Yves Saint Laurent PREMIERE NEIGE Top Coat La Laque Couture – Holiday 2012

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Brooke

Because I have such an affinity for Le Metier de Beaute, Dior and Chanel polishes, I tend to try to steer clear of other high end designer brands when I go shopping for a nail color. That being said, when I saw the 33 Premiere Neige Top Coat La Laque Couture from Yves Saint Laurent I couldn’t contain myself.

(in sun, no flash)

(in shade, with flash)

Premiere Neige (shown above as one coat over OPI Anti-Bleak) has a clear base and a very fine iridescent shimmer throughout. In the bottle it reminds me of when sunlight hits fresh snow, almost like a fairy is bopping along and sprinkling its magic dust upon your manicure.

This top coat will not dry quickly, so make sure you’re giving yourself a mani when you have time to sit and wait for an appropriate dry time. Also, as this sits in your stash, the shimmer will settle, but if you just give it a good shake it will easily distribute throughout the bottle again.

… and just for giggles, here is another fun bottle shot in direct sunlight:

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture retails for $25.00 and is available at Nordstrom.

Yves Saint Laurent 11 PURE CHROMATICS – 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows Swatches, Review, and EOTD – Contemporary Amazon Fall 2012

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Brooke

This is my first dip into the Yves Saint Laurent Eye Shadow pool. With the release of their Fall 2012 Contemporary Amazon Collection I’ve seen a lot of the one quad in 10, which is a gold/khaki mix. I couldn’t find swatches ANYwhere of the Pure Chromatics 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows 11. A few days ago I went on an expedition, specifically to find and swatch this shadow. Of COURSE no testers were out, but they let me peek. How could I pass this up? Not happening.

Let’s have some fun!

What the Sephora website has to say about Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows:

What it is:
Water-activated eye shadow palettes in colors that transform into a radiant, intense, metallic finish.

What it does:
These eye shadows can be used dry, like a traditional eye shadow, for a subtle shimmering effect, or wet, for a full-intensity pigment metallic finish. These remarkable properties give everyone the freedom to create any kind of eye look from simple to dramatic in seconds.

What else you need to know:
Yves Saint Laurent labs have invented the “water process” Pure Chromatics eye shadow. This process uses water, in place of a solvent, to develop the formula. Once pigments are mixed with water, dry, pure-pigmented powders are left with a very high level of shimmer.

Size: 0.18 oz

Quad 11 is described as a charcoal/ beige sheen/ dark brown sheen/ matte black. Quite obviously, that color description is a little off. In this palette we see more of a charcoal blue, beige, chocolate, and blackened navy… all of which are very smokey.

When used dry, the shades do kind of mud together if you use them all (see dry swatches/look below), but what I find nice about this quad, is that you can use maybe the brown on your lid and the beige to highlight for work, then when you go out at night wet down the shadows, reapply the two shades and add in the charcoal and black. Suddenly you’re sultry!

Even wet, the shades blended well and the colors are perfection for Fall. I used Make Up For Ever Eye Prime as a base and had absolutely no issues with creasing or fading. Also, using this palette wet will NOT ruin the shadows.

#11 Dry

#11 Wet

In both looks the liner used was Chanel Marine Le Crayon Kohl and the mascara is Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill.

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows can be purchased at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, YSL Beauty, and Nordstrom.

Yves Saint Laurent 7 CORAIL AQUATIQUE Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain Swatches & Review

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Brooke

If you want a gloss that looks hot, shiny and will actually last… you reach for Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain. Rouge Enamel is a great bold red, but I also wanted to grab something that I could wear as a more day to day lip. Corail Aquatique looks to be the shade I was aiming for!

What the Sephora website has to say about Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain:

What it is:
A revolutionary new lip product that combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long-wear of a stain.

What it does:
Coat your lips with this lip color that offers a lightweight texture, which immediately melts onto lips. Glossy Stain delivers intense glossy color for an extremely long-lasting shine.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
The applicator’s unique slanted tip and short soft bristles allow for flawless application with perfect precision.

Corail Aquatique applied more as a pinky coral, and is definitely wearable. It wasn’t the exact shade I had in mind, but it’s for sure a shade that can be worn quite frequently.

The applicator is a sponge, but not in any shape I’m used to using. Luckily, it’s easy to maneuver and the pointed end helps to make application more precise.

Scent-wise, when I sniffed the swatch, it smelled like roses and cinnamon. It was a little bizarre, but on the lips I can’t smell much of anything. Perhaps a very faint odor of the rose… but seriously, I’m extremely sensitive to smells and this isn’t offensive.

This stain didn’t budge all day long, though with this shade it will not be as apparent on your lips as the Rouge Enamel. Revive it after you eat by adding a dab of your favorite lip conditioner (I like MAC Viva Glam Ricky).

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain retails for $32.00 and is available at Sephora as well as at your local YSL counter.

Yves Saint Laurent 20 ROUGE ENAMEL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain Swatches and Review

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Brooke

Right off, this product is on a whole other level. I’m not even kidding, you guys. Yves Saint Laurent (hereby referred to as YSL) Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain is everything it says and more. I only picked up one shade (because, let’s be honest, what lip stain this deep actually STAYS this deep) in 20 Rouge Enamel, but am definitely picking up a few more.

What the Sephora website has to say about Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain:

What it is:
A revolutionary new lip product that combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long-wear of a stain.

What it does:
Coat your lips with this lip color that offers a lightweight texture, which immediately melts onto lips. Glossy Stain delivers intense glossy color for an extremely long-lasting shine.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
The applicator’s unique slanted tip and short soft bristles allow for flawless application with perfect precision.

