YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Pink in Devotion lipstick swatches, review

Consider it one of my biggest makeup desires. I have lusted after the packaging of the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipsticks for a while now, and these have been on my wishlist from the time this blog began.
The problem was that I could not really pick a shade that was "me", if you get my drift. They were all too bright or too pale. Nothing that was the perfect dusty rose.
Last month, I hit the YSL counter on a mission to buy a Rouge Volupte, swearing I would never buy one of these lipsticks if I remained unsuccessful this time.
The only shades I wanted wanted were Beige Ultimate and Caress Pink and both were out of stock. Shade problems continued throughout the rest of the range. Finally, I tried out the Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks and found a shade that did not scream at one.
Before I tell you all about it, I need to say that I have um... singular tastes in lipsticks. I do not like the YSL Glossy Stains or L'Oreal Caresse Shines or Lancome Lip Lovers. For me, it has to be all about staying power, pigmentation and dusty pink. 

Here is my review and swatches of the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in Pink in Devotion.

 

Packaging of YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks

Pooh! As if I would waste my breath describing this work of art. Go look at the pictures.

I know at least two people who bought this for the packaging alone, as did I. 

Formula and staying power of the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine is really creamy and hydrating. Creamy to the point of being "watery". You will see what I mean once you see the swatches below. Very lightweight, as well. The finish is very glossy and shiny. Unfortunately, this shade is also on the sheerer side. Photos below are without and with flash, respectively.

Staying power? A joke. One biscuit or a cup of green tea is all it takes for total wipeout. I have tinted lip balms that last longer. You can see a bit of bleeding if you are not careful to use lip liner, or smack or bite your lips a lot.
My Mum has a Rouge Volupte in Rose Culte, which stays on her through a sandwich, though nothing greasier. From this, I can only conclude that the Rouge Volupte Shine version lacks the staying power that the Rouge Volupte lipsticks have.

Benefit Hydra Smooth Lip Colors, reviewed here, are equally hydrating, light and creamy but less slightly sheer and watery, and last longer on me. Ditto the amazing Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm lip crayons. I believe the Rouge Volupte Shine and Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait, reviewed here, are the lipsticks in my stash with the LEAST staying power ever. Repeat - in my stash.

Swatches of YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in Pink in Devotion

Shade 6, Pink In Devotion, is described by YSL as a "bright, hibiscus pink". The SA had asked me to try out Coral Incandescent and said it looked great, but I veer towards dusty pinks first, neutrals second, fuchsias third and corals fourth. The dusty roses in this range were too sheer.
The first swatch is just one swipe. See how sheer it is? The second swatch is multiple swipes. I have forgotten how many.

Here is an on-lips swatch. Sheer, innit? And see what I mean by "watery" formula? No lip liner, so you can see the bleeding.

In natural but cloudy light, after smacking my lips once. The colour has immediately "bled" - look at the left side of the lower lip, and the right side of the upper lip. I hate how this spreads.

I begged, bullied and coaxed my Mum into letting me get an arm-swatch of her Rouge Volupte, with a brush, last weekend. Rose Culte is a berry-ish fuchsia. This is a LOT more pigmented than the Shine version, see? And, a lot less "watery", and more like a normal creamy lipstick I would love. Too bad they did not have the shades that I wanted in stock. I might try the Rouge Voluptes again at a later date.

Now, I decided to apply both Rouge Volupte Shine and Rouge Volupte side by side, with the Shine version to the left (single and multiple swipes). I wiped them both off with a makeup removing wipe and this is what I was left with. As you can see, the Rouge Voluptes perform much, much better. 

Summary

Like the Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait, which I had reviewed here, the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks are packaging-centric rather than performance-centric. If you are looking for reasonably long-staying, highly pigmented lipsticks, then I would not recommend the Rouge Volupte Shines.
However, luxury is all about the name and the concept rather than performance or price justification. These are a good treat on a birthday or to put on your Christmas wishlist; an indulgence, a reward for something. They are also great to pull out of your handbag to reapply - everyone IS going to stare, even your stiff upper-lipped boss.
I do not regret buying this particular lipstick (I do regret the Guerlains). But I do not think I will get more Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks. I will, however, try to find a shade I like in the Rouge Volupte range - maybe Caress or Beige Ultimate.

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Disclaimer: Purchased by me; affiliate links.