Nothing to Disclose
*This product may not be Cruelty Free
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Today I have my swatches and review of the new Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin polish for you. There were lots of opposing comments on my blog post before and my Facebook page. Some wouldn't "ever spend that much on one bottle of polish" and others were "waiting for swatches" before deciding. Still others said "whatever floats your boat."
Well I would never presume to judge others on what they chose to spend or NOT spend on polish. Or handbags. Or shoes. Or anything really. So I was basically just curious to see how the formula was. I mean I earn my own money and will spend it how I see fit regardless of what others think...which may be a Walmart t-shirt, Payless flats and a $5k handbag. Or $200 jeans with Sinful Colors $1.99 nail polish. I like what I like and sometimes I like a cheapie polish, while other times I prefer Chanel. I sort of wanted to see how this one would fit in.
So let's take a look!
Swatches and review after the jump...
Well right off the bat you can see that the cost of the polish isn't just the name...the packaging is quite over the top and spendy as well. The heft of the bottle is amazing. Here I'm showing it next to a bottle of Chanel for size comparison...
This is what Christian Louboutin has to say about this polish...
"A true objet d’art of a dramatic 8-inch height inspired by the tallest heel Christian Louboutin ever created- the Ballerina Ultima.
The iconic Rouge is encased in a faceted, weighted glass bottle with an unique ombré effect.
The tall slender cap, inspired by calligraphy, turns the application into a luxurious experience, inviting women to take their time.
The custom-designed, patented triangular brush picks up the right amount of formula, without air bubbles, to deliver flawless, chip-resistant coverage.
A highly pigmented, super glossy formula delivers in just two coats the effect of 20 layers of traditional lacquer.
Enclosed in a patent leather like finish presentation box with a red reveal."
You can clearly see the bottle-design inspiration in the Ballerina Ultima...
I have to say that I don't know if 2 coats is the "effect of 20 layers of traditional lacquer" or not but I can say that it is the best formula for a red creme polish I've ever used. And that's saying something. I'm not finished with my wear test of course (I'll report on that later) but so far no chipping, no dulling and not even any tip wear yet.
Rouge Louboutin is a classic, medium, cool-toned red creme.
First, without top coat.
Full sun...
Shade...
And with top coat.
Artificial lighting...
Indirect natural lighting...
"Leather like" is right. It's basically a cardboard box. But it's nicely made and didn't bother me. LOL.
The brush. No, the height of the brush top didn't bother me at all or alter the way I typically polish my nails. I honestly didn't even notice it once I started polishing. It's well balanced. The brush itself is a thin and round - almost identical to the one Chanel uses. Chanel's is a touch longer with a longer stem just because what the bottle height dictates. So the "custom-designed, patented triangular brush" statement has me a bit confused. It did, in fact, do a great job of picking up the perfect amount of polish and I didn't have any issues with the stem holding too much either.
The brush only appears flat because I've wiped practically all the polish off of it on the side of the bottle for the photo, but it's round.
And here it is with the standard Chanel brush...
The formula was probably the creamiest formula I've ever used. Creamier than Illamasqua Throb, which was my go-to "quick and easy" red. Those of you who've heard me go on about the formula of Illamasqua Throb have probably fainted just now. It's not a thin formula so if you prefer thin formulas, you won't be as taken with this one as I am. But it isn't too thick at all. They've actually struck the perfect balance. It's nearly a one-coater and you could definitely get by with one, but I've used two for the swatches above. It seems to dry a bit faster than most, but it's still nicely self-leveling.
How does it compare to Chanel Dragon you ask? Well the formula is just as creamy and opaque and it's a bit brighter. Dries a bit shinier and a bit faster. Dragon is a medium-toned red while Loubie is definitely cool-toned - which is a bit hard to tell in this photo.
EDITED TO ADD MORE COMPARISON PHOTOS:
I was ready to declare it "all hype" and advise you not to "waste your money" on it. And I still don't know that $50 a bottle should be something you don't think twice about. And I certainly don't want it setting a price precedent. But I have to give this one two polished thumbs up!
I don't know how I will feel about the other shades that are supposed to be coming out later this month. Will the formula be as good? Will the colors be original enough?
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| George Chinsee via WWD |
So what do you think? Will you splurge? Is the great formula enough for you to pick this one over your other reds? All hype? Very interested to see what everyone thinks!
This one is currently sold out or back-ordered on several sites but as I write this, I *think* they still have stock at Neiman Marcus. Other retailers: Sephora, Nordstrom and direct from the Christian Louboutin site.
$50.00 USD/13mL
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If you enjoyed this post, please take a second to "like" it! Thanks!
