Pretty, huh?  Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch – $40 – Sephora

Here’s the thing.  For me, it wasn’t money well-spent.  Believe me, I’ve read reviews about this fancy concealer raving about how amazing it is; I was more taken with the packaging than anything, quite honestly. I’m very much like a crow and like shiny things.

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer – $10.49

However!  Remember when I wrote about Revlon Age-Defying Spa Concealer last year?  Live and LEARN, people.  I paid the price for you, because get this: I still prefer the silky smoothness and brightness of this drugstore concealer.  The YSL almost accentuated fine lines, even after using a primer and a nice foundation brush for blending.  I’m puzzled by how many women swear by  the high-end product, because I simply didn’t get the results I expected.

Have any of you tried either of theses concealers? I’d love to hear about your experiences!  All I know is, I’m sticking with the Revlon.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Revlon and YSL.  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

It’s what we all want, right? Beautiful, vibrant, pigment-rich lipstick that doesn’t dry the heck out of our lips.

YSL have mastered the art with their Rouge Volupte. These are super emollient but also super opaque. One swipe is more than enough!

Rouge Volupte

$34 – YSL

Please, in the name of everything that is holy, please don’t let this whole hot pink lipstick thing turn into a trend. We saw it a few days ago on Sandra Bullock at the Oscars and it looked great on her, and it looked cool on the models at Yves Saint Laurent, but for the average woman, it’s just too much look.

I could see, possibly, if the lipstick was paired with a cat eye look and an all-black outfit; it would be an interesting pop of color that would get everyone looking at your face. Other than that, it’s not something we should be encouraging, since many women won’t have a clue what to pair it with or how to wear it, leading to many Fashion Don’ts.

I love a good freebie as much as anyone, but one thing that we rarely see in a free gift is a brush. Well, Yves Saint Laurent is remedying that slight right now with a three-brush travel set that it’s giving away free to its web customers.

I can’t personally testify to the quality of the brushes in the set, but I’ve bought and used YSL brushes in the past with good results. Plus, if you’re a Touche Eclat devotee like everyone I know, this is as good a reason as any to stock up. Why not get something for free while you’re at it!

The offer is good with a $100 purchase on YSLBeauty.com – all you have to do is enter GIFT10 at checkout!

YSL have released a new mascara – Exaggerated Lift Mascara.

Here’s the blurb (beware, it’s a long read):

A daring new interpretation of beautiful eyes. Glamorous volume, bold length, voluptuous curl and dramatic styling: Mascara Singulier dares to do everything. A unique innovation by Yves Saint Laurent, the mascara brush combines the technology of a traditional brush with the structure of a molded brush, to increase the performance of the formula: Structured in an elliptic way, the multidimensional bristles ensure haute-couture precision and dress the lashes evenly from root to tip. By coating the root of the lashes with mascara like a stroke of eyeliner, the brush creates a unique and intense new type of separation. Volumizing micro-spheres thicken the lashes, with provitamin B5 to protect, nourish and reinforce the lashes’ structure. Like hair extensions, nylon micro-fibers extend the lashes. A high-performance curling wax helps style the lashes for an ideal curve.

What you need to know? It’s YSL. It’s mascara. It’s almost honor bound to be fabulous.

Exaggerated Lift Mascara

$30 – YSL

The problem I have with long wear foundation is the fact that, often….. well, it doesn’t last does it?  By lunchtime, it’s either slid off my face or it’s pooled in all my crevices (and at the age of 34, I can tell you, there are a few).

YSL’s ‘Teint Resist’ promises to be that long wearing foundation we’ve all been looking for.

Formulated with exceptionally soft, spherical micro powders, the texture is as smooth as velvet and offers long-lasting comfort. Micro sponges with a blotting-paper effect absorb excess oil for a perfectly matte and shine-free complexion. Color pigments are protected thanks to a special coating so that the color remains pure and intact throughout the day. With its ultra-resistant, radiance-revealing formula, Teint Resist guarantees an even, smooth and comfortable complexion for up to 14 hours.

This isn’t the cheapest of foundations (hey, it is YSL, after all), but I’m sorely tempted to give it a try.  What about you?

‘Teint Resist’ Long Wear Foundation SPF 10

$55 – YSL

Packaging (5/5)

What can I say – it’s YSL.  Aside from Chanel, I don’t think anyone does packaging as well as YSL.  They truly are the master of what I like to call ‘beautiful functionality’.  Does what it is supposed to, but looks beautiful doing it.

The case is classic YSL gold, with a twist top.  It’s sharp, crisp and very easy to find in your handbag.

Quality of Product (5/5)

No mucking around.  Let me say this simply.  This is, quite honestly, the best red lipstick on the market.

The formula is luscious and creamy.  It glides on like a dream, leaving me with Gwen Stefani-esque lips that scream old school Hollywood glamour.

It lasts and lasts.  I put this on at 8am for work (yep, this is a red you can wear for work).  By 5pm, admittedly, some of it has worn off.  But it still looks luscious and shiny.  And there’s none of that horrible line around your mouth whilst the middle has worn off.  This stuff is built to last.

As for the colour, this is a true, no fooling blue-red.  There’s not a hint of orange in this.  Classic.  Blue.  Red.

