YSL Glossy Stain 05 Rouge Vintage

YSL Glossy Stain 05 Rouge Vintage does something remarkable: it's a red lip that doesn't feel like a red lip. It feels like red viewed through a sepia photograph, or a black-and-white film. It feels like, well, a vintage red. Well-developed and beautifully decanted.

The gloss-stain-hybrid goes on richly and precisely, though at least two coats are required to get rid of any patchiness. By the way, 07 Coral Aquatique didn't have this problem when swatched immediately after delivery. Three other glosses were in the same package, and I got around to swatching them only after a couple of months; all three turned out patchy. I'm now worried that this particular formula deteriorates quickly.

At least I've discovered another nice feature of the YSL Glossy Stains: you can dramatically increase the intensity of the color simply by adding a layer.

If you're a bit nonplussed by the black leather jacket, please know that I snapped this photo on my way out the door to dinner. I ate a very messy panini, and the stain barely survived. There was no smearing or traveling, however.

As you can see, the first set of photos pulls slightly warmer than the second set. In person, Rouge Vintage resembles more the second set. I've seen this shade described as a medium or deep (perhaps it depends on the number of layers?) raspberry, though I feel that the label fails to convey its indisputable redness. The color really is lovely, and manages to be a sophisticated yet casual red. If you're a bit self-conscious about wearing deep blue-red lipsticks, this may be a good alternative.

YSL Glossy Stain 05 Rouge Vintage is a unique red in my stash: muted yet deep, and wholly refined.

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