Insurgent Red (202)
YSL Insurgent Red (202) Water Stain Glow Glossy StainYSL Insurgent Red (202) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a darker, reddish-copper with warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had medium pigmentation that could have applied more evenly, as some product built up along the outer edges and the inner area of my lips. There was light product settling into my lip lines, which emphasized that I had them but didn’t seem quite as visibly settled from a normal viewing distance.
It had a more lightweight, thin, and water-like texture when I initially applied it to my lips, but after a minute or two, the product developed into a moderately tacky, more gel-like consistency. It lasted for five and a half hours and felt hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. – $190.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a “lip stain with a luminous, glowy finish” that is hydrating and “long-lasting.” Unlike the original Water Stain, which is described as an “intense” and “high-impact color” formula, these are a sheerer offering. The coverage ranged from semi-sheer to more semi-opaque but most were medium in coverage.
The texture was very lightweight, watery, and felt a bit cool and wet as they went on initially. They develop into a tackier, thicker consistency that feels smooth and more substantial, though not heavy, which gives the formula better longevity (six hours or so). They left behind faint stains.
I found it wasn’t the easiest formula to work with, and it was extremely reactive to any lingering oils or moisture on my lips prior to application, so it was critical to remove any lip balm and blot dry (even water droplets after drinking water would interfere). The darker shades in the range tended to apply unevenly or settle into lip lines noticeably consistently.
The formula was hydrating and comfortable to wear, though I could taste the floral fragrance whenever I ate/drank.
Browse all of our YSL Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua / Water, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polysorbate 60, Alcohol, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ci 17200 / Red 33, Sodium Saccharin, Ci 15985 / Yellow 6, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum / Fragrance.
Restricted Pink (203)
YSL Restricted Pink (203) Water Stain Glow Glossy StainYSL Restricted Pink (203) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-coral with warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had medium to semi-opaque pigmentation that could have applied more evenly and been better at self-leveling (which most of the other shades did).
The product has a thinner, more water-like consistency initially, but it developed into a moderately tacky, thicker, and more gel-like consistency after two minutes. With this shade, product settling into my lip lines wasn’t as apparent as it was with some other shades in the range, but the streakiness along the edges was there. This shade stayed on well for six hours and felt moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Too Faced Tickle-Me-Peach (P, $19.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Too Cool for Pool (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Tattoo My Heart (P, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Laura Mercier Joanne (LE, $25.00) (80% similar).
- YSL Rose Happening (403) (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- YSL Illegal Rosy Nude (207) (P, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar).
- Chanel Super Coral (157) (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Hourglass Horizon (P, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Jouer Shibuya (P, $17.00) is darker, brighter, less glossy (80% similar).
- Pat McGrath Twilo (P, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. – $190.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a “lip stain with a luminous, glowy finish” that is hydrating and “long-lasting.” Unlike the original Water Stain, which is described as an “intense” and “high-impact color” formula, these are a sheerer offering. The coverage ranged from semi-sheer to more semi-opaque but most were medium in coverage.
The texture was very lightweight, watery, and felt a bit cool and wet as they went on initially. They develop into a tackier, thicker consistency that feels smooth and more substantial, though not heavy, which gives the formula better longevity (six hours or so). They left behind faint stains.
I found it wasn’t the easiest formula to work with, and it was extremely reactive to any lingering oils or moisture on my lips prior to application, so it was critical to remove any lip balm and blot dry (even water droplets after drinking water would interfere). The darker shades in the range tended to apply unevenly or settle into lip lines noticeably consistently.
The formula was hydrating and comfortable to wear, though I could taste the floral fragrance whenever I ate/drank.
Browse all of our YSL Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua / Water, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polysorbate 60, Alcohol, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ci 17200 / Red 33, Sodium Saccharin, Ci 15985 / Yellow 6, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum / Fragrance.