As the title implies, today we have a review on YSL's much buzzed about Touche Eclat. In fact it's said that one is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds!
So is it worth the hype?
Let's see!
So before anything, let's cover the basics of "what you see is what you get."
So YSL TE comes in a gold box like this, bearing YSL's logo. As you can see my box says for darker skin tones. That's because the shade I have is #3 which according to Sephora is:
And inside? The pen looks like this
When it's clean, brand new and spankin'
After you use it and all
So let's take a little back story. A year or two ago, I stopped by a counter at Robinsons Department store to ask how much this little baby is. At the time the lady said it was 1700php (while it's also available at Sephora for $40) for 2.5ml or 0.1 fl oz of product said to go for about 4-6 months of use. I felt my heart die and vowed to save up but as time went on, I just couldn't bring myself to justify the purchase especially since it was "only" a highlighter pen. I asked myself, what difference could something so subtle make? And forgot about it for a while. That is until a few weeks ago.
A few weeks ago, there was a crazy sale at the NBC Tent for Citibank cardholders and being curious, me and the family went.
And wouldn't you know it? I got two of these for 900php each! TALK ABOUT STEAL. It's like getting two for the price of one!
And when I asked what shade the lady would recommend, she said #2 would be good BUT they were all out. She said a lady with my skin tone budged, got #3 and looked fine so I went for it. So let's see it in action!
My hand with nothing on it. I encircled around random spots of discoloration and the long bit is my vein.
What shade #3 looks like (do you notice my vein beside it?)
Blended out. Some of the spots are no longer so apparent and the ones that still show up have faded a little. As for the vein, because of the orange tinge, helped it "subside" somewhat.
Now let's see more info on the claims from Sephora:
Do I think the claims are true? Yes. I believe so.
HOWEVER. There is one very important thing people need to know.
The YSL Touche Eclat is NOT, I repeat, NOT A CONCEALER.
I know it claims things that pretty much covers the job of a concealer but this is not a concealer. It is a highlighter. It brings brightness and light to areas but if you have a pimple or whatever, no matter how many times you slather this on, it would not perform as a concealer because it just really isn't one.
So what do I think?
LOVE:
- The packaging. It's classy, weight is good, doesn't feel cheap and the whole click-pen concept is easy to understand.
- A little goes a LONG way. Two to four clicks is enough for the whole face!
- You can mix it with foundation or even your sunscreen to give you an overall subtle glow. It's like there's something about you but people or even you can't tell what it is exactly
- You don't have to deal with pesky glitter particles! I for one am not a big fan of chunky, shiny, shimmery splendid and prefer more of a cream formula as it's easy to use, it can go over a lot of areas and it doesn't go overboard easily
- All the places you can put it on: forehead, bridge of nose, under the brow, tearduct, eyelids, undereye, cheekbones, cupid's bow, under the chin, take your pick!
- How it's somewhat versatile. I got a shade that isn't perfect for me but it still works!
- THE EFFECT. Let me tell you. It's not anything in your face. It's subtle but... well... let's quote people. The first few days I used it was finals week. YES I DARED. FINALS WEEK. And let me just say (modesty aside), the university and course I belong to is NO piece of cake AT all. Our hardships are plain ridiculous and it's not even funny. And guess what I've heard? A guy friend said, "Maganda ka pa rin. Parang 'di stressed (You're still beautiful. It's like you're not stressed." A gal pal on the other hand stared at me and said, "What did you do? It's like you've never had a pimple." And the best part? When I went to my mum's office and got nothing but compliments! Not from one, two but I can't even count :)) It even went so weird to one of my mom's co-workers to stop by and my mom asked what she was doing there and she said "Gumanda na daw si Mara" ("People have been saying that Mara's gotten prettier"). I kid you not and it IS freaking outrageous! And I do love the lift, the light, the glow this product gives me. It's absolutely fan-freaking-tastic!
- The price! Getting it on sale? That was amazing, but when I run out of this and my back up? It'll be a horrible, horrible day.
- In a way, the packaging. The brush applicator means that it's not too hygienic. The product may be stored safe in the tube but when it comes out, and it's there with oils from your skin and all? ICK. Cleaning it is a pain. I use my MAC brush cleaner and some baby shampoo and the color doesn't completely go away.
- The fact that it's only good for 6 months. Because of its formula, it doesn't last as long as say a powder which could last you for years!
- The shade range. I don't know if I just suck at understanding shades but I don't believe that I'm fair skinned so I thought I'd be a medium and 3 should be awesome on me. ENK. Wrong.
Tips:
- Consider the practicality. Would you want this or spend your money on a powder product?
- CLEAN THE BRUSH. Good skin is always good. No amount of makeup could ultimately perfect bad skin.
- Use less than you think you need. You could always add more and then blend it out and pat with your fingers
- Wear alone, under or over foundation, mixed with foundation or even sunscreen!
Verdict and Score:
It's a cult fave, the brand is famous, the product is fab. BUT the price, the hygiene issue? It'd be perfect if it wasn't for all that. So I say it deserves a 4 out of 5. However, I must say, I think it deserves the hype it gets.
Do Love, Do Need, Do Like, Meh or Do Not Want:
To me it's a Do Love and a Do Need simply because of my personal preference but it may not be a need to you. I am absolutely in love with the effect and the reaction of the public :p The price is a killer but hey, if I love it so much, I'd have to cough up the moolah :))
So there it is
Do you have this or have you thought about trying it out?
Do you think the products attempting to copy this work?
What do you think of hyped up and pricey things like this?
What do you think of highlighters?
Let me know below!
'Til then,
Love muchness,
Ciao!
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