Tried & Tested
On trial: Sisley Paris Phyto-Rouge Velvet
One of our favourite beauty brands launches a new red lip, just in time for Valentine's Day
Anyone who reads The Edit knows we’re huge fans of Sisley Paris. The world-renowned luxury skincare brand is inspired by phyto-cosmetics and creates beauty products and cosmetics using the best plant-based extracts, in partnership with cutting edge science.
Next month, they release their brand-new Phyto-Rouge Velvet lipstick and to celebrate we have an exclusive preview a month ahead of the nationwide launch.
Sisley Paris has also teamed up with award-winning makeup artist Zoë Taylor who has created a stunning new makeup look called The Velvet Lip Look, using the Phyto-Rouge Velvet lipstick alongside other core products.
Whether you’re looking to treat your best friend for Galentine’s Day or you’re in need of a Valentine’s gift for yourself, here’s our take on the new collection.
Phyto-Rouge Velvet
The Phyto-Rouge Velvet is no ordinary lipstick, it’s a bold one that truly cares for your lips. Available in 12 vibrant colours, we tested Zoë’s favourite shade, number 40. The surprisingly velvety texture is apparent from the first coat, which glides on easily without sticking or settling in fine lines. I preferred just one swipe but you can easily add layers to create intensity. The finish is smooth and sleek and although it’s a matte lipstick it still reflects a little light - which I really loved.
The formula has been designed to offer dual protection for your lips with Physical Protection to limit the loss of water from your lips and Psychological Protection to help to protect lips from external aggressions and stress.
The result is a lipstick that’s a joy to wear, it instantly makes you feel more put together and in control while lips feel more supple and plumped.
It stays put all day, doesn’t blur and comes in a punchy packaging, encased within a velvet lipstick holder. What more could you want?
Phyto-Lèvres Perfect
I won’t lie - the 90s child in me is delighted that the lipliner is firmly back in our make-up bags. When trialling this one, which is available in 10 shades, I took Zoë's pro tip to heart: “Start in the centre of the lip, tracing out the perfect cupid's bow, and then the lower lip shape. Try smiling to stretch out the lip shape for a seamless line.”
The firmness of the pencil makes for such simple and precise lip lining that literally stays in place all day (and night). As it’s so long-lasting you only need to apply once - even when I reapplied the lipstick I didn’t need to redo my liner. The handy brush that comes on the other end is ideal for blending if you want a less put-together look.
Ingredients like Aloe vera extract and Jojoba oil also promise to keep your lips soft, smooth and supple - which we could all do with after endless months of dry skin thanks to cold weather.
Phyto Teint Perfection
The Phyto-Teint Perfection is a high-coverage, luminous-matte foundation that is designed to improve your skin while you’re wearing it. Suitable for all skin-tones and available in an impressive 29 shades, 11 levels of intensity and 3 under-tones (cool, neutral and warm) it’ll hydrate, smooth and illuminate your skin.
As there are so many shades I recommend heading in store to ensure you get the best possible skin match. The coverage from just two pumps of this foundation is outstanding and makes my whole skin look more alive. It also smells delicious.
Despite my combination skin - with the added wrinkles thrown in - I think I’ve found my new forever foundation.
“Starting on the jaw for the sheerest coverage, working inwards over the face. I like to build up extra coverage up for dark circles, and any blemishes”
Stylo Lumiere
I’m always slightly cautious when it comes to highlighters as I never quite know how much is too much, however this easy-to-use pen has allayed all my fears. For starters, the active ingredients Acai extract, Golden Apple tree extract, Oat seeds and White Lily extract are designed to reinforce your complexion and give brightness and radiance, so while you’re using it you can be confident you're also helping your skin rather than clogging it up.
Secondly, the texture is so subtle and soft and it glides on really easily to your skin. I dotted it under my eyes and blended in with my fingertips to conceal darker bags and fine lines. Thanks to the 'Specular Light' pigments I felt they were smoothed and concealed from the first use. A little also goes a long way which makes this great value.
Ombre Éclat Liquide
To achieve her look Zoë uses two shades of this long-lasting liquid eyeshadow: Antique Gold and Plum. I have to be honest, I tried both together and while it looked fantastic, for someone who is time-poor it took me a while to achieve a natural blend between the shades. However, as single products these are a revelation for me.
The formula doesn’t sink into your eye creases at all, rather it conceals them leaving your eyelid looking lighter and brighter. What I loved most is that you can use the super soft precision tip to build the coverage. So whether you want a subtle look for the office, or you want to layer the eyeshadow to create a more intense look, you easily have the option for both.
I love the sparkling finish, the fact it lasted all evening and the useful compact size which would fit the smallest of handbags.
“Start with the plum shade on the outer half of the top lid and add the silver colour on the inner half for a look that adds drama and light.”
So Curl Mascara
After I tested the Phyto Noir Mascara last year I found my forever mascara and it’s now a firm favourite in my John Lewis basket, so this one had a lot to live up to. Reader, it delivers. While the Phyto Noir gives extra volume and lift, the long-lasting So Curl mascara curls your lashes as you use it thanks to a complex of curling and fixing polymers.
The actual brush on any mascara wand is make or break for me and this one instantly gives lashes an instant curl as it dual coats every lash - even the tiny ones that are tricky to reach.
The scientists at Sisley Paris have ensured the ingredients in this mascara are worth their weight in gold and the formula combines three actions to care for your lashes:
- vitamin-rich Peptide and Arginine will help your eyelashes appear fuller and longer in four weeks
- vitamin-rich Peptide make your lashes stronger the more you use
- pro-vitamin B5, Rice Phytoceramides, Castor Oil, Passionflower extract will keep you lashes strong condition to reduce fallout
It’s a close call but as they both speak to different needs I’ll alternate between these two from now on. The long-lasting coverage So Curl gives is incomparable and the fact it doesn’t smudge or flake throughout a 20-hour period makes it an easy investment.
Phyto-Blush Twist
This cream blush stick is such a fun and useful product. It’s so soft, smooth and literally feels weightless on your skin, like you’ve added a layer of velvet. There’s no annoying powdery residue that you get with some cream blushers and it really and truly stays in place (so make sure you get colour matched to get the exact shade you need).
Zoe uses shade 6 for her look, which I love but my redhead tones cannot take, so I trialled a more neutral shade which gave me such a lovely, long-lasting, healthy glow I felt like I’d been away for a week. As with all Sisley Paris products, it's the ingredients that speak for themselves and the blush is enriched with Camellia and Shea Oils to maintain your skin’s hydration. Pop it in your bag and off you go - just be warned you’ll be expected to share with pals when you pull this out in the loos.
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Another stellar lineup from one of our favourite beauty brands. All of the products should be on your spring beauty wishlist but if you only make a couple of investments, make it the Phyto-Rouge Velvet and So Curl mascara.
★★★★★
