The latest eyeshadow addition to the designer beauty and makeup line by Yves Saint Laurent is the Couture Palettes. Available in 11 colour variations, each palette contains a base shade, a highlighter shade and 3 signature colours to use as you wish. I have been playing with YSL Couture Palette #2 Fauves which includes darkened neutral shades. Wear them all, or wear just 3. I have created a look using all 5 shades and my review tells you if you should fork out the cash for this smoky, neutral palette.
Review Packaging of YSL Couture Palette #2 Fauves
- Like all YSL Beauty products, this palette comes packaged in a signature gold cardboard box. On the rear of the box, there is a diagram that shows you which colours are the matte base (B), illuminator/highlighter (H) and matte colours (1, 2, 3). This can be used as a guide for inexperienced makeup enthusiasts or you can put whichever colour you like wherever you like. Enclosed in the box is a guide that gives you options to create signature YSL eye looks.
- The eyeshadows are enclosed in a shiny, reflective gold plastic compact that measures approximately 6cm x 8cm. The signature YSL logo is embossed on the face. It’s rather lightweight but looks expensive, worth the money spent for a high-end product. Unfortunately, the shiny casing does mark easily and fingerprints make it look messy but wipe clean easily with a soft cloth. The reflection is so clear you can practically use it as a mirror but there is also a full-size mirror attached inside the compact, beneath the lid. The compact clicks closed securely and I never found it to open accidentally when thrown around in my makeup bag.
- Aside from the 5 shadows, there is also a liner brush and a double-ended sponge applicator (one rounded and one-pointed). I don’t use these applicators because they are just too stubby to give you control of placement. I would only recommend using these in emergencies and sticking to full-size makeup brushes when possible.
Let’s get into detail
- Each colour eyeshadow has a mostly uniform texture. The powders are firm but once you break into them they get a little softer.
- The pigment is sheer to medium on the base and the 3 colours, which leave a matte to semi-satin finish.
- The highlighter has a good dose of silver micro shimmer which leaves a pearl finish, but the colour payoff is minimal. I really like this for the inner corners of the eye.
- Despite being powders, I found these shadows stayed-put for far longer than most powders do on my eyes. I have dry skin so I can’t comment whether this would be the case for those with oily lids, but I did get a good 10hrs+ before any fading occurred, and that was without any primer.
- The eyeshadows apply smoothly to and blend somewhat easily, but I’m no expert blender so for me, it’s always a little difficult than others may find it.
- Using a wet brush didn’t seem to make a difference to colour pay-off or the duration of wear.
- I like the mix of shades and other than the highlighter I was happy to mix and match the shades to create different looks. I find the highlighter really can only be used as a highlighter because of the lack of colour.
What Yves Saint Laurent say ….
Create Eyes like a work of art with our Couture Palette. The intense colour is long-wearing, crease-proof and available in 11 matte and satin shades. Our formula includes a high concentration of pearls and pigments and a network of transparent powders that result in a long-lasting complex for optimal hold. This smooth even blend finish is crease resistant for up to 12-hour hold. The result is pure, intense colour in 11 stunning palettes.
