I’M SORRY, WHAT DID YOU SAY!? I CAN’T HEAR YOU!! IT’S SO LOUD IN HERE!! LET ME TURN DOWN THE VOLUME FIRST…
There! That’s much better. I can hear you now. Sorry, but I can’t help it when it comes to The Purple One. Hello, Take Me With You? Kiss? Purple Rain? You know how it is — you gotta turn it up when you’re bumping Prince. 🙂
Speaking of purples that reign (LOL! How’s that for a lazy transition?), I was ferreting through my lipgloss stash last week when I rediscovered one of the greatest purples of all time (IMHO), Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Pourpre Preview, or “purple preview” en Francais.
I’ve had purple lipgloss on my mind (and lips) a lot lately…partly because of Pantone’s Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid, making headlines, but it actually goes back much further than that — at least as far back as my twenty-sixth birthday, when my friend Jen got me my very first tube of purple lipgloss (Benefit Kiss Me).
So, Pourpre Preview — yeah, it’s $34, but for what it’s worth, with YSL’s Glossy Stains, it’s like you’re getting two lip products for the (pretty high) price of one.
In this case, the color starts as a gorgeous, glossy orchid violet, which then mellows out to a purplish pink stain.
Highlights…
- Lasts from 5-6 hours on my lips
- Has a moderately moisturizing, slightly sticky formula that feels quite thick when first applied
- Unflavored, but it smells a little like green apples to me (yum!)
It’s one of the most wearable purples I’ve ever seen, and that’s what makes it an Unsung Hero to me. It’s just so frickin’ wearable! It looks good on just about anyone.
It’s purple — but not too purple, if that makes any sense — and semi-opaque, so it allows your natural lip color to peek through.
Some purple lip products, particularly opaque ones like Topshop’s Double Take, are very obvious; there’s no mistaking that you’re wearing something purple, and it’s a very high fashion, straight-off-the runway look. Not something you could easily work into your everyday makeup routine.
Pourpre Preview, on the other hand, perhaps because it lets through a hint of your natural lip color, seems better suited to real life. When you walk into a meeting, the makeup lovers in the room will notice your lovely, unique lip color but won’t be all like, “Oh, snap! Is girlfriend really wearing full-on purple lips to this meeting? Where does she think she is — the club?”
What about cheek colors to go with it? Well, coupling purple lips with a purple or plum blush color can look a little dated (not that there’s anything wrong with it), but for most real life scenarios, I’d wear it with coral or peach cheeks. purple and coral/peach combo pair well and doesn’t look too matchy.
I’ve been wearing Pourpre Preview with MAC’s Cantaloupe (LOVE) and Buxom’s Euphoria blush, a bright and beautiful coral matte. (Side note: do you want me to give Euphoria the Unsung Heroes treatment? Just let me know…’cause it’s kind of phenom.)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hey Karen, I can never get over how these shades look on you! I really haven’t tried many similar ones, but my skin tone has a weird way of drawing out all the purple in a shade in a not-so-flattering way, so I am a little hesitant. And yes, PLEASE sing Euphoria some praises! That shade has my name written all over it!
Hi Sunny,
Hmm…interesting how the purples pull on your skin. Are they turning more red?
Not really. From what I can see they pull really cool-toned/mauve?
It looks wonderful on you! I need more purple lip products in my life. I only have MAC’s Plum-Like right now.
Hi Rikki,
Yes, you need more purple in your life! I can’t get enough of it.
This color looks stunning on you Karen! I need to get into the Radiant Orchid thing, and this seems like such a gorgeous way to do it.
Hi Natalie,
Definitely. YSL always handles color in such an elegant way. Have you tried the Glossy Stains before? They’re expensive but really beautiful lip products.
I’ve been looking for something like this lately (the Radiant Orchid buzz!) but I’m not sure if this’ll suit me. Purples and plums aren’t very flattering on me unless there’s a bit of pink in there! You on the other hand carry this beautifully!
You should try this shade, Ankita!
I love this color. It looks subtle enough that I could probably pull it off. Btw, what are you wearing on your nails?
Hi Agata!
How are you? I hope you had a nice weekend. I saw the pic of your snowy neighborhood on instagram…looks so cold!
Anywho, about the nail polish. It’s COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Glossy Nail Color in Bombshell ($5.99). Two coats.
I really like that nail polish. Does it chip easily?
I def have to try this lip color next time I am at Sephora, I keep coming back to this post and staring at how pretty it is.
The weather here is pretty serious. Today -11 degrees, there is still tons of snow, people are advised to stay inside not to get frostbitten. On a day like that I feel particularly lucky that I work from home.
