YSL Black Opium Wild Edition

As the days get chiller, the nights get darker and the knitwear gets heavier, it is only natural that we start to gravitate towards those richer, deeper fragrances. I, for one, love my summer-fresh, zesty, fruity scents but as Autumn draws in, I start to switch up my daily spritz and opt for a more opulent mix of perfumes.

2014 saw the launch of one of Yves Saint Laurent's most hotly anticipated fragrances - Black Opium Eau de Parfum. It was the shot of that intoxicating coffee note that really set it apart and made it the perfect Winter scent. I gushed all about the original EDP on my blog nearly two years ago. Now YSL have released a limited Wild Edition of this perfume - same electrifying scent but housed within a highly collectable bottle.

The bottle is gorgeous and will definitely add a splash of mystery and sparkle to your dressing table. The glitter-effect faux fur coat wraps itself around the bottle, and is finished with a rose gold border to add a edgy look to the scent. Inside you will find the same mix of bitter coffee, radiant white flowers, soft vanilla and woody cedar which makes Black Opium such an appealing fragrance. It is round and deep and guaranteed to warm you up on those wintery days.

Available now online (£47 for 30ml/£66 for 50ml/£87 for 90ml)

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*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture

Love them or loathe them, coloured mascaras are a thing and a trend that is definitely sticking around this Summer. Whether you just opt for a subtle coating on your bottom lashes, wear it alone, layer over your normal mascara or simply highlight the tips of your lashes, coloured mascara is a fun, frivolous addition to your regular makeup routine and definitely worth a try.

Perfectly timed for the festival season, Yves Saint Laurent Beaute has released nine fiery new mascara shades, including two mesmerisingly sparkly top coats, to shake up the eye makeup conventions. The new formula of the Vinyl Couture dresses your lashes with a unique shiny, lacquer-like texture. The brush provides a curvaceous, lengthening effect with sleek volume, and whether you want something vivid or a little less obvious, there will definitely be a shade to suit your inner wild child this Summer. YSL mascaras have always been some of my favourite and these latest releases continue to give some seriously impressive volume, curl and intensity. The vinyl formula means the finish isn't chalky or flat on your lashes but smooth and shiny. They are lovely to apply and give you a shock of colour in a blink of an eye.

The nine adventurous shades invite you to match them or clash them! You can have lots of fun with the different shades but if you aren't too keen on the idea of hot pink lashes then there are some nice darker variations such as a wicked aubergine shade and a deep, dark hazel. Or if you fancied just adding a touch of sparkle to your existing black mascara then the gold and silver shimmering top coats will do the job perfectly!

The YSL Beaute Mascara Vinyl Coutures (£25) are out now online and on counters nationwide.

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*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats Lipsticks

The matte lipstick trend seems to be stronger than ever at the moment so it is no surprise that Yves Saint Laurent Beaute have recently extended their current, eight piece Rouge Pur Couture The Mats collection with five new rebellious shades to dress the lips in a rock matte finish. The Rouge Pur Couture The Mats collection from YSL Beaute offer up the best of both worlds - a cool matte finish, a leather-like texture but with a comfortable, smooth application and a non-drying staying power. The colour pay off is intense and highly pigmented for an edgy look but the sleek bullet of the lipstick allow you to apply and line your lips perfectly for a polished finish.

The five new shades are (from top to bottom):
No.214 Wood On Fire (a rock red powered by adrenaline)
No.215 Lust for Pink (a cool fuchsia to stand out in the crowd)
No.216 Red Clash (an earthy red to put lips centre stage)
No.217 Nude Trouble (a hot-blooded riff on terracotta)
No.218 Coral Remix (a toughened-up red, pierced with orange)

After playing about and applying these lipsticks I can confirm they are matte, but not crazily matte like some of the liquid matte lipsticks that are all the rage at the minute! They still have a slight sheen to them and a smoothness on the lips which I quite like. The five new colours are strong but not too bright (except Lust for Pink maybe) so ideal if you don't want to be too daring with your lip colour this Summer but still like something that stands out. The quality and lasting power of these golden beauties is brilliant, as you would imagine from YSL, and I am tempted to check out the rest of The Mats collection next time I am passing by my local counter.

These five new shades, along with the existing The Mats collection, are available online (£26 each). Which one would you pick?

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*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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New In: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

No. 41 Corail a Porter | No. 43 Rose Rive Gauche | No. 45 Rouge Tuxedo | No. 47 Beige Blouse | No. 51 Rose Saharienne

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-in-Stick Lipsticks* (£26) - available on counters and online

When it comes to beautiful makeup packaging, you cannot get more splendid and instagram-worthy than the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick range. They are just gorgeous in all their golden glory! But as well as looking darn pretty, these lipsticks are actually pretty awesome products too, whether you choose to opt for the more opaque, satin finish of the original Rouge Voluptes, or something lighter and more luminous which the Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks deliver. Or to give them their full name, Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-in-Stick lipsticks! (and breathe...)

