Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour Review, Photos, Swatches
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour ($50.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is a medium (almost medium-dark), subtly cool-toned red cream with a high gloss finish. NARS Torre del Oro (P, $20.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Trophy Wife (LE, $32.00) is pinker. Tom Ford Beauty Shameless (LE, $32.00) is warmer. NARS Lost Red (LE, $20.00) is brighter. Chanel Cinema (P, $27.00) is more muted. MAC Touch of Red (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Stage Red (LE, $16.00) is darker. MAC Russian Red (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Flaming Rose (P, $16.00) is slightly pinker. Dior Marilyn (LE, $26.00) is brighter. Butter London Pillar Box Red (P, $15.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
It is modeled after the iconic red sole of Louboutin’s shoes. I can’t weigh in on how close of a match of it, as I do not own any Louboutin shoes myself. From the bottom of the bottle to the very top of the handle, it measured exactly eight inches (as intended to match the tallest shoe ever designed by Louboutin, the Ballerina Ultima). The long-handled cap is also supposed to be “perfectly weighted to ensure the utmost ergonomic comfort and control.” The formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented, chip-proof” with a “brilliantly shiny finish that mimics the reflection of patent leather.” It comes in a small, square box that the cap comes out of (so nothing keeps the cap boxed in, just the glass portion).
It was nearly opaque after one coat, though it looks more pinkish-red at times with only one coat. I applied two coats for swatches (except the one as noted, to show you opacity after one). I think it lives up to the highly pigmented claim, and it has a high shine finish without the need of a top coat. It dries down faster than the average polish, though you can still dent it if you’re not careful for about a half hour to forty-five minutes after application. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it was well-balanced, easy to apply, and didn’t streak, bubble, or pool along the edges.
Everything about the actual formula was quite nice (aside from wear, which I’m testing), but I didn’t really like the brush or the way the handle/cap felt in my hands. I didn’t find it ergonomic, and it made applying polish with my non-dominant hand even more tedious than usual. It is rather weighty, and I found myself having to hold it nearest to the base (closest to the brush itself), and the thickness of the cap at that point is large, which I think is why it seems less comfortable. The brush itself is shorter and seems almost narrower than some, which I didn’t have any issues with other than it does take more strokes to get an even coat of polish across the entire nail, but that will depend on the width of your nails. If the brand has any more metallic shades in their line-up, I will be curious to see if it is problematic applying those finishes and managing brush strokes. The “is it worth it” question is really personal–there are plenty of red creams on the market, so if it’s the color you’re after, there are other options, but if Louboutin makes your heart sing, it might be right up your alley.
This is part sneak peek, part review, as the wear test will take take as long as ten days (really depends on what it looks like after seven). I’ll update this post after wearing it with a full rating, but the clock has started! I bought mine from Sephora, but it seems like most places are out of stock and/or on backorder (Nordstrom, Saks).
Update: For the most part, I had a decent amount of tip wear after seven days of wear. It is actually more tip wear than is normal for me with most polishes, but I also had chipping on my right index finger that started after five days, while the left index finger was also in worse shape compared to other shades. It’s very rare that I get chipping, so I was really disappointed to see it here. For reference, I didn’t use any base or top coat, and I used two coats of the polish (this is the same way I wear other polish to test wear). I didn’t have any staining, and it was easy to remove.
Rouge Louboutin
PPermanent. $50.00.
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour (one coat)
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour (after 7 days of wear)
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour (after 7 days of wear)
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour (after 7 days of wear)
The packaging is beautiful but there is no way in hell I’m spending the amount of money it costs to buy this lol
You definitely have to love it, I think! You know, that it’s something special (not just a red polish), whether it’s the bottle, the meaning, marketing, what have you. It’s a luxury brand with a total luxury price point.
Nah, I really beg to differ….it really is just a red nail polish with some clever marketing behind it and, I suspect, a lot of people laughing behind their hands, saying “See, told’ya we could get women to spend this much; heck,we should have tried charging $75 to see who’d fall for it.” Call me a skeptic but I’ve lived too long to fall for a marketing ploy like this.
What I’m saying is that someone who buys probably feels that way – that it’s not just a red polish, to them it’s something more, whatever that entails. Whether it is to you or me is irrelevant (only matters if those who buy enjoy it). If it’s just a red polish, it’s not going to be “worth it.” The same argument can be made for almost any high-end makeup brand or purchase. I guess I just don’t think people just “fall for it” (how many readers called Louboutin out on their over-the-top marketing? many!) – I think consumers are smarter than that and know what they want to spend their money on (or what they don’t). I happily purchase Guerlain Rouge Gs, which are now over $50 – do I believe in all the marketing? Nope, but I love it and they’re worth it (to me). I believe everyone should be able to buy or not buy without being made to feel inferior (for either choice) because it’s their money and prerogative. 🙂
THIS! Times ten.
Exactly what i was thinking but said much better than i could. Its about the luxx experience of a product for some of us. The packaging, the way u feel when u use it, glancing over on your vanity and seeing something that is special to you. I could have gotten tubs for my cosmetics collection, but i went for expensive acrylic drawers instead, because they are worth it to me. They make me happy whenever i see them. All based on the person. And i dont think any of us fall for big money ads, we get what we want cuz we want it already, the ad my be pretty, but i know im not gonna look like a model if i have this, or feel like a Trump lol.
