Beauty review: YSL Beauté The Slim Velvet Radical

If you stop by here regularly you’ll know I often sing the praises of a matte lip, and that I went pretty gaga for the ‘leather-matte’ of YSL Beauté’s Rouge Pur Couture The Slim when it launched several years ago.
A super-slim, square couture lipstick that delivered Yves Saint Laurent's most luxurious, ultra-full and longwear matte yet, it created a category all its own and was also oh so sexy to hold in the hand. The tapered bullet meant that just one swipe is super precise, as the unique shape means you can really push the colour right into the curves of the lips and angle the cupid’s bow perfectly.

Which brings me to The Slim’s latest incarnation - YSL Beauté The Slim Velvet Radical, a subversive semi-matte lipstick inspired by none other than velvet. Continuing the story of The Slim and its uncompromising manifesto of matte lipstick, the Slim Velvet Radical speaks to the woman in love with matte, who also wants the textural effect of velvet.
A fabric that comes with an opacity that cloaks the body entirely yet a malleability that is so soft and comfortable, velvet bridges the line between subversive and sophistication. Now re-imagined as a lipstick, it’s where radical couture meets radical comfort.
The Slim Velvet Radical was designed using the latest technological breakthroughs, and each
element of the formulation was chosen by YSL Beauté labs with the utmost precision:
* Hemispherical fillers: Chosen to give the semi-matte effect of velvet, these help the lipstick to feel soft on the lips without any “linting”
* Silky oils: Used for moisturisation and to give the lipstick “slip”, they were increased three-fold in this formulation to guarantee a lightweight, velvety feel on the lips. As a result, The Slim Velvet Radical won’t dry out the lips, but instead leaves them feeling supple and soft all day long.
* Pigmentation levels: Optimised to the max, the pigment payoff delivers a high quality, impactful colour coverage, in just one stroke, that stays true to its first application.

Encased in eternally chic, 100 per cent black, the matte packaging of The Slim Velvet Radical had me from ‘hello’. With the same square-cut bullet design is as practical as the original, it accentuates the natural curve of the lips and delivers a more volumised “push up” effect and a plumper, fuller look. It glides on like a charm and has a serious wear time, and is my choice for when mask wearing isn’t mandated and lips are once again on full display.

It also comes in twelve beautiful new shades inspired by velvet and designed by Tom Pecheux, YSL Global Beauty Director, which fall into the below categories:

NUDES
No 301 Nude Pulsion - Like salted Caramel, irresistible.
No 302 Brown No Way Back - A rich browny-red, worn to dramatic effect in the campaigns by Edie Campbell and Zoe Kravitz, it’s a modern, intense play on the classic power-lip and destined to be an iconic shade in its own right.
No 303 Rose Incitement - A sophisticated Beige-Rose, chic yet seductive.
No 304 Beige Instinct - Warm Beige with a hint of Pink, subtle and polished.

ORANGES
No 28 True Chili - A fiery Red for fiery personalities. Derived from one of my favourite original Slim Classic shades, and a bestseller.
No 305 Orange Surge - Pure Orange, radically spicy.

REDS
No 306 Red Urge - Classic Red, for instant impact.
No 21 Rouge Paradoxe - Dark Red, rich and enticing, and a best-selling Slim Classic shade. No 307 Fiery Spice - Burning Orange-Red, for a deep impression.
No 308 Radical Chili - A fresh, vibrant red with a blue undertone for independent spirits. No 309 Fatal Carmin - Red with a Brown undertone, bold and radical.

FUSCHIA
No 310 Fuchsia Never Over - Passionate Pink, blazing a trail

Oh and because I know you want it, here are the details on how to recreate the look seen on Zöe Kravitz in the campaign (above), cheekbones not included…
Face:
All Hours Foundation
All Hours Concealer
Touche Éclat Shimmer Stick N° 1
All Hours Setting Powder B60 & B40
Couture Blush N° 1

Eyes:
Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Shocking N° 1
Crushliner N° 1
Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils N° 1
Dessin Des Sourcils N° 5

Lips:
Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Velvet Radical N° 302

YSL Beauté The Slim Velvet Radical is available now with an RRP of $69.