sheerer-brights. Many of the brighter lip color that has a bit of transparency gets a thumbs up from me – they’re perfect for the summer season but wearable even for someone like me who almost always wears nudes or neutrals.

 

Texture is smooth and balmy without having a greasy feel. They are easy to apply without any tugging but not so soft that they feel like they will melt or break. Once on the lips there is a noticeable balmy feel like a cushion but it’s not heavy. They have the signature soft vanilla scent that most MAC lipsticks have. I found they stayed put very well once on the lips – no sliding around and lasting power was good until I drank or ate something. They left a slight stain on my lips, but it was easy to remove with makeup remover. Moisture-wise they do have a moisturizing feel and they did not dry out my lips or make them peel like other MAC lip products do.

 

I like these for summer. There are however quite a few tinted new lip balms out this summer – I’ll be reviewing the Estee Edit Cocobalms, the added shades of Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors in the upcoming week. Depending on your preference for formula and packaging you may want to explore other options, however the ones from MAC are unique in the sense that they are the color-adjusting kind and have a brighter summery look in terms of color.
You can find the MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms at counters now. Online at MAC and Nordstrom. Have you tried these yet? They launched last month so they’ve been out for a few weeks by now.

 

MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms provided courtesy of MAC for review consideration.

 

8 Comments
Lips

Christian Louboutin Loubilaque in Rouge Louboutin

June 10, 2016

This July Christian Louboutin will launch a new lip product called Loubilaque ($85 each) which is a new full coverage opaque liquid lipstick. According to Christian Louboutin, “Loubilaque is for the bold woman who wants to bring attention to her lips …” I am thrilled to have a preview of one shade Rouge Louboutin for you today and can report that it is indeed a very bold kind of lip product. The Loubilaque has a high shine full coverage finish and is absolutely flawless. It has a sponge tip applicator and comes in a bullet that is slightly larger than the Lipsticks (reviewed and swatched here). The Rouge Louboutin color is identical across formulas, including the Nail Polish. Loubilaque is the boldest out of all the lip formulas and has a lush moisturizing cushiony feel. You can feel it on the lips but it is not heavy. The color stays put once it is on and has impressive lasting power. It literally stays put and doesn’t budge once it’s on the lips and even after a few hours still looks as fresh as it did when I applied it. Color transfer will happen though if you drink or eat – but even with snacks it still stayed on my lips. It is pure love and I am looking forward to seeing the other 7 shades that launch come July.

A closer look at the lipstick – it’s a true red, color will look brighter or deeper depending on the light. The press gift came in a glorious framed embossed heart with a chain – it looks like something that came out of a Snow White story.

More details and also comparisons of the Loubilaque packaging compared to the lipsticks:

Rouge Louboutin Loubilaque on the lips and Rouge Louboutin on the nails

I didn’t think it was possible to top the lipsticks, but Louboutin has managed to make red lips even better. There is a soft perfumed scent to the lipstick which gives it a nice feminine feel. Based on my testing for the Rouge Louboutin I can say that these are top of the line amazing. The formula is flawless – it stays put, doesn’t bleed, lasts long, moisturizes the lips, feels like a cushion and is the epitome of luxury in a tube. I know many will want comparisons to other formulas and off the top of my head I cannot think of a dupe. The Dior Addict Fluid Sticks are my favorite liquid lipstick because they are a hybrid of lipstick and gloss in one with amazing shine and color. I would say the Louboutin Loubilaques are most similar to those but the formula is a lot more opaque, lasting power is better and overall look and feel is more bold.

Starting July there will be eight shades total. Colors include Bengali, Bikini, Colibretta, Casanovella, Altressa, Altareva and Akenana – I don’t have descriptions of photos but I hope to find them previewed on @Louboutinworld’s social channels because I literally cannot wait to see what the other shades look like.

The Louboutin Loubilaque will retail for $85 each. Launches in July. Now available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-A-Porter and Christian Louboutin.