But Christine, it would be like selling people fake diamonds but telling them they’re really special – far more valuable than other fake diamonds and really worth the price of real diamonds when, in actual fact, they’re truly just fake diamonds (nice, twinkly, but still basically the same as any other fake diamonds). If this polish had the power to make women’s nails really strong or prevent nail fungus or do something really different than any other basically good, high quality nail polish, then I would accept that the price was justified and the marketing hype was more than just hype. But this is truly just a good quality nail polish but really nothing more (not real diamonds, not a polish with special health-giving benefits)
I’m not saying that the polish is worth $50 because of its quality or what it does as a polish or making any sort of utility argument. I don’t think you can make a utility argument when you can get great beauty products for under $10. I’m saying that readers are smart enough to understand what goes into luxury products and what they are (or aren’t) getting, so I don’t think people should told they’re “falling for it” for buying the product that makes them happy, just like nobody should be made to feel like they’re missing out because they don’t buy it. I want everyone to feel good about their beauty products and makeup – whatever they may be, however they like to wear and use it, and so on. 🙂
Probably a bad example as diamonds’ only value is what we, the public, give them… much like this nail polish. Try and resell a diamond you purchased for “retail” price. Almost everything in the retail market only gets its value from the buyers. As this polish is sold out everywhere, apparently the $50 price tag is spot on.
At first, I thought it stood attached to a replica of the shoe modeled after.. When I realized it came detached, it lost all value.
This exactly!
I completely agree! It’s appealing to people’s urge for conspicuous consumption – some people would rather buy a $100 item than the exact same thing for $10, because of the perceived (not real) value of the item. The prices that high-end products charge are ridiculous; there’s never any reason to charge this much for a makeup item. This is not a criticism of the consumers, but of the companies and the marketing. It needs to be made because young kids are growing up internalising these kinds of consumerist ideals and not seeing anything wrong with it.
Well stated. Can you imagine the pressures of being young TODAY? Soooo different!
I’ve read a lot of the comments left about the polish and to me it is most def something a little different. I was one of those people who got a bottle before it was released in the UK directly from Louboutin, yes I’m a sucker for premium beauty. I did wonder about the price tag and if I was just buying into the hype but I was glad that I was presently surprised with the polish itself. Packaging aside I love the polish it is different to other polish brands and other luxury brands, being a nail artist with over 2000 polishes I think it is very different to normal brand polishes. If people think it’s a waste of money I would say ‘don’t buy it’ but if your a premium beauty fan it’s a must have. I did a full review on my blog and will be reviewing 6 of their other colours 2 from each of the colour collections.
You wrote exactly what I was thinking. It is red polish. There are hundreds of other red nail polishes on the market and most are priced significantly less than 50 freaking dollars!!! I would rather use that money to buy several polishes than on one. The most I have ever spent on a single polish is $20 and that was because it is a hard to find but highly sought after polish and $20 was a great price considering how much it goes for on ebay lol….but….it still made my wallet let out a painful cry lol. Nah, they can keep this fancy schmancy named polish with the really ugly package…I mean seriously….it’s ugly.
I’ll admit it, I bought it the second I saw it on the Sephora site, and mine is coming on Monday. I’ll totally admit that it’s pretty ridiculous and no judgement at all towards those who don’t want to spend that much on it, but I just couldn’t say no to it. I’d been waiting since I heard he was releasing a line.
There are some more metallic shades in the rest of the line from the preview pics on Cafe Makeup, along with a pretty excellent color selection, so I sort of hope I don’t completely fall in love with this because the rest of them look stunning as well!
Hey, if it makes you happy, and you can afford it, enjoy! We all have different vices 😉
I wonder if the wand is similar to the one they came out with Julep
I haven’t tried Julep, so I couldn’t say!
Julep’s Plie wand has bend in it which you’re supposed to hold it at for easier application. My sister and I tried it and we agreed it was just bulky haha I think here is was just meant to be pretty and representative of their longest/tallest heel.
I guess I don’t understand… The stiletto part is the actual handle?? It doesnt remove and have a small cap underneath??
Not that I could tell! It seems to be one piece. I tried to pull at the black cap (while it was still on the polish), but it has to be unscrewed to remove – it definitely isn’t like Chanel/Dior caps.
🙁
OMG I didn’t realize that was an actual photo in between the other!! So it’s actually six inches ???
From bottom to top, it’s 8 inches. I actually took photos with a ruler, but my ruler has about a 1/4″ blank space between the edge of it and when the measurements actually start, so it looks like it measures at less (so I didn’t include it, since it is 8″, but my ruler screwed the photo up!).
That’s one expensive eye-poking tool. 😛
LOL! It’s not quite as sharp as I anticipated at the very point, though it’s by no means eye-friendly!
Look on the bright side: In a pinch you can probably use it to part your hair or to open letters. 😉
There we go. Letter opener! Double duty!
Hey, if you’re going to pay $50 for it, it better be multi-functional. 😛
ha ha hahahahaha!!!!
