Sunday, July 10, 2011

YSL Beauté Collection for Fall/Winter 2011 - Blush Radiance

The new Blush Radiance ($45) shades in Yves Saint Laurent's Jardin de Minuit (Midnight Garden) Collection offer a least one irresistible choice for every skin tone. I have always loved these "quad" blushes. I can't count the number of years I've been wearing them with lovely results. When I selected two from the six available Blush Radiance palettes, I was dismayed that I had to leave two others behind!

With just the right amount of color, the new Blush Radiance shades will blend perfectly to define and enhance your cheeks. I purchased #4 and #6. Here's the simplistic run-down on the shades.
  • #1 - brown-toned nude, a perfect bronzer for fair skin
  • #2 - pure peach without a hint of pink
  • #3 - lavender pink (and very light)
  • #4 - pure pink
  • #5 - appears to be dark blue-toned red in the pan, applies sheerly
  • #6 - rosy mauve-pink
Each Blush Radiance comes in a velvet pouch with a separate compartment for the accompanying brush. I won't use these little brushes at home, but I often throw one in my handbag for emergencies. For some reason, I can't bear to throw out those little pouches, even though I find them useless.

Here is #4 at left, pretty with shimmering and matte pinks that combine to add a subtly shimmering, light pink radiance to my cheeks. This light shade may disappear on darker skins. On my skin, it's gorgeous and natural.

I took all of my photos outdoors in full sun. You may see that #4 has more shimmer than #6 in the pan. I think it does on my cheeks too.

Blush Radiance #6 is shown at right. The rose-toned beauty is rose on my skin, with just a hint of mauve. It's a shade that will delight me any time of year. The sheer, rosy shade is perfect for perking up my face or anytime I need a color boost.

It was hard to get a swatch photo of #4. It's extremely sheer, so I applied it near my wrist with a sponge-tipped applicator, then applied it very heavily below with a dense blush brush.

Blush Radiance #4, along with #1 and #2 I think, was clearly designed to allow the sultry eye shadows in the fall collection to shine. These three blushes flatter without drawing attention to the cheeks.

You'll see in my swatch photo at right that #6 is much darker - still sheer, but a more intense shade. I applied it ridiculously heavily in the same way - with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and a dense blush brush below, going over the brushed swatch many times to get true color for the photo. Applied normally to the cheeks, it's exquisite. I think #6 is going to work for many women.

I really wanted two more, but decided to think about "need" rather than want. I think #1 is a gorgeous as a bronzer/blush combination. The light brown tones looked great on my skin.

Blush Radiance #5 may rival Chanel's Rouge Blush from the Byzance Collection for Fall 2011. You can see Chanel's "red" swatched at The Non-Blonde. By varying the intensity of #5, which is shown in YSL's photo at the top of this feature, you can achieve a beautiful look. We played with it in the store (Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie) and found it much more wearable than it appears in the compact. It will definitely appeal to anyone with dark skin.

I wish YSL had not re-used numbers from prior Blush Variation shades. It gets so confusing for customers when similar products carry the same numbers. Blush Variation #4 is nothing like Blush Radiance #4. Small thing, perhaps, but I want to make sure you focus on the right product if you call your favorite department store.

I am absolutely smitten by the new YSL Blush Radiance shades. I am going off now to pout that I can't purchase the two I left behind.

Photo at top courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

13 comments:

Flyavsted said...

Love your reviews! Can't wait to try these blushes. Like the shimmer and the sheerness. I find YSL do the most sophisticated shimmer.

jenn erin said...

oh my! i would lOVE to try that lavender one! so cool!

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Flyavsted!

I try. These are really nice - and sheer. That's why I wanted so many more. No fragrance too! An extra-added bonus I forgot to mention.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Jenny,

You will find that lavender one is lavender-pink in person. YSL's photo is a bit off. It's really pretty, but REALLY light. Please let us know if you like it!

Cheers!

Charlestongirl said...

All,

I am a little confused by the five shades in YSL's photo, since I saw six at Neiman Marcus. I understand one may be a limited edition (and not pictured). I will try to find out.

They showed me six new testers. It's the nude one that's missing from the photo.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tempting review! I've yet to try any YSL powder products. These blushes look really nice.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi PerilouslyPale,

Check them out at a counter. They are so pretty, and you'll see how beautifully they blend "in real life." I so wanted more of them!

lovethescents said...

The textures of YSL powders are phenomenal. I've fallen for the eyeshadows but have never tried the blushes. They look wonderful. I also completely agree with Flyavsted; the YSL shimmer is sophisticated....and bonus, doesn't migrate into my fine lines!

Obaging said...

I like the pink one. It's really very pretty. I am looking forward to donning those colors.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Lovethescents!

I have never seen YSL blush where it didn't belong. The company's powders are very fine. As you can see from my photos, it's hard to overdo them. I can see #4 on my cheeks, but the camera did not want to differentiate it from my pink-pale skin.

I really want more. Going off to sulk...

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Obaging!

If you like the pink, make sure to check out the lavender pink one too. It's pretty!

Natalie K said...

Are these available now? Where can I buy them:) Thanks! Great review

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Natalie,

Yes they are. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus. I would call ahead to make sure your favorite YSL counter has received them. Have fun!