Here are a couple of photos:  the first is me with just the lipstick, whilst the second is of of me with lip gloss over the top (please excuse the hairs on my lip and my less than perfect application – I was too excited to show you the colour to beautify myself before taking the photos):

Price (3/5)

Price is not great on this.  It’s definitely a high end product, and the price reflects that.

Would I buy again?

Abso-freaking-lutely!  This is, without question, my HG for red lipsticks.  I will never stray again.

Pure Lipstick – #131 Opium Red

$30 – YSL

YSl Rouge Volupte – #17 Red Muse

Packaging (5/5)

What can I say?  It’s YSL.  No-one – and I mean no-one – does packaging like YSL.  This came in a fantastic, heavy gold case which is just…. breathtakingly beautiful.

Quality of Product (5/5)

This is a beautiful lipstick.  It is a classic and luscious YSL lipstick.

One hint when using this lipstick is to layer the colour.  Don’t just smear on one layer and leave it at that.  I find this lipstick works best when you have a few coats on.

In the picture above (excuse my lip furriness, I’m seeing my beautician tomorrow), I’m wearing three coats.  And this was taken about 12 hours after I first applied it, without a single touchup.  So wonderfully vibrant, even after a full day in the office.

Unfortunately, this picture does not do the colour justice.  This is a beautifully bright ‘look at me’ shade.  But it also has a wonderful warmth which I need for my skin.

Price (3/5)

This was pretty expensive ($AUD50).  But oh so worth it!

Would I buy again

Absolutely I would buy this again.  If you love strong colours – or if you are inspired by the looks of Dita Von Teese or Katy Perry, you will love these lipsticks.

Rouge Volupte

$34 – YSL

The latest of their “Manifesto” catalogs will be distributed in limited-edition tote bags, along with a heart-shaped USB drive full of images from the latest ad campaign, in a handful of cities this month.

“More than half a million copies of the catalogue will be distributed on the streets of Paris, New York, London, Milan, Tokyo and Hong Kong,” WWD reported.

The last time YSL did a giveaway like these was more than a year ago, when they handed out canvas totes with the classic logo turned upside down. Stay tuned to find out just where in your city the goodies will be given out. (Trust us, we’re anxiously awaiting the news.)

Perfect for spring and summer, these glosses are like any other gloss, except that they have been infused with 24 carat gold, to give your lips an irresistible shimmer. Yes, that’s right, that’s real gold in the formula!

The best thing about the glosses, though, is that YSL are including free samples of their Elle perfume and other goodies with every purchase of the new glosses.

Name five shades from the new YSL Golden Gloss line (hint: follow the link below).

Post your answer in the comments and go into the draw for a chance to win a free tube of YSL’s most awesome new Golden Gloss line!

Entries close 15th April 2008 with the winner being drawn at random. Good luck, Beauty Stoppers and check back often for more contests!

Golden Gloss

$28 – YSL

What else could you possibly stock up on for the Spring? Earrings, bangles, necklaces…and bag bracelets.

Yves Saint Laurent has fashioned an accessory for you accessories. The charm can adorn your favorite bag or belt. The logo is emblazoned on the solid gold charm. Add a little bit of glamour and up the trend factor on your favorite handbag with the signature chain.

It also doubles as a beauty secret. The charms open up to reveal a hidden solid perfume in one compartment and a fuchsia lip gloss. You can forgo the bulk of a bag and hook it to your belt for a night out and still have the essentials at your side.

Genius at its best. The simple concept is yours for under $60. The sheer gloss combined the option of a pink berries, peony and patchouli scent at your fingertips is a must have.

Yves Saint Laurent Elle Bag Charm Solid- $56.00

Marc Jacobs ‘Daisy’ Solid Perfume Ring
A playful fragrance accessory with a vintage feel. A mod gold Daisy ring twists to reveal the Daisy MARC JACOBS solid perfume inside. A must have for the spring season.
Nordstrom – $30.00

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Eye Shadow
The magical alliance of our star pen-brush TOUCHE ÉCLAT with a delightful cream texture offers a simple and modern way of dressing the eyelids with a veil of luminous and long-lasting colour.
Yves Saint Laurent – $27.50

Strange Invisible – Lavender Vetiver Invisible Body Lotion
Discover lavender made sexy with organic Sri Lankan vetiver. Lighter than air and gorgeously scented, this therapeutic emulsion is creamy yet weightless. It will soften, nourish and sink into your skin without leaving a sheen. Use often to enjoy soft, healthy skin.
Siperfumes – $40.00

Jessica Jessana Pro Nail Color – Prima Donna [shown above]
Celebrities have taken a shine to the new shades from Jessica Jessana. The polishes go on smooth and at this price, they won’t make a dent in your wallet.
Jessica Jessana – $4.00

Shu Uemura’s Mini Lash Curler
This lash curler is perfect for targeting specific areas, like those harder-to-reach outer edges.
Shu Uemura – $17.00

John Varvatos Eau de Parfum – 3.3 oz
They played icy attorneys on Law & Order, but Angie Harmon and Elisabeth Rohm like their fragrances warm and sweet. Both adore John Varvatos Parfum, a heady mix of plum, lily and wild honey.
John Varvatos – $92.00