REVIEW: YSL LE TEINT ENCRE DE PEAU FUSION INK FOUNDATION REVIEW - SHADE BR20

I am a massive sucker for a clever marketing campaign, and when I heard that YSL were releasing a lightweight, yet high coverage foundation, that had the lasting power of Estee Lauder Doublewear, yet the lightness of Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation, and that there was some mythical crazy waiting list for this stuff, I was obsessed. Like I always am. First up, let me say, whatever waiting list the marketing guys talked about, there was zero wait for this in my part of london. I actually got it early, and no one else had bought it, or was on any sort of list. As Public Enemy say, don't believe the hype. Not calling YSL liars of course, but there's some damn creative marketing talk at work here!

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation - BR20

So what else do they say about this foundation that makes it such a jizz-worthy marketing talk dreamboat....

What it is:

A revolutionary, fine-as-ink foundation with broad spectrum SPF 18 that perfects the skin while it wears weightlessly for 24 hours. 

What it does:

Get all-day comfort, broad spectrum sun protection, and a soft-matte finish with this featherweight foundation that suits every skin type. Its innovative hybrid stain technology provides a lightweight yet high-coverage formula, and its exclusive extendable polymers offer buildable coverage that lasts for a flawless finish. 

Special sweat and sebum-controlling agents allow for 24-hour of coverage—even through humidity or heat, and its sensorial and volatile dry oil complex allows it to set in seconds. Formulated with pure-micro-coated pigments, it delivers lasting, radiant color, and the face-zoning applicator allows you to perfectly apply it to the face for precise, easy-to-use application that’s never cakey or heavy.

So what do I say....

Well....here's the thing. When I was testing this, I had one other foundation in mind, in regards to the claims made by this foundation, and that was Estee Lauder Doublewear. The reason is, Doublewear is used by thousands of women as their holy grail. Personally I dislike it hugely, as the finish is somewhere close to corpse paint, totally flat, lacking in dimension, and just....unreal. Saying that, it's a fantastic formula, as this foundation has taken me through dj gigs and sweaty concerts and festivals from morning till night, and it sticks like glue and you can rely on it like no other foundation that claims to be lasting. Swings and roundabouts.....so to speak.

So does YSL Fusion Ink match up longevity wise. No, it doesn't, it will rub off, there will be elements of wear that become apparent as your day goes on, because ultimately, the two foundations are hugely different beasts.

Fusion Ink is a lovely foundation, but it's not a substitute for the major coverage and longevity of Doublewear, so don't expect the same. It is a very thin formula, and it dries in seconds, but provides a very decent level of coverage in one layer. If you need more coverage in places, just dab the wand over those areas and work the foundation in using a buffing brush in circular motions. I have tried with and without primer and I would say, if you are oily like me, you do need to use primer, because it keeps off the shine that does eventually break through, and will, if you rub your nose or blow it, transfer and wear off. However, if you get caught in a shower or sweat, and don't rub your face, this stuff stays put quite wonderfully, and unlike doublewear, you have a velvety matte finish that has an ethereal glow, blurs imperfections quite successfully and does last, even if you might need a little touch up with powder towards the end of the day.

So, it's good, it's great, but it's not perfect and it's not infallible, but what it does bring is a very decent coverage, a light as air feel, and a beautiful matte finish that lasts longer than your average matte foundation. I recommend you take advantage of their seven day free trial to see whether you like it or not, given that it's an expensive item at £30, you want to know you're not just doing what I do, which is get blinded by the flashing lights of 'NEW ITEM!!! BEST THING EVER!!! YOU WILL LOOK LIKE CARA IN MINUTES!!!' then go home and cry yourself to sleep because you can't pay your rent.

This does happen. Every month. I rule.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation - BR 20 - Swatch and blended

So there it is on my arm. Yes the photos is blurry and crappy, but you don't come here for my obsessive efforts at being the worlds best blogger i'd wager. I like to think of myself as the John Bender of the blogging world, as in, I pretend I don't care, but I obviously do, but that still doesn't mean I give a toss enough to buy a camera. 

