Sunday, November 22, 2015

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile and Bengali Velvet Matte


Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

I feel like this has been one of my most requested posts!  I wanted to spend quite a lot of time over this post because I am aware that spending $90/£60/AED440 on a lipstick is an emotive subject and I have read realms and realms of opinions on the likes of Temptalia.com and seen polar opposite thoughts on these particular lipsticks.

As always here on my blog, this review is going to be 100% honest.  I did buy two of the lipsticks so there is no PR company behind my thoughts to impress/keep on side and no agenda to my writing.

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

I didn't buy any of the Louboutin lipsticks when they first launched although I think people expected me to.  Of course I looked at shades online and chose the ones I thought were the nicest but I actually purchased these in Dubai on my 'celebrating one year in remission' shopping spree in September.  It felt like a treat buying them and I do personally think they are beautifully packaged-I know the inspiration for the packaging is taken from Middle Eastern antiquities and the Art Deco movement and they are made of solid metal with a turret or crown lid and a ribbon threaded through the top, turning the lipstick into a pendant should you be that way inclined.  I am not.  Christian Louboutin is said to have wanted to change an everyday item into a treasured jewel.

They also come housed in a red velvet lined presentation box-it's all very aesthetically pleasing to me but some of my friends (who will remain nameless) have commented that they look like sex toys.

Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile is the classic Louboutin red in the sheer formula.

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

I am going to admit to be massively swayed by the packaging on this lipstick.  The casing reminds me of a mermaids tail and the Art Deco gold and silver crown is beautiful.  The 'sheer' formula has a flat topped bullet which seems de rigueur for sheer lipstick formulas-Tom Ford, Dior and Chanel all do the same.

I paired this shade with MAC Cherry lipliner which is a good match.  On me, this shade is definitely not the classic Louboutin true red but is a softer, more pink toned red.  I feel a bit disappointed by that, especially as these are the signature shades in the range.

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review-Rouge Louboutin Sheer Voile

I have found a couple of significant problems with this formula.  The first is that no matter how much I built up the colour on my lips, the lip liner still looked very distinct and didn't blend with the lipstick despite the fact they are almost identical in tone.  The knock on effect of this is that as the lipstick starts to wear off, the colour fades much faster than the lip liner so you are left with lined 'sex doll' lips.  And in no way do I mean that to be a positive thing.

The formula also feel very slippery and I found it almost impossible to get a completely even coverage.  When on the lips the formula does feel lightweight but it also feels slippery, almost oily.

And the biggest problem for me is that even with a liner, the colour bled outside of my natural lip line around my cupids bow-and I knew it was going to from the second I applied it.  Bleeding sex doll lips-Hallowe'en has gone this year hasn't it?

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

Bengali however is a different breed of lipstick.  Bengali comes from the velvet matte range which are housed in smooth gold metal casings with a decorative crown.  Bengali is a vivid raspberry pink-its not uber matte like the MAC Retro Matte formula is, it does have a slight sheen to it.  I would even classify it as a satin finish because there is a definite luminosity to it.

I paired it with MAC 'More to Love' lip liner and it was easy to fill in my lips-it has a much more traditional shaped lipstick bullet than the 'sheer' round shaped bullet.  The colour is opaque in one pass and is rich and velvety.  Once it's on the lips it sets and it doesn't budge-it doesn't fade for hours and it doesn't migrate outside my natural lip line.  It's comfortable to wear as well considering it is matte-it doesn't tug on the lips on application or suck the moisture from the lips.   I have to admit to really liking this one although I am 100% sure that this colour is not unique in my stash-but I do really like this shade of pink.

Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review Bengali velvet matte

My final thoughts-the sheer formula leaves me unimpressed and disappointed.  The velvet matte formula looked and felt much more high end compared to the sheer formula BUT I did not feel it was any better necessarily than any of my other favourite lipstick formulas-for example the Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy or the Tom Ford signature lipsticks.

But, I cannot admit to regretting purchasing them-even if I don't see wearing the sheer red ever again.  I feel like they are something to be collected and coveted-I feel like a lot of thought has gone into the design to make it that bit more special.  I appreciate it's a matter of personal taste and they're not the easiest lipsticks to carry around in your handbag or even store in your make up stash.  But I still look at them and think 'wow'.

I will use Bengali, I really like everything about it.

The price tag of course will be a huge factor in any purchase of this lipstick.  But Louboutin is a luxury brand and they only product 25,000 of shoes a month.  That is absolutely nothing considering what you average shoe company like Kurt Geiger or Dune or Nine West produce.  Louboutin shoes aren't necessarily meant to be accessible and worn every day-they're meant to be coveted and special.  Christian Louboutin is a creative genius-I recently watched a documentary about him and the way he thinks about things and views at the world is extremely innovative and has a distinct 'sexual' aspect in his creative process.  It would not surprise me at all if he wanted the lipsticks to resemble sex toys given back in 2012 he collaborated and choreographed 4 plays for Crazy Horse and he has collaborated with Dita Von Teese to create erotic underwear.  Christian himself says in the documentary that he wants to revolutionize contemporary footwear, turning the humble shoe into an iconic of eroticism, sexual fetish and fun.  Why wouldn't he filter that through to his lipstick line?

So £60 on a lipstick-yes or no?  Does the Louboutin name mean you want to buy it more or less?  Does style overrule substance as in the case of the sheer formula and could you accept that to own a lipstick like this?  Would you buy one for yourself?  Would you like one as a gift?  Is the beauty line a more accessible way for people to 'own' a piece of Louboutin?  Do you like the packaging?  I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts in the comments below-all opinions are welcome!




Christian Louboutin Lipsticks review

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