Christian Louboutin Loubichrome Nail Colours Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Loubichrome I
Christian Louboutin Loubichrome I Nail Colour ($30.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a bright lemony chartreuse–it only has a touch of green–paired with fine threads of metallic pearl. It had nearly opaque coverage after two coats, and the consistency was smooth, spreadable without pooling along the edges of my nails, and went on fairly evenly. Of the three, this shade was the only one that could have applied better. It wore well for seven days on me with minor tip wear.
The limited edition bottles and shades are inspired by Specchio, which is a “laminated leather with a mirror-like quality.” The polishes themselves are not holographic; they are merely chrome-like with respect to the finish–so high shine, fine shimmer that gives them a more metallic look overall. I think the packaging holds the most allure, as the handles have the signature, stiletto handle with a metallic, rainbow finish–they are stunning and look even better in person than the effect looks in press photos. All three shades from the miniature launch applied fairly well to well, were mostly opaque to opaque in pigmentation, and lasted a full week on me.
For some reason, I’ve found the $30 price point–even for a mini–more palatable than the $50 price point for a full-sized bottle; perhaps it’s because I’ve never come close to finishing a bottle of polish… Nonetheless, keep that in mind as they are miniature (0.20 fl. oz.) and I’m sure there are dupes across many brands for those more interested in the color than the packaging.
Top Dupes
- NYX Lime (P, $4.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Zoya Piaf (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Formula X Fluorescent (P, $12.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Illamasqua Radium (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Loubichrome I
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Loubichrome II
Christian Louboutin Loubichrome II Nail Colour ($30.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a slightly muted, medium coppery red with warm undertones and a pearly shimmer finish. The consistency was smooth, not too thick or too thin, and was easy to work with on the nail. It was opaque after two coats, though one coat was almost enough. It dried down to a naturally high-shine finish, though a top coat would certainly give it a plusher and glossier look. I noticed more than minor tip wear after seven days of wear.
Top Dupes
- Nubar Pink Flame (P, $8.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- China Glaze Bend Over Backwards (LE, $7.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Deborah Lippmann Brick House (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Le Metier de Beaute Silk Road (LE, $10.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Loubichrome II
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Loubichrome III
Christian Louboutin Loubichrome III Nail Colour ($30.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark plummy purple with warmer pink undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented–nearly opaque in a single coat–and applied with smooth, even coverage and no visible brush strokes. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so the polish flowed well across the nail without pooling along the edges. It lasted for seven days on me before showing more than minor tip wear.
Top Dupes
- L'Oreal The Mystic's Future (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Zoya Mason (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Formula X Equinox (P, $12.50) is cooler (85% similar).
- Zoya Carly (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar).
- China Glaze Senorita Bonita (LE, $7.50) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
Oooh, I love III! I love the bottle/packaging, and that’s what you’re really paying for, not the polish. $30 for a trinket is a lot more palatable than $50, and I’m glad to see the polish got such a good review. If a luxury branded company is selling products at luxury pricing, they should be expected to have excellent formulas. Still, I don’t know if I’d be able to actually use the polish, as I would probably want to keep it pristine, and I already have Zoya Mason, which is a very close dupe.
I agree, Pami, from my experience it doesn’t wear or apply any better than a number of other formulas (perhaps if you’re someone who has struggled to find a great brand, and this one works, then you’d be paying for formula!). If you’ve ever wanted to try the formula or get one for packaging, the minis are a much nicer way to go (unless you expect to finish the bottle!).
Admission: I wanted you to hate these. Like you, I find the price tag more palatable even though I know they’re minis. I’ve gone pretty pricey on polish before but couldn’t talk myself into $50 for one. I never finish polish either – so would rather spend $30 knowing it will never get finished. I doubt the citrusy shade would suit me but the red and the purple/pink look lovely. And I love the bottle design so I can make the argument it is a collector’s item since I do collect cosmetic packaging….Yup, got that wrapped up nicely 😉
I think these might be the prettiest that they’ve released so far in terms of packaging (to me, of course!). On the upside, at least polish lasts forever, eh?
