A couple months ago I received a sample trio featuring Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stains [holy cowzers, long name!] in № 7, 9, and 11 as part of a GWP bundle. Today I was going through my stash and thought it would be a good idea to swatch them and maybe post a brief review.
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| Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain (left to right) – № 7, 9, 11 |
YSL claims this “revolutionary new lip product combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long wear of a stain”. In 2012, Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain received Allure magazine’s “Best of Beauty” award for “Best Lip Stain”.
These stains have a consistency of very thick lip gloss, which can be a bit hard to spread evenly using the default applicator, so I recommend scooping the product out with the wand and using a lip brush to spread. At first I didn’t see any gloss, but a few minutes after the pigment sank in, my lips looked very smooth and shiny. If like me you have lines on your lips, this particular formula makes them less visible, and I love that!
The product does have a fragrance, it’s that heavy rose scent typical for YSL makeup. It’s a bit too strong for me personally, because I kept noticing it for hours after the initial application, so other people must have smelled it too. The stain part is fantastic: it makes the color look bright and vivid for a long time, even after the buttery gloss is gone. If we count the stain effect, each of these three shades lasted over 7 hours on the lips!
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| Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain (top to bottom) – № 7, 9, 11 |
No. 7 Corail Aquatique can be described as a shimmery peach with neutral undertones. It’s a very lovely shade that can easily be worn day to night and for any occasion.
No. 9 Rouge Laque is your classic warm red, it’s a very bright shade for those brave enough to rock it. I love the way it looks, and probably would even wear something like that for a special occasion.
No. 11 Rouge Gouache is the vampiest of the three, and is best described as deep cherry red with blue/pink. It’s the kind of color that makes your teeth look whiter. A nice perk!
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| On the lips Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain (left to right) – № 7, 9, 11 |
Now about the negatives. I noticed on Sephora’s website it says this product doesn’t contain phthalates, but a quick look at the ingredient list reveals Polyethylene Terephthalate. It’s considered safe, and that’s what your water bottles are made of, but still I think it’s false advertising. Just sayin’!
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| On the lips Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain – № 7 Corail Aquatique |
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| On the lips Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain – № 9 Rouge Laque |
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| On the lips Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain – № 11 Rouge Gouache |
THE VERDICT
I’m telling you, these GWPs are dangerous, you’re always at risk of falling in love with fancy new products 🙂 While my credit card is quietly weeping in the corner, I’m going to try and figure out which colors I want to pick up from the available selection, because I am now convinced I need to own at least one full-sized tube. Long story short, I’m very impressed with long-lasting formula that also masks my lip lines. I’m not a huge fan of the fragrance, but I’m willing to look past that, because Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain makes my lips look and feel amazing.
PRODUCT RATING
92%, A-
Formula 8/10 | Application 8/10 | Pigmentation 10/10 | Longevity 10/10 | Product 10/10
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$32 USD for 0.2 oz. Available at Nordstrom, Sephora.
Ingredients:
Octyldodecanol, Aqua / Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Calcium, Sodium Borosilicate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Alumina, Benzyl Benzoate, Anise Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Tin Oxide, Fragrance. May Contain: Ci 77891/ Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Ci 15850/ Red 7, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Ci 17200 / Red 33, Ci 15985 / Yellow 6, Caramel, Ci 42090/ Blue 1, Ci 19140/ Yellow 5, Ci 75470/ Carmine.
OMG I need No 7. They all look amazing on you girl! Perfect amount of color and shine. Love!!!
I know right? The balance between color and shine is spot on!
SO gorgeous! No 9 is perfect for you especially! Love all of them though. 🙂
Thank you 😀
Those are all so beautiful on you!
Thank you Laura 😀
#9 is my favorite. I love the hint of vampiness in #10
You know, if I had unlimited resources I’d just buy all of the shades, haha!
I like the warm red on you
Thank you! 🙂
Wow these are all so beautiful on you!
Aw thank you Justina, you are so nice :))
No. 11 looks gorgeous on you!
Thank you Noelle!
Those are pretty!! I think they all 3 look great on you.
Thank you Destany! I really wish I could buy them all 🙁
The coral is great for spring!
I agree, I’m leaning toward buying that one 🙂
SO beautiful! Some of my favorite products!
And now mine, haha 🙂 My wallet is not going to be happy about this one.
You wear all three shades so well! I love them all on you.
Thank you Kath, it means a lot to me to hear you say that, since you’re my favorite lippie expert 😉
All three shades are equally gorgeous on you! I especially love 11!
Aw thank you 🙂 It’s getting so hard to pick one!
#7 is my fave, but they all look wonderful on you! Don’t you hate it when you like really expensive products? 😉
Ugh, yes, my Sephora cart is loaded with them right now, and I’m googling swatches to try and pick just one or maybe two ~_~ Why do they have to be so price, WHY!
Great spring colors! I love the Coral color.
I totally agree with you, that coral is beautiful.
I have only one of these but I absolutely love it. It’s the best lippie I own! Those colors look gorgeous on you!
Thank you! 🙂 I’m seriously in trouble, because I want to buy more than one =/ Gosh, why do these have to be so pricey.
I was prepared to not be interested, until I saw them on you! Even the coral is prettier than I thought it would be! Want. Your fault. Lol
lol, I will take all the blame! Seriously, though, they are gorgeous, the formula is fantastic, but the price really bites D:
Wow, gorgeous color and gloss!
I agree, the colors are fantastic, and the staying power is really great 🙂
They are all so pretty but to fancy for me as of right now.
I know what you mean, these are a total splurge and I seriously envy people who are financially stable enough to buy as many of these as they want. I’m probably going to try and wait for a nice promo, but I will own 2-3 colors for sure 🙂
these look absolutely incredible on you.
Thank you Kim!
I want it! I looks so nice and pretty on you!
Thank you! These lippies are really fabulous 🙂
I need that vampy red in my life! I have the coral, as well as about 4 other shades. I fell in love with these last spring, and actually wore one for my wedding (Fushia Cubiste). I love how long they last!
Now you are making me want to buy Fuschia Cubiste! I just googled some swatches, and it’s absolutely stunning 🙂