Over the past couple of weeks, I noticed that there were rumblings of Christian Louboutin (yes, that famed red soled shoe brand) releasing a lipstick very soon. They had already ventured into beauty with their nail polishes, with packaging which could poke your eyes out. I believe this was last year.
There, that’s that nail polish bottle that could double up as a weapon if you’re pissed. Perhaps if you were disturbed while painting your nails? 😛 I wonder if they allow this on board planes. Hmm…
And yes, that is also what the Louboutin lipsticks are supposed to look like. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about the packaging. I’m not sure what it is they’re trying to channel and it has been compared to some *ahem* risque sex toys – not that I know anything about them *shifty eyes* 😀
But more importantly, each lipstick will retail at US$90. $90!! Now, I’m going to imagine that that’s a lot of money even by US cosmetics standards, although I can safely say that at today’s exchange rates which puts this at almost RM359 A TUBE it is freakishly expensive by Malaysian standards.
So this begs the question – Will you pay US$90 for a lipstick by Louboutin or any other brand for that matter?
Me? I say nope and nope.
I love my lipsticks and since Louboutins are all about that red sole, I’m guessing they’ll release some pretty amazing red shades for the lips. But you know what? So do many other brands, who already have amazing lipstick formulas and who don’t ask for your kidney or your first-born in payment.
According to what I’ve read online, the complete packaging of the Louboutin lipsticks will look like this, with a glitzy looking cap which, when threaded with a chain or organza ribbon they say, allows you to wear this as a piece of jewellery – a necklace, to be exact.
Well, aside from the point that I feel it’s gaudy, jewellery makeup isn’t a new concept. Anna Sui does them all the time – rings mostly, and Dior and Burberry have released limited edition bag charms and bracelets that contain lipglosses or lipsticks.
Then again, there’s no accounting for preferences, so I’m sure this design will appeal to someone out there. And I’m quite quite certain the product will sell out, simply due to the name and because for some reason, people will find it in their hearts and wallets to whip out US$90. It will happen, mark my words.
But not for me I’m afraid. I could do a lot with RM359 – and I’d probably invest all that into some amazing skincare instead. Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks now cost over RM200 (US$53) and that’s about my limit in lipstick prices for now. I have actually stopped buying them because I feel that I could put that RM200 to better use. It’s not to say I’ll never buy any more, but I am now very very selective and it would have to be a very amazing colour to make me take out my wallet.
Ditto Tom Ford lipsticks, which at US$50 or £38 are amazing, but which are also at my limit of spending. It’s actually hard for me to justify going beyond those sort of prices for a lipstick, even if it might be infused with every beneficial skincare ingredient under the sun. I’ve used amazing lipstick from the pharmacy brands, and from department store brands and sometimes, there’s little difference between the two.
So to be honest, I don’t quite care which brand it is. It would take A LOT for me to indulge in a RM359 tube of lipstick.
Would you pay US$90 or RM359 for a tube of lipstick? Don’t be afraid to say yes!
I wouldn’t. Not at this time. But perhaps, if I received a windfall or struck lottery, I might indulge. Although if I did, I might just get the shoe instead – it’ll last me longer LOL! 😀
Paris B
Well I didn’t hit the 40million jackpot, that’s why I’m still at work 🙁
$90 for a lipstick? Probably not. On a bottle of red that I can cellar for 5-10 years and share it with friends? Most definitely. 😛 Funny how priorities have changed 🙂
Please hit the jackpot. Am waiting to pick up my Birkin 😉 But ya I’m with you on the wine – it costs about that much for a good bottle here anyway 🙁
On skincare, yes. On lipstick, NO!
Which seems to be a common consensus 😀
HOLY, really? WHAT. NO. That’s insane. Like you TF are my limit.
You know what’s bad about this? Other designers will follow suit because there will be those who buy this ridiculously expensive lipstick.
Ah yep! They just keep pushing our boundaries. But there will always be people who will give in, and I think it’s also that desire to stand out you know? Everyone has a TF or Guerlain or Charlotte Tilbury. They want to be MORE! 😛
If I only ever wore lipstick and fell in love with the formula and colour, then I probably would pay $90…but I’m not a lipstick person so no dice! I also dislike the “wear it on your body” thing; why would I wantmy pricey lipstick turned into liquid gold? Ugh.
hahaha I don’t get the wearing it part either. I think it’s just a way to justify the price perhaps? I don’t know. I may like the formula but still… a lipstick is really just a lipstick. And that’s pretty rich coming from me! 😛
On their shoes, yes. Lipstick that looks like a squid, hell and back NO!!! All lipsticks that I’ve ever bought are under RM 100. Any makeup product that cost more than RM 100 are usually the face products or the limited lips/eye palette.