That handle is absurd. $30 also pushes it for me with nail polish, let alone $50 — especially for a basic red when you get down to it.
If it’s just the color you like, there are definitely plenty of more affordable options!
As a nail polish fanatic and collector, I’m dying to own this, but only because I have a $25 gift card to Sephora 😉 I’m anxiously awaiting the final results on how it wears. <3
Look forward to hearing how you like yours!
Ridiculous. At least he’s sticking with the general theme of making women as uncomfortable as possible, even in something so simple as polish application. And for people saying how this is luxury and deserves the high price – most designer nail polish is $18-36 (aside from having actual diamonds crushed into it), this is expensive not because it’s warranted, but because people will pay.
It’s a luxury brand, and luxury pricing has little to do with what a product is worth in regards to materials, labor, etc. Makeup in general has little to do with this. It is and has always been about prestige and branding. If someone wants to spend their money, there is something there that they value, and they should enjoy it as I’m sure they worked hard for their money. 🙂
Just wanted to say that I love this comment, Christine. This particular nail polish seems to have generated a LOT of discussion. Nobody’s denying that it’s a ridiculous price for a bottle of nail polish, but practicality is hardly the point here, is it? Pragmatic penny-pinchers aren’t the target demographic. We all have our vices, as you say, and if people want to treat themselves, I say go for it.
Very true, Jess!
such a great point. really, even fifty-cent eyeshadow is still a vanity product that no one “needs.” isn’t ALL makeup, regardless of price, a luxury in some form?
YES. Millions never eat daily or see sanitary living.. Everything is a luxury. Indeed! Xx
Agreed. He’s taking advantage of consumer’s desire to have a Louboutin nail polish. This is his first (unproven) nail polish and he’s charging $50 (and you can get plenty of other luxury for around $30 and they have PROVEN track records). It’s not an effort to provide a luxury product WORTH the price, it’s a grab for money– and there’s nothing more low-brow than that.
I’m so disgusted by their launch with this product, I’ve sworn off all Louboutin products. If my Louboutin shoes weren’t worth so much, I’d burn then. As it is, I’m off to the consignment shop.
But why? Did you expect Louboutin to charge $20 for a product? It’s specifically targeted at luxury consumers. Charging an affordable price would dilute their brand power. (Have you ever heard that Louis Vuitton burn whatever handbags they don’t sell? They do NOT sell at a discount, because they don’t want to make any part of their product ever cheap and therefore disposable and unspecial, a mistake Burberry once made). I cannot afford Louboutin, be it their shoes or their nail polish, but I’m not surprised by the price. In fact, I would easily expect them to charge $200 at least. $50 isn’t that much as a sum of money, it is? Compared to $5,000 for a pair of shoes?
It’s not an AFFORDABLE price, it’s the MARKET RATE for luxury goods. No one is saying Louboutin should sell below that or on sale. But, for a company that has NEVER made nail polish before to come out and demand more than other luxury brands that have been making nail polish for years is just ridiculous.
Also, consider the product itself, if you read the review. It’s an average nail polish. For a luxury brand, they should have blown it out of the water. Luxury items are expensive not just because of the brand, but because they’re WELL MADE.
That last sentence is dead wrong. Pricing of products, especially luxury items, very often has nothing to do with “how well it’s made”. Do you think any luxury bottle of polish really costs $10 – $20 more to produce per bottle than a non-luxury bottle? Pricing all has to do with your target market. This is made for people seeking luxury, status, something special. Their price is dead-on, maybe even underpriced based on who their market is, given that this has sold out from what I’ve read here.
I wonder how long it would last with a base/top coat. I know Christine doesn’t use them when she reviews polish to give all of them an equal baseline but any nail polish, regardless of price, is going to chip without a base/top coat.
Just for reference… most polishes do not chip on me without a base/top coat. I actually get the similar wear with or without a base/top coat.
i don’t begrudge anyone the desire to spend their money on this anymore than i begrudge anyone (ie me) the desire to spend nearly $5 on a cup of coffee that can easily be made at home for pennies. to me it’s the same thing. sometimes you just want something fancy/special, and for the right product anyone can find the justification for such. i do love the design and the bottle, but I’m not a red polish girl. maybe another color will appeal to me enough to want to purchase…i do think it would look very nice on a vanity table, but it would have to be a color i would use, not just for display.
and i still think the marketing copy was silly. they didn’t need nonsensical claims to make this product appealing to their target market. just say it has a beautiful, high-gloss, chip proof finish and then deliver that. =]
Most marketing for really high-end products is over-the-top and makes you go, “Really?” It’s fun for me to read, though 😉 I wish they had a few more colors available (during the early release/pre-order), because this is going to be a color plenty of people will review and try, so I’d rather have put the $ towards a different finish/color myself, but oh well!
The packaging is right up my alley, but the color doesn’t wow me. And pretty packaging isn’t enough to spend $50 for me right now.
You know, the one thing I was happy to see was that it was at least 0.40 fl oz. It wasn’t something tiny like 0.15 fl. oz.! I just expected to get squeezed on all ends, lol!
That colour looks lovely with your skin tone Christine. But at $60. Canadian I doubt if I’ll get it, but you never know. I do think the bottle is beautiful.
