From The Straits Times    |

First things first. If you’re a beauty buff, you’d doubtless be familiar with Yves Saint Laurent Beaute’s iconic Vernis a Levres – but if you’re a newbie (hello, there!), here’s a brief breakdown of the product.

For starters, it’s no stranger to the liquid lipstick scene – the revolutionary range was well ahead of Kylie Jenner and her cadre of followers with its debut back in 2012, and has since gained popularity for its truly groundbreaking formula – it’s essentially a stain, a gloss and lipstick all at once.

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Another cool point worth pointing out: unlike conventional liquid lipsticks that can get rather flaky and dry on the lips, the Vernis a Levres bills itself as being moisturising with a barely-there feel, complete with a glossy finish that lends the illusion of plumper puckers. For those looking for a more intense finish, not to worry: you can opt for the denser and higher-coverage Vinyl Cream range, which boasts a creamier formula with great colour payoff and a sexy, super-saturated sheen.

This year, YSL Beaute has amped up its Vernis a Levres game and introduced five fresh shades to the classic Vernis A Levres suite and four seductive and intense shades to the Vinyl Cream family.

We were kindly given a press preview of the new products, so naturally we had to suss out if these liquid lipsticks are really as lightweight and long-lasting as promised.

 

Vernes a Levres 218

First off, we have to say we adore the doefoot applicator’s slanted tip and soft bristles, which allow you to swipe it on with perfect precision – the curved contours of the applicator also allow you to ‘line’ your cupid’s bow for a more defined shape.

Now moving on to the formula. We’re happy to report that it delivers an intensely glossy payoff that fuses with your lips to form a film of luminous colour. This really gives a more voluminous effect – our lips appeared instantly bigger and bolder. So if you’re looking to pucker up and kiss your bae, we recommend applying a layer of this beforehand for a seductive come-hither pout. As promised, it’s also really hydrating and comfy on the lips, plus the colour stays on for a pretty long time.

 

Vernes a Levres Vinyl Cream 415

Likewise, the applicator is amazing and a real pleasure to use. The colour payoff is really good; it’s also worth pointing out that the high-impact shine doesn’t read as greasy in person and in photographs.

The creamy consistency really moisturises the lips and dries down to a barely-there feel, which is a crucial factor to consider for anyone looking for an intense liquid lip (inferior formulas tend to be very drying).

 

Verdict

We’d say these babies check all the boxes for a quality gloss-type product: It’s long-lasting, well nigh budge-proof and hydrating. We love how the formula clings onto the lips without weighing them down, making it a real comfort to wear. Also, they are very buildable and versatile; you can layer it on for a higher pigmentation, or mix and match the colours to custom blend your very own.

Bottomline: Opt for the Vinyl Cream if you’re looking for a more intense lip colour, or stick to the original Vernis a Levres for a more subtle and glossier finish. And to answer THE question: yes, these lippies are a must-have. The final clincher? The drop-dead gorgeous lacquer cases make for a great #flatlay shot, so we recommend chucking a couple of ’em into your cosmetics bag when you’re out and about. #HappyShopping!