I’m telling you now, this is going to be a lengthy post. Usually I would break up this collection into several posts, but because I’m so behind right now on reviews- I decided to throw this collection together and hand it to you all at once!

The Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2012 Makeup Collection is based on sophisticated simplicity, combining khaki hues with soft gold accents and bold red statement shades.  It’s very professional, classic and perfect for the fall season coming up!  These limited edition pieces will be available at Holt Renfrew and other YSL retailers next month.

Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2012 Makeup Collection Packaging

Palette Couture ($68 CAD)

The main stunner of the collection is the Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture Highlighting Powder; this little gem is an embossed powder in a gorgeous detailed compact (complete with velvet sleeve, of course), meant to give you a youthful glow.

I think the name “highlight powder” is a bit confusing, because it combines three mid-tone shades of rose and peach, so essentially it works a lot more like a blush and highlighter hybrid (this also means its going to be a bit more on the sheer side).

I dust it all over the high points of my face, concentrating it on the cheeks for a gorgeous glow.  It’s smooth, velvety and blends beautifully on the skin… it does take a little building though to get enough colour in certain spots.

RATING: A-

Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture in its velvet pouch

Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture

Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture

Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture

Yves Saint Laurent Palette Couture, Swatched

Pure Chromatics ($74 CAD)

Capturing the essence of the khaki tones in the collection is the Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10. This compact is a dream piece for anyone with brown or hazel eyes (but of course anyone can pull it off as well).  These wet/dry eyeshadows can be applied as is for a sheer wash of colour, or foiled (using a damp brush) to give a striking, opaque intensity.

I’ve been wearing this quad a lot lately, because it makes for a super simply smoky eye (that’s not just grey and black, like I always do).  The textures are beautiful and although they do go on without intense pigmentation, using them wet really changes the opacity completely!

I’m also not 100% convinced that the silver shade in the quad belongs… I usually stick to either warm tones or cool tones when it comes to doing an eye look, and this silver seems to stick out like a sore thumb. The promo photo is gorgeous, and the model works it really well, but I find it hard to blend into the other shades in real life. That’s just me though- there are no rules in makeup!

RATING: B+

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10

Included applicators

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics in Harmony Nº 10, Swatched

Dare To Glow ($55 CAD)

I was probably most excited to get my hands on these tubes of glory Yves Saint Laurent Dare To Glow highlighters! These squeeze tube liquid highlighters are absolutely stunning; if I could recommend one piece out of the whole collection, it would be these.  They come in three shades, but I have two of them here to show you.

Naughty Pink is a super pale, cool-toned pink shimmer… it reminds me a lot of Benefit High Beam.  I think this one would look best on lighter, cooler complexions. Tempting Gold is is a beautiful warm gold that would compliment nearly any skin tone. I love mixing it in with my foundation for an all-over, summery glow.

These highlighters blend so beautifully into the skin and the shimmer is so fine that you really just get an ethereal glow, like young, healthy skin. An instant pick-me-up for your complexion!

RATING: A

Yves Saint Laurent Dare To Glow Highlighters

Yves Saint Laurent Dare To Glow Highlighters in Naughty Pink (left) and Tempting Gold (right)

Squeeze-tube tips!

Yves Saint Laurent Dare To Glow Highlighters, Swatched (Tempting Gold on left, Naughty Pink on right)

Rouge Pur Couture The Mats ($38 CAD)

The new Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats lip colours are all variations of the iconic “YSL Red”, inspired by different rock groups! While the full collection is available in Europe, we do get a couple of them over here with the fall collection.

This shade, Nº 203 Rouge Rock, is a stunning true red. All of the lipsticks have a matte texture, but I found this one to be more of a satin texture (it did have a bit of a sheen).  Super comfortable and wearable, I’m not positive if the rest of them have the same type of finish or if some of them are more matte than others.

This is definitely my new go-to red lip colour. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and longevity- just make sure to start off with a red lip pencil first for an ultra-precise edge! So classy!

RATING: A-

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in Nº 203 Rouge Rock

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in Nº 203 Rouge Rock

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in Nº 203 Rouge Rock

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in Nº 203 Rouge Rock, Swatched

Wearing Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in Nº 203 Rouge Rock

La Laque Couture ($27 CAD)

The last piece to talk about in this collection is a new shade to the new and improved Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture nail polish collection. I’ve already reviewed a few others from the line, but this shade is definitely on of my top favourites for fall. I’m a huge khaki green fan, so Nº Khaki Arty is right up my alley!

The formula is super pigmented- two coats was more than enough.  It has a patent-like shine and wears for 4-5 days without chipping (with a base & top coat, of course).  I love how it pulls the collection together, just like how any polish or accessory pulls an outfit together when playing with colour palettes!

RATING: A

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Khaki Arty

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Khaki Arty

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Khaki Arty, Swatched

See More

COLLECTIONS
Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2012 Makeup Collection Photos & Information

LOOK BOOK
Look Book: Khaki Arty

Summary

• Price: Individual prices listed above
• Availability: Holt Renfrew, Murale and other YSL Retailers (August 2012)
• Selection: See the entire collection here
• Overall: I’m really in love with the colour theme in this collection; khaki green with soft golds and bold reds- so classic, sophisticated and elegant.  My favourite piece has to be the Dare To Glow highlighters- pure liquid gold! The eyeshadow palette is pretty and I love the modern twist on the smoky eye, but I’m not sure if the silver belongs. I’m also in love with the nail polish and lip colour (although it’s not as matte as I thought it would be) and the showpiece of the collection, the Palette Couture, is stunning in the compact and on the skin- as long as you realize it’s meant to be a little more sheer, the tones work beautifully to create a healthy glow.
• Rating: A- (For the collection as a whole, individual products rated above)