YSL Rouge Volupté Perle for Fall 2010

Rouge Volupté Perle ($34), a new formula of YSL's Rouge Volupté has been introduced in six shades for fall. Called a Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick with SPF 15, Rouge Volupté Perle is going to be just as popular as its award-winning sister, Rouge Volupté.

Early in July, I showed you a sneak peek at the fall collection. It's in stores now and definitely worth your consideration. What follows in italics is YSL's description of this new Rouge Volupté.

An object of every woman's desires, Rouge Volupté's luxurious...outer packaging reveals a creamy lipstick that leaves your lips nourished, feeling smooth and soft, and looking glossy and irresistible. Presented in a romantic and elegant golden metallic case, with a mirror on top for quick and easy application throughout the day, and an intricate carving of the Yves Saint Laurent logo.

Rouge Volupté Perle is available in six new pearly, perfect-for-fall shades: #101 Beige Caress, #102 Coral Sun, #103 Sparking Pink, #104 Stellar Pink, #105 Insolent Beige, and #106 Mesmerizing Purple.

I thought all of them were pretty. Coral Sun, #102, isn't my personal best shade, but anyone with warm-toned skin will love it. Mesmerizing Purple, #106, is very dark. It's seasonal and trendy. I'll bet it earns a large, cult following.

The two I purchased Friday at Saks are Insolent Beige, #105, shown at the top of my arm photo, and Stellar Pink, #104. Look at the difference between the YSL Web site swatch shade above and the actual color of Insolent Beige! I wish beauty companies could figure out a better way to display the colors of their makeup online. I know that display settings account for part of the difference, but not all of it.

Both of these shades are perfect for me - love them! Insolent Beige isn't beige; it's a complex shade with rose, mauve, and brown in it. Stellar Pink has just enough warmth that it doesn't scream "pink." It does earn "extra credits" for brightening my face. Rouge Volupté Perle is hydrating and feels great on my lips. I could have purchased more of the shades, but instead I came away with the new blusher and one of the eye shadow duos. I'll show them to you within the next day or two.

You can purchase Rouge Volupté Perle at YSL Beauty's Web site and at all the department stores, such as Saks, that offer YSL's fabulous makeup.

Top photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives: YSL Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss

I think this year's Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives, offered for the Anniversary Sale, are the best ever! This week, I'll be featuring some of the fabulous makeup offers. It's not too late to pre-order, and your items will be sent directly to you. How's that for convenient sale shopping? I received a big box with some of the items I pre-ordered on Friday. It was like "Christmas in July."

There are three Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss ($30) shades - all exclusive to Nordstrom. Each will dress your lips in a smile of shimmering gold. These YSL glosses form a mirror-like effect, sparkling with mother-of-pearl (and gold). They are formulated with a complex of nourishing oils (nigelle and cameline) to protect your lips with a comforting, shimmering shine.

My arm photo shows the shades. They don't have names - just numbers, #31, #32, and #33 (top to bottom). Numbers 31 and 32 look very similar on my arm. You'll have to trust that #31 is darker than #32, even though they are in the same color family. I had to paint on several layers of #32 to make it clearly visible in the photo. The applicator is a brush.

I'm a lip gloss addict, and YSL glosses are among my favorites. I own - and wear - almost all of the shades. They are stunning on the lips, with or without lipstick, and they feel good too. Naturally, I ordered all three of the Nordstrom exclusives.

There is a Yves Saint Laurent Ombrés 5 Lumieres Palette available too. I have not received it yet, but when I do, I'll swatch it for you. In the meantime, here's the photo to whet your appetite.

Want to shop all the Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives? You can see them at your local Nordstrom, or you can shop online. Just go to this link.

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom

Coming Attraction: YSL Solaris for Summer 2010

In a sultry shift from the spring cosmetics collections, Summer 2010 from YSL Beauty promises to be "free and passionate." Here's a preview sent to me by a YSL Beauty marketing rep, along with some of the photos she provided.

The Yves Saint Laurent woman plunges into a new adventure filled with sun, sensuality, and exotic makeup colors with the radiance of desert golds refreshed by Mediterranean blues, and the intensity of reds vibrating with light. Born of the elements, her essential and solar beauty is a force of nature. Her complexion is a hymn to the luminous nuances of the safari lands. Golden and copper like the sand of the dunes, it captures and reflects the exquisite glow of the sun at its zenith.

The look plunges deliciously into the coolness of waterproof Riviera Blue, lined in Blue Lagoon, with delicate arabesque on the eyelashes. Pink Lychee or Blood Orange lips stir desire, fuchsia lacquered nails tap a rhythm… the flamboyance of reds like an elixir of life, a concentrate of Yves Saint Laurent passion.

Three new TERRE SAHARIENNE ($50) bronzer shades will be added to the line.


There will be new limited-edition selections for eyes, lips, and nails!

• FARD LUMIÈRE AQUARÉSISTANT N° 19 - Riviera Blue $30
• ROUGE PURE SHINE N° 93 - Pink Lychee $30
• ROUGE PURE SHINE N° 94 - Blood Orange $30
  
• LA LAQUE N° 142 - Ultra Orange $20
• LA LAQUE N° 42 - Ultra Violet $20

The following new and delicious basic shades are being added to YSL's stunning color selections.