The Breakfast Club - Bender = AMAZE

You will notice in the swatch, btw, that BR20, which is the palest of all the Beige Rose shades, is a bit dark. I tried B10, and looked alarmingly yellow, whereas Beige Rose, is less yellow, but leans A LOT more yellow than my YSL Teint Touch Eclat foundation, which is a perfect match, but crap on my skin. Honestly, total crap, I look like i've been rubbing sunflower oil on my face. Nil points! This though, it does a pretty great job, and although it won't fix a broken heart, it goes some way to making you look less you've been crying all night....

*sadface*

If you'd like to be part of the YSL Fusion Ink party, you can pick it up direct from YSL here , or House of Fraser, Boots or Debenhams for £30.50.

REVIEW: MAC Kelly Osbourne Mineralize Skinfinish - JOLLY GOOD and Powder Blush - Cheeky Bugger

Kelly Osbourne and her face

So let me get one thing straight here. When I first heard there was going to be a Kelly and Sharon Osbourne Mac collection out, I did not whoop for joy. Instead I thrashed about in the same way I did when Kate Moss was given her first Topshop collection. Why the HELL should they get their own collections!! When I buy designer clothes, I feel excited because an expert and creator has designed something that they've studied hard to be proficient at, I mean, if Kanye West can get slated for being a designer of clothing, even though (and I know he's a controversial character here) he's been willing to intern at Fendi, which, I know, it's a dream internship, but at least he went there, did coffee runs, did a version of the same stuff that others who want to learn did. 

When Kate Moss happily says 'what I did, like, for this collection, was I decided to look in my wardrobe at stuff I liked and then said to the designers 'make that thing I like please' and then, like, I sell it to people, and get money etc'. I am paraphrasing obviously, but.....well, I have a big wardrobe, I have LOADS of clothes I like, that, shock horror, were designed by DESIGNERS, why not just ask me to make a collection then? I mean, i'm afraid I wasn't blessed with the genes to make me a beautiful supermodel who has been idolised for having a face and a human body, but I do LOVE clothes so....

And this is basically my issue. Kelly Osbourne, I have met a lot. I'm hoping my anonymity stays with this blog, because I could get my arse whooped, but she was a close friend of a friend, and every single time I met her, she was a twat, and self entitled, and expectant, and she really needed, to quote the youth of today, check her privilege. Nepotism is obviously the key to many talentless people's success, but come on Mac, you really are scraping the barrel here.

But then.....argh, I went and I ruddy bought some....

Kelly Osbourne Mineralize Skinfinish in Jolly Good

Packaging = Pretty

A contouring and highlighting duo

So the point in this, is that you can use it as a subtle bronzer or contour shade, and the other shade as a highlight or subtle blush colour. I have to say, this colour pay off is VERY subtle, but the quality is stunning. The powder is buttery and soft, and is picked up very easily on a kabuki (I didn't buy the Kelly kabuki, because for £36, you can shove it up your arse frankly) and buffed onto the cheeks to create an ombre contour that is quite beautiful. However, this is very much a pale ladies pick up. If you are deeper in tone, you are going to be spending a lot of time trying to get some payoff on you skin. 

I would suggest that this is a lovely bronzer for the summer months, and the lighter hue is fantastic in conjunction, or alone. The packaging is beautiful and it's well worth picking up if you are super pale, like me, as it's a rare type of bronzer that actually looks quite natural on your skin. 

Kelly Osbourne Blusher - Cheeky Bugger

Cheeky Bugger - Swatched

So this is a satin finish blush, which I would SWEAR is a sheertone because, well, LOOK HOW SHEER IT IS. I would also not call it a satin finish, as it seems to be an aggressively matte base, shot through with a bit of sparkle, which is a whole different game from satin, which I generally find looks a bit dated. I did my best to get a good swatch for you lot but alas, I tried and this is as built up as I could get it. HOWEVER. When I use it on my NW13 skin, it is one of those shades that I adore. Seriously, it makes you look and feel like a spring lamb. It's fresh and pretty. Sadly it's longevity is pretty woeful, and it is only visible for a total of two hours. I love the colour so much, i'm willing to top it up throughout the day. 

I would again, not recommend this for a darker skintone. It's just not going to give the payoff unless you go to work on it, and even if you do, it will wear thin pretty quick. 

