After years of waiting, Louis Vuitton is taking its first steps into the world of beauty this month with La Beauté Louis Vuitton, a debut collection that's very quickly caught the eye of the industry — for more reason than one.
To start with, there's the heavyweight name behind Vuitton's new venture. Developed by iconic makeup artist — and the brand's cosmetics creative director — Pat McGrath, the collection encompasses 55 stunning lip colours, 10 lip balms and eight LV Ombres eyeshadows. And then there's the matter of pricing. At $160 (approximately AED 588) per lipstick and $250 (AED 918) per palette, Louis Vuitton's new range closes in at almost double the monetary tag of other luxury brands.
Even before the new drops could hit stores — you can expect to shop your favourites August 25 onwards — La Beauté Louis Vuitton has become a… dare we say, controversial topic of conversation online. For those who have remained loyal to the brand for decades, the new products come as a welcome vanity kit addition. But for the more price conscious shopper, the new collection gives rise to countless questions. Could La Beauté Louis Vuitton bump up the prices of its contemporaries and forever change how we consume beauty? And more importantly, can it live up to its already sky-high expectations?
Only one way to find out.
Pat McGrath, the world's greatest make-up artist, inaugurates her vision of nomadic beauty in a first collection for Louis Vuitton. First chapter: the mouth and the eyes.
Five days ahead of its official launch, I find myself opening up a creamy terracotta box that houses some of Louis Vuitton's most flattering pigments. While many have been discussing the rich reds and pinks from the French powerhouse, my customised box boasts deep burgundies and a delicious matte nude — perfect for the yellow undertones of my Indian skin.
Off the bat, the packaging feels quintessentially Louis Vuitton. The refillable cases, weighty in the palm, speak of understated elegance with their classic black-and-white exteriors, accented by metallic monogrammed detailing. The true luxe factor reveals itself in the subtleties — a magnetic cover that snaps effortlessly into place and a discreet LV embossed on the side of the colour bullet, a quiet nod to craftsmanship. The fact that the cases can be reused also appeals to my eco-conscious mind. Wastage remains a pressing issue in the beauty industry, and I love the mindfulness behind these keepsakes.
At first swipe, I understand what the hype is all about. Louis Vuitton's lipsticks glide on seamlessly with incredible colour payoff — a true Pat McGrath touch. The fragrance, a blend of mimosa, jasmine and rose by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, is mild but refreshing. Despite having tried on a matte shade, my lips feel instantly hydrated. We can thank the formula for this: the lipsticks come infused with shea butter and hyaluronic acid for a comfortable wear each time.
Over the day, my lip colour remains in place, albeit slightly faded as I work my way through lunch and a late coffee run. While a touch up would have helped if I had a dinner outing, I like how natural the pigment looks after wearing off slightly. The effect is refined in a subtle way — and isn't that what quiet luxury is all about?
Already, La Beauté Louis Vuitton shows promise of becoming a staple in my handbag. At AED 588 a pop, this is a purchase that asks for commitment. But once it's made, it's a reward that keeps on giving.
La Beauté Louis Vuitton will be available exclusively online from August 25 and hits stores on August 29