Last month YSL launched 12 new hedonistic shades to join the already brimming collection of 18 original shades that make up the Rouge Volupte Shine range. These lipsticks are lovely and literally melt onto your lips. The texture is soft, smoothing and luxurious feeling. The 12 new shades are packed full of six oils, pomegranate, macadamia butter, hyaluronic acid, pigments and pearls to create a quenching, high-shine formula that glides onto the lips and gives a buildable, vibrant shot of colour. The oils also care for the lips so these lipsticks feel incredibly comfortable to wear so won't dry or sit in any fine lines. They are probably best described as a hybrid between a lipstick and a balm but with a good level of colour pay off and a gorgeous, glossy finish. Oh and did I mention the mouthwatering smell these lipsticks have?! A fruity mango scent which matches the juicy wash of colour they deliver onto the lips. Gorgeous!

With 12 new shades and 18 original shades in the Rouge Volupte Shine line up, there is bound to be a lipstick (or two) that appeals to you! Which one takes your fancy?

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YSL Black Opium Eau De Toilette

Yves Saint Lauren Black Opium Eau de Toilette* (from £39) | available from Boots

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful packaging of this new fragrance from YSL?! Its opulence and rose-gold glitter exterior would be fit to adorn any Christmas Tree this winter. This is the new Black Opium Eau de Toilette from Yves Saint Laurent, markedly different to their Eau de Parfum which was released this time last year. It is described as mysterious, but sensual. Vibrant, yet with a new femininity at its heart.

Now this is truly the perfect Winter scent and it had me addicted at the very first spritz. The beautiful yet edgy combination of notes and accords give this fragrance a truly unique scent. The first notes that break through are fruity - a mix of zingy blackcurrant, juicy pear and bitter-sweet mandarin peel. These are closely followed by a fragrant, floral blend of jasmine tea and passionate orange blossom which gives the fragrance an invigorating heart and depth.

So far you would be right to believe that this sounds like your average, pretty floral/fruity fragrance...but then YSL surprise us with the breakthrough addition of coffee bean notes which shock and exhilarate your senses at first inhalation. Strong, flavoursome and rich coffee notes are teamed with creamy white musk, all underpinned with a white wood accord. It may sound odd but it really does work and gives the whole fragrance a deep, mysterious, daring scent combined with the lightness of florals and fruits. So if you need a wake-up call in the morning then put down your double espresso and just reach for this new scent!

Are you intrigued to take a sniff?

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YSL Saharienne La Laque Couture Nail Polishes

Nail polishes from the YSL Saharienne Collection* £19 | available from YSL Beauty online

The Saharienne Summer collection from Yves Saint Laurent Beaute is a gorgeous launch inspired by the rich golden shades and unique, bright colours of Marrakesh. Tanned skin meets warm, peach hues on the cheeks and lips with pops of striking colour for the eyes and nails. The Saharienne collection sees the release of two hot new YSL La Laque Couture nail polishes - Jaune Babouche and Brun Henne which gives us a fresh twist of those typical pastel shades we see from most Summer beauty launches.

Jaune Babouche is a fabulously-bright, egg yolk yellow whilst Brun Henne is a hot and spicy, burnt terracotta shade. It is really refreshing to see something a little different for our nails this season and the La Laque Couture polishes are just beautiful to apply and wear. The consistency is rich and creamy and will give you a flawless, opaque finish after just two coats. They have a high-shine, gel-like finish and will remain chip-free for a good 4-5 days. I particularly love Brun Henne and think I will still be flaunting this shade as we creep into Autumn time!

Which nail varnish do you like the look of? 

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YSL Shocking Faux Cils Felt-Tip Eyeliner Pen

Line your lashes with colour! NEW Eyeliner Pens from YSL* in 02. Majorelle Blue and 04. Deep Green (£25.50) | available online

Coloured liners and mascaras are big news this Summer, giving the retro trend a fresh, modern and high fashion feel. The 90s trend of colbalt blue mascara is well and truly back and I was excited, if a little nervous, to embrace this look all over again and relive my teenage years! Along with a rainbow of mascaras being released by a medley of makeup brands, the humble black eyeliner has also been given a colour revival and Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Summer collection, Les Sahariennes, gives us two striking new products to delight our eyes.

The YSL Shocking Faux Cils Felt-Tip Eyeliner Pen is a fabulous product and I often reach for the boring black version time and time again when I am looking to perfect that feline catseye flick. I always favour a felt tip eyeliner as opposed to a gel or liquid as I feel I have a little bit more control and can build up the itensity and definition easier than with a more looser formula. These two new colourways give the traditional look of lined eyes a colourful twist whether you are looking for a slick of something bold and blue, or a striking rich emerald-green flick. The precise firm tip of these felt-tip like pens ensures your line is thin and subtle giving you the ability to keep it low key and understated or built up to something thicker and more show-stopping! The pigmentation is great with these two new eyeliners and they seem to last and last without smudging or budging throughout the day.