I won't end on a negative note though. I love the packaging, I am appreciative of the products and despite the 'icon' not really being much of an 'icon', I can get over that to own a product I actually like, and the visuals and styling for her are absolutely stunning. If only I could get on Strictly Come Dancing, and be given jobs because I have some parents who did stuff. 

BITTER!

Anyway, you can pick this up online direct from Mac, the Mineralize Duo is £24 and the Blush is £23, and frankly, if I could make a collection with my mum i'd not turn it down, so I really should stop moaning. 

REVIEW: YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush - No 7 - Coral Affranchi + No 10 - Nude Insolent

Hiya now!

So, i've been absent for a while. Been a bit of a rubbish human being i'm afraid. I've been dj'ing, and trying to be less of a chubber (note to self: eating less might be the first step) and it's been hot as FIRE in the UK (hello viewers from across the globe!) so if sweating and complaining about sweating is considered an activity, then i've been busy as buggery. 

So to start this review off nicely, here's a picture of Cara Delevigne being rude with another lady for a camera (it's okay though, she is actually in a relationship with a lady right now so can't be accused of going gay for pay....

Fit.

Anyway, I have a local Debenhams which I go in FAR too much, and everyone knows me, I mean, I get high fives from the staff when I walk in i'm that familiar to them. Such is the rewards of being a beauty addict with blue hair. It's like Cheers (the sitcom) sometimes you wanna go where EVERYBODY knows your name.....and your favourite foundation shade. 

But I digress. I bought some YSL kiss and blushes and here's what's up. I LOVE THEM. 

Kiss and Blush No 7 and No 10 

Kiss and Blush No 7 Coral Affranchi

Kiss and Blush No 10 Nude Insolent 

I went the first day they were released and wanted to buy them all, but firstly, I am poor, and secondly some of them looked ruddy awful on me, so I settled on these two. Now, one big problem was the girl serving me, lovely as she was, had the worst make up ever. She had massively thick too dark foundation, dry cracked lipstick drawn far too far over her lipline and the classic contouring that is so over applied it looks like a grey dirty pile of dirt. It put me off, but I somehow managed to get through the consultation and purchase.

Somehow.

Coral Affranchi - Nude Insolent

YSL SAY THIS. GO!!!!

• KISS YOUR CHEEKS, BLUSH YOUR LIPS Yves Saint Laurent introduces a double play of colour for lips and cheeks. A hybrid between a lip colour and a blush, this innovative air-whipped formula allows for an instant application on both lips and cheeks. With a luminous matte finish, colour is easily buildable from a soft and natural look to a more intense sophisticated look. The patented "hidden pearl" applicator is customised to glide perfectly on the lips and to allow the optimal amount of formula to be dotted on the cheeks. A range of 12 playful shades to complement each cheeky side of the YSL Baby Doll woman.
• APPLICATION TIPS: Use one shade and dot the formula on the lips and cheeks with the applicator. Blend with your fingertips for a softer makeup result. For a more intense finish, apply a second layer by using the pearl applicator to fully spread the formula on the lips. To be more playful and daring, mix and match two shades on lips and cheeks and vice versa.

These items are basically my dream product. On the lips they sit somewhere between a matte lipstick and a stain. You need to be aware that as a lip product, they aren't THAT long lasting. If you're just going about your day, they'll see you through about five hours, but if you will be eating, drinking and kissing, they're going to wear off, although leaving you with a subtle slight 'my lips but better' stain. As or cheeks, this is where this product WINS and WINS HARD. I put just a couple of dot below each cheek bone and blend with a duo fibre brush from Real Techniques, and the colour distributes beautifully without leaving those telltale 'i've been using a benetint type thingy' dots stained into your cheeks. The colour deposited is matte in essence, but also luminous, and soft. I really can't say enough good about these, except for the price. I do think that £27 is a little much for a product that you are going to want to purchase multiple shades of. 

Despite that, I highly recommend you pick up a couple of shades. They're a summer staple and great for weekends away, and dare I say, festivals (I am vehemently ANTI the whole festival make up bullshit, given that in my day, we felt equipped with wet wipes and tampons). 

If you want to pick these up, you can do so online at YSL, John Lewis, or good old Debbers for £27 of your hard earned pounds.