I Tried $802 of YSL Beauty Products & Here's What's Worth Buying
When you think of YSL Beauty, a few things come to mind. For me, I think of Touche Éclat concealer and Dua Lipa. For others, you may simply know the three iconic initials as an iconic French fashion house. All of these things are true, but during a recent trip with the brand to Marrakech (a home and huge source of inspiration to the brand's founder, Algerian-born Yves Saint Laurent), I discovered that there was so much to YSL Beauty that meets the eye. And not to mention, some seriously excellent products to boot.
Over four days, I got the chance to visit Morocco's Ourika Gardens, where YSL Beauty grows botanical ingredients for its suite of makeup, skincare products, and fragrances. (I'll never forget hand-picking jasmine flowers that would end up in bottles of Libre perfume.) It's as good a crash course as I could've dreamed of, and along the way, I tested out hundreds of dollars' worth of product to determine which are the most exciting, covetable ones to try this year.
Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss, $72
In a crowded landscape of lip gloss-treatment hybrids, YSL Beauty's Loveshine is a standout. The shades are curated and truly unique — my two favourites are California Sunshine, a shimmery cinnamon, and Thunder Stealer, a sparkly frosted lavender that feels like it's from the future. In addition to a kiss of colour, the formula has ginger and pepper oils to boost circulation and naturally plump lips.
Make Me Blush Powder Blush, $98
These adorable powder blushes remind me of French macarons — colourful, cute, and utterly irresistible. Available in both matte and satin finishes, these silky powder blushes are intensely pigmented and have pretty impressive staying power. (They held up all day, even on the hottest days walking around Marrakech.) My favourites of the bunch are Peachy Nude and Berry Bang, but to be honest, there's not a blah shade in the bunch.
Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick, $72
Lip gloss in a stick? Genius, if you ask me. It's easier to apply without a mirror, less prone to getting everywhere, and when the packaging is this good, what's not to love? I love to wear this with a lip pencil for an easy, effortless lip combo. You can also wear it alone for a barely-there hint of hydrating colour.
Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara, $70
I'm pretty picky with my mascara. I like my lashes to look effortlessly fluttery and defined, even when I do a more bold, voluminous lash look. I'm wearing YSL Beauty's Lash Clash mascara here, and as you can see, it's all about flirty, look-at-me lashes without any heaviness or clumps. YSL Beauty's Global Makeup Artist Sam Visser gave me a life-changing tip for applying lots of mascara: Wipe off any excess from the wand before applying it to your lashes, which gives you more control over building up coats as needed.
Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette, $130
These compact eyeshadow quads are high fashion, but for your eyes. There are two new palettes to look forward to this year, Captivating Dunes and Sunrise Safari, and the former has become my current obsession. It's the perfect mix of earthy, cool-toned neutrals that are super elevated. I like to apply a wash of champagne shimmer all over my lid, and then define the crease with the medium taupe. For date night, I turn it into a smoky eye with the dark chocolate matte along the upper and lower lash lines. The powders are silky and soft to wear — never chalky — and are actually infused with fig cactus oil from the Ourika Gardens that I toured.
Loveshine Candy Glow Balm, $70
Yes, it's a lip balm — but a really, really nice one. Like, the nicest I own. I love the shade 8B (a warm rose) to prep my lips while I do the rest of my makeup. It's silky and hydrating, but not too heavy. I will be honest, the tint on this is quite sheer; but that isn't a dealbreaker for me since I'm not a huge lipstick person anyway. The packaging is also stunning, and looks like something Marie Antoinette would've kept in her vanity.
Libre Eau De Parfum, $290 (90ml)
I'm not normally a floral perfume girlie but Libre's gorgeous mix of orange blossom, jasmine, lavender, and musk is like a warm, sensual embrace in olfactive form. According to perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim, Libre was born from the idea of starting with a fougère — a traditionally masculine structure within fragrance — and adding feminine, floral notes for a juxtaposition. The result? A sexy, complex floral scent that evokes both strength and sensuality.
This article was originally published on Refinery29 US.
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'It [generally] suits those with a strong bone structure and jawline,' says Lennon. Despite your face shape, confidence is key. 'A pixie is great for the person who isn't looking to hide behind her hair and is confident in letting her other features shine,' adds Smith. Those with very thick hair might need it thinned out; very fine hair could benefit from layers for body. In terms of hair texture, a pixie best cooperates with straight, wavy, or lightly curly textures. A bob and a pixie cut, while both cropped hairstyles, are very different. Both styles evidently differ in length, shape, and 'overall vibe,' as Lennon puts it. 'Bobs can be very versatile by adding layers, graduation, and face framing,' continues Lennon. But a pixie cut lacks the versatility of a bob. Smith explains that 'when [a pixie cut] grows out, you need to work with a few unflattering lengths (which require more styling) in order to get you through the growing out process.' 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Hair-cutting specialist Vivienne Johns, explains: 'It's cut with no layering and no elevation, which gives it that strong, geometric, boxy shape.' The expert says it's a clean, sharp silhouette that is a failsafe way to define the jawline. If there ever was a haircut to be worn by a chic, jaded, Parisian painter's muse, it is the French bob. Joel Goncalves, senior stylist at the Nicola Clarke x John Frieda salons, says, 'It's worn in a short, bluntish line that's cut to just above the jawline. It's very relaxed and effortless.' The look is distinct in its undone, tousled appearance, and Laura Harrier is a prime reference point. The pixie cut is a bold and timeless hairstyle, full stop. A subtle tweak in finish that skews your crop on its side, will give the legacy hairdo some edge. Taylor Russell, Florence Pugh, and Taylor Hill have had their crop cut on the bias. A pixie cut with baby bangs is equal parts playful and gamine. 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