By Chrissy Iley
I’d forgotten about Louboutin. Those red soles that defined a decade. The very sight of that scarlet footprint was synonymous with decadence, luxury, A Lister. I’m not saying they came and went but they peaked like any trend they have to look at the way forward and when flatter pumps became more in vogue, the red sole didn’t seem to be so emphatic. It wasn’t making the same statement. So rather cleverly Louboutin started over again as being a curated collection of the most sought after lipsticks and nail polishes. Wow, those polish bottles with giant stiletto heels on their lids would look amazing on a dressing table. But not so great because you wouldn’t find a makeup bag to fit them.
The small collection of lipsticks were also works of art. They look like accessories from Catwalk in Paris meets Game of Thrones. Each one crafted like a perfect weapon. It even comes with a ribbon so you could wear it as a necklace. They have their own little box as if they’re a miniature Barbie doll or indeed a pair of treasured shoes.
Yes, the colours were great, the staying power pretty good and the price super expensive. And again, each lipstick is really, really heavy. Nonetheless, when they first came out they became must haves. Then with a slightly smaller fanfare came the eye collection of mascara and liners. I mocked the mascara in its gold packaging that weighed more than the rest of the contents of my make up bag. Is this the world’s most expensive mascara at £55? I saw it sitting there on a rather beautiful display at Brown Thomas in Dublin. I was waiting to get into my hotel room so why not play with makeup? The assistant told me that it actually worked out as a bargain. One application would take you from breakfast to after dinner cocktails and beyond. I didn’t believe her but I tried it. It went on like a luscious velvet and instantly made my jet lagged lashes seem lush and awake.
OK, maybe it’s an investment product. Had I tried the burgundy mascara it was going to make blue eyes pop? I definitely didn’t want to try burgundy but the lash amplifier mascara that swoops on in five seconds and gives an even coat of lacquered lashes that have the same glow of patent leather. I like speed. I like that convenience is luxury. I like the fact I’m always searching for the perfect mascara so there it was. The perfect mascara. The longest lasting, the fastest applied and the most expensive.
But of course what is that expression I use to myself so often? May as well be hung for a sheep as well as a lamb. I moved onto the eye pencils because there was one in teal. Not navy, not emerald, not sapphire, not sage but vivid, lustrous teal. Did I know how a super long lasting soft pencil that’s so easily applied and stays so long could revolutionise a blue-grey eye and could revolutionise any shade of shadow that accompanied it, so much so, random people who don’t know anything about make up – think good friends, husbands were saying ‘Your eye make up! How come you suddenly got so good at applying it?’ Yes, I’m afraid the world’s most expensive eye pencil has revolutionised my eye make up so it turns out to be the biggest bargain. I wear it every day. It and the mascara means my whole make up time is down to 3 minutes and I look like I’ve really taken care.
I like to top it off with a blended shadow from Chantecaille which is a soft and smoky eye duo called Grand Canal. If speed is convenience and convenience is luxury, this combo of eye make up is like winning the Power Ball lottery.
Shop Louboutin makeup at Harrods.