YSL Rouge Scandal

I did it. I finally watched Bridget Jones Diary (then the others) and I purchased my first ever YSL lipstick. Not a dupe of a shade but the real deal ... It's actually pretty good - Bridget Jones Diary - its a pity I waited so long to indulge the inevitable. Yet, I've been in the mood to indulge ... on banoffee pie, snickers feasts and lipsticks.

Yeah, I've been bad. Deliciously bad.

Nevertheless there's a healthy eating, goal reaching, minimalist minimizing storm brewing so, my rebellious side has been kicking up a storm. Anyway ... here are my first opinions about my first ever YSL lipstick. I know what you're thinking - was it worth it? Let's see ...

Honestly YSL is not in my comfortable price range. Its definitely a luxury item that I'd rather not speak the price out loud. Yeah I know that for every highstreet/drugstore product I buy I could save it up and buy a fancy one. Well ladies and gents, I guess I'm just not that fancy ... well not £26 for 3.8g worth of fanciness ... until now.

Getting back to business ...

The packaging is pretty dope.

YSL packaging is the epitome of luxury. Its gold (of course) and has a good weight to it. The bullet is certainly not flimsy and I'm satisfied that the lid is not going to fly off at any moment (aka its well made). However, being the epitome of luxury comes with it fair share of flaws - I've had this lipstick less than a week and it already has scratches in it and on the best part (where the logo is). Plus whenever my paws touch it fingerprints are left which can be an unsightly pain if you're trying to be a fancy alluring woman - like how you imagine the lipstick calls for (or is that just me?). Of course, I'm not too bothered about the latter (fingerprints) but I just thought I would let it be known. Plus I guess depending on your level of natural clumsiness and gentle care you might fair better with the packaging suffering less scratches than me.

Initial Impressions?

Rouge Scandal is a warm based red. It can look almost tomato red or more cool based (ruby red) depending on lighting i.e. in this picture it looks tomato red but above the same swatch looks deeper. I tried looking at YSL's website to help clarify the naming of this shade but the model swatches, got me all types of confused. So lets call it a versatile red and leave it there.

The first time I applied this lipstick I was in shock. Rouge scandal was so smooth and creamy with a bit of a sheen that I felt it could not possibly be matte, I had picked up the wrong shade! Yet I checked the box, the name, searched for reviews and low and behold 204 was indeed Rouge Scandal and it was a YSL matte lipstick. Hence, this lipstick is not your typical drying, lip dragging matte. Its soft, its smooth, pigmented and feels very nourishing on the lips. I can't fault the feeling.

How about the colour then?

From bare lips to YSL Rouge Scandal applied to full impact and lastly Rouge Scandal applied sheer. I really like this shade full impact but, I also love a sheer application that I can wear without any other makeup. Yes a sheer application looks slightly pinkish but its still gorgeous.

On my lips Rouge Scandal looks like a warm red. Yet, like I said in my swatch picture above its a hard shade to determine because it can look like a pinkish red, a deeper blue based red or even an orange based one. Maybe its because I've been tired lately but, I've found it hard to describe it. Nonetheless, Rouge Scandal reminds me a lot of Doris Michaels LP02 which I dubbed a brick red. Both lipsticks have a perfumed scent (Rouge Scandal smells like spicy Rose Water) and are in the same colour family (warm red). Although LP02 is very shiny and a little bit brownish when swatched side by side (in the hand picture below). So whilst Rouge Scandal is not exactly a unique one of a kind red, LP02 is not an exact dupe of the shade either (just similar) .

Left picture shows YSL Rouge Scandal swatched with Doris Michaels LP02 on my hand and the Right picture shows them swatched on my lips.

Dupe-wise. I think Rouge Scandal is not terribly unique or innovative even with my meagre collection *coughs coughs* I could find a shade which looked resembled which costs less than quarter of the price. Yet ultimately there are differences - the most notable one being that the finish of these lipsticks are different. Rouge Scandal is much more matte and can dry to almost a stain like finish whereas LP02 could pass for a pigmented gloss because of its shiny watery appearance. Plus LP02 has some brown depths that Rouge Scandal does not have. Nevertheless, the gold packaging, perfume smell and reddish pinkish warm undertones made it similar enough to warrant me comparing the shades. So, their not dupes aka twins but, cousins (in the same family).

YSL and Dorris Michaels Packaging compared side by side - similar gold theme. Last far right picture shows Doris Michaels swatched by itself. LP02 also looks like a bit of a shade shifter as it looks deeper and more cooler based in this pic ...

To conclude?

I like the lipstick. I like it a lot. Its my first ever couture makeup purchase so yes I am slightly in awe and yes I am eager to try more fashion couture brands to compare it to. However, there really is no need. It doesn't wash up dishes and make breakfast, no it just looks pretty like all my other lipsticks which cost far less.

However, it is very pigmented and so smooth that it feels nourishing like a lip balm but with incredible pigment and versatile possibilities. Yes, Rouge scandal is like a lip balm, pigmented lipstick and stain wrapped up all in one. This lipstick lasts a fair while (I'll give it the 6hr claim) but it can fade if in contact with oily foods. Otherwise, the formulation is superb as the pigment doesn't settle into lip lines and it doesn't feel heavy or greasy (very lightweight). Additionally the shade is great for all skin tones and hues. So yes I do love it even though I know its a luxury and not a necessity. I think if your'e looking for a treat then its worth trying out.

Ingredients: Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 ,Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Isosterate, Kaolin, Isoshexadecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsequioxane Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Polyethylene, Alumina, Calcium Aluminium Borosilicate, Calcium odium Borosilicate, BHT, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Methicone, Tin Oxide, Parfum/Fragrance.( May Contain: CI 15850/ Red 7, CI 45410/ Red 28 Lake, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/ Iron Oxides, CI 77891/ Titanium Dioxide, CI 15895/ Yellow 6 Lake, CI 45380/ Red 22 Lake, Mica CI 19140/Yellow 5 Lake, CI 42090/ Blue Lake CI 15850/ Red 6, CI 15850, Red 7 Lake, CI 75470/ Carmine).

Expiration: 24 months.

Have you tried any YSL lipsticks?

What makes you purchase makeup?

Is it because of the shade, the brand, the formulation?

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!

Stay Blessed

:o)