YSL Beauty recently launched the NU Collection (French for “nude“) and while the brand may have had Gen Z-ers in mind for its creation, I’m thinking that this range will appeal to a much broader age group as well. Playful & customizable, these products are for anyone who appreciates minimal makeup that’s combined with skincare for that extra something-something. It’s all about enhancing vs masking, and I’m definitely down for that.
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“Good for the skin. Good for the Planet” — the entire range uses key ingredients sourced from YSL’s Ourika Community Gardens, a social engagement created with the women in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and an initiative that provides them financial freedom without needing to leave their home base. All products are free from: mineral oil, sulphates, parabens, talc, synthetic colourants, and BHA & BHT, along with being allergen, chemical and pesticide-free.
Glow In Balm (CAN $50.00/40 ml, 1.35 fl.oz) | This is an “oil in water formula that’s infused with light reflecting pearls” to help give skin an immediate soft glow along with 24 hour hydration. The formula contains Shea Butter, 7% plant-based Glycerin and natural waxes (Mimosa, Jojoba, Sunflower) that instantly melt into the skin. Micronized reflecting pearls help with radiance via optical effects, while Geranium Rosat from YSL’s Ourika Community Gardens boosts skin’s natural glow over time. Tested and suitable for all skin types — even sensitive — this also aids in protecting skin’s barrier by virtue of a non-perceptible film it leaves. There is a light & lovely “musky nude” fragrance which dissipates within minutes of application.
Upon application and blending out, I noticed a soft glow to my skin — subtle and very natural-looking. I can’t vouch for the 24-hour hydration part, but I like how this looks and feels on bare skin, as well as how easily foundation can be layered on top without pilling.
Blotting Lotion (CAN $45.00/25 ml, 0.84 fl.oz) | Created to add long-lasting mattifying properties to the skin, this is a “jellied water texture lotion with air-light mattifying powder“. Upon application, the dry down feels ultralight along the skin and instantly tamps shine away while minimizing the appearance of pores. The formula contains Limonette Extract from the YSL Ourika Community Gardens for potent skincare benefits, while Salicylic Acid helps in immediately reducing shine as well as the look of pores over time. Bears the same fragrance as the rest of the range.
Upon application, I was actually quite surprised to see how well this blurred out the skin yet didn’t feel heavy at all. I tested this out on a day when I would be playing tennis to see how well it would fare over a major sweat session, and I have to admit that it did an excellent job of keeping my skin from looking overly shiny. The way I plan on using this is on key areas such as the T-Zone (middle of forehead, down the nose, chin, and apples of the cheeks — if needed) on days where I want to keep shine down.
Tone Corrector (CAN $46.00/30 ml, 1 fl.oz) | Available in 3 shades (Golden, Rosy, Green) , these have a light creamy texture and contain colour-correcting pearls to address specific issues; Rosy to help brighten dull & uneven light to medium tone, Green to counter redness, and Golden to help brighten dull & uneven medium to dark tone. Apart from their colour-correcting benefits, these also provide 8 hour hydration and help brighten skin over time. With 1 billion (yes, you read that right) tone correcting micro pearls, there is actually zero pigment — the magic comes from the way this helps light bounce away from the complexion. The formula also contains soothing Verbena Extract from the YSL Ourika Community Gardens, while Vitamin E helps to protect skin against “reactive oxygen species”. Bears the same fragrance as the rest of the range.
Overall, my skin doesn’t need much correcting but I do get a bit of redness around my nose (plus a couple of micro vessels that are lightly visible alongside one cheek) and so the green shade is the one that works best to detract from that. I swatched all three heavily (below) in order to show the colour differences, but they all blend out beautifully into the skin. While you can certainly wear these on bare skin, they’re also great to layer under foundation to give your complexion an even-looking finish.
Bare Look Tint NU 8 (CAN $50.00/30 ml, 1 fl.oz) | Available in 20 shades, this is an ultralight foundation (think: tinted moisturizer) that’s buildable — to a certain degree — offering skin brightening properties over time thanks to its 90% skincare base. The formula is also enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Mallow (both known hydrators) from the YSL Ourika Community Gardens, along with 2X more Glycerin than that of other foundations, to help provide a truly nourishing feel upon the skin. Super fine coated pigments help the product spread easily while still allowing your natural skin texture to show, and it can be slightly built up for more coverage in areas that need it. Totally weightless, it’s one of those “put in on and forget it” type of products. Bears the same fragrance as the rest of the range.
I’ve tested this on bare skin, over both the Glow In Balm and Blotting Lotion primers, as well as over the Tone Correctors, and it looks amazing with all. My preferred method of application is with a brush (personal fave is the 108 Straight from MAKE UP FOR EVER) which I find yields the best finish, although I also pat in some areas (around the nose, under the eyes) with my fingers. The shade I was matched to is bang-on perfect, but once my slight tan fades I’m sure I’ll need to go lighter. I was also impressed with not only how weightless this feels as in: totally undetectable, along with how well it fared without showing any signs of breaking up (around the nose) or oxidizing (where it changes colour). Definitely a product for anyone who prefers their coverage on the lighter side and as natural-looking as can be.
Dewy Mist (CAN $50.00/100 ml, 3.3 fl.oz) | Exactly what the name implies, this is a spray meant to add a jolt of moisture to the skin. This is a bi-phase formula which means you’ll have to give the contents a thorough shake before using, and contains 93% hydrating essence with plant-based Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid along with a 7% oily phase comprised of Jojoja Oil and Pomegranate Oily Extract sourced from the YSL Ourika Community Gardens. The sprayer emits the finest mist I have ever experienced and lays down gossamer-soft along the skin, so that even if applied over makeup it will not disturb anything. This is NOT a setting spray but rather one that’s meant to provide an immediate subtle dewiness while also working to add radiance over time, all with an undetectable finish on the skin and zero oiliness. Bears the same fragrance as the rest of the range.
With the release of this collection, it’s obvious that YSL has decided to target a younger demographic into their corner; even the pricing is actually very reasonable for a luxury brand which again, will most likely be more attractive to a younger consumer. The packaging threw me, as I expect something more luxe from this brand, but it’s in line with the entire concept and in the end, it’s the performance of the products that count. That said, I think an older demographic will benefit just as much from this range because let’s face it, heavy makeup is so NOT flattering on mature skin — sheer & natural textures are often a much better alternative. Overall, I am rather impressed and surprised by how much I actually like everything!
Available at Sephora and online
Kindly provided by YSL for my unbiased consideration
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