For weekend festivals and alfresco parties this is the type of fun, Summer makeup I love to try and it really isn't as scary as you first may think! It is the perfect way to inject a bit of colour and freshness into your Summer look. Have you embraced the coloured liner trend yet?

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YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in Corail Incandescent

YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in 13. Corail Incandescent* (£28.50) | available on counters and online 

This Summer Yves Saint Laurent have released a hot new launch - the Saharienne Collection which is fronted by the gorgeous Cara Delevingne and is inspired by the heat, colours and freshness of Marrakech. The whole collection plays with the contrasts that this Moroccan city evokes - the sandy, earthy colours verses the vibrant hues seen in the bustling market, the balmy nights set against the freshness during the bright days. The collection is modern yet timeless and is all about enhancing your bronzed, glowing complexion with beautiful golden and bronzed hues whilst spicing up the nails, lips and cheeks with some exotic pops of colour.

Amongst this collection there are two new Baby Kiss & Blush releases: 13. Corail Incandescent and 14. Ochre Luxurieux. If you haven't become acquainted with the YSL Kiss & Blush product before then you can read all about my love for this multi-purpose lip and cheek stain here but it a nutshell - a light air-whipped formula delivers a luminous finish on the cheeks and a semi-matte yet juicy tint for the lips. Corail Incandescent is a playful splash of seductive colour to contrast nicely with the bronzed, warm hues that the rest of the collection offers. It is a fresh, poppy-red coral which adds a rosy tone to your cheeks and bright, fun pop of orangey-red to the lips. Perfect for the Summer months.

What do you think of this great two-in-one product from YSL? Are you excited to check out the rest of the collection?

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YSL Instant Plump-Up Glossy Stain

YSL Vernis A Levres Plump-Up Instant Push-Up Effect* (£26) | available from YSL Beauty

There is no denying that full, plumped lips are the thing of the moment. You only need to scan through the Kardashian's instagram feeds but see that exaggerated lip liner and full lips are the order of the day in the beauty world. To help achieve a pushed-up effect in a natural way YSL Beauty have launched their new Plump-Up Glossy Stain which gives a immediate long-lasting push-up effect from the first application. The moisturising formula stimulates the lips by the contrast of cooling menthol and the warming effect of a heat active to give that a burst of volume and plumpness. Squalane oil helps reinforce the lips' lipidic barrier whilst hyaluronic acid delivers hydration and suppleness leaving lips with a feeling freshness..

This Push-Up Effect Glossy Stain can be worn alone as regular lip conditioner with added oomph for naturally enhanced lips or underneath your favourite lip colour for an instant push-up result. The formula is smooth and softening and glides on beautifully giving you a natural shine and subtle plumpness for up to 6 hours. This product is best regarded as a high shine, clear lip gloss at first with hydrating, moisturising and plumping properties as an added bonus! Basically a great lip conditioning, gloss-giving lip product for your makeup bag which you will love, especially if you were a big fan of YSL's originally Glossy Stains.

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YSL Rock Lace Touche Éclat & Couture Palette

Following a weekend where we got a taste of Summer and a glimmer of sunshine high in the sky, what better time to inject a little golden sunshine into your makeup collection with the release of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté's new limited edition collection. Rock Lace is completely gorgeous and had me swooning the moment I spied that stunning packing - delicate lace tulle studded with black polka dots, a rock interpretation of the fishnet lace. The collection pays homage to radiant femininity, half dressed, half naked giving us the perfect balance of allure and elegance, soft yet equally seductive.

Firstly there is the iconic Touche Éclat highlighter pen* (£25) which I am sure you are all very well acquainted with as an absolute beauty icon, continually being reinvented and repackaged. The limited edition Rock Lace edition is available in three shades; No.1 Rose Lumiere, No.2 Ivoire Lumiere and No.3 Peche Lumiere and gives the skin an awakening radiance with a few simple clicks of the pen. It is one of those products that sits prettily in between a highlighter and a concealer - it doesn't cover or conceal but adds an inner glow and illumination to the skin. It magics away dark areas and is my secret weapon when I want to fake 8 hours of beauty sleep!

The Rock Lace Couture Palette Collector* (£42.50) is pretty special and contains five couture eyeshadows that work in perfect pink-peachy-bronze harmony together. This rosy palette is the ultimate accessory for the eyes this Summer and can be used easily for a soft, semi-nude look or revved up for a smouldering, seductive effect. It is such an elegant palette and a real joy to use. The shadows are super fine, soft and easy to blend and apply and you have everything at your fingertips to highlight and define your eyes. I have a feeling this will be my go to eyeshadow palette over the Summer months, partly because of the stunning shimmery shades and partly because it makes a beautiful addition to whip out of your makeup bag!

What do you think of this lacy new collection from YSL?

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