YSL Couture Palette - #02 Fauves, #08 Avant Garde, #09 Rose Baby Doll

(Contains one press sample. Affiliate links.)

YSL palettes tend to be a dividing line for a lot of makeup junkies. Most of the ones in the past have tended towards the sheerer side of the pigmentation spectrum, which serves those who prefer a diaphanous wash of shimmer, while frustrating those who prefer a punch of pigment to go with the colour and sparkle.

If you're in the latter camp, and have since written off the YSL eyeshadow offerings, I would urge you to take a look at their new Couture Palettes. They are really something else.

The packaging and style here is classic YSL - gold metallic casing, simple, elegant, graphic layout. Most of the palettes have a monochromatic theme, though a couple feature more vivid combinations.

The actual formulation of the eyeshadows is where YSL has proven itself to be truly innovative. When I first touched these eyeshadows, they felt a little dry, and I was concerned. Upon swatching them, I was much relieved - they had some serious payoff. Swatches are one thing, however, and how a product applies to an actual human eyelid is another.

AND YOU GUYS.

They looked on the eyelid exactly how they looked in the swatch. Not only that, they actually looked like do in the pan. They have some of the truest colour transfer I've ever seen. I applied these with my usual MAC paddle brush, and with just a tap into the pan I had a ton of product clinging to the brush hairs. There was a fair bit off powder kick back when I did so, but as long as I tapped my brush off, I had no fallout when I applied it. All the shades went on true and vibrant, and blended out well, without sheering out too quickly. What seemed a little dry in the pan actually felt smooth and silky when used.

Each palette has a mix of satin and shimmer/microsparkle shades - the finishes vary subtly from shade to shade, with the darker eyeshadows in #02 Fauves having the most matte-leaning finish out of the the ones I've tried. The satin shades all have strongest pigmentation levels, while the shimmer/microsparkle shades are initially a little sheerer, though buildable. The sparkle is extremely refined, lending a beautiful, sunlight-on-water type of liquid shimmer to the eye. They can be applied all over the eyelid, overtop another shade for greater dimension, or just in the inner corner for an amazing highlight.

The wear time on these is very good, with no sign of fading or creasing after 8-10 hours over my usual primer. As far as downsides, other than that bit of powder kick-back to watch out for, I can only think of the value ratio, as they are quite spend for the amount of product you're getting. That said, I think the texture is unique enough, and I don't see any immediate dupes.

The #02 Fauves is fantastic, especially for those looking for a workday staple. It's spot-on neutral, leaning neither warm or cool. The dusty camel shade at the top left works perfectly all over the lid, or as a blending/transition colour, depending on your skin tone. The three brown shades provided varying levels of intensity of creating a defined crease, lash line or soft smoky effect. I do wish there was a bit more variation between the middle two browns, but other than that, I really can't complain. This has become my default everyday palette.

I loooooove green (makes the chestnut in my brown eyes more apparent), and the #08 Avant Garde does not disappoint. I was a little perplexed by the olive green in the bottom left, as it seems so incongruous with the other, cooler leaning tones, but when used together, the look is dimensional, not discordant. That blackened green in the middle is also an awesome eyeliner. The only downside to this palette is that it doesn't appear to be available in-store at Sephora, though it is orderable.

The #09 Rose Baby Doll was a whimsical purchase. I don't what it is about hot pink that draws me in so much, but usually I limit it to lip shades. Somehow I got sucker punched by this one. I....am still figuring it out. That hot pink is just SO VIBRANT. I do kind of wish there was another mid-tone shade in there instead of one of the peach or pink shimmer shades, since they're quite similar. Then again, they're also both so pretty, it's hard for me to complain.

Availability: At Sephora stores and www.sephora.com, as well as counters at Holt Renfrew and Hudson's Bay, and www.thebay.com. If you're stateside, they can also be ordered on www.yslbeautyus.com. Price is 60$ USD and 64$ CAD.

I'm quite impressed by the Couture Palettes, and I know I'll be adding more to my collection soon. How do you guys feel about them?

(The #02 Fauves was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. I purchased the other two palettes. All opinions are my own, this post is not sponsored or compensated. Affiliate links.)

Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato Lip and Cheek Color - Spiced Orange (CR 04), Blood Orange (CR 01), Berry Berry (PK 01)

I do believe this dual lip/cheek thing is a trend. YSL did it, and Shu Uemura is in the game as well with the Tint in Gelato Lip and Cheek Color.

