YSL Ambiguous Chestnut & Intimate Chocolate Glossy Stains Reviews & Swatches
Ambiguous Chestnut (216)
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
- 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).
- 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, $21.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
- ColourPop Ale (LE, $10.00) is darker, less glossy (85% 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).
- Rare Beauty Nearly Neutral (P, $18.00) is lighter, less pigmented, warmer (80% similar).
- YSL Secret Rosewood (205) (P, $38.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
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.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Ambiguous Chestnut (216)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Intimate Chocolate (217)
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
- MAC Chestnut (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Thunder Kiss (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fudge Yeah (LE, $10.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop San Clemente (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty French Press (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Maybelline Retro (P, $7.99) is brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Daybreak (201) (P, $38.00) is warmer (85% 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).
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.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
That’s a bummer! I’ve seen these get bad reviews online, but usually YSL puts out beautiful lip products. Very helpful to see these reviews especially now, since I can’t swatch in store and texture is so important with a lip stain product.
I’m curious if going sheer resulted in the difference since the Glossy Stains are usually pretty good – but that’s looking at the higher coverage version…
I just knew that this particular formula would review poorly based on preview swatches. They look truly ghastly. Not buying!
I think glossy and stain are at odds with one another.
These look ghastly. I think your C rating is generous! 😉
Does anyone else find these names silly? What is an Ambiguous Chestnut?
Yep, I often find the names of products to be either downright silly or even inappropriate -eg Nars.
Love the colours – but boy oh boy, the formula is not so great. YSL should have made the shades into lipsticks, as their formula is so much better.