Rouge Enamel is a warm red, with just a bit of shimmer. The pigment is fabulous on this and super glossy. At first, as it’s put on, it has that drying feeling of a stain, but then it miraculously gets okay and feels good! I did layer the color on a few times, but the pigment is still nice (though not as deep) with just one coat.

The applicator is a sponge, but not in any shape I’m used to using. Luckily, it’s easy to maneuver and the pointed end helps to make application more precise.

This stain didn’t budge through a ridiculously messy dinner of pancakes smothered in syrup, greasy bacon, and orange juice (as well as hours before and after). I was a bit worried because a slight smudge appeared on my glass (dang) but I just peeped in the mirror and it’s ALL STILL THERE! On the lips! Like it’s home! The only con is that after you eat it feels a bit sticky and loses a bit of it’s shine, but that is easily remedied by adding a dab of your favorite lip conditioner (I like MAC Viva Glam Ricky).

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain retails for $32.00 and is available at Sephora as well as at your local YSL counter.

Guest Swatch – Yves Saint Laurent MIDNIGHT GARDEN 11 Ombre 5 Lumieres 5 Colour Harmony For Eyes

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Brooke

A few days ago my buddy Julia from Australia asked me if I’d like her to swatch anything the next time she hit the mall. I gave her a few items I’d been wanting to check out and she responded today with swatches of the Yves Saint Laurent Ombre 5 Lumieres 5 Colour Harmony For Eyes in Midnight Garden.

Midnight Garden is new for Fall 2011.
About the Collection, from the Neiman Marcus website:

Step into a midnight garden with Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall Look 2011 Collection. With sophisticated purples and deep forest greens, the fantastical colors create a seducing and intense new look for the season.

Julia mentioned that the swatch photo is a bit washed out from her cell, and that the colors are much more vibrant in real life. She said the shadows are a bit stiff and she had to layer a few times to get it to what you see above in the swatch photo. “All the colours are glittery. It’s a palette you will either love it or hate it.”

Thank you for the awesome swatch, Julia! AND for sharing your thoughts!
Has anyone bought and tested this one out? What do you think of it?

Yves Saint Laurent BEIGE CARESSE 101 and BEIGE INSOLENT 105 Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick Swatches & Review

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Brooke

Last week I reviewed Yves Saint Laurent Corail Solaire Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick and it was instant love. SO instant that I ran out and got two more shades. A more muted, everyday shade in Beige Caresse 101, and a deeper shade for Fall in Beige Insolent 105.

(L-R: Beige Caresse, Beige Insolent)

Beige Caresse

Beige Insolent

Out of the two Beige Caresse was my favorite, though I don’t love it as much as Corail Solaire. It’s the perfect nude to go with anything BUT a huge downfall is the glitter in it is extremely gritty. You press your lips together and it feels like little sand particles. Though the color and moisture is perfection.

Beige Insolent has shimmer, though not as much and not as gritty as Beige Caresse. Unfortunately the glitter makes it look like I have spots on my lips.. like something is wrong with them. It’s a shame, because this is the perfect intro shade if you’re not used to rocking a dark lip in the Fall and Winter months. It’s light and much more forgiving than a dark matte shade.

The packaging is TO DIE FOR. Yves Saint Laurent has the most beautiful packaging for lipstick. It’s nice and heavy, obviously stunning.

Overall, if the grit doesn’t bother you, or you can look past it, these are fabulous. I think, though, for the money there should be a way to get the same color and texture without the grit.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick retail for $34 each & are available at high end department stores, as well as Sephora.

Yves Saint Laurent CORAIL SOLAIRE 102 Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick Swatches & Review

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Brooke

Warning. I’m gaga for the packaging of all Yves Saint Laurent products. It’s heavy, and just looks insanely haute. The YSL Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick is no exception to this love.

From the Neiman Marcus website:

Rouge Volupte Perle Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15

Highlights
The ultimate accessory, this creamy and nourishing lipstick is enveloped in a luxurious gold case with the timeless YSL logo that speaks elegance.

Lips instantly feel soft and supple and are drenched in gorgeous color with a satiny-pearl finish. The secret—a perfect blend of nourishing and soothing ingredients, and voluptuous pearls (transparent crystal pearls and colored pearls) that caress lips with a sensual yet sophisticated shine that’s utterly irresistible.

A long-lasting and highly comforting formula leaves lips looking smoother, fuller and more radiant.

SPF 15.
Designer
About Yves Saint Laurent:
At the age of 21, Yves Saint Laurent, held the top post at the French House of Dior before branching out under his own label in 1961. Under the YSL line, he introduced many revolutionary concepts, including Le Smoking (the women’s tuxedo) and the safari jacket. The legendary Yves Saint Laurent designed clothes that defined entire eras of fashion. Intensely luxurious cosmetics, cutting-edge skincare, and fascinating fragrances have earned critical acclaim-and devoted fans-in their own right. The late designer’s contributions to advancing women’s fashion cannot be overstated, and current designer Stefano Pilati continues the brand’s reputation for beautifully avant-garde creations.

This lippie is just an all around A plus plus. The color of Corail Solaire looks much more coral on the arm swatch than on the lips. The pink tone of my lips dims out the coral a bit. It glides on smooth, and hydrates so nicely. No gloss or liner needed!

Wear isn’t too impressive, since it’s glossy. It stays on for a few hours, unless you eat or drink then it’s gone. I seriously can’t stop gliding this on. It has a yummy flavor too, which could be a bad thing because it’s making me want to eat my lips…

Corail Solaire, along with the other colors in the Rouge Volupte Perle line, retail for $34. A little high, BUT if you don’t need a liner or a gloss, then you’re saving money… right? There, I just justified it for you. And for me. Definitely getting a few more.

You can pick up YSL Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick at high end department stores, as well as Sephora.

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