YSL VOLUPTÉ SHEER CANDY Glossy Balm Crystal Color Review and Swatches

A new gloss balm from YSL!  I was excited to see this added to their collection, because Natasha and I were big fans of their Sheer Sensual Gloss Balm.  They are super moisturizing, with a sheer wash of color that feels great on your lips.


The new collection of gloss balms comes in 6 different shades that retails for $30 USD each.  YSL says this balm is a sheer veil of brilliant color that is boosted with a vitamin and antioxidant rich fruit extract.  I am reviewing 3 shades from this collection, #2 Dewy Papaya (sheer fresh peach), #3 Juicy Grapefruit (sheer fresh baby pink with golden shimmer), and #5 Mouthwatering Berry (sheer reddish blackberry).

Everything about this new product reminded me of their Gloss Volupte Sheer Sensual.  The scent and texture were almost exactly the same.  The scent always reminds me of mangos or something fruity that I cannot pinpoint.  The coverage is completely sheer to light and does leave your lips super moisturized.

Another view:

#2 and #3 were hard to photograph as they were nearly invisible.  #5 is pretty pigmented (but still sheer).

The only color noticeable is #5.  Overall, these are a great balm.  They are light-weight, moisturizing, and fruity scented.  I just cannot justify $30 USD a tube for these.  I think there are cheaper balm/gloss's out that can suffice! They are the same formula as before and seems like YSL hasn't updated it at all. (I could be wrong).  They have a great texture, just wish the price was a little lower for the balm.

This was purchased by me.

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil vs. Knockoffs

Ok, so by now, I'm sure you've all had plenty of time to "ohh" and "ahh" over the new NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils. I wanted almost every color, the second they came out, but restrained myself (mainly because they are $24 each). I went into my local Sephora yesterday, on a mission: seek out any duplicates or knockoffs for these coveted Gloss Pencils.

The contenders: Sephora Collection Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil ($12) and Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($15). Swatches of all are shown below:

L to R: NARS Club Mix, Sephora Fancy Red, NARS Baroque, Sephora Miami Pink, Sephora Sweet Beige, NARS Happy Days, Clinique Mega Melon, Sephora Coral Glow, NARS New Lover, Sephora Gorgeous Peach, Sephora Strawberry Delish.

Verdict: Clinique Mega Melon is a dupe for NARS Happy Days, and saves you about $9. Sephora Gorgeous Peach (the actually color is nothing like the name) is the nearly the exact same color as NARS New Lover (yeah!!!), and saves you $12. I did not try NARS Frivolous, as light pink just doesn't wear well on me.

As for NARS Baroque (deep raspberry), Hopi (coral-nude), and Club Mix (sheer merlot grape), I am sad to report that I was unable to find a cheaper alternative. But if you have done so, please let us know!!

I already have Hopi, and will probably go back for Club Mix. This color really suprised me, it gave a nice vampy, yet sheer lip. I felt like a "bond girl" with this color on!

All of these items were samples, or purchased by me