First Encounter with YSL

When I first stood in front of the YSL counter, my heart nearly stopped. Under the bright lights, the golden logo gleamed on the counter, the entire display exuding luxury. As a recent graduate and ordinary office worker, I always felt these luxury brands were out of my reach. Every time I visited the mall, I would only look from afar, afraid of receiving judgmental looks from the sales staff.

It was a weekend before my 25th birthday, right after getting paid. Standing in the mall, reflecting on my progress and efforts over the past year, I suddenly wanted to give myself a special gift. With encouragement from my friends, I took a deep breath and walked nervously toward the YSL counter.

The counter staff looked young, probably in their early twenties, and greeted me with a warm smile. This helped ease my nervousness. She patiently introduced various products, without any of the condescending attitude I had imagined. Gradually, I began to relax and seriously experience each product.

First Lipstick Experience

At the counter, I was dazzled by the array of lipstick shades. The staff told me that YSL's square tube lipsticks were their star products, each one like an exquisite piece of art. When she handed me a golden square tube, I truly understood what "weight" meant. It wasn't the lightness of plastic, but the steadiness unique to metal.

I carefully examined the lipstick in my hand, the texture design on the metal tube was extremely delicate, with a refined feel to the touch. The sound of twisting the lipstick was crisp and pleasant, without any sticking. Every detail of the packaging was carefully designed, conveying the quality expected of a luxury item.

After nearly half an hour of testing colors, I finally chose the legendary #1 shade. It's a true red color, which the staff said was one of YSL's most classic shades. The moment I applied it, I was captivated by the color. It's neither too bright nor too dull, perfect for daily use.

The lipstick texture was very smooth, coloring with just a light touch. What delighted me most was its subtle fragrance, not a cheap perfume smell, but a sophisticated, subtle scent. Every time I open the lipstick, this fragrance makes me feel happy.

Although one lipstick costs nearly 400 yuan, when I saw myself in the mirror, I felt it was all worth it. At that moment, I understood why so many people would be willing to spend so much money on a lipstick.

Foundation Exploration

After trying the lipstick, I became interested in YSL's other products. I had been using drugstore brand foundation, which was affordable but the results were mediocre. Either too dry or too oily, sometimes with powdery finish issues.

While touching up my makeup one day, I noticed a customer next to me trying YSL's new long-lasting foundation. Her makeup looked particularly natural and smooth, without any visible foundation traces. This piqued my curiosity.

The staff enthusiastically helped me select a shade suitable for my skin tone. When she helped me try it with a foundation brush, I was amazed. This foundation had a very special texture, like a formula infused with essential oils, spreading very smoothly without any caking.

More amazingly, its coverage was excellent. The small imperfections and redness on my face were well concealed under a thin layer of foundation. Yet the finish wasn't heavy at all, instead giving an illusion of bare skin.

The staff told me this foundation uses a unique essential oil formula, achieving a good balance between makeup adherence and longevity. It claims to last 24 hours without fading, and while I haven't tested it that long, it definitely maintains well during normal 8-9 hour workdays.

What surprised me most was that this foundation could actually resist oil. I have combination-oily skin, and with other brand foundations, I needed to touch up by noon. But with this one, even in the afternoon, the T-zone shine wasn't as noticeable as before.

Value Reflection

Honestly, when I first saw YSL product price tags, I was shocked. Over 300 for a lipstick, and more than 600 for a foundation. For someone who had just started working, this was definitely a significant expense.

But after using them for a while, I gradually understood why high-end brand products are so expensive. First is the texture - every YSL product gives a very refined feeling. Whether lipstick or foundation, the texture is particularly fine, and the user experience is completely different from affordable products.

Second is longevity. I found that high-end brand products generally last longer. For example, YSL lipstick maintains good color even after eating. The same goes for foundation, maintaining makeup all day without frequent touch-ups.

Packaging design is also an important factor. Every YSL product pays attention to detail, from the box to the product itself, providing a great visual and tactile experience. Every time I take out YSL products to apply makeup, there's a sense of ceremony that affordable products rarely provide.

