Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is living up to its motto of “fighting boredom” this month with an exciting hybrid lip and cheek product boasting some serious science. Simply called Baby Doll Kiss and Blush, each of the 12 shades features patent-pending technology that creates an air-whipped, light-diffusing texture. It smooths and perfects lips and cheeks leaving a luminous matte finish. Ultra-sensorial dry oils comfort and hydrate skin while soft sensuous powders prolong colour hold. The brand promises all day colour and comfort.
What’s particularly interesting about this launch is, in fact, the applicator. An exclusive and patented “hidden pearl” applicator contains a hidden ball that massages and plumps lips for a natural just-kissed glow and dots on the cheeks. Apply at dot on each check and blend for a pop of colour.
“The orange, fuchsia, and coral shades have a resolutely YSL mystique,” says Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director, YSL Makeup. “These colours can surprise by their intensity, but on the skin they spread and blend into a natural-looking veil. Applied in harmony on the lips and cheeks, they assume a very sexy look.” He particularly likes pairing No 1 Fuchsia Desinvolte and No 4 Orange Fourgueux. For a more rebellious look, pair No 5 Rouge Effrontee with No 6 Rouge Libertine. The idea is to play with colour combinations depending on your mood.
“With strong colour on the lips, keep it fresh with the shades applied to cheeks. Or vice versa,” continues Simmonds. “You can also play with a ‘complexion’ coour like a twin set on the lips and cheeks: from discreet fleshy pink to fiery red.” He says when applying the product on lips, repeat application if you desire bold colour. On cheeks, use the applicator bead to apply a dot of colour, then blend with your fingertip. Add more dots to modulate the colour effect and achieve the desired result.
If you want a sophisticated blush look, use a very dark tone below the cheekbones to sculpt the cheeks. You can also apply several dots in a concentrated circle on the cheeks and then blend towards the temples. “I love the idea and the chance to play with colour. Women can create their own codes.”
“Backstage, I experiment with different products to create different textures and effects. For example, applying a cream blush on the lips for a powdery-matte effect or lipstick on cheeks for a velvety flush,” says Simmonds. “The result is always new. Kiss and Blush successfully achieves this same kind of exploit, combining these two effects in a single formula that adapts perfectly to the skin and lips. The texture boasts adjustable coverage and it’s extremely easy to apply and wear.” YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush launches April 1st and retails for $45.
Kiss and Blush is only one of a handful of multi-use products arriving on counter this spring that promise to save time and effort. that includes an addition to NARS Multiple lineup – this time in a matte formulation – and shu uemura which will launch its own version later in the season.