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Wow! I think i want this now! I remember hearing people say that the bottle was small (amount of polish) but it looks huge from the pictures. Does it say how many ml?
ReplyDeleteIt's 13mL - the same as Chanel.
Delete"THAT BOTTLE IS F*CKING HUGE!" -- Me as soon as I saw your first picture
ReplyDeleteNo joke. I actually said that out loud. It looks like a lovely red, but I *personally* can't spend that on a red creme. I don't wear red often enough to justify it. However, I might be willing to try out other shades depending on the "OMGINEEDTHISINMYLIFEORIWILLDIE" effect it has on me.
Red is one of my go-to colors and that's how I justified it LOL! But I totally know what you mean!
DeleteThose bottle/lid designs are fabulous! In the future it's possible I would buy one if it was a unique color but probably more because I loved the bottle! lol
ReplyDeleteThe heft of the bottle is great too!
DeleteThis for me would be a "Statement piece" of a collection for sure, but I have my polish in helmers so I don't display my polish anyway. It's so darn pretty/tempting/dangerous looking, but I don't think I can justify the price.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm not sure where I'm going to put this but it's really pretty. I have a feeling it will sit on my desk and i'll use the heck out of it until I get halfway through the bottle and then I'll be like OH NO I can't use it or I'll run out! And goodness knows I'm probably not getting a "backup" of this one.
DeleteThank you for this review and your words about spending the amount you want on what you want. I picked Louboutin Rouge up about two or three weeks ago from the Saks in NYC, and I fell in love immediately. I initially purchased it for a non-NYC friend who didn't want to wait for delivery from CL, but I hijacked the purchase, lol (with her permission, of course). In person, the bottle was just so stunning, and let's be honest, it's the only Christian Louboutin item I will ever own. And I posted pics of the bottle and swatches, one blogger even used them on her FB page, and it was hard not to take some of the negative comments personally. It's funny, because someone judging me for spending $50 on polish is no different than someone judging someone else for only ever spending $1.99 on polish - it's just judgment on the other end of the spending spectrum. Admittedly, $50 is a lot to spend on a single bottle of polish, for sure, and there is a lot of hype involved here. But the bottle alone is worth it imo, as a collector's item or statement piece to my collection. I don't really need 8 more OPIs I will never wear - this use of $50 for something I will cherish is wiser ;) But then I tried the polish, and the formula really blew my socks off. The red polish was like gorgeous liquid latex on my nails, and I couldn't stop staring at them! And I don't even like red. I wore the mani for about 8 days without a single chip, just slight tip wear. I would have kept it on longer, but I have too many untrieds to get through, lol. I am not an idiot or a fool for indulging myself just this once, given I don't spend on shoes or bags or jewelry or expensive clothing ;) So I am very, very happy with your post! I doubt I will pick up the other polishes - signature Rouge will do just fine!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your reply. I know people who think someone has to be stupid to spend $9 on an OPI when clearly Sinful at $1.99 is the same color. I also know people who could spend $50 on a bottle of polish like I spend $1.99 on a bottle,percentage of income-wise. I love nice purses but I don't spend lots on much else. Everyone has something they splurge on and IMO unless I'm paying your way through life, it's not my business how you spend your money. By the same token, it's not for anyone else to say what I choose to spend MY money on. And I've heard all the arguments about starving children and dying planet etc. And to that I say this. Generally, the people spending lots of money on lots of "things" are the people who not only keep the economy going, they are also the people who are able and DO donate more money in one year to charities than I will make in a lifetime. And they spend more of their time and energy donating their time to various charities and most of these judgmental people can imagine. That said, I would never judge someone for spending their OWN money that they earned on anything. And I wouldn't judge someone who only buys $1.99 polish or thrift store shoes. As I said in my post, I run the spectrum myself. <3
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DeleteI agree with Debbie Spence - definite statement piece. Maybe at another time, I might consider this, but life right now is dictating otherwise. And although I like reds, it's not my go to color either. That being said, it is a GORGEOUS bottle, and the swatches are fantastic. Maybe I'll put on my Christmas wishlist...someone might surprise me!
ReplyDeleteI hope someone surprises you with it for Christmas!
DeleteThanks for a thorough review! I will probably never buy this but it sure is fun to read about, and looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks <3
DeleteWhat a great review and what a beautiful red polish. I'll probably never buy this polish but it's nice to know that it's a good product.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was so ready for it not to be great but it really was pretty awesome.
DeleteOh, and just in case it wasn't clear from my first comment, I buy polish from all places and all price points ;) Recent purchases include Louboutin Rouge and four bottles of Funky Fingers at $2 each from Five Below. I am an equal-opportunity-polishaholic! I love your manic pics - your nails look absolutely gorgeous! And the red color flatters you brilliantly. hooray.
