Luxury brands elevate lipstick to the status of a fashion accessory

Lipsticks are now seen as luxury accessories by many brands, but this story began to gain momentum in 2010, when premium lipsticks began to stand out in the market. At that time, a lipstick could cost up to US$26, with some models exceeding US$50 per unit. One of those responsible for this value was the Private Blend Lip Color Collection launched by the famous American brand Tom Ford. This initial movement was crucial for a market that expanded rapidly. In 2014, the market was already on the rise, with major brands dedicating a large part of their lines to lip products.

Accelerated growth

The growth of lipsticks as accessories has been impressive. According to 2023 studies, sales are growing at an annual rate of 21% per year. According to BoF, at Selfridges, a British department store chain, sales increased by 35% compared to the previous year.

The lipstick market has, therefore, demonstrated robust growth, with promising prospects for the future.

The evolution of luxury lipstick

In 2015, the Christian Louboutin brand launched the first line of lipsticks dedicated exclusively to the mouth. Available in 28 shades and with three different finishes, the lipstick design caught the market's attention. The bottle, pointed and inspired by Babylonian antiquities, was adorned by a crown-shaped cap, allowing the lipstick to be transformed into a pendant.

_{Rouge Premier Lipstick (Video: reproduction/Instagram/@beautybuzz.br)}

More recently, in 2023, Dior launched Rouge Premier, which stood out even more for having an exclusive formula, which includes infused gold, and its palette of 12 exclusive shades. Peter Phillips, the brand's creative director of makeup, highlighted the lipstick as a piece of “haute couture”. The product also came with a high-quality cylindrical ceramic case, handcrafted by Maison Bernardaud, a traditional French porcelain house, which further increased its value and exclusivity.

Featured photo: Rouge Dior lipstick (reproduction/Instagram/@diorbeauty)