• FARD LUMIÈRE AQUARÉSISTANT N° 5 - Golden Sands $30
• MASCARA AQUARESISTANT N° 7 - Blue Lagoon $30
• GLOSS PUR N° 7 - Pure Sorbet $30 (all glosses seen below)
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 8 - Pure Watermelon $30
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 9 - Pure Hibiscus $30
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 10 - Pure Redcurrant $30
  

I'm a huge fan of ROUGE PURE SHINE and GLOSS PUR, so I'll be eagerly awaiting the arrival of these sheer beauties at stores in May/early June. If you want a sultry pop of color for summer, be on the lookout!

Update 5/12: The collection is now available at the YSL Beauty Web site (free shipping with all makeup orders through May 18 - use code SUMMER10 at checkout).

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL's New Ombre Solo Smoothing Effect Eyeshadow

I was thrilled when I learned that there were 12 new YSL Beauty Ombre Solo Smoothing Effect Eyeshadows ($30). The news sent me right to my favorite YSL counter. The Ombre Solos did not disappoint.

Easy to apply, with a silky-soft and rich texture, YSL shadow color remains vibrant all day. Blending YSL shadows is effortless, and the color is easy to layer to the intensity you want. The shadows come with two tiny applicators; you will probably want to use your own brushes unless you are on the go. The shadows are intended to provide a smooth look to the lids, and I think YSL succeeded.

The colors are all shown below. My choices? Maybe I'm kind of boring. I selected #2, Cashmere Brown, a beautiful taupe. Some might say it's just another brown shadow, but I found the color to be very flattering. Then I decided to get racy and made a hard choice between #3, Persian Blue, and #5, Slate Green. I wanted them both, but went with the Persian Blue. I know I can wear it as a liner, and I will play around with the color for other uses.

Which one(s) would you select?You can purchase YSL Beauty products at their Web site, where shipping on eye product orders is free. Use the promo code EYES10 through March 28. You can also find YSL cosmetics at Saks, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and other department store counters.

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL Gloss Volupté Sheer Sensual Gloss - New Colors for Spring 2010

There are four new colors of YSL's Gloss Volupté Sheer Sensual Gloss Stick ($30) with SPF9. Gloss Volupté was introduced in the fall, and I love it. I wear one of the two shades I bought in the fall at some point almost every day.

I know that some women don't like the mango flavor. Even though I prefer unflavored lip products, I like the sheerness and feel of Gloss Volupté enough that the fleeting flavor doesn't bother me. The hydrating formula makes up for the mango!

These gloss sticks are more like highly pigmented lip balms in a luxurious case. The colors are absolutely gorgeous! Because I prefer a little color to warm up my pale face, I like glosses that have some pigment in them. Many of these shades fit the bill. They feel great and are so pretty.

Here's what YSL has to say about them.

"...Combining...the sensuality of a lipstick with the comfort and shine of a gloss... Colorshine complex and Candellila [sic] resin result in a transparent, non-sticky shine. Thanks to fluid silicones and melting microcrystalline waxes, Gloss Volupté leaves your lips feeling sensual, silky, and full of comfort. Pomegranate extract and a delicate mango fragrance provide a delicious touch of freshness. Available in eight transparent, mouth-watering shades."

I think this lip product matches the hype! Even if they did spell "Candelilla" incorrectly. Wink! Just in case you are wondering, Candelilla is a wax derived from the leaves of a small shrub that grows in Mexico and the southwestern United States, and the resin in the wax is what makes the gloss stick to the lips. It is a natural product, as is pomegranate extract.

From the new spring shades, I chose #8, Glazed Blackcurrent. It's gorgeous. Two different makeup artists from different lines concurred with my choice - they loved it too.

All of the shades are shown below. The new ones for spring are #5, #6, #7, and #8. Numbers 5 and 6, Sugared Almond and Vanilla Pink, are very pretty, but because they are also very sheer, they don't add enough pigment to my lips. I would purchase them anyhow if I had an unlimited budget, but I don't! The Tangy Orange shade isn't my color, but will look great on someone with darker skin.
You can see these beauties at the YSL Web site or at Saks, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and wherever YSL Beauty products are sold. Don't forget that it's beauty event time at Neiman Marcus and Saks. You can get goodies with purchase.

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty Special Event

DC-area Event Alert!

YSL's National Makeup Artist, Dell Ashley, will be at Saks Chevy Chase, Maryland on Thursday, March 11, 2010, from 10:30-6:00. He is terrific, and the new Spring Collection 2010 is fabulous. If you live anywhere near DC, you would enjoy meeting him!

There’s no secret to Dell Ashley’s success as a makeup artist. He has a special talent for treating each customer with the utmost care and respect. His sincerity and instinctive artistic talents instantly draw women in; his engaging, individualized approach quickly transforms them into devotees. Dell’s customers always walk away from the counter looking and feeling beautiful, confident, and very YSL (as in sophisticated). Dell talks to you about your preferences and then shows you how you can use the YSL colors to achieve your own look - or better! I can't wait to see which of the Y-Mail Complexion Palettes he selects for me, since I bought them both!