Totally understand! If I wasn’t a blogger, I might have indulged in one bottle after agonizing over the color range, but it wouldn’t have been this one. For me, it would have to be my own personal fave color or something unusual/more unique. I’m not as into nails as I am into lipsticks (where I have no problem shelling out $50 for a lipstick), so it definitely would have to be special.
Have to admit I did a double take at the price! Looks like it could be a very dangerous weapon with the pointed lid!
You could definitely do a little damage if you tried, lol!
I actually burst out laughing when I saw the picture where you placed it between the Zoya and Chanel bottle. It really put the size into perspective. I’m glad there are so many good dupes for it 🙂 (forever grateful for Temptalia’s dupe list)
It does, haha! I’m glad there are plenty of similar shades for it as well, since if you’re just looking for color, you won’t have to spend this much for it!
Personally I’m glad they debuted with this colour it’s totally classic signature red… and the first thing I think of when I hear the name!
It makes total sense that they’d do a big pre-order/tease/early release with this signature shade!
Agreed and without getting into the pros/cons… I’m guilty of ordering 😉
The packaging is interesting and on point for Louboutin but there really needs to be a functional cap hiding under that spike! I think I’d be more interested in the line if just this shade came in this bottle as a collector piece really and then the rest were introduced later with more functional packaging. You can still stay true to the brand and be functional. A simpler way would have been to have a mostly normal nail varnish bottle like Chanel (the cap could still be somewhat tapered and the bottle faceted) but when you pop the black top off, the inside is red laquer or something like that.
I would have preferred that myself! You could get the aesthetic of the ultra-tall cap but more of the traditional function of a polish where you need it (application). Though, according to the marketing, the brand believes the packaging and cap/handle to be functional (I just didn’t). I’ll be curious to hear how others feel about the handle weight/length and how it works for application. I have longer fingers and larger hands (than average, at least), so maybe more average-sized hands would have a better experience? Hard to say. I think having the cap itself being removable (a la Chanel, Dior, etc.) would have been a more surefire way of nailing function.
I can’t believe they are trying to market it as functional. Just be honest and say ‘Yep. Design. We went really heavily for design!’ Maybe you are meant to hold it like a pencil or paintbrush? I can’t comment too much as I haven’t seen it in person but it just looks unwieldy.
Loved Ryou’s double duty letter opener suggestion! I was on the lookout for a letter opener…
I tried holding it as a pen as well, to see if would help at all, but I don’t know – no matter how I held it, it always felt more awkward than your average polish cap, at least. For me, the base is too thick compared to your typical pen/pencil, so maybe that was why. It’s purely design from my experience, but it will be good to hear from others who have used it once more receive theirs/it is readily available for purchase as well.
I personally get really annoyed with the removal caps of the Chanel & Dior polishes…it makes it feel cheaper to me…but I never thought of the functionality portion until now.
I really really want this! Just to have it! 🙂 I know the price point is ridicilous but I kinda don’t even care.
Hey, if you want it and can afford it, enjoy it! 🙂
The packaging is gorgeous. I love the look of this particular red polish.
Glad you liked it, Bronwyn!
Oh wow..i think I’ll stick with my $9 bottle of OPI’S The Thrill of Brazil..
Happy to hear you’ve got a good dupe in your stash, Melinda! 🙂
The only way I’d consider spending that much on a nail polish is if it was some very unique color, not a classic red. I already own enough red polishes.
That’s how I feel myself – I think my curiosity would win out but it would have to be over a more unique shade or one that resonated with me (maybe like a pewter). For the right color, I would, but I rarely get hit with an urge to wear a red cream that it isn’t the one I’d opt for if I was a regular consumer buying just for myself.
You really love pewter, don’t you?! I’ve been noticing that! Put a stripe of pewter on it. There you go! 😉
i cannot get over the packaging. If i owned this i would sit it on my vanity as decoration. haha!
great post.
The packaging is definitely unique!
Your professional honesty is worth more than anything Louboutin!
It is a gorgeous shade with a statement design for a bottle. I’m glad we have the freedom to buy or not to buy any item we find frivolous, fun, or just necessary.
Seven days of wear for a nail polish is something! Even with the best of intentions (and Chanel) I get five.
I’m super curious to see if it wears the same or longer than other polishes for me. I get good wear out of most, so I’d like to see this one come in at around ten (for me), but we shall see…
It is interesting you mention Chanel – I used to see a lot of complaints about Chanel’s polish chipping for readers after a day or two, but over the last couple of years, I definitely don’t see that complaint as often. Some, like you, say it lasts longer than most polishes for them. It’s crazy how polish wear can differ dramatically from person to person, and then if you add base/top coats to the mix, it can be even more drastic!
Most of my Chanel polishes are cream which wear the best The metallics tend to chip after a day or so. I used up one of my favorites, Particuliere, and repurchased it last summer. The formula was much smoother and a bit more creamy. So Chanel is doing something with their older shades.
I do use the Chanel top coat which has made a big difference in longevity. Chanel knows what they are doing!
I tried Dior for a while but found that it was not as good as Chanel. I even tried the Dior topcoat and things got worse! I work a lot with my hands so my wear time is fairly rigorous. Sometimes I do my nails and say, “Okay, let’s see . . .”
