YSL The Slim Lipstick: 2 Velvet Matte Shades Reviewed Now

The best YSL The Slim lipstick pick is the Velvet Radical in 312 Unconventional Nude for a modern soft-matte finish. Its square bullet draws sharp lines without a liner. The Loveshine Candy Glow in 7B Nude Pleasure is the glossy balm option. This guide compares two verified YSL lip products on Amazon. You will learn which shade and finish fit your style.
The Slim is YSL's slimmest lipstick with a square bullet. The shape lets you line and fill with one tool. Velvet Radical is the newer soft-matte formula. The Candy Glow balm is a glossy hydrator from the Loveshine line. Both feel weightless on the lips. Both picks below were verified as real Amazon listings with matching titles.
Start by choosing your finish first. Soft matte feels creamy and looks modern. True matte looks classic and lasts longer. Read on for full reviews, buying advice, and answers to common questions.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- Yves Saint Laurent The Slim Velvet Radical Matte Lipstick, 312 Unconventional Nude Velvet Radical soft-matte formula.
- Yves Saint Laurent Loveshine Candy Glow Lip Balm, 7B Nude Pleasure Candy Glow balm with glossy shine.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks

Best for: Modern soft-matte nude in a slim case
#1 Best OverallYves Saint Laurent The Slim Velvet Radical Matte Lipstick, 312 Unconventional Nude
- Velvet Radical soft-matte formula
- Shade 312 Unconventional Nude
- Square precision bullet
- Weightless comfortable feel
Pros
- Creamy matte, not drying
- Precise application without liner
- Elegant slim case
Cons
- Luxury price
- Nude needs the right undertone
- Slim bullet needs gentle handling

