YSL Fusion Foundation

YSL launch their Fusion Foundation today (exclusive to Debenhams, until August 20), with a mass of science behind it, apparently much of it the same as the science NASA use. This is not a new claim int he beauty world  but it seems to be a true one this time, as Jane Cunningham from British Beauty Blogger discusses at length in her post on her new site The Beauty Plus. I’ll leave it to Jane to explain as she does it in much more depth that I could.

The key ingredient is Lipophilic active, whose technology was first used to capture stellar dust particles in outer space. Translated to the skin, it can absorb four times its weight in serum, remains active for longer, and can contribute to a longer-lasting, working foundation.

The press release is a mix of science you’d need to work at NASA to work out, and a very long, and, er, interesting, ode to foundation, and the YSL woman…I really wish I could be bothered to type this out in full here, because it is quite amusing, but anyway, I digress.

The new Fusion Foundation, says YSL, ‘feels like a feather, wears like an ink‘ and well, I can see where they are coming from. It’s a really odd formula – ultra-thin, not creamy, more like a true liquid, if that makes sense, and the applicator is another innovation.

Called the Plume Dispenser, and inspired by the way a calligrapher would dip a quill in a pot of ink, its fanned at the base and tapered at the top, with a tiny puncture inside to clasp the foundation to the plume on both sides. Apply directly to points of the face, or onto the hand to apply. it also delivers just the right amount, which is not a lot of this ultra-thin formula.

It gives a mattifying look to the skin, but not caked, not thick  and very natural, but I have to say that it did sit in my pores slightly, and although it is not drying itself, my dry patches on my forehead were not reacting well to it.

It comes in three colour families: Beige, Rosy Beige and Beige Dore. There are 16 shades in total – six in Beige, four in Rosy Beige, and six in Beige Dore – plenty to choose from, so go to counter and get matched.

Here’s what Creative Director Make-up YSL Beaute, LLOYD SIMMONDS has to say about the new Fusion Foundation

US: How did the story of LE TEINT ENCRE DE PEAU (FUSION FOUNDATION) begin?

LLOYD: The Yves Saint Laurent laboratory is continually working on developing new revolutionary formulas. When they discover something of interest, they send it to me to test in my work. There were around five different versions of the Fusion Ink formula, which were subject of discussion between the laboratory and I for about a year and a half.

How is FUSION FOUNDATION different to other long-wearing foundations?

Other formulas tend to be quite thick in texture, a little heavy and form a barrier on the skin. LE TEINT ENCRE DE PEAU has a lightness of texture which is completely new. As a make-up artist, my criteria for foundation is that I don’t want to see it on the skin, it has to be invisible and weightless. So the aim was to finally create a weightless formula with an invisible, long-lasting coverage, and that’s what we have.

 What type of finish does the foundation create on the skin?

It has a natural-looking, mattifying effect on the skin – without appearing dry or caked on. There’s definitely more matte to the finish than radiance, compared with our other foundations. And it lasts the entire day. It’s the perfect foundation for fashion shows because it’ll still be perfect when the models hit the runway. Four hours after it’s been applied.

Who is the woman you see wearing FUSION FOUNDATION?

I think it’s universal. Women want something that’s easy, which doesn’t require going to the mirror to re-do your face every four hours. They want a formula which can be applied in the morning and lasts all day. This foundation responds to modern women’s lives and how they don’t necessarily have the time anymore to invest in a long, drawn-out beauty regime. It has to be quick and easy. That’s what women want, and that’s what this foundation offers.

YSL Fusion Foundation is available exclusively from Debenhams from today, August 10, and then nationwide from August 20, £30.50, yslbeauty.co.uk