06 Feb 2012 27 Comments
You Had Me at Glossy, YSL…
Remember last week when I said I wasn’t feeling the red lips or any bold lip colours lately? Well, that was then and this is now. I’m back in full force and loving bold lips again thanks to YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains. These lip products are hawt, with a capital H.
Historically, lip stains and I haven’t had the best of relationships. Most of the formulas I’ve tried have been very drying. I’ve also tried so-called hybrid products that have the stain colour on one end of a tube and a moisturizer/balm/gloss on the other hand. Too much work for someone like me…and I still felt they were drying. These YSL Glossy Stains offer the staying power of a stain but the look of a gloss. They are unlike anything I’ve tried before!
The packaging is sleek. These gorgeous little black containers have a teeny window that offer a hint of the colour inside. The applicator is like a doe-foot applicator albeit slightly larger which is very help in application. 
Applying the product is a little different from gloss. To me it feels like I’m painting my lips. It does take a swipe or two to even out the application. But once it is on, it settles into your lips very comfortably. It’s very lightweight and the colour is ah-mazing. Intense, bold and BEAUTIFUL.
I tried three colours: #9, Rouge Laque (what I describe as a pure red); #14,Fuchsia Dore (a bright fuchsia); and #4, Mauve Pigmente (a rich red wine-like colour). Wearing these, I don’t think anyone would ever guess it was a stain. Lips look glossy and luscious with these on. The colours below are true statement lips…and they make me happy 
For your perusal, I offer you lip swatches below.
If you’re looking for a high-end lip product that has staying power and makes an impact, take a look at these. In my books, these are splurge-worthy at $34 Canadian, and available at Sephora.
Ok. I’m actually relieved to be back on the bold lip bus. Something just wasn’t right in my world when I wasn’t.
What do you think of lip stains? Yay or Nay?
Disclaimer: Product samples. See Policies for more information.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 19:46:52
I *do* like lip stains, and those are gorgeous, all very harmonious with your skin tone.
That applicator is wild–it’s shaped like one of those stink bugs without the legs. :^)
Feb 06, 2012 @ 20:18:29
Thank you! What stains do you like? I’m loving your analogy. So true! LOL
Feb 06, 2012 @ 20:17:03
Oh my, those are sooo pretty! So how long do they actually stay on your lips?
Feb 06, 2012 @ 20:17:55
Hi Elaine – the entire day. 8 hours, including eating and drinking tea! I guess I should have included that in my review. Thanks for asking
Feb 06, 2012 @ 20:54:50
I’m not usually a fan of stains but you know I love just about anything YSL. I definitely HAVE to try these!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:32:04
I think there are some colours that you’d love Lauren! Let me know if you check them out.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 22:09:57
GORGEOUS!!! I need them all!! Oatmeal for supper at our house this week!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:32:25
Yes, go get some oatmeal Tracy. LOL.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 23:08:03
i love lip stains
the last one is pretty
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:32:56
Thank you! The last one is the most office appropriate I think!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 01:09:08
Oooh I want! These look amazing! Glad you’re back on to bright lips again, I knew the boycott couldn’t last long
Btw, did you happen to get a new camera Michelle? Your photo’s look slightly different to how they usually look but maybe that’s just me!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:33:29
Thanks! Yes, I did in fact get a new camera for Christmas. It’s a Canon G12. I’m still getting used to it but I love it!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 02:05:29
GORGEOUS! I NEED!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:33:37
Yes you do Jamilla! LOL
Feb 07, 2012 @ 02:07:22
The swatches caught my eye esp of the mauve and wine. On your lips tho, it seems more intense – perfect against your skintone!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:34:08
Hi Maye, I think these can be layered easily so you can put it on as intense as you like. Thanks again!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 03:59:50
These look beautiful, can’t wait to get my hands on them!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:34:22
Let me know if you end up getting any Georgia!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 05:04:49
I can’t wait to get my hands on these! #4 is on my list, as is a good, bold red – I’ll have to see these live to decide which one, but I love red lips so I’m pretty sure at least one of them will catch my fancy – and a couple of others… Thanks for the review!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:34:47
#4 is beautiful. I loved it as soon as I put it on. Keep me posted on what you end up getting.
Feb 12, 2012 @ 08:48:45
Sad news. I had four shades on my must-have list: 2, 3, 4, and either 9, 10 or 20, but out of the bold reds, #20 looked like the best based on swatches. Guess what? I could only find 9 and 10. The other shades on my list are simply not available here! I went to three big department stores and they all had the same selection. I bought #10, because I wanted to try the formula and it was still a pretty good red, although I’m quite convinced that 20 would have been better on me. I really like the formula and am a little sad that I wasn’t able to buy the shades I wanted most. Oh, and the price… 35 euros. But it would have been worth it.
Feb 07, 2012 @ 05:39:30
I’ve never owned a lip stain before, but they are definitely an interesting product. The shades look amazing esp the true red! That’s spme serious colour!!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:35:24
They are serious colour aren’t they? Stains take a bit of getting used to but these are definitely my favorite formula so far.
Feb 17, 2012 @ 07:03:16
Umm…It’s interesting. it looks very glossy. My lips are quite dry so I have to check it out. I have Chanel rouge allure laque and I love it. So in your opinion, what’s the difference between these two?
Feb 29, 2012 @ 20:17:38
Hi Orie, Sorry for my late reply! I finally compared the two, and I think the texture is different. I think I’ll do a side by side comparison of the two in a post soon. I find this somehow looks glossier and yet is more like a stain than the laque which to me is more gloss-like than stain.
Feb 26, 2012 @ 18:15:24
Hey Michelle, I don’t own any lip stains, but these ones look interesting! I swatched some on the back of my hand the other day. Though I haven’t found anything I must have, I can already tell I like the texture! Do you have problems removing them though? It wasn’t easy to get it off the back of my hand, so I’m a little worried about that.
Feb 29, 2012 @ 20:19:00
Hi Sunny! Thanks for checking out my blog. These do stick on your lips so you do have to give a good wipe to get it off. I think it’d be easiest to remove with a cleansing wipe like MAC’s for example. Hope this helps!