July 8, 2015

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector Review

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector ($55) is a new balm face primer/perfector that softens fine lines and pores, mattifies, and perfects skin while giving it a rosy glow. YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector was an intriguing product because if you’re familiar with my blog you realize I love and rave Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender all day, everyday.

Now the thing about Poreless Face Defender is it does all the same things that Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector does BUT it doesn’t have a rosy glow effect so that is one of the main things that intrigued me about this formula.

Let’s take a look!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector

And you don’t need Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector….if you wanna experience this type of face primer technology you should head to where it all started which was with the Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender as it is a cheaper option that holds way more product.

It isn’t that I don’t like YSL’s version, I do! I love it! But it’s kinda expensive and it is smaller than Mally version. Mally’s version is 0.46 oz in size and will set you back $40 where as YSL is 0.33 oz in size and $15 more at $55. So, unfortunately, Mally’s version does win out in terms of value. Many will compare this and Mally’s version to Covergirl Tru Magic Skin Perfector Mattifier as they are in fact all balm primers however, I do think both Mally and YSL have a better formulation but Covergirl is a nice option at $7.99 to get your feet wet with this style product if you’ve never used it before or Revlon Photoready Prime + Anti-Shine Balm is another drugstore option. And E.L.F. also has a Studio HD Mattifying Balm for a mere $6 but again I prefer the Mally version myself over all these options!

On that note I will say this stuff is divine! It feels a little lighter to me than Mally’s formula and perfects skin beautifully. I have visible pores on my nose only and this quickly covers them! They disappear like magic when I apply this balm!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector1

This comes housed in a gorgeous gold compact with a pink face plate. It’s pretty, elegant, and simply gorgeous but did we expect anything less from YSL? The case has a generously size mirror inside and comes with a velvet slip cover to store the compact in. Unfortunately, I hated the powder puff it came with. One thing, it doesn’t fit in the actual compact. I wish both Mally and YSL did a dual compartment compact to house the sponge in! The fact neither has a place for the sponge means it’s difficult to travel with the compact in my opinion as you can’t lay the sponge in the compact because than it won’t close. Also Mally’s version comes with a rubber sponge which I like because I can wash it! Also application seems easier with a rubber sponge where as YSL includes a square puff sponge to apply. It gets dirty very fast, also drags a little bit during application, and gets dirty, very, very fast considering you’re applying the balm OVER makeup so you’re bound to get makeup on the sponge.

YSL recommends you use the balm in one of two ways which is on bare skin under makeup or over makeup. I tend to apply it the same way I use Mally’s formula and that’s OVER my makeup. I apply my regular primer, my foundation, my concealer, my blush, eye makeup, etc…and I proceed to finish my face with the balm by sweeping it gently across my forehead, across my cheeks and nose, and on my chin. It basically refines my entire face and gives my makeup a smoother, even, softer appearance. You can visibly see how much more softer and even your makeup looks after applying the balm. It’s what I love about Mally’s formula and it’s what I equally love about YSL’s version.

The best way to describe the balm would be if they took a silicone primer, liquefied it, poured it into a compact, and let it harden! This doesn’t feel greasy or shiny and it has the velvety texture and almost powdery feel of a silicone primer. Mally’s version was marketed to diffuse pores and fine lines while absorbing excess oil but giving skin a very soft appearance and not the dry, ashy look of a setting powder and that’s exactly the same concept of YSL’s version.

I think people automatically worry that this will screw up their makeup during application but I don’t think it does that at all. I also like that the finish doesn’t accentuate my drier areas the way a powder does so I get the benefits of a powder product without the dryness of one. It just gives skin that gorgeous airbrushed appearance!

One of the main draws of YSL’s formula was the fact they promote it for use on bare skin as it’ll perfect and provide a rosy glow. The balm, unlike Mally’s translucent cloudy shade, is a pale pretty shade of pink but it does not provide color AT ALL. Not sure where the “rosy glow” concept comes into play but this sets transparent on my skin and I’m not seeing the luminous rosy glow in the least. This disappointed me because Mally’s version, as I said above, is a cheaper option and I’m perfectly happy with it but decided to splurge a little on YSL’s version because of the rosy glow promise. I think it would be cool if it perfected as well as provided a little hint of color and it would also set it apart from other balm primers like this! Unfortunately, I failed to see this.

All in all Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector is just as fabulous as Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender but sadly at a much higher price tag. However, if you’re willing to splurge it’s likely you won’t be disappointed. This refines, perfects, and gives skin a visible flawless appearance!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector is available now on counters or grab it at Sephora and Sephora.com.

Tried it?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • ashley

    looks nice, but how is it a necessity, when I already have loose and pressed powder? YSL does make quality products. I want to try their new liquid eye shadows. I have a burgundy mascara and their foundation in spf 20 comes in a pump bottle and is the best matching foundation I have found for porcelain skin. Their tinted lip oils are nice too. The foundation is my favorite product I have tried. They make a nice translucent bb cream spf 55, that is nice too.

    • Isabella Muse

      For me it is since I have drier skin and powders look dry on me. This visibly perfects much, much better than a powder and doesn’t still the natural luster of your skin the way a powder does which makes things look flat and dull! 🙂

  • Kiss & Make-up

    Ugh, nooo. why did I have to read this! I totally want – no wait – I totally NEED to try it now, even though it’s expensive…

  • Susan K

    Mally does make a smaller size of face defender that has a separate compartment for the sponge. Its the size of a standard powder compact but its only available as part of a “starter” Mally kit at Ulta that has a few different items to try. I keep that one in my purse and the big bulky one for home.

    • Isabella Muse

      no kid! I have the smaller one and the larger but neither has room for the sponge. Do you have a pic?! curious minds!

    • Isabella Muse

      omg wait! I have that one too! HEADDESK! well I used too! Now the one I have doesn’t have the dual compartment unfortunately!

  • Crystal

    I don’t have easy access to that mally product and i have been meaning to try that forever so i may look into this!

      • Crystal

        My mom doesn’t like Mally so i cant ask her to buy me 🙁 and on ebay the prices are outrageous!

        • Isabella Muse

          I can get you Mally, Crystal! I’d be happy to grab it up! You might wanna wait because in November she typically has 20% off her site 😀 Want me to email you with any sales that pop up? LMK!

  • Diana

    Wait, do you apply Mally’s FD with the sponge over your makeup as setting powder? (I know Mally would cringe hearing powder, haha) I’ve never used it like that. I use it as a touch-up/blotting wonder. I live in the Caribbean and I’ve got everyone lusting after the magic 😉

    • Isabella Muse

      yup! after I complete my entire face I smooth it on 🙂 it completes my look! You can use it to touch up and blot too! But I typically set my makeup with it!

  • Dayana

    This product look interesting. So do you just bounce this product around your face after your makeup application? Also, do you still use that nasty sponge that comes with it (no clue why ysl didn’t think that one through) or a different brush? If so, which type brush do you use?

    • Isabella Muse

      Yup, after or before, whichever you prefer but it works best after in my opinion. I use the sponge it comes with.