Well, I guess of you are hardcore fan of the brand, buying something that cost nearly half thousand probably no issue, hehe.
Lipstick that looks like a squid! LOL!! With the prices of makeup these days, it’s hard to get anything good that costs under RM100 – have you noticed that? Most department store lipsticks have now breached the RM100 mark and it makes me want to cry
Yeah, when my fav Bobbi Brown lipstick started to go above RM 100, I wanted to cry, too! Maybe I’ll stick to Clinique lip colour balm – best ever tinted lip balm for me to use at drier climate (during vacation) and the colour are pretty and no fuss 😀
I think this year, I will stop buying new products either skincare and makeup as I have hoarded quite a lot of unused or barely used products – time for me to use them instead of put in boxes LOL. Only buy necessary products when I really, really need them i.e the three basics usually – cleanser, toner and moisturizer 🙂 2016 will be my year to save money from endless buying of skincare and cosmetics! And also because I just laid off from my job because of the oil and gas field is sinking fast :'(
Actually, if i were earning USD, i might just take the plunge out of curiousity. After all, it’s the only way to find out if it’s worth. But unfortunately….*counting coins*
LOL Ya I know. If I earn USD maybe la…but since I don’t…
I’ll probably buy one just to have it. I do like the packaging and i love lipsticks. At least its not as expensive as Guerlain Voyage Powder than costs me RM550 plus(I justify this buy coz its refillable :-D)
Ahhh you got the Voyage powder! I’ve been soooo tempted to get it, but I tell myself no. I should have years ago, when it was much cheaper than RM500 Haha!
Aiyo! Nope……na-ah! Not at all. I am pretty sure that the color, whatever they come up with will be easily dupeable and in terms of wearability, texture etc, sure that some other company has also already hit the nail on that one. My priorities have changed and so I would not pay this amount.
Yep yep! Agree with you on priorities changing. We have different needs and wants at different points in our life and for me right now, a $90 lipstick isn’t one of them!
Nope! Not for Louboutin at least. Guerlain has me drooling but I won’t even spend that much yet. I have some lovely reds already so…
Actually there’s that too. For some reason, I won’t spend on it because of the name either. It seems to me like they’re just banking on it. Besides, it’s a shoe brand (their bags didn’t take off) and I think it’s a bit rich to be charging so much for what is pretty basic makeup just because of the name
Ahh … for me, it’s never say never 😛 I’m not a fan of the design so I’ll say no to these CL lipsticks but who knows if Guerlain, YSL, whatever brand decides to come up with a lipstick so freakin’ awesome that I really could drop US$90 for. I used to say I’d never spend over 50 bucks on a foundation and here I am, using one that’s at least $120. Tsk tsk. It’s not that I’d happily splash that amount of money on a lipstick; heck, I’d have to research and test the hell out of it. But if it’s really good … maybe. 🙂
I hear ya Tine 🙂 I’m not above it, but as JackieA has said, priorities change and perhaps, because of where I am now, and because of how we’re affected by the economy locally, it’s very hard to justify spending this sort of money on what I’d consider a frivolity. As for spending money on makeup (which I never thought I would back in the day) I also think it’s to do with prices in general. They have gone up quite significantly and to get a good product means having to shell out good money. They just know how to get at us women eh?
NO WAY! Not even if its’s $20! Not really a lipstick junkie
Which might explain it 😉 I would spend $20 though! hehe
I will wait it out perhaps a year, or two. I will not say no right now. Good reviews, good news in my life, or perhaps just to reward a milestone, could see me buying it.
I am glad that this lipsticks are not likely to reach Singapore soon. Inaccessibility stops me from getting brands like Charlotte Tilbury or Dolce and Gabbana.
I have banned Tom Ford from my life though. TF’s quality is not worth the money to me.
I still get Guerlain lipsticks every now and then but not any of their powders.