ReplyDelete*mani pics
DeleteI would definitely purchase this, especially now knowing the formula is fabulous. I honestly don't care if people think it's ridiculous to spend $50 on one polish. Everyone has a right to spend their money how they like. I know people who go to salons and easily spend $50 every couple of weeks for manis and pedis. You know how many manis and pedis this one bottle will provide? People don't look at it like that though - they tend to just judge without thinking and that is what bothers me.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to go on a rant. This was a fab post and you just sold me!
I totally agree! And do you know how much money total I've ever spent on a mani or a pedi? Zero. I'm not against them, just never had one. Figured I could do it myself and now look. LOL!
DeleteThe bottle is just super divine. I love it. It's really more of the perfect collectors item for a nail polish collector. I may have to get this at some point. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure you could kill someone with that bottle. o_O
ReplyDeleteI've spent more than $50 on rare Chanel polishes, so you'll get no judgment from me! Still I have enough reds (including Dragon) and the newest RBL red on the way that I am going to give this a pass. Gorgeous photos, enjoy the polish!
ReplyDeleteGood to know that at that price point the product really performs! But man, that bottle... One of the more unusual for sure. Maybe if you kept it on your perfect, black glass, art-deco vanity? Doesn't fit my style, so that is what would make me skip it, not the price.
ReplyDeleteI think that darker red is more to my liking. Great review!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that its not all hype and that the polish really does have a great formula. I'm a little stumped about that hand Crafted triangular brush part also. Looks like a regular polish brush to me.
ReplyDeleteI have been on the fence about buying this polish but your review and looking at in on your fabulous nails has pushed me over the edge! My first reaction when I saw this bottle was, wow, what a big a$$ bottle that is! I think I would have to have it on display at all times! I will be curious to see what the wear time of it is on you as well.
ReplyDeleteThe moment I heard about it, I knew I was getting it! I'm not a red polish person normally but for Louboutin...yes I will!! I want the whole set as well. And for the judgemental people...ftttt. I donate money and volunteer for the charities, AND shaved my head for pediatric cancer research. I'll splurge on this with NO guilt whatsoever!! Thanks for the fantastic review! I should have bought it when I saw it on Sephora, now it's oos....I think it's time to search for one ;) enjoy it!!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the spending statement. I personally wouldn't spend that much on polish unless I came into quite a bit of money, especially with bills to pay. But, seriously wow, the polish looks like the most creamiest formula - I love a creamy polish. Love the shade, love the OTT bottle x
ReplyDeleteKate | A British Sparkle
I think this is amazing...yes it's expensive, but for collectors, it's an amazing piece! It's not like his shoes are cheap, so what do people expect?!
ReplyDeleteI tried to convince myself I didn't need it, but your pictures (and my newfound love of red polish) make me think I do! If it was cruelty-free, I'd be all over it!
I won't be buying it. Not even because it's $50. It could be $5 and I still wouldn't. The bottle is massive and OTT, the colour isn't as unique and I'm not a red cream polish girl, so all in all this does nothing for me.
ReplyDeletegrat post, VERY comprehensive and wow, what a bottle! xx
ReplyDeleteI would probably never buy this because of the price (partly because I can't afford that right now, anyway) but man, that bottle is an amazing collector's item!
ReplyDeleteOverall reaction? Eh. To me, it's not unique enough to spend $50. I also don't go for polishes that aren't cruelty free, so right away it's off my list. It is a very nice color, and I love your thorough review! Just not a polish for me. You wear it very well though :)
ReplyDeleteMy thrifty mum would kill me (and not sure I could make myself spend that on polish, I have that in built thought of what something costs). Glad I don't love reds. I do agree that we shouldn't judge someone for spending money and thus helping the economy... previous semi political comment deleted. :)
ReplyDeleteNice red, though.
Don't apologize! I appreciate your comments. And of course the rich aren't the only ones who keep the economy going. And no, I didn't buy it because I could or to thumb my nose. I was very poor growing up and I'm still quite thrifty with most things because of it. Unfortunately I'm still not rich - or even "well off" but I budget so that if I want a $50 polish or a nice purse now and then, I can afford it. But it's always budgeted. If I can't afford it I don't buy it. I don't even use credit cards because I hate debt. But I always want people to feel comfortable posting what they really think, even if they think it's "negative." Unless someone is nasty to another commenter, I will always leave it or approve it to be published. ♥
ReplyDeleteLove the bottle and the color! I must have it!!!
ReplyDeleteDamn that's a big bottle! If I had the money I would buy it straight away. :)
ReplyDelete