After more than 10 years in the cosmetic industry, Dell is a favorite among the media, having worked behind the scenes of major fashion shows, photo shoots, and beauty pageants. As YSL’s National Makeup Artist, Dell works closely with Val Garland, Artistic Advisor of YSL Makeup, as she translates the look of the season seen on the Paris runway of the Yves Saint Laurent Fashion show, created by Stefano Pilati. It is Dell’s job to turn "runway" into everyday glamour, customized to his client’s best features and personal needs. He did my makeup once, and I was very happy with the results. He used the colors of the season in a way that made me comfortable (I am pretty conservative about makeup!), and he's so nice!

If you are interested in making an appointment, contact Debbie O’Malley at Saks (240) 497-5258 to schedule. If you can't get to Saks Chevy Chase? Ask at your local YSL counter when Dell will visit! Tell them you deserve it!

If you don't have a YSL counter anywhere near you, YSL usually has some deals online. I try to tell you about most of them in The Friday Forum comments. Through February 21, you can get free shipping on any order that includes a lip product with the code LIPS10 at checkout. What a great time to try Rouge Volupté!

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty Spring 2010 Golden Gloss

YSL's Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss ($29) is fabulous. I love the shimmering color, feel, and shine of these glosses! There are two new ones on the Spring 2010 display: #19, Golden Petal, and #20, Golden Macadamia.

It's no exaggeration to say, "Dress your lips in a veil of shimmering gold with Golden Gloss." The glosses actually have a tiny bit of 24K gold in them! The gloss forms a mirror-effect on the lips and sparkles with mother-of-pearl. The formula contains a complex of nourishing oils (nigelle and cameline oils) to protect the lips comfortably while making you look fabulous. A little shine is all you need to make your lips appear lush and full.

I have been a YSL gloss fan for years, with Golden Gloss being the best ever. It's available in 25 shades. I must have 15 of them! This is serious love. The lighter shades make my lipstick pop, and the darker shades can be worn alone to give my lips beautiful sheer and shiny color. My choice for spring? Golden Petal.

You can find these glosses at YSL's Web site (free shipping on all orders now) or at Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus.

Photo courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty Spring 2010 Eyeshadow Duos

YSL Beauty is featuring two Eyeshadow Duos ($41) in their Spring 2010 collection. My choice, shown at left, was #27 - Golden Pink and Precious Bronze. The other duo is #25, Turquise Blue and Hazy Violet (shown below right). It's pretty, but a little too "colorful" for my tastes.

The new colors are both luminous and radiant. Both duos play with contrasts that work together really well. Want subtle? Go with #27. If you want flashy, #25 is your duo!

YSL's extremely soft powder shadow glides on evenly - always appreciated - and adds an optical smoothing effect. These shadows are pricey, but I think they are worth every penny for their flawless application and long wear. One thing I really dislike about eye shadows is uneven application, which I then have to work to fix. I never have that problem with YSL's eye shadows.

Right now, YSL Beauty is offering free shipping on all orders. You can also find the Spring 2010 Collection at Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's. There are a lot of pieces to love.

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty's Spring 2010 Collection for Face and Cheeks

YSL's Spring 2010 Look is very pretty! I've lost count of how many times I've called a spring 2010 makeup collection pretty. There's a clear pink and peach trend for spring, and I'm delighted by the feminine appeal of all the new colors.

I remember talking to Armani's Celebrity Face Designer, Tim Quinn, last fall about the colors for spring, and he told me it would be all about pink and peach. Tim, you were absolutely right!

YSL Beauty joins its cosmetics colleagues in offering us a pretty-in-pink season. While I'm not into bright blue eyelids, that's irrelevant. The artistic photos aren't about reality anyhow. There are many pieces to love in the new collection, so I'll break up my impressions into multiple posts.

I'm a pushover for highlighters and blushers, and my first two picks from the YSL collection that I purchased at Nordstrom were the two new Y-Mail Complexion Palettes.

Y-Mail Complexion Palette #1 Face Highlighter ($65 and shown at right) is a limited-edition palette that highlights the face with three light pearly shades that add a pink glow to the skin when swirled together on a powder or blush brush. The colors are very sheer and have a subtle sparkle that works for day.

Y-Mail Complexion Palette #2 Blush Highlighter ($65) is a limited-edition blusher. Three shades, shown at left - nude, peach, and pink - combine to add a luminous glow to the cheeks.

Both palettes provide sheer, light color. They are fabulous on my fair skin. On darker skin, they might add more "highlight" than color.

Each palette comes packaged in a YSL "handbag" of its very own, a little black tote that has the Yves Saint Laurent name and address, with a stamp and postmark on one side (see photo below). It's a gimmick to me, but I'm sure there are collectors out there who will like the packaging more than the makeup. It is darling, but what am I going to do with the little tote? I'm into the makeup!

Right now, YSL Beauty is offering free shipping on all orders. The collection is also available at Saks and Nordstrom.

Photos courtesy of Saks and YSL Beauty