YSL Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains

A few weeks ago I was sent some of the new YSL Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains. I was very intrigued when I read the press release which describes them as "a long lasting lip colour like no other. Glossy but not sticky. Long-lasting but comfortable. Intense colour but light as air." There are 14 shades with water inspired names ranging from nude to coral, red, pink and berry. I was sent 602 Vague De Rouge, 617 Dive in the Nude and 618 Wet Vermilion. 

YSL Beauté wanted to create a lip stain that had an intense gloss and colour pay-off but that didn't feel heavy or sticky. The question is have they succeeded? I honestly didn't think I'd like these that much when I fist saw them. I figured it would be another sticky, messy gloss that fades and bleeds everywhere. How wrong I was.

Firstly, they smell amazing as do all YSL lip products, not for everyone but I love it! The clever wave shaped applicator has a little well of product when you take it out that's just enough for one layer. You could definitely leave it there and you'd have a subtle stain and a shiny finish. However as you can see from the photos below, you can build it up another layer or two and achieve intense colour and a super glossy finish. 

If you've been following me for a while you'll know I'm a big fan of glossy lips. I'm not totally over mattes and I definitely think they look great especially with brighter shades, but I love how fresh and flattering a glossy finish is on my lips. The only negative for me is how your hair gets stuck in a gloss when it's windy out. I've been wearing a lot of glosses recently because it's been quite warm in Dublin so I've been wearing my hair up.

Something else that surprised me about the Water Stains is how long lasting they are compared to most other glossy finish products. When I first tried them I expected them to bleed and wear off after a couple of hours and not last through a meal. Somehow, they don't do any of these things. I've been wearing them all day in work (2-3 layers) and only topping up once or twice. They don't feather outside my lips and for a gloss, they last surprisingly well throughout a meal. 

Vague De Rouge, Dive in the Nude, Wet Vermilion

Wet Vermilion, Dive in the Nude, Vague De Rouge

Vague De Rouge

Dive in the Nude

Wet Vermilion

I'm completely taken with these, so much more than I thought I would be. I want to have a look at the other shades in store and possibly get another one (I have my eye on 613 Cascade Bordeaux) or in a pink or a paler nude. I like how versatile they are, one layer gives a light stain and a couple more layers gives such incredible impact.

Day to day in work I like to wear a bright lip colour because the rest of my makeup is usually very basic, I've found it hard to get such a bright shade with a high shine finish that's fuss free and long lasting, but in the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stains, I've found that product. The only similar product I've tried is the Vinyl Cream Liquid Lipstick but I think these are easier to wear and more lightweight.

Available to buy now from Brown Thomas, Arnotts or any YSL Beauty counter priced €34.

What do you think? Do you like a glossy finish?

Emma x

*Press Samples