I was lucky to be gifted my first TF lippie. I bought my 2nd and I do like them but I do find them a bit too pricey. I’m a Guerlain Meteorite junkie so I’m really irrational in that department LOL! But I’ve tried the TF eyeshadows and I wasn’t impressed. Ditto the blushes. Nice, but a bit too pricey. Sometimes, I wonder at these cult and very expensive brands – is it really that great, or are we just sucking up to the hype?
No way! It’s only another red lipstick and lipsticks are not substantial enough to justify for quality and wear, be it a luxury or a drugstore brand.
Packaging is unique but not sure if it’s ergonomics to store or use.
Nope, it’s definitely not made to be ergonomic hehe… Someone here likened it to a squid and I just had to laugh! That funny shaped body eh? The other reason I wouldn’t buy it is more because it’s a lipstick and that means it’ll spoil at some point in time unless I use it up before then. That is more of what bugs me than anything! Even if you kept the packaging, it’ll still smell 😛
Hmm, will I spend 90bucks on a lipstick. Not that I wear lipstick but theoretically speaking, no. And speaking of the packaging, Louboutin’s nail polishes are super pointy. They could probably act as a weapon! Anyways, as Tine said, never say never~ hahaha. But then, unlike other make-up items (foundations, powders, etc -in my experience), there are some pretty incredible lipsticks in the drugstore so I don’t really see the point of purchasing super super-high end lipsticks either. Rather save that money and get myself a pair of Louboutin shoes lol.
Yep, I’ve seen pictures of their nail polishes and I find them so gimmicky. Seriously, I get the idea (stiletto and all) but still, was it that necessary? Then again, I suppose it makes for a good instagram pic 😛 The thing right, Robert, is that your Louboutin shoe will actually be comfortable. I tried on a pair of heels once and there was NO WAY I could walk in them without breaking an ankle. So I’d probably not pay for the shoe either HAHA 😀
Oh my! I would’ve thought louboutin heels are supposed to be very very comfy. Like Jimmy-choo level comfy (or Manolo Blahnik level at least). Sad to hear about that hahaha. If all fails, at least with the red soles, people would know you’re wearing Louboutins so maybe people buy em’ for the bragging rights 😛
Well, no heels are truly comfortable LOL! So I think it comes down to our personal levels of comfort. At least if I fall face down, people will know it’s cos of them red soles 😉
Truly, beauty is pain hahahahahaha
Not unless they are amazing AND if I have money to burn, and I mean the last literally!
LOL!! It’s the price, I swear. Otherwise, it might just be another new lipstick launch 😛
Nope. This is definitely one of those collector piece. Because there’s no way you would wear this, and wear a T-shirt that says I’m using a $90 Louboutin lipstick on my lips right now, people! LOL. I’m sure there are lots of dupe for this red lipstick they make. Better use the money to buy a pair of his shoes, really.
HAHA! Yeah, wouldn’t you be heartbroken if no one noticed that your lipstick cost $90? 😛 To me, a red lipstick is a red lipstick. There are LOADS in the market, and many amazing ones already. Buying this (and showing it off, of course) will be, like the shoe, a status symbol.
Seriously?! No. I don’t own any Ford, Tilbury, Lipstick Queen etc for the same reason. It may be lovely, but it’s too much!
And as another reader has pointed out, we have different priorities in life. At some point, I might have said “Yeah, why not.” But now, with the economy being what it is, I’m more inclined to say “Erm… probably not”
err.. i’m the minority here hehe. i’m actually looking forward to one if the shade is right. i found the nail polish to be of great quality so i’m assuming the same from the lipstick and though the exorbitant price may not justify that, i foresee it will look really food in my flatlays *yikes the blasphemy* only the truth for you paris! *grins sheepishly*
There is gold packaging too, which I think houses the lighter shades and I’m glad you were not afraid to say yes! Hehe… If you get one, I get to paw at it and gawk ok? 😉
Aiyoh, USD90 I can buy a few good lipsticks with it right. Nope nope nope. I can live without one.
Well, maybe 2-3 pretty good ones I’d say 😀 The new EL pure color envy ones are good and “just” about over RM100 so you can get 3! 😉
Oh gosh, I recently got the EL Envy Shine lipstick at HKD270 from the airport and I already thought that was pretty pricey. USD90 can buy more than a few good lipsticks!
Yep and yep! Oh I didn’t realise the EL Envy lipsticks were more expenisve at HK! I think they’re just over RM100 here which is just a little over HKD200 – but they’re nice right? 😀