YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder in N°3 Épice & N°6 Sienne

Recently launched from YSL Beauté, is Les Sahariennes Sun-Kissed Blur Perfector Healthy Glow Balm-Powder (CAN $60.00, available in 6 shades in Canada – 7 shades elsewhere), a product that is the first of its kind and one that merges the faux glow of a bronzer with the pore/fine-line minimizing power of a primer – all in a hybrid balm-to-powder formulation.

This new and unique formula is meant to:

disguise imperfections
smooth the complexion
enhance skin’s ‘vibrant solar radiance’ (I’m guessing that means sun-kissed glow)
buildable to create a natural, healthy glow all year-round

The unique texture – not quite a balm, nor a powder – but one that starts off silky and slightly slippery, quickly morphs into a soft second-skin powdery finish without any visible shimmer, but neither is it completely flat – leaving a very natural appearance upon the skin. According to the brand:

“Les Sahariennes is the first patented sun-kissed powder-in-balm by YSL Beauté. Concentrated, yet surprisingly lightweight, it transforms from balm to optical powder upon application. The formula contains a combination of volatile oils; once applied, they evaporate leaving the skin’s surface a matte bronze finish which perfects the complexion and minimizes pores“

The compacts bear the brand’s signature Casandre logo in gold set against a cushioned deep amber lid (which can appear tortoise-shell patterned at certain angles), protected by a dual-pocket velour pouch (*NOTE: do not place the compact face down on non-fabric surfaces, as it will stick with almost suction-like strength. I learned that the hard way). The included applicator is dual ended, with a soft brush on one side and a flat velvet sponge on the other which works well for on-the-go touchups, but I prefer the control I get with my own regular sized brushes and/or beauty sponges. The product is pleasantly scented – a cross between green & floral – and while it’s not strong for me, those with sensitivities may want to take note.

The two shades I was sent for review, work perfectly with my skin tone, and while N°6 Sienne was initially much too dark for me to use at first, it has become indispensable now that I’ve returned from holiday with a tan. Both shades seem to have rosy undertones which I feel more accurately mimic the effects of the sun (as opposed to a yellowish base, that can make skin look sallow and/or muddy). This formula seems to take a little while to set 100%, which actually works in its favour as you have ample time to properly buff it into the skin – or even blend two shades, if desired – for a true-to-life sun kissed look.

On my recent holiday, I was determined to minimize my sun exposure, as my bone-headed sun practices in the past have resulted in hyper pigmentation issues, especially on my face (forehead, cheeks and chin). Therefore, my beauty bag had more bronzers and such than actual makeup – with Les Sahariennes sharing top spot. As my vacation progressed and I started getting some colour, I enhanced my complexion with these two little miracle workers; my preferred method is to apply N°3 Épice on broad areas of the face where evening out of my skin tone is needed (using a dense brush such as the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush), then going in with N°6 Sienne along the tops of the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, forehead, and lightly along the chin – mimicking the fresh glow of a day spent at the beach. This two-pronged effect is incredible; not only does it make my skin look perfectly and evenly tanned (PS: never forget to apply to the tops of ears and down the neck), but the blurring properties minimize pores so that my skin also looks flawless. This is hands-down, one of the most incredible two-in-one products I’ve come across in years.

Another bonus is that the darker shades can also be used in a contouring capacity, and as this formula is incredibly lightweight as well as effortlessly blendable without any strong shimmer to mess things up, the effect is quite natural looking – just don’t forget to buff, buff, buff for a seamless look.

YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder with applicator & sleeve

YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder in N°3 Épice & N°6 Sienne

N°3 Épice is the lighter of the two and even though it appears somewhat beige-y in the pan, it holds just enough pink in the base to warm it up beautifully. A few weeks ago (and pre-holiday) my skin was several degrees lighter, so this shade worked beautifully as a very natural-looking bronzer, but now that I’m sporting more of a tan, I have been using N°3 Épice as an allover base to unify my skin tone (works like magic against my light hyper pigmentation issues).

YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder in N°3 Épice swatches

N°6 Sienne is the darker of the two hues, bearing a caramel-like colour and light ruddy tints for extra warmth and impact. Before my holiday-tanned skin, I would use this with a stippling brush, picking up a light amount and gently buffing it into the skin – mainly in areas where the sun would naturally hit (upper cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose); in that capacity, it looks like the most spectacular tan (without any of the effort involved acquiring it – bonus!). Even with my presently tanned skin, I still prefer to use this the same way, but I’m able to load up my brush a bit more (and usually applied over a light layer of N°3 Épice) – makes my skin look like I’ve just spent the day beachside.

YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder in N°6 Sienne

YSL Beauté | Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder in N°3 Épice & N°6 Sienne swatches

Ingredients: Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Fragrance, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Paraffin, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Linalool

Once the warmer weather hits, it’s usually all about bronzers and/or bronzed skin and brands have really stepped up their game in this area, introducing more natural looking formulas and lightweight textures. The YSL Beauté Les Sahariennes Healthy Glow Balm-Powder takes that concept a step further with the addition of a blurring agent, helping to provide a gorgeously flawless (but never fake-looking) glow to the skin. I like how the included applicator is in a separate pocket of the velour sleeve – this way, it doesn’t take away from the size/amount of the actual product, and while said applicator is ok in a pinch, I still prefer the precision and control I achieve by using my own brushes. With 6 shades to choose from, I would say that there is a colour to suit all complexions except perhaps the darkest, although you’d have to test that out at counter to be sure, as even deep skin tones can always use some evening out.

Available now through all YSL Beauté counters across Canada, Sephora and sephora.com, The Bay and thebay.com (direct links provided for convenience), and Holt Renfrew. Find more information via yslbeautyus.com