Tint in Gelato, top to bottom: Spiced Orange (CR 04), Blood Orange (CR 01), Berry Berry (PK 01)

Like its sister brand, Shu Uemura has created a dual-purpose product that actually works well on both the lips and the cheeks. 

Both products share a similarly perforated doe-foot applicator that captures a bead of product, making for a smooth application to both lips and cheeks - though Shu opted for the more classic lipgloss tube packaging rather than the nail polish bottle shape of the YSL variant.

Tint in Gelato, top to bottom: Spiced Orange (CR 04), Blood Orange (CR 01), Berry Berry (PK 01)

The formula for these two products is markedly similar, with the first 14 ingredients being identical. (Not surprising, since YSL and Shu are siblings in the vast l'Oréal luxury family.) I didn't find there to be a difference in terms of how the product applied or wore, but I did find the Tint in Gelato formula to be less...translucent? It's thicker and more opaque in texture, and more matte on both cheeks and lips, even when freshly applied. Where the Kiss & Blush dances the line between lipgloss and lipstick when worn on the lips, these are more clearly in the liquid lipstick family. (You can, of course, vary the pigmentation by applying it more lightly and blending with a finger.)

The Gelatos have that creamy, whipped texture that makes them a dream to blend out on the cheeks. Seriously no-fuss, and easily polished in less than three seconds. (They also work just fine over both foundation or powder.) You can apply with a brush if you prefer, but I like just dotting the product on and blending out with my fingers.

The formula also shares that quality of sitting slightly on the lips, due to the particular nature of the silicone polymers used. I find this is what keeps the formula feeling cushy, even as it dries down, but the sensation can feel odd. (See Tracy's review here, if that's the case for you.)

Because it has a thicker and more matte texture, as well as the slip of the silicone, it's best to apply in light layers to the lips - it's easy to underestimate how much you're putting on, and wind up with goopy lips. I don't find these drying or line-emphasizing, but they don't leave my lips looking quite as full as the YSL Kiss & Blush, probably because they reflect a less light due to the matte finish and opaque pigment.

Below are swatches - thicker and blended out - and you can see that they can go on quite punchy when applied straight on (the way you might prefer on your lips) but also sheer out and blend nicely for a faintly glowing but still relatively matte blush.

Tint in Gelato: Spiced Orange (CR 04), Blood Orange (CR 01), Berry Berry (PK 01)

I received a few shades to try out, included two from the "orange" portion of the twelve shade range. I admit to being a little wary of that word included in my lipstick/lipgloss names, but these were anything but tangerine on my lips. (I'm really curious who does the shade naming over at Shu, because I suspect they need to have a little convo with Inigo Montoya.)

This is Spiced Orange, which is more of a light, peachy nude. It's a completely wearable nude sorbet shade on me, and looks even lovelier as a blush - just healthy and faintly sunny.

Tint in Gelato in Spiced Orange (CR 04)

Tint in Gelato in Spiced Orange (CR 04)

This is Blood Orange, which is a bright pastel version of the classic coral that generally looks amazing on anyone with olive or tanned skin (and with the pastel quality will also look awesome on paler skin). This shade is ALL about the Summer.

Tint in Gelato in Blood Orange (CR 01)

Tint in Gelato in Blood Orange (CR 01)

And finally this is Berry Berry, which...ok, this one sort of makes sense. If your berries are GMO'd like whoa, that is. This is a HOT berry shade, just this side of pink to be considered fuchsia. And obviously, I love it.

Tint in Gelato in Berry Berry (PK 01)

Tint in Gelato in Berry Berry (PK 01)

Though you can see the blended out swatches above, here is a picture of what the Spiced Orange looks like worn as blush (also on the lips).

Availability: At Holt Renfrew and select Sephora locations, as well as at www.shuuemura.ca. Price is 28$ CAD.

What are you guys feeling for these? Are you liking the dual function, or do you want your lipstick to be lipstick and your blush to be blush, dammit?

(Items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. All opinions are my own, I am not compensated. This post contains an affiliate link.)

YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks - #5 Rouge Effrontée and #7 Corail Affranchi

Is there any makeup-loving woman out there that doesn't appreciate the idea of a dual-use lip and cheek product? I think for most of us, the experience doesn't always live up to the claims. What feels lovely on the lips tends to slide off the face, and what sets to a beautiful, seamless stain on the cheek has us reaching for lip balm every 17 minutes.

Kudos to YSL for creating a product that strikes the perfect balance between the two, with their Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks.

Promotional background photo courtesy of YSL/L'Oréal

Packaged in a bottle that doesn't quite convey either blush or lipstick, it looks almost like some bizarrely elegant offspring of a swanky nail polish bottle, the Clarins Instant Light Liquid Blush, and YSL's own Glossy Stain packaging. It's cool and feminine and vanity-table appropriate.

I like it.

I like what's in it even more.

Left to right: YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #7 Corail Affranchi and #5 Rouge Effrontée

Left to right: YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #7 Corail Affranchi and #5 Rouge Effrontée

The applicator is a slightly chubbier, more oval version of the Glossy Stain one, albeit with a perforation in the middle for catching and holding a bead of product. This helps in picking up the amount required when withdrawing it from the bottle. (One downside I foresee with the packaging is getting the last bits out.)

The shades featured here are #5 Rouge Effrontée, a candied, pink-toned red that applies lighter and softer than it appears in the bottle, and #7 Corail Affranchi, which is a muted apricot that plays almost like a nude with my particular colouring. I thought it would be too orange-toned for me, but it actually looked amazingly natural. 

Left to right: YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #5 Rouge Effrontée and #7 Corail Affranchi

The texture of the Kiss & Blush is unusual. If the Benefit Tints could be whipped up, this is sort of the result you'd expect - liquid yet mousse-y, dense but instantly spreadable.

As a blush, it has a lovely translucency that looks soft and sheer on the skin. My preferred method for applying cream or liquid blushes is with a duo-fibre brush, and with this formulation, the result is especially natural. Very much the kind of water-colour flush you see in paintings of frolicking milkmaids. The finish is a soft matte, meaning no shimmer, but very gently light enhancing. (If you're curious, I dab the brush directly over the applicator to pick up the product needed.)

This can be built up as well, but I would recommend some care at first, as it does dry fairly quickly. That would be the main drawback to this formulation - if you don't work quickly or carefully, you can wind up with some splotchy-looking cheeks.

(You can also apply and blend out with your fingers, as you prefer.)

Left to right: YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #5 Rouge Effrontée and #7 Corail Affranchi

It applies to the lips in much the same manner as a liquid lipstick, but with a smoother feel. It "pushes" across the lips easily, with none of the goopy drag of a lipgloss. It can be dabbed on lightly with a finger for a minimal stain, but applied straight it has medium to full opacity.

The "soft matte" finish here is especially cool. It initially looks more satin, and then matte as it dries - yet this is one of the plushest matte you're likely to find. If a matte finish could be pillowy, that's what it would be. My lips actually looked fuller and plumper, almost more hydrated. (A note here that the formula is not actually hydrating, just the look it creates.) It's sort of in between sitting on top of the lips and absorbing, and I suspect there's some silicone in there creating that feeling. Whether you like the sensation or not is a matter of preference, but I believe that's what gives it that cushy finish.

The formula stands up for a solid work day on the cheeks, and for several hours (though not a meal) on the lips. It has a faintly floral, sweet scent, which is less strong than the Glossy Stain fragrance.

YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #7 Corail Affranchi

YSL Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks #5 Rouge Effrontée

Availability - YSL counters at select Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew stores, as well as certain Murale and Sephora locations. Price is 40$ USD and 45$ CAD for 10 ml/0.33 oz. (For comparison, the Glossy Stains are 38$ CAD for 6 ml/0.2 oz.)

Have you tried this new-fangled formula yet? Are you a fan of the duo-function, or are you sticking to separates?

Personally, I have to say that while I really enjoy using this product as a blush, I am especially a fan of how it functions as a lipstick.

(Items were provided by the brand/PR. All opinions are my own, this post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Pantone Color of the Year "Radiant Orchid" - featuring Lancome, YSL, Tarte and Elizabeth Arden

Oh, the Pantone Color. I feel like by the year's end we are all well and done with whatever the shade is. (I'm looking at you, Emerald. Not even Once Upon A Time will make me love you again.)