Did the wear change with Particuliere on bottle #2? Or was it the same?
At least you found a recipe for polish that works well for you 🙂
I love the packaging and the color! I’m not even that into red polish but it’s just so beautiful! The price is crazy but I still want it lol. I may bite the bullet and splurge on one someday…
There will be 30 shades in total, so maybe one of the colors is a better fit!
I had a long talk with myself. I told myself just because I can afford something does it mean I have to purchase it? That’s how you go broke. LOL
Very true, Tangie! All in moderation 🙂
It’s nice as an objet d’art or a status symbol, but too expensive for my blood. No one will know it from a cheaper brand once it’s on my nails. The bottle design is exquisite to look at, I have to give it that.
That’s definitely true, Rachel! If you’re really lucky, maybe someone will see it as Louboutin’s signature red, but true with any designer brand makeup, nobody really knows what you’re wearing!
Whatever.. too afraid I would take an eye out in the process. I think this is a ridiculous product for a ridiculous amount of money for a ridiculous bottle. Not being opinionated at all… 😀
Definitely different strokes for different folks!
I’ll be honest, I don’t even wear red polishes (on my toes very rarely, but never on my fingers) and I’m half tempted to buy this. My Louboutins are my favorite heels and yes, they’re spendy (I have the Aurora Borealis ones, and you know what? I rock those mf’ers, and people who make fun of me for spending the money can keep their money & opinions to themselves). I can’t even describe the feeling when my dad saw me staring at them in the store and later surprised me with them. That’s what I see when I look at this bottle too. I think something like this product is marketed towards nostalgia and brand loyalty, which isn’t a bad thing (unless it totally tanks I guess!)
I bet those sparkle like crazy!
I got my bottle today and did swatches, Formula X’s VIB Rouge colour is a perfect dupe in all lighting.
Thanks for sharing, Lauren!
I am the target customer for this polish. I am a Louboutin customer, a nail polish collector, and swayed by nice design.
But, I will never buy Louboutin polish because that cap is f-ing ridiculous.
I feel like because of the height, you have to display it, lol! It won’t fit in any drawer!
I own this and I love it!!!! I have never worn a nail polish as durable as this one. Usually have chips after application 12-24 hours of wear. Not this one. Have mucked out stalls, gone riding, and it is still perfect. No problems in working with the handle. The brush reminds me of Chanel brush, which I also love. It does match the soles of his shoes perfectly. None stop compliments on the color. You get what you pay for. MAC is 12.00 and it lasts a day. The packaging is incredible. Can’t wait for the other colors coming out next month. Is it a luxury? Of course it is. Just as many said to Coco Chanel that her shape of bottle for her perfumes was insane, it has become iconic. Just as this will too.
Happy to hear you didn’t have any issues with the cap! Did you find it easier to use than other polish caps by chance? And yay to hear that it is a match!
If you find most last a day and this lasts seven days, then it will be quite a find! 🙂 I’m a bit luckier with wear with polish, since MAC lasts a week on me with no chips, just tip wear, but I am curious to see if this is better (or worse).
This seems… really really really dupable. It almost seems silly to me to pay 50$ on a polish that’s so dupeable and not really all that special aside from the packaging. It’s pretty, though! And people like what they like, can’t fault them for that.
It is definitely dupable! Red cream is a very common color and every brand has at least a few in their core ranges.
Heh, my favourite red (Butter London Come to Bed Red) costs $30 here, and my Chanel ones were $46 each 😉 If you like the item, and you like the brand, and the item performs well for you (hopefully – although this could just be a bonus if you’re a collector/in it for the bottle and the name), then I say go forth and purchase. If you’re not keen, just pass on by! Really, I’m reiterating several wonderful comments you’ve already made in this comment section, Christine. 😉
More OT: I love the bottle, but I agree that for me to be truly interested, it woud need to be both excellently-wearing (looking forward to the final rating!) and not red. I fork out $46 a bottle for Chanel here because the formula is one of the longest wearing on me (makes it a whole three days! My nails shed polish like cicadas shed skin, LOL!) and they have some really gorgeous colours. Because they’re $46 each, I only actually own three, and I’m diligently working my way through them (Frisson is at half mast!!)
The marketing copy for this polish was *hilarious* 😀 Not only was it the usual hyperbole that accompanies makeup, but it was written by people (it seems) who don’t usually hype makeup/nail polish – hence that giggle-worthy claim about one coat being equal to 20 or whatever of a lesser polish. ROLF 😀 OPI would never claim that, because they know how horrible 20 coats of any polish would be!
I wonder how much they would be for you there – it would be interesting if they weren’t much more than Chanel. Here, the difference is quite a bit (Chanel is at $29? I think).
I like how Chanel often leads the pack for nail color, though it could also be a matter of them paying the most for access/exclusivity to certain ingredients and whatnot that creates that 3-6 month buffer before all the dupes come out.
I love your anecdotes. ^_^
The other colors the handle will not be as long. It will be 1-2 inches shorter. The bottles will also be 100% clear glass.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Yes the price is kinda ridiculous BUT I had to have it for my vanity lol yeah I caved in and bought it. It’s a great piece to own if you can afford it. 🙂
Have you worn it yet, Claudia? How’s the wear?