You will hear me blaming you when I order these 🙂 They are gorgeous!
One of these will come home purely for the bottle alone!
Awesome! What shade are you thinking about getting, Mo?
That lemony color is everything!! I’d totally finish it too. I get a color and wear it until I can’t stand it anymore lol
These colors are so beautiful! i would love to see more nail polish reviews on Temptalia 🙂
i am not so good at doing nails so maybe it can give me a little push.
They are pretty!
The only one I think would look good against my skin tone (and long fingers) is III. I think I have a Zoya dupe though and would only get it for the bottle.
Glad you have a Zoya dupe!
All 3 shades look really amazing and very fun for spring and summer! But $30 per bottle @ only .20 oz.? Nope. I’ll take dupes for them though. And in all likelihood, I probably have them already!
Now I do want that Color Club Kismet with its wild iridescent/holographic lime-yellow self!
Kismet is amazing!!
Mini-schmini, stick that in your pinny! When I can get dupes from Zoya or China Glaze – full sized dupes – why would I waste my $$$ on these. I really resent what’s been happening since CL released the first nail polish and Tom Ford seems to have jumped aboard that same “let’s see how much we can gouge ’em til they squeak” train. I resent these prices.
Money saved 🙂
Loubichrome II is gorgeous color. But, when the dupes are but a fraction cost-wise, I have to pass, ‘bite sized’ portion and cost this may be. I am going to look into all the dupes though.
The colors themselves aren’t particularly unique, so definitely plenty of dupes!
Skip for me, only like the pinky purple color, but glad there’s a more affordable option for those interested.
Phew 😀
Definitely hopped on these – there bottles were just too beautiful ?
Enjoy ’em!
These are very pretty, and I’m glad the performance is good, but I can’t see myself paying this price for nail polish, personally. Maybe since I don’t actually wear nail polish that much, since it never lasts more than a couple of days on my nails.
I totally understand, Fran!
Thanks for posting the review! I ordered these… would have preferred duo chrome colors. I also would have preferred to pay $50 for full size bottles, but that’s mostly so they would match the other 3 I have (the duo chromes from the Scarabee collection last summer). Still, I can appreciate that the $30 price tag may make this collection accessible to more beauty lovers. I think I can make these smaller ones work on my vanity… maybe if I display them offset from the Scarabee bottles…. We’ll see. To me, these are works of art 😉
No problem! 🙂 I think holos or duochromes would have been great for the actual polish.
I felt the same way about the Scarabee, but I just couldn’t get myself to pay $50 each just to look at them as art. Sometimes I wish I did though 😉
Stellar packaging, as always.
It’s very interesting!
I just got III and it’s gorgeous- the color, the bottle. It’s a mini, which may even make it cuter ?. Loves it. It will double as nail polish and art ?
Enjoy it, Melissa! 🙂
IDGI tbh. The packaging is… sort of bleh. I can’t pinpoint what makes it so boring/try hard for me? It just doesn’t feel authentic, or luxe, or something I would shell out 30$ for. Not to say “It’s ridiculous that anyone buy these!!!!” it’s just sort of… meh for me.
One of those “Different strokes for different folks” things – since it is aesthetic, and so beauty is always in the eye of the beholder! Of all the ones by Louboutin, these are my personal fave 🙂
Stunning shades abd gorgeous bottles! I miss wearing nail polishes, I just can’t be bothered to paint my nails these days and my hands are always in water, washing things and my nails split all the time.
Your poor nails!
Loubichrome… tee hee 🙂 Love the second color!
Yay!
I am absolutely in love with these! I would be tempted to buy for the packaging alone, but that chartreuse is also simply an amazing color.
The packaging is tempting!
I’m a 27 year-old male who does auto work, carpentry, and boxing who’s never worn nail polish in his life, but I am seriously getting the acid yellow/chartreuse color as a birthday present to myself. It’s been my favorite color for years. I don’t care one bit to have chartreuse toenails under my steel-toed boots lol.
Get it done ;D