I’m going to just come out and say it – I have a love hate relationship with liquid lipsticks. I absolutely love the vibrant shades and the long lasting formula is just so much easier to use. Like Uncle Ben said, “With great power, comes great responsibility”. So too, with liquid lipsticks; they have great lasting power, and they have a responsibility to be comfortable while doing so. Alas, the reality is that more often than not, liquid lipsticks feel drying and soul sucking. So I ask you – what is a girl to do?
I think YSL may have heard my question, because they’ve released a range of matte liquid lipsticks called the Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain. Featuring a collection of 18 shades across nudes, pinks, oranges and reds. Of course, my inclination to red shades meant I purchased the colours 01 Rouge Tatouage and 12 Red Tribe.
Packaging and Colours
The Tatouage Couture Liquid Lip stains come in a classically beautiful gold cardboard box – something that just spells luxury to me. The shiny packaging is attractive yet flimsy, especially after opening the product – so as much as I like it, I had to toss it away.
The tube in itself caters to my fantasy aristocratic side. The lid is a shiny gold colour with the YSL logo embossed on the face. The body of the product is a frosted plastic container, which allows sufficient visibility of the colour to choose it at sight without having to look for the shade name.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are 18 shades in the range.
01 Rouge Tatouage*
02 Crazy Tangerine
03 Rose Ink
05 Rosewood Gang
07 Nu Interdit
08 Black Red Code
09 Grenat No Rules
10 Carmine Statement
11 Rose Illicite
12 Red Tribe*
13 True Orange
15 Violet Conviction
16 Nude Emblem
17 Unconventional Coral
19 Fuschia Intime
20 Pink Squad
22 Coral Anti Mainstream
23 Singular Taupe
(* I have these shades)
Product Application and Staying Power
What makes the YSL Tatouage lip stain stand out from the million others out there? The applicator wand! Unlike other products, this applicator looks like a flat spatula with a slight angle to one side. I do love the intricate details on the wand in itself. A close look reveals the tiniest YSL embossing on the applicator wand. The angled edges of the applicator wand means that you are able to draw in precisely along the lip line and the flat sides mean even application on the lips.
Like everything I get my hands on, I sniffed this product too! (I wonder if I should see someone about the compulsive product sniffing). This immediately reminded me of the Benefit Benetint – it smells like Rose water. Also too, the lip stain feels very light when applied. It takes a few seconds to dry down matte and manages to retain its shine until you eat something heavy or greasy. At this point, the lip stain starts to break down when it gets in contact with oils.
Over the course of the day, the product does start to break down and fade. But worry not, it doesn’t become a mess. It actually stays true to the name and remains as a lip stain tattoo.
Overall Thoughts
I was impressed with the performance of the product when I saw them on Tati’s youtube channel. And I was seriously hanging out to get them for myself. I’m so glad I did, because it’s truly been in my handbag as a back up, should the need arise especially when I use a cream based lipstick. I have asked a friend who’s currently travelling across America (on her honeymoon I might add), to get me two other shades hehe.
The shades will work well together to create an ombre lip shade and they feel absolutely comfortable throughout the day. The best part is that the lip stain doesn’t crack like regular matte liquid lipsticks.
YSL Tatouage Couture Lip Stain is available at Mecca, Myer, David Jones and online.
