Gen Z isn’t killing nightlife. Instead, they’re remixing it: earlier starts, clearer minds, sharper intention. Still, the energy that usually vibrates through a late night hasn’t disappeared; it’s just shifted into daylight, into community, into something more culturally connected. In Madrid, YSL Beauty moved with that shift, launching its new Loveshine Candy Glaze LoveNude through the first in a global series of Block Parties, all beginning with a takeover of the iconic Café Comercial.
Within hours, the historic café filled with creators, tastemakers, and a new generation of “cool kids,” from Aitana to Rina Lipa and Najwa Nimri, all defining what nightlife looks like now — gathering not for a late-night drop but for a 4 pm start that wrapped before midnight. If you’ve visited Spain before, you know that’s early by any standard. It’s proof that younger communities are gravitating toward experiences rooted in connection, cultural relevance and how a moment feels, not just how it looks online. The rise of daytime parties, coffee shop takeovers, and sober-curious events signals something bigger.
It’s clear through YSL Beauty’s block party that events still matter, arguably more than ever. They’re just more immersive, more local, more real. The Block Party model reflects that: a format designed to plug into the cultural fabric of each city, whether that’s a café in Madrid, a pub in Dublin or something entirely unexpected elsewhere. Here, it played out through hyper-local details — from a churros truck to street-side takeovers — all reworked through the lens of YSL Beauty.
At the centre of it all was Sam Visser. As YSL Beauty’s Global Makeup Artist, he brought LoveNude to life in real time, a product rooted in individuality that celebrates showing your true self authentically. “I love the idea of nude as something deeply individual rather than something invisible,” Visser says. “A nude lip can hold attitude, sensuality or softness depending on the tone and finish. Creatively, it becomes about helping someone discover the version of nude that feels like an extension of their identity rather than a default choice.”
Ahead of the block party, Schön! spoke with Visser to discuss the launch of Loveshine Candy Glaze LoveNude, the series of parties ahead, and more.
Gen Z seems to be redefining nightlife — earlier events, sober curiosity, and more intentional social spaces. How do you see those cultural shifts influencing the way people approach beauty and self-expression today?
I think it is less about hiding and more about highlighting yourself and expressing who you are. There is a greater sense of awareness around how you want to feel in a space and how you want to be seen. Beauty becomes a way to participate in the moment rather than escape from it. People are choosing looks that feel honest and connected to their identity instead of performative for the sake of tradition or expectation.
YSL’s Block Party concept taps into this idea of daytime socialising. Do you think the time of day or setting changes how people think about their makeup looks?
Daylight is brutal, and I mean that in the most positive way. It demands intention. Texture becomes visible, colour placement becomes more considered, and the overall feeling of the makeup needs to be resolved. You cannot rely on drama or darkness to create impact, so confidence becomes quieter but stronger. There is a sophistication in choosing restraint and allowing the light to reveal the beauty of the work.
Beauty used to be about transformation, but now it feels more like a tool for identity. How have you seen that shift play out with younger generations?
I do not think transformation has disappeared. Some people still love the power of becoming someone else for a moment, and that can be incredibly creative. At the same time, others are more interested in pulling forward aspects of their identity and amplifying what already exists. Mood plays a huge role in this. Makeup today feels very emotional and very situational. It is important to allow yourself to move between those states and to honour the feeling you want to express in a given moment.
You have worked with some of the most recognisable faces in fashion and entertainment. How has the aesthetic you are seeing now evolved compared to even five years ago?
People today are extremely referenced. With the access we have to imagery through books, archives and digital platforms, there is a deeper cultural context behind many looks. I see more intentional remixing of ideas, and that excites me. Newness is often born from layering multiple influences together in a way that feels personal rather than simply chasing novelty.
Gen Z tends to mix references such as vintage glamour, club culture and minimalism all in one look. How do you approach creating makeup that feels modern but still timeless?
For me, it is always about balance and authenticity. You can mix references and use contemporary techniques but the makeup has to feel true to the person wearing it. Confidence is ultimately what makes a look feel timeless. I have seen very strong makeup feel completely effortless because the individual’s personality carries it. When essence and aesthetic are aligned, the result feels modern without trying too hard.
Social media has accelerated trends at an incredible pace. As a makeup artist, how do you balance responding to trends with creating something that feels lasting?
To be honest, I try not to focus on trends at all. I am more interested in instinct and originality. There are certain ideas in beauty that cycle back constantly, like overlined lips or matte skin and to me, those are not really trends but enduring visual codes. When you create from a place of personal taste and cultural understanding, the work naturally feels more lasting.
The new Loveshine Candy Glaze LoveNude Lip Blusher reframes nude shades as something personal rather than neutral. What does that idea mean to you creatively?
I love the idea of nude as something deeply individual rather than something invisible. A nude lip can hold attitude, sensuality or softness depending on the tone and finish. Creatively, it becomes about helping someone discover the version of nude that feels like an extension of their identity rather than a default choice.
Hybrid formulas are everywhere right now. From an artist’s perspective, what makes a hybrid lip product exciting or useful in real-life makeup routines?
Performance is everything. When a formula feels beautiful on the lips and comfortable throughout the day it allows people to be expressive without overthinking maintenance. Hybrid products support real-life movement and spontaneity, which makes them incredibly relevant to how people actually wear makeup today.
When you are creating a look, how important is the lip in expressing personality compared with skin or eyes?
Lips are always a major part of the conversation for me, even when they appear neutral. Tone and texture of the mouth are very personal and can completely shift how someone feels in their makeup. When you find a lip colour or finish that resonates with you, it has the power to make you feel like your best self.
The Block Party merges music, culture and beauty in a daytime setting. How do environments like that inspire the way you think about makeup looks for a crowd?
Spaces like that invite freedom. They encourage people to express their most exuberant or daring selves through beauty. As an artist, it becomes about creating looks that can exist within energy and movement and community. Makeup in that context is not just visual. It becomes part of a shared cultural experience.
Learn more about YSL’s Loveshine Candy Glaze LoveNude at yslbeauty.com and find out about the next block party on the YSL Beauty Instagram.
photography. Courtesy of YSL Beauty
words. Kelsey Barnes