But I must say, expensive doesn't necessarily mean most suitable. The most important thing in choosing beauty products is whether they suit your skin type and needs. Sometimes an affordable product might suit you better than a luxury one.

Usage Tips

After some time experimenting, I've summarized some tips for using YSL products. First for lipstick application, I found that using a lip liner first makes the lipstick last longer. YSL's lip liners are also soft, won't hurt the lips, and have natural colors.

After drawing the lip line, I use a lip brush to take a bit of lipstick and gently blend from the lip line toward the center. This not only makes lips look more three-dimensional but also makes the color more even. For longer-lasting results, you can apply a second layer after the first one is absorbed.

For foundation, I most recommend using a beauty blender. Slightly dampen the beauty blender, squeeze out excess water, then use it to apply makeup for a particularly natural effect. However, note that you shouldn't use too much product at once - it's better to use small amounts multiple times, which saves product and creates a better finish.

I also discovered that YSL base makeup products work particularly well with gentle pressing motions. Don't spread forcefully like skincare products; instead, gently press to let the product naturally blend into the skin. This not only makes makeup more adherent but also avoids creating dead skin.

Product Recommendations

If you want to try YSL products, I think you can start with these. First is their legendary square tube lipstick. This series has comprehensive shade options, from daily nude colors to sexy true reds. Plus, it's really moisturizing, comfortable even in dry winter.

My personal favorite is shade #1, a very versatile true red. It has great color payoff, showing beautiful color in one application. This shade is especially good at brightening complexion, looking good whether worn with bare face or light makeup.

The long-lasting foundation is another product I strongly recommend. It has good coverage but doesn't look fake. Its longevity is indeed excellent, lasting long even in summer. However, note that this foundation's shades might run slightly light, so it's recommended to test at the counter before buying.

Besides these star products, YSL's loose powder and blush are also worth trying. The loose powder has good oil control without being too dry. The blush colors are all very natural and easy to control during application.

Purchasing Advice

Regarding purchasing channels, I must emphasize one point: always choose official channels. There are too many counterfeits in the market now, especially some suspiciously cheap personal shoppers who likely sell fakes. Although buying from counters or officially certified e-commerce platforms might be more expensive, at least you can ensure getting authentic products.

I recommend going to the counter for your first purchase. This allows you to try products in person to find what suits you best, and counter staff are highly professional and can provide many useful suggestions. Plus, counters often give out samples, allowing you to try more products.

If buying online, definitely choose the brand's official flagship store or officially certified shops. Many e-commerce platforms now have official brand stores, often with promotional activities. But be sure to verify it's an official store, don't buy counterfeits just to save money.

Personal Insights

Through using YSL products during this time, I've gained new understanding of beauty products. I used to think luxury items were just a tax on intelligence, but now I understand that often the price you pay isn't just for the product itself, but for the experience and feeling during use.

Of course, this doesn't mean you must buy luxury items to achieve good makeup. Each brand has its own characteristics and advantages; the key is finding products that suit you. Sometimes a lipstick costing a few dozen yuan might suit you better than a luxury brand, which is perfectly normal.

Using YSL products taught me a lesson: what suits you is best. Don't blindly pursue luxury brands, nor be prejudiced against a brand because of price. Try it, and if it suits you and provides a good experience, that's what matters most.

Future Outlook

After exploring YSL beauty products, I've developed greater interest in the beauty world. I've discovered that each brand is like its own unique small world, with its own characteristics and charm. This makes me curious about other brands too.

Next, I plan to continue exploring products from other brands. I think brands of different price points and styles are worth trying. Maybe another high-end brand, or perhaps some niche but high-quality brands. I believe through this process, I can find more products that suit me.

Speaking of which, I'm particularly curious about which brands or products you've used and found especially good? Do you have any special usage tips to share? Or are there any brands you particularly want to try? Welcome to tell me in the comments section, let's explore the beauty world together.