Beauty Care: YSL Ambiguous Chestnut & Intimate Chocolate Glossy Stains Reviews & Swatches

Ambiguous Chestnut (216)

YSL Ambiguous Chestnut (216) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain YSL Ambiguous Chestnut (216) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a muted, plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation in a single layer, which applied unevenly and settled into my lip lines noticeably. I also had issues with the product accumulating along the inner area of my lips and appearing darker than the rest.

The texture was more watery and thin when initially applied before developing in to a fairly tacky, smoother consistency that didn’t slide around. It wore well for five and a half hours and felt hydrating over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Smashbox Girl, Please (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
NARS No Regrets (P, $26.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
YSL Transgressive Cacao (211) (P, $38.00) is brighter (85% similar).
Pat McGrath Flesh 6 (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
NARS Vault (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
NARS Aragon (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
MAC Voyeur-is-me (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
Colour Pop Ale (LE, $6.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
YSL Secret Rosewood (205) (P, $38.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
NARS Freestyle (LE, $26.00) is darker, less glossy (80% similar).

View Swatches

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.

Ambiguous Chestnut (216)

PPermanent. $38.00.

6.5

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

2.5

Application

74%

Total

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Intimate Chocolate (217)

YSL Intimate Chocolate (217) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain YSL Intimate Chocolate (217) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a deep brown with cooler undertones and a glossy finish. It had semi-sheer to medium color payoff, so my natural lip color came through more noticeably, which translated the product into more of a warmer burgundy hue.

The texture was thin and watery when it initially applied, and then it developed in a smoother, thicker consistency that was fairly tacky. Unfortunately, the downside to this was in the application: it was uneven and settled into every lip line, despite wearing for six hours (and looking awful the whole time!).

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

MAC Thunder Kiss (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Chestnut (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Maybelline Retro (P, $7.99) is brighter, cooler (85% similar).
Giorgio Armani Daybreak (201) (P, $38.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Bite Beauty French Press (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Christian Louboutin Beaute Casanovella (P, $85.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
NARS Mars (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (80% similar).
NARS No. 675 (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is brighter, warmer (80% similar).
MAC Deep Kiss (LE, $20.00) is lighter, less pigmented (80% similar).