Wow I love the packaging! They really made it something special… I’d pay 50$ for this before I paid 25$ got another high end brand just because I find the bottle so pretty and unique. It’s all about what the person gets out of it and I love your replies to comments about the price point. 🙂
The packaging is definitely very different from everything else!
Honestly, as an object the product is STUN-NING! I don’t wear red nails, but if I did, I’d probably have treated myself to this novelty. Couple of thoughts though, the shoe they used in the campaign is creepy as hell, in fetish, pain-inducing kind of way (not that there is anything wrong with that). I’m frightened, though. Also, if they’re making it look like a heel, I expect shiny patent leather. Or an actual heel.
Fun product, though. Even the over-the-top copy with the Loubouville metropolis nonsense is entertaining.
Louboutin might top Guerlain in over-the-top marketing spiel!
Finally! I was wondering if one of my favorite bloggers would finally comment on this skinny looking brush! Everyone is carrying on about the aesthetics of the bottle design, but I don’t need a pretty peice of art in a nail polishbottle if it is not going to hit the ball out of the park on all fronts especially with the hefty price tag. I generally buy my art at a gallery. I wondered as well how easy it would be to paint with with the stiletto tper for a brush. I am so grateful for your thorough review. I will stick with my staples, Chanel, Dior, & Deborah Lippmann.
No problem, Lisa! 🙂 Happy I could help!
With all the gorgeous red cremes on the market (Zoya alone has a zillion), I could never pay this much for a novelty polish. You’re paying for the name. Nope!
Yes, you’re definitely paying for brand here (true of any, well, brand name, haha!).
I love the concept, and I don’t see a problem with anyone that decides to treat themselves with this polish. It would be a treat to me, not really a useful purchase, as it is so easy to dupe, but definitely something beautiful to enjoy. I won’t be adding it to my collection, but I have so many colors now that I rarely let a polish stay on my nails until it is chipped and peeling. It is nice to know that at least it is a decent quality polish to back up the beautiful packaging and marketing campaign!
I’m more inclined to indulge on a highlighter or lipstick myself! But that’s just where my interest is stronger.
How often do you do your nails, Johnna?
I do my nails at least twice a week, three times if I’m not feeling the color I am wearing. I have always loved nail polish though, so I buy lots of it. I really haven’t bought a lot of high-end polish, just because I am so happy with the mid-range polish that I love. I tend to buy Julep, China Glaze, OPI, Essie and Zoya, but anything else that catches my eye goes in the basket.
China Glaze, Essie, Zoya, etc. are all fantastic brands – they’re really nice all-around!
I feel like I need this for the beautiful bottle. I’ll feel so silly after buying i just like when I bought an old (probably expired) 1940’s Revlon polish for the bottle. butat least they’ll look cute on my vanity
Let me know if you end up getting it!
Handy to have on your bedside table, in case an intruder calls….you could stab someone to death, in self defence with that thing!
That seems to be the general consensus – part lethal weapon, part polish.
I buy MAC if I ever wear nail polish…who’s gonna know I spent USDS50 on nail polish?
That’s totally true 🙂 I always think that if someone indulges in designer-something-rather (whether clothes, shoes, or makeup), it should be for their personal enjoyment, less to show off, but that’s more of the mindset I have on those things.
I personally think this is more for Louboutin fans than girls who want to paint their nails 😉 I had the suspicion that it isn’t very ergonomic. Unless you come back and tell me this wears for two full weeks, I think my wallet is safe!
We shall see… I get pretty good wear out of most polishes, like Illamasqua’s can easily wear 10-14 days on me with minor tip wear!
I’m not a CL wearer, so there is no collectable cache to me. The price debate is in itself just plain ridiculous. We all have different budgets and priorities, and no-one has the right to prescribe or judge women for what they spend their hard earned wages on. Spending top-whack on a product doesn’t make someone stupid, ill-informed or gullible. If it makes you happy and puts a smile on your face, then why the heck not? It’s cheaper than therapy, after all 😉
Well-said! 🙂
The packaging is gorgeous – something I’d love to own, BUT it IS just red. I don’t find the colour unique at all. And looking at the price comparisons – I always thought Butter London was expensive! Seeing this price tag along side NARS and Tom Ford, I’d spring for a BL colour any day.
Butter London definitely is more expensive than a lot of the brands we’re exposed to like OPI, China Glaze, Zoya, etc. but is one of the more “affordable” high-end polishes (e.g. Deborah Lippmann, NARS, etc. are several dollars more).
The packaging is very luxurious but I am more into the color rather than the packaging :)…
But what we people personally think in Asian countries that the basic purpose of all the luxurious/higher end brands is just to get/collect the money from rich people but at the same time it’s really affecting the people of other classes too because of the “BRANDED” things hype and as well as because of the publicity …
This reality of branded things open when they sell their old stock at 50-70% off…. (talking generally) the price point of most branded stuff is ridiculous … may be Its better to say cruel ….
It is equally important that while people should be able to spend their money freely that those who do not purchase the same goods aren’t made to feel like they NEED to do the same. Luxury goods can be nice to have, but they are not necessities.
