This post started out quite differently – I was thinking about a “luxury lipsticks – worth the money”-kind of post, and here we are at the end of my journey through that topic, and I already gave you my conclusion in the title! But more on that below.
What do you want from a luxury lipstick?
To shill out an insane amount of money for some lip colour, you’d have some expectations for the product. It should do and be more than your regular old L’Oreal or MAC lippie. But what should it do better?
First, the packaging should ooze luxury. It should have that distinctive sounding ‘click’ that’s so satisfying to hear, and that signals, basically, ‘hey, I’m able to spend 50 bucks on a lipstick. Look at me, b!§$%&/es!’.
Going with that, the sensory experience of applying the lipstick should be better than any old drugstore stuff. The scent should be inoffensive and pleasant, but distinctive. It’s advertising the brands’ signature to the world.
One for all
It should apply easily, and should have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula. That’s the reason why so many luxury brands go back to that lipstick formula of your childhood – the ur-lipstick, so to speak. It has decent opacity, and is creamy, but neither shimmery nor matte. It’s basically your mom’s lipstick that you can remember from your childhood. It has to be a classic, and comes in classic colours, as well, that are easily wearable.
My most expensive lipsticks
Impressions – Guerlain Rouge G
Everything screams luxury to me about Guerlain’s Rouge Gs. Nowadays you can choose the design of the tube, and fit your choice of lipstick in there. The packaging is super heavy, and there’s even a mirror on the inside of the packaging. You won’t reach that level of extra until you go up to Louboutin lipsticks (I’m not willing to do that). It has a distinctive, flowery Guerlain scent that I don’t find too heavy or cloying. 3,5g sets you back around $50 (Guerlain website).
Formula/texture
The formula is creamy, easy to apply, moisturising and rich. While it’s super comfortable to wear, I find it rather slippery. It also feathers a bit and transfers like the dickens. The wear time, though, is decent for something so creamy and glossy. It’ll vanish if you eat or drink, but, oh the joy of re-applying!
Impressions – Tom Ford Lip Color
Let me start by saying that I was involved in the launch of TF Beauty in Germany, and I’m biased when it comes to TF. I can’t stand his beauty products and basically think you get a MAC/Estée Lauder formula in glorified packaging with jacked up prices. Strangely, I’ve nevertheless amassed five of his Lip Color lipsticks in the original formula. You get 3g for $55 (TF website).
Formula/texture
They come in a rather 80s looking heavy black and gold (or white and gold) packaging. Their scent is straight MAC vanilla, but their shade range is a bit more extensive than Guerlain Rouge G’s. Like Guerlain’s, though, it is easy to apply, although not as creamy (which may be a good thing). The formula gets you an opaque finish quickly, and though creamy, looks more like a satin formula. It does hold up very well, and is not as moisturising as the Rouge Gs. Re-application is easy.
They have an impressive ingredient list, making castor seed oil the bulk of their formula, and throw some nourishing ingredients into the mix. (Guerlain does, too.) That may be the reason that they go off quicker than other lipsticks for me.
Worth it?
The allure of luxury goods is exactly that – it’s a luxury. For most people, it’s neither an everyday event buying, nor using it. It’s special. Now, don’t fool yourself that it’s a collectible. It’s not. It’s an utility product. No matter how pricey, a cosmetics product will go off. It’s made to use it.
There is a reason, though, why the term ‘lipstick index’ exists. We all strife to add some small luxuries into our life, no matter what they are.
A makeup addict or beauty junkie, though, lives on beauty. It’s a lifestyle. We own a whole stash of products, and in the best-case scenario, rotate through it. We go for whatever look we strive to recreate, and may use the glossy sheer pink one day, the red matte the day after, and the glittery coral the next.
Craving more
So, fellow beauty enthusiasts with the extensive stashes – is that ‘does it all’ lipstick really something we need? Will we use it all the time, be happy with it, and use it up? Nah. It’s not in our DNA. We don’t WANT that perfect creamy nude or power red that we wear every day of the week. We CRAVE diversity. And that’s ok. But don’t be fooled into buying a luxury lipstick ‘for your collection’, ‘kay?
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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