With the freshness and bright promise of spring lurking (possibly hiding) around the corner, though, I am MASSIVELY feeling the Radiant Orchid. I love pink, and I adore purple, so this not-quite-pastel lovechild of the two is right up my alley, trend or no.

Makeup brands are obviously feeling it as well, and have pulled out several offerings from their permanent lineups to cater to the demand. I was sent a few different ones to try out, and I shopped my stash for another item to cover all aspects of my face. (In retrospect, the Benefit Lollitint would have been perfectly appropriate as a cheek option.)

From Lancôme, we have the Artliner 24H in Amethyst, the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eyeshadow in Golden Orchid, the YSL Vernis à Lèvres Rebel Nudes in #108 Violine Out of Control, and the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Fantastic (limited edition from a past holiday set).

This was my first time trying out an Elizabeth Arden eyeshadow, though I've been lemming them for a while now. From what I recall from my obsessive swatching, they seem to vary a bit - some are dense, creamy and more opaque, some are softer in texture and payoff. Golden Orchid is one of the latter, and works very nicely as a wash over the eye. The shade itself is a warmer, more neutral play on the Orchid theme. It's not a faithful interpretation, but probably a more wearable one for a lot of people.

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eyeshadow Golden Orchid

This was also my first experience with the Artliner, and I loved both the formula and the application. This has the same kind of applicator as the Stila and Make Up For Ever waterproof liquid liners, and the same kind of shellac-like finish. Intensely liquid, setting to a vinyl shine and holding on for dear life in the face of oil, sweat and tears (and most makeup removers). It did crackle a bit in the folds of my eyelid after several hours, but that's the norm for me when it comes to this kind of formula.

Application was super smooth and easy to control, with really great pigmentation on one pass. The colour is a blue-toned, almost eggplant purple, with a bit of shimmer. It's lovely with brown eyes, and should be stunning with green eyes.

Lancome Artliner in Amethyst

I'm already a fan of the YSL Vernis à Lèvres, and this had the expected feel and performance. Long-wearing and glossy (though it did not make it through a meal), it also seemed to plump my lips slightly, which was an unexpected bonus. (The copy claims a Euphoric Pearl technology that creates a 3-D luminous effect, so perhaps that's it?)

Probably the truest interpretation of Radiant Orchid, this is a lilac tone with subtle shimmer. I don't think this pulls the yellow in my teeth nearly as much as others in this colour family do, but it's not brightening either. If you have concerns, layering it over a trusted lipstick might also be a (subtle) option for getting a bit of that orchid tone.

YSL Vernis à Lèvres in Violine out of Control

The mini Tarte blush was one I pulled out on a whim. I wanted a fairly cool, bright pink to keep in tune with the rest of the face, but one that would be a supporting player. As with all the other Amazonian Clay blushes, it's ultra-smooth, long-lasting and pigmented, so I used a light hand to add just the faintest hint of colour.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Fantastic

And, of course, the comparison swatches:

Left to right: Elizabeth Arden Golden Orchid eyeshadow, Lancome Artliner in Amethyst,
YSL Vernis à Lèvres in Violine out of Control, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Fantastic

This is the look I put together, which is what I actually wore to my birthday supper. (The big 3-6. I'm not traumatized or anything.)

I used Golden Orchid all over my lid, with some added definition in the crease and lightly in the lower lash line with some brown and taupe shades from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. Then I did a simple wing with the Artliner, keeping the flick fairly straight. (Eyebrows au naturel, because I'm lazy.) I used the new Benefit BB Cream as my foundation and concealer (no powder), and a veeeeeery light dab of the Tarte blush. The finishing touch was a single coat of the Violine Out of Control.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. I generally love purple tones, and the various incarnations of Radiant Orchid seem to work nicely for me. 

Are you guys feeling the Pantone colour this year, or is it a miss for you?

(Some of the items featured were provided by the brands/PR. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

YSL Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection - Pivoine Crush Eyeshadow Palette

Some eyeshadow palettes are the black skinny jeans of makeup - comfortable, easy to wear, and can be dressed up or down. The omnipresent neutral palette (whichever brand), for example.

And then you have the YSL Pivoine Crush Palette from the Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection. This one is the the silk chiffon dress - absolutely gorgeous and a statement piece, but not exactly all-around or low-maintenance.

