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
At this point I’m saying never! the only time I buy Guerlain or TF lipsticks is during the VIB sales or when I have a coupon from Saks (they email them out quite regularly), so I guess even $55 is pushing it for me. Plus, am I the only who thinks the black packaging looks like a slug and/or those blood sucking leechs?
Hahaha a slug! It almost looks alive doesn’t it? I’m definitely not taken by it. There is a gold version though that is less slug like, but still doesn’t capture my imagination. On the bright side, at least you have the VIB sales that take the edge off Guerlain and TF purchases. Little thing eh? 🙂
Nope – me thinks not lol The cap look a little ott for me and like you, I’m not that into makeup jewellery. I’d prefer to invest in some great everyday skin care, instead of paying so much for an item I would rarely use (let’s be honest!). My pennies will be going towards some Tatcha skincare soon! 😀
Ooh! I’ve heard loads of good things about Tatcha but their shipping is KILLER! So I’m sitting on my hands >.< Would love to read about your purchases when you've had a go at them!
I personally won’t simply because unlike eye shadows, foundations and blushers I find that when it comes to lip products some drugstore brands are actually on par with more high end brands. If it was foundation, maybe, but lipsticks, no. But that’s just my two cents because I’m still young and don’t have that much disposable income 😛
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Ah I have the disposable income and still wouldn’t splurge on this so that tells ya eh? 😉 But you are right. If it was foundation, I might actually consider it. I’m more willing to splurge on a good base than on a lipstick. Good job on your blog and happy journeying on the blogging trail 😀
I will never splurge or spend on stuff you need to wash off or remove. So, expensive lipstick, nope. Skincare, perhaps, as long as its within my means
The ironic thing is that a lot of good serums are about this price range these days and they have a better effect for us long term so I say go for the skincare! 😉
Wow that’s a lot of dollars for a lipstick which looks like belongs to Morticia from Adams family. I would rather spend that amount on skin care. But people might buy it just for the name without even considering the quality.
Teehee… I think it was designed for Morticia! 😉 Oh I’m not surprised that the name will be what sells it. If it was sold under Maybelline, maybe it wouldn’t even move off the shelves! LOL
nope, that’s crazy expensive! i don’t even want to shell out that rm200 for guerlain lipstick cuz got cheaper ones that work well, same goes for blush. Unless the colours are unique or to die for, my money’s better off on somewhere else. Money not easy to come by ah…
Yep yep! I can’t give up on blush just yet though. Too much of an addict. Or those Guerlain balls – but lucky for me they are my only true irrational indulgences so far! LOL But I hear ya. Our Shringgit is really getting to me too. No more online shopping for a long long time
I was expecting more, packaging-wise, for RM390. Cheap-looking plastic and a flimsy ribbon that’s supposed to double up as necklace just doesn’t cut it. The formulas and shades had better be really out of this world 😉
I would rather splurge on Guerlain or TF and put the extra in the bank, or sink it into another product. RM159 is almost two Tarte Amazonian Clay concealers, or one good foundation compact… things I’d consider more essential than yet another lipstick I don’t absolutely need to have. 😛
You know what will suck? If that cap thing is plastic. You know, like something you can find in the RM2 store? LOL! 😀 Like you, I’d rather put it on my face as well. I don’t even mind paying for a good foundation. But somehow, lipstick just isn’t as “essential” right? There are so many good, decent lipsticks that are cheap, or at least, more affordable! I haven’t tried that Tarte concealer – any good?
There might be better concealers out there if you have normal, non-sensitive skin. I like the Tarte one as it’s creamy but feels quite lightweight when applied, conceals well and evenly enough with a brush, and doesn’t irritate my finicky skin. Also helps that it comes in various shades (even a light medium shade for in-betweens), so I found one that matches my skin tone.
The small, slim tube means it’s easy to travel with. It feels sturdy and classy, which I like! I once forgot to bring it along when travelling, and picked up a UK brand’s cream concealer at the airport, which worked fine abroad in Autumn, but was too greasy for my combination skin in our weather.
I’ve used the Diorsnow Spot Concealer too, and it’s good but pricey. I personally feel that in terms of coverage, the Tarte concealer is just as good, so I’ll stick to it for now, until I find something better. 🙂
Thanks Adele 🙂
I hate to say this but to be honest, provided I do have cash for it(a far cry from it now lol) why not 😀
I think it’s one of those items which probably would be best kept as a statement piece rather than something that should be used, which I guess would defeat the purpose but I doubt anyone’s expecting much from a Louboutin lipstick besides its packaging.
But then again at 360 I could probably buy one luxury high-end skincare rather than something that will smudge off my lips the moment I eat or drink.
Oh well 🙂
No, absolutely not. It can buy almost 2 Tom Ford lipsticks. I’d spend that money on buying food, not a tube of lipstick! :p
I think it’s amusing how many of us would be happy to splash that money on some very good food, as opposed to a lipstick! LOL
These past few months, I’ve lost interest in make up. I have so many lipsticks, but I don’t reach for them as much anymore. But even during the height of my lipstick obsession, I would have just lusted after this lipstick.
The most expensive lipstick I have purchased to date is Tom Ford. And I haven’t even worn that lipstick out!
$90USD is a lot of money. In Canada, it would be well over $100. I’d rather use that money toward something else.
I’m sure if I had an expendable amount of money, I’d consider purchasing it. Right now, no thanks.
Might it be the summer that’s made you feel more lethargic about putting on makeup Joann? 🙂 I find that when the weather is too hot, I’m really lazy about anything makeup related too so I wear the minimal to look presentable at work LOL But as for this lipstick, I’m sure there’ll be loads of takers, just not you and I who’d rather put the money to better use 😉