YSL Rouge Volupte Provocative Pink No. 10

After having read hundreds of positive reviews and looking at a ton of swatches, the time has arrived: I finally have jumped into the YSL rouge volupte bandwagon and got a tube of the beauty as my Christmas treat (along with other junks).

Unlike most bloggers who went for their famous high-coverage creamy nude, peach or beige, I went for the fashion-forward fuchsia called Provocative Pink (#10),which turned out to be a color that I am unable to wear unless I am auditioning for Pretty Woman, as a...you know...The rationale of the YSL Rouge Volupte color choice was (honestly a bit stupid) the following:

1) This is the poster color (I am not even a fan of coke-Kate.)
2) I like the fuchsia /gold packaging. Yup, that's all I need.
3) I wonder does it get any prettier than my HG fuchsia.
4) This is the least well-rated one in makeup alley. (I was thinking I am a "cool kid" who can pull of what other people can't...)Anyway, the YSL lipstick comes with a sleek golden box, instruction paper in several languages (I apply lipsticks straight from the tube so I didn't bother reading it) explaining the moisturizing benefit and whatnot. The tube of rouge volupte itself is quite heavy (it's around 2x the weight of MAC and 1.5x that of Lancome) and it feels solid and substantial when I am holding it, beside the pretty tube, the mirror on the lid looks very well made and tough (I have dropped it for 2-3 times and it's still intact). I would say that the tube itself is beautiful, luxurious and it makes all of my other lipstick look cheap in comparison. (So I have decided to get some Lunasol or Coffret d'Or to "strike a perfect balance in my stash". Women like me are good at finding excuse to shop...)YSL rouge volupte in # 10 (swatched/dabbed on the right, compared to Lancome Satin fuchsia)is a fuchsia that leans toward being a deep rose. The lipstick has a delicious fruity scent (other people call it mango but I thought it smells like some sort of fruity milk pudding from Asian grocery stores) and a very creamy texture.

Just like Lancome Satin Fuchsia, the creamy texture of Rouge Volupte gives a very soft focused shine on a predominantly matte finish, which is nice for a color this bold.An extremely thin layer of YSL Rouge Volupte #10 worn on lips - The finish is similar to that of Lancome le Rouge Absolu but this particular color, Provocative Pink is not very wearable when applied in the standard way (gliding it on) that I had to use it as a stain instead. The formula is creamy, but not "replenishing" which means it forms a thin layer on my lips without filling the lines up (like normal glosses or moisturizing lipsticks), hence the wrinkled-up swatch.

I think most people wouldn't have this line enhancing problem (as my lips have very thin epidermis with high permeability. (Reads: give me moisture I will thrive...or else.)
Glossed the color up with a clear gloss (liplicious from bath and body works...again). While the rouge volupte is a mouthful when worn alone, the formula wears beautifully as a stain: I only need 2-3 very light dab on the lips to get a good amount of color and the formula is so fine that it doesn't become runny or get dissolved and diluted like other lipsticks.

Anyway, I find the color too bold when worn alone (actually I haven't find a shade in the Rouge Volupte range that's remotely wearable...it's like they have deep red, wine, pale beige and bright coral but there isn't a soft rosy nude) but it's beautiful as a stain. A thirty something dollar stain might be expensive, but the packaging is gorgeous so I am happy with the purchase.

Overall -Not really worth the hype, at least not this shade. (I love it as a accessory nonetheless.)