Not gonna lie - this palette is a stunner. As I mentioned in my review of some of the lip products from this collection, I pretty much had heart palpitations when I saw the promo images. In person, it only looks more beautiful. The packaging is substantially weighted, and the design is both glamorous and feminine: a mix of gold and magenta, and the abstracted floral motif interposed with the YSL logo.

What's inside is equally breathtaking...

Five beautiful shades, full of shimmery goodness.

The colour range is decidedly bloom-like, evoking the bright pinks, sherbet oranges and soft peaches of flower petals, with a shadowed plum-brown accent and the pale, sunshine-y gold. Like the lip products in the collection, it's decidedly more vivid than the usual Spring offerings, but just as apt if you think about the actual colours in nature that provided the inspiration.

One thing you have to know going into this palette is that the eyeshadows are sheer. That analogy to chiffon wasn't random - these apply as a soft veil of colour, shot through with a fine diamond sparkle. Applied dry, they actually feel powdery, and you're better off patting them on over a primer to get them to last (though the sparkle doesn't fall out, which is unusual).

If you want these to show up with greater intensity, you can always apply them over a creamy white base, but I don't think that really does this palette any justice.

To get the real wow factor out of Pivoine Crush, you have to go in with a little Fix+, or a mixing medium. (Or, you know, plain water.) This doesn't magically make the eyeshadows opaque, but it does deepen them and adds a beautiful, opalescent quality. The sparkle and the soft pigments blend together, and the effect shifts from glitter-dusted chiffon to shimmering, fairy-spun silk.

It's really, incredibly lovely - but it's also a very specific look, with a particular technique. Eyeshadows that start out very pigmented can be sheered out, after all, whereas those with soft pigmentation - even when used wet - are inherently more limited in terms of how they can be used. I always think of it as the difference between painting with watercolours versus acrylics. (I was trained in both, and when I was younger I always preferred the flexibility and ease of working with acrylics. Now I feel like I can better appreciate the precise technique and subtlety of watercolours.)

At this price point though, you really have to like both the look and the process involved, or you're likely to feel disappointed. (Unless you're just enthralled by the aesthetics of the palette. In which case - NO JUDGEMENT. Trust.)

Swatched dry.

Swatched wet.

I experimented with a few different applications, and this is the one I liked the most. I layered the pink and peach shades over my entire eye, using a wet application. I then blended the plum-brown shade in my crease, using a dry application for a softer finish. I went in quite high at the mid-point and inner area, since the dry application gave more of a shadowed look than a strong layer of colour. I then applied a bit of that shade wet, very lightly through the outer part of the crease to depend the colour. I then used the pale gold to highlight the inner corner of my eye, also using a wet application. I also smudged some of the plum-brown over a purple liner on my lower lash line.

I think the total look is layered, translucent and shimmery - but paired with a strong liner, it also works as something dramatic and evening appropriate.

This palette was sent to me, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to test it out because upon initial swatching at the counter, I probably would have passed. Now that I've had the chance to experiment with it, I would buy it. It's too beautiful and unique for me to pass up, despite - or maybe because of - its finickier nature. (Though in all fairness, would I be equally enthralled with an equivalent palette that came in less delightful packaging? Possibly not, but part of the appeal of high-end makeup is the packaging.)

Availability: At select Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew locations, as well as at www.yslbeauty.com if you're in the US. Price is 74$ CAD and 58$ USD. (And I do think the price difference is painful to swallow. I really wish luxury brands would align their US-Canada prices more closely.)

Pros: The packaging is just sublime, and the colours are beautiful. The wet application creates a fairly unique, mother-of-pearl blend of shimmer and translucency. Colours blend easily, and there is surprisingly minimal sparkle fall-out when used dry, and none when used wet. Applied wet and over a primer, they last over 10 hours without creasing or fading.

Cons: Applied dry, the eyeshadows are sheer and somewhat powdery, and will fade and blend out too easily without a primer. If you prefer pigmented, buttery formulations, this will not be up your alley.

What's your feeling on special-occassion dress equivalents when it comes to makeup?

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

YSL Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection - Rouge Volupté #34 Rose Asarine and Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain #33 Bourgogne Artistique

Some makeup collections have you at first sight. Price, availability, previous reviews - it's all irrelevant in the face of the sheer perfection evident in that first preview picture. The Spring 2014 collection from YSL was like that for me. I saw the stunning packaging on the blush and eyeshadow palettes, and the vivid pinks and corals and deep burgundies of the shade range, and that was it. I was a goner - love at first sight.

