Packaging doesn't get much more luxe than YSL; I've fawned and exclaimed over its beauty many times and I'll do so many more times. Although I'm a huge fan of YSL's lipsticks, I confess my sole venture into their eyeshadows prior to this palette is the Couleurs d'Afrique palette from the 2008 The Lights of Africa collection (which I still have and must share with you guys some time!). Eight years on, did their 5-Colour Ready-To-Wear Couture Palette meet my expectations?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, YSL's presentation is beautiful, you truly feel you are getting what you pay for with this weighty golden compact. There's a large mirror inside and the five eyeshadows are arranged so that the suggested base colour (top left) is the largest and the accent colours and highlight are smaller. Also included: the requisite sponge applicator, this time with a twist - it has a pointed sponge on the other end of it instead of another round sponge. It's accompanied by a small liner brush.
I really like how well thought out the Couture palettes are: they come with an information sheet which labels the eyeshadows by their potential uses and shows you how you can use the included applicators for each eyeshadow. There are also instructions for application and even diagrams (not pictured). Of course you can use any of the colours however you'd like, but this guide is an effective cheat sheet. Particularly great if you're not confident with colour placement and just want it laid out clearly for you.
Swatched on bare skin under daylight bulbs
With its mixture of softened peach, ivory, brown and taupe shades, Saharienne is a palette for those who like their eye makeup to be understated, elegant and subtle. The texture is smooth and finely milled with medium, even colour pay off and they're mostly easy to work with - only the middle shade, the darkest, presented any issue as I found it difficult to blend out.
I've used the Saharienne palette here with ZA Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown. The lashes are these ones from Born Pretty Store (use code LR10K31 for 10% off).
What I liked:
- Buildable, even colour pay off
- Smooth, finely milled texture
- Beautiful and functional packaging
- Clear instructions for suggested colour placement included
What I didn't like:
- The darkest shade is a little difficult to blend out
- Farmers NZ (only in selected stores, find a list here or shop online)
- Smith & Caugheys NZ
- Ebay
Have you tried any of YSL's eyeshadow palettes? I can't stop swatching Jardin Majorelle or Love when I stop by the YSL counter and I'm beyond curious about the 10 shade palettes.
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Lani
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