Francophile's finest

Perhaps it’s a bit outrageous to dole out more than a year’s tuition on a YSL Muse or Mombasa bag (or better yet, their latest bag which Madonna has been spotted with the Downtown) but it’s absolutely worth it if you have the cash to burn. Toting around a YSL bag has more than just a functional purpose — it also weighs in high on the glam scale. Known primarily for killer accessories, enviable haute couture and highly coveted ready-to-wear, the epitome of stylish sophistication, Yves Saint Laurent is a staple of the world of luxury that people aspire to possess. The rising costs of already astronomically priced luxury goods make it difficult for the average aficionado to jump on the opulent bandwagon but some pocket change can give you a little sample of what the establishment has to offer. 

In an all-too-natural step forward comes Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, the French powerhouse’s foray into the world of gorgeousness, to accompany fantastic frocks and amazing accessories. YSL’s vision extends from fashion to beauty as they inimitably go hand in hand, creating a synergy that complements everything Monsieur Laurent had in mind. The beauty line is altogether necessary and performs wonderfully, combining form and function in a way that can only be executed by a posh brand. The YSL line is comprised of fragrance, makeup and skincare, offering elegance and flair to its clients — which should include you. What else can you expect from a celebrated institution that has commanded cult status since its creation in the early 1960s? Revolutionary yet refined, bold yet beautiful, YSL has been known to craft confident couture looks and has translated this mantra from the runway to its beauty line. 

Noteworthy scents have stood the test of time, with Opium, Paris d’Yves Saint Laurent, Cinema, Rive Gauche and Kouros proving to be classics while recent additions include Baby Doll and In Love Again, each of them unique in their own way, emitting emotions only YSL can stir up. The newest fragrance for men, L’Homme, has heartthrob Olivier Martinez as its endorser. That’s hot, and not in a trampy Paris Hilton way. 

Skincare addicts will now have access to a high-performance and comprehensive line that’s attuned to every need. Though it’s still in a baby phase compared to YSL’s long history in the fashion front, the 15-year-old line garners much attention as it delivers results while also exuding the chic factor every time you swipe the product across your face. Their ultra premium anti-aging line, Temps Majeur, is also one to watch. Hydra Pure moisturizer and the Instant Pur cleanser do magic on the visage, keeping radiance to the max. 

However, as a beauty junkie, I naturally fell hardest for the signature makeup line, extravagantly packaged, emanating all the glamour of the brand. Seducing and intense, it’s difficult not to want to tinker with these perfect tools. Touche Eclat is the star product that should be at the top of your shopping list as it delivers the effects your fairy godmother would bestow with her magic wand. A magic wand itself, Touche Eclat is a pen-like brush that dispenses radiance wherever applied, banishing shadows and signs of fatigue which we all have too much of. It’s like Photoshopping your face before taking a pic.  Might as well fight the power. This light, bright stick is a staple in my makeup kit! The Perfect Touch foundation delivers an all-over base that is simple to use, perfect for gals who are all about instant gratification. Mess-free and guaranteeing a flawless complexion, this sweet product is lazy luxe. Twist, swipe and voila! 

 Could it be I’m loving this line since it’s so effortless to use? I’m straightforward and gravitate towards uncomplicated accoutrements in my beauty regimen. Another addition to this list of exceptional products is the Touche Blush, a marvelous tool that is splendid to use. The velvety puff is attached to its jar of pigment so all one needs to do is shake the jar gently to release the powder then simply swipe the puff against the face. A grand invention, may I say, making it so much fun to use, it’s sometimes hard to stop! Beware of an over-blushed face. 

Bat those eyelashes as YSL’s volumizing mascara is a force to be reckoned with.  Comprised of a triple film complex, this thickening mascara has a special coat for intensity, a conditioner for curving and a fixative for lasting effectiveness. 

On any given day I have at least four lipsticks on me. Collect and select! Hitting my collection includes Rouge Pure Shine, which I am loco over. Smelling of mango, containing SPF 15 and the brilliance of a starry night, this lipstick plumps up lips to an Angelina level, unfortunately sans Brad. Increasing your luxe factor with a swipe across the lips never hurts the image. Why settle for anything less than YSL? The Yves Saint Laurent beauty brand is now available at Marionnaud in the Mall of Asia. This past Valentine’s Day witnessed champagne-sipping guests at the YSL launch at Le Souffle-Rockwell Club before being whisked away to Marionnaud via a fleet of Jaguars. Flagship counters will soon be open at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-La Tower.