Beauty Care: YSL Private Carmine & Secret Rosewood Glossy Stains Reviews & Swatches

Private Carmine (204)

YSL Private Carmine (204) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain YSL Private Carmine (204) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark red with warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had more semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which made it more pigmented than marketed and one of the more pigmented shades in the original lineup.

The texture was more watery and thin when it was first applied, but the formula developed into a moderately tacky, more gel-like consistency that didn’t feel heavy but was more noticeable on. The color applied fairly evenly but had some build up along the inner area of my lips that was hard to prevent from happening. This shade lasted well for over six hours and felt moisturizing over time.

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

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

MAC Russian Red (P, $19.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
NARS No. 54 (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
NARS Le Palace (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Maybelline Classic (P, $7.99) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Maybelline So Hot (P, $7.99) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Ravageur (P, $54.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Dressed to Kill (P, $54.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
MAC Ruby Woo (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
YSL Insurgent Red (202) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (85% 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.

Private Carmine (204)

PPermanent. $38.00.

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

86%

Total

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Secret Rosewood (205)

YSL Secret Rosewood (205) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain YSL Secret Rosewood (205) Water Stain Glow Glossy Stain ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with moderate, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had semi-sheer to medium pigmentation in one layer, which applied unevenly and had visible areas of streakiness along with areas where more pigment was apparent and other areas that were sheer. This particular shade didn’t seem as prone to getting into my lip liens as some of the other deeper shades in the range, though.

The consistency felt lightweight, more watery and thin as it was applied, but it developed a much tackier, more gel-like texture after a minute or two. It wore well for five and a half hours and felt hydrating while worn.

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

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

NARS Noise (LE, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar).
NARS Aragon (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
YSL Transgressive Cacao (211) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Bite Beauty French Press (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, more muted, more pigmented (80% similar).
YSL Ambiguous Chestnut (216) (P, $38.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (80% similar).
Colour Pop Ale (LE, $6.00) is warmer (80% similar).
NARS Freestyle (LE, $26.00) is darker, more pigmented, warmer (80% similar).
NARS No Regrets (P, $26.00) is lighter, more muted, warmer (80% similar).
Pat McGrath Flesh 6 (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
MAC Would Rather Lounge (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).