Many thanks to Louboutin for sending me a preview of the new Loubilaque.
43 Comments
Clarins Lips Skincare

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils

May 31, 2016

 

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils ($25 each for 1 ml/0.1 oz) are among the most hydrating lip treatments I’ve tried and all three shades have made a come back this year. They launched a year ago in three shades which are still available today. I reviewed Honey before in this post, today I have a review on all three options: Honey, Raspberry and Red Berry. (Also shown above Lumira Darsana c/o previously reviewed here, Kate Spade All in Good Taste, Garance Dore Love, Style, Life). The Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils are lip treatments with a very slight tint and scent. They are like cushions for the lips with a gel-like oil formula that isn’t sticky but has a high gloss shine. For me the word “oil” in the name had me worried these would be thin, runny or goopy. They are emollient and have an oil feel but they do not slide around and stay put once applied. Clarins calls these plant-based which has ingredients to soothe and protect the lips. I really liked Honey because it gives instant relief to dry lips. Lasting power is very good and stays put for several hours before you need to reapply.

 

The two other shades Raspberry and Red Berry have a pink and red tint. The color is very sheer, almost transparent on my lips. In real life I can tell there’s a slight difference between the three, although I think the effect is almost identical – so if you’re looking for a lip treatment + color, these will barely have any color payoff in which case I would recommend you opt for the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors (swatched here) or the Instant Light Lip Natural Lip Perfectors (new shades out now, review soon) or the Shimmer Shades for Summer (review soon).

I’ve mentioned in other posts I have high sensitivity to scented lip products, especially when it comes to added fruity or vanilla scents. Glossier Cherry is a no go for me although I do love the other options. Raspberry and Red Berry are noticeably sweeter than Honey. If you have a very sensitive nose and do not like berry scented lip products you may find them too strong. I personally found them both to be strong upon application but gave both a thorough test to see how the scent played out. Raspberry is the more wearable option scent-wise for me. The scent softens and fades shortly after application and about 5-10 minutes after I applied it I no longer noticed there was a scent. The scent of Red Berry seemed to linger a bit longer. I personally prefer the way Raspberry smells. With all three I didn’t detect any noticeable taste.

A closer look at the packaging and applicators. If you’re one who is concerned with oils and the possibility of them leaking – note these are very well packaged. The cap twists on tightly and in the time I had my original Honey I never had any leaking issues (I did with some of the YSL lip oils) – just make sure you twist on the cap all the way. That being said I would avoid putting these in the car or anywhere there will be a lot of heat. I’ve had sunscreen oils that are well packaged that I accidentally left in the car and the heat melted the oil to a consistency that it leaked through the tops.

 

 

 

Swatches:

 

As shown below, all three pretty much look the same on my bare lips. If you look closely you may be able to tell that Red Berry has more of a red tint than the others. All three have a really nice cushiony feel that hugs the lips nicely.

Thumbs up for the formula. If you’re looking for a no fuss lip treatment that you can easily carry with you and apply these are worth checking out as long as color payoff in a lip treatment isn’t important to you. You can definitely add these on top of lipstick for added shine however if you mix the applicators with your lipstick – they are bound to get messy and color transfer will happen in which case you may want to use a lip brush or fingers. Or sometimes I’ll apply a lip treatment first then take a clean finger and dab it into my lipstick then dab the lips for a bit of color/stain on top.

Since all three colors are sheer I wouldn’t call them a must to have all three. However if you like variety and love the formula there’s no harm in buying multiples of what you love to have one for your desk, one for your handbag etc.

You can find the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils at all Clarins counters now. They retail for $25 each. Online at Clarins, Nordstrom, Sephora, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Harrods and Selfridges.

Have you tried these yet? Do you have a current favorite lip treatment?

 

Clarins Lip Oils provided courtesy of Clarins for review consideration.