This, exactly. Marketing is really insidious, because they do psychological research on how to get at your insecurities and make you question your self-worth. Luxury products definitely trade on the “aspirational” marketing theme. That means it’s marketed as much to people who can’t really afford it as to people who can. It’s really sad that this consumerism is rife in traditionally non-consumerist cultures like ours, Faiza – and from what I see, younger people are buying into it a lot more than the older generations.
lol I’m gonna sit this one out, but the color is pretty and looks good on you.
Regarding price point and who would buy it and so on and so forth, all I have to say is this: For anyone who bought it, good for them. May we all be so blessed, to be able to buy the things we want, be it a $1 lipstick or a $50 nail polish.
Very nicely said, Chi-Chi! 🙂
I wonder if this will be available here and if so how much it would cost. OPI cost about $20 here. I’ve no idea how much they charge for Dior or Chanel. I have never bought a Dior polish and the first and so far last Chanel one was Rouge Noir, when it was new.
I do think I could quite easily buy this, becuse the packaging is so unique and. I think, glamorously gorgeous.It would be more a piece of art than just another nail polish. it would eat up a lot of my make up budget, but then I might not need any eyeshadows that month. Or food 😉
I like the colour. It will be interesting to hear how long wearing it it.
It’ll be interesting to see the pricing differences between this and other high-end brands globally, because most of those seem smaller than the U.S. differences once you get to high-end/designer.
definitely for more of a collector than an average customer 🙂 the packaging is nice looking but just not practical for storage it look like. Looks like it performs well though but the color just isnt unique enough for me to even consider buying it.
I hear ya! There’s no place to put this except on top of my dresser.
Where would i even store this… Wouldn’t look good with all my other nail polishes..
I know that Louboutin wants you to display it like art on your vanity, but that assumes one has a vanity or place to store it, that it fits in with whatever else you have going on, and you have no one who’ll knock it over…
It looks nice but doesn’t seem worth it.
Gotcha! 🙂
It looks like a weapon more than a nailpolish!
It does look sharp!
Really interested in hearing how this wears on you, Christine! Although I seem to recall that polishes typically wear well on you? Lucky girl. 🙂
I am somewhat tempted to buy this (reason: it’s the same red as the iconic Louboutin sole), but for me, the deciding factor will be the longevity of the polish. My go-to red is Chanel Dragon; however, it doesn’t wear like iron like a previous Sephora OPI red polish did on my toenails (which is the only place I wear red polish). Granted, I still get several weeks before Chanel Dragon starts chipping on the tips of my big toenails, but it’s disappointing that in terms of longevity, it just doesn’t stand up to that (much cheaper) Sephora OPI polish – that polish NEVER chipped on the tips for me, and I only removed and reapplied it when my nails grew long enough that the nail bed was visible from on top. I will say that I use Butter London base and top coats with Chanel Dragon, though, whereas with the Sephora OPI polish, I was using Sephora OPI for all 3 coats – base, color, and top. Perhaps I should try the Chanel base and top coats so that the formulations don’t potentially muck each other up?
They do! It is very unusual for me to get chipping – mostly tip wear, and then it varies on how *much* tip wear.
Another reader mentioned that Sephora’s Formula X VIB Rouge is an exact color match for that, which may be worth checking out. I’ve had good luck with Formula X’s formula/wear!
$50 is kind of pricy for a bottle of nail polish… but not as pricy as the one time somebody spent over $200 on a bottle of Clarins nail polish on eBay! 😛
The price isn’t what shocked me. It was the length of the cap. I knew it was long, but I didn’t expect it to be that long!
I missed out on Chanel Jade, but I could never spend the $100+ it was going for on eBay 🙁
Oh bugger… I’d never heard of Chanel Jade, and now I wish I’d never googled that shade!! I rarely wear nail polish, but if I’d seen that, I would HAVE to have bought it…
I love this polish, I can’t wait to get it! I think it’s going to be great for a special occasion, like how some people use certain perfumes on their wedding etc. So they always think of that special day when they use it! Something with a luxury price tag like that should be cherished! I’m buying a bottle for one of my very close friends, as a fun, designer gift and she will think of me when she uses it! It’s not always about the physical product. It’s about he luxury experience, they thought behind the product and the feeling it gives the consumer. They launched this polish for those people that love Louboutins and love the sexy and luxurious feel they get when they slip on their favorite pair! I think high price tag or not, I’m glad it’s on the market.
Hope you love yours once you get it, Meredith!
As someone who collects and displays nail polish I think I’m going to have to get this. I am kind of sad that I didn’t buy it during the multipoint promotion last week though. Perhaps I’ll use one of my discounts for reaching VIB on it eventually.
It would be awesome if any of the VIB discounts applied to this!
The VIB discounts did apply.
Wow- so many comments! This is really a hot button issue- all over a $50 indulgence? Yes, I too have ordered it- not because I’m into the designer or I’m crazy for red polish-but the bottle design is awesome and modern.
Will I use it? Yes for certain- but I’m the type of woman who carefully considers all brands across all price points to chose what is best for me. I’ll buy a Revlon lippie as well as Chanel if the color is what I want. If this polish is calling to you, and you can fit it in your budget- then by all means order it and enjoy!
