The MLBB (my lips but better) trend hasn’t really gone away; it’s evident when Yves Saint Laurent Beaute’s Rouge Volupte Shine in 121 Beige Satin trended on RED (or Xiao Hong Shu), a Chinese social media platform similar to Instagram.
RED users shared about how much they love this lipstick shade.
RED users raved about the lipstick’s gorgeous but wearable shade and have made followers on the platform go out and buy this lipstick in hordes.
What you need to know about the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm
This is a hydrating lipstick with a balm-like texture that promises to deliver conditioning benefits and high shine. A medium-coverage lipstick, this is made with 65% essential oils and provide a sheer pop of colour and all-day comfort.
There’s also skincare benefits to using this – the brand says that your lips will look healthier and more nourished after four weeks of continuous application.
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm review – 121 Beige Satin
121 Beige Satin is trending on social media platforms because of how it is universally flattering and its sheer, wearable shade makes it easy for any lipstick newbie to get on board with it. Its hydrating texture is also one of the things that users raved about.
But is it really as good as the reviews say and will it work on different skin tones of people in Singapore? The Daily Vanity team puts the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm 121 Beige Satin to the test so you can also find out how it looks on different people.
Lynnett
Usual foundation brand/shade:
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in B20
- Gucci Beauty Natural Finish Fluid Foundation in 170W
I saw firsthand how beautiful this shade turned out on my colleagues, and I really, really, really wanted to like it too. But, right off the bat when I came up close and personal with the brown-toned lipstick in my hand, I had an inkling that it may not suit my skin tone at all as my go-to neutral lipstick has to be slightly rosy pink-tinged in order to make me look alive. While the lippie colour seemed to have morphed a little into different hues on my colleagues, it remained brown on my lips which made me look unflatteringly pale.
It could be due to the reason that my natural lip colour is quite dull and slightly darkened, to begin with, so the gorgeous colour didn’t turn out so well on my lips. That said, I loved how comfortable it was to wear the lipstick and I only needed one to two layers to coat the entire lip.
In terms of colour longevity, it’s certainly not the lippie’s strength but I think nothing really stays put as well as matte lipsticks. It transferred to my cup when I chugged down water, and it also didn’t leave my straw untouched when I sipped on lime juice. When I wiped my lips with a tissue after a meal, most of the colour came off my lips. Translation: Re-application is definitely needed if you’re wearing this lipstick.
‘Alyaa
Usual foundation brand/shade:
- Sisleÿa Le Teint in 1B Ivory
- Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick in Light 3
I loved how the shade looked on Kristen (our editorial director) and was hoping it would look as great on me too! While it wasn’t what I was expecting, I do love the way the colour looks on my lips. It gives that beachy glow – slightly bronzed but fresh and pinks up the lips. I used it on my cheeks for a little pop of shimmer, and loved how it looked! Coupled together, I like that I looked fresh and radiant.
The only downsides are the pigmentation and lasting power. Because my lips are a little darker, I realised that I could still distinctly see my lip line – but nothing a little lip liner beneath couldn’t solve! Although a little bit of the product did settle on some dry skin, my dehydrated lips still also loved the formula. So be sure to exfoliate beforehand. It also doesn’t last long since it is more of a lacquer than a matte lip, so I wouldn’t wear this if I needed something more smudge-proof. But otherwise, I would use this often!
Jade
Usual foundation brand and shade:
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation in 2N1 Desert Beige
- Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation in 40NN
Like my fellow colleagues, I was a little apprehensive about trying this brown-toned lippie when I first caught a glimpse of its bullet. Brown-toned lip shades have never looked great against my skin tone – most of them seemed to drain the life from my face.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when I swiped on a layer of this balmy lipstick. The smooth, creamy texture glided on effortlessly and melted instantly on my lips. On me, the shade took on a flattering, rosy hue that pulled my look together – another MLBB shade to add to my collection. The lipstick also has a yummy, fruity scent that isn’t overwhelming, which enhanced the entire experience for me.
It wore comfortably on my lips and kept them nourished and moisturised for the rest of the day. If you’re looking for a lipstick that stays put for hours on end, however, you’d probably want to give this a miss. Since it isn’t a matte lippie with a longwear formula, it transfers on everything it touches. It doesn’t leave much of a stain too. When I got home from work, the colour had practically disappeared, but my lips were still incredibly hydrated.
Gwendolyn
Usual foundation brand/shade:
- Clinique Even Better™ Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in WN44
- Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation in 20CP
To be honest, I was quite surprised at how well this shade turned out on my lips! Initially, I wasn’t very keen on it upon opening up the (very gorgeous) lipstick tube and seeing that it was brown. I’ve always avoided brown lipsticks because they have looked so unflattering on me!
Upon applying it, however, the colour turned out to look more like a reddish-brown hue on me. The lipstick was smooth, creamy, and despite its matte finish, it felt so soft, almost satin-like on my lips.
I put it to the test as I headed out to dinner – while some of the lipstick transferred onto the mask, most of it stayed on my lips! I would say it’s not a problem if you wear disposable masks but if you’ve got reusable ones, it’ll take you some time to get the stain off.
By the end of dinner, most of the lipstick was gone from my lips. While this lipstick’s selling point may not be its staying power, the colour payoff and comfortable wear is just what I look for in a lippie – of course, the uber-flattering shade is a huge incentive.
Kristen
Usual foundation brand/shade:
- Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation in #3
- Laneige Neo Cushion_Glow in 21N Beige
Using this lipstick was like opening a surprise box for all of us. Gwen told me it looked reddish on her but on Lynnett, it was browner. On me, it was very close to my original lip colour, so it essentially accentuates my lips and makes the tone look more even. The high-shine that it comes with also helps plump up my lips a little.
Besides the wearable and very flattering colour, what I really love about this lipstick is how hydrating it feels. The balm texture glides on easily on the lips and keeps my dry lips smooth and soft for hours – I’d actually skip my lip balm on days when I wear this.
The only complaint, however, (similar to what my colleagues have shared) is that it transfers easily. Especially with our current mask-wear lifestyle, you’ll definitely need constant touch-ups and if you’re the kind who gets irritated by makeup stains on your mask, you’re not going to like it. But if you, like me, don’t mind a bit of cleaning for the sake of a hydrating lippie with a gorgeous colour, then you’d be happy to live with some inconvenience.
The Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm in 121 Beige Satin retails for S$55 and is available at all YSL Beaute boutiques and counters.