 

5 Comments
Lips YSL Beauty

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick

April 13, 2016

 

Earlier this year YSL launched a new lipstick called Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick ($37 each for 4 ml/4.5 g, made in France). These were initially launched as a Nordstrom exclusive (where I ordered mine) for early release but are now available at all retailers. At this time I’m not sure if these are a new formula in the Rouge Volupté line – some retailers list the Oil-In-Stick product in a separate SKU while others have grouped it with the Rouge Volupté Shines. Either way the formula of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick is very smooth and hydrating and has the same amount of pigment and shine as the Rouge Volupté Shines. On my lips they appear to perform exactly the same way. According to YSL these are described as a “revolutionary lipstick that provides luscious color and luminous shine while actually conditioning lips … made with 65% oils, the deeply hydrating texture instantly melts into lips providing a pop of color, instant hydration, and all day comfort.” With regular use lips are supposed to see visible improvement in overall look for a more healthy appearance and nourished feel. They have that signature YSL mango scent. With all the opaque lipstick formulas and liquid lipsticks that have launched recently – many of you have commented that you find brands launch formulas that are too thick or matte for your preference. If that is the case, I think you’ll find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick fits the bill for the sheer to medium glossy shiny finish lip color that is an effortless kind of product.

 

There are eight shades that I picked up. When I bought mine I ordered them sight unseen. I will say that the online swatches were hit or miss. Some were completely different from what I envisioned but luckily all of them are very wearable. Out of all the sheer glossy lipstick formulas my top two favorites are the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines and YSL Rouge Volupté Shines. The new Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks are super hydrating and add a lush coat of moisture on the lips while adding a nice tint of color. They have noticeable coverage even though the pigment is sheerer than an opaque formula. You can layer for more color but at the end of the day they are still a medium-sheer coverage lipstick. If you like the moisturizing feel, shine and color but want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here).

 

The colors and descriptions, all of these have some shimmer in the tube but on the lips (with the exception of the white one) there is no visible shimmer or frost, just a healthy shine:
  • 41 Corail À Porter is a medium bright pink with a bit of coral
  • 42 Baume Midi Minuit is a sheer sparkling white that adds a pale sheen to the lips
  • 43 Rose Rive Gauche is a peachy rose
  • 44 Nude Lavalliere is a light nude pink
  • 47 Beige Blouse is a perfect medium nude pink with a slight hint of warmth
  • 48 Smoking Plum is the prettiest plum that has some brightness to it
  • 51 Rose Saharienne is a cool-toned baby pink
  • 52 Trapeze Pink is a medium cool-toned pink
All apply smoothly on the lips with the exception of 51 Rose Saharienne which was a bit streaky on my lips mainly because the cool and light tones contrast with my natural lip tone. It was easy to blend and smooth but straight from the tube it was a tiny bit streaky.

 

Swatches straight from the tube:

 

 

Swatches applied with a lip brush:

 

 

Swatch comparisons to some other Rouge Volupté Shines that I own shown below. For me shades 7, 8 and 9 have been classic everyday staples that are super easy to wear. Compared to the new options Nude Lavalliere 44 is a light nude pink on my lips while Beige Blouse 47 is a bit deeper but not quite as peach as Nude in Private 9. Beige Blouse 47 looks almost identical to Rose in Wood 23 – I would say that No. 23 is a more more rose/pink in color.

 

 

One last look:

 

I took a quick peek in store at all the shades of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick in store recently and if they are indeed the same as the Rouge Volupté Shines I think that YSL did a nice job expanding the color range. As mentioned at the top I don’t know if the formulas are the same or if the newer shades have a new and improved formula. On my lips I didn’t notice any difference – they have the same texture, scent, finish, shine and hydrating feel. Lasting power is average for a semi-sheer glossy lipstick but this one is a lipstick formula that I don’t mind reapplying 3+ times in a given day. I love the other YSL lipstick formulas and this one is no exception. It performs well and the colors are easy to wear for any occasion. I can’t pick a favorite. I still think 7, 8 and 9 are my absolute favorites, but in the new range I’m smitten with 44 and 48.If you like sheer to medium lipsticks with shine I think you’ll like these. They have similar pigment and texture compared to the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines. As mentioned above if you want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here). If you want something more opaque but with a moisturizing feel I recommend the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks (swatched + reviewed here).

 

You can find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks at all counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and YSL Beauty.

 

Have you tried these yet? Which colors did you check out?
31 Comments