Can YSL’s New Foundation Really Last for 24 Hours? I Put It to the Ultimate Test...

In my time working in beauty, I’ve constantly run into one problem:

Finding a long-wear foundation that can take me from desk to club, and withstand the sweat of the dancefloor. 

Over the years, I’ve put many to the test, but time and time again, each formula has left me as dry as the Sahara Desert, or looking like an oil stick.  

So naturally, when I saw one of my favourite brands was unveiling a newly-reformulated long-wear foundation, I was intrigued.

With its claims of being a full coverage foundation with a luminous finish that lasts for 24 hours, I knew I had to put this YSL foundation to the dancefloor test.

Read on for my full Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Foundation review.

Yves Saint Laurent Foundation review.

What Is YSL All Hours Foundation?

Before I get into my YSL foundation review, let’s do a deep dive into the new reformulation:

• Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Liquid Foundation promises to be the most weightless full coverage product YSL has launched to date. 

• Is both luminous and matte, like skin!

• YSL were able to develop skin-fusing technology which allows the foundation pigments to form into a mesh-like structure to mimic our skin texture once applied. 

• The new formula has Hyaluronic Acid to add hydration in, along with Jasmine Petals to combat dullness and Neo Skin powder to eliminate shine.

• Heat, transfer and waterproof, and lasts up to 24 hours.

• $95 for a luxe 25ml bottle, with 36 shades to choose from.

My YSL All Hours Foundation Review.

Now that we have all the info, it’s time for my review of this triple threat.

And before I begin, I should start by saying I have a love/hate relationship with foundations in general. 

Yes, I want my makeup to stay in place, but oftentimes, foundations feel heavy and age me. 

Despite this, I still wear them every now and again, because sadly, a skin tint will not last through a night at the club.

Rewind to Halloween night, when I decided it would be the perfect time to road-test YSL’s All Hours Foundation. 

Here’s a look at my skin ‘before’ and ‘after’ applying the foundation using a damp beauty blender and a pouncing motion.

I started with my usual skin prep which includes:

Cleansing, an exfoliating mask to remove texture, a mist to add hydration in, and a primer to blur, brighten, and leave the skin utterly radiant. 

Then it was showtime.

I did one pump of the foundation (I wear shade MW9) and began to dot it around my face. I noticed a few things right off the bat. 

Firstly, it has a gorgeous rose scent to it, which transported me to being on holiday. 

Secondly, the texture was slightly on the thicker side than what I’m used to – however, considering it’s a long-wear foundation, this didn’t surprise me.

Due to this, I found I only needed just over a pump to cover my whole face. 

The shade match was spot on (note: I found it oxidizes half a shade darker to what is in the bottle), and it hid any imperfections, without feeling cakey. 

Here's a closer look at my finished makeup look wearing the foundation.

Now typically, I go in with a setting powder to make sure the foundation doesn’t move, but this one set itself in place when it dried down, which was a welcome surprise.

Whilst I did like the way it applied and felt – I do remember thinking at the time that my complexion felt a little flat.  

However, I had to remind myself it’s a matte foundation and maybe it would become glowier as the night went on. 

Fast-forward a few hours, and I headed to the bathroom to check in on my makeup.

It was… still intact. Exactly how I applied it. 

And let me tell you, when I go out dancing, I go out DANCING.

I’m the girl that drags her friends to the centre of the floor because I love being in the thick of it.

When I got home and went to take off my makeup, I was shocked to find the foundation had stayed in place after hours on the dancefloor.

It even held up through a sneaky make-out session. 

Not to mention, the white shirt I was wearing was completely makeup-free (which let’s be honest, never happens). A testament to the staying power.

Unfortunately, 3am Alisha didn’t think to take a close-up after photo, so you’ll have to take my word for it. 

But I did put the foundation to the test again, and here’s a before and after showing how it lasted through another night out.

Final Verdict...

It takes a lot to surprise me when it comes to beauty products, but the new YSL All Hours Foundation definitely left an impression – in a good way. 

Would I wear this YSL foundation daily?

Personally, it leans too matte for my everyday wear BUT it is now my new going out/dancing foundation. 

It's pricey, but considering a little goes a long way, it’s worth the price tag. 

For my oily and normal combo skin-havers, this foundation will be right up your alley.

If you're on the drier side, make sure you prep your skin well.

But all in all, it’s a BIG yes from me.

Learn more on how to pick the right foundation for you in the YouTube video below.

Want to read more foundation reviews? Check out these Beauty IQ articles below:

• The First Long-Wear Foundation I've Tried That Makes My Complexion Look Glowy, Not Dull

• Is There Such Thing As Lightweight Full Coverage?

• The Only Foundation Our Beauty Editor Will Be Wearing This Summer