YSL Holiday 2012: Pure Chromatics Palette 12

Warning: This post contains holiday neutrals at their best!  I usually skip holiday collections. Sometimes because I have already spent way too much money on makeup by the time they launch, and other times because how much gold and silver glitter does one really need?  This year I succumbed to YSL Holiday, mostly because I found some of the products to be quite unique!  The Pure Chromatics Palette in 12 is a holiday/neutral lovers dream! 

The main reason I love this palette so much is the unbelievable versatility of it.  On first glance it looks like your standard shimmer/smokey combo with too much glitter.  The beauty of these shadows is that they can be used wet or dry.  When used dry, the effect is sheer and easily wearable for day or subtle looks.  Add a bit of water and WOWZA! The shadows are instantly transformed to intensely pigmented shades with a metallic sheen and a bit of sparkle!  When worn wet these shades depict the essence of holiday glamour.  The formula is truly remarkable.  

***Pictures obviously not taken in natural light, but the photos are not retouched and the color is depicted accurately.  I wanted to get this post up soon while the collection was still available.  I will try to update with daylight pictures this weekend.

With flash

I was shocked by how beautiful the colors applied when dry.  I find the first shade to be a neutral gray taupe, a staple in my opinion.  One surprise to me was that the lower left shade appears gold in the pan, but when swatched takes on a cooler gunmetal tone.  I looked and swatched in several different lights and I don't see any gold when applied.  The silver and gunmetal shades are more glittery but smooth.  The application is easy and without fallout.  The darker shade is a brownish black with the slightest bit of glitter but not overdone.  I've worn the gunmetal shade, wet, with a dark vampy lip for a glamour night out, but I've also used the light gray taupe dry in the crease with a classic red lip.  Both gorgeous holiday looks.

Dry

Wet

Dry, with flash

Wet, with flash

L to R: dry, wet

L to R: dry, wet with flash

This is a gorgeous holiday offering from YSL.  The colors are versatile and easy to wear.  If you love color, then I would suggest the other holiday release which features some gorgeous blues.  The YSL Pure Chromatics 12 Palette retails for $55 and is available now at counters. I also picked up the nail polish top coat with the aurora borealis glitter, which is another stunner!  I definitely recommend you check this collection out!