YSL Vernis À Lèvres Colour Amplifier & New Shades

I was just joking with a colleague that it is a sign of age when one starts to find comfort in familiarity.  There are so many new liquid lipstick launches of late [check some of them out here] that it is actually refreshing to see the return of a well-loved line.  Beauty lovers should be familiar with YSL’s cult-favourite Vernis à Lèvres range of glossy stains in all its iterations – classic, Pop Water, and Vinyl Cream.  This year, YSL is relaunching the Vernis à Lèvres collection with new shades and adding a something completely unique – Colour Amplifiers!

The new YSL Vernis à Lèvres Primary Colour Edition is a light glossy stain that is sheerer than even the Pop Water, and is designed to be used either on its own or layered with another lip color.  Think of them as colour changing gloss toppers, there are 3 of them – Magenta Amplifier (51) turns warm-tones into cooler plummy hues, Blue Amplifier (52) darkens the mix, and Yellow Amplifier (53) brightens.  In the 3-lip swatch swatch comparison below, you can see the difference the Magenta Amplifier (51) makes to Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream (416) Psychedelic Chili.  You can do the same with any other lipstick of your choice!

In addition to the cool colour amplifiers, YSL has also released brand new shades across all 3 Vernis à Lèvres lines.  There are 5 fresh shades of the classic Vernis à Lèvres, 4 new shades of Vernis à Lèvres Pop Water, and 4 new Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream.

I have 6 of the new shades to show you today:

From left to right, the shades are:

• YSL Vernis à Lèvres Pop Water 217 Red Spray is a sheer warm-toned coral red
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres Pop Water 218 Orange Mist is interestingly not an orange at all, but a salmon pink. It is also not as sheer as Red Spray.
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres 46 Rouge Sfumato is a deep wine red that has better opacity than the Pop Waters
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres 50 Encre Nude is a peachy orange that gives a pretty my-lips-but-better look
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres Primary Colour Edition 51 Magenta Amplifier is a reddened fuchsia that goes on sheer
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream 415 Fuchsia Beats is a creamy fuchsia with a strong blue base
• YSL Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream 416 Psychedelic Chili is a warm-toned red

In contrast to some of the matte liquid lipsticks currently in the market, these YSL Vernis à Lèvres are not as long lasting, but that is to be expected of something so glossy.  On the other hand, these have far better opacity (especially the Vinyl Creams) than regular glosses, and amazing longevity.  I like to layer them over a lipstick to ensure they last through all day of meetings and drinking.  More importantly, these do not dry out my lips, and stay perfectly comfortable even after continuos days of wear.

Before I go, and because today is National Day in Singapore, here is a full makeup look in patriotic reds!  Featuring YSL Vernis à Lèvres Pop Water 217 Red Spray layered over YSL Vernis à Lèvres Primary Colour Edition 51 Magenta Amplifier…

Have you tried any YSL Vernis à Lèvres glossy stains before?  Which formula/colour is your favourite?

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}