YSL Private Carmine & Secret Rosewood Slim Glow Matte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Private Carmine (204)
YSL Private Carmine (204) Slim Glow Matte Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick ($39.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a cream finish with barely-there pearl. It had nearly opaque color coverage that adhered well to my lips with an even lay down of product that was forgiving of imperfections.
The consistency felt lightweight and thin with more of a velvety glide than traditional creaminess, though there was some shine still present initially. It stayed on nicely for over six hours and felt lightly hydrating while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Juicy (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Maybelline Ruby for Me (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC E for Effortless (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bichette (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Elson (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Rouge Muse (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop On Display (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel No. 01 (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel No. 5 (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Give Me Fever (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$39.00/0.07 oz. - $557.14 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "luminous, glowing matte finish" and help to "smooth" and "moisturize" lips. It is silent on coverage, though promotional images by the brand show full coverage. It is also supposed to be "long-lasting" and "creamy."
I can see what they mean by a "glowing" matte finish; it's more of a modern matte--not as flat or as dry-looking as matte lipsticks from many years ago. Sometimes, it seems like brands are just afraid to use the term satin or semi-matte, though! They have a semi-matte finish--less shiny in person--with subtle pearl that looks less like shimmer in person and more of that "glowing" finish as described.
The texture was more velvety, so it didn't feel as wet as a traditional lipstick, but it still glided readily across my lips. I found that it had a tendency to pill a little when swatched on my arm, but most shades did not have any issue like that when applied to my actual lips. This is rare, but I have had that happen where a product was clearly designed for lip skin over skin-skin!
They wore between five and seven hours, depending on the shade; deeper, richer shades (like a red) tended to last longer than lighter shades (like a peach or lighter brown). They were more on the non-drying to lightly hydrating side.
Browse all of our YSL Slim Glow Matte Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Paraffin, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Cera Microcristallina / Microcrystalline Wax, Isohexadecane, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ci 15850 / Red 7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aqua / Water, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Benzoate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Anise Alcohol, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium 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.
Private Carmine (204)
PPermanent. $39.00.
Secret Rosewood (205)
YSL Secret Rosewood (205) Slim Glow Matte Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick ($39.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with warmer undertones and barely-there gold pearl in a satin finish. The color payoff was semi-opaque in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without tugging.
The lipstick had a thin, lightweight texture that had more of a velvety slip to it, though it had a bit of shine to it initially. This shade lasted well for five hours and felt lightly moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Revlon Raisin Rage (P, $8.49) is darker (95% similar).
- Shiseido Scarlet Rush (204) (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Alabama (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Cherry Truffle (LE, ) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Fire Down Below (P, $26.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Lea (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Slow Dance (LE, $10.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- YSL Brown No Way Back (302) (P, $45.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Auburn (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Vain (P, $26.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$39.00/0.07 oz. - $557.14 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "luminous, glowing matte finish" and help to "smooth" and "moisturize" lips. It is silent on coverage, though promotional images by the brand show full coverage. It is also supposed to be "long-lasting" and "creamy."
I can see what they mean by a "glowing" matte finish; it's more of a modern matte--not as flat or as dry-looking as matte lipsticks from many years ago. Sometimes, it seems like brands are just afraid to use the term satin or semi-matte, though! They have a semi-matte finish--less shiny in person--with subtle pearl that looks less like shimmer in person and more of that "glowing" finish as described.
The texture was more velvety, so it didn't feel as wet as a traditional lipstick, but it still glided readily across my lips. I found that it had a tendency to pill a little when swatched on my arm, but most shades did not have any issue like that when applied to my actual lips. This is rare, but I have had that happen where a product was clearly designed for lip skin over skin-skin!
They wore between five and seven hours, depending on the shade; deeper, richer shades (like a red) tended to last longer than lighter shades (like a peach or lighter brown). They were more on the non-drying to lightly hydrating side.
Browse all of our YSL Slim Glow Matte Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Paraffin, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Cera Microcristallina / Microcrystalline Wax, Isohexadecane, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ci 15850 / Red 7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aqua / Water, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Benzoate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Anise Alcohol, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium 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.
Secret Rosewood is pure gorgeousness! This shade is giving me all the warm fuzzy feels for some reason. Probably because it looks just like a lipstick I wore to death back in the 90’s, Revlon Colorstay in Sienna.
The names are apt for our current situation! Behind a mask, all lip color is private and secret. You would think this would stop me from buying lipsticks, but… Not so much. Secret Rosewood is my kind of color, but with a couple of dupes (ok I just checked dupes within my vanity and the site thinks I have 5– thank you for this feature!) , I probably don’t need to add it to my collection. Something about this packaging and the square bullet really draws me in, though.
YSL has a talent for bringing out absolutely drool worthy lipsticks, and these two are no exception. I think I love the Secret Rosewood lipstick the best.
Secret Rosewood looks like a dupe for Besame’s 1946 – Red Velvet.
I love both of the lipsticks, I did a quick search through the dupes and have five for Private Carmine and only one for Secret Rosewood. So while I love them both, I’m not going to buy any of them. What these lipsticks makes me want is to have a lot of them, they seem mostly very good and the packaging is beautiful. Maybe after I purge my far too huge collection…
Private Carmine is so pretty, and SO up my alley… but am I the only one who just can’t find it in their heart to spend money on stronger lipstick shades when mask wearing makes it impossible to use them when going out? I wear lipstick to work every day, but I know I am the only one who is going to see it and I have to pick something pretty nude or it gets smeared all over my mouth. I find my lipstick purchases lately have dwindled and if I do get something it is nude… this is probably good for my budget since my collection is huge and I will never finish what I have already lol.