Yves Saint Laurent's Summer Collection Blues Lumieres is all about the shades of blue. The name of the collection makes me think of reflections on the water surface which I love watching, especially right after the sunset when I got to spend some weeks on the sea side. Needless to say, I can't wait to go there this summer and I will make sure to get these two breathtaking nail polishes with me when I travel.
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon, #51 Bleu Cyclades |
#50 Bleu Celadon is one of the most beautiful aqua blue/turquoise cream nail polishes that I own. It is no secret that I have a sweet spot for these type of shades and this explains why I have back-ups over back-ups of Chanel's Nouvelle Vague with the fear that I would run out of it sometime. The formula of Blue Celadon is flawless. It is self leveling, smooth and not streaky and completely opaque in two coats. Bleu Celadon is a true cream without any visible/invisible sheen. Under some light it looks more like a baby blue but under shadow it shows its delicate green features. The following swatches are with two coats and without a top coat.
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon |
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon |
I pulled out some close shades from my stash. Being an aqua lover for my tips & toes, I had quiet a bit of potential dupes to compare with but I am happy to say none of them were an exact match.
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon, #51 Bleu Cyclades vs. similar shades from my stash |
YSL#50 Bleu Celadon is a little darker than Chanel Riva and much darker once compared to Chanel #123 Crystal Blue. It leans more green once compared to Dior Porcelaine (reviewed here) and slightly bluer compared to Chanel #527 Nouvelle Vague. Dior #307 Nymphea from last year's Asia Exclusive Collection is the closest match but Blue Celadon leans more blue. Dior #401 Saint-Tropez is darker and Butter London Poole is more green.
 |
| Nail wheel comparison of Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon |
YSL #51 Bleu Cyclades is a gorgeous medium blue with metallic finish. I don't know how YSL managed that but this one doesn't leave any brush strokes. It is opaque in two coats and the formula is a dream to work with, self-leveling and not too thick or thin. A very important thing to note is that it doesn't stain even without base coat. I also liked the way that it was not very flashy but not blackened either. The following swatches are with two coats and without a top coat.
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #51 Bleu Cyclades |
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #51 Bleu Cyclades |
I don't have many medium blues in my collection. I used to skip these type of shades until I met Chanel's Bel Argus last summer, which I really like (reviewed here) and reach for quiet often. Bleu Cyclades though is a serious new favorite blue candidate.
 |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #51 Bleu Cyclades vs. similar shades from my stash |
When I first got to see YSL #51 Bleu Cyclades, I was wondering how it would compare to another blue, a permanent shade from YSL line, #17 Bleu Cobalt. It turns out that Bleu Cobalt is deeper and less metallic once compared to Bleu Cyclades. Chanel #461 Bleu Satin is more blackened blue and looks almost like a black once worn. Chanel #667 Bel Argus is lighter and more metallic with a unique sheen but bit of brush strokes. Dior #908 Tuxedo is close to YSL #17 Bleu Cobalt and Chanel #461 Blue Satin, and is much darker. I like how #51 Bleu Cyclades manages to stay blue without being too dark but at the same time does it in a not very overwhelming way.
 |
| Nail wheel comparison of Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture #51 Bleu Cyclades |
Final thoughts: Two lovely blues from YSL to bring the sea to your tips and toes. The formula of these are a dream to work with. I would say both of them are must-haves for blue lovers.
Do you like wearing blues? What is your favorite shade of blue on a nail polish?