This Lipstick Printer Can Make Over 1000 Custom Shades

If I told you that you could have almost any color of lipstick at the tip of your fingers, you probably wouldn't believe me. However, with YSL's Rouge Sur Mesure custom lipstick printer, you can make over one thousand shades in just a few seconds.

When I first tried it, I thought the process would be tricky — but I was wrong. The set up process involves downloading an app and signing up. Once you're set, the rest is pretty self-explanatory, all you need are your color cartridge trios (there are four to choose from: red, orange, pink, and nude).

Once you're set up, there are three ways you can go about picking your shade. First, the app shows you suggested shades on models of different skin tones. Then, there's a virtual try-on feature that allows you to preview what different colors would look on you, and you can pick the one you like. Finally, there's a shade match set that allows users to snap a photo of their desired shade, and the app will find a close match that it can create for you.

Once you've decided on the shade you want, you put the cartridges in at the bottom of the device and, on your phone, tap where it reads "create." Then, the device will start to hum as it pushes out the right amount of each cartridge. Once it's out, all you have to do is mix it with the magnetic lip brush that rests on the back of the device and apply it.

Until now, I'd always had a lot of trouble finding a nude lipstick that didn't wash me out. But on the first try, I got the most beautiful, flattering nude. What's great about the app is that I was able to save the shade into a virtual "shade closet" that keeps your favorite color combos so you can quickly find them.

It's convenient, too. The device has a magnetic compact where you can add extra formula in case you want to touch up your lip color throughout the day without lugging around the full device.

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And sure, it's pricey. The device itself costs $299, and each cartridge trio goes for $89. If you want to buy the whole set with every color, that'll set you back $655. However, if you know what color family you lean toward and only pick one or two, the price tag reduces significantly. Plus, when you consider that the device is a one-time purchase and the average luxury lipstick goes for about $40, one could argue that this device is an investment.

Instead of having to purchase three red lipsticks, each one just slightly different, you could have hundreds at the tip of your finger.

The Splurge is our recurring column dedicated to expensive beauty products that are worth it. This week, why we're rebuying YSL's Rouge Sur Mesure Custom Lip Color Creator despite the $655 price tag.