Best for: Glossy color balm with deep hydration
Runner-UpYves Saint Laurent Loveshine Candy Glow Lip Balm, 7B Nude Pleasure
- Candy Glow balm with glossy shine
- Shade 7B Nude Pleasure
- Nourishing hydrating feel
- Full-size luxury stick
Pros
- Color plus deep hydration
- Sheer glossy everyday look
- Luxury YSL packaging
Cons
- Luxury price
- Gloss needs reapplication
- Not a matte like The Slim
The Square Bullet Advantage
The Slim's square bullet is a design star. The flat edges work like a built-in lip liner. You can outline your lips precisely. The corners reach the cupid's bow easily. Filling is fast with the wide flat side. You get crisp edges without a separate liner. This saves time in a morning routine. It also saves space in your bag. The slim case fits anywhere. The bullet shape suits both bold and nude shades. Precision matters most with dark colors. One tool does the whole lip job. The square bullet deserves a closer look. Traditional bullets are round. They need a separate liner for edges. The Slim's flat edges act as a liner. You draw the lip contour directly. The corners reach tricky spots. The cupid's bow becomes easy. Filling is quick with the wide face. One tool replaces two products. This saves time every morning. It also simplifies touch-ups. No liner to carry. The design is genuinely innovative. It looks striking in the case too. Form and function unite beautifully. The Slim's design history is interesting. YSL wanted a modern lipstick. Slim cases were trending. The square bullet was innovative. It solved the liner problem. Makeup artists praised it. The design won awards. It became iconic quickly. Luxury is in details. The magnetic click satisfies. The weight feels right. Every touchpoint is considered. This is French design thinking. Beauty meets engineering. The result is timeless. Trends fade. Good design endures.
Velvet Radical Vs Candy Glow
Velvet Radical 312 is the modern matte choice. It gives a soft-focus matte finish. The texture feels creamy, not dry. It blurs the lips slightly for a plush look. The Candy Glow balm in 7B is a glossy hydrator. It gives sheer color with deep moisture. It suits dry lips and casual days. Choose Velvet Radical for polished matte. Choose Candy Glow for comfort and shine. Both feel lighter than traditional mattes. YSL's formula work shows here. Velvet Radical uses blurring technology. Tiny powders scatter light. This softens the lip appearance. Fine lines look less visible. The finish is modern and fresh. It suits the current beauty aesthetic. Candy Glow is timeless comfort. Its glossy finish never dates. It suits bare-face days. The Velvet feels more comfortable than flat mattes. The balm feels more comfortable than all mattes. Neither is objectively superior. Your preference decides. Try Velvet for evening polish. Choose Candy Glow for daily hydration. Velvet Radical represents formula evolution. Traditional mattes were drying. Customers complained. Brands listened. Soft mattes emerged. They blur instead of flatten. The finish looks modern. Lips appear fuller. Comfort improved dramatically. YSL led this shift. The Velvet line embodies it. It suits current tastes. Natural glamour rules. Heavy makeup fades. The Velvet fits perfectly. It is contemporary luxury. Not old-fashioned matte. The future of lipstick is comfortable.
Shade Guide: 312 Unconventional Nude Vs 7B Nude Pleasure
The 312 Unconventional Nude is a warm, wearable nude. It suits medium skin tones beautifully. It works for day and evening alike. The 7B Nude Pleasure is a sheer nude glow. It suits all skin tones with hydration. Sheer color never looks overdone. It works for daily wear and touch-ups. Your wardrobe should guide the choice. Neutral wardrobes suit both shades. Colorful wardrobes pair better with 312. Consider your lip size too. Dark shades can make lips look smaller. Lighter shades like 312 keep lips looking full. Undertone matching elevates any lipstick. The 312 shade is warm and forgiving. It suits warm and neutral undertones. Cool undertones may prefer pinker nudes. The 7B balm is more universal. But its tint still matters. Test it against your skin. Warm nudes glow on warm skin. Cool nudes pop on cool skin. Natural light reveals the truth. Store lighting flatters everything. Take a quick outdoor selfie. The camera is honest. Choose the shade that harmonizes. Harmony beats trends always. Nude lipstick carries quiet confidence. It signals polish. History is rich. Hollywood icons wore it. It never truly dates. The 312 nude continues this. It is a power nude. Wear it deliberately. Pair it with simple makeup. Let the lips speak. Posture matters too. Stand tall. Nude rewards confidence. Timid application looks off. Commit fully. The shade is classic. It flatters widely. Own the look completely.
Value of a Luxury Slim Lipstick
YSL lipstick is a luxury purchase. You pay for formula, design, and brand. The Slim's formula is genuinely excellent. It wears comfortably for a matte. The case feels premium in the hand. One bullet lasts months of regular use. Cost per wear is reasonable for daily users. Compare it to replacing cheap lipsticks monthly. The experience of application is also better. Smooth, precise, and even every time. If you wear lipstick daily, the upgrade is worth it. For occasional wear, the price stings more. Buy the shade you will actually reach for. The luxury experience extends beyond color. The case has satisfying weight. The magnetic closure feels premium. Application glides smoothly. The scent is subtle and refined. These details create ritual. Morning makeup becomes pleasure. Drugstore lipstick works fine. But it rarely delights. YSL delights daily. Cost per wear stays reasonable. Daily users get real value. The bullet lasts three to four months. Divide the price accordingly. Under a dollar a day for luxury. That reframes the purchase completely. Caring for luxury lipstick extends its life. Store it cool and dry. Heat melts the slim bullet. Never leave it in cars. Twist up minimally. The slim shape is delicate. Cap it every time. Air dries formulas. Clean the tip weekly. Tissue wipes suffice. Replace yearly. Old lipstick harbors bacteria. Eyes and lips are sensitive. Hygiene matters. Treat it well. It will perform beautifully. Luxury deserves care.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right ysl the slim lipstick product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Velvet Radical is a soft, creamy matte with a blurred finish. Candy Glow is a glossy hydrating balm. Velvet feels modern and polished. Candy Glow feels comfortable and sheer. Choose based on matte versus gloss. Velvet Radical is a soft creamy matte. Candy Glow is a glossy hydrating balm. Velvet feels modern. Candy Glow feels comfortable.
Usually not, thanks to the square bullet. The flat edges line lips precisely. Very dark shades still benefit from liner. Liner also extends wear time for events. Usually no, thanks to the square bullet. Its edges line precisely. Very dark shades still benefit from liner. Liner also extends event wear.
The 312 Unconventional Nude suits fair to medium skin well. It is warm and wearable daily. The 7B balm also works for sheer looks. Test tint against your undertone first. Shade 312 suits fair to medium warm skin. It is wearable daily. The 7B balm also works sheer. Test undertones in natural light.
Expect four to six hours of solid wear. The velvet matte outlasts the balm. Eating shortens wear for both. Blot and reapply after meals. Four to six hours of solid wear. The velvet outlasts the balm. Meals shorten both. Blot and reapply after eating.
The formula and design are genuinely premium. Daily lipstick wearers get good cost per wear. Occasional users may prefer cheaper options. Buy it for the experience as well as the color. Daily wearers get good cost per wear. The formula and design are premium. Occasional users may prefer cheaper options. Buy for the experience too.