I was a bit hesitant to write this post mainly because products that came out a long time ago are basically old news to everyone, but I just couldn’t keep quiet about this one! I bought YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #12 Corail Incandescent in December as part of a Christmas gift to myself using one of those annual Sephora gift cards for Beauty Insiders, and now it became one of my go-to bright shades for lips.
Narrowing down the shade to try took me forever, because I wasn’t sure if I want to get another “your lips but better” color, or go with something more daring yet still classic. When buying luxury makeup, I always choose colors that I will wear a lot, and prefer purchasing trendy hues that probably won’t be used much in drugstores instead. After checking out all of the available options at Sephora.com I rounded it up to three favorites, and quick googling for swatches made it clear that #12 Corail Incandescent is exactly what I want.
When I received my order, I noticed that the color looks way different in real life than it does online, although I already expected that after checking out blog reviews for this shade. Sephora makes it appear more bright orangey coral, and in reality it’s more of a rosy watermelon-coral, if that makes sense. It certainly has more pink to it and it’s also a little darker than what you see in stock photos, that’s for sure.
I have to make a special note of the packaging – the tube itself is visually stunning, and has medium weight to it. It doesn’t feel as heavy as looks, but also not too light to make it feel cheap. Trust me, there are some luxury brands out there whose packaging looks gorgeous, but when you hold them in your hands, you actually realize that it’s all painted plastic underneath.
The lipstick glides on the lips like butter, and feels oh-so moisturizing. Despite the fact that these lippies are marketed as sheer hints of color, #12 Corail Incandescent is actually very pigmented. My lips are naturally very pale, which makes them a good canvas for lip products, and wow, did this one make them pop! Two quick swipes deposited enough pigment to last 3-4 hours, and the formula leaves a slight stain, extending the wear time even more.
In the end, I was expecting to like YSL Rouge Volupte Shine, but I am officially head over heels in love with these. I tried some other similar types of sheer buttery lipsticks from the drugstore before, but nothing even comes close. Oh dear…
Do you need it? If you can afford it, get it. This has to be one of the most comfortable lip products that graced my lips, and I adore everything about it, except maybe the lasting power could have been a bit longer, but with a formula this creamy it’s understandable. I feel like it was well worth the money spent, and I will definitely purchase more colors in the future.
PRODUCT RATING
94%, A
Formula 10/10 | Application 9.5/10 | Pigmentation 10/10 | Longevity 8/10 | Product 9.5/10
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$35 USD for 0.15 oz. Available at Sephora, Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, YSL Beauty.
This shade is SO pretty on you!
Thank you Brooke! <3
Love those colors and agree with Brooke, those shades were made for you!
Thank you Norah! For the longest time I couldn’t figure out what colors look better on me, and I thought cool shades did, but now I think I prefer warm tones more.
These lipsticks look sooo pigmented, but they come off kinda sheer which is disappointing. It looks great on you though.
My lips naturally have very little pigment, so these lipsticks add some serious oomph of color. I only own this shade, which is quite bright, but I can see that lighter colors might go on fairly sheer.
That’s a pretty color on you!
Thank you!
Your lips look like fresh watermelon! Yummy color. I’m so in love with this packaging, too. I need to find my shade and get one of these.
Haha, thanks Nidia! Mmm, now you made me want some watermelon… Is it Summer yet?
And I’m so with you about the packaging, I think it looks very luxe. Definitely something I’m proud of when I whip it up for touch-ups.
Talk about modern day snow white!
Rocking my pasty, haha 🙂 I’ve been trying this new foundation but the color is like a full tone darker than my skin, and my friends still call me Casper.
This color looks perfect on you!
Thank you, Eugenia!
This shade is gorge on you. 😀 I have a YSL Rouge Veloupte Shine in Pink in Confidence and I ADORE it! I went back and forth between it, this shade that you have and another, brighter pink before settling on the one I chose. I wanted all three! LOL The quality of these is lovely. Fron the packaging, in, they are worth the investment.
I saw your post the other day and thought to myself that I want that color, too. These lippies are seriously top notch!
I seriously love love love this color on you. You remind me of Snow White with your gorgeous skin. Looking fabulous!
Thank you so much Honey! You are the sweetest <3
This shade is stunning!
It’s the perfect coral, really. I think it’s probably better suited for Summer, but I just can’t stop wearing it.
It looks amazing on you 🙂