Can’t wait for you to receive yours, Trish!
Regardless of how lovely the color, or how exclusive the packing, $50 is a lot of money to spend on nail polish! I am sure there are plenty of more affordable dupes available that are just as good. You’re absolutely paying for the one of a kind packaging not the product.
I listed dupes in the post above!
When’s Payless Shoe Source going to come out with their own line of polish? I’m down for that.
Maybe they will!
it IS really beautiful but at $50 a bottle I’m just not feelin’ it
Your wallet is happy, at least!
I’ve seen Louboutins rather closely, and this red isn’t QUITE the same as the sole. It’s just a smidgen brighter/pinker than the real red.
And the Ballerina Ultima was a part of a custom request by David Lynch for his series of photos called Fetish. You can find them online by putting in Louboutin David Lynch Fetish (or some such combination). The models wearing the various designs do not EVER actually stand up in the heels but hold onto things like the walls and pillars or lean over so they aren’t standing–you wouldn’t actually be able to stand or even wear them. They’re simply an art piece, not a functional shoe, ladies. 😛 (And this is from someone who wears heelless booties!)
Thank you for sharing, Danielle!
I saw a show/party that Marilyn Manson and Ozzy were at, strollers danced in these, and prior, there was a fashion walk to epitomize the theme of he party. It’s a grotesque yet beautiful walk. These are my favorite Lou’s! 🙂
Strippers danced, not strollers. Sorry.
If I could afford his shoes, I’d probably be all over this. But considering that this is a brand I have zero emotional attachment to, I can easily pass on a $50 nail polish. Beautiful presentation though :).
At least you can admire from afar 🙂
I’ll need that pointy handle to defend myself after people realize I spent 50 bucks on a bottle of nail polish.
LOL!
It’s a pretty colour but I had no desire to pick this up – nail polish is something I don’t wear often enough to justify such a price tag. 🙂
I totally get that! 🙂
I’ll be buying this for my mother as soon as I can get it in Ireland.
Why? Because there is nothing in the world my mother would love more than a pair of christian louboutin shoes, and I will be able to afford a 50 dollar bottle of nail polish before I’ll be able to afford her a pair of shoes.
If you dont want to pay for this polish great, leaves more for those of us who have a reason behind the purchase. Sentimental or otherwise.
That is very nice of you to give to your mom!
$50 for a B+? For this to win me over it needed to have an A+ with unicorns, LOL!
Unicorns not included! 😉
I was really disappointed. I RARELY have issues with wear… so it was like, “What? How? NOOO.” Wear on polish seems to be one of the least consistent areas for wear (like you just have formulas that wear 7+ days for one person wear for 2 hours on someone else), so I’m sure it will wear better on others (as well as worse).
I bought this polish from the Louboutin boutique and I absolutely love it! It’s eye catching and adds a flair to my vanity. I also used it to fix a scuff on the bottoms of my loubie shoes. Perfect match!
LOL! Well, now it may be worth the $50 since I bet it would be more expensive to have it repaired (or wayyy less convenient).
Late getting to comments today..super busy. But it’s so easy for me to say ‘no’ to this. I think if it turns your crank and you really love the luxury, the name, the bottle..have at it and enjoy!!!! For me, it’s a no brainer pass..I just don’t feel it.
I’m hoping to try another shade – but hopefully in a color I like, lol!
So it does seem that the Emperor truly has no clothes – certainly not 20 layers’ worth! At the price of this polish, I’d expect it to last really well, apply itself and maybe polish the mirrors in my house! I’d at least expect really good wear without chipping.
I was quite surprised, since I just get 7 days wear with most formulas, but I wasn’t pleased by day five. I got a little worried by day three (the tip wear just seemed to come a bit faster for me), but it, unfortunately, proved to be an issue.
The price doesn’t phase me, but I have always thought Louboutin’s so tacky. They remind me of the “dress” shoes in window of the stripper store downtown. Now if there was a Manolo Blahnik Nail Varnish collection I would be all over that! Pre-Order please 🙂
His Hangisi shoe is designed in some brilliant satin fabric colours, that would look stunning on a mani or pedi. Or his Chaos strappy sandal has some beautiful nudes and metallics leathers that would translate well…..
There are 30 shades, I think, in total, so maybe other shades will be inspired by the nudes/metallics you speak of!
In terms of usage, $50 for a B+ is sad, really. And really, as badly as it wore on you, I think it should have fared worse than a B+, especially since it was advertised as “chip-proof.” For me, the only reason to buy this would be to have it as an art piece on a vanity in a powder room for guests to admire, or for a Leboutin collector. It’s a pretty, luxury, status item, and since it doesn’t wear well, the only real use for it is to have other people recognize that it’s a luxury item. The problem with that is that once it’s on your nails, unless someone saw you apply it with the beautiful-yet-absurd bottle, all they are going to see is a red polish that could be one of any number of brands.
Someone above said that it’s about “the luxury experience.” Where’s the luxury in having badly chipped nails?
It is a good point, Lauren, about buying a product for the cache of others knowing you have it, though that’s not always everyone’s motivation. I agree that it’s lacking something when the wear is less than stellar this price point (because there’s no reason it shouldn’t be long-wearing).