Agh you’re sporting UD headphones! I’m straight up jealous over here! That shade of YSL looks fab, too! 😉
Hi Melody,
Wow, you’ve got some eagle eyes there, girlfriend! 😀
Have you tried the YSL Glossy Stains yet?
Busted out laughing and nearly sorted my hot chocolate.. Eagle eyes! I want the UD ones hardcore so I recognized them immediately 😉 LOL!
I have not tried YSL glossy stains yet but am snooping around at swatches.. I want a warm Fuchsia shade in either their glossy stains or rouge volupte… It’ll have to be online order though and your reviews are da bomb in helpfulness! Any recommendations? 🙂
Oh, you got me with the Purple One. I saw him in concert 3 years ago when I was 8 weeks postpartum (MAMA CAN STILL ROCK), and it was THE BEST CONCERT OF MY LIFE. The entire arena was dancing!
Hi Whitney,
Ooh, I bet that show was AMAZING. Who was the opening act? I’ve always wanted to see Prince in concert!
I can’t even remember. It was a band, but I’d never heard of them! There was a guy dressed up in the crowd like Prince circa When Doves Cry, and Prince invited him up on stage and the guy danced and crawled on the top of the piano. It was totally cracking Prince up!
I live for the opening pic! Lmao you are so creative and funny!! This color is gorgeous. I want it!!
Hey Fancie,
Thanks, my friend! Don’t you just love Prince? His cat eye is purr-fect, LOL!
That color is so nice.
It is!
What a beautiful color! Looks great on you too! I have been looking into purple lipsticks for a while and I think this one is really nice, a very wearable purple!
Hi Kiara,
Yes, it’s very wearable. What other purple shades have you been looking at?
Augh! Like I needed another purple thing to lust after… 🙂
I’ve been really curious about these YSL glossy stains, actually…
Hi Karen! Love your blog! I like the point you made about wearing coral/peach blush with purpld lips. I would never have thought of that. As a makeup newbie, I would love to read a post on how to combine lip/ cheek colors! Thanks!!!!
Beautiful color! I’m trying out purples and i’m loving it, i have fair skin and purple can be a little bit tricky, but this shade is gorgeous!
I’m obsessed with the pantone shade of 2014, this is going on my “to buy list” (and i haven’t tried these YSL Glossy stains before) so…and i’m loving your Prince picture too 😀
HEY KAREN! 🙂
Oh, I think I need a purple lippie now, I only ever have plum just because I think I can’t pull off a purple, it washes me off. But this… (not that I can actually afford it now, haha! student woes, tsk tsk) this is like the lovechild of purple and reality! It’s just the right shade of “yes I’m wearing purple but it’s kinda pink but it’s really purple, I know it’s gorgeous either way” I LOVE! AND GREEN APPLES!! Who doesn’t like the smell of green apples?!
M
Hi Karen .. actually purpel is my favourite especially for lipstic, but unfortunately I have problem with my lip when I wearing lipstic, I dont know how comes it will happend.
Karen do u have suggestion for me, how to apply lipstic for sensitive lips? and do u mind to advice brand which can be used for sensitive lips? need ure advice karen ..
many thanks
juny
Juny, you should check the ingredients in your lip products. Do ALL lip products bother you? or just some? Maybe just certain colors?
I know these questions sound strange but it’s tough sometimes to figure out what you might be allergic to.
I have problems with certain lippies – they make my lips rough and then very sore. Usually they have mango in them or some orange? I get the same thing on my lips if I eat too many mangoes. LOL
Also, mattes, stains, and long-wear formulas can be very drying and can irritate.
Usually if you find one formula or type that you can wear, if you stick to similar products you might have better luck.
I hope you figure it out.
I’d love to give the YSL gloss stain a try. I’ve had bad experience with drugstore stains. I hate them! I recently picked up the Loreal Caress gloss stain in “Stubborn Plum,” and while the color looks so pretty swatched on my hand, the formula does nothing for me 🙁 YSL never disappoints, though…
I was lusting after a YSL GLossy Stain for years but the price just wouldn’t allow me to splurge (yet). (First I had to get the special Guerlain lippie case…don’t ask LOL)
OK, so this F&F I finally treated myself to a YSL Glossy stain – I got the red, it was sold out so I went really bonkers and got the set with matching nail color. WOW, just WOW! The nail color goes on like latex, I’m not kidding. opague color with only two coats.
On to the YSL GLOSSY STAIN- I NEED THIS ONE BIG TIME!
I love the red on I got during the holidays. It goes on great, stays on forever, feels moisturizing, and stains my lips so they stay red. I love this product but really hate the price.
Oh, and I plum forgot to mention, this color looks great on you.