YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms, my review

Now and again, during one of my more lucid moments, I wonder if I’m only a lipstick addict with a strong hoarding tendency or if I’m just prone to be influenced by the sneaky makeup brands marketing strategies… That’s what I asked myself when I realized how I was obsessed I was to find the new YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms.

Usually, I always do a little research before purchasing a cosmetic product, whether it’s skincare or makeup. Obviously, I can also be quite impulsive and buy a product randomly, and regret it sometimes, like everyone else.

But here, and I don’t feel proud to admit it, I don’t even have this excuse. I was first attracted by the adorable packaging of these lip balms after seeing them on social media, several months before their official release in store (yes, the brand went for a big teasing). And then, at the launch, after I realized that these YSL Volupté Tint In Balm were nowhere to be found (sold out already), it only increased my strong desire to get them. It’s simple, I needed them!

At that time, it was impossible for me to know if they were even good or bad, no reviews were available about them. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I don’t think it would have made a difference: I just wanted to find these Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms. And that, for two pretty lame reasons: their super cute packaging was, of course, decisive but it was also about the fact that they were complicated to find. A bit like a treasure hunt, in a way!

And believe me, it was indeed quite hard to get my hands on them. These lip balms are actually out of stock worldwide because of numerous Asian buyers (China and South Korea mainly) who were blitz buying them every time they came back in stock.

And the reason for this YSL lipsticks hysteria is that they appeared in some very popular South Korean soap operas. For YSL, it all started in 2014, when the super famous heroine of one of these soap operas used a Rouge Pure Couture lipstick in one episode (the shade 52 Rosy Coral, to be precise).
This shade was out of stock for months, taking the brand completely by surprise. And because the buyers could not find this color in Asia, they didn’t hesitate to empty the stocks of the other continents. In European and American stores, they bought them by 10 or 20 whenever it was possible. And quickly, this lipstick became unobtainable everywhere. The brand has since then developed a huge popularity in Asia and its limited editions lipsticks sell like hotcakes every time they release them.

Brands quickly realized their interest after this story and some Korean soap operas now look more like a teleshopping program than a TV show. Some brands like the Korean cosmetics company Amorepacific, don’t hesitate to pay several thousand dollars to place their products in one episode.

Yves Saint Laurent probably did that too with these Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms. But given their success, I must say that it would have been a shame not to do it. And their packaging is so cute, it’s impossible to resist! (well, at least, obviously, you know I couldn’t)

I finally found them in a cosmetic shop in the East of France when I was visiting my family last month. I guess the Asian YSL addicts didn’t spot this store! wink
All the shades weren’t available, but the ones I wanted the most were there.

But are they really worth all the crazy hype? Let’s find out together! smile

YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms, presentation:

What the brand says about them:

“A new hybrid lipstick combining melting balm care with glowing sheer color. Volupté Tint-In-Balm has a unique double core formula that leaves lips nourished with deep moisturizing butters and antioxidant fruit oils for a lasting kiss of tint. Your lips, but better!

This new “tint & care” technology is created with a unique double core formula providing twice the benefits. The outer shell delivers instant balm care with macadamia and apricot butters mixed with passion fruit, coriander and jojoba oils for a glowing sheer color that is vivid, yet transparent. The lip-shaped heart of the lipstick running from top to bottom, provides a lasting kiss of tint.“

These are tinted lip balms with a 2 in 1 formula: color and lip care.
Indeed, they include:
– a slightly tinted balmy base which contains jojoba oil, apricot and macadamia butter for their nourishing effect,
– and inside that base, there is a pink lip-shaped center which allows to slightly color the lips, like a lip stain.

The YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balm range includes 12 shades, and they retail for $34 each.

If I understood things correctly, the Volupté Tint In Balm should eventually replace the range of Volupté Sheer Candy.

YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms, my test and thoughts:

– Packaging:

I’m not gonna lie, the packaging here is everything!
The metallic silver and gold tube is super luxurious, and of course, the detail of the little mouth in the center of the stick is just super cute. And it’s not just the surface, this cute kiss-shaped heart remains all the way through the entire stick. Such a cool innovation!

It’s clearly the lipstick that you would take with yourself to do your touch ups during the day just for the pleasure of taking it out of your bag (and also to show off a little)(at least, that’s what I do lol).

– Texture and feeling on the lips:

The texture is super balmy and creamy. It’s like a hybrid between a cream and a gel.
The comfort is immediate when you apply it on the lips but unfortunately, it doesn’t last very long (less than an hour), and you need to reapply often to keep the lips comfortable. I feel that the hydration is only on the surface, it doesn’t really have a deep repairing effect like for example my lovelies by Fresh, the Sugar Lip Treatments, much more nourishing.

– Finish: 

It’s a shiny and quite a sheer finish, which leaves a glossy effect and leaves a “wet lips” effect on the lips. They don’t contain shimmer or glitter.

– Fragrance: 

I love the scented signature of this range, very fruity. The brand claims it’s a pomegranate perfume, but it reminds me more of mango. In any case, it’s yummy!

– Pigmentation:

I was pretty disappointed by it. The pigmentation is really minimal. If I compare it to the Volupté Sheer Candy lip balms, I find that these are more pigmented. Here, it’s quite difficult to differentiate the colors on the lips… It’s more like a wash of color.

 – Color range: 

Considering the lack of pigmentation, I don’t really see the point of having 12 different colors in the range. Sure, it’s nice to look at in an Instagram picture or in a bathroom when you have several (it’s the hoarder lipstick addict speaking!) But other than that, I don’t really think it’s worth collecting all the shades.

– Application: 

The tip of the lip balm is round, so not really precise. It doesn’t really matter to be honest because the pigmentation is quite light. It’s also quite easy to reapply, you don’t need a mirror.

– Lasting power:

They don’t last at all. I didn’t expect a super long lasting formula, considering the finish but they last less than an hour on the lips, so not much… uneasy

– Value for money:

They retail for $34, and despite the fact that it’s a luxury product, I’m not sure I get it. They’re not really nourishing, and the pigmentation is too light for my taste. Of course, it’s a lip balm, so it’s quite sheer but here, you can barely distinguish the different colors…

YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms, the shades:

To be honest, I would rather talk about a wash of color than real colors.

– 1 Dream Me Nude: a pretty nude with warm undertones.

– 3 Call Me Rose: a light baby pink, that is probably my favorite of the three. As it is very light, it gives a lot of volume to the lips, it looks super pretty and juicy!

– 5 Dare Me Plum: a plummy pink a little more intense. It’s such a yummy color, like some crushed berries or something. Such a fresh shade.

Finally, here are the swatches:

You see what I mean about the pigmentation! wink

And here they are on me:

– 1 Dream Me Nude:

– 3 Call Me Rose:

– 5 Dare Me Plum:

In summary:

[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]

If you are like me, a passionate lipstick collector, you could be very tempted by the packaging of this adorable lip balm, and I can’t blame you. But honestly, I’m not sure it’s worth collecting them, the colors look a little bit too similar for my taste. And for the price, I would have appreciated a real lip care effect and a longer lasting power.

The YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms are available on the brand’s website for $34.

And you, do you feel tempted by these cute YSL Volupté Tint In Balm lip balms? Or you have more willpower than I have to resist them? wink

Photo credit: bonnie-garner.com