New Launch: Yves Saint Laurent Autumn/Winter Collection

If you've just gotten the dewy look for Spring/Summer down, you'll be happy to know that for Autumn/ Winter, makeup is all about matte. Yves Saint Laurent has just launched their new Autumn/Winter look in South Africa, which aims to create luminosity without any shine, framed by deep, sultry shades inspired by the colours of winter.

Lloyd Simmonds, the Creative Director of Makeup at YSL, found inspiration for the colour palette from the deep shades of a pool after a rain storm.

Lloyd Simmonds Creative Director Makeup YSL

"Through the trees, lay an enormous pool, churned muddy by the rain. It was splashed by fountains of silver, and reflections of the surrounding forest gleamed Khaki, gold, dark green. I was enchanted, shocked, as magically out of the shadows, gliding effortlessly, appeared a swan, black blue, black lit in gray by the setting sun. This vision, seen by chance, instantly made me think of the contemporary YSL Rive Gauche woman. And I wanted to create a look for her that plays on this same tension of color and substance, mat shades and glimmer. " Lloyd Simmonds

The eyeshadow palette consists of Khaki, gold and charcoal shades to contrast the deep, matte red lipstick. That is right ladies, their look is going dark on the eyes and on the lips, which, I know, goes against all we have learnt so far about keeping the lips light when doing heavy eyes and vice versa.  In general I would still stick to that rule, but I am also quite attracted to the way the new YSL palette works with deep, intense colours that play off one another. 

The YLS Rouge Pur Couture lipstick is a really great buy. The colour is intense, dries to a matte finish and lasts long. The Mats range is available in six shades, from an orange-red to a deep red wine. Always use a lip brush when applying red or dark lipstick. I'll normally use the brush to get the outlines of my lips right and then apply colour to the middle of my lips with the lipstick. 

The La Laque Couture nail polish will also be available in two limited edition shades, a Khaki variant (No31) and a deep red (No32).

Their Blush Palette is a really stunning limited edition, with a crocodile skin design that brings to mind high end fashion runway accessories. It is a soft blush with light to deeper beige shades that sculpt your features without creating a flushed or blushing look. Run your blusher brush over the three shades at once and apply to the apples of the cheeks or below the cheekbone, shading from the apple outwards. 

The Elixir Lumière, also limited edition, is one of my favourite products at the moment. It gives your skin a soft glow without the shimmering quality a bronzer or highlighter would have. Apply a drop to your hand and blend it with your fingertip. You'll see, it looks like liquid gold. Now use your finger to apply a little on your cheekbones, above your eyebrows, on your brow bone or eyelids and even on the bridge of your nose and chin. It doesn't create a shiny effect but rather a satin radiance. It is available in three shades to cater for very light to darker skins. 

The collection is available from March at selected retailers. Limited Editions are usually available for about three months or while stocks last so don't miss out.