Review & Swatches: YSL Glossy Stain in no. 15 Rose Vinyl

I acquired this Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain (which is quite possibly the longest name for a lip product in the history of time) in no. 15 Rose Vinyl as a present to myself for getting a new job; but really, any excuse would have been appropriate. The YSL Glossy Stains have been 'the thing' for a while now, and after a not-so-subtle nudging from Suka & Spice ('Get it! Get it!!!'), I knew I wanted in.

The YSL Vernis À Lèvres (lip laquers, $32 for 0.2 fl oz.) are a curious hybrid of a stain with a gloss with the texture of a sticky liquid lipstick. The glossy stain definitely feels quite peculiar on the lips and make the wearer ponder the mysteries of modern cosmetic chemistry; or it could be just me. My favorite way of applying the stain is to put on a sheer coat and smooth it on the lips with a finger, and then top off with a more generous second coat. The effect is a gorgeous glossy pout that lasts for at least 4 hours in mint condition - I can't really attest to the wear above that, because a girl has to eat. It also lasts reasonably well through nibbling, but a larger meal would require some consequent touch-ups.

I'm a big proponent of the packaging - for once, it looks stylish, for twice, it features a window enabling you to see how much product is left in the tube, for thrice, the applicator is pure genius. How lush... and furry.

The shade 15 Rose Vinyl is a medium yellow pink; rather bright, but definitely in the everyday category in my book. It has teeny tiny shimmers running through, so fine that I can't really detect their color at all. To me, Rose Vinyl seems like an excellent universal pink, wearable on both cool and warm skintones. Very, very pretty. In the arm swatch, Rose Vinyl is on the right, compared to Sleek Pout Polish in Pink Cadillac on the left, the only vaguely similar shade in my collection; and I have a lot of pinks, believe me. As a side note, it seems that both Sephora and Nordstrom each have a shade that's exclusive to their counters.

In the lip swatches, the top one is one layer worked in with a finger, the middle is two coats, the bottom is what's left of the stain after vigorous removal with a tissue.

Lastly, as a bonus, myself wearing both YSL Glossy Stain in Rose Vinyl AND a pair of glasses; how dapper...

Have you tried YSL Glossy Stains? What is your favorite shade?