And unlike some fast and easy loves that leave you crushed and disappointed when exposed to the cruel light of day, I found my affections had not been misplaced when I finally had a chance to sample some of the items in the collection.

The Rouge Volupté in #34 Rose Asarine and the Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain in #33 Bourgogne Artistique rank especially high.

They are also, perhaps not coincidentally, some of the least stereotypically "Spring" shades I've seen this season. Pinks and corals are commonplace, but YSL takes the "crushed flowers" theme to a more luxurious realm. Flower petal shades yes, but these are hothouse blooms, vivid and bright and deep.

The Rouge Volupté in #34 Rose Asarine is an intense fusion of coral and hot pink, saturated and attention-getting. This is the kind of shade that demands either impeccable makeup or supreme confidence to pull off. You have to commit to wearing this shade, or it'll wear you.

But holy cow is it ever gorgeous.

The formula is classic Rouge Volupté - very opaque, creamy to the point of slickness and hydrating. I know some people find this formula drying, but I've found the opposite to be true for me. On the other hand, it does pick up on flakiness like you wouldn't believe, so good exfoliation is key.

It has a rich, almost glossy finish when first applied, and dries down to a satin. Blotted down, it looks matte and loses none of the intensity. Wear time is good, going strong for 5-6 hours or until I eat, at which point it erodes on the interior of the lip. (If I don't specifically remove it, I still have some of the stain left over in the morning.)

It has a fairly strong, watermelon-candy scent.

The Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain in #33 Bourgogne Artistique is the first deep shade I've tried from this product range (I've only owned a couple of nude and pink shades). I wasn't sure what to expect, as vampier tones can be difficult to pull off in a formulation like this.

I needn't have worried.

Applied as one coat, it pulls more cool-toned than it looks in the lip swatch above, closer to the shade in the tube. It looks pinkish burgundy, sort of like wine-stained lips. Although I like the colour at one coat, I find that it tends to seep into the lines of lips in an obvious way. At two coats, that ceases to be an issue.

With the second coat, it also deepens and warms to more of a cherry red. Although it becomes more intense due to both the opacity and darkness increasing, it also becomes less bright, more muted. Not quite a Fall lip, but definitely a richer tone. If this is meant to evoke crushed blooms, we'd be talking blood-red roses.

I have to mention the applicator here - it has a fantastic pointed tip combined with a nice, flat paddle shape. I can get both a precise edge and a quick fill with equal ease.

If you've never tried the Vernis à Lèvres/Glossy Stain formula, I recommend giving it a try next time you're at Sephora or Hudson's Bay. It really is singular, despite its very close drugstore cousin from l'Oréal. It's somewhere between a pigmented gloss and a liquid lipstick, with better wear than the former and more translucency than the latter. It also maintains that glossy finish throughout its formidable wear time (6 hours easy on me, unless I eat).

I do find the formula can take a little getting used to. It's not tacky at all, but compared to a lot of glosses that eventually seem to meld with the lip, I can always feel like I'm wearing gloss as long as I have this on. It's not uncomfortable or thick feeling, but it's unusual to be conscious of having something on your lips like that. I think part of that is because of the way it adheres to the lip, creating sort of a film that doesn't rub off or move around, but that remains glossy looking and feeling when I press my lips together. In comparison to the Volupté, I don't find this hydrating at all, and I do need to apply lip balm to my lips after wearing it for the day.

It also has a scent, which is more floral, though still a little sweet. (I personally prefer the scent of the Volupté, but it's not unpleasant.)

Availability: Both are priced at 39$ CAD and 35$ USD, and can be found at YSL counters at Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew. They can also be ordered from www.yslbeautyus.com if you're in the US.

Pros: Swank packaging, as always. Saturated pigmentation balanced with glossiness for the Volupté, hydrating feeling. Longer-wear and maintained glossiness for the Glossy Stain, and an excellent applicator. Unusual and gorgeous shades for Spring.

Cons: Volupté formula can pick up on flakes, despite hydrating factor. Glossy Stain can feel weird on the lips due to the particulars of the formula, is more drying.

Have you guys checked out this collection? If so, are you enjoying the more intense shades, or are you gravitating to something more traditionally pastel for your Spring looks?

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)